Chapter Fifteen: Oathbound
The hours preceding dawn were always the quietest. Only the hopeless skulked through Gongmen City at this dead hour. Brisk wind whistled through creaking shutters and mossy eaves. The sun had yet to rise, but it would soon enough. The universe was defined by cycles—day to night, season to season, life to death. Change was the only constant. The Soothsayer stroked her beard. Certainly, this season would prove to be an interesting one.
The old goat stood on a square of carpet she never left without. If she sat, she feared she wouldn't be able to rise again. Next to her, a pot of mushroom tea; just a light brew this early morning. The earthy smell helped mask the gutter's unpleasantness. Her pot's pitiful fire was the only source of light, besides the stars in the hooded sky.
Before her was a cherry tree, dead, curving and grey in the pre-dawn. It rose from an old well: crumbling and forgotten. Abandoned buildings surrounded her, and darkness comprised their empty insides. Wistful firelight flickered on derelict doorframes. Gongmen City had many curious places—this abandoned quarter was indeed one. For all her years, she couldn't remember a time anyone had lived here. It was better that way.
While she waited, she thought. Who was she? Everyone sought her fortunes. They thought she knew all there was to know. An answer without a question. What they didn't know was that most of her work was a farce. She could inspire hope, or curb destruction, simply by her word. Crane, ever anxious, was one such victim, but the Soothsayer knew that fortune-telling had nothing to do with the path she had set him on.
Sometimes, though, the future whispered to her—dreadful and looming—a cursed power she wish she lacked. It was the reason she waited. This was where she needed to be.
"Soothsayer," an unsure voice said from around a corner. Timid, an antelope popped his head into the meager light, with his loosely-clothed body close behind.
The Soothsayer's long nose dipped; she had foolishly hoped that no citizens would find her.
"Please, you shouldn't be here," she said as the antelope entered the firelight.
"Soothsayer, I have to know. Was what I saw real? In those yellow eyes?"
"It's only real if you let it be," she said, knowing that nothing she could say would change the man's mind.
"Cast my fortune. I must know."
The Soothsayer let out a long, winded sigh.
"You already know the answer. You don't need me for that."
The antelope sobbed pitifully, and her heart went out to him. She could do nothing to help him; her power was in words, not in action. She ground her teeth and mashed her cane into the stone. If she could choose again, she would've forgone this terrible burden. No price was worth tangling fate's coarse knitted threads. Again, she found herself picking at the knots, and this… this was a particularly nasty one. Rather than give up, she continued on, hoping her tools—those who she unwillingly involved—would be enough to finally unravel them.
Painted pink marked the sunrise sky with deft strokes. Relaxing on a thermal, Crane flew through a cold, fresh day. He felt rested, but anxious. Always at this time of year, the mornings were brisk, but a humid sea breeze reduced the frostiness. Around his gyrating shoulder swung a woolen messenger bag packed with hollow-tubed scrolls. The fluffy warmth was nice, but he felt the bag looked sort of dumb. Still, he needed it if he was to carry more than two things at once.
While he flew, he thought about the fragile story he had spun to Prince Shen. The flimsy crux on which it all rode was Floating Reed Village, his childhood home. Not a nice place, but at least it was useful, if this once. Their primary export was rice, and Crane could easily pass for a rice farmer, since he had been one. Wind glanced off the dry straw of his hat, protecting his large brown eyes.
Between Gongmen City and the archway were small farms, cut into low hills. The real Floating Reed had wet-rice fields stretching in all directions. It was doubtful that Prince Shen had ever been to the village, though, so that lie shouldn't cause suspicion. The ocean, though… Crane would solve that issue later.
Whew, I'm in way over my head, he huffed. He felt he needed help; to tell someone about the conundrum he had snared himself with. The Soothsayer might be able to help, but her motives were a mystery. If only there was someone impartial to his situation—someone who knew him independently—an old friend perhaps. He didn't want to involve the Masters in this. It was the trust of his friends gave him strength, and they might not like the choice he had made.
Po believed that 'everyone deserved a chance,' but Crane thought that an overly simplistic, childish take on morality. Surely not everyone deserved a chance, some people were beyond saving. Nothing but monsters, who would take advantage of any kindness, tolerance or freedom afforded to them.
