Hey guys. I know the last few chapters were kind of racy, a lot of new things were introduced and more questions raised than answered. This chapter will provide some revelations and hopefully allow you to be patient to wait for things to uncover themselves as we move. I'm so grateful for all of you who are still reading I know that it has been very long since Faith has ended and there are many wonderful dramas and other things in life to take you away. But I hope that the stories will still keep you interested. Please review, I love to read your review and they help me to stay excited.
"We need to deal with the man who did this to you. He almost harmed Eun Soo." Choi Young did not hide his murderous intention; he was calm and scary, voice of steel. Jae Su nodded.
"By the way, I never properly thanked you for protecting her." He added, trying to switch to a more normal tone, obviously having trouble to sound less angry.
"Never mind," groaned Jae Su, but grinned like a kid. Such a smile looked odd on his usually stern and grim face. Choi Young smiled back at him, finding his inner balance instantly. He really missed his friend without even having realized it, he was very lonely in this modern world.
The ride up the elevator has always given Choi Young a churning feeling in the pit of his stomach. Jae Su looked genuinely scared and nauseous as the fast, quietly moving elevator car glided fast inside a translucent glass tube, illuminated on all the sides leaving the ground beneath rapidly shrinking.
"It's like climbing a mountain, only you don't have to work hard. It's quite pleasant once you reach the top and don't even break a sweat." Commented Choi Young.
"You've done this before?"
"Many times. You get used to it after awhile."
"You like it here, don't you?"
"I like not having to kill people for living. You get used to that after awhile also."
"I hear you." Jae Su smiled and hurled.
"Damn it. I liked these shoes." Choi Young wiped off his sneakers.
Jae Su shrugged his shoulders apologetically and exiting from the elevator leaned on the wall. Choi Young propped him with uncharacteristically gentle expression on his face. "Here is your sword. I'm sorry I have not returned it earlier." Jae Su grabbed his weapon, pressing heavily on the hilt to keep himself from collapsing. "You need to rest," continued Choi Young with the kind and caring voice he rarely used with men.
"Why are you fussing over me?"
"Who is fussing?" grumbled too emphatically Young. "Just... common sense... That's all." He coughed embarrassed, having been caught acting soft.
"Ahh. I thought you felt guilty."
"Guilty?"
"Yep."
"Shut up." Barked Choi Young, ready for a rebuttal, but stopped immediately.
His back felt the chill of the cold gaze again and he turned quickly, narrowing his eyes in search of the killer; he scanned the sleek walls noticing a door at the end of the hallway. He signaled Jae Su to stay put and moved toward the door in full attack mode. He heard muffled noise from the stairwell and as quickly and silently returned to this friend. He whispered, "I will catch him. Wait here."
"I'm coming with you."
"You are in no condition. Just shut up and follow my lead for once."
"Never." Frowned Jae Su, having no intention to follow this nonsensical order.
Choi Young pressed his friend's shoulder, reassuring him that he will take care of things, and ran to the door. He hastily made his way up, finally reaching the top. He kicked the door out and stopped in the doorway looking for the assailant. A sound of the blade cutting through the air alerted him to move out of the way, and it barely missed him, hitting to his right. Choi Young repositioned to face the attacker, but looking up, realized the target had disappeared. He let out a yelp of frustration.
"Over here."
He turned to his left where the sound came from. Instead of moving toward it, he retreated into the cover of a large shadow from a sizeable chimney-like structure nearby. Crouching, Woodalchi readied his sword and waited for the enemy to approach.
. . .
Jae Su used his weapon as a cane and began to climb the stairs. His latest stomach gash bothered him and he tightened his belt even further. "That son of a gun, Choi Young," he mumbled, swearing as he went. He entered the roof, spitting blood and still swearing. He stopped to catch a breath and watched for a bit a scene of a pretty amusing fight in front of him.
A dark shadow of the assassin stood a few feet away. He looked confused for a second, searching for Woodalchi who was supposed to be in front of him, then sensing something, he twisted and found Choi Young standing right behind. "As expected from an infamous ex Red Crescent Moon brigadier."
Closing his fist around the hilt of his sword, Choi Young hit the man on the throat, sending him tumbling to the ground and choking. The warrior stepped around him looming from above, and asked, "Why are you after me?"
Assassin sprung to his feet, quickly having recovered, but still holding onto his throat. He seemed pissed and Choi Young smirked with satisfaction. The man backed toward where Jae Su stood, not seeing him and Choi Young followed. He glanced angrily at Jae Su, but not calling him out, while easily beating the parry of the assassin, making the icy eyed man laugh.
