Burned
Shadows crept across the walls in the silence of the night. Restless, Togashi Udon walked the corridors of Kyuden Isawa, home of the Elemental Masters. This is a place of wonders, thought Udon. Unknown dangers rule the day and night. The more answers we think we have, we are faced with questions that challenge our base beliefs. The Elemental Masters wish to question the Tantos themselves? I fear for the Phoenix if they believe that man can truly understand the wills of the Kami�s. In that, the Phoenix will find their doom. He was still on edge, unable to sleep. He sighed. Yet a Phoenix will always rise. The image of the Third Scroll of Fe Lung blazing through the sky, heading towards the Elemental Masters would not let him rest. He could feel the darkness inside himself, stirring, like a seed. Something in here is drawing it out, thought Udon as he looked out into the starry night. His hand slowly moved and rested on the Ki-Rin Tanto. With a sigh he thought, perhaps it is my imagination.
�Udon-san, may I have a word with you?� Startled, Udon whirled around and saw the Elemental Master of Fire, Isawa Tsuke approaching from out of the shadows. Near Udon�s head, a thick candle suddenly sparked to light.
Trying to hide his surprise, Udon cocked his head slightly and said with a smile, �Of course, sama. You may have as many as you wish.�
Tsuke flashed a smile, which disappeared fast. Then he slowly studied the Tanto Bearer. There was an awkward silence before he said, �I understand you have a sort of...problem.�
Udon�s eyes fell towards the floor. I�m going to get us kicked out of Kyuden Isawa, he thought. �Hai.� He replied.
�Is it something I can ease your mind of?� Tsuke asked as his eyes scanned the corridor.
�It would be most kind of you.�
�Ah. Perhaps you can tell me about it someplace...quieter. My chambers perhaps?� Tsuke asked, his voice lowering to a whisper.
�Of course, sama. You do me a great honor.�
Tsuke quickly turned and walked down the hall. Udon followed behind the Elemental Master. With each few steps another light flickered on from the candles that lined the walls as the ones behind flicker out.
Tsuke�s chambers were neatly arranged with many exquisite candles and finally crafted candleholders. Artwork and flowing arrangements of red, orange and yellow flowers decorated the room.
Once Tsuke closed the door Udon asked, �Tsuke-sama. May I ask what you might already know of my ... problem?�
Tsuke just smiled. He set up a simple candle in its holder and fastened a small metal cup above the wick. He said, �It is the duty of all good men to rid themselves of lies and impurities isn't it?" Before Udon could answer, he continued. �I have heard what you ask of us. My fellow Masters cannot help you alone.�
�Hai.�
�Together there is a way but it is not likely to happen.� Udon looked at him curiously and Tsuke added, �It would leave your mind...devoid.�
�Empty?�
�Yes, empty and fragmented, like a broken dish. But in truth it is because they do not understand. It is their ignorance that causes this.� He said shaking his head. He placed a lead bar into the dish. Then he waved his hands in a strange flourish. Instantly the candlelight turned blue and the lead bar quickly began to melt.
�The Tao says that every moment is a lesson to be learned.� Quoted the Ise Zumi.
�Well said. Please keep this lesson to yourself and companions.�
�I will, sama.�
�I know you will, Udon. I trust you.� Tsuke replied while still intent on the led bar, which was now completely liquid. He did not notice the look of concern wash over Udon�s face.
With a napkin in hand, Tsuke took the small metal cup from the flame and brought it to a wall that had a lone painting hanging from it. He slowly began to pour the molten lead liquid into a hole in the wall. The lead started to run through the cracks, filling them to form a faint outline of a hidden door. The lead then disappeared, seeping further behind the wall. He turned to look at Udon as the wall began to shift back, opening the hidden chamber. Faint torchlight filtered up for below. Tsuke descended the spiral staircase and motioned for Udon to follow. Udon shifted his bodhi tree uncomfortably and followed the Master of Fire into his private sanctuary.
Tsuke nonchalantly waved a hand and the door began to shut. �There is another way to remove the taint, Udon.� He said, matter-of-factly.
�How?�
�It can only be removed by one who understands what they are dealing with.� He replied as the descended the staircase. �Knowledge is the key, Udon. The others would hinder the effect.� They entered a large room. Tsuke turned to face Udon and said, �Yes, I can help you.�
Udon marveled at the room, filled with neatly stacked scrolls. There were torches on every wall. On the near wall was a huge fire pit, scarred with black soot, but clean of ashes. Past the fire pit, off to the side was a large stone alter. Udon looked at the Master of Fire and said, �The gaijin went on about how to perceive the taint. He said that we don't understand it. He was speaking in gibberish.� Udon paused and shook his head. He chuckled and said, �Even gibberish an Ise Zumi had a hard time following.�
�Karasu is a dangerous man. You must ask yourself this; if Karasu is such an expert why then can he not cure himself?� he asked with a sly smile.
