Keiko - 序章

While waiting for the bubbling kettle to finish brewing a batch of relaxing kuchla tea, I basked outside in the light of the heavenly fire. The golden glow filled my courtyard, bathing the flowers around the perimeter in a warm, ethereal light. The petals of the delicate cherry blossoms danced along in a gentle vortex, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming jasmine.

I sat beneath the tree of my homeland, ready with parchment and an ink well, carefully sketching the scene, capturing the transient beauty to preserve the moment for the future.

As I focused on the intricate details of the blossoms, a sudden shadow briefly interrupted the orange glow illuminating my subjects. I gazed skyward to see what manner of bird was so large, but instead of a great beast, I found confusion.

Looming overhead, I saw a figure descending slowly from the sky—a man with a white tunic and a loose blue robe. The figure fell with an unnatural stillness, as if defying the truth of the wind and sky. While his loose robe fluttered wildly in the air, his overall posture spoke to the potentiality that he had danced to the tune of the breeze many times.

My heart quickened, and I set my sketch aside, rising swiftly to my feet. Preparing for an imminent attack, I tensed my body while the man's fall slowed to near stillness as he crossed the tree line of the forest surrounding my secluded abode.

He peacefully stepped onto the ground. Then, the man walked towards me, adjusting his wardrobe casually. He was tall and lean, with an aura of quiet power that radiated like heat from a grandmaster's forge. I am not confident about winning this confrontation.

My mind raced as I observed him. These were no ordinary garments. His attire seemed to be of fine silk, embroidered with a central intricate pattern, accented with gold bracers and a gold waistband.

To break through the arrays surrounding this mountain perfectly fine, even his clothes remained unscathed—he must be a renowned master, much stronger than the one who set those arrays into being. Much stronger than someone I consider to be an equal. My visitor is certainly a most wealthy, most capable fighter.

As he approached, I mentally compared his visage to my memories of the remaining sovereigns and sages, as well as the descriptions of the ones still missing. Nothing matched. How could a person of such ability stay undiscovered by the entire continent?

The unknown one stopped a few paces away, extending his hand at waist level. I gathered my breath, forcing the life of the world into my body. Calling upon my long dormant power, I readied for a vicious strike.

"Good morning," he said, his voice calm and composed. "I apologize for the sudden intrusion. I come seeking your aid."

I studied him for several long moments, my eyes watching each of his muscles to predict any upcoming movement, but he simply stood with his hand outstretched, waiting for my response. If he wished to speak, perhaps I could have him drink some of the kuchla. Surely, he was not immune to all poisons and diseases like me.

I chose my words carefully while controlling each of my facial muscles to not betray my intentions. "My aid? Well, it would be dishonorable to not hear out someone who traveled all this way and beseeched my protection."

"Great!" Anticipation oozed from his voice. "We really need you to join us. The futures of everyone in existence rest on us, but we need more help."

"Are you from the Celestial Sovereigns?" I responded with annoyance. "Go back and tell those absolute fossils for the final time, NO!"

He must have noticed my tension because he retracted his arm. "Guess you're not one for handshakes..."

"Barring whatever that means, return to 武城 with my message for the misguided fools occupying the 天宫." I stood firmly, ready for retaliation that never arrived.

"I guess it did not cover every word in your language." He mumbled before raising his voice again, "While I am not sure exactly what you said, I must insist that you hear me out."

"What could be so important for you to waste your time in coming here?"

"Armageddon," he said with the tone of someone pronouncing an execution, pausing to allow the word to ruminate in my mind.

My eyes shifted between each of his, trying to ascertain what Armageddon is.

I asked, "Arm a gedon?"

"Armageddon." He affirmed.

"I think that no sane person would disregard such grave matters." I feigned understanding while I gestured toward the door to my pagoda, "Please join me inside."

We entered my dwelling, the aroma from the fresh tea swelling as I slid the door closed behind us. I motioned for him to sit at my table while I returned to the hearth to grab the kettle and something to drink it in. Then, I poured the freshly brewed tea into two cups, the fragrant steam curling into the air.

"Please, have some. I hope you like it." I offered, placing a cup before him and taking my seat opposite. "If you are not with the sovereigns, do not mind me asking; how did you find this mountain?"

"Actually, I did not. One of my friends found the most powerful person here and gave me pin-point directions," he replied.

