Island Valley of Peace

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #39
@Sea ​

Jade Palace
The battle in the Courtyard was over. The Furious Five had defeated the wolf pack. Tigress had defeated Boss Wolf. Akira had defeated Lord Shen. Though the former received some injuries, the statement of his victory gave strength to an army. The Rhino Army had arrived. They began to overtake Tai Lung’s army in the valley below. The tide of the battle was turning. Yet, reality had sunk in. Tai Lung had long since entered the palace. Lord Shen alleged the most dangerous criminal in the Valley of Peace had obtained the inevitable: the treasure of the Jade Palace. He who would be the Dragon Warrior.

Rushed to the palace, Akira made his way up the stairs and to the long stone door. With a hard push, the doors would creak open. The light from the outside would illuminate the poorly lit temple. A long but wide hallway went for dozens of meters, it’s walls high and astounding. A tranquil pool cut the halfway down the middle, stained with blood. Candled lit periodically as the walls went deeper showed the signs of a great struggle. If Akira ran inside and to the other end of the temple, he’d find the basin.

The pool ended in a Great Basin in front of two massive doors, each with a different symbol: one of Takeuchi and one of the other. Yet, before one would reach them, the sounds of a short whimper would echo. In front of the basic, handing to the edge, was a mangled body of a small animal. One whose spiritual pressure was immense, yet defeated. Hanging on to dear life, literally, was Master Oogway’s pupil.

Master Shifu gasped for air.

 

[Sea]

VoP #40
@Ichimonji ​

Akira followed his intuition – making his way up the stairs towards a large stone door, the architecture of grandeur of this island have seemed to make things unnecessarily tedious to say the least but the very palace itself looks intimidating enough to show its grand display. But the main problem wasn’t any of this, but it would be what is inside of the palace, or rather who is in it. Opening the set of stone doors, the boy would notice the poorly lighted temple interior which is only illuminated upon light coming from where Akira stood. A large hallway in which a pool would stood by the middle, each step forth into the long hallway and a sign of battle would quickly tell its story. The boy did not spend long observing his environs, he has to be quick to get to where Tai Lung is. There are two problems Akira must solve, Tai Lung and Kai. One of them must be located beyond this hallway, which is where a large basin would stand, connected to the pool that extended half way through the other end of the hallway – stained with blood.

Before Akira, whom now arrived at the large basin is two massive doors each with a different symbol. But before any further inspection of the strange doors could be made – a whimpering would echo, prompting the boy’s attention to its direct source – Master Shifu. Defeated and weak perhaps from fighting Tai Lung, Tigress’ fears were realized. The boy quickly moved towards Shifu, as his steps though light is discernible with the near deadly silence that echoes the hallway. Shifu would soon notice the towering figure that casted his shadow upon him, as if death has come for Shifu as he held on to dear life. An aura deadly, darkens like a Grim Reaper.

​

But then, Akira would lower himself as he dropped to a knee, dissipating this dark and fearsome aura as the boy asked his question.

“What happened? Where is he?”

A question not of coldness unlike a Spada Pirate nor befitting of an Assassin, it was something with warmth. Akira despite his darkness, held his humanity – he understood a struggle against something that may be beyond oneself, after all his very own struggle could largely be beyond himself instead of getting from objectives to objectives like he always does, a hint of compassion swirls within the boy, seeing the pain and desperation that Shifu seemly held. The boy could tell from the mangled body that the Mink before him took grievous injuries. Any further and he may not be alive. The Mink before him was quite literally on death’s door. Should he leave Tai Lung for later? It is better that Shifu would be brought back to the courtyard at least for help. Or should he leave Shifu be and hope that he would be strong enough to survive his injuries till help arrives? Another decision. One that would change the fate of the valley.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #40
@Sea ​

Jade Palace
The war had seen the break of Dawn. On the cusp of victory, a single boy turned the tides, bringing an army of rhinos with him. With Lord Shen down, the commander of the military forces, the Tai Lung army was on the ropes. Yet, the goal was not military supremacy, but the famous Jade Palace Vault and its treasure. Akira had been delayed. Inside, Master Shifu could not hold his prior pupil back: Tai Lung had gone inside the Vault. The two doors, each with one apprentice, was before the boy. Master Shifu, heavily wounded, looked up to see The a shadow. His eyes widened at what he saw.

The quivering voice stabilized after his fear left him, and responded.

