Yogenii Wan
The hai nu were lean and solidly muscled humanoid creatures, their bodies covered with soft fur in shades of green, blue and yellow. Their hands and feet were webbed, and they had fins in the back of their arms as well as gill slits at their neck. The cliff guarding the entrance to their lair dropped steeply into the sparkling ocean, and a school of sharks, porpoises and whales was patrolling in the vicinity.
Wazuka carried a large basket full of fresh oysters, crab and fish. Saori greeted the creatures with a formal deep bow.
- "We are aware that the hai nu wish to be left alone by humans, and mostly the Empire has respected that wish," she said. "However, now has come the time that the passage through Sea Lord's court must be opened, if we are willing to preserve Kara-Tur from a certain doom."
The apparent leader of the hai nu spoke.
- "We know this. We will welcome you." He conversed in the creatures' own language with the others, then continued.
- "Spend the night... and tomorrow must the one pass if whoever wishes."
Another hai nu beckoned them to follow upwards the cliff.
- "They can't survive for long on land," Saori explained. "I think they will show us a cave uphill, so that we won't freeze as much as in the darker ones nearer the sea."
- "They are the guardians and servants of the Lord of the Seas," Wazuka said. "They collect the cargo from the sunken ships and sacrifice it to him. They prefer to avoid humans altogether, but they can petition the Lord of the Seas to send a tan mi lung, a typhoon dragon, to help if humans come too close to pester them."
The hai nu left the family alone, and Peri and Yukemori started quietly to gather firewood.
- "The oyabun has bad dreams... the spirit war is reaching Yume-do," Yukemori said.
Peri nodded.
- "I suppose we will have to help the army they are gathering. It is dangerous stuff, opening portals to realms that are not meant for mortals. Yuki... it was a really great night. And you have been so great with Umi... I mean, if I am going to battle in that war it may be that I don't make it."
- "I will come with you," Yukemori said.
- "No! I mean, no offense but... I am immortal and so..."
- "It makes little difference if Kara-Tur will be destroyed. I will come with you," the young yakuza said, in a tone that left no room for negotiation.
Saori sat in a trance-like state, absolutely still. Everyone else was warming themselves in the chilling night, in front of the flames of the campfire. Finally the old shukenja spoke.
- "Yes... the ravager is afoot. So, Yogenii Wan..." she looked directly at Sarevok who was cuddling the diminutive, slender Mei in his enormous embrace, "no one can ask this kind of sacrifice of another. If the end will come, everyone else will at least be released as particles of raw energy, but not you. This curse, the foulest kind of mahou, has seen to it. Who could have a heart so unselfish that he would sacrifice his very soul for eternity so that others may live? No-one can blame you if you choose not to do this. You have time until tomorrow. Our part here is done... we can help no longer. Talk to the hai nu, and have all my blessings should you choose to fight. Wazuka."
The holy woman and her bodyguard took their leave.
- "Sarry," Peri said, her eyes dark and glittering in the night. "I don't want you to do it. Perhaps they are wrong... perhaps..."
- "They are not," Mei said kindly. "You know that in your bones, immortal one. But... perhaps I'd rather that whole the Empire dies..." she swallowed tears.
- "There was a time when I cared nothing for others to advance my own ends," Sarevok said. "Perhaps now is the time for me to care nothing for myself to advance the ends of others."
- "Oh screw it!" Peri shouted, her face distorting. "I don't care about saving the world, I don't care what kind of games the godlings play. I want you safe, with me... I don't want you to suffer!"
- "Peri, you know better than that. This is not something you can leave yourself out of," Jelena said softly. "Sarevok... I do not have advice for you. As a mother, my heart screams for you not to go. But I know your mind... and I know that this montrosity will reach us all whatever we choose to do."
- "Well... let me do it, then!" Peri said, in more despair. "Rather me than you... at least I got the happy childhood you were denied!"
- "Absolutely not," Sarevok said. There was an odd look in his eyes, already beyond this realm, resigned and determined at the same time. "Not only are you a mother... there is no symmetry in it. It is I. It is my prophecy. It is my redemption. Please, talk no more. I would retreat now, with the love I got to know for a short time... and tomorrow there is time for goodbyes."
He walked slowly away, holding Mei's hand. Peri gripped her knees and pressed her face on them, crying inconsolably, Imoen and Yukemori trying to comfort her in vain. Winski looked gray and sick, Jelena held his hands with a pained look in her blue eyes.
