Genshu turned away from the offending illumination, his eyes reflexively closing upon his discovery. Yet as he attempted to shield his eyes with his hands, he came upon the realization that he could not move. It was only the rattling of thick chains that alerted him that he was bound, for in his current posture, his body had long since gone numb.

Realization finally consumed the youths consciousness, like a phantom reaching from the shadows of ones nightmare, as Genshu began to thrash frantically with his binds. He stopped however, when a man clutched Genshu’s jaw in his hand, drawing the young child from his fit of panic.

Genshu’s eyes opened reflexively as he stared at the large, imposing man before him. He wore a blue and gray gobe that hung about him as a man of stature. His hair, showing the effects of age, had thinned and grayed, yet it was his eyes that truly captured Genshu’s attention. They were like no other eyes Genshu had ever seen, hard, cold, unforgiving, yet they tore beneath this child’s shell, as if to study his very soul.

Turning Genshu’s head left and right to study the captive further, the investigative man turned his attention to those behind him. “This one.” He stated simply before directing his attention to the next child.

Two men quickly grabbed Genshu and threw him from the caravan. The young child struck the ground, landing in a painful heap near the other chosen candidates. Genshu tried to raise his body, tried to escape, yet was still bound in his semi-fetal position.

“Ow, my arm.” Another child cried as he landed on the unforgiving earth. He was young, nearly the same age as Genshu, if not slightly older. His dark black hair and gray eyes seemed to cause Genshu to experience a moment of comfort, yet that feeling was quickly extinguished as the apparent commander departed from the wagon.

“This will be all we need.” The obvious leader expressed. “Dispose of the rest.”

“Yes Lord Kalibas.” The driver explained, directing the steeds forward. The wagon, carrying the unworthy children, soon vanished out of site as the Lord Kalibus addressed those fortunate survivors.

“Welcome children, to your new home.” Lord Kalibas exclaimed as several men, likewise dressed in robes or kimonos proceeded to drag the children into the large, wooden, temple-like structure that lay before them.

The children were dragged into the temple, painfully pulled by the chains that held them from following these captors under their own free will. The temple itself was a large, hallowed construct, drawing influence from far Eastern region of Faleena. It was designed of cedar and oak, producing strength in its monument to whatever twisted desire the inhabitants of this temple procured. The chamber itself was large and spacious, decorated with sparsely placed marble pillars for support as weapons of every imaginable description and design hung upon the walls. It was as if this building were a shrine to the art of warfare.

Yet young Genshu and his fellow captives seemed little concerned by the design or understanding of such relevance, for they were more concerned by the driving pain tearing through their bodies as these robed acolytes drug them into the underbelly of this structure. The collected prisoners followed a labyrinth of tunnels and hallways that finally led to yet another opened chamber, decorated only by a serious of doors standing open at the attention of the new “recruits”, revealing only a small, claustrophobic closet for which the children were being pushed into and the doors closed behind them.

“Lord Kalibas.” A new voice echoed, not yet strong enough to be that of a man, yet commanding enough to draw the attention of those in this chamber to his notice. He was young, perhaps a teenaged boy of maybe 15 or 16, yet his eyes were the same, unforgiving orbs as were the Lord Kalibas. He seemed stern and callous, and obviously cared little for the children being pressed into their confining prisons. “Master Kin wishes to meet with these two.” The young man exclaimed, pointing to Genshu and another youth, whom Genshu remembered as the child thrown from the caravan shortly after himself. “With your permission milord, I shall take them to see the Master.”

“Very well Zorin, you serve the temple well.” Kalibas exclaimed, pushing the still bound Genshu and the yet unnamed child to the apparently dubbed Zorin. Within the structure of the temple’s hierarchy, it was common knowledge for masters to appoint disciples they believed best served the interest of the institution. Zorin, as such, was one such chosen disciple. However, it was common for others to hold resentment for the special treatment or favor ones held in a position of good graces with the lords.

Zorin did not respond to the compliment, yet bowed to his superior, placing his right fist against the palm of his left hand, as if the act was proof of his loyalty. Upon completion of this ritual, the previously named Zorin grabbed the bindings of the two younger children and led them into their destiny.

The two children were led for what seemed an eternity, into the heart of this shrine, their fear and confusion further adding to their own discomfort and ill ease. They came to what appeared to be the center of the structure, staring wide-eyed and curiously at what appeared to be several thousand men, likewise, dressed in the increasingly familiar robes that all within this cult seemed to adorn themselves in. Yet before this assembly, two men stood as if to welcome the new arrivals.