[Master Shifu] “Tai Lung, lost pupil, has gone inside the Vault. In his hands he’ll have Twilight’s birthright. In his hands… Tai Lung will hold the key to the prophecy.”​

Masteru Shifu tried to get up. His bones were brittle, his body mangled. Try as he might, the body would not comply. The old racoon sat down and caught his breath. Tai Ling had the treasure, there was time to give na old man peace, should Akira wash it. He stared into Akira’s eyes intently, before retreating his gaze in a gentle smile. The words came pouring out like the wounds oozed blood.

[Master Shifu] “Master Oogway, my mentor, did not prepare me for this. Master Oogway did not even tell the complete prophecy. I’d wager he didn’t tell you either, Kurai.“​

​

[Master Oogway] “All according to the old man’s plan, I gather. When our minds are not ready, hearing the truth will only stray us from the truth. Master Oogway knew it.”​

​

[Master Shifu] “A mind is like the sea. When it is agitated, it becomes difficult to see. But if you allow it to settle, the answer becomes clear.”​

Those words. They came from Master Shifu, but seemed to come straight from Master Oogway’s lips. Akira had heard it once before. Deciding to spare the wolves. Aiding the wolves. Refusing to free Tai Lung. Seeking the rhino’s help. Giving an old Rhino a new purpose. Staying and fighting to save lives at the expense of one’s goals. Stopping to give peace to an old man on the his death bed. Would Akira had done all these if the journey had not resurrected that which had been buried by La Spada’s grasp? What had changed?

Master Shifu asked one question. One question Akira must decide and answer for himself. Like the doors, Akira had two paths. Which one he would choose? The terrible La Spada or this new birth of the boy from a dojo?

[Master Shifu] “Would you like to know who the prophecy is about? Is your mind settled enough to hear the answer clear?”​

 

[Sea]

VoP #41
@Ichimonji

The boy approached Shifu whom is gravely injured from his fight against Tai Lung, but from what he gathered – Kai is nowhere to be seen. This means that at this moment, the boy only has to contend with one person. This is further confirmed when Shifu finally spoke, only speaking of Tai Lung heading into the vault and no one else. The boy quickly gathered his thoughts. Kai mentioned he would await him in the Jade Palace yet he is nowhere to be seen. The Spirit Realm. Perhaps the sister sword. The boy starts to formulate his theory, a reason why Muramasa couldn’t strike Kai quite literally. Shifu continues to spoke, his body not willing to listen to the elder’s command, but his voice maintain strength enough to continue his words. Oogway, once more he would appear, this time from master to master – revealing Shifu as the mentee. Though given Shifu’s age it would likely been decades when they were just master and student.

“…..”

The boy did not immediately respond to Shifu when he would mention that Oogway likely did not tell him everything. Though in Akira’s case it seems less of an issue with deliberate hiding the prophecy and more that Oogway just spirited away. Though perhaps Shifu would be right that all these is well planned by Oogway even his death. Who could truly know the mind of the tortoise? Regardless Shifu would start to ramble a little bit, but ultimately he quoted Oogway’s words – something that Akira would remember very well, whilst not exactly word for word, the sentiment stays the same. Lastly, Shifu would finally made a question, posed towards Akira if he wishes to know more about the prophecy and who it is about, or for. But as he did – the boy ripped apart some of the bandages that wrapped around his head, maintaining his facial cover. Death bed or not, the boy did not hesitate. Using those bandages, Akira starts to wrap the bandages carefully around Shifu, ensuring that the bandages would achieve its natural objectives, to prevent further bleeding from the wounds. Despite not knowing how to treat any injuries, simple first aid like this is easy enough to replicate. As Shifu finishes his question, he would find himself lifted up rather carefully as Akira starts to turn away from the vault, moving quickly the opposite direction with Shifu in tow.

“You can tell me as we return to the entrance.”

The Shadow’s choice is clear. From start to end, he never once deviates from his path. A choice not understood from a pirate’s point of view, especially of a crew like his. An Assassin to the letter, but the boy did not sacrifice another innocent life. He would be willing kill pirates upon the orders of the Grim Reaper, but an innocent life not involved in his world – he would not throw away. The boy’s past was one of someone thrown to the life of privacy by force. The pain of his past lingers in his heart and soul. To Shifu, and even the rest of the people in the Valley. These lives he would not sacrifice when offered. He was once in such a position, and with no Devil lurking behind him guiding his actions – the answer is clear. Naïve, one may consider Akira to be, for he is still young. Barely a full-fledged adult.

