Yet, a retraining hand clutched his right arm, holding him from his destiny. "You can't be serious." Valeria stated, studying the circle of fighters that surrounded this dojo. The chamber, a large, oaken monument to the superiority of the fighting arts, shown in brilliance and, yet, a haunting visage, as the dimly lit room cast flickering, twisted shadows across the walls of the large dojo. The walls were adorned with the many training and combat weapons of the art, and the stage, standing a foot above the entirety of the wooden floor, was surrounded by the practitioners of the art, each paying homage to the ring in their usual ceremonious ritual.

Genshu refused comment to Valeria. He turned his icy eyes toward her, the expression shining in his cold, gray orbs expressed the very intent of his purpose. And it was the hardness of his steely eyes, an unforgiving glare that could twist iron, yet despite this harshness, these orbs held no emotion or concern toward his own welfare. An amalgam of images that flooded from his shining eyes, that caused Valeria's hand to slide away, almost shyly, from his arm.

"You must get these children out of here." Genshu spoke briefly before turning his attention back to the arena, his focus centering on this enemy, whom he did not even know.

With steps of purpose, Genshu walked into the middle of the dojo as the pupils stepped aside at his approach, giving way to one of superior skill, as was demanded within their art. Genshu's thumb pressed against the hand-guard of his sword, causing the deadly weapon to slide a mere inch above the scabbard, yet enough to expose the deadly blade.

And at the sight of this subtle, yet fully observed motion of instigation, this antagonist grinned, his body seeming to prepare for this long awaited confrontation as Genshu stepped onto the stage. A moment of silence fell across this hollow chamber, before a large number of trainees stood, bowed to the master of this temple, then charged madly after the fleeing Valeria, Lorelai and Wakaba.

"Why, my lord Genshu," Stated this samurai before him, turning his attention back to his challenger. All sense of security in this dark haired man had disappeared, replaced by nothing short of admiration. "Are you truly so eager to die? I'm surprised you haven't even asked why I've been challenging you since you have returned to Jowston."

"It matters not," Genshu replied, his head bowed, yet his eyes focusing on this man through the long strands of hair that fell over his face. His right hand reaching slowly toward the hilt of his sword, his fingers massaging over the wrapped handle of his blade, dancing with anticipation, an end to this conflict. "For in a moment, you will be nothing but a memory."

"Oh, but I think it does." This man, this tormentor stated, his words parting from his lips with icy truth. And yet these words were not as powerful as the knowledge held within his young eyes. "I know you don't remember me. It's been, 16 years since we've seen each other, and even then, I was only five years old. Though you have probably forgotten me, for I was but your lowly pupil, you haven't left my thoughts, all this time. I always thought you were the strongest of us…"

"Forgive me, but I do not relish the past. Let us end our conflict. Your identity is of no concern." Genshu interrupted, though despite his words of desire to end this conflict, his mind requested him to listen. He needed to know, who this man was, and why he tormented his memory so.

"Oh, how I admired you for your strength." The man continued, ignoring Genshu's words, as he walked around Genshu, his former master, circling like a shark facing his prey. "But that was before you fled the temple." This man stated, his words echoing in the betrayal that he felt Genshu had done. "This was before you would challenge my father, the master of the temple, in a duel of honor, in the hopes to reform what had been corrupted by its own power. Before you won the right to be called Master, only to let my father live, to be killed by Sai. This was before you abandoned the temple, fleeing to the Grasslands in your mad quest to save the lives of the tribesmen from the samurai you trained. Before my mother paid the ultimate price for your departure."

"Sage…" Genshu spoke, his voice even less audible than its usual whisper, as his eyes reflected the glimmer of nostalgic recognition. His life was a mask of tragedy, but nothing so tragic as having to give Marai to his master, and watch as she would give birth to the child, that would never be his, this man, before him, Sage.

At hearing the name, this challenger paused, his head bowed and crooked to display the twisted, yet sad smile that adorned his face. He looked as a man, unused to the joys of happiness, and his discontent painted a mask of despair over his face. "So, you do remember me, I'm flattered, teacher." The man named Sage announced sorrowfully, the fear and betrayal reflecting from his eyes. "I find it oddly humorous Lord Genshu." Sage spoke, his eyes downcast and his words soft whispers. "The only woman you would ever love, the only sense of humanity in your life, Marai, was stolen by your Master Kin. And through fate, those would become my parents. Yet through your actions, through your defiance of the temple, I was deprived the only sense of my humanity, my parents. A vicious cycle, do you not you agree?"

