Chapter 2: A Cruel Fate
After the moonlight faded and the stars began to shrink behind the shining light of the Sun. The mild howling of the wind could be heard once again, as it could everyday. The mountain peaks glowed with an iridescent yellow that would stay until the sun reached its highest point. Many a years past since the incident that left Davis and Dennis choosing the fate that would not let go of their conscience. An unforgettable speech, Dennis replays it in his head every night before beds contemplating what would happen if his little brother were to fight by his side. Small thoughts of the life ahead run through his mind day by day leaving no impression, but a determined look to make things right. Lying on the cold floor, partly covered by a tattered blanket with hands clasped behind his head for comfort he blinks partially to recover from the light that passed through the window and into the room.
Quiet shifting movements could be heard as Davis rolls to fight for more blanket in his sleepless nights. He groans a little and scratches his head in irritation as if he were living the life of a fighter. Dennis rolls over and gazes upon his brother as he continues to move about restless more and more. Now Dennis begins to worry, he worries if the training has becoming too hard for him to handle. Dennis's eyes shift to the side as he looks on with a lesser expression for his brother, while knowing deep down, he can handle his daily rigorous tasks. He quickly sighs and removes the blanket slowly making sure not to awaken his brother. Now on both feet he reaches high and begins to stretch as he has done for every morning since he could remember, he takes a few practice punches into the air and finishes with a high kick, still trying to stay as quiet as he can. Motioning towards the door, he takes one quick glance before leaving and exits for the bathroom. During the spring season the mountains remain as cold as the winter showing no mercy at night and breathing a cool in the morning. Most doors remain shut this early in the morning, since many monks do not get up until earlier in the day. Davis looks beyond each pillar he passes and motions his eyes about to check for anything unusual, but to avail. However, the sun is oddly bright this morning and before he could get a good look at the garden, he has reached the bathroom he enters and all that could be heard was running water. Davis still struggling for sleep is suddenly awoken by the cries of hawk. He slowly sits himself up in agony while covering his chest with one arm staring down he notices bandages on the wounds cover nearly his stomach. He takes a deep breath while closing his eyes for a moment and exhales with a sigh of relief. With that he coughs uncontrollably he quickly shields his mouth with one hand only to find blood on the side of his palm. He looks at it with great worry and tries to clean it off with the blanket, but it was to late Dennis had already enter the room and saw him.
"Davis, Davis! Are you alright?" he yells while rushing to his side and easing him on his back. Dennis looks over at his Davis's hand and his eyes jet down to see the blood-stained blanket.
"It's nothing Dennis" he says wheezing form a cough.
" Look its none of my business but I'm your brother its my job take care of you!" he expressed.
"If you ha-hadn't done this to me I wouldn't be here coughing up blood" Davis replies as he begins to breathe heavily. He closes one hand forming a fist while the other covers the stomach.
"I told you it was part of our training! You know that." Dennis yells as he gets up to cover the windows.
" Monks only pray and prey homage, not fight and injure people….s-sometimes I don't even understand what your doing. If I'm your brother why would you hurt me?" he shuts his eyes and takes deep breaths.
"I know you're a little confused but this is for our own protection just incase if something were to happen, you know?" Dennis's hands darts out the window to grab the loose shutter and closes both tightly. Then walks towards Davis kneeling next to him " Please, Davis trust me on this one we're going to need the extra strength if we decide to live here." He gently places his hand on Davis's forehead to check for a fever, he finds nothing.
" If that's the case Dennis why don't the other monks train as hard as we do?" he pauses shouldn't we work together?" opening his eyes he pushes Dennis's hand off his forehead.
"I'm fine you don't need to do that…". Dennis then puts on an unsure expression motion his eyes back and forth he tires to come up with an answer.
"Look things might seem tough now but they'll get better, and besides we're better than any regular monk right…we're tough guys!"
"If you say so Dennis…" His voice fades and he arm loosens letting go of his stomach falling to his side. Dennis tucks the blanket in for Davis before leaving and shuts the door behind him. By now many monks have awoken for they're daily pray ceremony standing outside his room he stares soullessly down the corridors of doors watching each monk enter and leave his room. All dressed in a single yellow garment from shoulders to toe, and a pair of sandals was all that could be seen aside from their feet and head. Most of the monks hardly ever talked most just made their war from one place to another to meditate and when it came to eat, some shuffle their way to dinning hall which wasn't much since it comprised of a single table and a few chairs. The once quiet halls no filled with quiet chatter and sounds of many sandals taping on the cold floor. Dennis looks on and to mumble to himself…
" What it really my fault?"
" I should have told him"
" If I tell him, it could mean the end"… "No! I just got to take better care of him that's all"
He clenches his fists gazes towards the ceiling without contempt, but just as he was about to fall out of sub-consciousness a familiar voice rumbled through the air.
" Planning to give up Dennis? That's not like you?" Dennis slowly moves his head towards the sound of the voice and looks directly into Sensei's eyes. A kick smile presents itself on Sensei's face.
