Post by Tao Lung on Sept 16, 2014 21:09:36 GMT
A deep breath; it was as if someone had just filled his lungs with a fortunate rush of air as he reaches the surface after nearly drowning beneath the sea. And the metaphor almost applies; it just wasn’t a sea made of water…
In a sudden movement, Tao wakes up from his slumber and sits on the soft structure where he was rested upon. It is unnecessary to explain it was a bed, but as the boy’s senses had yet to fully come to him, he couldn’t quite be sure of what it was, where he was or how he did get there. As he blurred sight slowly clears, he realizes he is surrounded by people… familiar faces. Family. There was his father, his mother, his master… the decorations on those walls…. he knew those too. He was in the Crane School.
– “Tao…” – His mother mutters as she sees her son waking up. His memories were coming back to him. He remembered the mall. Tsurumi… Relis… Zucceta… He remembered losing his strength and the ceiling falling over he and his sister…. Pat...
– “How long have I been out?” – He asks with a serious expression in his face, still facing down.
– “Almost two days” – Master Crane answers. He was the one standing up near the bed; his parents were sat down in the couch, with a tired look in their faces as if they spent hours without sleep.
– “And Pat?” – He inquires, now looking at his parents and master. That moment, Tao’s mother started to cry. His father hugs Kuwa tightly and kisses her in the head. That reaction… it could only mean…
– “No…” – Tao mutters. A taste of rusty iron invades the boy’s mouth. He felt a pressure in his chest. The air seemed to vanish from his lungs once again. His face contorted in a expression of confusion and anger. Master Crane then rested his hands upon his pupil’s shoulder.
– “Your sister is alive…” – He replies. Tao is taken out of his numbness again and the building rage expression is replaced with a puzzled look in the young boy’s face. His heart was then invaded by relief and he felt like he was about to cry. But he held on. His sensei continued:
– “She is alive… but her condition is not very promising” –
Disorientated, Tao looks at his parents and it was obvious he wanted answers.
– “She… We found her attached to you beneath a piece of the ceiling that fell on top of you both. There was… there was…” – His mother tried to explain, but once again is swept by a torrent of tears.
– “Her head… it was stained with blood. She might have took a direct blow to the head from the debris and was kocked out…” – Tao’s father continues from where Kuwa stopped.
– “She saved me…” – Tao mutters to himself.
– “She is in the next room. Can you walk?” – Master Crane asks. In response, Tao pivots to the side, having his legs off the bed and jumps to the floor.
– “Take me to her” –
They walk to the adjacent room and there, Tao finds his sister resting on a bed. There were electrodes attached to her. Her head was swathed and she had a respirator attached to her mouth. There was also a machine keeping track of her vital signs as well as a doctor and a nurse in the room watching over her.
– “She’s in a coma, Tao…” – Master Crane explains. Tao didn’t say anything; he simply walks to his sister and places his hand over hers.
– “You were only knocked out when your parents found you. But your sister… her body just isn’t as strong as yours Tao. That’s why we kept you resting on the other bad, while we maintained her here, plugged to these machines” –
Tao holds tightens his hands around Pat’s. He then looks to the side and notices someone else was there. It was Mauritz, Pat’s boyfriend. The one they were supposed to meet in the mall when everything happened. The one he told to look after his sister. He was standing in front of the couch he was previously sat in and had a surprised look in his face as he saw the scarred boy finally standing up. His face also bore a tired physiognomy; he must have stayed up the whole night (or nights) as well. But that’s not what Tao saw… The vision of the playboy… it startled the young boy. He saw guilt in him. You could see a vein popping in Tao’s forehead as his expression shifts in fury. Mauritz sweats; he was scared. In a fraction of seconds Tao was handhaving the playboy’s gut in a tight grip, using a single hand. He lifted the boy off the ground, who was starting to choke. He laces his hands around Tao’s trying to relieve himself from the chokehold to no avail.
– “You… I told you to look after her… and you let her come back… THIS IS YOUR FAULT!” – He yells, tightening the grip around Mauritz’s kneck even more.
– “STOP IT, TAO!” – Master Crane’s firm voice reaches Tao’s ears, though the barrier of rage that was blocking his senses. He softens the chokehold, but had yet to let go of Mauritz.
– “You’re angry and to place the blame in someone, we get it. But you’re choosing the wrong person to vent your frustration. And that won’t restore your sister to health. Let go of him. Now” – Master Crane continues, beating enough sense into the angry boy’s head to make him let go of Mauritz, who drops to the floor on his knees, holding his throat and gasping for air.
– “I… I tried to stop her… but she pushed me back… she... *coughs*…. she said she wasn’t leaving you behind” – The youngster explains. A teardrop forms on the scarred boy’s face, rolling down his left cheek, just over his scar.
