Requiem III: The Search for Truth
Please see the disclaimer on the Synopsis page.
"Pop, what happened?" Peter stated, looking around at the broken stone and scattered remains of the temple.
"The Master used the souls of our dead brethren to keep this place in tact."
"I thought Tan was the one who built this place," Peter questioned.
"He did, but it was the Master who used the power of his chi to bind the spirits to this place."
"I don't understand."
Matthew continued where Kwai Chang had left off. "Before the temple was dismantled by Tan, the Master took the ashes and bones of our brethren who had died and had black candles made from them. Because they died in this place by violence, their souls were not prepared and could not leave this earthly plane back to the source of all things. With the making of the candles, the temple and our brethren were bound together. The only way was to free them from their prison. And by freeing them, the temple, what remained of it, became once again part of the sacred circle of life."
"I still don't get it. How can a temple be part of the sacred circle of life?"
The Ancient added his own instruction. "Because the stones were infused with the life force of our brethren. Once their life force had been freed, the temple became simple mortar and stone once again. And in this place, the temple, in its own way, destroyed itself so it would not be used for evil again."
Kermit shook his head at the explanation. "That's got to be the craziest thing I've ever heard. Let's get out of here."
At that moment, a moan rose up from the stones. Kermit froze a look of surprise appearing on his face despite the green shades that hid his eyes.
"Do not be alarmed, Kermit. That moan was very human."
"It's Xia," Peter exclaimed.
Kwai Chang bent down and examined her. "She has been hurt. She has a broken ankle. We must take her with us."
"Allow me, Pop." Peter picked Xia up in his arms and they headed out of arena, this time nothing hindered them. "What about the tigers?"
Kermit pulled out his cell phone from an inside pocket of his jacket. "I'll call this in. But I don't think anyone is going to believe me."
An hour later found the Caines back in their apartment. Xia was taken to the hospital and the Ancient stayed with her, feeling partially responsible for her injuries.
"I will do what I can for her. Her soul is still troubled. But there is a chance she may heal."
Marlene was reunited with her husband, Li Pei and what was left of her family, Kwai Chang Caine, her sister's husband; Peter Caine, her nephew; and Matthew Caine, father to Kwai Chang. Mia chose to go to her uncle after learning that he still lived.
"My uncle is going to need me to rebuild the store. Though I was in the Master's employ," she tried to state it as diplomatically as possible, "He paid me quite well."
Kermit, though, was not about to let her off the hook so easily. He needed to know if she had any part in Kim Luc's plans. "Did you know what Kim Luc was doing?" he questioned.
"I . . .I don't know what you mean." Mia stated.
Peter tried to coax her into revealing what she knew so as to help her. "Mia, what Kermit is asking was, did the Master ever tell you what he was planning?"
"No. I was told to take care of my lady."
"Are you part of the Sing Wah?"
"Do not speak that name in this place," Matthew stated, a touch of anger was in his voice.
"Jake mentioned that name, but I don't even know what that is."
Satisfied, Kermit offered to take Mia to her uncle.
"Well, it's too bad the Master disappeared," Peter stated. "I would have liked to have seen justice done with him."
"Our paths will cross, again," Matthew stated.
"Your grandfather is right," Kwai Chang stated.
"But what about our son?" Marlene stated.
"What?"
"The Master separated us. If he is gone what about our son? What about Mantou?"
"There was no one else there. The police stated that the building was deserted."
"Aunt Marlene, who is Mantou?" Peter asked.
"He's our son. He was just a baby when Li Pei and I became separated. He was in school when we left Paris. Then Kim Luc, I mean the Master, separated us. He said it was for our own safety, in case something should happen. Oh Li, will we ever see Matthew again?"
"Matthew?" Li Pei questioned.
"That's what I called him."
"Kermit should help in the search. How old was he when you last saw him?" Peter asked.
"He was 15 years old."
Peter could not help forming a smirk on his face, "Sounds familiar?"
"Don't worry, my sister-in-law," Kwai Chang stated. "We shall find him."
At that moment, a young boy came in and handed one of the Caine's a small package.
"It is addressed to Marlene."
Marlene opened the package and inside rested a small child's bracelet. Small beads with letters spelled out a name.
"What is it?"
"This belonged to Mantou."
A note fluttered to the floor.
"Our paths will cross again, Shaolin."
Concludes with the Epilogue
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.
Synopsis / Previous Part /
Epilogue
Back to Temple Tales / Contact
Alisa