"The Tiger and the Hare" -- Act II

And now for Act II of "The Tiger and the Hare"!

Enjoy,

~ Charles

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"The Tiger and the Hare" copyright 2009 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

ACT II

THE ECSTASY OF THE BLOOD MOON: Wherein Ketsueki Retains a Loyal Servant; Ketsueki Makes a Weapon for The Empress' Champion; Elkhorn Tries His New Bow; Mabo Runs in Fear

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PART 1

In the southernmost region of Bizo there lived a brother and sister, Jiang and Qiu Gang. Came they from a close family and quite different were they in disposition. Wherein Qui Gang was powerful, outgoing, protective and trusting her brother was secretive, diminutive, shy and lonely. Qiu Gang was beautiful. So bitter was Jiang his body contorted with vinegar soul until he a hump grew on his back and he scowled at even the blue jay's song.

Together they had saved all their money since childhood and the passing of their parents to purchase a small mill in Bizo. There they ground wheat and oats for local farmers to be taken to markets all over the world. They made for themselves a happy home in Bizo, growing up and growing old together.

The people of Bizo, in turn, learned to love the newcomers Jiang and Qiu Gang. As the brother and sister adopted Bizo as their home, so the people of Bizo adopted them as neighbors and friends. Many men fell in love with Qiu Gang and pursued her only to be gently beaten away with kind smiles and soft gestures. Many men grew angry at this. One such man was a nearby farmer named Xue Xun that had recently inherited his farm after his father's passing. Xue Xun soon found himself plotting to capture the attentions of Qie Gang despite herself.

Still others grew haggard with worry for Qiu Gang. Whenever others met with Qiu Gang they would praise her charm, honesty and hospitality. And when they met Jiang, they scowled and spat his name in whispers.

"A dark man," they would say, "filled with sorrow, so much sorrow he torments his sister and keeps her from wedded life."

Time passed, friends and neighbors grew closer to Qiu Gang and evermore distant from her brother. Once, when asked by a neighbor why her brother was so foul in mood and demeanor, Qiu Gang explained, "He was tormented horribly as a child. He tried love many times with many girls, but all treated his disrespectfully and a few ran off with much of his money. He is bitter at the roots with all creatures, I am afraid to admit, but he is my brother and I love him and he trusts me so I will never part from his side until one of us dies."

Word spread of Qiu Gang's tale and her selflessness made her more adored by all that knew her.

Qiu Gang urged Jiang to seek out the friendship of others, but he refused. At last she said, "In the very least, when you take your daily nap do so outside in the sun or in the shade of a tree. Do not squander your every hour indoors, locked away from the world."

Jiang took this advice, though moreso to avoid confrontation with his sister. He soon was seen by many to be sleeping in the shade of a white oak. One such person was Xue Xun.

One day, while sleeping under the oak, Xue Xun when to a local elder known as a mystic and named Zhen. He was an old man of long, white beard and hair, His eyes were forever squinting. He never wore clothing over his torso, merely wrapping the purest white cloths about his waist and strapping leather sandals to his feet. Master Zhen glowed with wisdom.

"Please aid me in winning the love of the beautiful Qiu Gang," pleaded Xue Xun. "My life is nothing without her. When she passes my farm I can smell lilacs for hours. She does not bathe in flower water, or least I do not believe so. She is too simple a woman to take on such extravagance. She is merely beautiful to the point of being flower of her own accord. I must have her, Master Zhen! I must have her! I beg for your help!"

At this Zhen threw himself before Master Zhen.

Master Zhen eyed the young farmer. "Get up, you damned fool," he commanded. As Xue Xun did as he was told, Master Zhen said, "I do not think I'll dissuade you from taking certain courses of action to gain Qiu Gang's love, but I must issue this warning: my help will come at a hefty price."

"I'll pay you anything you ask of me!" cried Xue Xun.

Master Zhen shook his head. "I will ask for no payment. I will help you without fee and I will help you only because I am an old man and if I am to suffer it is no matter. But if I let you run off to find some other way to win Qiu Gang's love you will certainly make another suffer and I cannot allow that."

"Then what is this payment you speak of?" asked Xue Xun.

Master Zhen eyed Xue Xun closely. He said, "You will gain Qiu Gang's love, but blood will have to flow, starting with your own. You must make a sacrifice of your blood into my bowl and this first bloodletting shall only be followed by more of the same."

"What do you mean by this?" asked Xue Xun. "What kind of bloodletting will follow mine own?"

"That I cannot say. What we tamper with is the will of the Cosmos themselves and they will do as needed to set things right for our tampering."

Xue Xun thought on this moment, then thought of his beloved Qiu Gang. "I will pay any price," he told Master Zhen.

And so a ceremony was done. Xue Xun cut himself at the wrist and let his blood spill forth into Master Zhen's bowl. Master Zhen then mixed a poultice with the blood and gave it to Xue Xun, saying, "The matter with Qiu Gang, I am told, is that she is so very loyal to her brother. Remove the brother from her life and she will be open to marriage. Take this poultice to him, rub it onto his skin. I know not how you'll accomplish this, but it is no longer a matter to me. Do so and in a day's time Qiu Gang will be free from her familial bondage."

Xue Xun thanked Master Zhen greatly and promised him many fortunes before running from the old man's home. As Xue Xun ran, he hoped Jiang was yet asleep beneath the white oak and, much to his pleasure, found that he was.

Xue Xun crept up on the slumbering Jiang. As the fouled brother snored heavily, Xue Xun softly rubbed the poultice, all of it, onto Jiang's arms and cheeks before running away.

Xue Xun, knowing not else what to do, returned to his farming for the rest of the day.

The twittering fife of Teo, a foul little fairy, woke Jiang.

Jiang roared angrily, "Who is there? Who dares disturb my slumber? I shall kill whosoever plays their foul pipe upon my land!"

Teo laughed maniacally. He appeared before Jiang as a mound of moss. Only his dark face, gnarled yellowed teeth and green eyes outlined by white gave his location away.

"You dare threaten me?" Teo laughed and taunted. "But you are so big! Only fools and mortals allows themselves to be so big. Only the gods are bigger but they're so important they deserve their size. But look at you! How would you catch me? Or, wait... yes, yes, I know! This is all in jest! Ohh! Hahaha! Your jest quite amuses me! You are a good teller of jokes, big one!"

"Stop that laughing!" Jiang scowled. "I make no jokes! This is my land my sleep that you disturb, fly! Off with yourself or I'll rid myself of you with violence!"

Again Teo laughed. "Ohhhh! Please, please, dear man, please stop! Your hilarity is so immense I am in tears!"

Jiang punched at the ground where Teo stood, but when he lifted his hand he could find Teo nowhere.

"I am here, fool!" Teo called from his side, this time his voice was angry and serious. "You don't jest! You meant me harm!"

"Of course I did! And I still do!" shouted Jiang. Again he punched. Again Teo disappeared only to reappear at Jiang's side.

"Who are you! Why have you come to disturb my slumber?" demanded Jiang.

"I have come because I was called. Rather, it was my master that was summoned for help."

"What help? What master? Who are you?"

"I am Teo. My master is Masabakes, Demoness of Lust."

"What matter would a Demoness of Lust have with me?"

Teo lied, "She hasn't business with you, rather your sister. She seeks great fortune.Your sister seeks your fortune."

"Lies! My sister is the only person I can trust!"

"Very well then," Teo huffed. "If you do not wish to hear my explanation fo my presence, then you tell me my reason for being here."

Jiang thought it over only to realize the fairy's tale made sense.

"I'll kill her!" cried out Jiang.

Teo smiled and disappeared, this time never to reappear again.

Jiang grew jealous and stormed to the mill, confronting her as she prepared their supper and accused her of plotting to run off with their savings.

"All the money we've made," said he, "all the efforts we've put into this mill and you wish to destroy me to keep everything for yourself!"

"How dare you?" Qiu Gang was appalled. "I've been everso loyal to you and this is how I am to be repaid? With suspicion and accusation?"

"If this not be true," issued Jiang, "then sell me your half of the mill while you remain here to continue working with me. If you remain without any fortune to be gained, then your love and honesty will be proven!"

"But I've worked as hard as you to run this mill!"

"Sell it to me or prove yourself a liar!"

In the hour of heat, when days run long overhead and shine down with angry warmth, one often is not of their own mind. Such was this day for Qiu Gang. Her temper flared, her loyalties wounded, she cried out, "Rather would I sell my half of the mill to a demon than you!"

Outside the mill, Etain descended, Kalavata climbed high. Moonlight dappled the landscape of the southern regions of Bizo as the demon Ketsueki Sato came to them atop the flying beast Neboshazaar. Together they flew betwixt clouds, over fields growing with crops, above trickling streams until they came near a mill and, lifted on the night air, Ketsueki heard the sounds of an argument. He smiled at the anger in the voices, smiled at the suspicion and hatred in the tones.

Ketsueki Sato and Neboshazaar descended from the sky to land nearby the mill. Slowly he entered the home, opening wide the door on a world of suspicion and venom. He reveled in the sound, cackled loudly at the sight.

Jiang and Qiu Gang turned on him.

Qiu Gang screamed at the sight of the wooden demon, his lava eyes. "Who are you?" she demanded. "Rid us of yourself, demon!"

"A demon I be," spoke Ketsueki with charming tones. "But mine is not the hatred found here."

"I knew it!" Jiang broke into the conversation. "You consort with demons! You lying trollop!"

"He is not my demon to contend with!" defended Qiu Gang.

"Oh, ho-ho! But I am your demon to contend with now, young ones."

"What is it you wish here? Nevermind! I'll not know your business! Leave us, demon!" Qiu Gang spat.

Ketsueki smiled. He further entered the mill, running his woody fingers along the mill's wheel to feel the strength and weight there. He spoke slowly, baitingly, "I've come to proffer unto you a game of chance. Win and you shall live, lose and you shall die. Refuse to play and you'll both be horribly killed. Now, who's to die? Who's to die?"

"We'll not play any of your games, demon!" Qiu Gang was angry, disturbed, frightened by the appearance of Ketsueki Sato and yet shivering from anger with her brother. "Leave us now! Go back to whichever of the Hells you sprang from."

Ketsueki frowned. "If only I could." His frown turned to a wicked, gnarly smile once more. "But that is another matter entirely. Now we must play or you shall both die. Allow me a moment to consider... I know! I shall kill the weaker of the two."

Ketsueki drew near Jiang. A long vine moved out from Ketsueki's feet, up Jiang's thigh and back to caress his hunch.

"Yes," hissed the demon. "This one is incredibly weak with illness and despair. I shall take this one. Does this seem proper? But then, this other is so very pretty. It would be such a loss for the world if she were to die. Oh, to choose! I cannot make myself choose."

Ketsueki came to stand between brother and sister. He eyed them both slowly, maliciously. At last he said, "If I cannot choose, then you must choose for me. Choose now which of you will die or shall you both be rendered into the grave."

Neither brother nor sister spoke.

"Very well, then. I will kill this weak one, this hunchback, this ugly fiend of a man." Ketsueki's vines whipped out to latch onto Jiang's body.

Jiang cried out in fear.

"Stop it!" demanded Qiu Gang. "If you must take one of us, then take me!"

