Editor's Note: This is the sixth installment of an 11-part short story written by Shawn Smith, a junior English major from Keene, N.H. A new installment will be presented in each issue of The Norwich Guidon during the 2001-02 school year.

Reality's End

by Shawn Smith

Part 6

Sounds of wood clashing against wood were ringing in the air. Battle cries penetrated the stone corners of the training area. It was a two-man war with both combatants sweaty and covered with dust as wood smacked against wood over and over again.

I stood in a comfortable fighting stance while I braced the length of my bo with both hands to block Kenji's attacks. He, too, was in a similar stance, but now on the offensive. He came forward and thrust one end of the staff at my head, then the other immediately afterward. I parried both attacks and kicked him in the stomach with a simple front kick.

"Umph!" he grunted.

The opportunity to strike in hand, I reached forward with the Bo and snaked around Kenji's right leg at the knee joint with one of the ends. I pulled the staff toward me and swept him right off his feet. I twirled the Bo and swung down to hit him in the head.

"Kiai!" I yelled as I swung, but Kenji already held his Bo width-wise to block. As soon as I landed the strike against his wooden staff, Kenji pushed upward against my Bo, which launched me back a little ways.

He flipped up to his feet and laughed heartily. "That was close, David-san. Very close." His spirits had been high ever since the two of us resumed our normal training habits.

"Close doesn't count in the long run," I said in Japanese. I, too, had been feeling somewhat better since the incident in the dining area more than a month ago. Word had gotten around that I had aided Naomi and that I was responsible for the four Brothers' confession to the masters. Ever since then, some of the students and masters treated me with respect, but not everyone was as receptive. At least Naomi wasn't hurt badly; that much I was thankful for.

"Maybe, but it still keeps me on my guard." Kenji twirled the staff around his body and thrust downward at my head.

I raised my Bo up with both hands at each end and blocked his strike. I then rotated the Bo vertically and swung down and left to create an opening for me to strike.

"What the-" Kenji started just as I popped him in the forehead with the blunt end of my Bo staff. His head rocked back slightly as he went with the force of the blow. "Ah! Good hit, my friend." He shook his head for a second or two before he resumed his stance.

"Perhaps we should end it on that note, Kenji-san. It's been a few hours now."

"Not quite. I just want one more try at you. I haven't been able to get you all day," Kenji said as he readied himself.

I was getting tired and my stomach was grumbling like mad. "If you want to have one more chance, come get it."

He belted out a loud kiai and charged headlong into me. I sidestepped his charge and smacked him with a quick series of blows from his head to his toes. Of course, I held back my power on each strike, but it was enough to daze him a little. He collapsed on his hands and knees and shook his head to clear away the dizziness.

"Are you done now, Kenji-san?"

"Yes, I think it's time to eat, anyway. Should we pick this up tomorrow, maybe with just kata exercises next time?" he breathed heavily.

"That sounds good. Until tomorrow, then," I said with a smile. I felt both happy and sad each time Kenji and I were together. He was one of the few people that I felt at ease with, but he also reminded me of better times with Master Akagi.

He got to his feet and we faced each other as we snapped to attention with the staffs at our sides. After we bowed, I took Kenji's Bo and placed it alongside mine in a weapons rack on the grey wall.

"Do you think anyone else will want to train with us, David-San?"

I grinned broadly. "What, I'm not good enough for you? You seek challenges elsewhere, Kenji-san?"

"Hah! No, you give me more than enough, my friend. I just wish that we weren't always alone; we eat alone, we train alone. When does this all stop?"

"I'm not sure anyone has the answer to that. The High Master honored her promise by teaching us, but we've been spending extra time training on our own because we're used to how we fight each other. It's just the way things are right now. At the very least, you should be happy that you've had the opportunity to advance some."

Kenji looked down at his red sash. It had changed colors during a contest that High Master Jensen set up between him and another student of equal rank, Kanjiro Watoga - one of the few members of the monastery that treated us with respect and admiration. Since I wasn't there, he had to tell me about it. He said he used a few advanced magickal techniques combined with Tir-An-Yi to quickly defeat Kanjiro. Kenji had used an enormous amount of control to make the effect happen without harm to him, and his rank was raised to its present level because of it.

