Chapter 3

Journey to the past

Ron took a sip of his tea and leaned back in his chair before beginning his story.

"It all started the summer before I met you, KP," said Ron, "I was Five at the time and my folks and come out here to the family reunion. Well after about an hour I guess I got bored and a wondered off up into the surrounding mountainside. Before I knew it I was lost."

"What did you do?" asked Kim. Ron shrugged.

"I was about to panic when suddenly through the trees I saw a man with shoulder length grey hair walking up a trail that I hadn't seen yet. I thought maybe this man knew the way out so I followed him. I had only walked behind him a few yards when suddenly he turned and looked straight at me."

"Were you scared?" asked Kim.

"Amazingly no," said Ron, "there was nothing about this man that scared me." He asked me my name and I told him and he told me that his name was Kwai Chang Caine. Then he picked me up and took me on up the trail to this temple. When we reached the temple it was just getting dark. I found that he had a grandson about my own age and we became instant friends. Andrew was showing me some Kung fu when his grandfather came and told us that because of the storm that was moving in it would be the next day before he could send someone for my parents."

"Ron, that still doesn't explain who the Chi-ru are and how you happen to know about them." observed, Kim.

"I'm getting to that," replied Ron he took another sip of his Tea then he continued, "It was about midnight when the storm finally began to let up, and all of a sudden everyone was jarred out of a sound sleep by a blood curdling scream. Andrew and I raced to the top of the stairs and peered down at the monks as they crowded around a man who was dead on the floor. His face was contorted with fear. He looked as if he had literally been scared to death and on his forehead was that symbol the snake in the circle." Ron Shuddered, "I'll never forget that night as long as I live. Master Caine told me that that symbol was the sign of the Chi-ru or the Shadow Assassins an ancient sect of murderers it is said they can kill with their minds but it is actually a system of small darts and ancient poisons."

"I remember hearing about them somewhere," Said Kim.

"You probably have," said Ron, "the thing is most people don't really believe that they exist. When I saw the mark on Gaines forehead I knew at once that it was a Chi-ru seal. They don't want people to know who they are they just want us to know what murders they've committed."

"Well," said Kim, "everything makes a lot more sense, but why didn't you just tell me what was going on and where you were going in the first place?"

"Well," said Ron, "First the location of this particular temple has to be kept a secret because of some very powerful ancient Shaolin artifacts that are here, and second the Chi-ru have a habit of killing anyone that they even suspect of knowing too much."

"You don't have to protect me Ron," said Kim smiling in spite of herself.

"I know," said Ron, "but I want to."

"Ron," said Andrew, "you said something about a tablet being stolen?" Ron nodded,

"I never got to see the tablet in person, but here is a newspaper clipping with a picture of it," Ron handed Andrew the paper then continued, "Unless I'm mistaken the writing is an ancient Mandarin dialect."

"Wait a minute," said Kim her mouth dropping open, "You know ancient dialects too!" Ron smiled

"KP," he said, "you'd be amazed how much these three can teach you in one day."

As Andrew looked at the picture his eyes widened. The headline read

Ancient Tablet found in Ruins of Tibetan Monastery.

"Grandpa," he said handing the paper to the Elder Caine "Is this tablet what I think it is!" Caine looked at the picture.

"You are right, Grandson," said Caine, "this is one half of the Sing Li map!"

"The Sing Li map?" said Kim looking puzzled again, "what's that?"

"That is a story that starts one thousand years ago," replied the Ancient, "there was a Kung Fu master named Sing Li and he was the first to discover how to forge the chi energy that is inside us and all around us. That is what allows us to take out skills and abilities beyond the mere physical level."

"What does that have to do with a map?" asked Kim as she finished her tea.

"I'm getting to that," replied the Ancient with his trademark twinkle in his eye, "according to the legend Sing Li always wore two manacles that were gifts from his son. Supposedly they each had a large crystal in them that was said to have been found in the heart of a Volcano. As he became a more and more skilled Chi master the crystals stored greater and greater amounts of power." Ron nodded and took up the story.

"When Sing Li realized what had happened to his manacles he also realized that that meant that anyone who wore those manacles would be able to use the power in them for good or for bad. So it is said that he took the manacles and hid them in a cave somewhere in the Himalayas. He carved a map to the location and dividing it into gave it to his most trusted students who were said to have hidden the tablets in opposite ends of the world."

"So," said Kim, "That means that the other half of the map must be found before the Chi-ru can get their hands on it."

"Right," said Ron.

"We already know where the other half of the map is," said Andrew

"Where," said Kim and Ron in unison

"It is right here in this temple," said Andrew that is one of the reasons that this temple's location is kept secret." Ron smacked his forehead.

"Then I was probably stupid to come here."

"No!" said Master Caine quickly, "It was right for you to come here! However we must work quickly. The Chi-ru are not known for their patience." He turned to Andrew.

"Andrew," he said, "You must take Ron and Kim and prepare them to face the Chi-ru!"

"Yes, Grandfather," said Andrew as he stood and bowed with his fist in his hand making the traditional Shaolin salute. He then turned and nodded to Ron who stood and bowed to Master Caine. Then he and Andrew turned and left the room.

Kim jumped up and followed them. Stepping through a panel in the back wall they made there way down a carved stone staircase into a cave at the bottom of the stairs. In the room there were white tapestries adorned wooden shelves that housed many scrolls. In the center of the room were three white books on three pedestals.

"I thought you were going to train." said Kim as Andrew stepped up to one of the white books.

"We are," said Andrew, "but not in this monastery. We're going were the Chi-ru cannot follow."

"Where is that?" asked Kim

Ron smiled and answered,

"We are going to Shambala!"

As he said that Andrew opened one of the books. Light filled the room chasing away the shadows and in a brilliant flash they were gone!"

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Next: Shambala