Ketsueki smiled. He let go of Jiang and moved closer to Qiu Gang, his vines wrapping about her waist, binding her legs and wrists. She whimpered in fear, tears waterfalling from eyes down her cheeks. Ketsueki looked to Jiang, hoping to prolong the agony he felt on the air, to feed off the terror of these weak mortals.

"Shall I do this wicked thing?" he asked.

Jiang did not look at the demon of wood, did not look to his sister. He thought of Qiu Gang's demon-consorting, of her betrayal and knew neither from the truth. Pain filled his world, broke as a wave against a shore, smashing inside him with fury.

Jiang looked up, to his sister, gazing into her tear-filled eyes.

"Kill her," he said.

Ketsueki threw the woman against a stone wall of the mill and there pinned her with his vines as his hand reached out to grasp the spinning miller's wheel and lift it some distance while the wind mill outside caught wind and turned it. Standing, the wheel grinding against his hands, filing them, splintering them, he threw Qiu Gang beneath the wheel and let the wheel drop atop her, crushing her, grinding her, breaking her down into a mulch of blood and flesh and ground bone. Ketsueki then placed a bucket by the wheel's edge to allow blood to collect within. When it was half full, Ketsueki pricked up the bucket and drank deeply the blood of the dead Qiu Gang.

Covered in carnage, his ever-drying wood body now limber once more, Ketsueki dropped the bucket and approached Jiang. He said, "Some day in the future you may want your revenge. Should that day arrive, come to me and I will kill you then."

The demon Ketsueki Sato left the mill. As he mounted Neboshazaar he spied Jiang stepping from the mill's door.

"What's this? Has the day come already? Am I to kill you now?" Ketsueki smiled a bloody smile of pleasure.

Jiang approached the two vile creatures, eyed them, said, "My mill is nothing without my sister. I cannot possibly work it alone."

"This is not a problem for me, mortal. Cry to another in your country," growled Ketsueki.

"It's not your problem, that much is true. But this mill and this land have nothing more for me. I am in need of a new life and am willing to submit to a life of service."

"What is it that you are saying, mortal? Out with your desires."

Jiang was hesitant at first, but then worked his words with the greatest of confidence. "I wish to come with you. Wherever you may go, I shall follow. If you're in need of more blood, I shall find it for you." At this Jiang went to one knee and said, "I shall promise my services to you in full and for a lifetime."

Ketsueki looked down on Jiang. "What is your name, hunchback?"

"I am called Jiang."

"Jiang the Hunched One, welcome into the service of a demon." Ketsueki put out his wooden hand to clasp that of Jiang's and pull him up on Neboshazaar's back to ride behind him. Together, the three took to the air, scudding across the moon as shadows haunting the night.

"Where do we go, master?" asked Jiang.

"We seek the Eternal Empress, boy! We seek her out for fortune and greater chances at bringing destruction into this world! We seek her out so that I may amass an army to kill the gods themselves, namely the one called Xiao-tep the Ankh-fish!"

"I have heard of such a god," spoke Jiang, loudly over the din of passing wind. "I must confess, I never liked his tales. His courage and beauty and luck are a disgrace upon us mortals. This makes me far happier to be in your service, my lord!"

Ketsueki cackled, driving Neboshazaar higher into the clouds as Jiang clung tightly to them both.

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PART 2

Came Ketsueki and Jiang upon Neboshazaar into the great city surrounding the palace of the Eternal Empresss. Came they at night, at an early hour when the moon had yet to rise to its apex, when many were bedding down yet few were asleep. Came Ketsueki to the palace and demanded an audience with the Empress.

An imperial servant in the Empress' army ran to his liege's side where he delivered this message, "My Empress, a demon has visited our fair land this evening He stands as we speak at the doorway to the palace and demands an audience with my Empress. I forbade this, but he insists. As he is a Blessed One, I've come to you for counsel on the matter. Shall I turn the demon away?"

The Eternal Empress had been preparing herself for slumber when her loyal servant came to her bedchamber. Her great flowing turquoise gown embellishments and embroidery of finely spun silver lifted on every current of air as she considered him, as she considered the demon that visited her palace.

"Bring him hence," she commanded. "I will see him while I sit upon my throne."

And so the demon Ketsueki Sato and his servant Jiang was ushered to the throne of the Eternal Empress. She sat upon her throne lifted high above them and surrounded by a series of arching steps of white marble. She looked down on them as though they were her servants, looked down on them as if she herself a goddess. Her movements were fine, thought Ketsueki, her presence demanding and powerful. He was impressed with this mortal-turned-Blessed One. Her beauty, most of all, impressed him, made him desire her, made him hate and envy her. He stood a wooden shell of his former self, a mighty demon, while she sat upon a throne of gold resting upon the finest marble with all the beauty of the world in her face though she had begun life mortal.

He shook aside his envy and said, "Empress Sulia Laree, I am the demon Ketsueki Sato and I've come seeking an alliance. I am told you currently hunt the fox-god Comet Fox for he has taken off with your daughter, acting as her guardian. I found truth in this when not more than a mere few hours ago I met your commander called Elkhorn. He has sent me your way."

"Has he now?" she asked, eying her own beautiful garments in hopes of showing no interest in the demon.

"He has, but I first came here of my own accord."

"What alliance do you suggest?" the Empress yawned mockingly.

Ketsueki scowled, his vines working wildly with anger and impatience. He said, "Let it be known that once I was the mighty ruler of the Cottonwood Chamber in the Many Hells, but I was tricked, betrayed and usurped by three foul creatures: two gods and one demi-goddess. One of those gods was none other than the very fox-god you now hunt."

The Empress at last looked to Ketsueki, though she played at her eyes being heavy with weariness from the day and a lack of interest in the demon.

Feeling slighted, Ketsueki said, "Empress, I ask that you look at me." When the Empress closed her eyes in defiance, he growled with thunderous tone, "Look at me!"

So sharp was Ketsueki's tone, his words, that the Empress could not help but look upon him. All her feigns ceased and she quietly admitted to herself a certain fear in having a demon in her palace.

"Your gazing suits me," said Ketsueki Sato. "I will not be ignored, not by any god and certainly not by any self-important, self-righteous mortal-turned-immortal!"

"How dare you?" gasped the Empress. "I should have your head for speaking to me thusly!"

Ketsueki placed a wooden foot upon the first step leading to her throne. The Empress' men drew their weapons as he spoke, "I would like you to try my fury, Empress."

The Empress looked to her soldiers and nodded. They lunged at Ketsueki Sato.

Jiang made a weak attempt to fight for his master, but was tripped and put down by a soldier that then lead a charge at the demon.

Out shot the thorny vines of Ketsueki's form, clasping and stabbing at the soldiers. He strangled, entangled and tore apart six men at once. Blood poured over the stark white marble. The rest of the soldiers stood, hesitant.

The Empress smiled. "You're ways are cruel and unique, Ketsueki Sato. I will dismiss your earlier rudeness to hear more of your proposed alliance."

Ketsueki let fall the dead bodies and body parts around him.

Jiang stood, closing the already small distance between himself and his master.

Ketsueki said, "And I will ignore your rudeness for now. What I propose is this: we join together our minds, our efforts to hunt and destroy those that have wronged us."

"I seek only my daughter and, should Comet Fox get in the way of this matter, I will also seek him."

"But Comet Fox will most assuredly not be alone."

"What do you mean by this?"

"Comet Fox is well-liked amongst many gods and mortals. Among those that may lend their services to him and his quest to keep your daughter from you are the two others that have befouled, befuddled and besmirched me."

"And these other two are? You spoke of a god and a demi-goddess?"

"Indeed," said Ketsueki. "A brother and sister, as well, for the god is Xiao-tep the Ankh-fish and demi-goddess be his sister Wu Chan Chu. Where Comet Fox travels and fights and is in need of help, these other two are likely to follow."

"Elkhorn could not possibly take on all three," the Empress realized aloud.

"Hence my proposed alliance," spoke Ketsueki as he mounted another step towards the Empress.

"A demon would be a valuable ally against gods. What could you do for me?"

Again the demon placed a foot upon the next step. Jiang stood at the base of the steps, afraid to advance.

Said Ketsueki, "Allow me to ride out with your commander, allow me to guide your Elkhorn; allow me to aid him in amassing a far larger army, an army so vast it would overwhelm every god in the Heavens." Ketsueki stepped up upon the final step to stand before the Eternal Empress upon the throne. He said, "Allow me to be your general in this war that comes to these lands. Together we shall shake the gods loose from the Heavens."

Impressed by Ketsueki's size, his power, his mind and thoughts and proposition, she nodded in agreement. She stood. She confirmed their alliance by saying, "Together we shall retrieve my daughter and kill everything that stands in our way, including Comet Fox, Xiao-tep and Wu Chan Chu."

To this day it is said the smile that Ketsueki then smiled was his first genuine smile.

"First, if Elkhorn is to do battle with gods, he must have a proper weapon," suggested the Empress.

Ketsueki nodded. "I will make for him the finest god-killer."

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PART 3

The Eternal Empress gave full command of her court over to Ketsueki Sato for the purpose of making Elkhorn a weapon. Soldiers and blacksmiths and craftsmen were roused from sleep to be brought before him. As the demon paced at the foot of the throne, his long vines working slowly in the air with thought, he spoke aloud.

"Elkhorn is mortal, yes? And we must equip him for the purpose of killing gods. To do so, let us consider the gods he must kill: Comet Fox, Xiao-tep and Wu Chan Chu. The first two can fly, fleeing the world-bound Elkhorn easily. Wu Chan Chu can jump great distances so as to appear in flight. What is needed for Elkhorn, then, is a weapon of range."

"A bow," suggested a bowyer.

"Elkhorn is known as a fine hunter," said the Empress from her throne.

"A bow would make a fine weapon," Ketsueki agreed. "A bow it will be, then. Let us begin."

Ketsueki called for a sacrifice and an ibex was brought forth and slaughtered. Ketsueki commanded the blacksmiths to take up their chisels and knives and carve the horns of the beast away from the skull. He then commanded the soldiers to collect the spilled blood with many buckets and set aside in a large tub made of gold. The Empress happened to have a large tub made entirely of solid gold and it was brought forth at Ketsueki's request. The tubw as then set outside for the blood to be kissed by the moonlight. He called for a butcher and when a butcher was brought before him, Ketsueki commanded him to cut finely at the animal's carcass to remove in whole the sinews of the ibex and dry them and to render the fat of the animal for a hide glue.

One of the horns was chosen for the bow.

The sinews were dried and braided for the string.

The hide glue was made to bind everything together.

Ketsueki then commanded the soldier to start a bonfire right in the throne room and for the bones of the animal to be ground into grist. These things were done and as Jiang set about tossing the grist about the fire, Ketsueki began chanting to the Yama Kings, the supreme rulers of the Many Hells. So perturbed were the Yama Kings by Ketsueki's audacity to have once tried to overthrow their rule but now chanted for their blessings that they at first refused. But Ketsueki continued to chant. He chanted through the night and after the next morning's first light, the blessings were granted. The bow was dipped in the blood within the tub. As the weapon was given life, it drank deeply from the moon-kissed blood until only half the blood remained.