�Perhaps he does not desire to be cured. Or maybe he does not believe the taint is something that needs to be cured.� Udon answered with a shrug.
�But you do, Udon?�
�Hai,� Udon answered and began to motion to his tattoos. �As you can see, much has been added to my body since birth. But these I have accepted. The taint I do not accept.� Udon bent over and put his small Bodhi tree next to a pile of scrolls.
�Like the Phoenix rising from ashes to be reborn, I can purify you through fire. Do not worry, you will not be scarred or changed...Like the Phoenix you will return to as you once were.� Tsuke said as he began to gather the necessary components for the ritual. �Some pain shall occur. It will take many hours to perform. Remove your robe and lie down on the stone alter.� He said as he poured a thick red liquid into a wooden bowl. He began to stir the red liquid with a tea crusher.
�Before we do this, I ask that you understand one thing.� Udon said. Tsuke looked at Udon and he continued, �A Tanto Bearer cannot be in debt to anyone.�
Tsuke�s gaze lingered on Udon for a few moments before he replied, �I understand. I was hoping you would do me a small favor though�along your journey that is.�
With a sigh that indicated that this was exactly what Udon expected. Another person of Power who would not help another out of compassion, he thought. �I would gladly help you, but I cannot endanger my fellow bearers or our quest.�
�It will be no danger. It is a small favor that I do not trust to most. Would you please deliver a scroll to the Daimyo of the Badger Clan when next you travel to the Unicorn province? It will not be too far out of the way and it is most urgent." He continued stirring the thickening red liquid.
�Our next path has not been decided yet. All I can do is to urge my companions to visit the Unicorn next.�
�Will you deliver it then?�
Udon swallowed hard, �Hai.�
�Domo arigato gozaimas.� Tsuke said formally. He stopped stirring and bowed to Udon.
Udon returned the bow and gave the custom reply, �Sume masen.�
�Please, Udon, remove your robe and lie down on the stone alter. I am ready to begin.�
Udon looked hard at Tsuke, trying to discern any ill intent for the Master of Fire. For a moment he considered Sensing the Wa, but thought that might anger Tsuke or disrupt the ritual. He said I could tell my companions. For Oku and Kuno, I will try this. If it works, perhaps they can be cured as well, he reasoned. Udon removed his robes and moved up onto the stone alter, lying face up.
�This is Soul Fire.� Tsuke said as he dipped a brush into the viscous red liquid. �It will invoke your latent fire element.�
�I know my Soul Fire.� Replied Udon motioning to his Dragon tattoo.
�Good. That is a magnificent tattoo.� Tsuke said as he began to paint a symbol on Udon's chest. �It looks like the work of a true Master.�
For some reason, Udon decided not to share his lineage with the Elemental Master or else he would have told him that his Grandfather is the Ise Zumi Tattoo Master. Instead, Udon held his tongue.
Isawa Tsuke, the Elemental Master of Fire, began his low chant. The symbol painted upon Udon�s chest flared red and came to life. As hot as fiery coals it burned through to Udon�s spine. The deep charring came and went in tsunamis. His body shook as steam rose off of him. What wasn�t turned to steam poured out of him in waves of sweat. Tsuke continued his chant, uninterrupted by the flailing and blistering body of the Ise Zumi throughout the whole process.
Just as quickly and violently as it began, it ended gently and softly. It took Udon a few moments to recover. He felt better, cleaner. It is gone!
�I am sorry. I left a slight scar.� Tsuke said pointing to a deep bruise on Udon�s ankle.
�Don�t worry, it will heal.�
�You don�t have to worry about it anymore, Udon. It is gone.�
�Domo arigato, sama.� Udon said and bowed deeply. Then he got his robes back on. Tsuke handed him a glass of water, which he drank thankfully.
�Please take this scroll to the Daimyo of the Badger Clan. Do not open the scroll case. It is private.�
�Domo, sama.� Udon took the scroll case. �So you just burned the taint away?� Udon asked in awe as he gathered his Bodhi tree.
There was a long pause before Isawa Tsuke said, �Yes.� It was followed by an uncomfortable silence. Udon shifted his weight uneasily before the Elemental Master of Fire continued, �You might say I burned you away.�
By Paul Litch, copyright 2003