The Silent Edge compound buzzed with cheers, laughter and warmth from fires. Banners of Silent Edge lined the courtyard as they flapped in the wind. Around one low table at the edge of the celebration, six young men sat close. Mugs on the table. Voices rising and falling. Jinhu and Hanjo were locked in their fifth arm wrestling match of the evening. Forearms trembling, jaws clenched. Jinhu's face was struggling. Hanjo was maddeningly calm.
"Amitabha." Hanjo said calmly. "Buddha says to meet force with peace."
"He's about to meet me forcing your fist to the table." Jinhu's voice full of desperation.
Ilho tossed a plum into his mouth. "One nyang says Jinhu loses again."
"Who would take that bet?" Ryul grinned. "This damn monk hasn't blinked in ten minutes."
Blue chuckled as he watched all of them. Even Ryul, usually reserved and distant. Was smiling and laughing along. It was loud, messy. The boy's guards were down. No walls. No training. Just boys being boy's.
Jinhu slammed his fist down in frustration as Hanjo won again. "That's it. I'm switching arms."
Hanjo smiled. "I already did."
Ilho looked at Blue and whispered. "There's something wrong with that monk. He's like a smarter dumb version of Jinhu."
Blue laughed. "He's balanced. You could use some of that."
Ilho turned his head. "Hrmph. Says the guy who cheats with a system."
"Ooohhh. It's like that huh." Blue smiled.
"It is. Want to fight about it?" Ilho stood and took off as Blue chased him.
"Come here damn it! Let me show you what this cheat can do, you slippery bastard!"
The boys laughed and continued drinking.
Ryul looked up and got everyone's attention. "I got an offer."
Ryul's words stopped Ilho in his tracks. He stopped on top of the table, knelt down in front of Ryul."
Ilho got closer. "What kind of offer?"
Ryul hesitated. "From the Alliance Leader. He... wants me to join the Iron Order."
Blue stopped behind Ryul. His eyes met Ilho's. He flicked Ilho on the forehead. "Get off the table dumbass." He looked down at Ryul. "Are you seriously considering it?"
Ryu looked up from across the table. "It's a huge deal. You'd be under the Alliance Leader's direct command."
"Wait, so you'd have to leave Wudang?" Jinhu asked.
Hanjo chuckled. "Amitabha... keep up Jinhu."
Blue sat next to Ryul. "Do you want to go?"
Ryul didn’t answer, instead his eyes shifted to a figure approaching the pavilion behind them.
"Sister." He muttered.
Ryul stood quickly. He looked at the boys. "I'll be back." He rushed towards So-Yeon.
Jinhu watched Ryul go. "Even though we just met, it feels like we are going to lose a brother."
Ilho leaned back. "Don't say that. We're just getting started."
So-Yeon walked up the steps, past the celebration toward the pavilion door. Her purple garments fluttered in the wind. She paused to watch the celebration for a moment. She scoffed, then saw a figure running towards her in the dark.
"So-Yeon. Wait!" Ryul ran to her side. As Ryul caught his breath they locked eyes. "Why did you help me? He asked. "In my match against Ryu. You interfered."
A smile crossed her face. "Because you are a Tang. And as your big sister, I owe you that much. No matter where you are, who you follow. It's my duty to protect you, and the others."
She hesitated. "It's what father and mother..." She hung her head. "...and Jiung would've expected me to do."
That name hung in the air. Ryul looked back at blue for a moment. Ryul's mouth opened, but the words wouldn't come out. So-Yeon placed a hand on his shoulder. Nodded and walked into the pavilion.
Inside the pavilion, gathered around a large wooden table. Silent Edge elders sat around. Wu Jin sat at the head of the table. Flanked by the Shaolin master, Baek Mu-Seon. The Sword Saint, Namgung Gyeom. Beside them sat Yeol, Cheng, Sa Gwan, and Mu Jang. So-Yeon took a seat by Mu Jang.
As So-Yeon sat, the monk spoke. "Let me be the first to congratulate you Wu Jin. You trained those boys well."
Wu Jin hung his head. "That's high praise, coming from Shaolin."
"Amitabha. What i say next may surprise you more. Buddha has led Hanjo here. He wishes to remain in Silent Edge. He has found someone here to walk beside as a brother and rival."
Sa Gwan rolled his eyes. "Ugh. Brutes."
Baek smiled. "He believes this is his path to enlightenment. I will not oppose him."
Gyeom chuckled. "Well, at least Ryu won't be the only newcomer then."
Everyone's heads turned toward the window where the boys still gathered, laughing and playing around.
