The Lord of Shadows Rises Page 15

  Boar nods his head as he writes down Guan’s answer. “Next situation: You are holding a priceless artifact and taking it to a museum with a comrade. Someone attacks and surprises you. Holding your comrade hostage, he demands you hand over the item for your comrade’s release. What do you do?”

  Guan thinks for a moment. “The problem is that you don’t know if he is going to hold up his end of the bargain.

  He does not know if you can be trusted, so what you do is make it so we send the item and hostage to the middle of the standoff. The negotiators walk to their respective objects, meanwhile keeping an eye out for any sign of betrayal.

  I would save a life, rather than hold a valuable artifact which can be retrieved at a later time. Lives can’t be retrieved.”

  Boar nodded. “Last situation,” said the former master. “You are leading a platoon and are ordered to retrieve a document that determines the victor of the war. Your information is faulty. Instead of facing a small number of troops, you find yourself outnumber by a force three times the size of your own. Do you continue with this mission at the cost your platoon not making it back, or leave the information that made victory certain for your side, and retreat, giving you a higher chance of survival?”

  Guan sighed. “The losses will be heavy with both choices, but I will continue. Is my platoon worth more than absolute victory or should a team be sacrificed for the greater good? In this case, I would fight to retrieve the document and send a small force back to deliver the plans to the commander. The rest of my platoon would fight a losing battle to save the lives of the whole army. I hope that situation never arises but that is what I would do in this scenario.”

  “You pass because you answer the highest probability of survival for the main objective. In the first question, you take out your opponent individually,” he explained

  “The second choice was the completion of a mission to a comrade’s well being. Commanders are forced to make this call constantly. I will say this: your comrade should never be sacrificed for an object,” said the man.

  "The last situation was is vital for the survival of everyone, you must take the mission. Commanders are not cowards, and should be willing to go into battle with little chance of survival, if it is to attain ultimate victory,” said Boar. “There will be times when it won’t be as simple as I have told you, so be mindful of all factors presented even those not presented.”

  Guan bowed “Thank for the lesson, Master Boar.”

  “Head to your final test.”

  Guan entered the door in time to see the room morph into a coliseum. Standing in the middle is a woman of Asian descent with red hair and battle dress with red metal plates and gold trims on the hem. On her back was a quarter staff with a cloth wrapped around the middle “Greetings, young master. My name is Shun.”

  "Guan of the Shaolin,” the monk says with a bow. “May I ask what the test is?”

  “The final tests are usually combat related; this is no different. We will fight with nothing but quarterstaffs while on the balance beam. The purpose is to test your balance in combat with limited movement. Here, think fast.” She threw him a staff.

  Guan jumped on the balance beam with the Shun doing the same. The two looked at each other as Guan stood still allowing Shun making the first move.

  Guan brought one end of his staff up blocking the blow. Raising the other end he swung up to Shun’s head, forcing her to raise the staff up, intercepting the staff “Impressive,” comments the female former master.

  Guan stepped back and twirled his staff behind his back. “As a monk we try to not use lethal weapons in battle. I am not the strongest staff wielder but I am proficient in it.”

  He swung his staff at Shun’s feet. She stepped over each low strike making it seem like a dance more than a fight.

  Shun put the staff behind her back, with her left hand holding it and knee up. Her right palm open, facing Guan. She quickly brought her staff to Guan’s foot. Guan did the unthinkable and stepped on it. Shun tried to get it loose but struggling made her lose her balance causing her to fall off the beam. Doing a flip, she landed on her feet. Guan bowed to the female master and jumps off.

  “Well done, young master, you pass the final test,” she said and bows in respect to him.

  “Thank you, Master Shun,”

  “Now head up the stairs to finish your trials.”

  Guan headed up the stairs. After getting to the top, a shroud formed and Guan saw a brown haired man with a scar on his chest and with two pikes strapped to his back. He was wearing a green robe “Well done, Master Guan. I am Kevin of the Wind, general of the Lord of Shadows.”

