Requiem IV: Death's Door the Final Hour

by Bonnie Eagan & Alisa Joaquin

Prologue

The Master paced the expanse of his second hidden temple, one that no one knew existed. It was outside the city in a remote wooded area, perfect from prying eyes. It was where he had taken Mantou for his final training. Thinking of Mantou also drew his thoughts on his mother. He knew that it was a matter of time that Marlene would eventually find a way to escape, or he would have had to kill her. He should have done so long ago, but she had been his ace to keep her unruly son under control. Working on him took time. He had to find a means to erase his memories of the past and plant new ones, ones that would help him to work his will. It wasn't easy. The boy was strong willed, but eventually, he came around to his thinking. A teenager often does. It took at least two years to convince the boy that it was for the best, that being separated was for their protection. It took another three years to weave his words carefully to build the wall and create the false images in Mantou's mind to where they became real to him. And it took another ten years for the boy to master everything that he knew. Now the young man was ready. The Master stared toward the center of the large room. A young man stood in the center of the floor in front of a cauldron containing hot coals. The heat was intense, causing the young man who stood there to sweat.

"It is up to you. I have trained you in all the ways of the Sing Wah and the Shaolin. You must be my hand of vengeance now. You must kill the Shaolin."

"I shall, my Master."

"By becoming one of them, you shall be able to get close without them knowing your true intentions, before it is too late. It is time."

With those words, the young man pulled up the sleeves of his robe and placed his arms against the sides of the cauldron. The smell of burning flesh rose to meet their nostrils. He was not required to lift the cauldron to open a secret door that would lead to a secret garden laden with snow to cool his burning flesh. He pulled his arms away to reveal two brands, a tiger, and a dragon.

"A new Shaolin order will begin with you, my chosen son."

"I shall finish what you started."

The older man gave the younger a list of names; names that should not exist but did.

"You will not find these names in any book. For these are the hidden ones. There is a secret monastery, hidden from the world. It is somewhere in the northern woods."

"Why do you wish me to go there?"

"I want the place destroyed. It is your final test. Take what men you will need. Also, there is something that I wish you to retrieve."

With the branding, the young man's awareness grew exponentially. "You do not tell me everything. Why."

"It is not time for you to know. For now, all you need to know is that the Shaolin order must be destroyed. No Shaolin must be left alive."

"What about Caine?"

"You have heard of the name?" the Master questioned, a surprised look on his face.

"I have heard the others talk. They speak of a Shaolin that lives in the city."

"You mean your training partners have been talking among themselves and within your presence? I shall deal with them, later. You were not to learn about Caine until you were ready. Caine will be dealt with soon enough. The line of Caine will be the last to fall."

Matthew sat in meditation. It was peaceful enough, sensing the presence of his son and grandson, asleep in their rooms. This was his time. He didn't require as much sleep and the middle of the night was often the best time to meditate. Images would come to him that he could then deal with, without distraction. Images did form in his mind, images frightening and terrible. The images tore at him, and he did not know if they were real or imagined. Then the images changed, and he understood their meaning. He would have to consult the Ancient. If he confided in his son, it could change the outcome and disaster could ensue. The Ancient would be able to explain why it had to be so.

"NO!"

The cry brought him out of his thoughts, and Matthew was rushing from the room. His last thoughts were, 'It has started.'

Continues with Part 1