Requiem III: The Search for Truth
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The three Caines, the Ancient, and Kermit Griffin gathered white candles that were scattered throughout the area of the temple. The tigers that had once roamed the space were still in the cage that was raised at one end.
"What do we do with these two?" Kermit looking up at the cage as the tigers paced back and forth.
"The tigers will be taken to a zoo when we are finished here," Kwai Chang stated. "Kermit, please place these candles in a circle."
Matthew assisted the Ancient in setting up a small brazier. They found the herb and incense burner within a niche. Tan had tried to recreate the temple down to the last detail. The only thing he did not include was the altar at the top of the stairs with its statue of Buddha and all its offerings. It showed just how far Tan had abandoned the teaching of the Tao, if he ever followed them.
The Ancient instructed Kermit as to where things should be placed within the circle. He watched as Kermit lit a fire within the brazier while the Ancient made certain that the proper herbs were placed beside the small pot. "Kermit, we will need you to add these herbs when the time is right," Lo Si instructed. "You must sit in the circle of the candles. They will protect you while we do the rest."
"What are you going to do?"
The four Shaolin each carried an item, Peter the book, Kwai Chang Caine the knife, Matthew the amulet of Kwai Chang which Peter had pulled out from his shirt, and Lo Si the white medallion of Shambhala that he always carried, each a talisman of great power.
"I don't understand, what's going to happen?"
"Please, Kermit, it will take too long to explain," Kwai Chang stated. "You must trust us.
"I do, it's just that I'm not big on this metaphysical stuff."
"Even after all that he's seen he still thinks it's . . . "
"Peter, please," Matthew interjected. "Do not swear in this place. It has seen enough profanity."
"Sorry, grandfather," Peter bowed his head, a redness forming on his cheeks. "I didn't mean to be disrespectful."
"If you are done, we can begin."
"Begin what?" Kermit asked, still in the dark as to what was about to happen.
The Ancient led him to the circle of candles and Kermit stepped inside. Lo Si pointed and without another word, Kermit Griffin took his place, seated in the center of the candles with the small brazier burning in front of him. A smirk appeared on his face. This was not what he envisioned he would be doing, fighting a madman with herbs and amulets. His response was more direct and permanent. For comfort, Kermit pulled his Dessert Eagle out of its holster and placed it beside his knee. If all this mumbo jumbo didn't work, he would be prepared to put a bullet right through Kim Luc's brain.
The four Shaolin took up their positions, sitting on the floor in lotus position.
"Peter, you must continue to recite the verse while we continue to chant. We must do this in unison until the evil has been banished from this place. We will begin the chant first"
Peter nodded his head and waited.
The chant began low, almost inaudible. It was one of those tones where you could feel it in your bones, deep within the core of your being. It rose until it was a steady melodic tone and the walls of the temple reverberated with its sound. It was then that Peter began to read.
"We call upon the light of our Ancestors.
A light held in the Source of All Things.
Protect us from harm in this sacred space.
Bring your light to illuminate the darkness."
Kermit, not sure what he was supposed to do, threw the first sprinkle of herbs into the brazier. They flared up and released their scent into the air. Peter continued to read the script while the others continued the chant.
"We summon all that is good.
Spirits of Our Ancestors,
We call upon your aid and guide us.
Let your light surround us.
Cast out the evil from this place."
"Candles of dark binding those to this place,
Reveal thy light within.
Candles of Dark, release your light.
Cast off thy shroud that binds thee."
"Let your light be free.
Be free from the sacred place you once knew.
Return to the Source of All Things"
As Peter reached the last line, the other talismans, the knife, green amulet, and crystal medallion began to glow, spreading out their light within the darkness of the temple. As the four Shaolin continued the ritual, Kermit became aware that they were not alone. Then Kermit's head turned as someone entered into the arena, but this person was flesh and blood.
"NO! You cannot do this! My power!" Kim Luc rushed from his secret sanctuary where each dark candle burned. As the four Shaolin performed the ritual, the dark candles began to melt even those that had not been lit, releasing the trapped souls within.
Peter continued to recite the words over and over as the chanting continued.
"Stop it! Stop it!" Kim Luc screamed and tried to send his chi force into the four priests. "I summon the spirits of this place to destroy you!" The energy he sent had little effect. The power the four Shaolin had raised shielded them from the Master's attack.
The spirits did rise, but surrounded the four Shaolin instead, their voices adding to the four, their ghostly forms becoming visible. Kermit watched in fascination in his protective circle of light. For a brief moment he rubbed his eyes, thinking that he was hallucinating. Among the apparitions stood a familiar figure. His arms were folded into a white robe. His head was shaven, and a slight smile appeared on his lips. There was no mistaking who the figure was.
Kim Luc also saw the ghost rising up among the four Shaolin. 'No! That's not possible." With one last rage of anger, the Master blasted the hated image to no effect. Suddenly, Kim Luc grabbed his shoulder and cried out in pain. He spun around to see Xia collapsing to the floor, her broken ankle no longer being able to support her weight after throwing one of her red handled knives.
With his plans destroyed and his power gone, the Master fled, back through his sanctuary. His face was a mask of rage as he saw what had been done. All the candles were nothing but pools of molten wax. As the Master looked around at the devastation, he felt bits of stone raining down. The temple suddenly began to rumble and shake. The walls, began to crumble falling away to dust. When the chanting stopped, and all had gone still, the Master was no where to be seen.
As the four Shaolin ended their chant, the apparition stood in front of them. In a voice, ethereal and filled with the light of all things, it spoke. "Thank you, my son. You have freed our brethren. Remember, while one Shaolin still lives, the temple remains. I am proud of you." With those last words, the ghost of Kwai Chang Caine was gone.
Concludes with Part 47
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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