Author's Preface
Two days later the sun spilled over Silent Edge's compound. Walls and watchtowers were in place, buildings were erected. A small building was constructed around the Golden Gate. On the north side of the gate a massive door was constructed leading to it. On both sides of the door were two banners. One banner that of Silent Edge, on the opposite side a banner symbolizing the new Alliance that had been formed. Ryul, and Hanjo stood looking at the structure, both sweating with hammers in hand.
"Looks pretty good." Ryul looked at Hanjo.
"Amitabha. I believe our Sect Leader will be thrilled when he returns." Hanjo sat on the ground. "Where is our Wu Jin anyway?"
Ryul looked back at the main gate to the compound. "I'm not sure, Elder Cheng nor my uncle would say anything. I don't have a good feeling about it though."
As Ryul looked at the gate it began to open. Cheng and Yeol appeared from the main building, swords drawn. Every man from Silent Edge also appeared swords drawn, ready for a fight.
Ryul and Hanjo stared at each other for a moment. Hanjo felt it first, a wave of killing intent and qi flooded the compound. His hand trembled. As Yeol and Cheng moved closer to the gate, Wu Jin stepped through. Behind him Shenwu looked at Kang. "I told you to control your killing intent and qi, we arent in the wastelands anymore. Look at all these men, scared, but ready to fight." Shenwu placed a hand on Wu Jin's shoulder. "You've trained them well."
Cheng and Yeol turned and looked at each other for a moment. Yeol approached Wu Jin. "Where is Blue?"
Blue stepped out from behind Kang and waved "I'm right here uncle."
Yeol smiled at Blue then paused. "...Kang? W-what are you doing here?"
Kang sighed and nodded. "Yeol."
"We are family now." Blue smiled and looked at Yeol.
Yeol's eyes never left Kang. "How long have you known?"
"Tch. How long have you known... old friend." Kang replied and walked forward. He stopped right by Yeol and whispered in his ear and walked away. Yeol stood stunned staring at Blue, then a small awkward smile came across his face.
Cheng walked up to Wu Jin. "Where is the Matriarch?"
"She left back for the Tang Clan." Wu Jin hung his head.
"How is she?" Cheng asked.
Shenwu stepped forward. "She will be okay. She is strong willed. As tragic as the situation is, I believe she will come out the other side stronger for it."
"And... who are you?" Cheng tilted his head.
Shenwu released his qi, it overwhelmed Cheng. "I am the Venerable Shenwu. The once leader of Shaolin." He paused and nodded. "Patriarch of Wudang."
Shenwu pulled his qi back. Cheng caught his breath and spoke. "I gave up that title long ago."
"Amitabha. What a shame. Well, I'm sure you left Wudang with a proper leader."
Cheng and Wu Jin both looked at each other and chuckled. "It's a long story. Can I offer you some tea?" Cheng asked. Shenwu pushed past Wu Jin and Cheng. "That boy, he is the monk no?"
Cheng turned. "Oh, Hanjo. Yes he is from Shaolin, though he has joined Silent Edge. He made friends with one of th-"
Shenwu stuck his hand out. "Yes with Jinhu. I gathered that, and seeing him i can see why he made a decision as extreme as that. Shaolin must have fallen greatly since I walked away. I would very much like to speak to that boy."
Wu Jin placed a hand on Shenwu's shoulder. "Let's go eat some real food first. I will make sure you can meet with him." Shenwu looked back and nodded. Cheng, Shenwu and Wu Jin walked off.
Blue stood staring at his uncle who looked terrified. "Uncle... what the hell was that all about?"
Yeol shook his head and smiled. "Nothing nephew, come. Tell me what happened in the gate." Yeol put his arm around Blue's shoulder. As they walked off Yeol stared at Kang who was standing over Ryul. A bead of sweat dripped down Yeol's forehead as he tried to calm his trembling hand.
Ryul watched as Blue and Yeol walked away. He smiled and waved at Blue. Blue waved and shrugged his shoulders and pointed toward the mess hall. Ryul and Hanjo nodded. "You look just like her." Kang's hand met Ryul's face. Kang sent his qi through Ryul's body to examine him at the same time. "Perfect. You will do just fine." Kang turned and walked toward the dining hall.
Ryul and Hanjo stared at each other for another moment. "Amitabha. This place is pure chaos." Hanjo walked toward the main gate and stared into the distance. "Where is Ilho and Jinhu? Didn't Elder Cheng say they went with Wu Jin, Sa Gwan and Mu Jang?"
Ryul approached and looked out into the wasteland. "You don't think?"
Hanjo immediately hit his knees and began to pray. Ryul placed a hand on his shoulder. "No, Blue would've said something if anything happened to them. Let's go to the mess hall and figure this out. Between those two men, Ilho and Jinhu and their masters not returning. I don't have a good feeling about any of this."
Hanjo stood and they turned and walked toward the mess hall as the gates of Silent Edge slammed shut behind them.
Later that night Blue sat in his new room, with Hanjo and Ryul. "That is all too crazy to believe." Ryul spoke first to break the silence. "I feel terrible for So-Yeon. I can't imagine how she's feeling right now."
"Amitabha. Your family is what is crazy. Buddha either cursed or blessed it."
Blue laughed. "Sometimes it feels like a curse, but I would lean more towards a blessing. Who else can say their grandfathers are two of the strongest men Murim has ever known."
Ryul smiled awkwardly. "I'm scared to train with him in the wasteland, if I'm being honest." He is so intense all the time.
"Shenwu scares me too." Hanjo looked up. "He is unlike any story I've heard about him. The things he told me about nirvana and the path of a monk contradicts so much of what is drilled into us as young monks."
"Hanjo being timid. I never thought I'd see the day. Make sure you tell Jinhu about this moment Ryul."
"Amitabha. I will destroy you if you tell him." Hanjo smiled at Ryul. "Sorry brother, you won't be here since your leaving, and well. Hanjo is as crazy as Jinhu, he just hides it well."
"I only follow the path Buddha leads me down." Hanjo turned toward Blue. "Where does your path lead you?"
Blue shrugged his shoulders. "I'm not sure to be honest. I don't have the slightest clue as to what im going to do when I get back to earth."
"What about your parents and that girl you always talk about." Ryul asked. "You obviously love her."
"Whoa. That's a strong word. I care for her sure. But love, I'm not even sure what that is. And I don't think I'd have the time for it. I definitely don't want to drag her into all this nonsense. As for Mary and David, I am excited to see them again."
"You know, you can call them mom and dad Blue. It doesn't hurt my feelings, it's weird, but I know you had a whole life somewhere else. Don't avoid that truth for my sake."
Blue smiled and shook Ryul's head. "Thanks, it's hard sometimes referring to them as mom and dad when I'm here. I feel like I'm being pulled in every which direction by something I can't even see."
Hanjo stood. "Philosophical questions should be discussed when we are rested. You have a big day tomorrow. You should get some sleep."
Ryul stood as well. "He's right, we have a big day tomorrow as well. When you leave for earth is when our training begins. I need to go steel my nerves." Hanjo and Ryul walked out. Blue stared at the ceiling. He reminisced on his time in Murim. His first week of training with Silent Edge. He chuckled at the thought of Wu Jin and the rod. He smiled when they remembered his fight at the tournament with Ilho. Every moment of comraderie and brotherhood. Every moment that lead him to reunite with his siblings. He held his fist in the air. "I will do whatever it need to so I never have to lose anyone close to me ever again."