Was Shen that kind of person? Crane didn't know. Po seemed to think there was good in Shen, but the panda was new to all of this. He was naive, and had yet to learn the true nature of people.
Flapping to land, Crane's feet hit the dry soil of the archway, which sent clangs through the scrolls in his pouch. He didn't feel so scared anymore. Meeting the Lord Shen that used to be—Prince Shen—made him easier to talk with.
What if he gets his memory back? Shen had seemed oddly content with his situation. Crane narrowed his eyes.
Inside, Crane saw Shen looking through a crack in the paper walls. Creaky, the door shut behind him, and he set forward, more confident now. When he was doubtful, Mei Ling's advice carried him through. He wondered what she would think of him now.
"Hey, good morning," he said, staring at the marble-coated peacock.
"I am royalty, lest you forget," Shen turned a slow, sly eye to look at Crane.
"Address me as such."
"Okay… your majesty," Crane said with an overemphasized bow. Prince Shen only glowered.
He's a particular one, Crane thought. He found it annoying, but oddly relatable.
"Feel better today?" Crane asked. The only response he got was a curt grunt.
"I brought you something," Crane rummaged through his bag and extended his leg toward the prince. Clasped in his talon-toed foot was an old scroll: some kind of play. He found it at the library the previous night.
"I thought you might get bored, so…"
"I don't want your garbage," Shen said.
"Oh, okay, sorry. That's fine then, I'll just leave them over here." Crane made a little scroll pyramid on a crate. Prince Shen opened his beak slightly, then shut it just as fast. Crane eyed him curiously, then set to the Soothsayer's list.
With practiced limbs, he worked herbs into a fresh pot of broth.
"A farmer of many talents," said Shen as Crane returned him a bowl.
Crane grabbed the back of his neck in his wing. "Yeah, I can follow a list pretty well, I guess."
"It's horrid." Shen said, after taking a sip.
"Sorry."
"Stop apologizing for everything."
"S-sorry."
Shen puffed and returned to staring out the window.
"Can I remove your needles?"
After a moment, the peacock straightened his body, indicating a concede.
"Your injuries are healing extremely fast," Crane said, as he plucked a needle. Shen's burns were already scarring over—cuts closed and bruises cleared.
"What does it matter? I'll never look the same."
"I wouldn't be so sure, look," Crane grabbed Shen's wing to show him tiny bumps on the scar tissue.
"Don't touch me," Shen said, snapping his white wing back.
"Sorry. Uh, point is, your hollow shafts have already started regrowing. It's not unusual for birds to fully recover their feathers."
Shen shut his eye. "Your anatomical knowledge is commendable," he said.
"I used to take care of my parents," Crane said as he plucked another needle, "also I read a lot of scrolls."
"Hmm," The Prince winced as his skin pinched. "And I'm sure the libraries of Floating Reed Village are overflowing with knowledge."
"Uhh, I travel," Crane said, trying to remain convincing.
"Well, I hope you 'traveled' to a messenger to alert Gongmen Palace of my condition."
"No, I…" Crane said. If he could sweat, he might've started.
"Our messenger is away at the moment."
He changed the subject as he felt the conversation fall out of his favor.
"So, uh, what exactly happened to you?"
"I told you. I was testing a new recipe for black powder. It must have ignited."
"Like, the stuff inside fireworks?"
"Yes, 'the stuff inside fireworks.'"
"Maybe you shouldn't mess with that stuff…" Crane said with a neck kink.
The peacock hung his small bandaged head. He had a distant look to his eye as he responded.
"Maybe," he said weakly. Crane looked upon him, affected by his morose manner.
"Here, show me your leg," Crane said.
Prince Shen sneered, looking displeased. Crane could sense his loathing. Still, he faced away and complied.
His left leg had a rudimentary splint which kept it bent the correct way. Birds' bones didn't fare well to fractures, but luckily this injury was only an overextension of the ankle. Mammals often confused the ankle for a backwards knee, but in reality, birds' knees were closer to their bodies. Crane examined the leg, a little embarrassed to get a peak under Shen's feathers.
"You had your look. Now be done with it." Shen said. Crane redid the wraps and placed a straw pillow beneath the leg.
"Looks fine, but it will take a while to heal after your accident," he said.
The peacock made a puffing sound from his throat.
"I wish I had died," Lord Shen said.