Ketsueki reached into the tub, his hand wet with thickening blood, and pulled forth the Blood Moon Bow -- a living weapon capable of spearing the gods.

A similar ceremony was held as a fletcher was called forth to carve the ibex's bones into arrows. Cherts was used for the arrowheads and they were fastened to the bone arrows with sinew string and hide glue. The fletcher was able to make eight arrows in all in this manner and these were dipped in the ibex blood to be enchanted. The fletcher then made twelve more arrows of cherts and carved wood to be used for practical purposes and these were not ceremoniously enchanted.

When at last the bow and its arrows were completed, Ketsueki looked on them. He grabbed them up and raised them above his head in praise. He handed them to Jiang with a warning to care for them and then drank down the last of the ibex blood. He then stood before the Eternal Empress and said, "I will go now to seek out your Elkhorn. I will gift unto him this fine weapon and these arrows and with them he will be able to harvest gods from a great distance."

The Eternal Empress nodded with wonder and glee.

Ketsueki and Jiang mounted Neboshazaar, taking to the air, chasing Elkhorn southward.

Ketsueki rode on violent winds to get to Elkhorn's side. It took him a mere day on Neboshazaar to find the Eternal Empress' captain and when he found him, Ketsueki gave him the Blood Moon Bow.

Elkhorn looked over the bow, in awe of its beauty and ferocity. "It is a fine piece of craftsmanship," he said. "It looks as though it could truly kill a god."

"Try its deadliness," Ketsueki urged.

Elkhorn grabbed up one of the enchanted arrows. Ketsueki was unnerved by this. He raised a hand and said, "Put that one away. Save those for our prey. Use now one of the other arrows and do not waste the Blood Moon Arrows."

Elkhorn agreed to this and nocked one of the other arrows. He looked about for a target and saw in the near distance a small mound of grass and upon that grass a leveret. Elkhorn pulled back the bow's string, aimed and shot the small hare down.

Dismounting, Ketsueki and Elkhorn went to confirm the kill. They strode up the side of the grassy mound and looked down upon the dead hare. It was Ketsueki that picked up the carcass by the arrow yet stuck in the animal's body. He spied it and said, "You've pierced the heart at some distance. That is a fine shot."

"I can do it many times over without fail," bragged Elkhorn.

Blood trickled onto Ketsueki's hand. He removed the leveret from the arrow and drank its blood. When the animal was dry, he said, "Then do so. Practice with your bow and provide me with a meal. Kill another hare and many more besides."

This was done much to Ketsueki's and Elkhorn's delight and amusement. Arrow after arrow pierced hare after hare as Jiang was set forth to rouse them from their holes and brush. The hares ran madly, afraid. Though they had been hunted before, they had never been hunted so viciously and in so many numbers. They could not understand this thing happening to them, so they ran for their lives.

When Ketsueki filled his appetite and Elkhorn grew bored of the hunt, they left. Scattered across a small area was nearly one hundred hare bodies. All that had made their home here had been killed, all but one. The lone survivor was a leveret named Mabozay, often called simply Mabo.

Eying the field of dead kith and kin, Mabo shook with fear. He ran, afraid the hunter would return. He ran all day until he was starving. He stopped at dusk to nibble upon some wild clover. Mabo was soft gray with patches of warm brown showing through. The top edge of his tail was lined in black and the bottom of his tail was pure white. His eyes darted, his chest pounded, he breathing slowed but remained shallow and labored. His tail, nose and fur twitched with nerves. Having eaten, Mabo continued on his run until he came to a stream where he stumbled in the mud and nearly drowned at the water's edge.

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PART 4

The skies roiled with the ugliness of the Many Hells. Little Gogi the Grasshopper diligently worked his small garden before growing tired and returning to the small home he had made for himself and for his love Szu Ri out of dried plants and leaves. He entered their home to find Szu Ri lying in the bed they had made. He went to her and said, "Szu Ri, my love, are you unwell?"

Szu Ri looked up at him and smiled. She reached out to caress his face and say, "I am well, Gogi. Do not worry. I grow tired of things here, though. There is so much death in the Chamber of Despair and it can wear on one's mind."

Gogi nodded, understanding. Though they had made a good life for themselves within the chamber, though they were near their beloved friends Momoki and Twila, he, too, often felt the tug of despair upon his heart.

They made for themselves a light supper and ate it in silence. When supper was over, Gogi took his hat, a new hat that Szu Ri had made for him, and said, "I'll be going to visit with Momoki."

"Oh, let me come with you," said Szu Ri, a hint of desperation in her voice. "I would like to spend time with Twila."

Gogi nodded, "Of course."

Together they walked, hand-in-hand, to the courtyard of the chamber where they found Momoki finishing up his kata. While he was not training or riding out upon great black steeds with his warriors that passed through his chamber, Momoki was often practicing his fighting arts. This was the case when Gogi and Szu Ri found him. Twila sat nearby, watching the marmoset.

Szu Ri went to Twila.

Gogi approached his friend Momoki. Together they walked the courtyard.

"What is the matter, dear friend?" asked Momoki.

"The m-matter? Why, nothing is the matter," lied Gogi.

"Come out with it, Gogi. You cannot hide your emotions from me after all the time we've spent together."

Gogi sighed. He knew lying to his friend was a terrible thing to do and lying to himself was worse. He said, "Momoki, friend, I fear our time here in the Chamber of Despair draws to an end. The constant presence of death and fighting we watch you ride out to do wears on us and I fear it making Szu Ri ill."

Momoki considered this. "It makes sense a living creature would be made ill by living in the Many Hells."

Gogi sighed, forlorn.

"You should leave us," said Momoki.

"I-I couldn't possibly," answered Gogi.

"And if you don't what will happen to Szu Ri? I fear saying it myself, but you and I both know an illness of the mind and soul is far worse than an illness of the body. Do not keep her nor yourself here, Gogi. Ride out and make a good life somewhere in the living world."

"But," said Gogi softly, "I do not wish to leave you."

"I enjoy your company here, friend, but do not wish you to remain if it will harm you or Szu Ri. What are you afraid of, Gogi? Are you frightened our something will change between us? Listen, dear friend, we are forever friends, no matter the distance between us or how often we visit with one another. Nothing will change. You must do what is right. You've done so before, I know you can do so now."

Gogi nodded.

And so plans were made, things packed, crops harvested for the long journey. Momoki conjured a black horse and lifted himself, Twila, Szu Ri and Gogi upon its back and rode out from the Chamber of Despair. As they went, Momoki reminded, "Close your eyes, little ones."

Though Szu Ri covered her eyes and clasped hands with Gogi, Gogi remained wide-eyed and seeing as they left the Many Hells.

Ghastly faces and ghosts, demons and furies and wickedness came before him in all its forms. Some made him tremble, he admitted, but so sorrowful was he for having to leave his friends, so confident was he that he and Szu Ri needed to leave the Chamber of Despair to have a good life, that he did not cringe at the horrors the Many Hells had to offer.

Seeing this, Momoki said, "Cover your eyes, Gogi."

Gogi shook his head. "There is no need for a fear of death when one rides towards life," said he.

Hearing this, Szu Ri removed her hand from her eyes. She looked about. And though she was afraid, though she cringed and winced, she remained looking.

The world was vibrant and alive. Butterflies fluttered in the air, clouds rolled by overhead, birds floated on unseen currents of air, grass bent and spoke with a passing breeze, the trees chortled in their own language and dancing with life. Everything was alive here and Szu Ri and Gogi both felt more alive than ever. They quietly squeezed one anothers' hands and knew their choice was the right choice.

When they had reached the world of the living, Momoki slowed his steed and asked, "Where to? Is there a particular place you wish to go?"

Gogi shrugged. He said, "I suppose this is as good a place as any. We can wander on our own for some time if need be to find a proper home."

Twila wept, hugged her dear friend.

Gogi jumped to Momoki's shoulder and hugged his face, whispering in his ear, "I love you, Momoki."

"I love you, friend," said Momoki. "We will give you time to settle down here and then come to visit some day."

"That would be nice," said Szu Ri.

Friends parted.

The dead returned to their chamber.

The living breathed in the air and watched their world.

Gogi and Szu Ri traveled for some time. They went slowly as they were getting older now and age slows a body. They finally came to a small stream that reminded them of the home they had once before. Gogi immediately set about crafting a home of dried clay he dug from the mud in the small cliff near the stream. A bed of perpetual mud lay all around, but the way Gogi had built the home with warming fire inside dried their home and kept it safe. Above the cliff he plotted a small row and planted seeds. Szu Ri spun her silk and made for them a new bed and blankets. They were happy and alive and content once more.

Then, one night, came the thunderous sound of a stumbling hare drowing in the nearby stream. Gogi rushed out of their home to see the source of the racket and came to the hare's side to help him, lifting his nose and clearing it of mud so that the creature could breathe.

"Thank you," said Mabo hesitantly. He eyed the grasshopper and decided such a small creature could do him no amount of harm.

"You're welcome," said Gogi. "Are you well?"

Mabo shook his head. "There is a hunter after me, or so I think. It's been a great deal of time since I last saw him, though. He murdered my whole clan."

Gogi frowned. He said, "You're dirty and wet and tired. I've not room in my home, but I can build you a fire outside to warm yourself by and bring you food."

"Clover!" gasped Mabo. "I'm starving and I love clover, if you don't mind?"

"Not at all," Gogi smiled. He built for the leveret a raging fire, though he knew a raging fire was not always a warming fire. But he did so to put the leveret at ease. As the fire died, Gogi stoked it well into blazing, quiet embers that truly warmed them.

Szu Ri came out and gathered clover for their guest. As she placed them before the leveret she said, "I am Szu Ri and this is Gogi."

The leveret munched at the clover and through a mouthful said, "I am Mabozay." He gulped and added, "But my friends call me Mabo."

"It's nice to meet you Mabo."

So Mabo came to stay with Gogi and Szu Ri. He could not live in their home, for it was far too small for him, but he burrowed a hole of his own some distance from their home and packed it with dried foliage to warm him at night against the cold mud.

One night, as they sat around a fire after having eaten a fine meal together, Mabo said to Gogi, "Sometimes I feel as though I should seek out the one that murdered my people and bring him to justice."

"I can understand this," said Gogi.

"But what can I do? I am so very small and unimportant. He was so large, so angry, so good with his bow."

"Your size does not relate to your importance," spoke Gogi. "It is the will that defines purpose, destiny and importance."

Mabo saw wisdom in this. He said, "You sound as though you know of such things."

"That I do, Mabo." And Gogi spun the tale of the Battle Upon the Plain of Adoration.

"It is unbelievable!" gasped Mabo when he had heard the whole tale. "Such a small one, and yet..."

"It is the will, Mabo, the will that defines purpose."

Mabo nodded. He said, "It all seems ludicrous to me, but I feel I must follow after the hunter. But I know not how to do so."

"Merely go," suggested Gogi.

"Go? And leave my home and food here behind?"

Gogi nodded.

Mabo firmed himself.

