The Sixth Seal

Despite their disheveled appearance, the crew of the Sea Dragon was exceptionally capable. They kept the sails full and the shoreline in sight. Wang Xu was reluctant to leave land completely behind until the book gave Xi Shi a better idea of their destination.

At dawn of their third day at sea, she felt the book call to her. Feeling safer at sea than on land, she kept the book in its pouch on a small table next to her bed.

She brushed against Wang Xu as she made her way below deck.

He grabbed her arm. “Is everything all right?”

“Yes. I must take counsel with the book. It beckons me.”

Noticeable relief lightened his features. “Good. Maybe now it will tell us our destination so that we may put the Motherland behind us and steer away from the Emperor’s grasp.”

She only nodded in reply, and continued below deck. She had no idea what the book would tell her, or if it would tell her anything at all. The longer she was in its presence, the more she believed that Master Jing’s plan and the book’s were not one in the same. Not that Master Jing had anything but the best interest of mankind at heart, just that the book was of a higher order, and as such, its motives were not always apparent to the likes of men.

Light escaped from the leather pouch and spilled out into the hall when she opened the door. The book’s call was both urgent and reassuring. To be in its presence made her feel whole. She wondered if it was the same for the others.

Protector, we must take counsel.

She removed the book from the pouch. A tiny charge raced up her arm, warming the base of her neck. She set the ancient artifact in the center of the bed and assumed the lotus position in front of it. She stretched out her arms and placed her palms on the Eye of Jupiter. The sensation was immediate.

While her physical form sat perfectly still in front of the great book of power, her essence poured into the Eye as though she had dived into a pool. When the sensation passed, she was still sitting cross-legged, only now she was atop a snowy hill surrounded by delicate trees flowering with pink blossoms. The air popped, rustling their branches. She was aware of a presence.

They are plum blossoms. They are most vibrant in the harshest winters. Like you, Protector, they persevere despite great adversity.

“It is the only path I know.” She spoke aloud, though the presence took no physical form.

And you above all of the others have remained true to your calling. Great evil moves against us, even now.

“The Emperor? Can you see him?”

Not the Emperor. He has no knowledge of the power contained herein. I speak of the others.

“Others?”

Protectors.

“Protectors? I don’t understand. The other protectors are evil?”

Not all. Three. They seek to pervert the power within me to reshape this world and hold dominion over all of mankind.

“Can you not stop them?”

Not directly. Like you, they are attuned, and as such, I am beholden to their will. Only another protector may stand against them. You are the only of the seven to honor your bond.

“What of the others? You said only three seek your power.”

The others are afraid. The three have used dark magics against them. They will use such magics against you.

“I will not forsake you.”

A gentle breeze pushed the tree limbs, sending petals like butterflies through the air. Several of the pink flowers landed in her hair.

I know you will not forsake me, but I fear they are too strong for you.

“We can take you to a place of power. Master Jing told me you would be safe there until the time of the gathering.”

Jing is correct and a wise man indeed, but the Three have amassed a mighty force, and plan to intercept us.

“What would you have of me?”

A terrible sacrifice.

The wind picked up, grew colder. She knew what she had to do.

Without another word, she was back in her physical body, sitting atop the bed. The Eye of Jupiter glowed faintly. She slipped the book back into the pouch, noticing the jade dagger, tucked the pouch underneath her robes, and then headed back up toward the deck.

The deck was a bustle of activity. Sheng-Li shouted orders and jumped in to help his men, putting his back into the work. Wang Xu stood at the bow, Kang at his side. The boy pointed out to sea. She rushed to meet them.

Ships. Like none she had ever seen floated on the horizon. They were still too far away to make out much detail, but there were six of them, narrow with wide blood red sails. The deck shifted beneath her feet. Sheng-Li was steering the Sea Dragon farther out to sea.

“What is it?” She touched Wang Xu’s arm. He turned to her, concern etched in his features.