Regardless of his choice, he would have to face Tai Lung and Twilight’s Edge, and given the whole situation about the spirit realm, he would not put it past that Kai himself is also waiting for him beyond those doors. Another reason, though partially that he decides to try save Shifu, he can no longer control what he would face beyond the door, but he can try to control another’s fate. His mind is clear as day, like the water reflection that shines back to the moon. What Oogway’s prophecy is about he would hear about it. The boy has to trust in himself, and in his heart.

A silent sigh. A look at Muramasa. A dilemma that was settled once more. Perhaps the worst outcome he would find himself in. Perhaps the choice that would send the valley and its inhabitants to the fiery doom that was beyond the doors. Despite his injured leg, Akira was still able to move fairly quick that traversing out to the entrance would barely takes a minute now that he would attempt to quickly get Shifu for help. The boy has to trust in himself, believing that his choice is correct. Not just in the swords that Oogway mentioned. The swords cannot make the decision for him nor Oogway is here to tell him his choice is wrong. For once, Akira puts his trust in this prophecy, in Oogway’s words – that he is the right one.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #41
@Sea ​

Jade Palace
The young boy went through a row of memories and emotions. Yet, his will remained strong. Remembering the words of Oogway, the boy did something else unheard of - he saved someone not part of his mission. When Akira bent down and bandaged Shifu, Muramasa began to writhe, almost as if twisting in objection. A sword that killed, not saved. Master Shifu, struggling to get up, did exactly that with the help of the boy. A newfound adrenaline rush in the face of this young man’s aid moved him forward. Holding Akira’s leg pants as they walked through the corridor, Master Shifu began to speak.

The Master revealed who the prophecy was about.

[Master Shifu] “The name of the Chosen One is... Yūgure.”​

Like a descending bass line, that last word, that last name, came in slow motion. The name that echoed through the corridor onward to the entrance. The name of the Chosen One. It was not Akira. Through all this time, weeks now, Akira had heard he was the Chosen One, the Child of Prophecy. Yet, Master Shifu, straight from the one who foretold the prophecy, Master Oogway, revealed the truth. A name with a female tone in how Shifu spoken it: Yūgure.

Yūgure, literally meaning “Twilight”. Fittingly, the blade of prophecy was subbed ‘Twilight‘s Edge’, the edge of Yūgure. If Akira’s mind was clear, Master Shifu’s words became clear.

[Master Shifu] “Muramasa and Twilight’s Edge are not Saijo O Wazamono swords for their sharpness or durability. You must have felt it by now, haven’t you…? The blades are Meito because they house souls.”​

Doom! There it was. The secret of the blades. They were less weapons and more living beings. Souls, trapped or housed within the sharp metal. The bloodlust that exuded from Muramasa, the one Akira knew too well, the bloodlust that fomented and fed off Akira’s own, pushing him to hate… it came from a soul. Muramasa was alive. Question is: whose soul did Muramasa possess? And importantly, who was Yūgure?

As the light at the end of the hallway shone, Master Shifu gave his last remarks before arriving back at the entrance.

[Master Shifu] “The time has come, young apprentice. Which soul will you follow?”​

 

[Sea]

VoP #42
@Ichimonji

The young boy took to saving another’s life once more, but his actions did not go unnoticed. An objection. Muramasa writhed as Akira helped Shifu, but met with seemly no obvious reaction from Akira, yet the boy knew something is wrong with Muramasa but choose not to say anything nor to hesitate but to focused on the task at hand. As both the boy and Shifu made their way back to the entrance, Shifu continues his words in regards to the prophecy – here Shifu revealed the name of a chosen one, Yugure. The boy listened intently, considering how many seems to regard Akira as the second coming of Kurai, Shifu gave a different answer that the name of a Chosen One wasn’t him that many have eluded or implied otherwise. Regardless, a surprise for sure as Akira would figure the answer would have been obvious, then again he probably should have expected considering how Shifu has talked about this. The boy didn’t care if he isn’t the Chosen One, he only used this implication made by others to get things done as he did with the wolves, and then the rhinos. He never once thought he would be anything important and his reluctance and hesitation to accept of these in faith seems to in root of his mind. The only thing he has seem to somewhat accept was Oogway’s words that asked him to help deal with the ancient malice that manifesting as a singular entity. A Devil, or so that’s what Akira believes to be.