Gogi and Szu Ri stood from the twig they had been using as a bench and they watched as Mabo hopped once, then again. Mabo looked back at them only to see Gogi urge him onward with another nod. He turned round and broke into a fast sprint. He knew he could not keep up the pace for long, but it was a beginning for his travels. He ran through the night, leaving behind the warming fire and his warming home, darting from shadow to shadow, between trees, chasing the moonlight without knowledge of pursuit or direction. Mabo ran swiftly, death on his mind and justice in his heart. Mabo ran swiftly, death riding far from him. Mabo ran swiftly, chasing his purpose, afraid the hunter was yet chasing him, afraid of his potential failure, afraid of death, running from memories of a green field gone red with the blood of his clan. Angered by this memory, Mabo ran swiftly.

Watching him go, losing sight of him in the shadows of a dark night, Szu Ri asked Gogi, "Think you he shall fare well?"

"If he stays true to his purpose, he will."

"How desperate and sad was that hare," remarked Szu Ri.

Gogi felt the tinge of sorrow within his heart. He thought of his friends Momoki and Twila and wished they would visit soon. He thought of how ugly the Many Hells had been and how they had made him and Szu Ri ill. He said, "How desperate and sad are we all; running from death, chasing after purpose. But we must not allow the sadness to swell within and drown us, Szu Ri. We must not allow the demons of the sea to pull us under. We must must break our sorrows with hope and love and chase our purpose joyously and unafraid. If our friend Mabo learns this, he will have a fine life, as fine a life as you and I have now."

Szu Ri hugged Gogi and he returned the hug. They loved one another and stood together, unafraid.

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Well, we've been introduced to the hare! Check back next Friday the 31st to discover the origins of the tiger!

“Warriors of the Midnight Sun” - Act VIII

This is it! The last act and the story is 100% complete! Enjoy!

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“Warriors of the Midnight Sun”
© 2008 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

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ACT VIII

THE BEJEWELED NIGHT: Wherein Gogi the Grasshopper Ascends the Giant Demon-dog Yaska Selith; Xiao-tep Faces Fei Li Mi Once More; Fei Li Mi Steals the Jewel of Zingtai; Loved Ones Are Reunited

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CHAPTER 1

Szu Ri fluttered fiercely against the wicked winds whipping across the Plain of Adoration. The battle roiled far below as she clutched little Gogi close to her chest. Balori followed after them with Momoki on his shoulder.

The screams of men and women filled the air around them, as did their clang of weapons and fighting. Gogi shivered nervously, afraid.

Szu Ri held him closer still, feeling his little body shivering. Tears welled within her eyes. She cried out, “I love you, Gogi!” but he did not hear.

Closer they flew to the giant Yaska Selith. Gogi shivered more fiercely as he clutched onto his hat that was threatening to fly off.

Szu Ri’s heart hardened against the pain she felt, against the fear she felt.

Balori flew into the face of the demon-dog, tossing Momoki at him. Momoki grasped onto fur and began stabbing at the cheek of Yaska Selith as Balori flew in, stabbing the demon in the other cheek with his battle axe and slashing with his kopesh. Both knew they could do little to harm the demon-dog, but that was not their purpose and as they witnessed Szu Ri fly overhead with Gogi, unnoticed by Yaska Selith, they knew their true purpose was a success.

The head of Yaska Selith came under Szu Ri and Gogi. Szu Ri, crying, fearful, hurting with pain far larger than she then did the hardest thing she had ever done in her life.

She let go of her love.

Gogi fell onto Yaska Selith’s head.

Szu Ri flew to Twila’s side, pressing herself into the neck of her friend and sobbing greatly, deeply there.

Gogi struggled, crawling his way through the fur. Szu RI had held on too long and he had been dropped far onto the back of the demon-dog’s head instead of near his forehead. He fought against the rushing winds and moving Yaska Selith. As he reached the forehead of the demon-dog, the rushing winds picked up in ferocity, whipping Gogi’s hat from his head and disappearing. He watched after it, making a quick, soft apology to Szu Ri for losing it.

He turned back round and crawled down the forehead of the demon-dog. There he found the small lids of the third eye. He shook with nerves one last time, refused to look out at the battle far below, closed his eyes and reminded himself if only he could do this one small thing for Momoki, they could all return to the Chamber of Despair together where he could quietly go about his gardening.

Gogi’s eyes snapped open, focused with determination. He removed from the small of his back his toothpick where he had tied it. He crawled down to the lids. He pried them open and, when no ruby beam of destructive light came forth, forced his way into the socket.

Yaska Selith raised his hand and swatted Momoki away. Once more Momoki fell to the plain far below.

Balori refused to move, attacking repeatedly the demon-dog all about his head until he saw, at last, Fei Li Mi streaking through the sky, descending towards the rear of Yaska Selith. Balori paused in his attack long enough to watch Fei Li Mi digging at the ground there. His trunk lifted up, trumpeting loudly and growling angrily, “He goes after the Jewel of Zingtai!”

Balori removed his battle axe from the back of Yaska Selith’s head, with both weapons in his hands, flew swiftly down to the plain to challenge the catfish.

Wu Chan Chu, Comet Fox and Roku delved back into the fray of the battle upon the plain.

Xiao-tep flew high into the air, the Spear of Sorrows outstretched, its blades biting at Yaska Selith’s skin, though not deeply. He came up some distance from the demon-dog, level with his head. He peered closely and saw the rear of Gogi wiggling, sticking out of the third eyes, struggling before he finally slipped behind its lids.

Xiao-tep spoke softly, “May the gods be with you, little one.” He then raised his spear and streaked down Yaska Selith, slicing at his skin once more.

Fei Li Mi found the Jewel of Zingtai protruding from the ground behind Yaska Selith. He dug his guandao into the dirt there and free the jewel. He then pondered how he could carry it, freeing his hands, so he could fly with it back to the Eternal Empress.

The strong winds carried to him Renorio’s cloak made of skin that had been loosened by an angry Dian as she severed the head from the vile murderer.

Fei Li Mi picked up the cloak, tied off the ends to form a makeshift satchel, placed the jewel into it and placed this whole thing over his shoulder.

Balori descended on him, trumpeting his approach.

Fei Li Mi lifted his guandao in time to fly sideways out of the way of Balori’s attack and cut his right bicep. The elephant trumpeted in pain, turned and attacked Fei Li Mi.

The kopesh first came down on Fei Li Mi. He flew sideways to dodge it but could not retreat from the sideways slashing battle axe. A large gash appeared on Fei Li Mi’s stomach, blood pouring out of it.

Fei Li Mi, panicking and wanting to get away, turned and flew away.

Balori chased after.

Xiao-tep came level with the ground after his attack on Yaska Selith an witnessed the chase. He, too, took up the chase, pulling to the side of Balori.

Unable to catch Fei Li Mi as the flew over the Black Mountains, Xiao-tep arched back and threw his Spear of Sorrows at Fei Li Mi.

The catfish, looking back, saw the oncoming spear and turned, pulling up to knock the spear out of the air with his guandao.

Balori came to Fei Li Mi as Xiao-tep chased his falling spear.

Balori lunged, striking out with his battle axe. Fei Li Mi backed away and brought his guandao up to block Balori’s slashing kopesh. Balori pressed the fight, pulling nearer to Fei Li Mi.

The catfish, busy with parrying the elephant’s weapons, did not see Balori’s trunk lashing out until it was too late.

Balori tightened his grip with his trunk around Fei Li Mi’s throat. Fei Li Mi’s eyes widened. He tried to raised his guandao but Balori knocked it aside with his kopesh.

The elephant lowered his head and brought his trunk up, raising Fei Li Mi to smash him in the face with his head.

Fei Li Mi grunted in pain. He eyed Balori and said, “I know what you want, elephant.” Fei Li Mi swiftly raised a free fin and untied the satchel about his body. Both satchel and jewel feel free from him. Said Fei Li Mi to Balori, “Go get it.”

Balori let go Fei Li Mi and flew after the fallen jewel. He snatched it up in the air.

Xiao-tep came to his side and together they watched Fei Li Mi escape.

“Should we go after him?” asked Balori.

Xiao-tep shook his head. “I doubt he’ll return to trouble us this day. You have the jewel. We should instead return to the plain and help our friends.”

Xiao-tep began flying back towards the Plain of Adoration.

Balori did not.

When Xiao-tep noticed the elephant was not with him, he stopped, turned and called out, “What is the matter, Balori?”

Balori eyed the jewel. He looked to Xiao-tep. “I came only for the jewel.”

Xiao-tep, saddened by the elephant’s response, flew back to his side and said, “But those are our friends upon the plain, many of the m dying, perhaps dying without our help. You have the jewel, it is safe now. It can wait a moment longer as we give aid to our friends.”

Again Balori eyed the jewel before looking at Xiao-tep. “What of my people? They’ve waited long enough. They’ve suffered long enough.”

Xiao-tep could give no answer. He turned and flew back to the Plain of Adoration.

Balori looked northeast to the land of the Bizo. He looked at the jewel and longed to return it to Zingtai so the Eternal Empress would free his people. He thought of Negkendra, wondering how he was faring on the plain, not yet knowing of his death and sacrifice upon Owl Bridge. He then thought of Shabar, a man that became a friend. A man that was so long ago so kind to him an the other elephants. He wondered how he was faring, as well, not knowing of the loss of his leg or his healing within the kingdom of Aniabas.

They had traveled a long way to help him, to right the wrings they and others had committed. They had not abandoned him. He knew then he could not abandon them.

Balori tied the makeshift satchel and slung it over one of his shoulders. He turned to face the Plain of Adoration before flying there, following Xiao-tep.

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CHAPTER 2

Gogi struggled, crawling his way deep into the third eye’s socket. Yaska Selith felt him there, but could do nothing to remove the grasshopper.

Gogi crawled deeper, covered in blood and gore, until he came at last to the socket’s base and there he found the slightly dislodged Ruby Bug. He could not breathe the air here. It was thin and putrid. He knew he had to hurry lest he grow weak with struggling and breathing the rankness hear. He brought forth his toothpick made long ago on Taliesin, the Mountain That Lived in the Sky, and struck deeply in the muscle behind the Ruby bug. He sank it deep and pulled backwards, his legs stuck out to the sides of the eye and forcing him backwards.

The toothpick slipped. Gogi thought he would have fallen out the eye if it were not such a cramped space. He placed the toothpick behind the Ruby Bug once more, now slippery with blood. He applied force once more and pulled.

The toothpick, much to Gogi’s despair, broke in half. He eyed the piece in his hands. He wanted to cry for he knew no other way to pry the Ruby Bug loose. His mind raced with thoughts. He wanted Szu Ri to be at his side, to hold him close and comfort him. He wished he had the strngth of Momoki so he could simply latch onto the Ruby Bug and pull it free.

And it came to him that was what he should do.

Gogi placed the broken half of the toothpick behind the Ruby Bug. He held it fast with his left hand and with his right reached around the bug and grabbed the other half of the toothpick still lodged there. He closed his body around the Ruby Bug and ppuleld with all his might. He pulled and pulled, not wanting to fail Szu Ri or Momoki, Twila or Xiao-tep. And when he was thinking he could not succeed at pulling the Ruby Bug free, it tore loose from the muscles holding it fast. Blood welled within the eye socket, causing pressure. Blood and bits of muscles geysered out from the third eye, pushing Gogi out as he held the Ruby Bug tightly, afraid he would lose it.