“Ships coming at us fast. I fear they are here for us, but their markings are not Imperial.”

Kang tugged at Wang Xu’s sleeve. “Do you suppose those are oars?”

“Possibly, but there are so many of them. Go tell your master to steer hard out to open water and keep those sails full of wind.”

Kang started to go, but she put a hand on his chest. “Wait.” She addressed them both. “We must turn back to shore and get the book off of the ship.”

Wang Xu shook his head. “That would mean death for the crew. They would never be able to get back out to sea and escape our new pursuers in time.”

“No. They will have to abandon ship and accompany you and the book to the place of power.”

“Me? What of you?”

“The book has shown me the only path. I will make a stand and hold them for as long as I am able.”

The look on his face spoke of his disbelief. “How will you be able to stand against so many? There is surely an army aboard those vessels.”

“Do not fear for me. The book has enlightened me as to my true abilities and bestowed some of its strength upon me. This is the path I have chosen. The one for which I was destined. You and I will meet again one day.”

“I do not agree, but I do not pretend to understand the book and its ways.” He put a hand on her shoulder. “Master Jing always told me to trust your judgment, even if it meant my death.”

“Thank you.” She caressed his cheek. “Perhaps in the next life there will be more time for us.”

He nodded and turned back to Kang. “Tell your master to turn back to the shore. Tell him the book must not fall into the hands of these men.”

“Wait.” She put her hand back on the boy’s chest. “I need you to stay here with me. There is little time, and I must attune you to the book so that you may be my surrogate.”

He looked to Wang Xu. “What about him? Can he not carry the book?”

“No. She is right, Kang. I am a gatherer. I am bound to protect those who take on the burden of the book. Its power would corrupt my senses and distract me from my task.” He smiled at her. “I’ll instruct the Captain.” He left them alone on the bow.

The boy’s brown eyes were filled with fear. She could see it as well as sense it. “Do not be afraid. I will show you the way. The book will guide you when I am gone.”

“I’m not strong enough. I am too small. You should pick one of the others. Someone bigger and taller.”

She smiled at him and rested her hand on his shoulder. “No. I do not seek strength. I need a good, true heart. There is no truer heart here than yours.” She took his hands in hers. “Please, Kang, you are the only one who can help me.”

He nodded. She smiled.

They sat cross-legged facing each other, the book between them. She placed one hand on the Eye of Jupiter and held Kang’s in the other.

“Look into my eyes and do not be afraid. No matter what happens don’t let go of my hand.”

He nodded his understanding. The sounds of the ship cutting through the water faded into the background. They were heading back to shore.

The air around them grew still. She allowed some of the energy from the Eye to travel from her arm and into Kang. He pulled briefly against her but settled back down when he realized it was causing him no harm.

“We must travel to the center of the Eye.” She squeezed his hand to reassure him.

She didn’t hear his response. The sensation of falling overtook them both.

They stood at the apex of a mountain that towered above the ground below. She heard him gasp. From their vantage point, they could see distant lands and the gentle arc of the horizon. A point just before the land fell away and glistened in the sun. A structure sat silhouetted against the sun, the architecture both simple and complex. She knew it to be a place of power.

Warmth traveled from the pit of her stomach, up through her body and down her arms. He watched with eyes wide. A golden light pooled in her cupped hands, and when she could contain it no longer, she kneeled and let the light spill from her hands. The light flowed as water over the edge of the mountain, first as a trickle, then a stream, and finally a mighty golden river carving out a path through the land below.

The light pushed forward, rushing toward its destination. When it reached the base of the strange structure, it enveloped it and shot upward like a golden rod piercing the sky. The river of light solidified into a golden thread beginning in the ground at their feet.

“Do you understand what has been set before you.”

“A path?” His eyes spoke of uncertainty.

“Not just a path, your path.”

“But how will I cover such a great distance?”

“The book will guide you.” She turned him to her and looked directly in his eyes. “It will not be easy, and perhaps your path will be cut short. That is not for me to know. The most important thing is that you put your feet on the path. The book will keep you moving forward.”

