Post by Tao Lung on Oct 11, 2014 18:36:31 GMT
It’s early in the morning in the day after the showdown between Tao and Sanma. Naturally tired from the fight, it was a general consensus that the youngster should rest before attempt to climb the sacred tower. And thus, after eating a dinosaur’s leg almost alone and resting in the best tent the natives had to offer, the scarred warrior was finally ready for the next phase of his quest. Around him all of his newfound friends wait to wish him good luck. In front of the tower, the tribe leader and her husband along with the sensei stand beside Tao.
– “I’ve taken you as far as I can go, Tao. Your sister’s fate rests now solely on your hands” – Master Crane says, bidding his farewell to his pupil in his usual stoic style.
– “I won’t disappoint her, master. Thank you for everything” – The student replies, bowing to his tutor in a sign of respect. He turns to Sanma and Saba.
– “I wish I could tell you what you’ll find at the top of the tower, Tao… but unfortunately, none of us have completed the climb. So like your master said… you’re on your own from now on” – Sanma adds. Tao smiles, confidently.
– “Thank you for your hospitality. And for all your aid as well” – The boy obliges.
– “You’re welcome. You earned it through strength of character… and strength of fist” – The woman warrior responds. Tao opens a smile.
– “I look forward for when we’ll have the opportunity to spar again. Under a different set of rules of course” – The youngster proposes.
– “So do I” – Sanma responds.
– “Well… just one actually for our next match” – The boy says. Sanma waits for him to finish his thought.
– “You don’t get to hold your strength back again” – The boy concludes smirking. He knew Sanma wasn’t fighting him at her fullest. After he pondered about their “death match”, considering the skills and speed Sanma displayed it became clear to him the whole “to-the-death” thing was a mere test. Tao wasn’t an arrogant fellow. He knew Sanma was much superior to him. If she really wanted, she could have killed Tao several times during their battle, most specifically when Tao went “all in” with the risky acrobatics that resulted in his victory over Sanma. The tribe’s chieftain beams over her former opponent’s realization.
– “Deal” – She responds to the young fighter. Tao then turns to the tower and walks towards it. He places his hand over the stone plates that compose the gargantuan structure. It is cold to the touch, but interestingly enough it seemed to be overflowing with energy. Live energy.
– “You can feel it, don’t you” – Sanma asks.
– “It feels… weird” – Tao replies, without really knowing how to illustrate his impression using words.
– “The tower isn’t actually just a pile of stones. It’s alive. And constant growing” – The woman explain, seizing the attention of both Tao and Master Crane.
– “In the past, this was where the sacred tree could be found. It was larger than any other tree in the sacred lands. To honor the Great Hero of the ancient times, the Karinga tribe turned the tree into a monument by inlaying stone plates into the tree. The plates protected the tree and kept it alive throughout millennia. And every ten years, it grows stronger and higher” – Sanma continues her tale. Makes you wonder if the natives climb the tower every now and then to reinforce the stone layers… But it’s not my place nor Tao’s to question an ethnicity’s mythology. Wouldn’t be polite. I admit that the thought crossed only my mind as Tao’s mind was more focused on climbing the tower rather than identifying plot holes on its story.
– “Interesting tale” – He simply commented, reaching for a strategic spot to begin the long process of climbing the massive structure. He could only wonder how long this journey would be.
As Tao proceeded to make his way up the Holy Tower, the crowd before him began to dissipate. The karingans returned to their homes and daily activities. Sanma and Saba went back to their tent. Master Crane proceeded to embark on the airship and make his way back home. Only Tao remained in the surroundings of the scenery of this narrative. Hand by hand, spot by spot the young man moved upwards. Tao had his eyes all the time fixed at the peak of the tower, trying to see where it ended. It seemed he had been moving up for over an hour and there was still no sign of the end of the monument. All he could see was the lookout piercing through the clouds above him and there was still a lot more to go before he could reach them. Thing was that Tao wasn’t a very patient person… I stated in his biography that he is hyperactive. While it seemed to him that he was clambering for over an hour, his journey hasn’t even reached the first thirty minutes. He then made the worst decision he could have made at that point: he stopped… and looked down. The sensation of vertigo was overwhelming; Tao clung to the stones as tightly as he could, forcefully closing his eyes and gritting his teeth. I should have mentioned it before… Tao doesn’t like heights. He REALLY didn’t like heights. It was a challenge to put him on an airship for the first time in his life; all he could picture in his mind (and verbalize) was the vehicle crashing and everybody dying. He since then made peace with aerial transportation, but heights in general… they would still frighten him. You can only imagine how this person will ever be able to master the bukujutsu technique. Well… I guess it makes it easier to tolerate high places when you are able to avoid turning into pâté in the ground down below. But let’s get back to Tao attached to the tower…
Tao wouldn’t remain frozen for too long, however. His acrophobia actually came to his advantage this time. Still eyes closed, the youngster sped up swinging his hands and pulling himself up as fast as he could crossing a large distance upwards until he reaches a wider spot where he could sit down and rest his back against the cold stone. He breathes heavily as the surge of adrenaline slowly fades away, allowing him to once again inspect his surroundings. He didn’t make the same mistake this time and kept his eyes on the way he had to cross rather than the way he had already traversed. He makes a brief pause of a few minutes to allow for his blood to cool. Poor Tao… though everyone has their own flaws to overcome, this was a time he couldn’t let his limitations get the best of him. He couldn’t stand still; no one would come back for him and he would die like a frightened little kid. The only way was up; going back down wasn’t an option. And he couldn’t vacillate. If he loses his focus or take a wrong step, he would fall to his doom. So he allowed for his emotions to do what they had to do… he gave his frustration a couple of minutes. But after that, he would get serious again. And he would no matter what continue his escalade.