Here Shifu would reveal more truth in regards to Muramasa and Twilight’s Edge, that they are not the greatest swords simply because of their sharp edge or how well-crafted they are. They were swords that gain that status because they housed a soul within. A revelation, one that completely took even Akira visibly surprised. Perhaps that what Muramasa was, trying to speak to Akira not just from a strange tingling as a weapon with a will, but from soul to soul. The multiple writhing of Muramasa ever since he steps foot onto the island, it would make a whole lot of sense. However, the souls in question – Twilight’s Edge, the name would translate into Yugure, perhaps the truth of the sister sword, that it would house Yugure. But if that’s the case who whom did Muramasa in particular possessed? Both swords are known to be the greatest 12 swords, meaning to put both would have to house a soul since ancient times. The boy continues to contemplate for a little bit but his heart and mind seem to be somewhat clear, he wasn’t too confused. In fact, Akira looks more calm after the revelation. As they finally made their way back to the entrance, Shifu finally gave a final remark before leaving, allowing others to attend to him for his injuries afterwards. The scene would blacken as words would whisper softly.

Which soul will you follow?

Suddenly, the scene changed. In front of the doors to vault, opened – the boy did not take a step in. Questions. Answers. There is still a lot of figure out. The boy stared past into the light of the vaults and as he did, he suddenly moved Muramasa towards the front in a horizontal manner parallel to the ground. Unsheathing Muramasa just slightly out of the scabbard, showing just a glimpse of the bloodied edge.

​

The paintings on the door in the prison. A two warriors, two wielders of the swords. Perhaps….

Kurai.

The boy would sheathed Muramasa once more. Akira has spent too much time, he has to deal with Tai Lung now, and likely Kai beyond. His leg, whilst injured has stopped bleeding – pain acclimated. The boy walked through the vault.

It is time.

 

[Ichimonji]

Valley of Peace #42
@Sea ​

Jade Palace - The Great Vault
The one who was once called the Chosen One, that idea slayed by Master Shifu’s words, took the old raccoon back to the courtyard. The silence was damming, with the realization Muramasa and Twilight’s Edge housed souls being the driving shock factor. Muramasa had been pulling at Akira’s bloodlust, pushing him to kill, ever since he slayed the villagers of the dojo all those years ago. An evil soul, perhaps? Or was there something more? Kurai, came to Akira’s mind. The tale of the two apprentices of Oogway centuries ago, a tale told by hieroglyphics, is what came to Akira’s mind.

Upon opening up the door to the courtyard, Akira would find Tigress waiting for them. The kung fu master rushed to Shifu, taking him into her arms. She cried when she saw the wounds, thanking Akira for saving him. As Akira left, Togress called out to him, her tone now serious and deliberate.

[Tigress] “When you find Tai Lung…. make him pay.”
​

Make him pay. Akira would be left to face Tai Lung alone. The only one who could defeat Tai Lung was Takeuchi. The prophecy beckoned such. As Akira walked back, unsheathing Muramasa, he’s find it shaking and exuding her own bloodlust, like a evil genius whose plan was foiled. Now with the truth out, Muramasa was more vocal, ending in a shriek that took the hallway back to the Vault. Excitement came from the blade, seeking blood. Akira would feel even his spirit slowly seeping into the blade, as if robbed by a will.

Muramasa had no nee to hide now. The battle would not just be with Tai Lung.

Akira would open the door, passing through the opening. The Great Vault. The landscape was unfathomable. A humongous steel platform was connected to the opening Akira and Shifu entered. Surrounding the platform were large statutes. Statutes of beings Akira had seen before: the petrified masters of Kung Fu he encountered at the Spirit Realm. At the other end of the large platform was a giant triangle-shaped pillar. Shockingly, at its feet was a Poneglyph, this one blue in color. In front of the Poneglyph was a stand for a sword, now gone. A intimidating figure stood in front of the Poneglyph, his fingers tracing the writings. The figure seemed like he was reading it, or, more specifically, sensing the meaning. Muramasa jumped out of her sheathe - Akira would have to catch it - now glowing red, as if jumping for a fight against what she felt.

A deep voice echoed through the Great Vault, ending in a cackle.

[Tai Lung] “So… that’s the treasure. That’s what this blade does. Tahahahahaha!!!”​

Tai Lung slowly turned, locking eyes with Akira. In his left hand was a blade glowing blue. The other blade of legend.