"At the end of everything, hold on to anything."
Episode 8: Faces of fear
The moon lingered low and prepared for the sun to take its place in the sky above. Now many were still asleep in their beds, only an hour before sunrise. Walking along the road was a traveling pig merchant. He had just woke up a half an hour ago, since he wanted to arrive at his destination as soon as possible. Although it was still dark, he had a paper lantern to light his way. But as he traversed the dirt path, he heard a voice from his left. He decided to investigate and found a goat in a black robe, searching through the nearby bushes.
The pig approached and asked "Are you ok sir?"
The goat then looked back and replied "Not really, I dropped my money pouch."
"Let me help you then." The pig merchant offered.
They searched and the pig found the little bag in no time. As he gave it to the goat he said "Here you g-"
But suddenly a green light shined in his eyes, and he then dropped his pack. The goat held a neckless that beamed the light at the pig man's face. It sent him into a trance like state, not moving and not talking.
The goat in black then said "Now… come with me."
The pig nodded and did as he was told, and followed the goat into the forest. Completely unaware of what was happening.
((()-()))
Erdan laid on the ground. He opened his eyes and saw a black sky littered with white dots. Colorful clouds also were visible, they were clouds of light blue and light pink. As Erdan got up on his feet, he noticed the ground was pitch black. There were no bushes, or grass, or trees anywhere. The boy felt an odd feeling, it was like he felt both freezing cold and scorching hot. But his teeth were clashing rapidly, and his head wasn't sweating. He found he was wearing his normal attire, pants, a vest and his bandana. He figured that he wasn't going to get any answers about this strange place by just standing around. So he walked though the dark and weird world.
Five minutes passed and nothing but the same dark ground and sky. Erdan then came across a hill. Figuring he might see something from the distance at the top, the wolf teen climbed up. After two minutes of climbing he arrived at the hill's highest place. But when got up, he saw a large wolf like being. It was dark like the world around it. But light from the stars over laid its outer fur. The only things visible on its face were two glowing eyes. Both of them beaming with white light and light blue outlines. At first Erdan was shocked, but after a minute, the house sized wolf just sat there and looked at Erdan.
Curious, Erdan then said "H-hello?"
But the big wolf did not reply.
"C-can you talk?" Erdan asked.
"Yes." The wolf simply said. Its voice seemed… unworldly.
"Are… are you the… the Great Creator?" Erdan nervously asked.
"What is this 'Great Creator' you speak of?" The wolf asked.
"Well, he's this being that made the universe, and all the animal people that live in it. He's the one who says we should live in peace and be kind to others." Erdan explained.
"I am not this Great Creator you speak of." The wolf simply answered.
"Oh." Erdan replied.
"Throughout the past and throughout the future, little creatures like you approach me. And some ask me if I'm God. And they explain what God is, and I say that I'm not this 'God'. Some ask if I'm Allah, and they say what Allah is, and I tell them I'm not Allah." The large lupine explained.
"Ok… then what are you?" Erdan asked.
"I am the one in between." The big wolf answered.
"Between what?" Erdan asked.
But the wolf stayed silent. After a minute he said "Your presence is like a raging storm, roaring in the valleys and fields. A storm that will go to a small town, and bring war and death."
"What? I would never bring harm to innocent people, let alone kill anyone!" Erdan yelled in protest.
"Is that not what you want?" The wolf asked.
"NO! I've dedicated my life to protect the innocent and defend the weak!" Erdan protested.
"Death is the fate of all living things. Why prolong the inevitable?" The large lupine questioned.
"But people should live fully, not have their life cut when they are young, or separated from whom they love." Erdan explained.
"Little animal, you will bring war to a small town. It's what must be done." The wolf said.
"Well then why am I here? Why did you bring me here?" Erdan shouted.
The big wolf stayed silent for a minute and replied "Little animal, you were not brought here. Very soon you will be faced will the things I will be showing you now."
Erdan's vision clouded and he saw an unbelievable horror. His vision then returned to normal."Wh-what was that? What were those… those things?" Erdan yelled while catching his breath.
The large wolf replied "These things are terrible. These things will bring ruin to others, not in this time, but another that's far from now."