"I just hope that we can be a part of the monastery at some point in time," he said.

"Even if we aren't, it doesn't matter. The big problem is how the rest of the Brotherhood reacts to us. I have the feeling that there won't be many kind words said to us for a long time."

We started to walk back to the central training area where several students and their masters were still working on techniques. We stopped and watched the activity in the middle as one student fought off three higher ranked attackers at once.

"You know, she's getting much better now. Has she been practicing more on the outside lately?" Kenji inquired.

I said nothing as I watched her movements. Her technique was much better, but her magick wasn't any stronger than it had been before.

"I don't think her magick is any stronger, though." Kenji grinned at me as a slight shimmer faded in his eyes.

There were always those times that he seemed to read my mind, probably because he was; he knew exactly when my mental guard was down.

"Hm. You're right, Kenji-san. But that's something that takes more time to improve, as you well know."

He nodded in response. "Wait! I've never seen her do that before! Did you see that, David-San?"

I did indeed. The lone student had flipped an opponent right over her shoulder and then came down with a kick to the mid-section. She had gotten better, that was certain.

"Stop!" Master Orin-Tsung shouted loudly. "Stand and bow to each other!"

The three beaten students faced their lone target and all bowed deeply. They staggered off to neutral areas while the victor bowed to her master.

"She's getting damn good, Kenji-san. Damn good indeed," I said quietly. I saw the transformation of her sash from yellow to green as the color washed across the entire surface as if it were water.

Kenji grunted in approval and nodded his head as I walked over to her.

"Master Orin-Tsung. Greetings," I said after I bowed to the master.

He bowed with restraint, as always. He was one of the masters that still held contempt for Kenji and me. "David Sands. Are you in good health?" he asked politely.

"Yes, thank you, Master."

"If you will excuse me, I must attend to my class."

"Of course. Well done today, Kumiko. Your techniques are much better," I told the victor of the recent contest. I was unfazed by Master Orin-Tsung's harsh remark, and quite frankly I didn't give a damn what he thought. I had recently defeated him in a weapons contest so I anticipated some tension between us would surface at some point.

"Thank you, David-San For some reason, my techniques seem to be more natural now. I don't understand it, but at the same time-"

The master cleared his throat roughly to indicate his impatience with the two of us. "Kumiko Sakasawa! Line up, now!" he boomed.

"I must go now. Sayonara, David-San" She quickly bowed to me and ran off to join her class.
I returned to Kenji's side and I motioned toward the door with my head. Kenji nodded affirmatively.

"I could use a good meal right now anyway," Kenji said.

"So could I, my friend. Shall we?"

"You're not going to wait for Kumiko this time? You've been escorting her down to meals for the last week now."

"That's true, but I don't feel the need this time. Not to mention that Master Orin-Tsung doesn't particularly care for me at the moment."

"Is there something between the two of you-you and Kumiko, I mean-that you're not telling me, David-San? I know that you both shared a mental link, but don't you think it's strange that her skills are improving so dramatically in such a short amount of time?"

"We're just friends and fellow students, that's all. You know how I feel about that kind of thing within the Brotherhood. There's no place for it, and if Brothers get involved it'll lead to awkward situations and strange feelings at times when there can be no hesitation. As for her techniques and skill, I don't have an answer for that. Perhaps there was something that was transmitted between us when I revived her, but I can't say for sure. There are a lot of things about that day that can't be explained by anyone, not even the masters. She did mention a while ago that she had trouble distinguishing her memories from mine. I've scanned her mind and it seems sound, but there's a foreign element that keeps appearing and floating around in there from time to time. Maybe that's the part that's influencing this sudden change."

"Spoken like a true master," he chuckled. "But a great deal of that makes sense. There could be a part of you inside her somewhere. Have you ever considered that?"