Hours have passed and Tao was high above the clouds. He no longer could see the terrain below. The air was rarefied and cold and the sun has long set in the horizon. His back’s muscles were sore… his biceps were burning and he couldn’t feel his fingers anymore. Although he was well trained, because of his lack of control over his ki, Tao couldn’t make use of his full potential. And thus it took him a much longer time to make his way up the lookout than it would for someone of his power level. Good thing was: he could already spot a more spacious portion up ahead in the tower, different from anything so far. That meant he should be nearing the top. Gritting his teeth, the youngster kept pulling his weight up and finally after over half a day of a seemingly never ending escalade, Tao finally reached the last meter of tree/stone layer of the gigantic monument. He couldn’t believe it… the legends… they were true. At least so far.
The tower connected to a seemingly discoid structure with circular holes on the bottom, near the part used to climb up where Tao could crawl through. And so he did. In a few moments, Tao catches himself staring at a large room. At one side, he spots a bed and some pots. Surely someone must live here… does Kami own a bed? He then looks to the opposite and sees a bathtub and a room divider. The tub was full of water and foam meaning it was recently used. Shyly, the young boy makes a motion to move outside of the room to look for the owner and had just made a couple of steps when he is surprised by a large bipedal… cat with a tower wrapped around his waist and head walking out of the room divider and towards the bathtub. Tao widens his eyes; the giant cat lets out a shriek as he is surprised by his unexpected guest. The weirdo then runs behind the fake wall, letting only his head out to stare at his unexpected guest.
– “WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?” – The giant and apparently talking cat inquires.
– “Uh… Are you… Kami’s pet?” – Tao responds with another question.
– “Eh? Kami’s pe-… No, I’m not Kami’s pet!” – The feline humanoid replies, startled by Tao’s question it seems.
– “Uh… then… are you Kami?” – Tao asks once again. The zooathrope stares at Tao for a brief before speaking his line.
– “Oh… I see what this is all about” – He says, moving out of the room divider and standing full body in front of Tao… still wearing his towels.
– “You caught me by surprise… it’s just that it’s been really long since someone last climbed the tower. You haven’t answered me yet. Who are you?” – The furry host says asks once again.
– “I’m Tao… are you Kami or not?” – The impatient boy inquires one more time.
– “Well… I’m A Kami” – He answers.
– “What do you mean with ‘a Kami’?” – The curious boy demands clarification.
– “I am the Immortal Cat… the God of Martial Arts… Master Korin!” – The senbyo (immortal cat) says crossing his arms in a triumphant pose. His current outfit didn’t help to pay much justice to his claim, leaving Tao with a puzzled look at his face.
– “God of... martial arts? Korin?” – Tao murmurs in confusion.
– “Yes! Why do people find that so hard to believe in?” – The cat master mumbles.
– “Uh… but if you’re Korin, doesn’t that mean you are Kami-sama?” – Tao inquires, confused by the information he had so far.
– “I’m Kami-sama? Now that’s new… From where did you get that from?” – Korin ponders about the boy’s misinformation.
– “Uh… according to the documents of my school, Kami-sama resides at the top of this tower and is able to make people really powerful… and that Korin is how the elders used to call you” – Tao explains, evoking a deep laughter out of Master Korin.
– “Hahahahahah! So you think me and Kami-sama are the same being? Which school taught you that, son?” – The feline sensei inquires.
– “I’m a student at the Crane School… I don’t know if you’ve heard of it…” – Tao responds uncertain.
– “You mean the school founded by Master Shen?” – And yet another question.