– “I didn’t know what to do… I called the cops, but I guess everyone was doing it at the same time too, so I couldn’t talk to them… then I called your parents” –
– “WHAT? Not satisfied in letting my sister dash into danger, you tried to bring my parents to a death trap as wel???” – Tao yells, making the poor Mauritz cry as he curls in fear.
– “No Tao…” – His mother tries to reach him, but it is once again Master Crane’s rigid tone that keeps the boy at bay.
– “Mauritz saved your sister’s life, Tao. And consequently yours. He may have acted out of despair, but haven’t him notified your mother and father, you both could be dead right now” –
– “He carried you…” – His father reveals. Tao’s anger begins to leave him as he realizes his misjudgement.
– “When we got there, he helped us to remove the debris. I carried Pat in my arms and he carried you over his shoulder” – Kurin explains.
– “And I arrived later. I was on my way to Ginger Town after I found your note, to give you a ride back after you enjoyed your hometown for a while. Then I felt this wicked ki and tracked it to the mall. I met with your parents outside, just as they were putting you and your sister in the car to take you to the hospital” – Master Crane explains.
– “And Master Crane told us to bring you to the School, because he sensed the energy of one of the elements heading towards where the hospital” – Kurin completes. Kuwa approaches her son and holds his hand, soothing his spirit with that energy only a mother has. Tao lowers his head, ashamed. He extends his hand to Mauritz and helps him up.
– “Thank you, Mauritz. Thank you for saving my sister… and me as well” – The scarred boy says, in the tone of an apology. The younger boy smiles drying his eyes with the back of his hand.
– “Sorry if placed her… or your parents in danger… I just-” – Mauritz is interrupted by Tao before he finishes his sentence.
– “It’s alright man. It is I that owe you an apology. All that happened… it clouded my better judgement and I ended up venting it out on you. I’m glad for what you did” –
– “And I’m glad you stopped acting like a child and came to your senses. Now I have something to tell you… something that might help save your sister” – Master Crane says, bringing all the curious heads to him. And that included the nurse and the doctor.
– “Then tell me. I would face the ogres of HFIL if I have to” –
– “I know you would. And that’s why it has to be you” – Master Crane makes a pause. No one make any comments. They just wait to hear the sensei’s plans. As it seemed, he haven’t told anyone about it yet.
– “Have you ever heard of a senzu bean?” –
– “No…” –
– “It is a magical seed said to cure any injury if eaten” –
– “I’m sorry to interfere, Master Crane, but I believe a rumor isn’t a responsible way to try and give people a hope. There are no records in medical history that-“ – And the poor doctor is interrupted by the sensei, who tramples his scientifical jibber-jabber.
– “Can your science explain how I can sense other people’s ki, fly or shoot your behind with energy if you don’t cut your technical mumble jumble?” –
– “Uh…” –
– “Good. Then I ask that you don't interrupt me again” – Master Crane makes a pause and turns to Tao again (he was looking at the doctor over his shoulder when he addressed him).
– “So where was I… In the history of the school, there are mentions that trace back to ancient master Tienshinhan about magical seeds that could cure anyone’s wounds. According with the ancient texts, these senzu beans are cultivated in the mid-section of a tower located in sacred grounds on the western section of the Western Frontiers. Master Tien himself is said to have climbed the tower, where he met with Kami-sama himself” –
– “Can you take me there?” – Tao asks, without taking a second time to process this new information and it’s veracity; he just wanted to save his sister.
– “Unfortunately, I can’t. I don’t know where the tower is. Or if it actually exists. And even if I did know, I couldn’t help you. This is a journey you have to make on your own. According to ancient texts, those who reach the tower must climb it without the aid of technology or even ki, else Kami will deem them unworthy and send him down… or make them continuously climb without ever reaching the top” –
– “So… he has to climb a tower that may or may not exist and ask Kami-sama for magical seeds?” – Mauritz is the one to ask, showing skepticism.
– “I don’t know what he’ll find in that tower” –
– “You sound very unsure for someone who appeared to have an actual plan” –
– “I am. But the options are two: you may either treat this story as the delusions of a senile old man and wait days, months or years for Pat to wake up from her coma… If she does, that is… or you can trust the ancient texts and risk saving your sisters life. It’s up to you” –
A long silence seizes the room as everyone stare at each other, considering the information Master Crane had just brought them. He was right about one thing… no one knew how long Pat’s coma would last, specially considering she wasn’t in an appropriate medical unit. It is true that Tao could find nothing in these sacred grounds… but what if he did? What if the sacred tower actually existed and he end up finding these magical seeds? Wasn’t it at least worth a try? I think it was. And so did Tao. He raised his head and turned to his sensei, finally breaking that muteness in the room:
– “I’ll do it” – The scarred boy says, bringing everyone’s attention to him. Master Crane smiles.