Wu Jin perked up. "Wait... Ryu is staying here too? Who made that decision." Wu Jin stared at his father.
Cheng shrugged his shoulders. "Welcome to being a sect leader."
Wu Jin scoffed. "We seriously are going to have a discussion after all this."
Wu Jin whistled at the sky again. Yeol leaned forward. "Ryul will train with Blue. And Hanjo will give Jinhu someone to chase."
So-Yeon's ripped through the conversation. "Since we are on the topic of brothers. I heard Ryul got offered a spot in the Iron Order."
She looked at Wu Jin. "I can't openly protect him. If he accepts, he'll be even more out of my reach." She paused. "But, if he joins Silent Edge instead..."
So-Yeon looked at Yeol. "I don’t think it would be a problem, seeing as my dear uncle ignored his duties as an elder for months. He also helped himself to elixirs from my vault, for your disciples." She looked back at Wu Jin. "I'll call it even, if you take Ryul in. It's only fair."
Yeol sighed and hung his head. Wu Jin stared a hole through his skull. "Fine, I supoose we can do that." Wu Jin locked eyes with So-Yeon. "You know, if Tang ever needs anything. We are here, as a sect now. We can help."
A grin came across her face. "Anything you say."
Of course, I wouldn't lie." Wu Jin replied.
Gyeom shifted in his seat. "So-Yeon..."
She ignored him. Her eyes were locked on Cheng and Yeol.
"So be it, Sect Leader. I have one word for you then. BLUE."
Wu Jin blinked. "What... do you mean?"
Gyeom stood, his expression no longer held any fondness. "I told you then, what you think you saw was wrong, So-Yeon."
So-Yeon stood and sent her chair flying. Her qi raised through the air. "You called me delusional." She stepped back. "You all sit here and lie to me. Wu Cheng forced him to throw his match at the tryouts to hide him. He uses my grandfather's footwork. The same Yeol taught me and I masteted before I became the Matriarch. Who is he? My father's forbidden child?"
So-Yeon's qi surged. Purple and green swirls of thick smoke surrounded her.
"Still want to call me delusional?"
Outside Blue's body stiffened.
"That's..." he muttered.
Ryul's eyes met Blue's. They both knew the qi they felt. They nodded to each other. Ryul and Blue jumped up without a word and darted toward the pavilion. The boys all looked at each other confused. "If they are rushing toward trouble. We should join them." Jinhu said.
Inside So-Yeon took a step forward. "Everytime I ask about that boy, I'm fed lies. You point fingers at me, while he walks in our robes, uses our techniques." She paused. "I won't be mocked, not by strangers. Surely not by any of you. You are no better than Hyeon. Lies and manipulation to satiate your need for power."
She took a deep breath. "I asked as Matriarch of the Tang clan. You lied." She turned to Yeol. "I asked as family. You lied again."
Another surge of qi filled the air.
Yeol stood and raised his hands. "So-Yeon, please... it's not what you think."
Gyeom spoke up, voice calm, but firm. "Let's not escalate this. There's truth in your pain, this however. Is not the way through it. Your anger is earned Matriarch. But, if you draw steel here, you'll end up regretting where it leads you. We will not tolerate it." Gyeom gestured around the room. Everyone stood to their feet.
"Tolerate?" So-Yeon mockingly laughed. "I've tolerated nothing but lies from all of you. Now you will tolerate my truth."
In an instant her blade appeared, aimed straight for the Sword Saint. In that same instant, Blue appeared between them. His arms spread wide. He was choking on her qi, but he didn't move. He could only say one thing.
"Stop..." He whispered, voice cracking. "Please...stop...little sister." He coughed up blood.
The world stopped for a moment. So-Yeon's blade hovered, trembling. Her eyes widened and her knees almost gave way.
"Little... sister?" She whispered.
Blue looked up, tears in his eyes, blood running from the corner of his mouth.
So-Yeon took a step back. Only anger amd regret filled her entire being. "You dare... you dare call me that? MY BIG BROTHER IS DEAD."
She coiled her qi tighter. "If you want to play games... then play in hell!"
The elders moved, weapons drawn. The air thick with tension.
At the entrance to the pavilion, Ilho, Jinhu, Ryu and Hanjo stood froze. Watching the scene unfold, but no power to do anything about it.
Ryul rushed forward, his body trembling as he stepped between Blue and So-Yeon. He placed a hand on her shoulder. "It's true... he... he is Jiung."
So-Yeon's eyes lit up. Her qi flared more, and entire pavilion held it's breath.