  Guan stood still, no emotion on his face. “Master Shin was a worthy and honorable enemy. Let’s see if his successor can equally impress me,” said Kevin.

  Kevin eyes Guan’s weaponless hand. “You don’t have a weapon.” He took one of his pikes and tossed it to Guan.

  Guan caught it and holds it in a ready position. “You’re different than most generals. You’re more honorable.”

  The two clash pikes as Guan went for a jab with the bladed end. Kevin repeatedly dodged, one of the blades tearing into his cloak. Kevin swung his pike, going for a deception but misses as Guan ducked under and sweep kicks the man, sending him to the ground.

  Kevin flips back onto his feet as the two rushed forward and clashed. Kevin’s superior strength started to push Guan off balance.

  Sending Guan to the ground, Kevin rushed the downed monk, forcing Guan to be on the defense with repeated strikes aiming for his head.

  Blocking each blow with his own pike, Guan used one hand to swing his pike, making Kevin tilt his head back to avoid it. He did not see a palm heading to his chest until it connects, causing Kevin to stumble back from the force of the hit. “We are getting nowhere with the weapons.”

  Guan impales the ground with the pike. Kevin nods his head and throws his pike down to get in his stance. Ba Shan Fan style;, it will be difficult to fight this form, though Guan

  Guan threw the first punch with a hammer fist, hoping to achieve first blood, only to be blocked. Kevin went for a palm thrust, hitting Guan in the chest. “First blood goes to me,” said Kevin as he throws his left elbow at Guan, but fails to connect. Guan caught it and threw it back, turned Kevin around. Guan retaliates with a kick to Kevin’s back, making him stumble forward. Kevin spins around and backhand’s Guan in the face, splitting his lip.

  The two combatants jumped away. The cold wind howled as the two stared each other down. The fighters suddenly lunge at each other with a flurry of punches and kicks.

  Kevin was sent back by a kick to his stomach by Guan. He Struggled to get up Guan walked slowly to Kevin, ready to deliver the final blow. Kevin closes his eyes with contentment on his face.

  Kevin feels a hand pull him up “Why?” The general said confused.

  “You are too honorable to die needlessly,” said Guan. “I would recommend you leave.”

  Kevin bowed to the superior opponent then headed back into the tower.

  Guan watched the shroud dissipate and then saw the other Masters who passed their trials.

  ***

  Yuan was heading down the hallway of the path he picked, his curved sword at his waist. The room he entered was filled with flora of all types, giving it the appearance of a jungle. Glancing around he saw a man wearing a simple black robe with a white helm, and white, wooden sandals on his feet. “So the young master to be has come.”

  Yuan looks at the man. “Who are you?”

  “It is respectful to gives one’s name first, before demanding someone else’s,” said the man.

  “Yuan.”

  “You can call me the Gann. Your test is a game of tag. To pass, you must make physical contact with me. You have two hours. You can use anything in the room including your own weapons. Ready.... Set... Go!” Gann back flipped in to the flora.

  Yuan looked around as he cautiously headed into the man-made jungle. He spots his
target and rushes forward. He got a millimeter from him and grabbed something. Yuan looks at his hands and sees nothing. “You’ll have to do better to catch me,” the Gann taunts, and scurrying away with Yuan in hot pursuit.

  Gann grabbed a branch and let it fly, forcing Yuan to dodge to the side. “You know, strategy is the name of the game. You must not only rely on your skill, but also the very environment,” said the master. “Take everything into account and use it to your advantage or it will be used against you.”

  Yuan ran through the foliage as Gann’s' voice echoes with tips and advice. “Easy for you to say; strategy is not my forte.”

  “How do you hope to beat me and enemies like me? Deception is the key to winning an actual fight.” Jumping down from a branch, Gann motioned a challenge with his hand. “Is that all you have? I am disappointed.”

  Yuan rushes blindly, hoping to overpower the master. Gann dodges each punch with both hand behind his back rubbing more salt into Yuan’s injured pride, “Come now, a child could beat you with the way you’re fighting,” goaded Gann as he ducked under a sloppy punch. “Come on, make me sweat, at least.”