– “I’ll find this tower and bring one of these seeds” –
In a sudden movement, Tao wakes up from his slumber and sits on the soft structure where he was rested upon. It is unnecessary to explain it was a bed, but as the boy’s senses had yet to fully come to him, he couldn’t quite be sure of what it was, where he was or how he did get there. As he blurred sight slowly clears, he realizes he is surrounded by people… familiar faces. Family. There was his father, his mother, his master… the decorations on those walls…. he knew those too. He was in the Crane School.
– “Tao…” – His mother mutters as she sees her son waking up. His memories were coming back to him. He remembered the mall. Tsurumi… Relis… Zucceta… He remembered losing his strength and the ceiling falling over he and his sister…. Pat...
– “How long have I been out?” – He asks with a serious expression in his face, still facing down.
– “Almost two days” – Master Crane answers. He was the one standing up near the bed; his parents were sat down in the couch, with a tired look in their faces as if they spent hours without sleep.
– “And Pat?” – He inquires, now looking at his parents and master. That moment, Tao’s mother started to cry. His father hugs Kuwa tightly and kisses her in the head. That reaction… it could only mean…
– “No…” – Tao mutters. A taste of rusty iron invades the boy’s mouth. He felt a pressure in his chest. The air seemed to vanish from his lungs once again. His face contorted in a expression of confusion and anger. Master Crane then rested his hands upon his pupil’s shoulder.
– “Your sister is alive…” – He replies. Tao is taken out of his numbness again and the building rage expression is replaced with a puzzled look in the young boy’s face. His heart was then invaded by relief and he felt like he was about to cry. But he held on. His sensei continued:
– “She is alive… but her condition is not very promising” –
Disorientated, Tao looks at his parents and it was obvious he wanted answers.
– “She… We found her attached to you beneath a piece of the ceiling that fell on top of you both. There was… there was…” – His mother tried to explain, but once again is swept by a torrent of tears.
– “Her head… it was stained with blood. She might have took a direct blow to the head from the debris and was kocked out…” – Tao’s father continues from where Kuwa stopped.
– “She saved me…” – Tao mutters to himself.
– “She is in the next room. Can you walk?” – Master Crane asks. In response, Tao pivots to the side, having his legs off the bed and jumps to the floor.
– “Take me to her” –
They walk to the adjacent room and there, Tao finds his sister resting on a bed. There were electrodes attached to her. Her head was swathed and she had a respirator attached to her mouth. There was also a machine keeping track of her vital signs as well as a doctor and a nurse in the room watching over her.
– “She’s in a coma, Tao…” – Master Crane explains. Tao didn’t say anything; he simply walks to his sister and places his hand over hers.
– “You were only knocked out when your parents found you. But your sister… her body just isn’t as strong as yours Tao. That’s why we kept you resting on the other bad, while we maintained her here, plugged to these machines” –
Tao holds tightens his hands around Pat’s. He then looks to the side and notices someone else was there. It was Mauritz, Pat’s boyfriend. The one they were supposed to meet in the mall when everything happened. The one he told to look after his sister. He was standing in front of the couch he was previously sat in and had a surprised look in his face as he saw the scarred boy finally standing up. His face also bore a tired physiognomy; he must have stayed up the whole night (or nights) as well. But that’s not what Tao saw… The vision of the playboy… it startled the young boy. He saw guilt in him. You could see a vein popping in Tao’s forehead as his expression shifts in fury. Mauritz sweats; he was scared. In a fraction of seconds Tao was handhaving the playboy’s gut in a tight grip, using a single hand. He lifted the boy off the ground, who was starting to choke. He laces his hands around Tao’s trying to relieve himself from the chokehold to no avail.
– “You… I told you to look after her… and you let her come back… THIS IS YOUR FAULT!” – He yells, tightening the grip around Mauritz’s kneck even more.
– “STOP IT, TAO!” – Master Crane’s firm voice reaches Tao’s ears, though the barrier of rage that was blocking his senses. He softens the chokehold, but had yet to let go of Mauritz.
– “You’re angry and to place the blame in someone, we get it. But you’re choosing the wrong person to vent your frustration. And that won’t restore your sister to health. Let go of him. Now” – Master Crane continues, beating enough sense into the angry boy’s head to make him let go of Mauritz, who drops to the floor on his knees, holding his throat and gasping for air.
– “I… I tried to stop her… but she pushed me back… she... *coughs*…. she said she wasn’t leaving you behind” – The youngster explains. A teardrop forms on the scarred boy’s face, rolling down his left cheek, just over his scar.