"W-why show me that?" Erdan shouted.
"So you might do as you told me. One day, a little creature will bring these horrors to a small town. And you will bring war. And together they will call Death himself, and he will cleave on that town." The large wolf explained.
"Wh- what are you talking about?!" Erdan yelled
"Goodbye." The cat said.
((()-()))
Erdan suddenly woke up, returning to reality. He never had a dream like that before. He put his paw on his bare chest, feeling the breathing as his torso moved back and forth along with his lungs. He had no words for what just happened. He spend a good five minutes in bed, just thinking of what that bizarre dream could mean.
"Erdan, come down for breakfast!" Shu voice shouted.
"Ok mom." Erdan shouted back.
Erdan then felt his stomach grumble, so he got dressed and went down to eat with his mother. Then afterwards he went to his part time job at Mr. Ping's. And later climbed up to the Jade Palace for his training. Upon reaching the palace, he saw that Po, Zhong and Monkey were getting ready to set out on a trip. Shifu wanted them to collect supplies for the training hall. Erdan however wanted to go with them. After some negotiation, Shifu allowed it. Unlike last time, Erdan would be with three kung fu masters instead of just one. And it was a short journey to a village instead of a prison. With permission and a packed backpack, Erdan set out with his dad and two masters for a trip. Zhong was glad he could spend the next two days with his son, and Po and Monkey enjoyed Erdan's company too, plus the wolf boy could lend a helping hand when needed. The group of four set out together.
((()-()))
Throughout the afternoon, Erdan and his group traversed through the land. Walking along the road to the town that provides The Jade Palace's supplies. Lord Shirong has his men bring the tools and other goods at the nearest town to Valley of Peace, the noble knew how much journeys like these took such a toll on his workers. But although the trip was longer then Erdan thought, the whole way he, his dad, and their friends shared stories together. Some with laughter, and some a little more… embarrassing.
Once it became sunset, the group decided to make camp. While Po and Monkey pitched the tents, Erdan and Zhong made the campfire and cooked dinner. After eating, they decided to rest up for tomorrow. But in the middle of the night, Erdan woke up, feeling thirsty. He quietly stepped outside the tent he and Zhong were sleeping in, but he saw Po was still awake, sitting by the fire.
"Hey, why aren't you sleeping?" Erdan sluggishly asked.
Po tiredly looked at Erdan and whispered "Why aren't you sleeping?"
"Well… I asked first." Erdan whispered back.
"I couldn't sleep. And you?" Po said.
"Thirsty." Erdan replied.
"Oh,ok." Po said back.
Erdan reached out from a bag and pulled out a bag with water. The group brought four and stored them in a big backpack Po carried. Erdan finished his drink, but when he turned around he saw Po bore a strange face.
"Po? Po you ok?" Erdan quietly asked.
Then out of nowhere, a beam of light shined in Erdan's face. And in just a second everything went black.
((()-()))
Everything seemed… fuzzy. Erdan was beginning to hear strange sounds, and the air felt dusty and cold. As the wolf boy started regaining his senses, he noticed that the night forest was replaced with a cave, a cave with wood flooring. Lanterns hung on the beams supporting the dark room, and old and rusty tools were stored in corners. Erdan finally realized he was tied to a chair, rope was wrapped around his wrists and legs. Thoughts spiraled in his head. What happened? Where is he? Where are the others? All Erdan could remember was talking with Po, and then nothing.
The lupine decided to try to break free of his restraints. Luckily one of his claws could reach one of the ropes. With a few minutes he can cut himself free. But only half-a-minute later, one of the doors opened, and in came a goat wearing an all black robe. Erdan saw the hoofed man and after a second of pondering, remembered his face.
"Ah, I see you've awakened, young wanderer." The goat creepily greeted.
"Hey, I, I remember you. From the village." Erdan said as he stopped cutting, not wanting to alert his possible kidnapper.
"It seems your mind has created memories that never existed." The goat replied.
Puzzled, Erdan raised one of his eyebrows and argued "I have seen you before at the-"
But the lupine stopped his words when another goat in black stepped in. And another, and more of them all came in. There were twelve in total, each wearing the same dark robe. They all entered and surrounded Erdan. Then two of the goats laid out candles and drew on the ground, making a circle around the boy.