“What power does the book hold? Why do men seek it?”

“The power of creation and destruction. It is the beginning and the end.” She channeled more of the book’s energy through her arms and into the boy. He nodded as though he understood.

“How will I protect myself from the men who seek it?”

“This will protect you. Master Jing left it to me.”

She pulled the jade dagger from beneath her robes and held it up between them. When she released it, the knife hung in the air, spinning slowly, casting green bands of light over their faces. He reached out to touch it.

She put up her hand. “Only call upon it when you need it.”

He pulled his hand back like a scolded child.

“It is yours to use when the time comes. For now it should stay here where it can draw some of the book’s power into itself.” She smiled. “When you reach out for it with your mind, it will come. Your enemies will tremble.”

The ground shook and the air popped with electricity. Our enemies are upon us, Protector. It is time for the boy to set his feet on the path.

The book’s words were ethereal as though its attention was focused elsewhere.

“Come.” She took Kang’s hand.

The Sea Dragon shuddered. Timbers creaked and split and the deck heaved. Xi Shi and Kang fell against the ship’s railing, the book held firmly in their hands.

She shoved the book back into the leather pouch. She tore off the strap and cinched the book to his waist.

“When we are close enough to shore, jump off the ship and get as far away as you can. Do not wait for the others. They will find you.”

He nodded.

Her heart ached to put so much on this young boy. The book would forever change him, alter his destiny. It would likely be the death of him. She kissed his cheek, and before he could react, she stood and pulled him up.

The Sea Dragon had managed to right itself a bit, but they were still on unsteady footing. How long had they been inside the Eye? Their pursuers ships were already upon them. The lead ship had rammed them, pushing them even closer to shore. She could see that they were in shallower waters now. Not much further and they would run aground.

The ship lurched closer to shore. The captain screamed at the crew, “Steer to the shore.” He raised his fist and smiled at her. “I’ll run the ship aground before I let them board me.”

The sound of splintering wood could be heard over the captain’s shouts as the Sea Dragon fought to free herself from the grasp of the enemy’s ship.

She could see their enemy assembling on the deck of their ship. They were strange dark men, unlike any she’d seen before. They held long curved blades and they beat the hilts against their bronze breastplates. She estimated their number to be twenty.

A single figure stood apart from the other men. His skin was fair and his golden lochs fell over his shoulders. He wore no breastplate, only a long red cape fastened at his neck. His emerald eyes locked on her, piercing into her core. She felt his voice in her head.

Bring the book to me, child, and no harm will come to you.

She covered her ears and screamed, trying desperately to drive him out of her thoughts. She dropped to her knees as the ship pitched forward. The Sea Dragon had broken free.

Wang Xu ran to her side and helped her to her feet.

“I had hoped we would make it to a cove where we could bring the ship closer to shore, but our enemy’s ships were too swift.” He pressed the hilt of a long narrow sword into her hand. “We have no choice but to face them. I will stand with you so that Sheng-Li’s crew might escape.”

The ship lurched and threw them all forward once more. This time they fell against the railing along the bow. The Captain called out above the din, “I never thought I’d see the day that the Sea Dragon would be run aground.”

Wang Xu looked back toward their pursuers. “They’re coming on fast. They mean to ram us and board the ship.”

Sheng-Li and the rest of the crew were already drawing blades, preparing for attack. She rushed to the Captain’s side.

“You must abandon the ship and get your men away from here.” She pulled on his arm.

He shook his head. “We will stand with you, Princess.” His eyes were warm, unwavering. “These bastards will rue the day they tangled with the Sea Dragon and her crew.”

“There are too many of them. Twenty alone on the lead ship. I have entrusted the book to Kang. I need you to go with him.”

Before she could say another word, the doors from the aft cabin flew open. Kang sat atop Sheng-Li’s horse, the reins gripped tightly in his hands. He looked at her and smiled.