"What?" Crane cocked his head.
"Forget I said anything. Leave me," Shen laid back down and balled himself up, like an embryo in an egg.
Crane turned away, lingering his eyes on the languid peacock.
"Goodbye, I guess," he said, glad that Shen seemed to be doing alright.
"A memorial? That's a strange thing to discuss at this time," Master Shifu said. Crane fiddled with the edge of a piece of parchment, leaning his cheek on his wing.
"Not just for Rhino," Master Croc said, "but for any master who gives their life in the face of evil."
The crocodile's menacing teeth flashed in his gaping maw as he spoke. Menace which lent little to the soft, accented voice that emanated from it.
"An interesting proposition," Master Shifu said, tapping his chin, "The Jade Palace has land demarcated to such projects. Tell me, what other statues could occupy this 'Master's Garden?'"
Those present at the meeting shared their own ideas: statues of Master Frog, Master Salamander, Master Porcupine. Crane got to thinking about those Kung Fu Masters and their legendary feats. The balance of power in China was curious, he thought. A few exceptional individuals stood over the rest. The citizens of China were effectively at the mercy of them and their abilities. Whether they used them for good or bad, a select few could accomplish much. Lord Shen, for instance, while terrible, was undoubtedly exceptional.
"Do you have any memorial ideas, Crane? You look like you have some thoughts on this."
"Lord Shen, maybe..." Crane then realized what he had just said.
The table went silent. Crane froze and felt his face flush under his feathers.
"Why would we make a statue of that guy?" Mantis said.
"I think they meant good guys," Viper said, sharing in some second-hand embarrassment.
Po caught Crane's eye, and he made that plumped-cheeked face he did when surprised.
"Do you think that's funny?" Ox said, glaring. Crane stammered out an apology before Shifu took over again.
"We can discuss this topic at a later date," he said, shooting Crane a disapproving look.
"Now, I have important news. A few days ago, I sent missives to other provinces asking for reinforcements."
Crane listened intently, trying to drown out his embarrassment.
"Unsurprisingly, most declined, seeing as we have nine Masters here already. They are busy defending their own provinces, and I had already asked Master Mongrel to defend The Valley of Peace in my absence. Furthermore, my request for solely female Masters was met with chagrin at best, and disdain at worst."
Mantis and Monkey laughed, predictably. Viper hissed at them and questioned Shifu. Crane knew female Masters were rarer than males, so he was not surprised at the reaction to Master Shifu's requests. The only ones he was familiar with were Tigress and Viper.
There is Mei Ling, Crane thought, but he hadn't heard from her in years. He didn't even know what province she served in these days.
"That isn't to say no help is coming." Shifu gazed at each Master with compassion.
"The other provinces are well aware of our request for aid, and I am hopeful that, if they have the bodies to spare, we will have assistance."
"The other Masters grow arrogant," Tigress said, placing her palms on the table, "our confidence will be our downfall."
"I'm worried too," Po said, snuggling in his furred arms, "like, this city's Trade-group or whatever, banning us, and bringing the Imperial Army instead."
"We must find a way to co-exist," Viper said.
"No, this city is ours and ours alone," Ox said.
"Oh boy," Monkey said as another shouting match was imminent. Before they could ignite their arguments, however, the door to their tavern burst inward. In the portal, a teary-eyed, stilt-legged antelope panted against the frame. She looked at the stunned Masters and released a sorrowful lament:
"Ohh! Kung Fu Masters! You must help!"
Squabbles forgotten, they pushed back from the table, knocking chairs over in the process.
"What is it? What's the matter?" Master Shifu said, swiftly approaching her in the sunlit doorway.
"My husband!" She buried her face in her rigid hooves. "He's been missing all day! I talked to his foreman, and he never showed. This morning, I found a note that said he was going to see the Soothsayer in the Abandoned Quarter… With that thing out there, I dare not think what might've happened to him…"
"Scarlet Robe," Master Shifu peered back at the readied Masters.
"The Soothsayer, too," Crane narrowed his eyes, resentment building fresh again. Crane needed her help; they all needed her help, and Crane was determined to get answers. Each Master burst into the courtyard outside of The Broomstick Inn. Tigress questioned the antelope further, and Shifu pointed to Crane.