– “Uh… no… the ancient sensei was Master Tien…” – Tao shyly replies. Korin laughs out loud one more time.
– “Hahahaha! And you think Tienshinhan is the original founder of your school? Oh boy… there is so much you need to learn… Come on, follow me. This will be a looong talk…” –
– “I’ve taken you as far as I can go, Tao. Your sister’s fate rests now solely on your hands” – Master Crane says, bidding his farewell to his pupil in his usual stoic style.
– “I won’t disappoint her, master. Thank you for everything” – The student replies, bowing to his tutor in a sign of respect. He turns to Sanma and Saba.
– “I wish I could tell you what you’ll find at the top of the tower, Tao… but unfortunately, none of us have completed the climb. So like your master said… you’re on your own from now on” – Sanma adds. Tao smiles, confidently.
– “Thank you for your hospitality. And for all your aid as well” – The boy obliges.
– “You’re welcome. You earned it through strength of character… and strength of fist” – The woman warrior responds. Tao opens a smile.
– “I look forward for when we’ll have the opportunity to spar again. Under a different set of rules of course” – The youngster proposes.
– “So do I” – Sanma responds.
– “Well… just one actually for our next match” – The boy says. Sanma waits for him to finish his thought.
– “You don’t get to hold your strength back again” – The boy concludes smirking. He knew Sanma wasn’t fighting him at her fullest. After he pondered about their “death match”, considering the skills and speed Sanma displayed it became clear to him the whole “to-the-death” thing was a mere test. Tao wasn’t an arrogant fellow. He knew Sanma was much superior to him. If she really wanted, she could have killed Tao several times during their battle, most specifically when Tao went “all in” with the risky acrobatics that resulted in his victory over Sanma. The tribe’s chieftain beams over her former opponent’s realization.
– “Deal” – She responds to the young fighter. Tao then turns to the tower and walks towards it. He places his hand over the stone plates that compose the gargantuan structure. It is cold to the touch, but interestingly enough it seemed to be overflowing with energy. Live energy.
– “You can feel it, don’t you” – Sanma asks.
– “It feels… weird” – Tao replies, without really knowing how to illustrate his impression using words.
– “The tower isn’t actually just a pile of stones. It’s alive. And constant growing” – The woman explain, seizing the attention of both Tao and Master Crane.
– “In the past, this was where the sacred tree could be found. It was larger than any other tree in the sacred lands. To honor the Great Hero of the ancient times, the Karinga tribe turned the tree into a monument by inlaying stone plates into the tree. The plates protected the tree and kept it alive throughout millennia. And every ten years, it grows stronger and higher” – Sanma continues her tale. Makes you wonder if the natives climb the tower every now and then to reinforce the stone layers… But it’s not my place nor Tao’s to question an ethnicity’s mythology. Wouldn’t be polite. I admit that the thought crossed only my mind as Tao’s mind was more focused on climbing the tower rather than identifying plot holes on its story.
– “Interesting tale” – He simply commented, reaching for a strategic spot to begin the long process of climbing the massive structure. He could only wonder how long this journey would be.
As Tao proceeded to make his way up the Holy Tower, the crowd before him began to dissipate. The karingans returned to their homes and daily activities. Sanma and Saba went back to their tent. Master Crane proceeded to embark on the airship and make his way back home. Only Tao remained in the surroundings of the scenery of this narrative. Hand by hand, spot by spot the young man moved upwards. Tao had his eyes all the time fixed at the peak of the tower, trying to see where it ended. It seemed he had been moving up for over an hour and there was still no sign of the end of the monument. All he could see was the lookout piercing through the clouds above him and there was still a lot more to go before he could reach them. Thing was that Tao wasn’t a very patient person… I stated in his biography that he is hyperactive. While it seemed to him that he was clambering for over an hour, his journey hasn’t even reached the first thirty minutes. He then made the worst decision he could have made at that point: he stopped… and looked down. The sensation of vertigo was overwhelming; Tao clung to the stones as tightly as he could, forcefully closing his eyes and gritting his teeth. I should have mentioned it before… Tao doesn’t like heights. He REALLY didn’t like heights. It was a challenge to put him on an airship for the first time in his life; all he could picture in his mind (and verbalize) was the vehicle crashing and everybody dying. He since then made peace with aerial transportation, but heights in general… they would still frighten him. You can only imagine how this person will ever be able to master the bukujutsu technique. Well… I guess it makes it easier to tolerate high places when you are able to avoid turning into pâté in the ground down below. But let’s get back to Tao attached to the tower…
Tao wouldn’t remain frozen for too long, however. His acrophobia actually came to his advantage this time. Still eyes closed, the youngster sped up swinging his hands and pulling himself up as fast as he could crossing a large distance upwards until he reaches a wider spot where he could sit down and rest his back against the cold stone. He breathes heavily as the surge of adrenaline slowly fades away, allowing him to once again inspect his surroundings. He didn’t make the same mistake this time and kept his eyes on the way he had to cross rather than the way he had already traversed. He makes a brief pause of a few minutes to allow for his blood to cool. Poor Tao… though everyone has their own flaws to overcome, this was a time he couldn’t let his limitations get the best of him. He couldn’t stand still; no one would come back for him and he would die like a frightened little kid. The only way was up; going back down wasn’t an option. And he couldn’t vacillate. If he loses his focus or take a wrong step, he would fall to his doom. So he allowed for his emotions to do what they had to do… he gave his frustration a couple of minutes. But after that, he would get serious again. And he would no matter what continue his escalade.