"I was not responsible for their deaths." Genshu answered, his eyes focusing on Sage with unrelenting stillness, yet his eyes did not reflect the denial spoken aloud. For years, he blamed himself for so much tragedy in this world, and most importantly, for the death of Marai, only to have this young man, Sage, reaffirm his own doubts.

"Oh…but you were responsible for their deaths. Not directly, of course, but you caused their deaths. You defeated Master Kin in a Duel of Honor, once you learned he was having you train the samurai to murder the tribesmen of the Grasslands. Yet, despite proving yourself better than him, you spared his life and proved him weak. Did you really believe he would last in the temple, being weak?" Sage asked, his words nearly inaudible with the weight of his memory, yet he continued when Genshu would not answer. "So, Sai saw the opportunity to assert his own ambition, and killed my father to become Master of the Temple of the Silver Moon. And when the killings increased in frequency, you fled to the Grasslands, in an attempt to save the villagers. Yet, leaving the temple is forbidden, and Sai saw to it my mother was punished for your crimes. Of course, Marai was a political obstacle for Sai, and thus, she had to die." Sage remarked, his voice quivering in the memory of his past. "I so hated you for leaving. You could have changed the temple, you could have set things right, but you chose to protect those weaker than yourself. Was Marai not weaker than you? Should you not have protected her? I trained many years for this day. I forced myself to become better, hoping for this day. But it's ironic, as I think about it now. I don't defy you to avenge my parents, I fight you because you had the power to change the temple, and you chose not to. Why?"

"Leaving the temple was an error of my naïve perception of humanity. I could not let the innocent be slaughtered like sheep." Genshu answered, his words filtering from him, a mere shadow of its usual strength. He could feel Sage's pain, for every day he mourned the loss of Marai, Sage felt that pain as well.

"True. But why did you leave my mother? Why could you not have protected her?" Sage stated, his sorrow and grief, replaced by honor and respect.

"I fled the temple because I saw them for what they were, a band of thugs and brigands, slaughtering the innocent and abusing their power. Your mother was witness to it too. She understood why I did what I did, and she helped me to escape. But she would not leave, because she wanted to protect you. She knew Sai would never let you go. I tried to persuade her, but she knew I could not protect her, and you, and the journey would be difficult. And I would be traveling to a more dangerous location. At least, in the temple, I could hope you would be protected. I was wrong, and Marai's death has been my shame the rest of my life. I could not protect the one thing in my life that mattered most, and her death was a sign of my weakness. "

Sage paused, his eyes downcast as he studied Genshu and drank his every word, dissecting the meaning of his master. No longer was he the hateful bane to Genshu's very life, now, he was only a man, plotting his own place in this world. "Yes, I agree, the temple is out of control." Sage paused again, his words falling deafly from his lips, as if it were an unfinished thought, before turning to look at Genshu. "Tell me Master Genshu, do you really believe I favor the kidnapping of children? This plot is Sai's. He sent me here, because he recognized the war that was coming between the City-State and Highland. He was ordered by the High Priest to commence this infiltration of Jowston, but I am not open to know his intentions. I am his pawn, as were you."

"If you disagree with the temple, then help me destroy it." Genshu stated.

"I can not."

"Why?"

Sage paused before answering; regret tainting his voice, as he reflected his options, and his beliefs. "Because it is all I've ever known. I cannot turn my back on my life, no matter how much I disagree with it. For what then would I have…" Sage again let the words trail off, as his mind countered his choice.

And as Genshu studied the words of his antagonist, he no longer saw an enemy to be destroyed, but the mirrored reflection of himself, once upon a time. The doubt and endless questioning of the temple's intentions, only to learn there were no answers to be had.

Sage stood, unwavering, as he stared at the hard wood floor, then turned his eyes to Genshu. Studying his former teacher, Sage faced his attendant and retrieved his weapon, a long bo staff, adorned with a heavy, silver, dagger-like blade extending from the shaft of either end.

"Enough talk." Sage stated, twirling the long staff in a complete circle. "Lord Genshu, I challenge you to a Duel of Honor. As you challenged my father for his beliefs, I challenge you for your beliefs. Let us see who is right."

