18 The Black Lion

Other than Otto, the members of Point Blank gathered around Mahku to listen to the man's tale.

"I was about Jesse's age when I was chosen," Mahku said. "I was the youngest dojo master to have been appointed, but my master believed that I was capable and ready for the duties. He had fallen gravely ill, so he passed his title onto me. Prematurely, according to the dojo masters at that time."

Curt could detect a trace of sadness in Mahku's voice, but Mahku continued on without pausing.

"As the newest dojo master, the other masters began to explain my true duty. And so, I became privy to Sahnju's true purpose. What I'm about to tell you has been kept a secret by generations of dojo masters, never revealed even to their families or their disciples. Only those that become a dojo master ever learn of this."

Mahku paused then, and Curt could feel his stare on everyone in the room even though he was blindfolded.

"My choice in breaking my vow of silence is not one I make lightly. There is a purpose for such secrecy, but given recent circumstances I am beginning to question the need of it. Before, I once thought it was to protect the people of Sanora, but now I wonder. Especially now that there is evidence of another world with its own residents beyond the Sky Barrier. All of you, promise me that you won't spread this knowledge, for it can be dangerous if misused."

Each of them gave Mahku their word. Bauph thought to ask, "Should we wait for Otto to come back? I feel like something this serious-sounding should be heard by our guild leader too."

"Yeah, he's from the Dusts like Jesse and I. If this stuff has anything to do with us, then he deserves to hear everything as well," Curt added.

"I see," Mahku said. He took a moment to think things over. "I have not met the man yet, so I do not know if he's trustworthy. What is your judgement on him, Curt? Do you think he can keep this a secret?"

"Well, I'm not really sure," Curt admitted. Could Otto be trusted to keep a secret? He wasn't exactly a morally upstanding guy, and as far as Curt could tell, Otto liked to drink. Curt knew how much drink could loosen lips. How much did Curt know about Otto anyways?

"He can hear it from me another time then," Mahku decided. "Until then, I ask you all not to share this information with Otto."

"While it doesn't feel right to keep a secret from our guild leader, I will honor my word," Xujen said.

"Good, then I shall continue my story." Mahku settled into his chair. Curt leaned back on the counter. It seemed like this was going to be a long one.

"For those of you new to this land, the Sky Barrier is made up of actually nine seals. The fact that these seals are maintained by powerful people is public knowledge. The location of two of these seals are known by most people — one here in Endyre managed by the Cardinal of the Holy Order, and the other in White Coast's mage tower. The other seven are kept hidden to protect from potential sabotage.

"One of these seals was managed by the dojo masters of Sahnju, and one of my new duties was to help protect and maintain this seal. What I didn't anticipate was that the seal itself was a sentient being.

"I thought the seals were maintained by reinforcing them periodically with mana. Initially, I was greatly honored to be entrusted with helping keep the seal. Then I discovered we acted as parasites to the creature that was the seal."

"Wait, are you saying that the seals are made up of living things?" Tera asked.

"Not just any living creature," Mahku said. "But some sort of ancient, powerful entity that overflows with more mana than anything I have ever seen. These beings fuel the Sky Barrier, and the purpose of its custodians is not to care for them, but to sap its power just enough so they are kept in a perpetual, starved state. That's how powerful these creatures of the seals are.

"I couldn't bear to see the beast in such a deprived state. Each forceful drain of his mana caused him to cry in pain." Reciting the story seemed to bring back painful memories as Mahku grimaced. "I betrayed the responsibility handed down to me. I broke the seal to free the creature. My treachery was soon discovered, and the dojo masters brutally attacked me. I lost my sight that night. They intended to kill me, but it was only the dying breath of my master that spared me. He pleaded to them, on his deathbed, for them to sentence me to exile instead. Out of respect, they let me go that night.

"And so, blind and homeless, I wandered the lands outside of Sanora. I'm sure the dojo masters thought I was going to die in the process, but I wasn't alone."

Mahku raised a hand and touched the center bead of the rosary around his neck. On closer inspection, Curt realized the bead Mahku was touching had a lion's face engraved in it. Mahku whispered to it, so softly that Curt couldn't make out what he said, and the bead began to glow softly.

A ghostly wisp rose like incense smoke from the bead, gradually forming the shape of what looked like a lion in miniature. The lion spirit wavered like a candle about to flicker out, but it seemed to observe each and everyone of them with its piercing eyes. Curt's skin prickled as the lion's eyes met his. There was a raw intelligence behind its stare. Mahku whispered again, and the apparition vanished.

"He calls himself Black Lion," Mahku explained. "He was the creature that was being used as part of the Sky Barrier. Since leaving the dojo, I have explored new lands in hopes of finding out the true purpose of the Sky Barrier, and to seek out the other seals. I wanted to know if there were other creatures suffering like Black Lion had. Many sleepless nights I questioned why the Stars created the Sky Barrier that was based off of the suffering of these creatures."

"He doesn't seem all that powerful," Curt ventured. The lion's stare unnerved him. He wasn't sure why, but it seemed to peer at his very soul. As crazy as it sounded.