I tightened my lips together. "No, I hadn't. Nor will I."

"Come on, my friend. You know that there's always a possibility that Brothers could have a life together outside the sect. Of course, that all depends on the person, David-San, but perhaps there's a chance that two people can have a relationship and not have it interfere with their studies."

We reached the door and I grabbed the cold, steel handle. "Not a chance," I retorted as I yanked the door open. I caught a glance of Kumiko as she continued technique drills in her class. "Not a chance in hell."

There was a long moment of silence between Kenji and I as we made our way down the corridor. The sun was going down and the shadows crawled out of their hideaways. I stole a glance at him, whose eyes were literally lit up with a bluish hue; he used a magickal effect to enhance his night vision. I had a suspicion that his eyes were getting worse as the years went by.

"What? I can't see very well when the sun goes down, you know that," Kenji said defensively.

"I didn't say anything." I faced forward again and cleared my throat.

"That was improper. I'm sorry, David-San It's just that I don't have enough strength in life studies yet to permanently fix my vision."

"Don't worry about it," I said gruffly.

We reached the dining area just as a large group of students were ushered in by their masters. I heard Kenji sigh as a scowl escaped my lips. I trudged forward with Kenji behind me. We tried to avoid eating at the same time as most of the students, but sometimes it didn't work out, such as today. He and I both knew that there would be snickers and comments made behind our backs as well as to our faces in low whispers, but we did our best to pay them no mind.

"Just keep walking, Kenji-san. They won't bother us," I telepathically projected.

"I hope so, my friend. All I want to do is eat," he projected likewise.

We made our way to a long mahogany table filled with bowls of sushi and white rice, numerous trays of sushi from tuna to crab with avocado, and various meats and vegetables. The smell greeted our noses as we each took a rectangular wooden tray to fill with food. I decided on a bowl of each of the two types of rice, four different kinds of sushi-I was always partial to mackerel and California rolls that consisted of crab and avocado rolled up with spicy bits on top-, and thin slices of beef with greens on the side. Kenji chose a bowl of white rice and several large slices of juicy red steak. However, there was a strange look on his face while he made his selections; it was as if he bit the inside of his mouth to hide something.

At the end of the table were large containers of water to drink. The monastery didn't feel the need to stockpile the various kinds of soft drinks and other assorted beverages that one would normally find in the outside world.

With our trays filled to the brim, we found a table in a corner of the dining area where no one would bother us. He sat down nearest to the wall so he could see the entirety of our surroundings while I sat with my back to the group of students.

"Something wrong, Kenji-san?"

"I heard more whispers behind our backs again. I came close to losing my temper."

"Is that why you had that weird look on your face?"

"Yes, I was biting my tongue. I think I drew blood; my food tastes foul and I bet if . . ." he moved his tongue around in his mouth, "yeah, I bit a little too hard." He sat up straight. "Hang on a second." His brown eyes shimmered and he cleared his throat.

"Trying to fix the problem?" I asked as he moved his tongue about again.

"Yes, much better now."

I chuckled to myself and started to eat. Kenji gave me an odd look as I continued to chuckle.

"What's so funny?" he asked.

"Nothing. I just find it convenient that you can heal yourself enough to eat your food without tasting your own blood." He continued to give me that look and I glanced up from my tray. "What? Can't I laugh once in a while in here, or do I have to be dismal all the time?"

He smiled and chuckled himself. "I guess you're entitled to a little humor now and again. Just don't make a habit out of it."

I gave a snort out my mouth in reply and attacked my food. I was hungrier than I thought; it didn't take me long to dismantle my entire meal, and I still had room for seconds.

"Are you still hungry, David-San? You look as though you were trying to find another plate underneath all that."

"I guess I am still hungry, but I don't want to eat too much."

"Well, I'm full. I'm going to turn in for the night. How about you?"

"No, I'm going to walk around the courtyard for a while. Just to clear my head."

Kenji rose from the table and picked up his tray. "Very well. Sayonara, David-San" He made a short bow to me and left to dispose of his garbage.

