Requiem III: The Search for Truth
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"Don't look at me," Xia stated, bitterness was in her voice.
Lo Si continued to stare sadly at the young woman.
Xia crossed her arms and tried to turn away, but she could feel the eyes of the old Shaolin still on her.
"You may as well just leave because I'm not talking."
"That is an oxymoron," the Ancient said with a smile and a twinkle, "Since you have to talk to say you are not talking."
"You are insufferable," Xia said with anger, hoping the ancient priest would get her meaning, but it did little good.
"I have been told that many times," the Ancient stated. "And thank you, from the Caines."
"For what?"
"For saving their lives."
"I didn't save their lives, I was trying to kill Kim Luc, how many times do I have to tell you that!"
"You still wish to walk the path of darkness?"
Xia turned her head away from the ancient priest, not wanting him to see her tears. In a voice almost too low to be audible she cried, "It's the only path I know."
"Then let me help you to change that path. There is still time."
"Why?"
"Because it is the right thing to do, and a Shaolin's duty to save the souls of those who suffer."
At those words, Xia broke down and cried. Confusion filled her mind. She still did not understand why the Ancient would want to help her. The next thing she felt was a warm light surrounding her. She felt the gentle caress on her cheek a caress that she had not felt since before her mother had died. Xia turned toward that caress and allowed herself to be held in ancient arms of comfort.
"***
Are you sure this is what you want to do?"
"We must do this, Peter."
"But we're just getting to know each other."
"Do not worry, my nephew, we will return."
"Besides, I need to go see my sister's grave," Marlene added. "I never got a chance to say goodbye."
"Pop, isn't there anything you can do?"
"What would you have me do, my son?"
"Tell them to stay. Kermit could search the computer . . . "
"Peter, Kermit would need to know more than just a simple birth date."
"But at least it's a start."
"Peter, please understand," Marlene placed her hands on Peter's cheeks. "We need some time to ourselves. We need to get to know each other all over again. And while we search for Mantou, we can do that. And now that we know we have family, we can return any time we wish."
"Well . . . you better send me a postcard so I know where you're at."
"We promise."
As soon as Marlene and Li Pei entered the taxi and pulled away from the curb, Kwai Chang and Peter turned to see Matthew standing on the sidewalk, his cane in his hand and a small duffel bag flung over his shoulder.
"Not you, too." Peter stated.
"I must."
"Father, you do not have to leave."
"I know, my son. But my path . . ."
"Don't say it," Peter stated. 'Your path has become obscured. Look, you don't have to leave to find your path."
"I do not?" Matthew questioned, rising to the bait.
"Nope," Peter stated. "It's right in front of you."
"I do not . . . "
"You don't understand? Grandpa, look, Pop's been waiting for you for so long. You've got a lot of catching up to do. I should know. Why not make him your path. Find out what's happened in his life. Let him know what's happened in yours. Besides, I'd like you to stay, too."
Matthew pursed his lips, then remembered a promise that he had made while he had been poisoned by the Master. Why could he not keep that promise. Did he still feel he had no right to be in his son's life? Thinking on Peter's words, perhaps there was a reason to stay. "I shall stay, only on one condition."
"What's that?" Peter asked, a grin forming on his features.
"Do not call me, Grandpa." And with those words, Matthew sent a small column of air and slapped Peter on the cheek to push the lesson in.
"Oh great, now I've got two of you doing it to me."
"That is what family is for?" Kwai Chang quipped.
Peter could not stifle a short laugh, and placing an arm around both his father and grandfather, he stated, "Come on, let's go home."
***
The Master paced the room of his alternate temple, one that no one knew existed. A young man stood in the center of the floor in front of a bubbling cauldron.
"It is up to you. I have trained you in all the ways of the Sing Wah and the Shaolin. You must be my hand of vengeance now. You must kill the Shaolin."
"I shall, my Master."
With those words, the young man pulled up the sleeve of his robes and placed his arms against the sides of the cauldron. The smell of burning flesh rose to meet their nostrils. He pulled his arms away to reveal two brands, a tiger and a dragon.
"A new Shaolin order will begin with you, my chosen son."
The End?
Alisa Joaquin Copyright@2003.
This story cannot be reprinted or sold in any other form without strict permission from
the author. It is being distributed here solely for your enjoyment.
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