Quite concerning that someone has the talent to find a location concealed by the best arrays from the best formation sage. In addition, this friend would surely trouble me after his friend does not return.

"Was it Huan?" I inquired drinking from my own cup before gesturing for him to sip his.

He responded while picking up the cup and sampling the smell of the steam, "Not sure who that is, but I ask that you join my friend and I on our trip to Armageddon, as well as anyone else you fight with or would vouch that nears your level of strength."

I listened, my mind a whirl of thoughts. His words were sincere.

I fished for information while suggesting enemies from my past, "What precisely is in Armageddon? Heavenly beasts, rogue practitioners, malevolent spirits?"

He finally sipped the tea before locking eyes with me clearly not understanding what I asked, "What we face is an enemy from eons ago. Surely worse than anything you've fought before

I took a deep breath, contemplating his words. "I understand the gravity of your request, but my duty is to my sect. I am the last guardian of our traditions. My place is here, ensuring the preservation of our knowledge and history."

He looked at me with a mixture of frustration and desperation. "Your abilities are wasted here in a mountain in the middle of a backward place! Please join us to save both of our homes!"

Seeing the sincerity in his eyes, I decided to offer some clarity. "You must understand, my duty here is not just a position—it is a vow. Many years ago, I was entrusted with continuing the legacy of my people. My closest friend made me vow that until I die I would stand as the protector of our most sacred texts and relics. I have upheld that duty for decades."

He leaned forward, exasperated. "If you do not leave they will be destroyed without doubt. You must help us if you truly want to keep your treasures safe!"

I must stall while the kuchla absorbs into his body.

"Let me regal you of my life. I will join you if you humor a story from an old woman." I exhaled, memories flooding back. "It was a simpler time. Rival sects clashed for dominance, and the gathering of the disciples was close. My master chose me to represent him in the exchange-"

The man interrupted, anxiety filling his words, "How long is will this take?"

I looked down at my tea, the steam rising and dissipating into the air. "I am not sure, but if you want me to break my solemn vow and bring dishonor to the name of myself and my sect then you will wait here while I tell it from start to finish. From the day I entered my sect until the moment you landed in my courtyard."

He sighed, an admission of acceptance, "Okay. I'll listen."

"Very well" I took a sip of my now cooling tea, the memories almost replacing my vision. "Interrupt me if you do not understand something."

"It was the Age of 地位, 108 years since the splintering of the 圣火宗-" I began, before being interrupted.

"What is a die way and a sing how song?" the stranger asked.

"Alright, let's do this." I gathered the life of the world into my finger.

I imbued my complete vocabulary into the power and flicked it into his forehead. 

"Interesting." He replied, "Originally when my friend gave me your language it was much more painful."

"I will restart," I released my hold on the law of life, "It was the Age of Di Wei, one-hundred and eight years after the Sacred Flame Sect shattered. This was a period of unprecedented growth and prosperity for martial sects, a time when the art of combat and the pursuit of enlightenment were held in the highest esteem. It was the height of prominence in the history of martial sects."

I glanced out the window, watching the blossoms sway gently in the breeze, their movements mirroring the rhythm of my memories. "The twelfth annual Intersect Exchange loomed on the horizon, a grand event where the greatest warriors from each sect would gather to showcase their skills and share their knowledge. The air was thick with anticipation as everyone in my Jasmine Dragon Sect refined their best techniques."

I could still hear the clang of metal and the swish of fabric as my fellow disciples trained day and night, their dedication and determination palpable. "Our sect lost each previous year, but nevertheless we trained tirelessly, pushing our bodies and minds to their limits in preparation to overturn that record."

I paused, taking another sip of tea, letting the memory wash over me. "Master Xiong, may he rest peacefully, guided us with wisdom and strength. His teachings were the foundation upon which we built our skills, his presence a source of inspiration and comfort. Under his tutelage, we honed our abilities, striving to reach new heights."

The faces of my friends and fellow disciples came to mind, their expressions filled with determination and camaraderie. "We were much more than fellow martial artists. We were a family."

I grew emotional, the weight of those memories welling up in my heart, but the excitement and anticipation of those days were still vivid in my mind. I set down my cup, my thoughts now bittersweet. 

"Let's see... I must have been thirteen at the time. No, twelve. Sorry, time isn't what it used to be. I was there practicing in the training grounds with my fellow disciples while Master Xiong sat in the siheyuan, watching our performance...