"Crane, go!" The old red panda said, brandishing his staff in the air.
"I'm on it," Crane said, greedily stretching his wings to take flight. Signs, flags and unlit lanterns speckled on varied eaves, but Crane was free of them in an instant. A band of orange met the horizon, brushed by the setting sun's luminous rays. Tiled rooftops were drenched in a lopsided bath of fiery reds. Crane scanned them to get his bearings, his brow still furrowed in concentration and anticipation. If he found The Soothsayer, he might finally find the reason for his captive.
The Abandoned Quarter was a part of town he was unfamiliar with. He craned his neck far to the southeast, and noticed the vivid Gongmen colors mute as they met the ocean on a rocky cliff. Angling himself for the sea, he saw the citizens grow thin in the streets.
This must be it. Guard up, he circled, looking for any hint of danger. Shrouded in shadow, a suspicious dot of firelight danced in a ringed courtyard. With his keen eyes, he spotted the edge-lit form of an old goat.
Gotcha.
Landing hard, he fixed his hat and folded his wings violently. Without hesitation, he approached The Soothsayer, who had momentarily stopped stroking her beard to don a startled expression.
"You shouldn't be here!" She shouted, meeting him as he rushed her. She tried to push him back with her cane.
"Go! It's not safe for you."
"Why did you leave me with Lord Shen," he said, eyes locked on her own.
"There isn't time for that."
"Where is that antelope's husband? What is The Scarlet Robe? Don't lie to me, I know you know."
With deceptive strength, the goat pulled him by his violet sash into a nearby building.
"Hey, hey! Quit it!"
Inside, light from the setting sun barely made it through the sagging window. Deep, velvet shadows hit the side of her face, embossing her horns with tentative urgency.
The Soothsayer glanced around, as if prey being hunted.
"How is he?" She said in a low whisper, still gripping Crane's sash.
"He's fine, but, he doesn't remember much," Crane said.
"It is as I feared. Though, I expect his recovery is commencing swiftly?"
"Yes, actually. How did you know that?"
"Shh!" She said, pulling him closer, "she's almost here."
"No, you need to tell me what's going on. Why leave me with Shen?"
The Soothsayer released him, gave him an unexpected smile, and smoothed his feathers with a hoof. It was a very motherly gesture, and Crane felt an awfully strange comfort from it.
"You saw good in him, like few others could," she said. "Have faith. He is important to all this, but I'm not sure how yet. I—"
A metallic rustle creaked from the courtyard. The grating of metal on stone grew louder. Crane peeked out of the window to see a sewer grate twitch disconcertingly in the ground.
"Stay hidden!" The Soothsayer yanked him below the windowsill, "it's up to you," she said, backing out of the doorway.
"What does that mean?!" Crane groaned to himself, perplexed and alone.
He glimpsed through the window, and watched as the Soothsayer stood on a carpet opposite the sewer grate. From the sandy path beside her, the metal bars in the street rattled. She faced it with a knowing gaze, stretching her thick horns to the sound.
The grate popped off with a metallic clunk. The Soothsayer rested her hooves on her cane. Billowing, voluminous and light, a magnificent red-robed bird rose from the underground. Hardly a whisper accompanied its emergence, but fleeing rivers of sand confirmed it was no illusion.
It's using the sewers, Crane thought. He started, nearly jumping through the window to stop it from attacking The Soothsayer. It didn't attack her, though, so he halted and continued to watch, suspicious.
Noble gold stitching lined its eponymous silk robe. Fire-like patterns ringed the cuffs. Clasped leather and buckles hid under perfect flowing hems, bridged by pleated crimson. Though intricate, delicate and beautiful, it was an ensemble of war. Beneath the hood was a sand-beaked head furnished in thousands of tiny red feathers. Undoubtedly above all, though, were the two radiant eyes, bright as unrelenting citrine flames.
Crane cowered for a moment, then realized he was unaffected, as it hadn't seen him. Yet.
"The Soothsayer," The Scarlet Robe said with a hollow, grating voice. Even so, the demon's strange accent begot a delicious timbre to its tone. An accent that sounded a bit like Lord Shen's own.
Its neck straightened as it gazed at the goat from behind its tightly shut beak.
"Guardian," the Soothsayer replied, narrowing her eyes. Somewhere in the distance, a gong sounded, mirroring the tension between the two. The Scarlet Robe loosed a long, irritated growl.