Genshu closed his eyes, and breathed in the confrontation, drawing power from the pending battle. Though, he no longer wished this battle, for he understood Sage better than himself, and perhaps, he saw in Sage, the child he would never have with Marai. But this was not about his personal desire, for his honor had been provoked, and such a challenge would be answered, as it were second nature to defend one's honor. Opening his eyes, Genshu bowed to Sage, as the heavy staff rained down toward Genshu's head, yet already, Genshu's sword was in hand, and blocked the attack. And as the momentum of the staff ceased, Sage reversed he motion, swinging the lower portion of the staff upwards, toward Genshu's legs. However, Genshu anticipated this as well, and brought his weapon down, again blocking Sage's attempted offense, and pinning the bo in a locked position.

Using the temporary weapon lock of Sage's blocked weapon to his advantage, Genshu swept his leg outward in a skillful kick, catching Sage in the upper thigh, and forcing him to stumble backwards. Genshu immediately reversed his sword, spinning the weapon in his hand so that the edge of the blade ran backwards, across the length of his forearm and the hilt of his sword extended from his grip. Extending himself in a jumping step forward, Genshu thrust his fist toward Sage, the length of his sword following in the same motion, yet his attack was cleanly blocked by Sage's own defensive weapon. Genshu again pressed the offense, drawing the sword from left to right across the length of Sage's body, but this attack too, proved no gain. As Genshu thrust his right arm to its full length, he again spun his weapon in his hand, returning the sword to the standard dueling position. His arm extended, Genshu quickly brought his left hand to the hilt of the sword, and swung his weapon across his own body, holding the weapon over his head, the blade pointed downward at a slight angle. His blade arrived at this position in time to deflect Sage's attack, as he swung his staff at Genshu's previously exposed body. Yet Sage thrust his left arm forward, extending the unrestrained portion of his staff outward, and slamming the weapon into Genshu's unprotected ribs.

Staggered by the blow, Genshu could not regain his balance before Sage spun the staff over his head, and brought it across the left side of Genshu's face, sending him reeling to the hard, wooden floor, his sword sliding from his grasp, blood spitting from his mouth.

Genshu landed painfully on his back, as Sage raced to his downed opponent. Standing inches from Genshu's head, Sage drew his bo upward, and brought in down in a devastating swing, preparing to smash Genshu's skull. Genshu quickly extended both arms upward, crossing them over his body to make an inverted X with his arms, as the staff came down, its momentum ceased by the defensive maneuver. Genshu then brought his right leg up, kicking Sage in the stomach, stunning his antagonist. Sage, having stumbled back a few steps, reacted quickly to regain his posture, as Genshu rolled to his shoulder blades, and reversed his motion, rolling into a forward somersault and moving out of the way, mere inches from the bladed end of Sage's staff, as the deadly protrusion struck the ground where Genshu's head had been a mere second prior.

Genshu rose to his feet, sprinted to his right, to perform a perfect forward handspring, followed immediately by an aerial cartwheel. While spinning in the air, Genshu extended his right arm and clutched the hilt of his dislodged sword, pulling the weapon to him. Landing perfectly on his feet, Genshu turned to Sage, who had not moved, allowing Genshu to retrieve his lost weapon. Both men paused to regard one another, a mutual respect building between these two warriors.

And at that moment of respect, of mutual acceptance, a massive fireball dissolved the greater part of the temple wall. It was as if the explosion was a signal for these men, for at that moment of the most extreme chaos, these two combatants charged each other, intent on the others death.

The temple itself began to burn with the cleansing fire of death and destruction, as Genshu and Sage were locked in combat, the fires of Hell itself could not separate these men. And through the building smoke and screaming chaos, their war would continue, until one fell to the others skill. Weapons spun and flashed, connected and blocked, and attacked again with such delicate fury, that the harmony of the chiming weapons sang forth, this most hypnotic symphony of destruction. Some in attendance of this massive arena, stood, their eyes and senses transfixed on this deadly dance of Genshu and Sage, a ballet of atonement and redemption. Most, however, fled the howling flames.

And in the middle, Genshu and Sage attacked in honorable combat. Their weapons, spinning and attacking with such grace and force, that they were no longer visible by those watching, the motions were only as a harmonic blur of movement. Yet these two men continued, countering each other's attack, and being countered themselves. And the heat, the licking flames that threatened to engulf this structure, only drove these weary combatants harder.

Sage paused at that moment, perhaps a moment too long, but quickly returned to the attack. Spinning his staff upward, Sage kicked his leg outward, his foot brushing the ground as he pushed forward in an attempted foot sweep, forcing Genshu to take a step back and giving Sage the room needed to execute his attack. Swinging his weapon in an arching delivery, Sage directed his attack down, forcing Genshu to sidestep the skillful offense. Yet, as the staff missed its target, Genshu backhanded Sage across the face, causing him to spin due to the force of the strike. As Sage spun, his back now to Genshu, he planted his right foot, turned his upper body to face his former teacher, and thrust the bladed staff at Genshu like a close-combat spear.