"Who are you?!" Cried Choi Young.
The wind blew hard as the man, who seemed more like an ink stain against the horizon, moved swiftly and quietly. He didn't answer, so Choi Young decided it was enough, "Let's end this."
"This is barely beginning, Woodalchi." And the blotch of ink moved towards him, just as the loud propellers of a helicopter filled the air and a bright spot of light danced between them. Choi Young didn't let this deter him and launched, pushing through the illusion of mobility the man's cloak possessed and attacked through his defenses. Surprised, the man still only laughed and parried, pushing Choi Young back under the spotlight.
Light reflected from his sword, as infuriation filled Choi Young's senses. Lightning trickled at the tips of his fingers accompanying the anger within. He did not wish to waste his precious KI and pushed the surge back. This fight did not require any extra powers. He attacked again, with less effort now as the assassin purposely avoided, sneering at each unsuccessful attempt. Tired of his games, Young paused and screamed, "If you are not here to fight me, what is it you want of me?!"
However, before he could get an answer, barely covering the loud engines, megaphone distorted speech reached their ears, "This is police. Put down your weapons and stop the fight." Choi Young and the assassin both lifted their heads and then exchanged a quick glance.
The helicopter appeared over them again, and Choi Young had to cover his eyes from the bright light, while the assassin smirked, "I have been sent to prove your abilities, so far you have not disappointed."
"So you do want to fight me."
"My employer, who is very powerful, needs something from you. If you are the one mentioned in the prophecy, then the Hwata's gate will open when you desire it to. You are the key." The assassin pointed the sword at him, wincing. "Are you the one?"
"I don't think you'll live to find out."
"You are a dangerous man, Woodalchi. If you are the key, that is. Would you like a piece of advice?"
"Not from you."
"I like you, Choi Young. Keep your head on your shoulders, it'll soon be the prize for many."
"Who knows of me?"
"I was sent by the emperor to search for the man "who travels through time." A seer revealed to him about your existence. It took me a long time to find you, warrior. My mission is complete."
"The emperor? A seer?" Yet another revelation, only adding a piece to already crazily confusing and complicated puzzle surrounding him.
"It is the night of the mortal combat. The seer told me so. Dance with me, Woodalchi." The assassin laughed devilishly and prepared to attack, just as the helicopter lifted behind him, completely blinding Choi Young. The assassin moved forward, sword ready to draw blood… A blade crossed his path and he easily pushed it aside, slicing through the obstacle. Jae Su groaned as the sword pierced his chest and fell backwards over Choi Young. Woodalchi was merely a second behind, but it was long enough...
"Why?" He screamed on top of his lungs.
Suddenly everything became in slow motion, blood appeared at the corner of the warrior's mouth and the sword was pulled out by the attacker. Choi Young mouthed, "Jae Su-ya."
The murderous shadow leaped toward the ledge and a round of shots hit the assassin. Choi Young only caught from the corner of his eye how a cloaked body jerked as bullets penetrated, and crumbled, falling over the side, taking the answers with him to the long death fall to the ground.
"Are you OK?" Blared megaphone voice from atop. "We will meet you at the entrance." The helicopter fluttered like a confused bird in a large and awkward circle, finally lifting and moving away. The air started to gain stillness and silence covered the rooftop.
. . .
Jae Su was panting, his shoulders moving hard with each breath, and sword weighing his arm down. He knew this was the last battle he would have on this earth and he felt good, having conducted himself with honor. This was truly a glorious site for the fight to the death.
This was a surreal and unexpected place to die. He was on a rooftop of skyscraper in Seoul, soaring above the ground, yet he could not touch the stars. It would have been nice to hold a beautiful and bright star at a time like that. He lifted his hand as if trying to reach the unattainable, calling out to him. A smiling face of Mae Hee was looking warmly down on him, sparkling and shimmering from the nightly sky.
. . .
He did it again, for the second time today: he jumped in front of the sword to protect someone. It was a split second decision, but he did not regret it. His whole life has not amounted to much up to this point. He lived as a sword for hire, as a bodyguard, getting odd jobs here and there, nursing dark thoughts of murderous revenge, resentment and contempt for the world and his old friend, who seemed to have everything he never got. He used to hate Choi Young with passion, yet he never stopped loving him either. His brother in arms, his dearest and most trusted friend. Jae Su despised Choi Young's nobility, because it only made him feel so much less, so much more flawed and unable to rise to the occasion. But with time, as years have passed, all he had left in his tattered soul was grief and emptiness that provided a space for a glimmer of hope. He was glad that the person who could wrestle with the fates was none other than Woodalchi General, fearless and skillful warrior with a kind heart and sharp mind. Ultimately, Choi Young always made the right choices.
