The Will of a Kami

The night was quiet, silence only broken by low chanting and stifled slaps of Keshijo’s nightly cleansing ritual. The ex-Scorpion was kneeling in the center of a small stream with his back bare. In one hand he held a leather whip, its ends bloodied from use, in his other hand clenched the Phoenix Tanto that was his burden to bear. At the crescendo of a chant the leather whip slapped down across his back.

Unbeknownst to Keshijo, his friend, Togashi Udon, bearer of the Ki-Rin Tanto, watched in silence in the low hanging branches of a near by tree. The Ise Zumi understood, finally, the feeling of needing to hurt yourself, for what you are and for what you have been forced to do, to give yourself a feeling of redemption. Perhaps this ritual could help him, though he doubted it. His mind has been scrambled since his trip to the Burning Sands. His beliefs had been turned upside down, but his faith was still strong. At least he hoped so.

Keshijo’s head hung low and his shoulders slouched. With a heavy sigh, Keshijo started to stand up. Udon interrupted him, “May I speak with you?”

If he was startled, Keshijo did not show it, “This is a personal thing for me, Udon. How long have you been there?” He asked, looking towards the tree.

“A while.” Came the slow reply. “I am sorry if I should not be here, but I could not sleep. I need to speak with you.”

“You have hardly slept since you have been back.” Keshijo looked over his shoulder as he put on his robe. “Your journey must have taken quite a toll on you.”

Udon jumped down from the branch and stood in front of his friend. “I have learned much and it has changed nothing.” Udon sighed heavily. “Except me perhaps.”

“I have noticed, my friend. Let us sit.” Keshijo motioned towards the tree trunk. They both sat on different sides, their backs against the tree. “You have not smiled since your return. That is not like you.”

“I find myself drowning,” Udon paused, “in rage.” He whispered. “I want to utterly destroy everyone and everything that threatens us. I want to rip out the heart of everyone who seeks to manipulate the people of the Empire. Even those closest to me.” He choked.

“That is Kuno’s way, not yours, Udon.”

“Perhaps it should be my way.” Udon snapped quickly. After a moment of silence, Udon continued, “I found this. It was taken off of a young child who sought to manipulate me.” Udon removed the medallion from around his neck and handed it to Keshijo.

He had remembered noticing it when Udon had returned, but never asked what it was. Keshijo flipped it over looking at the strange writing. He remained quiet, waiting for Udon to explain.

“It is written in gaijin tongue. It reads ‘Fortune Favors the Mortal Man’. Shinsei said that to the Kami’s when he gathered the first Thunders in the fight against Fu Leng. A group called the Kolat is using this saying. They have taken it out of context and are using it a rallying cry to destroy the Kami’s and their vast influence over the Empire.”

“You have met them, I take it?” whispered Keshijo as he continued flipping over the medallion. If he had heard of the Kolat or not, he gave no sign.

“Yes. On my trip into the Burning Sands I found myself in their lair.”

“And they let you live?”

“Only because they know that what they told me will torture me until the day I die.”

“They seek to destroy the Kami’s influence? Once we have gathered the Thunders, we will turn our attention to stopping them.” Keshijo said. “It will be alright. You will see. They made a mistake by telling you.”

“You don’t understand. We are doing their will. We are gathering men to destroy a Kami.”

“Surely you are not suggesting we save Fu Leng? He is the one Kami that should be destroyed!” Keshijo whispered aghast.

“I am not so sure anymore. But, no, that is not what I am suggesting. There is something you do not know. Something I was sworn to protect. A burden that is tearing me apart.” Udon choked.

“Are you suggesting that Togashi Yokuni-sama is part of this… Kolat, because we are gathering the Thunders as he asked?” whispered Keshijo.

“You don’t understand.” Udon said with clenched teeth. He began to get up, but Keshijo grabbed his arm, stopping him.

“But I am trying to.” Keshijo said simply.

“If I tell you, then my life is forfeit, as is yours. I cannot do that to you.”

“My life was forfeit the moment Shoju read the prophecy, as was your life, all of our lives. If my knowing your burden will help us then it is your duty to tell it.” Keshijo countered.

“My duty. Fine, perhaps it does not matter anymore. Give me your hand.” Udon whispered. Keshijo took off his glove and held out his right hand. Udon sat back down, in front of Keshijo and looked into the eyes of a Scorpion. Neither flinched. He took Keshijo’s bare hand into his own and traced words onto his palm. Keshijo’s eyes went wide and blood drained from his face.

“I only suspected.” Keshijo whispered low as he stared at Udon. He shuffled back, aghast. “He let this all happen.”

“But what is worse is that the Kolat knows. They have known for a long time. And they plan to strike when he leaves the Mountain. And now we are shut out. There are no explanations. There is no hope.” Udon shook his head as the words stumbled out of his mouth. “I cannot find solace in the fact that we have no choice.”

“It seems that we have been set to work for both, for the same end. But, Udon, perhaps we can protect the one while allowing the Thunders to kill the other.” Offered Keshijo.

“I thought of that.” Udon shook his head and leaned in towards Keshijo. “But the Kolat already has Two Tanto Bearers in their control. Who’s to say there isn’t more? No, I cannot trust anyone, Keshijo. No one.”

“You already trusted me, my friend.” Keshijo said, truly confused. “They already have two Tanto Bearers? Who?”

“Did I trust you, Keshijo?” Udon said, looking deep into Keshijo’s eyes. “Maybe it is time to wake up.”

*****

“Come on, wake up, Kesh.” Whispered Udon as he shook the sleeping form of Keshijo disguised as Shinjoten. “It’s your turn to take watch, Brother.” Keshijo sat up, weary eyed and looked around, his eyes finally settling on the serious face of Togashi Udon.

“It’s been a quiet night. Sorry to interrupt your sleep, but I am exhausted. Prayer takes more out of me now then it used to.” Whispered Udon as he scratched his head.

“Hey Udon. Did you ever find our Habikki?” asked Keshijo.

“No. I fear our Habikki is lost to us.” Udon replied as he touched his chest.

“Anything else happen on your travels, Udon?” Keshijo asked as he watched Udon’s hand fiddle with something around his neck. “Anything you need to talk about?”

“No. It was a waste of time, Kesh. A waste of time.” Udon whispered. Keshijo couldn’t help but notice that it sounded like Udon was not only trying to convince Keshijo, but himself as well.