"That is not, nor will ever be again, who I am."
Do they know each other? Crane thought, questions multiplying by the second.
"And who are you, then?" The Soothsayer asked calmly.
"I am—I was—the Gu Gui," the demon answered, "but now, I am free."
The Soothsayer tilted her head.
"Not yet, I should think."
With incredible speed, the demon lunged for the goat. The Soothsayer blinked as the bird's pointed primaries stopped mere hairsbreadths away from her elongated septum.
"I would kill you right now, if it weren't for that River Witch's wretched oath."
"I know your frustration," the Soothsayer said softly, "for I am bound just as you are. I cannot raise a hoof against you, just as you, me. You need me, but she thought of that already, didn't she?"
A furious cry erupted from the demon, and it flipped its hood back, revealing the true shape of its head. Feminine and spritely, spiky lashes caged sunlike eyes, and a bobbed crest sprouted from its red scalp.
Crane nearly gasped. The Scarlet Robe was a peacock! Or, a peahen?
"Where is the River Witch," the Scarlet Robe said, still fierce, but desperate, like that of a deranged mother.
"I know not where," the Soothsayer said, bashing her cane into the ground.
"You know. You do know. There is something," the demon retracted her feathers and straightened like a sarcophagus. The Soothsayer stood solidly as well, a match for the demon's statuesque energy.
"I tried to make it right. Fix things one last time. The river became my home," the demon glanced to the side. The Soothsayer never took her eyes off her.
"I told you what would happen the next time you donned that robe."
The demon leaned forward, ablaze with menace: "I am The Robe."
"No," the Soothsayer said, "you are a monster."
The Scarlet Robe scoffed and retracted her head.
"Oh, spare me your platitudes," she said, pretentious. "Were you always this lofty? Hmph."
Curtly she flipped her hood on and looked to an alley, hunched like a flame.
"Come, disciples," she said in a commanding, broken voice.
From the alley, an assortment of heads darted from derelict nooks. Ears and horns indicated bunnies, pigs, antelopes—nothing more than common folk. Parading forth, a queue formed, and the citizens stole nervous glances at the goat. The Soothsayer watched the men with sad eyes.
The missing men? Crane thought. At the fore of the congregation was an antelope, dressed just as the frenetic female antelope had described, back at The Broomstick Inn.
The antelope's husband.
Opening her wings, The Scarlet Robe breathed a sigh. Her eyes emitted a soft glow, and she spoke.
"I have seen what you desire."
The antelope smiled nervously and stepped forward, timid, but ready.
"Come, come." She said, beckoning forward, "you will feel no pain anymore. No more loss, shame, or guilt. Everything you've ever wanted can be yours. Just enter my Vale."
The demon bowed, and her eyes began to glow violently. The antelope stepped forth, engulfed in hollow bliss. Soon, his body deconstructed into ribbons of golden light, and he was gone in an elusive rapture. The Scarlet Robe shifted and absorbed his essence into her eyes.
No… Crane couldn't believe what he had seen.
As another grouping approached the demon, she smirked devilishly at the old goat.
"They come willingly," it said.
"The happiness you promise them is a lie," the old goat said, defiant.
"What is happiness, if not a lie?" the Robe said, "happiness is unobtainable without first ridding the world of suffering. And the only place where that is possible, is The Vale."
"You know in your heart that is not true,"
"I left my heart behind," The Robe said, "and I will get it back."
"What have you become," the Soothsayer said in despair, watching as the next citizen in line made his way to false salvation.
"I am The Scarlet Robe, and soon, this world will be mine, after I have taken each and every one of them."
"Enough!" Crane shouted, and bolted through the window. His cry was heard by the demon, who locked onto him with a lightning glare. Crane squeezed his eyes shut and swung blindly into the courtyard. Nothing but empty air met his strike, and he skipped along the sand-strewn stone, quickly regaining his surroundings. Dozens of wide-eyed creatures gawked at him from the sidestreets.
"Well? Go!" He shouted, motioning the scattered citizens to safety.
Behind him, Crane saw the Soothsayer list forward. Her lips appeared to whisper his name. Crane darted his eyes every which way, but the demon was nowhere to be found.