"What are you doing?" Erdan asked loudly.
"Salvation." One of the goats answered.
"huh… what?" Erdan muttered.
"Little wanderer, it has now become time." Another goat said.
"Time for what?" Erdan asked.
"It's time for you to embrace the dark one's arms. An offering, one where you will be granted freedom from the pains of this world, and we will be granted… longer lives, so we may free more tired souls like you." A goat behind Erdan explained.
"Wait WHAT?!" Erdan shouted.
The two goats finished the preparations, and all the robed men made a circle around Erdan, and held their arms upward while chanting.
"Oh great demon of darkness. Spread you inky blood on this offering. Free this soul from the world. We are your servants, we are your children, we… are your-" The goats chanted together.
But before they finished, an inky creature slid from under the door. A glob with a single eye and teath. One of the goats approached it saying "Oh great dark demon. I am here, take me and-"
But the monster grabbed the goat and threw him across the room. Other goats approached it but they too were defeated by it. Struck by fear, the remaining worshipers of darkness all exited from another door, leaving Erdan alone.
The creature looked at Erdan and slowly approached. Erdan screamed as he rapidly cut the ropes. And just when the monster was three feet away, the lupine broke free and ran. He tried the door the goats ran through, but it wouldn't budge. Little did Erdan know the goat barricaded the exit. As the creature approached Erdan dashed to another door. Luckily it opened, reveling a hallway. But the monster charged at the boy, so Erdan ran on all fours, with the monster right behind him. As Erdan ran through the cave, he used his natural night vision to see the way.
The lupine rushed down the long all as the demon was catching up to him. It's inky dark claws were mere inches away from grabbing Erdan's tail!
But then, out of nowhere, Erdan fell down a large pit. He landed on the hard ground, feeling sores on his arm. He looked up and saw the monster walk away. Not taking chances, Erdan walked quickly and found a door. But when he opened, he was shocked to find many cages, each containing skeletons, the numbers of which could be in dozens!
"Wh-what is this place?" Erdan asked himself in fear.
((()-()))
"Erdan!" Zhong yelled, while nervously looking for his son.
"Po! PO!" Monkey shouted.
"Where could they have gone to?" Monkey asked.
"And why would they leave this late?" Zhong questioned.
Earlier Zhong woke up to find Erdan and Po gone. He woke up monkey and the two have been looking for them ever since. Then, Zhong's foot came in contact with something soft on the ground. He reached down and found Erdan's bandana. Strange, since the boy is always so protective of it, since it was his last memento of his birth mother. Zhong then saw sets of tracks leading into the forest.
"Come on, let's go find them." Zhong said while leading the way with his natural night vision.
((()-()))
The goat cultists entered a main hall, to catch their breaths and debate on what just happened.
"Wh- what was that?"A goat asked.
"I-I don't know?" another goat replied.
But another goat joined them while saying "That, is a problem I've been meaning to warn you about."
The head leader informed them on their current problem. Apparently, the leader of the Black Goats, was trying to make a body for their dark god. He tried putting together bones he dug from graves, to construct a form fitting for their master. He showed how he used ink to hold it together with a mystic scroll. However, it escaped and took a week to track down.
As they were all discussing on what action to take, a fox came in and yelled "Do you know what I found in my bed?!"
All the goats stayed silent and the fox answered "This, a bison skull!"
"I was running out of room for these things, so you will help to our cause more." The head goat said.
"I've had it! I'm leaving." The fox yelled.
"Need I remind you that we saved you. When you were alone and starving, we gave you food, a bed, and most importantly, a purpose." The goat leader explained.
"Yeah, the purpose of being your servant. You promised me power and wealth in exchange. It's been two weeks, and all I've gotten nothing but a dirty bed, and a room infested with roaches!" The fox screamed with anger.
"We did offer you wealth… spiritual wealth." One of the goats replied.
The fox's jaw fell, to think that a sly bandit like him was being suckered himself.
"Well I'm leaving right now, damn you all!" The fox yelled before leaving the room.
"Such arrogance and blindness." The head goat said before he and his cult set out to find their prey.