  Yuan jumped back, breathing heavily, sweat on his face. In contrast, Gann was completely relaxed. Gann frowns. Too easy to get under his skin and have him lose focus, thought the master.

  Gann smiled “Maybe I should not use one of my legs to make it even,” Gann says and even illustrated by balancing on one foot. Yuan growls. “Don’t get mad at your inability to pass the first test.”

  Yuan, grinding his teeth, sat down. “Giving up already?” asked Gann.

  Yuan closes his eyes and listen to his heart beat. Throwing his hand forward, Gann was thrown back by a guest of wind. “You were saying?” Yuan jumped up.

  Gann recover just before he got slugged in the chest with a fist.

  Gann wheezed “You used chi energy to repeal me back. Not surprising considering Mistress Wu was one of the few to master chi usage completely.

  Yuan composed himself. “So I passed?”

  Gann nodded his head. “With thirty minutes to spare. However, you are reckless and easily angered. I was able to make you lose focus rather easily. Had I been out for your life, you would have died within ten minutes of engagement. Rein in that temper and you will be stronger for it. Head to your next test and remember the lessons that were taught here today.”

  Yuan left for the next test and comes to a room with a balance beam and different staffs and pole-arms on the wall. Hearing footsteps, Yuan turns around and saw a dark skinned man shorter than him by at least a foot. He was wearing a brown robe, and had two braids going down both sides of his head.

  “So you have arrived,” said the man, his voice high with excitement. “My name is Yandi and you are here to take the test?” he inquired with a Jamaican accent.

  “I am. What is the test?”

  “It is simple, young master to be; you must knock me off the balance beam barehanded. This test is a test of balance,” said the short man.

  Yuan walked to the balance beam and jumped on with Yandi doing the same. The two stare each other and then rushed forward. Yandi threw the first punch which Yuan blocked. Yuan went for a kick, forcing Yandi to twist his body, making the kick sail harmlessly past him.

  Yuan walked forward as to not lose his balance. “It seems that balance is not your strong suit. What’s wrong?” asked the small man, hopping around as if it was nothing.

  Yuan rushed forward as the man continued to hop and landed a punch on him, sending him to the edge of the beam. Hoping to get a victory, Yuan pressed his charge and threw a punch. Yandi, jumped over Yuan and kicks him on the back making him lose his balance.

  Yandi looked over as a hand grabbed his foot and throws him off. Yuan dangled underneath the beam holding to the underside in a bear hug. Yandi stood up. “Well done, using the unorthodox to overcome you own weakness.”

  Yuan lands on the ground as the previous master approached him. “You passed the second test, Yuan. I hope to see great things from you.”

  Getting to his last test, he sees the empty room morph into a meadow. Standing in the meadow was a man with a bamboo hat and a peasant’s garb. He was a dark-skinned Pacific Islander. He was digging, using a hoe. Turning his head, the man stopped what he was doing. “Welcome to the final test, young master. My name is Budi, from Indonesia.”

  “Yuan. Yes, I have come for the last test.”

  Budi twirled his hoe around. “Last test is a battle. You must beat me into submission, or I concede.”

  “Any rules that I should be aware of?”

  “No, any weapons are allowed.” Budi brought his hoe up in a guard.

  Yuan took out his sword and rushes forward. Bringing his sword up for a strike, he swung it only to have the master block the attack with the wooden handle of the hoe. Budi threw his arm up, unbalancing Yuan. He slammed the dull end of the handle into Yuan chest making him gasp. “Come now. Mistress Wu was able to fight me better than this,” taunted Budi, twirling his hoe over his head.

  Yuan growled and charged forward. Budi sigh. “How did you pass the first two tests with such a brash nature?” asked Budi as he parried the blow.

  Yuan sent a palm thrust into the master, catching him off guard. The master recovered quickly

  “Interesting use of your tactics; it would have worked against a weaker enemy. But I am different,” Budi commented. He slammed a foot in Yuan’s chest, sending him back.

