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[Tai Kwan Leap]

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"From the dawn of time we came; moving silently down through the centuries, living many secret lives, struggling to reach the time of the Gathering; when the few who remain will battle to the last. No one has ever known we were among you until now ..."

The voice he had heard in his dreams was again disturbing Otori Tai Kwan's sleep.

The morning was dawning and splashing dappled shades of amber across the steps of the Temple of Ultimate Humility. Seated in lotus position, glowing a pale jade and hovering above the top step was Master Po in his saffron robes.

“Come forward little ryu. There is much that must be said” The color of the old man’s eyes was a pale alabaster as his unseeing gaze focused on the young monk.

The young monk stepped forward on the path of rice paper his feet bare and calloused. He calmly placed his feet in a slow progression to the bottom step. Upon reaching the end of the rice paper and the steps leading up to his sensei, he cupped his right fist with the palm of his left hand and bowed low.

He slowly straightened and began the ascent of the 50 steps leading to the temple entrance. There were four men standing between him and the top step.

“I bow to the Sensei of the Earth, Master Tsuchi” Tai says again cupping his right fist and bowing.

"You were born the rightful heir to the Empire of the Three Countries. It is you who should be the Shogun and not your brother" the Sensei smiles slowly looking down upon Tai.

"I am of the Silver Lotus. My loyalty is to them and my honor is determined by their actions" Tai said standing there stripped to the waist wearing only his Silver Lotus hakama.

"Otori, feel about you and concentrate on the energy and weight of the mountains around us. Let the energies flow through you and support your steps upon your path. Answer me my riddle" Sensei Tsuchi said slowly.

"Hai, if it is my path, I will find the right answer" Tai Kwan says as he feels the weight of the mountains flowing down through him connecting him with the energies of the lands.

"I never was, am always to be,

No one ever saw me, nor ever will

And yet I am the confidence of all

To live and breathe on this terrestrial ball ..." the Sensei speaks slowly and evenly.

The simply clad monk closes his eyes and thinks. So many answers chase each other through his mind. Some are more correct than others.

"The answer is "tomorrow"" Tai opens his eyes and stating his first thoughts.

Master Tsuchi nods slowly and pulls a brown glowing stone from his obi.

"Step forward and receive my blessings" the monk said holding the stone aloft.

Tai steps forward without hesitation.

Master Tsuchi places the stone just below Tai Kwan's throat. A flash of blinding light flares as the stone melts into his skin leaving behind the kanji for Earth. Then he turns to the side allowing the Initiate to pass.

Tai Kwan slowly advances two steps, and looks up into the young face of Sensei Tenkuu, the Master of Air. He cups his right fist with his left palm and bows in respect.

"Little Ryu-san. Through the years you have shamed me and still I became the youngest Master of Air. Are you prepared to face my challenge" the monk smirks knowingly.

"A thing is not necessarily true because a man dies for it" Tai Kwan says taking the measure of the Sensei.

"Do not hesitate to think that you live because I allowed it. Face now the fury of the Air" the monk said as he clapped his hands and gale force winds buffet the simply clad monk with a glowing kanji symbol at his throat.

Lord Otori leaned into the winds buffeting his person sending his four braids swirling about his head in a maelstrom.

"The way to love anything is to realize that it might be lost. Your attack is a bit weak" Tai says as he places his open right palm six inches from the Sensei's chest.

The Master of Air closes his eyes and concentrates. "Know you that I can steal the very breath from your body. Air is the one watchtower you can never turn your back on."

A crooked grin briefly appears on the young monk's face. "I prefer not to do this, but as you choose to, understand with proper training, breathing is unnecessary." Tai then strikes a hammer fist into the thorax of the young sensei.

Master Tenkuu staggers back unable to breathe, as blood flows from his lips down his youthful chin.

"The one truth of Air is to know when it is being used honorably, and when it is not" Tai Kwan says casually striking a crane blade hand to the throat of the Sensei.

"Your treachery is at an end" Tai says ripping the throat of the Sensei open. As he drops to his knees he holds up a white glowing crystal of air. He slams it into the Lord Otori's right shoulder. The shards spread and leave a glowing kanji representing Air on his left shoulder.
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"He's been fired from the Shrimp Boat?" -- Charlaine Harris "Living Dead In Dallas."