“Master Kin, Lord Da-tan, I present to you Genshu-Mas, and Sai Matsurai.” Zorin stated, bowing to his two superiors before joining the ranks of his fellow followers. Master Kin walked slowly through the gathered followers, followed closely by Lord Da-tan. Master Kin was tall and thin, with long flowing gray hair and eyes that were unforgiving and knowledgeable, as if he were permitted to see the meaning of the universe itself and yet was unhappy in its revelation. His long back robe was the most ornately decorated among all those whom stood in attendance, proving this was the apparent lord of this clan.

Lord Da-tan, however was another matter. His eyes reflected a sense of anger, and rage at the temple, or perhaps the world. He carried about him a sense of hostility by which no man would be foolish enough to desire to provoke his wrath. His hair, long and dark brown, was tied neatly into a long flowing ponytail, and his robes, the customary light blue and white of one of his stature, clung to him as if he were outgrowing the garment.

“Ah, so you are Sai Matsurai?” Master Kin spoke, his voice, harsh and brash, yet at the same time, a sense of caring and concern filtered from him. This paradox of images picked away at the fear of these children, and gave them, for the briefest moment, their first sense of security since arriving at this prison. “You are the Sai Matsurai who saved the nobleman, Lord Canton, from a band of brigands while on your way to the Crystal Valley? The High Priest is very pleased with your bravery and quick actions, or we of Harmonia would have lost a precious patriot.”

Then Master Kin turned his attention from the young child named Sai to address Genshu. “And you are Genshu-Mas, are you not? The same child who defeated the band of thieves that terrorized the town of Kavistar? As a result of your bravery, the sensei of your village granted you the Emblem Belt, never before awarded by one of such a young age in your particular study of Tai Chi. You should be proud.”

“I…I was defending my home sir. Please, I want to go home.” The child Genshu stated, finally finding his voice, his eyes pleading to this man, whom he hoped would grant him the kindness Genshu had expected he would grant him.

Kin tilted his head to stare into the face of the young child, contemplating his request. “There is a strength within you, I do not believe you have yet discovered. Both of you.” Master Kin responded, turning to look into the eyes of Sai. “Very well, if you wish your freedom, then defeat me, and I shall grant it to you.”

Both Genshu and Sai stared wide-eyed at the proposition grated by this lord. All sense of security granted within his presence was quickly destroyed upon the words he spoke. Thus, they would have to fight this man to save their souls.

“You first.” Master Kin stated, directing his attention to Sai, whom was suffering shellshock at the order of this challenge.

Sai was not uncertain what to do, nor was he even aware of what such a challenge meant. For only those truly worthy were ever granted a contest with the Master, and it was recorded that none so young were ever graced as these two children. However, this honor meant nothing to these boys, as Lord Da-tan, pushed Sai forward into the confrontation he still was uncertain of.

The contest, however, was brief, as Sai, understanding that he must fight, punched at Master Kin, only to have the elder man grab his wrist and pull the young child forward. Yet the off balanced child was quickly greeted by Kin’s knee, driving into his chest and knocking the child to the ground, coughing and crying in pain.

“That is your first lesson boy. When you are unaware of your opponent’s skill, never take the initiative in combat. Now you.” Kin stated, motioning for the young Genshu to step forward.

Genshu, seeing what had happened to Sai, was more than reluctant to follow, yet a strong hand upon his shoulder, pushing him forward gave him little chance to protest. Coming face to face with Master Kin, young Genshu felt his heart tear at his throat, as if it wished to escape.

Clutching the child’s right hand, Kin looked over his small appendage. “You will not need this.” Kin stated, passing his hand gently over the hand and bringing forth a small, turquoise gem. Genshu’s eyes grew wide as he saw this act, uncertain as to what it meant.

“So, you really weren’t aware you were in possession of one of the rarest runes on the continent. Surprising, none-the-less. This little trinket enhances your fighting ability. There was no other way you could have defeated the bandits had you not possessed the Crest Rune. However, you will not need it here. We will decree this a fair fight. So attack me child. Prove to me you are as good as I believe you can be.”

Genshu was needless to say, shocked, started and terrified by this man standing before him. He was not certain what the events that transpired meant, but he knew he had to win, for he had to return to his family. That was all that mattered. And with the anger of injustice rising within his soul, he charged at the older man, intent on winning his freedom.

He succeeded, actually, striking Master Kin with an awkward, yet somewhat skilled kick to the leg. However, if the older man had felt the impact, he made no notice of it. With a quick backhand across the face, Master Kin spun Genshu around, blood flying from the young child’s mouth. Dazed by the attack, Genshu could not fend against the powerful kick that slammed into his midsection. The cracking of ribs tore through the silence of the arena as the young child fell painfully to the wooden floor.

Tears and blood cascaded from the youth as he looked into the eyes of Master Kin, whom for a brief instant when first observed, seemed to be a man of kindness and respect, was now the image of a man whose heart had long since ceased to care.