"Sayonara," I replied softly.

I heard the commotion of the students behind me, but had no impulse to see what went on. My interest in the other lives in the monastery was diminishing, save for a treasured few. I managed to smile at the thought of those that I still cared about: Kenji-san, of course, Kumiko, High Master Jensen, and . . .

"Excuse me, may I join you?"

I blinked my eyes and looked up at the voice above me. I grinned and bowed my head. "Please do. I was just-thinking."

"It looked like it. I heard that Master Orin-Tsung wasn't too pleased with you today."

"No, he wasn't. I just wanted to-"

"Congratulate Kumiko Sakasawa? I thought as much." High Master Jensen smiled.

I chuckled a little. "You still can read my mind very effectively, High Master. What brings you to this dining area at this time?"

She swallowed a piece of sushi, some kind of tuna roll, and wiped her mouth with a napkin. "I wanted to speak with you as soon as possible, and I knew that you'd be down here at some point. You're no doubt wondering why I haven't taught you and Kenji as much as I had in the beginning, yes?"

"The thought had crossed my mind several times, High Master."

"I wanted to see if you were committed enough to stay and complete your training. If I stepped away, I wondered, would you have the dedication and the discipline to finish what you started. That is what you told me, correct?"

I nodded. I did remember saying those words, and I meant them. I suppose I didn't know just how much I meant them until then.

"Good. You're not like the others, David. Your ability is far stronger than most of the Brothers, student and master. The only thing that holds you back is the weakness in your mind. Your anger branches out into your mind and causes you to be so aloof because you fear that your powers will get out of control again if someone challenges your honor and you become enraged. Ever since your attack on Kumiko's mind-dammit, look at me!"

I couldn't. I had to turn away. "I'm sorry, High Master, but I can't bring myself to face that yet. I feel such shame in what I did."

"David, look at me. What happened was unfortunate, but no one was hurt. In fact, you have bonded with someone in a way that cannot ever be broken. Some of your traits were passed on to her as hers was to you. Haven't you noticed that her techniques have gotten better with each day?"

"Yes, High Master, I have. She can't explain it other than everything feeling more natural. The same thing happened to me when I first started, but I advanced so much quicker than she has."

"That's because your powers are beyond what should be attainable for us."

"Beyond even Master Akagi?"

"That I don't know. He is one of the most powerful among us, but there have been others before that have gained such incredible power that they become a living embodiment of magickal perfection."

"But that's impossible."

She shook her head. "No, it's not. There have been stories from long ago that tell of those with our ability that have shed their physical form and become pure magick."

"Is that what you meant by having no trace of them, the ones that have my so-called gift? They just disappear from existence?"

"They're only stories, David. We can't prove them."

"I guess I don't have much of a future to look forward to then, eh? Maybe it's just as well. Besides, perfection is unattainable, High Master. I'm sorry to say it, but it's true."

She smiled broadly. "Normally, I would agree with you, but this time you're wrong. Remember, perfection is unattainable, but your idea of perfection is quite attainable."

"I don't understand."

"You will. I have the feeling that someday, you will. In the meantime, I want you to be in the training area in two hours. There's something that needs to be discussed."

"And what is that, High Master?"

Her cheerful expression turned serious and cold. Her eyebrows raised up and her eyes narrowed. "Do as I say, David. Be at the training area in two hours, no questions. Clear?"

"Very. Until then, High Master." I got to my feet and bowed. I quickly picked up my tray and scooted off to throw away any remains. As soon as that was done, I left for my quarters that I shared with Kenji.

I walked very casually through the hallways as magick once again illuminated my eyes to see in the dark. I passed by several masters and students, to whom I bowed but received none in return.

By the time I reached the door to my quarters, Kenji was already involved in his magick studies. I pulled the solid oak door open and peered inside. There was Kenji, attempting to alter a piece of wood in his hand into who knows what; the wood was twisting and splintering as Kenji focused his powers.

