Requiem III: The Search for The Truth

by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Part 37: Meeting up with Old Friends

The four priests and ex-mercenary made their way through the abandoned arena building. Kermit recognized the site as one of the buildings that was slated for demolition. A new arena had been built across town and this one was going to be torn down to make room for a whole new development, one that included a hotel, offices, and apartments. This place was huge. There were levels that no one knew about. Kermit marveled at how Kwai Chang Caine seemed to know his way around this place. He had heard the story from Peter, how Caine had fought Tan in this place, but he doubted that Caine was leading them through that very same path.

Kwai Chang Caine tried one of the stairwell doors and found it locked. He focused his chi but was suddenly thrown back from an electrical shock. This must have been what Peter had felt. Why would the Master go to the trouble of electrifying the doors? Still, something about that electrical shock did not feel right.

"Did you sense that, Master?" Caine turned to Lo Si.

"He has sealed many of the doors using spirit fire," Lo Si observed. 'We must be careful Kwai Chang Caine. The Master has summoned the spirits of the dead to aid him."

"Then we must summon spirits of our own to aid us," Matthew stated.

"Kim Luck has grown very powerful," the Ancient stated. "It will not be easy. To summon spirits, you must be able to control them. There must be another way to deal with them."

"Then we must find it. We must draw Kim Luc to us. The only place that will be suited for the battle is below."

"You mean that fake temple that you fought Tan?" Kermit stated.

"Yes," Kwai Chang Caine stated. "Kermit, you and Li Pei remain here. You must get Peter and the woman to safety."

"You know Peter's not going to go for that," Kermit argued.

"My son may be Shaolin, but he does not have the skills yet to defeat these particular souls."

"I'll keep him safe, Caine. Even if I have to hit him over the head."

"I do not think it will come to that, but I know you will do your best." Caine turned to his father and the Ancient. "Come we must go this way."

Kermit watched them leave then settled down to wait with Li Pei. Caine said that Peter would be showing up with a woman very soon. He hoped that they would not have long to wait. A silence fell between the two remaining men. Not a word was spoken until Kermit felt a coldness seeping into his bones. A strange fog was rising that should not have been there. 'Maybe the air conditioning unit was broken,' he thought, but he doubted his own words. The fog did not last long. When it cleared, he nearly jumped out of his skin.

"Peter! Don't do that."

"Sorry. couldn't resist."

"Where have you been, and where did that strange fog come from?"

"Never mind about that. This is Mia."

"Please, can anyone tell me what has happened to Marlene, is she all right?"

"She's all right, Ma'am," Kermit stated. "She's at the Caine's apartment."

"What about my uncle," Mia questioned. "Please, is he alive?"

"Your uncle?" Kermit gave the woman a questioning look.

"You will have to explain on the way. We must get out of here." Li Pei offered. "It is no longer safe."

"Please, I don't want to remain here a minute longer."

"Sure thing," Kermit stated. "You coming, Peter?"

"Where's my father?"

"He's gone after the Master, with your grandfather and the Ancient," Li Pei mentioned.

"Damn! I've got to warn them."

"Peter, your father specifically asked me to keep you out of this. You don't know what you're dealing with."

"You don't understand. That strange fog was from one of Xia's tricks. She's here. She could be after my father. I've got to go after her, keep her from making things worse."

"How do you know she's here?"

"Let's just say, the perfume she's wearing makes her unforgettable."

Hearing about Xia, Kermit thought better at trying to keep Peter away from the action. "Well, you better head back to the temple level, because that's where they've gone."

"Oh man, and there's a couple of tigers on the loose, too. What else could go wrong."

At that moment, a great moan could be heard reverberating through the halls, a moan that was unearthly and sent a chill running down everyone's spine.

"It's worse." Kermit said.

Continues with Part 38