"His current, incorporeal state is because he is indeed greatly weakened. I don't know how long he had been sealed with his mana fed upon everyday by vultures." Mahku's tone was bitter as he spoke. "In the past two decades he kept himself from regaining his strength, to better hide himself within my rosary bead."

Mahku faced Curt. "As for why I wanted to join Ancient World, they are a guild notorious for their archives on the history of not only Sanora, but of the world itself. They have dedicated research on the origins of the Sky Barrier as well, and I was hoping to visit their records. I was also intrigued by the Grand Guild Tournament, a mutual interest with Ancient World.

"Of course, with the way things turned out, I am now a part of Point Blank. But I imagine I might uncover the truth of this barrier better in this guild. After all, there are denizens from the sky here."

Having answered their questions, Mahku got up from his seat and made his way to the kettle to prepare some tea. Tera was looking down, a hand over her chin, mentally digesting all that Mahku had told them. Xujen had that strange conical hat tilted down, making it difficult to make out his expression.

Bauph spoke up. "Wait."

Everyone turned to face the large priest.

He glanced nervously at the room, seemingly having second thoughts about speaking. Then, he appeared to have made up his mind as he spoke, "I feel like I should reveal the reason why I had left the Holy Order."

"Left? I know you're part of the guild now, but can't you be both?" Tera asked.

"Maybe not officially left, but I haven't considered myself a Holy Order member for a while," Bauph confessed. "Ever since I saw something I shouldn't have."

Looking directly at Mahku, he continued, "That seal you broke, you said that lion spirit was tethered to it, right?" Mahku nodded. "I… saw something similar in the Holy Order's church, at its lowest floors."

Bauph looked a bit sheepish as he said, "Honestly, I was looking for a quiet place to skip out on work and take a nap. I knew I wasn't allowed to go down to the lowest floors, but there was a big religious ceremony going on that all the higher ups were attending. I figured I'd just pop into an empty room, take my nap, and be on my way.

"I didn't expect to come across a floor lower than what the map of the church showed. I got curious. I peeked into one of the rooms, and there I saw a golden elk chained up with magical runes inscribed everywhere. I saw the Cardinal, surrounded by other high ranking members. I don't know what they were doing, but the elk was screaming in agony. Whatever was happening, it wasn't holy." Bauph shook his head as if to clear away the image in his mind.

"And I figured I wasn't meant to see it. I began to question the church since then, and I've been trying to figure out what that was. After hearing what you had to say, I'm guessing that's the seal the Holy Order manages."

Mahku scowled. "I figured as much, but a part of me hoped that the other seals were different."

"I never paid much heed to the Holy Order, the Stars, or the Sky Barrier," Xujen said. "But if Curt and Jesse are what's beyond the Sky Barrier, I don't see why it even exists — especially if it's causing such torment."

"Perhaps this Grand Guild Tournament will reveal the truth," Mahku said. "At least, that is what I hope. In any case, I wanted to be clear with all of you of my motivation for joining this guild and participating."

"Has this Sky Barrier been around for that long? I mean, I'm guessing others from up high have fallen down in the past, have you heard of anyone like that in history?" Curt asked.

"Not that I've ever heard of," Mahku answered, shaking his head. "Ancient World might know, but even then, I doubt there have been much, if at all. The Sky Barrier has been around since before the kingdom, and is impenetrable."

"Really? Then how'd we'd land here?" Curt gestured to himself and Jesse.

"When I broke the seal those years ago, I'm guessing that weakened the barrier to allow cracks to form. During my travels, I have noticed the barrier's strength fluctuate as well. You are lucky."

Curt thought back to when he was suspended above the barrier, high up with the clouds. The thought that he could've died up there, unable to do anything, was chilling. All because a new dojo master didn't like how a magical lion was treated. Maybe Curt should thank Mahku.

"Enough," Mahku said. "There is a lot for you all to process after a day of fighting. I imagine we will be busy soon to recruit enough members for the tournament, so I shall take my leave. Just remember not to let word of this out. If the wrong ears hear, you might be in danger."

"Danger?" Tera tilted her hand.

"The dojo masters were more than prepared to kill me for breaking the seal. And it was not only because I lost them an easy source of power. They were afraid of word getting out that the seal entrusted to Sahnju was broken. I would not be surprised if they are still prepared to kill to keep word of it from getting out."

The way Mahku said it made Curt think he already experienced this before. Even after his dying master begged them to spare Mahku's life, the dojo masters still tried to off the guy. He knew he didn't like that dojo.

"I'm guessing they kept it a secret from the Order?" Bauph asked.

Mahku nodded.

Seeing Tera's confused face, Bauph said, "Sahnju's been granted a lot of freedom by the kingdom because of the Order. A good chunk of wealth is given regularly from the Order to the dojo itself even. I thought it was just because a lot of Order members train there, but I guess it's actually payment for keeping the seal around."

Mahku nodded again. "I'm not sure what they stand to gain, but the Holy Order seems to be managing the Sky Barrier."

"To think the dojo conspired in such things," Xujen said. Looking at him, Curt realized the swordsman's hand was gripping the hilt of his sword, knuckles white and shaking. "I am ashamed to have been a trainee there, even if it was only a day."