  Yuan hunched over. He saw his opponent right in front of him, getting ready to strike with the metal part of the hoe. As it comes down, Yuan caught the wooden shaft with his hands and growls. With one movement he slams the handle into the master chest making him gasp.

  Seizing the momentum, Yuan sent a right hook to the master’s jaw, throwing his head back from the force. Following with a strong round house kick to the side of the body, Yuan knocked the master down. He grabbed the master’s hoe and points it at the master.

  “I pass right?” asked Yuan, blood dripping from his mouth.

  Budi smiled. “You pass!” he exclaimed, getting up. “You are now the master, well done.”

  Yuan bowed and turned to a door that opened. “Go through the door and up the stairs.”

  Yuan goes up the stairs and gets to the top as a shroud forms. “Well, the student has become the master,” said a female voice. “My blade hasn’t tasted much blood since your teacher was killed.”

  Yuan gripped his curved sword. “Face me!” he shouts in anger. A female with metal claws attached to her hands walked out.

  Wearing blue battle armor made of leather, she grinned evilly. “You are the one who murdered Mistress Wu?” he asked.

  “It was a wonderful bloodbath. By the way, you can call me Shun Xian.”

  Yuan, brandishing his sword, ran forward. The female general does the same, scraping her claws on the stone ground. Yuan, going low, tried to take her leg from under her. Jumping over the sword, Shun flipped, kicking Yuan in the chin. “Is that it, young Master? Mistress Wu would be so disappointed.”

  Yuan looked at her with rage-filled eyes. “No more talk. You will pay for the blood on your hands!” Yuan blocked a claw with his sword. He kicks her back with a round house. Running forward, he slammed the pommel of the handle into her chest sending her back.

  Shun got up slowly and rushes forward, claws behind her. Showing great speed, she came down with a swipe over Yuan’s head. Yuan blocked it with his sword and feeling himself start to lose ground as both weapons are in a lock. Yuan saw the insanity in the assassins eyes as she pushes down on the sword. I will not lose to this madwoman, he thought as he spins to the side and brings his blade to Shun’s back. She slowly turned her heads as she slumps over dead. A big gash where sword hit her.

  Yuan sheathed his sword as the shroud dissipated and the sky could be seen. Looking around, he sees the other masters there, with Alexander wearing the robe of Grand Master. “I was wondering which of us would be given that rank,” he sa
id as he got on a knee. “I am honored to serve you, Grand Master Alexander Theodorson.” The other masters do the same.

  “We have to get back to camp,” Alexander says as the tower disappears and they found themselves on solid ground with no trace of the temple. “Huh.”

  Bain walked up. “So you five have passed. And you have passed the Grand Master’s test, Alexander.”

  “What happened to the temple?” asked Lenora.

  “When the trials are over, pass or fail, the temple disappears.”

  .Xxx

  The group heads back to the hidden cove were the Order of White Rose is stationed.

  Outside the base, Alexander saw about fifty thousand soldiers being trained by the White Rose warriors. They where currently practicing martial arts.

  “Some are training in covert operations in order to give us an edge. We will use hit and run attacks to soften them up,” Bain told him.

  Alexander sighed. “So it is finally come. We are going to war. To think I would be fighting to the death at my age.”

  “Life throws unexpected curve balls at you. It is how you handle them that will determine your path. Come; it is time for your coronation as Grand Master,” said Bain.

  The two walked into a room and Alexander saw the Order’s members numbering in the thousands, standing at attention. “Head to the altar, Alexander.” Bain motioned to the altar which had a white rose made of metal on top.

  Bain walks up. “Today is a proud day to announce the new Grand Master. It has been over one hundred years since anyone has passed the trials. Today the new Grand Master has been chosen by the temple and his name is Alexander Theodorson. Let’s assist him in this war as others have done before him,” Bain said. The room responded with a roar of applause. “Now will Alexander please make a speech.”

  Alexander walked up to the altar, flanked by two masters on each side. “It has been a hard battle, so far, and we have lost good people.” He pauses. “However, we must preserve, and as Grand Master I shall fight until we are victorious.” The congregation of members cheered.