. . .
"Please, don't die," whispered Choi Young, holding his friend's limp body in his arms. His eyes followed a thin trickle of blood, slowly escaping from the wound. "You are the only person here who really knows me besides Eun Soo. Please. You have yet to beat me, my friend. I'm getting rusty and I need a partner. Please."
The man weakly smiled, his eyes filling with tears of pain and regret. "You are the only one who can change everything. If you stop their deaths, maybe, you and me – we would not end up like that."
"Shhh. Don't talk," Choi Young pressed his hand against the wound, trying to slow down the blood loss. Eun Soo-ya, I need you, where are you? He called into the space above him, as if his cry could travel across the sky and find her, relaying the desperate message.
"I'm here." Her voice seemed near, he looked around; she was not physically there, but her presence was felt. "Put the pressure on the wound and use your KI to stop the bleeding." That's what she would have said.
"Jae Su, I will help you, but you have to stay still."
The man closed his eyes, a light sigh left his lips. Choi Young focused and directed his KI toward the wound. He had no clue what he was doing, but to the best of his abilities he imagined a thin stream of KI burning off the punctured blood vessels.
"Look for the exit wound. Make sure it is closed off." Eun Soo's voice clear in his mind. He turned again and looked up. A night was generous with stars that watched indifferently from above.
Choi Young sled his hand under the man's back, his fingers being covered in warm and sticky liquid. Jae Su's robes soaked to the crisp in blood, his body lifted carefully, underneath a fresh black pool. Choi Young clenched his teeth with quiet rage, despondent and powerless to do much for his friend, who will be leaving this cruel world soon. He could feel the aura of death nearing.
"Let me dress the wound." While Choi Young tore his shirt to threads, creating long ribbons for the bandage, and his quick hands worked to plug the bleed, Jae Su grabbed his arm, seeking attention.
"Young-ah, your woman… she knows… I told her. I had to. I'm sorry. She said she knows the history, that you are special and that you are slated for greatness. She says that she is a good doctor and that she will come with you anywhere you go… Take her, don't leave without her. You two – you should hold onto each other. Each moment of love is precious. Don't be a fool like me."
"I'm not," asserted Choi Young thorough the warm smile. "I make sure she is loved and knows how much she means to me all the time. I'm not a fool, like you are. I never was."
Jae Su chuckled and coughed up blood, wiping it off on his shoulder. Choi Young on his knees, brought up his friend's body against his chest and hugged him. He could feel the life draining out of Jae Su with each breath.
"Why did you do it?" His brows clashed in pain, he was helpless to stop what was about to occur.
"Competition. I can't have you win all the time. This time I was on top."
"Dummy, stupid, stupid man!" Young cried out; eyes filling with tears, he felt burning sensation in his chest.
"You are not the only noble idiot anymore," said Jae Su through the dried choppy lips, smirking on one side with effort. "It felt good to protect, to stand for something. I was too bitter for too long to remember what it felt like to sacrifice yourself whole heartedly because it was an honorable thing to do."
"Stupid, I won't forgive you," murmured Choi Young into his friend's ear, while hot tears started to trail down his cheeks.
"The seer, he found me drunk, at the wits' end, with no reason to live. He spoke of a brother I had, a man who was my best friend and whom I hated as deeply as the worst enemy. He said, "You find him – he is the key." He said you could save her! You could save everybody. My Mom, Mae Hee, maybe even the master. It is possible to change everything, but it has to be you. That's why I'm here. That's why I waited all these years. Choi Young – you can change the history and save all these people." His voice transformed into a whisper, raspy gurgles broke to the surface as a thin drip of blood started from the corner of his lips; his shoulders shook, as he choked, spitting up blood onto Choi Young's chest.
"I'm sorry you have to die like that without hope," said Woodalchi with remorse.
"I have hope, as long you live, as long as you don't change… I believe in you, Young-ah."
His eyes started to gloss over with a tint of impending death.
"Say hello to my Mae Hee for me. If you see my Mom and Master, tell them I was sorry and in my next life I would be a better a son." With his last breath he grabbed onto his friend's arm, pulling himself up. "Promise me!"
"I… promise." Choi Young breathed out, as his friend's eyes closed in peace.