In order to minimize any distractions, I altered the form of the door so that it wouldn't creak or shut loudly as I closed it. I drifted across the air and levitated above my rather simple wooden framed bed with an equally simple mattress. I carefully eased myself down and sat cross-legged while I watched Kenji.

He was groaning as he tried to form the wood into what now looked like metal, but he couldn't control the substance of it enough. It was on the verge of shattering and spraying splinters all over the room, so I extended my hand out to use my own magick on the wood.

"No, David-San, don't. Please," Kenji groaned. "I think I've . . . almost . . . got it."

I sighed and adjusted myself on the bed. "Kenji-san, you're going to hurt yourself just like the last time. You should really try the simple concepts first before heading into this advanced level of the study."

"I can . . . do this!"

"Maybe so, but not tonight." I focused my ability right at the piece of wood, and a glow emanated from my hand and then around the piece of wood. The effect worked with no trouble as the wood quickly metamorphosed into a solid metal form.

"Dammit, David-San! How am I expected to do this when you always interfere!" Kenji boomed.

"I mean no disrespect, my friend, but it's not wise to go forward into a study when you don't have the foundation from the basics laid down yet. Remember what we first learned at the dojo," I almost choked on the words, "from our sensais?"

Kenji nodded his head. "You're right, David-San I was reaching a bit too far."

"Don't look so down. You'll learn how to do it sooner than you think. You just have to work at it."

I looked around the room while I let my thought wander for a bit. The wooden walls, ceiling, and floor were all brown but we had created a floor rug for a more comfortable seat on the floor. Since all forms of technology were banned here, we couldn't listen to the radio, watch TV, or anything that we once did outside the monastery. It had been a year since either one of us had seen our families, assuming that anyone was looking for us. More than likely, we were as dead to the world as we were to the Brotherhood.

"David-San, you seem troubled. What's wrong?"

"Nothing. Just thinking." I took a breath and then remembered my appointment with the High Master. "Although, High Master Jensen told me to meet her at the training area in two hours." I felt my power surge through me as I sensed the stream of time. "Make that an hour and forty-five minutes."

"Always the perfectionist," Kenji laughed.

I bowed and replied, "Always, my friend, always."

"David-San? Do you miss your parents?"

"Yes, I do. I can only hope that they're safe right now."

"I wish that I could see mine again, tell them that I'm alive. They don't even know that much."

I bit my lip and scratched my nose. "Perhaps it's just as well. They're safer not knowing where we are."

"How can you say that?" He stared hard at me.

"If they did know, the Aurelians would interrogate them. And you know what they'd do to our parents."

Kenji shivered and stroked his hair. "I do. It makes me sick just thinking about it."

"Then don't. I'm sure that the Brotherhood and the High Council is protecting them."

"Do you think they'll keep us here?" Kenji asked me. "The Brotherhood, I mean."

"No, I don't think so. There's too much tension here. Besides, we can't stay here forever. Master Akagi is still out there and he'll find us eventually."

"I'm surprised that he hasn't already. The Council must be shielding us somehow."

"I don't put much stock into that group of politicians. They're not of much use anymore. The world has changed too much, and they're very inflexible about introducing new ways to combat problems."

Kenji shushed me. "Don't say that! We wouldn't be here if-"

"If what? You know as well as I do that they saved us because we're the last of Akagi's students and they need someone to eliminate him at some point. No one else could do it, and I'll bet-"

"You think that the Council wants you to-to kill him?" There was a pang of fear in Kenji's voice.

"Who else could do it?" I turned away from Kenji and muttered under my breath, "Who else would do it?"

"David-San?"

I sensed the time once again. "I'd better go now. I'll see you later, Kenji-san." I got off the bed and walked to the door.

"Good luck, David-San I have a feeling you'll need it."

I looked back and bowed to Kenji. I grabbed the metal handle and pushed the door open. What was I going to find when I got to the training area? Was the High Council going to be there to tell me that I'd be their personal assassin? I knew what my answer would be if they did. Very simply, very discreetly, I would say one word: yes.

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 7

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