Tera was silent. Curt wondered what she thought about all this. He remembered her voicing that she owed the dojo nothing, and didn't think of it as home. But Curt also knew he has said the same things about Ore Town. Ugly place, and not exactly full of fond memories, but it was inevitably the place where he grew up in.

Mahku set the kettle full of water on the stove and began to boil it. It seemed like he was content to end the conversation there. Curt noticed Jesse hadn't said a thing yet. The young Duster was staring off into space, lost in his thoughts. It was probably a lot to process for a guy who was dropped down in a new world probably no more than a few weeks ago. Still, he couldn't help but notice the gleam in Jesse's eye reminded him of Otto's when he announced his plans.

Xujen left, heading for his own room, and Curt saw Tera do the same. Bauph was still contemplating something, and Mahku was preparing a tea blend. Curt decided to catch some fresh air. He had quite a bit to think about.

Walking outside, the evening air felt chillier than usual. He wondered if the seasons were changing down here. Up in the Dusts, it was about the time that autumn would come. Autumn probably looked beautiful down in Sanora, where there were plenty of trees whose leaves would change colors, and the mild climate would make it so the nights weren't as bitter.

He strolled aimlessly through the streets of Endyre, letting himself think on what Mahku had told them all. Curt tried to summarize what he had just learned.

Mahku was exiled because he broke one of the Sky Barrier's seals. That meant setting free some sort of lion spirit that was being tortured for its mana. He couldn't quite wrap his mind around how that part worked. He knew there were magical creatures down in Sanora, but whatever that lion was that came out of the rosary, it seemed more like pure energy.

Not only that, but Bauph claims he saw something similar going on under the Holy Order's main church. Presumedly, each of the nine seal locations had some kind of magical beast to maintain the barrier. And no one knew what the barrier was really for. Because if it was to keep people from corrupting whatever was beyond it, well, Curt wasn't exactly the cleanest soul.

But someone — or something — must have created the barrier.

Curt found himself back in Low Town, standing in front of Point Blank's old base. The dingy building was still around, and all its walls intact. Through the single, grimy window, he could make out a small orange glow. Someone was inside.

He approached the door cautiously. He wouldn't be surprised if squatters took up residence of the old place, and he hoped he wasn't about to barge into a thieves' den. The door was unlocked. He turned the knob, and entered.

Otto was lying on his back, cigarette between his lips. The soft glow of the tip was the only source of light. Hearing the creak of the door, he sat up in alarm and spun around, a revolver in hand. Seeing it was only Curt, his shoulders relaxed.

"Jeez, Curt," he said. "Thought I was gettin' mugged or somethin'." Otto slumped back down on the ground. "What're you doin' here anyways?"

"That's what I could ask you," Curt said, taking a seat beside Otto. "Aren't you supposed to be busy?"

Otto smirked. "I'll let you know I have been. I—" His voice faltered. His smile faded. "—I wanted some time to just think. Lots happened."

"I thought you'd be happy with how things have been turning out," Curt remarked. "Point Blank's actually turning out to be the real deal. We just beat an A-rank guild in a fair duel today. Other than me, of course."

"Don't say that Curt," Otto replied, "I saw what happened. You woulda won if it weren't for my dodgy guns."

"They might've had a hard day yesterday."

"'ll tell Kirina to whip up something next time I see her. Least she can do for having those guns explode on you."

"Don't overwork yourself," Curt said, seeing the bags under Otto's eyes and the stubble growing out on his chin. He didn't really see much of Otto lately since all of the recruiting going on. The suit he wore seemed to fit more loosely than before. "You should be celebrating the victory."

"I should be, you're right. I'm startin' to think we have actually have a real fighting chance in the tournament. I just… never thought I'd get this far. Laugh at me if y'want, but I'm actually gettin' cold feet. Gettin' all these doubts in my head. Startin' to get afraid of losing it all, 'cause for once I got stuff to lose."

Curt fell silent. He didn't know what to say. Maybe nothing. After all, this was a first for him too. The two of them didn't speak for a while. Curt wanted to tell Otto about the fact that he had a broken mana center, but he didn't want to breach the silence. Eventually, Curt watched as the window darkened as the sun finally set.

"Go back and get some sleep Curt, you did good today," Otto said.

Curt took that as his cue to leave. He glanced at Otto before he left. Lying on the ground in the center of the run-down room, Otto didn't look like a guild leader. He looked like a generic, nameless Duster. If this was back in Ore Town, Curt wouldn't have given the guy a second glance. No one would.

Otto was probably the only one that understood what Curt was feeling. They didn't belong down here in Sanora, where fantastical things happened.

He wondered if Jesse felt the same way, but the younger man seemed to have a spark in him that was devoid in most other Dusters. He had a feeling that Jesse could've been someone even back up in the Dusts. The guy had something special.

Curt headed back to the base, the fatigue from the day finally crashing down upon him. Three more members to go, and half a month until the tournament began. He might not be able to be useful in fighting, but the least he could do is help the guild recruit its final members.

When did he start caring about the guild anyways?