Chapter 16 (1/2)
West blue, Ishiria island, roku town
The battle was raging in full blast. Buildings were burning and the screams of the civilians and soldiers alike echoed through the air, a cacophony of madness, anger, fear and sorrow. And yet the men and women kept on fighting for what they believed to be 'right'. The problem with that term had become glaringly obvious not long after the battle had commenced.
As soon as the pirate ship had spotted the marine ship a naval battle had begun just outside the harbor which was still occupied by the revolutionary armys sh.i.p.s, blocking all entrance from and to the port. Not being able to take each other out in the fight, due to the marine battle ship having a stronger constitution and more weapons but was slow to fire and sail, and the pirate ship being the complete opposite, meaning fast and maneuverable but didn't possess strong enough canons to sink said marine ship. Hence they both had decided to ignore each other on the water until they entered the harbor through sinking a revolutionary ship, and thus gaining their attention, and continue the battle on land. As soon as the pirates landed they started to cause havoc. Setting buildings on fire and plundering whatever took their fancy, which drew the ire of the revolutionaries, since they came to the kingdom to help the people against the world government and wanted to protect the people. So the revolutionaries gained another enemy, the pirates. But as soon as the marines entered the fray chaos entered its final stage. What were the marines supposed to think? The new faction, namely the revolutionaries tried to protect the people from the pirates but also fought against the royal army? That didn't make any sense to the marines. For a moment the factions tried to come to terms with who they could trust in this battle but after struggling to find a partner, besides the marines joining the royal army, every faction decided to fight for itself and thus a battle royal commenced, a cl.u.s.terf.u.c.k of epic proportions that nobody expected to happen but had no choice but to accept and struggle till the last man remained standing!
Meanwhile the CP-teams contacted the command center of the royal army and enquired about Lee Mu Bais location, which they couldn't help with, after all Lee Mu Bai was commonly known as Old man Bai by those who knew of him, which wasn't many since he was pretty reclusive. Having come to terms with the missions starting parameters the two teams spread out to search the town until they found a trace of Lee Mu Bai. In the end they came about nothing which confused them alot. Taking stock of their options they decided to cover the grounds around the town, including the foot of the mountain. This is where they finally found a trail. Two empty sake cups and an arrow pointing in the direction of the mountain. A false trail? Maybe, but they couldn't risk it being the truth so they rushed towards the direction the arrow pointed to to make up for lost time and leave nothing to chance, something they didn't have to worry about as they would soon find out.
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Ishiria island, foot of the mountain, training grounds (30 minutes earlier)
”What is going to happen now master? Where should we go?” Azul asked old man Bai, hoping he may know how they would be able to escape this miserable situation while standing in front of his master.
”The coming confrontation is not to be your concern, disciple. By the time the fighting will start you will already be on a boat to sail to a different shore and to begin your true journey.” Old man Bai replied with a kind smile while softly putting his hands on his disciples shoulders.
”But what about you master? I'm not leaving you here to die!” Azul said, nearly yelling the last part, unwilling to abandon his master, who had become like a father to him.
His master replied in a soft voice, never breaking eye contact with his disciple: ”Listen to me Azul, listen very carefully. There comes a time in life where every person will be confronted with the unavoidable truth that everything must some day come to an end. Relationsh.i.p.s, friendsh.i.p.s, love, hate, sorrow, pain, everything. Even life. You as a martial artist, who fights against all odds at every turn, every time he faces an opponent in battle are more aware of this then anybody else. So do now what I have taught you throughout all these years. Use your training and let go. It is alright, I am ready to go. This last fight has long been coming and I will not falter in my steps or cower in fear at deaths feet, as shouldn't you! Stay strong, tall with your shoulders back and burn bright Azul, burn bright! Show the whole world what we of the Sanga are made of!” Straightening his back his master smiled at Azul, turned around and began walking towards the mountain.
”Thank you master! I will not disappoint you! I will show them! I will show them all!” Azul shouted with tears streaming down his face, kneeling down and bowing his head in a deep gesture of gratitude for everything his master had done for him.
”I know you will, disciple. I know you will not let me down. You never have...” with a content smile on his face, his master walked into the distance without looking back.
Azul though remained in his kneeling position, paying homage to the legacy of the greatest man he had ever come to know and who he would never forget until he as well took his final stance.
Lee Mu Bai on the other hand was at peace with himself. He had truly lived a life with no regrets. Growing up with his master instead of parents, just like Azul himself and later travelling the world, chasing after the breath and honing his skills against the best of the best this world had to offer! Truly, there was nothing to regret for his legacy would carry on his will and teachings just like he had his masters. And one day, when Azul was ready, he would join him on his last journey.
”Time to show these upstarts what a real warrior looks like” Lee Mu Bai said while tracking up the holy mountain of Ishiria island, training ground for the Sanga since times long gone.