Hours have passed and Tao was high above the clouds. He no longer could see the terrain below. The air was rarefied and cold and the sun has long set in the horizon. His back’s muscles were sore… his biceps were burning and he couldn’t feel his fingers anymore. Although he was well trained, because of his lack of control over his ki, Tao couldn’t make use of his full potential. And thus it took him a much longer time to make his way up the lookout than it would for someone of his power level. Good thing was: he could already spot a more spacious portion up ahead in the tower, different from anything so far. That meant he should be nearing the top. Gritting his teeth, the youngster kept pulling his weight up and finally after over half a day of a seemingly never ending escalade, Tao finally reached the last meter of tree/stone layer of the gigantic monument. He couldn’t believe it… the legends… they were true. At least so far.
The tower connected to a seemingly discoid structure with circular holes on the bottom, near the part used to climb up where Tao could crawl through. And so he did. In a few moments, Tao catches himself staring at a large room. At one side, he spots a bed and some pots. Surely someone must live here… does Kami own a bed? He then looks to the opposite and sees a bathtub and a room divider. The tub was full of water and foam meaning it was recently used. Shyly, the young boy makes a motion to move outside of the room to look for the owner and had just made a couple of steps when he is surprised by a large bipedal… cat with a tower wrapped around his waist and head walking out of the room divider and towards the bathtub. Tao widens his eyes; the giant cat lets out a shriek as he is surprised by his unexpected guest. The weirdo then runs behind the fake wall, letting only his head out to stare at his unexpected guest.
– “WHO THE HELL ARE YOU?” – The giant and apparently talking cat inquires.
– “Uh… Are you… Kami’s pet?” – Tao responds with another question.
– “Eh? Kami’s pe-… No, I’m not Kami’s pet!” – The feline humanoid replies, startled by Tao’s question it seems.
– “Uh… then… are you Kami?” – Tao asks once again. The zooathrope stares at Tao for a brief before speaking his line.
– “Oh… I see what this is all about” – He says, moving out of the room divider and standing full body in front of Tao… still wearing his towels.
– “You caught me by surprise… it’s just that it’s been really long since someone last climbed the tower. You haven’t answered me yet. Who are you?” – The furry host says asks once again.
– “I’m Tao… are you Kami or not?” – The impatient boy inquires one more time.
– “Well… I’m A Kami” – He answers.
– “What do you mean with ‘a Kami’?” – The curious boy demands clarification.
– “I am the Immortal Cat… the God of Martial Arts… Master Korin!” – The senbyo (immortal cat) says crossing his arms in a triumphant pose. His current outfit didn’t help to pay much justice to his claim, leaving Tao with a puzzled look at his face.
– “God of... martial arts? Korin?” – Tao murmurs in confusion.
– “Yes! Why do people find that so hard to believe in?” – The cat master mumbles.
– “Uh… but if you’re Korin, doesn’t that mean you are Kami-sama?” – Tao inquires, confused by the information he had so far.
– “I’m Kami-sama? Now that’s new… From where did you get that from?” – Korin ponders about the boy’s misinformation.
– “Uh… according to the documents of my school, Kami-sama resides at the top of this tower and is able to make people really powerful… and that Korin is how the elders used to call you” – Tao explains, evoking a deep laughter out of Master Korin.
– “Hahahahahah! So you think me and Kami-sama are the same being? Which school taught you that, son?” – The feline sensei inquires.
– “I’m a student at the Crane School… I don’t know if you’ve heard of it…” – Tao responds uncertain.
– “You mean the school founded by Master Shen?” – And yet another question.
– “Uh… no… the ancient sensei was Master Tien…” – Tao shyly replies. Korin laughs out loud one more time.
– “Hahahaha! And you think Tienshinhan is the original founder of your school? Oh boy… there is so much you need to learn… Come on, follow me. This will be a looong talk…” –