“Don’t worry, Princess, I’ll guard the book with my life.”

He dug his heels into the steed’s sides. The horse burst into a fury of movement, charging past them and toward the front of the ship. She ran after him, but the horse leapt over the railing and into the water below. She made it to the side just in time to see both horse and rider emerge from the water. The marvelous beast kept its head above water, Kang swimming at his side. A few moments later, the horse found solid footing and its back rose above the water. The boy wasted no time. He jumped on the horse and guided him to shore. She knew then she had chosen well, or perhaps the book had.

Once more the Sea Dragon was rammed. Bits of wood and debris showered over her. This time she was ready, sword in hand. They will rue the day indeed.

Counting herself and Wang Xu, Sheng-Li and his crew numbered fourteen. Respectable, but not enough to hold them off for long. Their enemy looked to be a trained fighting force, and their mysterious master had abilities beyond this world. She knew now he was one of the three, a protector.

She chanced a quick glance out to sea. One of the other six ships was heading their way, but the remainder kept their distance. They were considerably larger vessels and probably not able to come this close to shore. Or perhaps they know they are not needed.

The first throng of attackers jumped aboard. Sheng-Li’s men didn’t back down. Three of the crew advanced and engaged the enemy, swinging their weapons wildly. A moment later, fire erupted on the deck of the enemy’s ship. Sheng-Li was already lighting another torch.

“Might keep ’em busy for a time.” He winked at her and hurled another flaming torch.

Wang Xu engaged two men on his own. He held a blade in each hand, batting one man away and then the other, occasionally drawing blood on their legs or forearms.

I admire your spirit, child, but I will soon break it. The menacing voice echoed through her skull.

A thousand years of rage heeded her call. It sprang from her like a fountain, driving the voice from her head. “You will never break my spirit,” she pushed back into his mind.

From across the distance she saw him stagger backward, then three men were on her and the connection was broken. The first screamed and lunged at her, sword above his head as if ready to bring it down like a hammer. She brought her blade up to meet his, metal scraping metal. With her other hand, she pulled him toward her, bent to the side and used his own momentum to throw him headlong over the side of the ship.

She didn’t have time to admire her handiwork before the next man was at her. He kept his blade lower. They exchanged thrusts and blows in an elaborate dance. She managed to keep this man between herself and the other, so that she only had to face one at a time, but she could see the other was looking for an opportunity.

A quick dodge kept her from bearing the brunt of his blade across her chest as he slashed at her, but as it was, a warm line of blood opened up on her arm. She blocked his relentless onslaught again before jumping backward in a move to distance herself from the enemy, as well as confounding him just a bit. She balanced on the rail and kicked at his head. Her heel connected with his throat and sent him sprawling to the ground. The other man hesitated a moment before stepping in. She jumped back down and raked her blade across the downed soldier’s throat. Warm blood misted her ankles.

From her periphery she saw several more men board the ship. She moved to engage them, then stopped. The mysterious leader stood with sword in hand, circling Wang Xu. Although Wang Xu was a fine warrior, the man seemed to be toying with him like an animal that had caught its prey.

She brought her blade up to block a thrust from her new attacker. His eyes were wild and he cursed at her in a foreign tongue. He swung mercilessly. With each blow her arm became weaker and weaker, and it became increasingly difficult to fend him off.

She dove to her right, letting the man’s momentum drive him into the railing. His sword arm flailed and caught her leg, opening up another crimson line. The rage welled up again and she pushed the pain from her mind, leaping on the man’s back. Her weight, although slight, was enough to pin him. She pulled his head back and drew the blade across his throat. His body convulsed, slacked, and lurched forward. She jumped backward and helped him overboard with her foot.