((()-()))
Erdan looked at all the cages that were spread out. How many poor people lost their lives here? Erdan dwelled on thoughts like these. Suddenly the door burst open, and inside came the monster!
"Ahhhhhh, stay away from me!" Erdan screamed.
Erdan braced for an attack, since there was only one door that connected the room he was trapped. But he waited and nothing. He looked at the monster, and was surprised it did as Erdan asked it. Then the creature took its arm, and wrote on the walls.
After a minute the creature wrote a message on the wall.
"I… AM…PO!?" Erdan said with shock.
The boy looked at the creature and asked "Po, is that you?"
The monster nodded. "But, but, how did this happen?" Erdan asked.
The monster urged Erdan to follow him, and he lead the lupine to a room where Po's body was on a wooden table.
"That's your body!" Erdan said while pointing to the motionless panda. The monster nodded and showed Erdan a mystic scroll that was on a nearby table. It was a spell to transfer a person's soul into another body.
Working together the two were able to get Po's sould back into his fat soft, plushy self.
"Po you there, you alright?" Erdan asked after performing the spell.
The panda's eyes opened and he said "I'm, I'm back! And my arms aren't goo!"
"Po!" Erdan said before the two hugged. Po thanked his young friend for saving him, right before Erdan did the same.
"Here they are!" The head goat yelled.
The Black Goats found them, but the Dragon Warrior and his kid sidekick were ready for a fight. Together they exchanged kicks and blows, striking down the cultists with ease. During the brawl, the head goat tried to use his mystic necklace to hypnotize his foes. But Erdan quickly kicked it out of his hooves and it fell down between a crack in the wooden floor.
((()-()))
Meanwhile, the fox was getting ready to leave. He was ready to rid himself of these weirdos. But something landed on his head.
"OW!" The fox annoyingly said.
He looked down and saw the necklace the head goat had used.
"This, this is." The fox muttered before stashing it in his pocket and exiting the caves. He ran out into the forest, far away from the caves and cult he hated.
((()-()))
As the fight continued, one of the lanterns was knock over, and it set fire to all the wooden beams in the caves!
"We need to get out of here, come on Danny boy!" Po shouted as he grabbed Erdan and rushed through the caves.
The cultists laid out cold on the ground. And the leader looked at what was about to happen, and yelled "Forgive me my demon master, I've failed y-" Then the whole room was crushed by the cave, since it no longer had supports to hold it up.
Po and Erdan dashed though the cave, dodging falling beams and rocks. Finally they saw light and with mighty dash they made it out of the cave mere seconds before the entrance collapsed.
Both Erdan and Po looked at each other and plopped down on the ground, taking a breather from the hectic moment they just survived.
After a moment, it became dawn and Erdan could hear "Erdan! Po!"
The panda and boy rushed and was reunited by their family.
Zhong hugged his son and asked "Oh my God Erdan, I was worried sick, where were you?"
As Po gave a short hug to Monkey, he gave a look at Erdan, and the wolf kid replied "Well, It's a… pretty crazy story."
After explaining and telling what happened. Zhong said "So… could that explains the monster we faced weeks ago."
"Yeah, but the good news is that we won't be worrying about those guys anymore." Po confidently said. "Right Danny boy?"
"Yeah, yeah sure." Erdan said while getting a strange feeling.
Monkey then said "Do you think Shifu will believe us?"
"Hmm don't know." Po curiously said.
Zhong then grinned and said "Twenty coins says he does."
Erdan the strictly said "Dad, I thought you weren't going to make anymore bets?"
Zhong, feeling awkward then replied "Ok ok I hear you son."
But as the group walked back Zhong whispered in Po's ear "It's on right?"
Po smiled and answered "Oh it's on."
As the group packed up their campsite, they prepared to get the supplies for the palace.
Erdan then said "Hey Po, I got a problem."
"What is it?" Po asked.
"I think I'm thirsty again." Erdan said with a sheepish grin.
While getting a drink of water the four continued on their now horror free journey.
((()-()))
Deep in the woods, far away from Erdan and his friends, the fox sat on a log and held the necklace in his paw.
"Well, I guess I got something form those weirdos after all." He then held the necklace in both paws, looked at it and said "Now, how do you work?"