Clutching his sword in his left hand, Genshu grabbed the shaft of the staff with his right, and pulled the bladed weapon toward him, burying the dagger blade deep into his own shoulder, a river of blood bursting from the tearing wound. Sage smiled with victory at the success of this improvised attack, but his eyes then grew with understanding, as Genshu extended his left arm, thrusting his sword into Sage's stomach.

Sage screamed, his voice tearing from his throat, as he released his grip on his staff and fell to the floor. Genshu, too, exhausted from the battle, could no longer support himself, and fell to the hard wooden floor, his body bathed in sweat. And as Genshu lay on the wooden planks, his mind relished the warmth of the fire, and the slaying fatigue that consumed him. He only wanted to rest, to sleep, to feel the loving embrace of slumber one final time, yet despite his desire, and his own protests, Genshu forced himself up to his knees.

With sheer pain, coursing through his body, tracing every nerve, Genshu clutched the staff, and tore the blade from his shoulder. A fit of agony filled his weary body, as the blood began to course freely from his wound. Yet, the coughing of Sage, aroused his senses from his own agony, as he stared at his opponent, the sword, still buried in his midsection, blood flowing from his mouth.

"Lo…Lord Genshu." Sage choked. "I must…I must beg of your…forgiveness. When you left the temple…when you sought to serve the needs of the many, I thought you were…we…weak. I cursed you…because I always believed in you. And yet, you left the temple…I thought it was…because you feared…the power. But…I've…I've come to realize, that…you were not weak…"

"Sage, there is no need for this. You should rest." Genshu stated.

"Re…rest will come soon enough…No…I…I must ask this of you. I al…always thought you weak…because…you fled the temple, and co…uld not protect my mother. But I've seen…you were not weak…you were strong, for you…saw the corruption in the temple…and you stood against it. I…I saw the corruption…and was not strong enough to…reject it. I was…weak…not strong. I…I could not stand against them. I…I cursed you…because I thought…you weak for your departure…but in reality, I should have cursed myself…because I…was not strong enough to be like you…" Sage's words faded to a mere whisper, as his eyes began to glaze with the coming of death, tears tracing down his burning cheeks. "Please…forgive me…for my…weakness."

Genshu painfully stood up, every sense in his body rejecting this movement, yet his will would push him. Standing over Sage, Genshu clutched the hilt of his sword, and quickly pulled it from Sage's body, as the downed man writhed in painful release. Genshu then stood over Sage, held his blood soaked sword in his hand, and slid the blade across the open palm of his left hand, opening a bloody wound. Despite the agony throbbing in his shoulder, he would continue, he had to, for Sage and himself.

"Your blood now flows in my veins." Genshu stated to the semi-conscious Sage. "And so, you shall live through me. My revenge will be your revenge."

Sage smiled, his teeth painted with blood as he gazed at his former teacher. "Th…thank you, Lord…Genshu. Ro…Rockaxe…" Sage stated, his words blurred through the pending incoherence. "The temple…was preparing to set up in Rockaxe…Master Sai…has issued it. The…the war. The temp…le, has issued that…with the chaos, the temple would grow…in power. The temple would flourish in the…cha…os…That is why I was…I was there, in…Rockaxe. Bu…t, I sought you out…because I knew you could stop the…temple…whereas I…could not. Thank you…for…sto…stopping the temple." Sage forced himself to state, his words choking in his throat. A violent cough, wracking his body, brought more blood pouring over his lips. "Now…I beg of…you, please. I do…not wish to die as this. Please…let me die…with honor."

Genshu took a step back, his eyes focused on Sage. "You will always have honor." Genshu said, his words sorrowful and testimonial. He closed his eyes, breathed a deep, painful breath and bowed deeply to his former student, as he brought his sword upward. With his downward stroke, Genshu ended Sage's pain. "You did not need me, to find your honor." Genshu spoke in a low tone. Had he the luxury of emotion, he would have mourned for this man.

A gentle hand pulled Genshu from his thoughts, as he stared at the body of Sage, and pondered the words of his former pupil. Turning to face the blond haired image of Elza, Genshu remained speechless in her presence.

"We better go." Elza said, signaling to the fire that burned all about them. "This building won't last much longer, and I'm not about to let you die here."