Again the Sea Dragon shook. The second ship had closed the distance between them and rammed their left flank. She turned and surveyed the scene. Wang Xu still held the mysterious man at bay. Of their original crew, only seven of Sheng-Li’s crew still stood. Sheng-Li hurtled himself into the next mass of soldiers boarding his ship. She rushed forward to assist, but he fell before she could reach him. It was like a swarm of insects. He managed to injure one and stab another through the eye before he was torn apart.

The rage surged once more. She thrust her blade outward, sending out a wall of energy. Four of the soldiers fell backward. Blood trickled from their eyes and mouths. The men behind charged her. She allowed the energy to surge through her arms and down into the blade. Each thrust, each lunge reinforced with the energy the book had bestowed upon her. It was a finite source, but she would use it until none remained. The longer she could hold them, the farther Kang would be able to take the book.

A group of the men broke away and advanced upon what was left of the crew. She hoped her noble comrades would be able to take one or two more with them before they died. The remaining soldiers encircled her. She took up a defensive stance and waited.

The familiar voice came to her mind again, only this time it wasn’t directed at her. The leader was calling for a third ship.

Another ship breaking free from the grouping momentarily caught her attention. It was remarkably fast. She adjusted her stance and twirled her body around, willing energy from within and out through the blade once more. Her spiraling movement unleashed a cyclone of destructive force that caught a third of the men around her. The others lunged.

Again her body moved with grace and deliberation. She met every blade blow for blow, stealing brief moments to channel more energy up from her core.

Only three soldiers remained when the third ship made contact with the Sea Dragon. The arrival of reinforcements emboldened the men around her. They charged her in turn. The first she dropped quickly, driving her blade through his groin. She was forced to block her next attackers blow with her shoulder while she pulled her blade free from the first. The pain seared across her back and chest, but she managed to push the man back with her foot while she readied her blade.

One of Sheng-Li’s men jumped to her aid. He hacked through the nearest man’s neck, pivoted and drove the hilt of his blade into the face of the other. The soldier slumped lifelessly to the ground.

“Thank you.” She managed a weak smile.

He only nodded in reply and pointed toward the side of the ship. Another twenty soldiers poured over the railing. A quick scan revealed Wang Xu still exchanging blows with his attacker. None of the crew remained besides the man who came to her aid. He took a position next to her.

“I will not think less of you if you jump overboard and swim for shore.” She nudged against him as if giving him approval.

“I would think less of myself, Princess.”

“Very well. We die together.”

This time the soldiers advanced in one massive horde, weapons raised, screaming and howling in a wild frenzy. A burst of light erupted from her palm and drove a wedge right through the middle of the group. Some fell over each other and sprawled across the deck. The man at her side leapt into action, slashing and impaling as many of the men as he could before they had a chance to get up.

She pushed the last trickle of energy down the length of her blade. It jumped to life in her hands, hacking and slashing away at whomever it came in contact with.

The scene in front of her was a red blur. She swung wildly after a time, not knowing whether or not her blows found their mark. Her limbs and sides ached, throbbed, bled. The sword fell from her hands as a blow landed against her head. She fell hard against the deck, her eyes fighting to refocus.

Through a barrage of blades and feet she could see their leader. Wang Xu’s head held in his hand like a trophy. She could see the vile man’s lips moving, but she couldn’t hear the words. The men standing around her backed away as their master strode forward. He dropped Wang Xu’s head in front of her. She closed her eyes, feeling the warm tears escaping. She sobbed.

“I told you I would break your spirit, child.” His words were thick with satisfaction.

“You have broken nothing,” she managed.

“Enough!” He knelt down beside her. “Where is the book?”

She laughed, spit up blood, and then coughed. “I have sent the book away.”

The man’s face contorted, a bright flush of red coloring his bronze skin. He screamed until she thought the veins in his neck would rupture. “You have only delayed me, child. I will find the book and I will hunt you down in the next life to harness its power.”

She used every bit of strength she had left to smile. “The next time we meet, I will kill you.”

The man’s screams faded away as the last sands of life left her. One last vision of Kang atop the wild steed charging through the water and up the shore eased her journey to the next life.