Gogi flew through the air, falling, crashing, slamming hard onto the plain until he rolled, getting battered and bruised.

Szu Ri watched it all from the comfort of Twila’s side. She lifted onto the air and flew, searching for her love. She found him at last and lowered herself to his side.

She approached slowly. She called to him, “Gogi?”

Gogi did not answer. He did not move.

She drew near him, listening. She touched him and felt his heart, felt his chest moving with small, labored breaths.

“Oh, Gogi,” said Szu Ri as she lay behind him, holding him close to her.

The demon-dog Yaska Selith shrank in form, growing smaller. The fighting all around him ceased and as he became the battered dog Pup once more, the Bone Warriors found themselves without their master and broke from the plain, running in fear.

Xiao-tep flew to Gogi’s side. Behind him came Balori. They had come over the Black Mountains in time to see Yaska Selith destroyed. Twila came next, crawling. Soon all the surviving fighters of Aniabas, Wu Chan Chu and Balori drew near. They all stared down at Gogi, still desperately clutching the Ruby Bug.

Momoki came to his side.

Gogi’s eyes opened. He coughed fitfully. He looked up at Momoki, looked to Szu Ri crying and kissing his cheek.

As Momoki looked at his small friend, in awe of his courage and will, he thought of the words Gogi had once said. He spoke them softly now, “Some have paths set before them that lead them into greatness, while others are destined to be their friends.”

Momoki knew then that he was the friend.

Gogi coughed again. Weakly, he pushed the Ruby Bug out towards Momoki and said, “I-I did it, Momoki. I did it.”

Momoki smiled. He said, That you did, my friend. Thank you.”

One by one all the warriors, mercenaries, soldiers, men and women, each in turn, thanked the little grasshopper.

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CHAPTER 3

Ebi ran to the side of his Pup. The dog’s body was beaten and had many cuts all over. Pup was badly beaten all over.

Ebi kneeled next to him. He reached out slowly and pet the dead dog. He wept for his Pup.

A bark came to Ebi. He turned and there, at his side, was Pup now black as a shadow with wounds all over him glowing crimson like his eyes, bright as the Midnight Sun.

Ebi smiled an unseen smile. He picked up and played with Pup, his laughter echoing in haunting, warm tones.

The forms of both Pup and Ebi slowly dissipated as smoke, disappearing from sight. The two old friends were finally together. The two old friends were finally at rest.

On another part of the plain, Dian continued to wail. So loud, so haunting, so anguished was her cry no one dared draw near her. Only her husband tried to comfort her, but as he did she pushed him away in anger and fear. Her cried, her sobs, her wails were long and sent chills through all who heard them. She threw herself upon her dead daughter.

Not one of her allies knew what to do. Not one moved to help her, not knowing if she could be helped.

One of her fellow Warriors finally came to her side. Roku the Misfit stepped forward. Joto Ba, kneeling beside the body of his daughter, looked up at him as he approached.

Roku knelt. He reached a hand to Dian. She raised up and slapped him away. Joto Ba grabbed his wife and held her.

Roku bent low.

Dian and Joto Ba watched him.

Roku placed his mouth upon Inno’s. He breathed out and as he did his form dissipated, dispersing and Inno’s lungs filled with life.

Roku was gone.

Inno breathed easily, alive yet unconscious.

“Now that was a hero,” said Angolas the Soldier.

Comet Fox, who was standing nearby, thought a moment. He cocked his head curiously and asked, “Who was a hero?”

But neither could remember whom they spoke of. High in the Heavens, Stork picked up the slates holding Roku’s life and smashed them against the floor.

Roku the Misfit had been erased from the Record of Memory.

King Aniabas approached Joto Ba and Dian. Vitor followed behind him with several of his soldiers. He said, “I can take her. I will give her a home and we will care for her.”

Dian and Joto Ba nodded and thanked the king before dissipating, fading from the world and resting, at last, in peace.

The men of Aniabas picked up Inno and carried her gently back to their kingdom.

Aniabas and Vitor then approached Angolas.

Aniabas eyed him a moment before saying, “Vitor, let it be known, when we return to our kingdom, that Angolas, soldier with my army, died with full honors this day.”

Vitor said, “Yes, my liege.”

Angolas nodded. “Thank you, my liege,” he said and faded into peace.

Aniabas then approached Momoki. “Momoki, it has been an honor.”

Momoki bowed. “The honor was mine. Thank you, your highness.”

Aniabas eyed the body-strewn plain. “I think it will take many days, but my people will make sure they will all be properly buried.”

“Good,” Momoki was thankful.

Aniabas and his men returned south to their kingdom.

Zom Loa came to Momoki. He eyed the Ruby Bug within his hand. He said, “Dear marmoset, I know I’ve not been fully trusted thus far, but my heart is now with you. I know some alchemy and many mystics. I think I could find a place for that jeweled bug.”

Momoki was wary.

Wu Chan Chu approached. She thought of Zom Loa helping Ebi in battle, of his changed loyalty. She said, “Momoki, he came be trusted.”

Momoki took Wu Chan Chu’s word, nodded, and handed the Ruby Bug over to Zom Loa.

Said Zom Loa, “I know not how as yet, but I will find a way to destroy this thing.” He then left the Plain of Adoration.

Balori turned to Xiao-tep. He adjusted the weight of the jewel slung over his arm. He said, “I should go,” then added hesitantly, thinking back to their confrontation on the Mountain That Lived in the Sky, “I’ll have to return to Taliesin.”

Xiao-tep said, “Balori Shongoyo is always welcome in Taliesin.”

“Thank you,” said Balori. He mounted his mystic cloud once more and flew off the plain.

Momoki mounted Twila, resting upon the back of her shell. He then lifted Gogi and Szu Ri upon his shoulder. Twila crawled in front of Xiao-tep, Wu Chan Chu, Comet Fox and Stavros.

Said Momoki, “Thank you for your part, Xiao-tep.”

Xiao-tep bowed low at the waist. He said, “It has been an honor, Master Momoki.”

Momoki considered the four friends a last time. He said, “Xiao-tep, you and your friends are on a most righteous path. Stay to it.”

“Thank you, Master Momoki,” answered Xiao-tep.

Momoki’s horse appeared beneath him. With his friends he rode off the Plain of Adoration, riding home for the Chamber of Despair.

Xiao-tep touched his wound.

Wu Chan Chu watched him and asked, “How are you, brother?”

“I’m well, thanks to you.”

Wu Chan Chu croaked happily and smiled. “What will you do now?”

Xiao-tep said, “I’ll be returning home.”

Asked Wu Chan Chu, “To father? Or your mother?”

Xiao-tep shook his head. “No, to Taliesin. You should visit me some time, sister. I would like you to visit. I think you would appreciate Taliesin and its rolling, flowing fields. It’s quite beautiful there.”

“It sounds wonderful,” said the frog demi-goddess, “but perhaps some other time. I think I’ll return to the Peony and recover my championship.”

Xiao-tep smiled at his sister’s desire for fighting. He could not share her desire. He looked at Comet Fox and Stavros. “What of you two?”

Comet Fox rubbed the back of his head nervously. His ears twitched. He said hesitantly, “To tell the truth, I could really go for a drink right now.”

Stavros laughed uproariously. Wu Chan Chu and Xiao-tep joined in the laughter.

Stravros slapped Comet Fox on the back, saying, “I think you and I are going to be good friends.”

Laughing, each enjoying the company of the others, the four friends left the Plain of Adoration.

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CHAPTER 4

Over every countryside, through every valley and woods, Shabar hitched rides with many different people including merchants and a moving family. At last he came to the farmlands outside of Bizo. He had ridden as far as he could and did not have to travel through Bizo itself. He wondered if the Eternal Empress would ever release the elephants. He wanted to know, but moved on, limping slowly towards his farm. Aniabas’ people had replaced his leg with a wooden peg lashed to his leg above the knee with thick leather straps and buckles. It made walking difficult. He wondered how it would affect him working his land.

He hobbled on and on, walking, limping towards his home.

As the sun was setting, as Kalavata flew overhead, Shabar came to his farm.

He saw his house from a long ways off. He kept watching for movement, watching for his wife. He saw none around the house. He wondered if she had left, if she was staying with Old Man Arnas, if she had left the country completely.

He watched his home as it grew larger.

As he drew near, he was hesitant to enter, but he did.

There he found the wife of Old Man Arnas. She was cooking at the stove. Nearby, in a crib, lay a baby.

She turned and eyed him. “You’re home.”

Shabar nodded. He looked to the baby.

Old Lady Arnas said, “You’ve another son.”

Shabar smiled. He limped to the crib and picked up the child. “He beautiful.”

Old Lady Arnas looked at Shabar, was happy to see him smiling, then considered the wooden peg where once his leg had been.

Shabar kissed and held his son. He looked to Old Lady Arnas. “Where is Alia?”

“Despite my protests, she’s working the field.”

Shabar sighed. “That’s my stubborn wife. How is she?”

“The birth was difficult, but she’s stronger than she’s been.”

Shabar nodded. he thanked Old Lady Arnas and kissed her on the cheek. He then exited his home and limped into the fields.

There, working diligently, was both his wife and older son. They were harvesting from the field.

His son saw him first. He cried, “Daddy!” and ran to him.

Shabar bent and picked him up, kissing and hugging him. He then set him down and told him to go into the house.

The boy touched the wooden peg. “Daddy? Are you okay?” he asked.

“Yes, boy. Now mind your father and get inside.”

The boy ran joyfully into the home.

Alia stood motionless, staring at her husband.

They stood a long time looking at one another.

Shabar’s mouth, his chin quivered. The sides of his mouth lowered into a frown. Tears welled within his eyes.

At last, he said, “I-I didn’t know if you’d… have me.”

Alia wept. She dropped the basket she had been placing her harvest into and ran to her husband. They embraced and cried together.

Shabar kissed her gently around her face, on her lips, on her neck.

Aia pulled gently away. She straightened her husband’s clothes. She reached down and touched his wooden peg, but said nothing of it. She would never speak of it. She looked him in the eyes and said, “Come, come inside and meet your new son.”

“I already have,” said Shabar.

Alia appeared momentarily saddened by this. She then smiled. “Then let’s go eat supper. Old Lady Arnas is a wonderful cook.”

They smiled, kissed, embraced a last time and then went into their home together.

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CHAPTER 5

Balori Shongoyo flew high into the clouds and landed gently upon the bright, green field of Taliesin. He carefully climbed the mountain to come to the side of Aglina and Zingtai. He produced from the makeshift satchel the bright emerald.

Zingtain squealed excitedly. She examined the jewel. She found the chips missing from it and wondered if it would still fit.

“You should try,” encouraged Balori.

Zingtai grew to immense size, part of her hanging off the sides of Taliesin. Balori walked slowly to the outer reaches of her wing and found the hole there where the jewel had been removed. He raised it above his head. The jewel fit. It stayed. Zingtai’s wing healed over.

Kalavata’s head peeked over the horizon.

Zingtain flapped her wings with anticipation.

Aglina cooed a loving goodbye.

And as Kalavata flew overhead, Zingtai lifted off Taliesin and joined him, chasing Etain across the world, restoring the stars to the night sky.