"Oh! Sensei I didn't notice you there" he turns completely facing Sensei and bows respectfully. Sensei then giggles.
"Hehehe that's alright a man of my old age hardly ever gets any attention, but it seems to me you are unsure of something am I right?" Sensei then strokes his thin beard and clears his throat.
" Yeah, its about my brother"
" What about him"
" I don't think I should put such a great responsibility upon him, he doesn't seem ready. Every time I look at him he grows weaker and weaker, maybe I should take this task on myself. Teach me Sensei I can protect this temple and our land by myself." Dennis then bangs his chest in confidence as he puts on a grin of hope. Sensei then nods his head and strokes his beard, he makes a few grunting sounds as he thinks over the possibility. A quiet pause fills the room and then an immediate ring of the ceremonial bell could be heard from the pray room
"DONG!"
"DONG!"
"DONG!" …Sensei then takes a good look at Dennis he draws his head left and right examining Dennis structure, finding that he has grown much over the years his strength has increased greatly and so has his sense of responsibility. He clears his throat steps back.
" Dennis let me ask you…do you realize fully what your are asking for?"
A quick nod from Dennis followed by his words " Yes I do".
" And does your brother understand what you want?"
Dennis's eyes widen and a cold sweat breaks from his head he tightens his fists and responds, "No, I have not yet told him?"
"What!" yells Sensei, and why is this? After all these years, you have not told your little brother the purpose of his training. Dennis recomposes himself and musters up the spirit to tell Sensei
" I think that he was far to young back then to understand what needed to be done. If I had told him he might of not wanted this…he's not ready for such a great responsibility he can't withstand it Sensei you must understand". Sensei begins to walk back and forth in front of Dennis all the while rubbing his eyes as he processes what he's just been told.
"Let me get this straight you failed to tell Davis the truth of why he must endure such punishment, because you feel he is not strong enough?" Davis nods his head gently, with a slight look of fear in his eyes.
" Dennis he is your brother, why would you think that he wouldn't understand such a concept, wouldn't you want your brother's support through this fight?" Just then, the door behind Dennis opened with a faint voice hissing out
"What fight Sensei?"
Dennis then turns sharply around and trying to identify the mysterious voice "Davis! Your awake, I thought I told you to get some rest?" he cocks an eye in suspicion
"Who could sleep with all this noise going on?" He stretches an arm out towards the wall to regain balance, feeling weak he breaths slowly taking short breaths while trying to maintain a healthy look. Sensei takes a step forward closer to Davis and strokes his beard again.
" Davis, is it true that your brother has not told you about the truth yet?"
"What t-truth?" Davis closes his eyes shortly and opens them again as he muscles the energy to continue standing.
" So be it, I shall tell you—" Dennis's mind clicks in and his emotion forces him to speak "No! Wait, Sensei if you mind can I tell him please? I think its best that I do"
" Humph!" Sensei takes a quick look at Dennis
"If that is what you want, but I will stand here as you tell him" Sensei steps back giving Dennis some space. Dennis motions closer towards his brother with confidence he takes a deep breath and releases it as he done in the past before various training.
"Davis as you know we are brothers, but Sensei here isn't our father, but according to him we were found at the steps of this temple. He took us in and cared for us knowing he would be expelled if caught since pray is more important."
Davis lifts his head and stares directly into the eyes of his brother with anger.
"Stop, stop this makes no sense if Sensei if not our father then who is our mother?"
Sensei turns to look at Dennis " I don't know"
"Davis, he found us and never knew who or what had placed us in his care and all he can remember is that he must nurture us for master has told him that we are the force that will protect this temple and people from a great evil."
Davis cracks a grin, which then develops into a wheezing laugh after a moment he gathers himself and brushes his hair to one side saying
"You're kidding right this just a trick to get me to train by your side so you can use me a punching bag, right Dennis?"
Dennis motions with his arm in desperation "No this isn't Master himself told Sensei that this is what we must do we are the only ones that can protect this temple, all this training is to teach us a greater power a power beyond Buddhist-tai (Buddhist kung-fu) you have to believe us we can become masters if we train hard enough"
Davis folds his harm while he takes a calming breath to think about it, he turns his head towards Sensei with a worried look.
" Sensei is this true, is what my brother saying the truth?"
Sensei nods his head and gives a positive grunt "umh"
"Then so be it, Dennis I will train by your side to protect this temple at all cost. This is our home our lives and most importantly our family" With that he falls to his knees in exhaustion. Dennis darts forward to catch his brother with both arms. His body feels cold and his sick body limps in his arms
"Davis, no…I have to quickly get him to our room"
Sensei clears his throat and nods, as Dennis rushes his brother to their room Sensei begins to exit the hall footsteps could heard fading as he progressed to the exit and finally up the steps. Dennis lies his brother down on the floor and places his head on the pillow. He rushes the blanket over his body tucking him in tightly making sure he was warm enough.
"Your going to be ok…relax and don't get up again" he rings out a small washcloth and places it on his forehead. Saying a few more comforting words before leaving him alone he exits the room quietly closes the door behind and makes his way to the garden.