– “I didn’t know what to do… I called the cops, but I guess everyone was doing it at the same time too, so I couldn’t talk to them… then I called your parents” –
– “WHAT? Not satisfied in letting my sister dash into danger, you tried to bring my parents to a death trap as wel???” – Tao yells, making the poor Mauritz cry as he curls in fear.
– “No Tao…” – His mother tries to reach him, but it is once again Master Crane’s rigid tone that keeps the boy at bay.
– “Mauritz saved your sister’s life, Tao. And consequently yours. He may have acted out of despair, but haven’t him notified your mother and father, you both could be dead right now” –
– “He carried you…” – His father reveals. Tao’s anger begins to leave him as he realizes his misjudgement.
– “When we got there, he helped us to remove the debris. I carried Pat in my arms and he carried you over his shoulder” – Kurin explains.
– “And I arrived later. I was on my way to Ginger Town after I found your note, to give you a ride back after you enjoyed your hometown for a while. Then I felt this wicked ki and tracked it to the mall. I met with your parents outside, just as they were putting you and your sister in the car to take you to the hospital” – Master Crane explains.
– “And Master Crane told us to bring you to the School, because he sensed the energy of one of the elements heading towards where the hospital” – Kurin completes. Kuwa approaches her son and holds his hand, soothing his spirit with that energy only a mother has. Tao lowers his head, ashamed. He extends his hand to Mauritz and helps him up.
– “Thank you, Mauritz. Thank you for saving my sister… and me as well” – The scarred boy says, in the tone of an apology. The younger boy smiles drying his eyes with the back of his hand.
– “Sorry if placed her… or your parents in danger… I just-” – Mauritz is interrupted by Tao before he finishes his sentence.
– “It’s alright man. It is I that owe you an apology. All that happened… it clouded my better judgement and I ended up venting it out on you. I’m glad for what you did” –
– “And I’m glad you stopped acting like a child and came to your senses. Now I have something to tell you… something that might help save your sister” – Master Crane says, bringing all the curious heads to him. And that included the nurse and the doctor.
– “Then tell me. I would face the ogres of HFIL if I have to” –
– “I know you would. And that’s why it has to be you” – Master Crane makes a pause. No one make any comments. They just wait to hear the sensei’s plans. As it seemed, he haven’t told anyone about it yet.
– “Have you ever heard of a senzu bean?” –
– “No…” –
– “It is a magical seed said to cure any injury if eaten” –
– “I’m sorry to interfere, Master Crane, but I believe a rumor isn’t a responsible way to try and give people a hope. There are no records in medical history that-“ – And the poor doctor is interrupted by the sensei, who tramples his scientifical jibber-jabber.
– “Can your science explain how I can sense other people’s ki, fly or shoot your behind with energy if you don’t cut your technical mumble jumble?” –
– “Uh…” –
– “Good. Then I ask that you don't interrupt me again” – Master Crane makes a pause and turns to Tao again (he was looking at the doctor over his shoulder when he addressed him).
– “So where was I… In the history of the school, there are mentions that trace back to ancient master Tienshinhan about magical seeds that could cure anyone’s wounds. According with the ancient texts, these senzu beans are cultivated in the mid-section of a tower located in sacred grounds on the western section of the Western Frontiers. Master Tien himself is said to have climbed the tower, where he met with Kami-sama himself” –
– “Can you take me there?” – Tao asks, without taking a second time to process this new information and it’s veracity; he just wanted to save his sister.
– “Unfortunately, I can’t. I don’t know where the tower is. Or if it actually exists. And even if I did know, I couldn’t help you. This is a journey you have to make on your own. According to ancient texts, those who reach the tower must climb it without the aid of technology or even ki, else Kami will deem them unworthy and send him down… or make them continuously climb without ever reaching the top” –
– “So… he has to climb a tower that may or may not exist and ask Kami-sama for magical seeds?” – Mauritz is the one to ask, showing skepticism.
– “I don’t know what he’ll find in that tower” –
– “You sound very unsure for someone who appeared to have an actual plan” –
– “I am. But the options are two: you may either treat this story as the delusions of a senile old man and wait days, months or years for Pat to wake up from her coma… If she does, that is… or you can trust the ancient texts and risk saving your sisters life. It’s up to you” –
A long silence seizes the room as everyone stare at each other, considering the information Master Crane had just brought them. He was right about one thing… no one knew how long Pat’s coma would last, specially considering she wasn’t in an appropriate medical unit. It is true that Tao could find nothing in these sacred grounds… but what if he did? What if the sacred tower actually existed and he end up finding these magical seeds? Wasn’t it at least worth a try? I think it was. And so did Tao. He raised his head and turned to his sensei, finally breaking that muteness in the room:
– “I’ll do it” – The scarred boy says, bringing everyone’s attention to him. Master Crane smiles.
– “I’ll find this tower and bring one of these seeds” –