All over the world, people came forth from their homes. They craned their necks and looked skyward. And there they found the beautifully sparkling night sky.

Celebrations were held.

Bonfires were lit.

Fireworks were lighted in honor of the stars’ return.

The world below the night smiled together as one.

Balori mounted his mystic cloud and flew beneath Zingtai a long time, chatting, telling her of the grand adventures he and Xiao-tep had, of the Battle Upon the Plain of Adoration. He made friends with Kalavata. And for the first time in a long time, Balori smiled and laughed and was filled with joy.

In the world far below, the Eternal Empress and her children witnessed the return of the stars and she remained faithful to her word. The next morning, before a gathered crowd of her people, she declared the Elephants of Ife free and outlawed slavery in her country for all eternity.
Balori left Taliesin to follow his people. A few stayed in Bizo and other parts of the world, but most made the long trek back to Ife and Balori went with them. He then returned to Bizo and thanked the Empress.

With his task in life, Balori found himself restless and wondering at himself. He returned to Taliesin. Xiao-tep was there and welcomed him. Balori stayed with Xiao-tep, cultivating the mountainside, harvesting the gardens and tending to the fields. Each night they would picnic with Aglina and waved to Zingtai as she flew overhead.

Xiao-tep and Balori become friends and together they took on the role of caretaker of Taliesin.

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EPILOGUE

In a far part of the world, in a sea made lastly by the misty hands of the Cosmos, on an island brought into the world as an afterthought where men and women came long after its birth there lived a family called Toya. The family was headed by a father who worked hard at fishing each day and his wife was a good gardener that loved to grow things and with them make preserves. They had a child named David and they loved him dearly. David would often work the seas with his father, fishing for their family’s food.

Lastly, perhaps firstly, there was Gramps, father to Lady Toya. He did not live with them, but rather made his home on another part of the island. But from time ti time throughout the year he would come to them for a brief visit.

Such was the day Gramps told David of the stars.

“Father,” called Lady Toya. “Can you go to the pantry and bring forth a few jars of plum preserves?”

“Certainly,” said Gramps. He left the hut behind and descended into the makeshift underground pantry where Lady Toya stored preserves.

He gathered up three jars of plum preserves.

As he returned to the hut, he overhead a conversation between David and his mother.

“Mother, can I go to the beach with my friends tonight?”

“No,” said Lady Toya. “You’re grandfather visits. It would be nice if you stayed at home to spend time with him.”

“Spend time with Gramps?” asked David. “But all he ever wants to do is talk, to tell stories about things that happened long ago that no one truly cares for. He is so very boring, mother.”

“Hush your mouth!” Lady Toya was appalled. “That is your grandfather, my father, that you speak of. He has lived a good, long life and without his work neither I nor you would be here now.”

Gramps heard David moan. He sighed, sad and feeling suddenly lonely. He entered the hut, acting as though he hadn’t heard a thing.

“What goes on here?” asked Gramps.

David started, afraid Gramps had heard his unkind words.

Lady Toya worked diligently in her kitchen, eyeing the jars of plum preserves. She said, “Thank you, father. If you can bring them here, please.”

Gramps set the jars on a table near Lady Toya. He asked David, “What are you doing tonight?”

“We were discussing that before you returned with the preserves. David wants to spend time with his grandfather,” said Lady Toya.

David sighed, yet smiled at his grandfather whom he loved dearly.

“Aw, go on,” said Gramps. “There is not a kid in all the world at the age of ten, such as David, that wants to spend time around a dusty, old, crotchety man like me.”

David lowered his head, ashamed of what he had said.

Gramps reached out, placing a hand upon his grandson’s shoulder. He said, “Why don’t you go on and play with your friends tonight?”

David looked up at his grandfather, his eyes alight with hope.

“Father,” said Lady Toya, “he should spend time with his grandfather.”

“Nah,” argued Gramps playfully. He winked at David. “Go on, boy. Go out and be with your friends.”

David cried, “Thanks, Gramps!” and ran from the hut.

“He should be home with his family,” scolded Lady Toya.

“No, he should be off having grand adventures with his friends,” said Gramps.

Night came to the tiny island. Father Toya, Lady Toya and Gramps ate a fine meal together. Father Toya apologized for himself, but said he had to sleep early if he wanted to get an early start on fishing the next day.

Gramps was fine with Father Toya turning in early.

As Lady Toya cleaned the plates after their meal, Gramps asked, “Would you mind if I go for a small walk after that large supper?”

Lady Toya smiled. She said, “Go on, father. I know how you like to walk after supper and smoke.”

Gramps smiled, kissed his daughter on her forehead and left the hut.

As he walked the beach he came to a small hill covered with wild grass and two trees. one of the trees had fallen long ago and its trunk used for fires so all that was left was its stump. Gramps sat upon the stump on the grassy hill overlooking the sea. He watched the moon and the stars. He watched Kalavata flying high overhead.

He produced a pipe that had been carved from briar and shaped with a skilled knife into the image of a marmoset sitting atop a rock. He placed some fine tobacco into its bowl and lit it, drawing the thick smoke down the pipe and into his mouth, tasting the strong burleys. He sat, watching the night.

The sound of children playing, hollering, laughing came to Gramps. He sat, looking for his grandson. He saw him as his group of six friends crested the hill and drew near.

Said David, “Oh! Gramps. I didn’t know you were here.”

Some of the children asked David if he knew the old man.

“Yes,” said David. “He’s my grandfather.”

A few of the children kindly introduced themselves. Gramps gladly met them, thick smoke rolling from his pipe.

“I didn’t think anyone would come here,” said Gramps. “I’ll be out of your way.”

“No,” said David. “It’s okay, Gramps. You can stay. We came only for a moment to look at the stars. This hill has the best view of all the nighttime sky on the island.”

Gramps looked to the stars, nodding in agreement. He said, “Well, as long as you don’t mind an old man smoking his pipe and sitting on a stump sharing the stars with you, then I’ll stay.”

A few of the children said he could stay.

One child, a boy a year or so younger than David, approached Gramps. He asked, “That pipe, it’s awfully grand. What is that carved on its side?”

“That?” said Gramps, happy to be talking to the children. “Why that’s Momoki the Marmoset. In fact, he helped to restore the stars to the nighttime sky long ago. Have you heard his story?”

The children all shook their heads. Gramps looked to David, thought of his words earlier. He said, “It’s a good story, but I won’t bother you with my old, boring stories.”

David frowned.

“Besides,” said Gramps, “Who would want to hear about elephants and grasshoppers and warriors and battles and such. That’s all old stuff, long ago dead.”

Gramps turned on the stump, looking out over the sea, his back to the children.

The children looked at one another curiously.

David blushed, ashamed he had been found out, overheard.

“Wait a minute,” said a girl. “Who wouldn’t want to hear about such things?”

“Yeah!” said a boy. “I’ve heard of elephants. They’re supposed to be huge!”

“Gigantic!” said another boy.

“I want to hear about warriors,” said another boy. “Some day I want to leave the island and become a soldier in some king’s grand army. Please, tell us!”

Gramps, his back to the children, smiled. he then straightened his face, even furrowing it in confusion and turned round to look at the children. “Are you certain? I mean, they’re simply the old ramblings of an old man.”

It was David who spoke. “Of course, Gramps. Who wouldn’t want to hear about elephants and battles?”

Gramps smiled internally. He shrugged, puffed his pipe. He said, “If it’s truly what you children wish.”

The children agreed that they wanted to hear the tale. They all sat round Gramps upon the stump. David sat right in front of his grandfather, attentive and listening.

When the children were settled and staring at him, Gramps said, “It all began long ago in a land called Taliesin. On this Mountain That Lived in the Sky lived its caretaker, Momoki the Marmoset. And with him lived his friend, the mighty warrior known as Gogi the Grasshopper…”

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By the gods, this was along tale! This is the first full-length novel set within The Choldren of Gods Universe. I do hope you enjoyed it. And thanks for reading!

“Warriors of the Midnight Sun” - Act VII

This is the second to last act! I hope you're all enjoying!

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“Warriors of the Midnight Sun”
© 2008 by Charles Shaver. All rights reserved.

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ACT VII

MANY ROOTS HOLDING TOGETHER A GREAT TREE: Wherein Comet Fox is Reunited with Roku to Fight Against the Forces of Yaska Selith; Friends Fight Together as One; Xiao-tep Faces Fei Li Mi; Momoki Tastes the Bitter Vinegar of Failure; A New Hero Arises

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CHAPTER 1

Comet Fox cartwheeled towards Raiju Yu who stood, his three weasels Kama, Gala and Jian at his feet, holding a Moon-Toothed Spade. The fox-god then jumped, spinning as if in a cartwheel yet without his hands being placed on the ground and instead reaching to his waist to retrieve from his sash his two ulus. As his feet came down they cracked against Raiju Yu’s head, knocking him backwards.

The three weasels attacked, running to and biting at Comet Fox’s legs.

On came Roku the Misfit, passing by his former master. He, too, produced his two ulus from thin air and they glowed like a crescent moons on a cloudless night. Roku lunged, one of his ulus streaking out at the gut of the Weasel King.

Raiju Yu brought up his Moon-Toothed Spade, knocking away Roku’s hand with its shaft. Roku lunged again and again. Each time Raiju Yu blocked and parried.

Comet Fox kicked at the three weasels. He swept one off his leg and kicked at the other two. He then lifted onto the air and flew at Raiju Yu. The Weasel King lifted his weapon and spun it as a windmill, knocking away both Roku’s and Comet Fox’s attacks.

The three weasels turned and attacked Roku. They bit at him, climbing his form and where they bit new holes in his form appeared letting out small bits of crimson glowing light and droplets rising off him as if bleeding into the sky.

Roku ceased his attacks on Raiju Yu and swept his ulus down his form, knocking away the rabid, hungry weasels. As quickly as they dropped to the ground they were once more on Roku, eating away at his darkness.

Comet Fox thrust and lunged. He switched from Capoeira to Drunken Style, staggering and falling. This confused the Weasel King and he backed away to consider his foe, but Comet Fox was soon on him, stumbling as if not in control of his body and falling into Raiju Yu. The fox-god quickly, quietly slipped his ulus into the chest of Raiju Yu.

The Weasel King gasped, crying out more in horror at the successful ruse than at the pain, and backed away, using his Moon-Toothed Spade to push Comet Fox away so harshly the fox-god fell to the ground.

The weasels looked to their master, saw him hurt and abandoned their assault on Roku to attack instead the fallen Comet Fox. They were on him instantly, biting and chewing through his fur and flesh. Comet Fox yelped in pain and lifted into the air to hover over the plain before knocking the weasels free.

The weasels fell to the plain and ran to the side of their master to assure his safety.

Comet Fox descended back to the side of Roku, saying, “Mayhaps we should first kill the weasels so we may then attack their master in full concentrated effort.”

Roku nodded in agreement. They attacked.

Roku ran towards the Weasel King. The three weasels leapt into action, countering Roku’s attacks with their own.

