ONE
The dojo smelled of sweat and old wood. The morning sun glistened on the hardwood floor creating pools of brilliance. In the center of the floor stood a figure. His white hair was cut short. His gnarled hands clasped gently in meditation rested on the knot of his obi the belt that designated him as the sensei of the school. His uniform hid his frame, muscled from years of extreme training. His breaths were so measured it seemed he wasn’t breathing.
Every morning he stood there, waiting for the sun to rise. As the sunlight touched his feet, he exploded in movement. His body moved with grace and power. Each strike was precise and deadly. He did this kata a prearranged set of movements every day since he learned it three hundred years ago. It was in his body now. He no longer needed to think about the movements. They flowed of their own volition. A dance of life and death. He finished his last move facing away from the entrance as another figure entered the dojo.
He was taller than the sensei. His long black hair was tied into a ponytail. Two swords were strapped to his back, the hilts of which protruded past his shoulders, giving the impression of horns. He stepped onto the dojo floor, his leather boots creaking softly. His every step spoke menace.
“I see you haven’t lost your ability, sensei,” said the figure.
The sensei spoke without turning. With his senses expanded he knew it was Rael.
“That title is no longer applicable to you. How did you escape?”
“Funny thing, that. It seems ascendants are dying, sensei,” said Rael.
The sensei remained motionless.
“Dying or being killed?”
“Does it matter? The end result is the same and here I am,” said Rael with a mock bow.
“You will go back, Harbinger,” said the sensei in a quiet voice.
“Are you going to send me? Are you strong enough?” said Rael as he unsheathed his swords. Dark blue energy enveloped the blades, crackling with power. The smell of burning metal filled the dojo as he extended his arms to the side.
“Our strength does not diminish with age. You most of all should know that.”
The sensei turned to face Rael. He held a folded metal fan in each hand.
“Where is he, sensei? The one who carries the weapon?”
“He is not here.” The sensei flicked his wrists, opening the fans.
“But you know where he is,” said Rael. “All of you are connected on some level. You know where he is.”
He brought his swords to his sides and the energy arced between them, setting off small lightning strikes across the dojo floor. Rael approached the sensei, gliding forward with unnatural speed, his fans giving off silver light as he advanced. Rael slashed with both swords, crossing them. Flicking a fan closed as he ducked, the sensei stopped the attack, immobilizing Rael’s forearms. Energy bathed them as Rael twisted back, out of the hold.
“Stop this, Rael,” said the sensei as he stepped back. “You cannot help your master. It would be the end of everything.” Rael took a defensive stance, his swords burning the air around them.
“Help him? You say that like I have a choice. He owns me, sensei. Just tell me where Dante is. I know you know.”
“I cannot.”
“Before you die today, you will.”
Rael stepped back and sheathed his swords as three figures entered the dojo. Standing seven feet tall, their muscular bodies rippled with dark energy as they stepped onto the dojo floor. Two of them held metal spheres attached to a chain, the third held a little girl.
“Grandpa, are these big men your friends?” said the little girl.
“Her parents?” asked the sensei.
Rael walked over and took the little girl’s hand and squatted down to look in her eyes. A chain and bell materialized in the giant’s hand as she let go.
“They didn’t make it,” said Rael. “Did you know her father was an ascendant?”
The sensei narrowed his eyes.
“Gyrevex,” said the sensei. “You dared to summon them?”
“I wonder if she is an ascendant?” said Rael as he stroked her hair. Rael walked over to the Gyrevex nearest him, tapping him on the chest as he spoke.
“Turns out I didn’t need three of these,” said Rael. “One of them is like an army, unfeeling, uncaring. Practically impossible to stop. He gave me three—talk about overkill.”
“She is not part of this. Let her go,” said the sensei.
“If she was an ascendant it would be too early to tell. What’s your name, sweetheart?” Rael said as he crouched down to speak to her.
“Nina,” answered the girl. “Are you going to hurt my grandpa?”
“Well, Nina, here is the thing. Your grandpa has a secret, but he doesn’t want to share it with me. You like secrets?”
Nina nodded slowly. Rael looked at the sensei as he spoke.
“Well, if grandpa tells me his secret I promise to let him go. How old are you, Nina?”
“Four.”
“Do you like ice cream? I love ice cream. Do you want to get some while grandpa plays with my friends?”
At the mention of ice cream, Nina’s face lit up with expectation. Rael stood up and spoke to the Gyrevex.
“He has information I need. Extract it.”
The sensei took a step forward. The three Gyrevex turned to the sensei. Rael spoke without turning.
“I wouldn’t. Innocent eyes shouldn’t have to see bloodshed. Don’t you agree, sensei?”
The sensei stood still. The three Gyrevex remained facing the sensei, their attention fixed.
“All you had to do was tell me. You caused this, remember that. Let’s go, Nina. Do you like chocolate?” Nina grabbed Rael’s hand as they left the dojo. The Gyrevex fanned out and began to spin their metal spheres.
“Very well, then,” said the sensei. “A life for a life.”
The sensei opened his fans with a flick. The metallic sound echoed through the dojo over the whirr of the spinning spheres. The sensei focused his chi and his fans flared bright silver. The first Gyrevex let his sphere go. The sensei twisted his body sideways. The sphere, called a bell flew past him. He immediately bent forwards to avoid the second bell that came from behind. The third Gyrevex stayed back, observing. With a tug, both Gyrevex pulled their bells back. I need to get rid of these bells, thought the sensei. The first Gyrevex was spinning his bell overhead, while the second spun his to the side of his body. They attacked simultaneously. The first aimed for his head, while the second came in low trying to break his legs. The sensei leapt into the air, avoiding both attacks. The third Gyrevex attacked then, sending his bell directly at the sensei.
Too late, the sensei realized the tactic. He brought up his fans to shield his body from the bell. The bell struck his chest. The force of its impact was dispersed by his fans. Two, maybe three ribs broken, he thought as he was flung back across the dojo floor. He stood slowly as they closed on him. The first attacked, sending his bell straight at the sensei. The sensei turned around the attack, allowing the bell to pass behind him before he brought his fan down and severed the chain. The bell continued its trajectory and smashed into a wall, cratering it. Blood trickled from the sensei’s mouth. He wiped it away using his sleeve. Have to end this quickly, he thought.
He closed the distance on the first Gyrevex, who stood momentarily confused at the loss of his bell. It was all the time he needed. His fans a blur, the sensei attacked. The Gyrevex fell, dead before hitting the ground. He sensed the second bell before he saw it. Closing a fan and tucking it into his top he slid back, narrowly avoiding the attack. As it reached the end of its chain, he grabbed hold and sliced through. He let the bell fall several feet before rotating his body and returning it to its owner. It hit the Gyrevex with a sickening crunch. One more, he thought as a bell crashed into his side.
Moments later the dojo door opened.