Somewhere above him, a feminine voice came forth, but it sounded more amused than sinister.
"So, you've found me, have you?"
Crane darted his beak to the rooftops, where the darkening sky embraced a crimson silhouette. Two golden stars smoldered in the void. Just in time, Crane shielded his eyes with his hat, but with no way to see his adversary, he was quite literally blind.
Eerie silence spread over the courtyard as Crane tried to listen for something that would give the demon away. Turning his head side-to-side, Crane extended his wings in front of himself, anticipating a strike from any angle. The Soothsayer's carpet caught his eye, but she was now, herself, nowhere to be found.
"What's on your mind?" A ghostly voice sounded behind him. Crane whipped in the direction of the voice, but nothing was there. Twitches racked his body as he tried to remain calm.
"Oh, a secret?" Again, behind him. Crane couldn't lock on to the rapidly changing position of the chuckling voice. Crane knew the odds were far from in his favor. Even so, he was beginning to sense a pattern. If he could just keep it talking.
"Secret, what secret?" He said.
"No one likes betraying those they care about. I wonder what you are hiding?" Ethereal syllables seamed to permeate the air like thick smoke.
"What are you talking about?" His feathers tingled with a deathly chill at the perception of the demon. Distracted, he stumbled, but quickly regained awareness.
"Hiding something away... A part of yourself... But, oh, it causes you pain. I can feel it,"
"Shut up," was all Crane managed to say. Finally, his internal compass lined up perfectly with the north, and he was sure of the Scarlet Robe's position.
"It doesn't have to be this way," it said, "surrender to me, and you will get what you desire,"
"What I desire?" Crane thought of the things that mattered to him. His friends, his work, his discipline. They all had one thing in common.
Kung Fu.
Crane tensed his legs, dug his talons into the soft stone, and made a helix with his wings.
"My only desire is to end you!"
Crane twisted his body, using his talons as an anchor point. Powerful muscle movements sent his body into a spiraling frenzy, and his huge wings tore the courtyard in cyclones of ripping wind.
"Wings of Fury!"
For as long as his biceps could take the strain, Crane spun and cleaved the air. The attack worked, and he was greeted with a frustrated squawk as the demon launched through a crumbling building. Dust puffed in the air and from a new hole in the damaged structure. Crane alit on the ground with a heavy tap, glad to have an excuse to use that move. Like Wings of Justice, it took a lot out of him, so it was really only good for a finisher.
Crane eyed the hole as another brick fell with a comical clunk. He began toward the portal, not quite sure that the battle was over. His suspicions were proven correct mere moments later, when the darkness expunged in a growing, cloying fireball. Crane had just enough time to react; he leaned backward to avoid a screaming firework shell.
Oh yeah, those, Crane thought, bemused. The rocket hit a building behind him, showering him in red sparks. Disparate fires started on the dry plaster walls. The demon clawed its way from the rubble, and Crane was forced to block his vision again.
"Adorable catchphrase," the Scarlet Robe said, pulling itself up.
Where are the Masters! I could really use some backup right now! Just then, his feathery head was struck with a rigid foot, freeing him from his hat. Moments later he was sent splaying to the rough ground, clutching his bruised skull. His vision blurred and his eyes watered from the pain. Shaken, he pushed himself up, but then he heard another, new voice from the rooftop.
"Crane!"
It was a strangely familiar voice—female in nature, bright and full of energy. Like a distant dream, the sound reverberated in his mind, and he looked at the roofs to see a cat-like creature on all fours. Gold fur with black-brown patterns shimmered in the waning light, which shined cautiously off of a green tunic.
"…Mei Ling?" He said in a sudden, sluggish realization.
"Look out!" The cat pointed somewhere behind him, and Crane faced a firestorm peahen, eyes aglow. With no hat to shield his tender eyes from the knowing blaze, the world became a gilded landscape of yellow. Fear and pain were lost as the world he knew faded away.
A/N
Sorry this took so long. This chapter was nearly done like two months ago, but the will of the final polish escaped me. I'm running through a bit of an internal crisis right now, but hopefully it won't impact my writing quality. Needless to say I love writing, but it can be a challenge.
Oof, cliffhanger D: Lots of fun stuff in this episode. Took a while to get here but things are clearing up. Intersecting sagas :o
MEI LING MEI LING MEI LING