Comet Fox came around from behind Roku and with his foot stomped on the head of Kama as the other two climbed onto Roku. He ground his pawed foot down, stomping on the neck of the weasel. Kama squealed in pain, but he did not die. Seeing this, Comet Fox then placed his ulus within his sash and reached down, grabbing up the weasel and held it fast. He looked to Raiju Yu as he slowly twisted the Kama’s neck, breaking it, the sound of cracking bone echoing between them.

As Comet Fox let Kama’s dead body fall, Raiju Yu smiled at him. The Weasel King gave a small cry, a chittering, chattering form of talk and from the mountains, down the foothills and onto the plain came a new weasel to replace Kama. It first drew to the side of Raiju Yu before turning to attack Comet Fox.

Roku used his ulus and stabbed at the weasels on him. They fell and where they landed he bent and stabbed them, slicing them each in two.

With more chitterings and chatterings from Raiju Yu, two more weasels came from the mountains and joined the fight.

Comet Fox and Roku bit, sliced, stomped and strangled weasel after weasel. With every dead weasel came a new one from the mountains.

Raiju Yu cackled wildly. He said, “You cannot kill all the weasels in the world!”

Comet Fox sighed. As he brushed off a new weasel he said to Roku, “I fear he may be right. Perhaps my plan of action was not fully correct. This Gifted One obviously commands the weasels and can call as many as he needs to his side, fortunately always in threes. If we do the same, yet this time concentrate all our efforts on the Gifted One instead of the weasel, mayhaps his demise will end the oncoming weasel horde.”

Roku once more nodded in agreement.

Comet Fox flew at Raiju Yu while.

Roku ran at their foe, ignoring the weasels biting at his chest, arms, legs and face. More and more, with every bite, new crimson holes appeared on Roku’s body. While it pained him greatly and he desired to free himself of them, he instead attacked the Weasel King.

Raiju Yu brought up his Moon-Toothed Spade and knocked away Comet Fox’s ulus.

Roku rounded the Weasel King and together with his old master, attacked the Weasel King from both sides.

Comet Fox speared out his ulus.

Roku ducked the Moon-Toothed Spade and extended out his arm, the ulu in his hand biting the air and hungering for Raiju Yu’s flesh.

Raiju Yu defended, his spade reaching out first left, then right. The crescent-shaped blade bit into Comet Fox, his blood spilling onto his fur as he yelped. The spade then bit into Roku’s form, a new gash opening on his darkness in a streak of flying crimson.

At last Comet Fox put away on of his ulus and grabbed the spade by the shaft. Raiju Yu smiled, working the spade so as to flip Comet Fox around and send him falling to the ground.

Comet Fox landed hard onto the plain, yet he did not let go of the spade. Instead, he held it fast, looked up at the Weasel King and smiled.

Raiju Yu wondered at him, at the fox-god’s smile. He then realized his weapon was held fast and he was therefore unable to defend with it. His head turned, his eyes wide, in time to see and feel Roku rush at him with both ulus. Roku slid one of his weapons up into the Weasel King’s armpit, the other sinking into his chest.

Roku placed all his ghostly weight onto his left arm with the hand holding the ulu in Raiju Yu’s chest. The ulu slid sideways and down, slicing open the chest and gut of the Weasel King.

Raiju Yu gasped. He gurgled. Blood filled his mouth and spilled down his chin as it spilled also down his gut and waist. His head turned as his eyes went from Roku to Comet Fox. He tried to call, command his weasels. They stood instead, still latched onto Roku and no longer biting, staring at their dying master.

Roku pulled free his ulus.

Comet Fox let got the Moon-Toothed Spade.

Raiju Yu fell.

The weasels jumped from Roku and ran for the hills, up and over the mountains, leaving the Plain of Adoration far behind.

Roku’s ulus disappeared. He bent low and offered his old master a hand. Comet Fox accepted and, with Roku’s help, stood. Together they sighed. Together they breathed deep and accounted for their wounds. When they each saw the other would survive, they each produced their ulus and, together, returned to battle.

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CHAPTER 2

Angolas had broken from the side of his fellow Warriors and instead fought at the side of his former liege and commander, King Aniabas and General Vitor. They fought, the three of them, side-by-side as one until they came before the commander of the Bone Warrior army: Sinverguenza.

“Give up your forces now,” called King Aniabas to Yaska Selith’s second. “We will let you live.”

Sinverguenza cowered. He was not much of a fighter, he knew, but was surrounded by the best of the Bone Warriors, many former mercenaries and soldiers from other parts of the world. He looked skyward and found the giant Yaska Selith there. He felt comforted standing within the demon-dog’s shadow and looked to Aniabas, calling out, “Bring all you can! Your best will not be good enough!”

King Aniabas the Ugly, Vitor the Loyal and Angolas the Soldier charged at Sinverguenza and the Bone Warriors. Weapons flashed, dancing off one another. Angolas whipped out his arms and from them extended his massive boulder weapons chained to his wrists. He swiveled his shoulders, lifting the boulders into the air and bringing them down, heavily crashing into the heads of two Bone Warriors, crushing them completely beneath the incredible weight. He swung the boulders about, knocking his enemies aside and killing others.

Aniabas charged through the Bone Warriors to the side of Sinverguenza. He lifted his sword high and attacked. Sinverguenza backed away nervously and two Bone Warriors stepped between their commander and the king. Aniabas lunged at the Bone Warriors, thrusting and parrying their attacks.

Vitor’s blade sank into the chest of a Bone Warrior just below his leather chest plate adorned with bits and pieces of bone. The blade drank deeply from the enemy as Vitor worked the sword, turning it sideways to wreak severe damage inside the Bone Warrior. He pulled free the sword and the Bone Warrior fell. He turned and attacked another.

Angolas crushed three Bone Warriors at once and was suddenly at the side of Sinverguenza who, looking to Angolas, thought he recognized the black and crimson ghost.

King Aniabas slashed widely, the tip of his sword biting deeply into both the Bone Warriors before him. The two foes fell and Aniabas was once more standing before Sinverguenza.

Vitor stabbed the last three Bone Warriors at their commander’s side, each after the other. He then drew to the side of his liege Aniabas.

Sinverguenza shook nervously. Once more he looked to Yaska Selith, wishing the demon-dog’s interference. At last he felt his death, though he did not want to die, may not be well placed in the service of such a creature. He eyed Aniabas.

The king ran forward, his general at his side. Together their swords sank into the gut of Sinverguenza below the ribs. Together they twisted their blades. Together they pulled free their swords and stepped backwards, looking to their ghostly fellow soldier.

Angolas twisted his shoulders. One of the boulders lifted into the air, crashing down on Sinverguenza who stood watching his gut bleed.

The boulder broke every bone in Sinverguenza’s body. The body disappeared beneath the weight and girth of the boulder. Only the trickling, spattering, squirting blood that came from under it gave any sign that once a man had stood there.

Word spread of Sinverguenza’s death spread quickly through the battle. Many Bone Warriors broke and ran from the plain.

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CHAPTER 3

Xiao-tep broke through the cloud layer, pulling level with the catfish Fei Li Mi. The two fish hovered in the air, amidst a mass of cloud cover, staring at one another.

Fei Li Mi worked his guandao in his fin.

Xiao-tep repositioned his hand on the Spear of Sorrow.

“Come to our side,” lured Fei Li Mi. “The power of Yaska Selith is comforting. It fills one with purpose, with place.”

At this Xiao-tep thought of Taliesin, of the rolling fields and garden, of Oti and Aglina and Zingtai. He answered Fei Li Mi, “I have such a place, such a purpose in my life. I need no demon-dog to fill me with purpose.”

“Mayhaps,” said Fei Li Mi, “but the strength of the demon-dog is felt worldwide. We do something here that affects lives everywhere, if at least indirectly. You cannot argue the importance of Yaska Selith.”

Xiao-tep nodded, mockingly agreeing by saying, “You are correct. I cannot argue with the importance of ridding the world of his presence.”

“Bah!” spat Fei Li Mi.

“Demons belong in the Many Hells,” said Xiao-tep.

Fei Li Mi felt the argument moot. He shifted to another matter plaguing his thoughts, “Are there many like us?”

Xiao-tep shook his head. “Not that I know of. I must confess I did not know of you until we met over the plain a day ago.”

“You said you were a god?”

Xiao-tep nodded. “I am son to Hapi the River God and Lei-zu the Thunder Goddess.”

Fei Li Mi’s jealousy welled. He said, “I am no son of gods. I was made by a mad alchemist bent on making Gifted Ones. The very alchemist that made me made Balori Shongoyo. As I was once a mere catfish, so too was Balori once an elephant. We did not choose this life, it was brought onto us.”

“I could say that very thing,” said Xiao-tep, thinking of the father that hated him.

“You know nothing, fish-god!”

Xiao-tep gave no answer. Instead, he asked, “Why are you here, Fei Li Mi?”

“I came seeking the Jewel of Zingtai, much as Balori does. I may yet grab it for my own, yet,” Fei Li Mi’s eyes gazed down through the clouds and thought of Yaska Selith sitting upon the plain, “I have found a home here.”

“Leave it,” said Xiao-tep. “Leave the demon-dog’s side. He will lose this battle and be destroyed. Help Balori instead return the jewel to Zingtai.”

Fei Li Mi considered the matter once more. He then wondered at the response of the Eternal Empress to such a union. He refused to share the glory with Balori and told Xiao-tep as much.

“Then you will fall with the demon-dog,” said Xiao-tep. He brought the Spear of Sorrows level, pointing its blades at Fei Li Mi.

Fei Li Mi’s eyes narrowed in anger. He said, “Come, fish-god. Let my guandao taste the blood of a god.”

The two fish flew at one another. Spear and guandao locked, slapping against one another. Each blade slid across the other and from it fell great sparks that fell to the ground far below. The clouds filled with the thunderous roar of their fight, shaking the very grounds far below. To this day it is said when one hears the thunder of a coming storm and witnesses lightning flashing across the skies, it is Xiao-tep the Ankh-fish and Fei Li Mi the Protector perpetually locked in battle.

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CHAPTER 4

Akadia Dorn swung his large stone war hammer with such force it knocked the head off the shoulder of a Bone Warrior. At his side fought Macia Thrace and Shabar. The three dug deeper into the plain, fighting constantly, never given ground.

A sudden surge of Bone Warriors stalled their progress. Their back to one another, they defended themselves from every side. They had been cut off from the main part of their fellow force.

Akadia said, “Let’s send them to the Many Hells!” and charged, working his hammer left and right, taking wound after wound to his body.

Macia dove into the fray and was cut repeatedly by a Bone Warrior and his masterful skill with a short sword.

Shabar, having been trained long ago to protect the Eternal Empress but never having been proven in battle, took his first life, blooding himself.

Macia backed away from the Bone Warrior with the short sword. This opened the side of Shabar, leaving him exposed to a flank attack. Macia did not read this and was much too late to block the swift sword of the Bone Warrior as his sword flicked out sideways and down. The short blade cut into and through Shabar’s leg below the knee.

Shabar lost his balance as his left leg fell away from him. He fell backwards to the ground.

Macia lunged out, the short swordsman now open to attack, and killed him.

The Bone Warriors, smelling the blood of Shabar, hearing him scream in pain at the horror of his lost leg, crushed in on them.

Macia looked down to Shabar. He commanded his friend, “Get off this plain! They’ll kill you!”

Shabar, hearing the words of his friend, rolled onto his belly and crawled between legs, blocking and dodging weapon attacks the best he could.

Akadia and Macia together screamed in a loud, awful battle cry. Their screams distracted the Bone Warriors and gave Shabar time to crawl away, off the plain and into the awaiting arms of those few loyal servants to Aniabas who could not fight and chose instead to remain behind near the kingdom to heal the wounded.

As the servants picked him up, Shabar eyed his friends. He watched, as he was being swiftly carried away, as a Bone Warrior closed on Macia and slipped his sword up into Macia’s gut. The blade ascended inside Macia, cutting through heart and lungs until the tip of the sword came out at last to protrude through the back of Macia’s neck.

Shabar watched as Akadia hammered one Bone Warrior after another, yet found himself suddenly alone and vastly outnumbered. The Bone Warriors, lusting for the blood of their enemies, descended upon him. They beat and battered and stabbed at him, but Akadia did not fall. He hammered two more Bone Warriors, crushing their skulls, before he was beaten and battered and stabbed again. The Bone Warriors fought with one another to get closer to him, to hit and slice at Akadia, but Akadia stood his ground for a time longer than most men could not. At last, minutes later, after Shabar had been taken far from the sight of the battlefield, Akadia took his last breath and fell.

With the deaths of these two mortal men, though the Bone Warriors had lost many of their numbers and some key figures, the battle shifted once more in their favor.

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CHAPTER 5

Fei Li Mi flew at Xiao-tep, his guandao extended and circling the Spear of Sorrows.

Xiao-tep knocked Fei Li Mi’s weapon aside, spinning to bring his spear high into the air before bringing it down to slice through the cloud beneath him, then up once more to knock away the guandao.

Fei Li Mi’s barbs wavered on the air as he lunged at Xiao-tep.

Xiao-tep’s long fins flowed noiselessly as he flew at Fei Li Mi.

Thei weapons clashed and sent sparks to the plain below. Together the two fish spun, attacked, defended, working the clouds into roiling fervor about them.

Fei Li Mi threw out his guandao, catching it at its very base.

Xiao-tep swam through the air sideways, bending his body to dodge around the oncoming guandao and, with his spear, slapped at the offending weapon.

Fei Li Mi swung the guandao down and around, bringing its blade screaming down atop Xiao-tep.

Xiao-tep lifted the Spear of Sorrows up, placing it over his head and blocked the attack. He then flipped backwards, knocking the guandao away by the shaft with his tail.

Fei Li Mi backed away.

Xiao-tep pressed the fight.

The Spear of Sorrows lunged at Fei Li Mi, Xiao-tep extending out his arm and shifting his weight forward.

Fei Li Mi backed away.

Xiao-tep attacked in the same manner.

Fei Li Mi studied the attack, feigning a gasp of surprise as he back away.

Xiao-tep, having believed the feint, lunged a third time.

Fei Li Mi smiled. he shifted his body to curve around the blades of Xiao-tep’s spear then, with his body rubbing harmlessly against the shaft of the spear, spun twirling his guandao and bringing its blade down at Xiao-tep.

Xiao-tep gasped a real gasp as the guandao’s blade slid past his spear, through his defenses and sliced open a part of his chest and gut, taking with it many scales that fell away, slowly floating on the wind and into the foothills and mountains bordering the plain.

Blood spattered from Xiao-tep. His eyes widened in horror. He arched backwards and as the skies overhead grew silent, as those fighting on the plain noticed the end of Xiao-tep’s and Fei Li Mi’s fight with the following silence, they witnessed the long, beautiful butterfly koi known as Xiao-tep the Ankh-fish of 100,000 Sorrows and beauty fell from the sky.

Xiao-tep landed hard on the ground near the foothills. Nearby, his friends Gogi, Szu Ri and Twila watched him.

Gogi eyed the fallen Xiao-tep,saw his chest heave with labored breath, and said, “He’s alive! Though badly wounded. We must help him!”

And without thought Gogi leapt from the grass in which he was hiding and went to Xiao-tep’s side with Szu Ri and Twila following.

Amongst the many that had witnessed Xiao-tep’s fall was his half-sister, the demi-goddess Wu Chan Chu. With a leap, then another, she left the depths of the battlefield and land at the side of her brother. She lowered herself to him and said, “Brother, are you alive?”

Xiao-tep moaned.

Wu Chan Chu eyed the cut.

Gogi crawled up on Xiao-tep’s side and examined the wound, as well. He said, “It’s not too deep, but long. Szu RI and I can heal it, but not quickly.” He looked to Wu Chan Chu. “We must find turmeric. It grows wildly. There must be some on this plain.”

“There’s some over there!” said Szu Ri as she spied some of the plant growing at he base of a nearby hill.

Gogi looked then looked at Wu Chan Chu. “We have to quickly grab some and polace it on the wound, but it is much to large for Szu Ri and I to do alone.”

Wu Chan Chu understood and said, “I will help.”

With a single jump Wu Chan Chu was at the hill and picking the turmeric. With another jump she was back at Xiao-tep’s side and following Gogi’s instructions. Szu Ri followed along behind the fast working frog demi-goddess’ hands, patting the turmeric down into the wound where Wu Chan Chu’s large fingers could not go.

Twila moved to Xiao-tep’s head, speaking softly to him with loving words. “We miss you Xiao-tep. How brave you and your friends are. Please stay with us. Your sister is here and she’s helping Gogi and Szu Ri heal you. Please, oh please do not die.”

Gogi then thought alound, “Can a god truly die?”

Wu Chan Chu, without pausing in her work at placing the turmeric upon the wound, answered, “Yes, at the hands of a Gifted One or another god.”

Gogi worked quickly, following Szu RI’s example and patting down the healing herb where Wu Chan Chu could not.

“Please,” said Twila, her small head rubbing against Xiao-tep’s temple, “Please do not die, Xiao-tep.”

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CHAPTER 6

Momoki crawled and climbed his way to the very top of the demon-dog without notice. He came up the back of Yaska Selith’s head until he was clutching the thin hair above the third eye. He examined the eye, now tightly closed. He thought his finger wide enough to slip into the socket, so he forced in a finger and felt around.

Yaska Selith felt this and tried to look atop his head. He could not, so he raised a clawed hand up and felt.

Momoki saw the hand coming and ran to hang off the back of the demon-dog’s head and avoid being swatted at or found out by him.

When the hand retreated, Momoki once more crawled to a spot above the third eye. His finger plunged into it once more and before Yaska Selith could take action to bring up his hand once more, found his finger simply was not long enough to reach deep into the socket and fetch the Ruby Bug.

Momoki scurried back once more as the demon-dog’s hand came near. Yaska Selith, Momoki could tell, was growing impatient and most likely was now convinced Momoki was there. He took only a brief moment to watch the hand retreat one last time and think out how he could reach into the depths of the third eye.

He then thought of his long, thin pipe and it appeared once more in his hand. Momoki, determined to get the Ruby Bug, crawled back to the front of the demon-dog’s head a last time. He raised the pipe and plunged it deep between the eyelids. He felt immediately, as the pipe sunk halfway into the demon-dog’s head, its mouthpiece strike something hard.

Yaska Selith cried out in pain.

Panicking, Momoki dug around with his pipe, found a side of the jewel, and worked the pipe furiously to dislodge the Ruby Bug.

This time Yaska Selith did not raise a clawed hand to his head, but instead opened his third eye. A great ruby beam of light flowed out from it and as Momoki’s pipe, arm, shoulder and half of his head was disintegrated, he thrust hard with the pipe and the Ruby Bug pulled free from some of the muscle that held it fast deep within Yaska Selith’s head.

The pipe burned up into ash. Momoki’s hand, arm, shoulder and face fizzled and burned away. Yet slowly, slowly, almost immediately, his missing body parts began to grow back.

Yaska Selith forced his third eye open, but the destructive beam did not pour forth. The Ruby Bug had not been removed to destroy Yaska Selith, but it had been dislodged enough to disable his third eye.

Momoki thought this over. Thought he that he could continue to dig into the socket and pull free the Ruby Bug.

Yet Yaska Selith’s leg, not his arm, raised up. Momoki, fearing it another searching hand, scurried to the back of the demon-dog’s head. The pawed foot came up and scratched at the back of Yaska Selith’s head.

Momoki was grabbed by the paw and pushed, thrown out from Yaska Selith fur.

Momoki the Marmoset fell, landing hard on the plain near his friends that now tended to the wounded Xiao-tep.

Balori, having spied Momoki falling from Yaska Selith’s head, flew to his side. Comet Fox and Roku soon joined them, as well, soon followed by Ebi and Zom Loa.

The turmeric took, its healing properties seeping into Xiao-tep until his eyes snapped open and he raised himself slowly off the ground.

Gogi and Szu Ri jumped from his rising body and, with Twila, went to Momoki’s side.

Wu Chan Chu eyed her brother Xiao-tep. “How fare you, brother?”

Xiao-tep eyed the turmeric along his wound. He looked up, “Better now, thanks to your aid.”

“It was not so much I,” said Wu Chan Chu, “as our little friends Gogi and Szu Ri and Twila.”

Xiao-tep flew to their side and thanked them.

Gogi nodded, accepting the thanks.

“It pleases us you are well once more,” said Twila.

“What has happened?” asked Balori of Momoki, unconcerned with Xiao-tep’s wound for he suspected more fighting was to come.

“That third eye of his, the one with the destructive beam, I think it might be the place the Ruby Bug has settled within Pup to make him into Yaska Selith,” explained Momoki.

Ebi nodded at this, understanding the thread of Momoki’s next thoughts. He said, “If he pluck it out?”

Momoki nodded back at Ebi, “We may be able to end the curse of your Pup, the curse of the world and it would destroy his form as Yaska Selith.”

“Then we will pry out that ruby eye!” Balori growled.

Momoki shook his head. “I do not know that you could, Balori. I am far smaller than you and my fingers could not fit into its depths. I had to use my pipe simply to dislodge it. I think it may be enough to rid us of that light, but not to rid us of Yaska Selith.”

Balori raised his axe, saying, “I will chop my way through his skull to retrieve the Ruby Bug.”

“His skull would be thicker than your arm,” said Comet Fox. “It would take us an eternity to cut through that demon-dog’s head.”

Balori growled again, this time in frustration.

Momoki thought of the moment Radiant Gui had charged him with the task of ridding the world of Yaska Selith. He thought that his purpose. He said, “No, if we are to destroy Yaska Selith, it is I who must do it. I have the smallest fingers and my pipe has proven effective in digging out the Ruby Bug.”

“But all the effort you have put forth at this moment,” contested Balori, “you have disabled his destructive light, that I cannot argue, yet here you are swiped from his head as a flea. How many more times must you climb him and be swatted off? How long must we wait for you?”

Balori shook his head. “No, there must be another way.”

“There is no other way,” argued Momoki.

“The only other way is to find someone smaller,” Wu Chan Chu chimed in.

And then the smallest, tiniest voice amongst them spoke up.

“I-I think, perhaps, I-I could fit.”

They all turned to look at little Gogi the Grasshopper as he nervously worked the brim of his hat within his hands.

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The tale wraps up next week with Act VIII! See you then!