 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
scene four, an epilogue's finale
These swords are as follows: the Taim Sword, the Blade of Gaea, and the Elysian Sword.
The Taim Sword can be found in the valley of the sun, where massive stone monuments were erected for what many speculate to be the telling of the time in the day by the ancients. Embedded at the top of the highest monument is the Taim Sword, protected by Sundial Dragon. The power of this dragon is incredible-- even the shadow technique falls to its might. Perhaps the only way to triumph over the sundial dragon is to use the monuments as a shield from its eyes, and quietly pluck the sword from its holding. For only the Taim Sword has the strength to peirce the dragon's hide, and put an end to it's existence.
To obtain the Blade of Gaea, one must travel into the deepest portion of the forest of ancients. Guarding the sword is the treetop dragon, who can only be destroyed by the shadow technique. Because life requires the sun for survive, to drain the rays of light from the Treetop Dragon also drains it of its very life. The shadow technique is swift, brutal, and makes easy work of the dragon. Yet even with the power of the shadow technique... only one of the strongest of samurai may pluck the blade from the tree of life.
The Elysian Sword is, without a doubt, the hardest sword of the three to obtain. It lies within the only solid cloud of the sky, which hovers over the land day and night alike. No man may stand on this cloud despite the solid surface, lest he wish to fall straight through. Only one who taims the San Dragon and flies it to the cloud may set foot on the cloud, and from there must search the fog for the sword. Once found, the sword must then be pulled from the surface, and brought back to the dragon to be flown with the weilder back to earth.
These are the three swords of destiny. Individually, they hold limited power... but when used by a single samurai they hold the ultimate ability to save the world or destroy it. To lead the land into the shadows... or to bring it to a brighter future.
Today, none of the three swords exist. Some believe that a single samurai forged the three swords together by will of the heavens, while others claim it was the Earth Samurai who used his sword to break the other two in an attempt to remain the strongest samurai of all. Historians would like you to believe that they are growing ever-closer to discovering the truth of the whole story...
But they never will, for only I know the truth.
I am the weilder of the three swords of destiny, brought together in the hands of a single samurai. These swords do not exist today because they joined themselves together into a completely new sword.
They were not forged together by will of the heavens, but rather they combined by will of their own. What history doesn't know is that when brought together, the three swords of destiny combine to create a brand new sword-- Bat Nau Jau, the blade of immortality. He who weilds this blade can never perish unless confronted with the divine will of destiny itself.
I have watched this world change so much over time... but there is one thing that has not changed with it-- the fighting spirit of man.
Even today, as I walk the streets... there are times when a man should choose to bring up strife with me. Because I dress as I've always done, not relenting to the changes of apparel in time... it seems to offend those who know not of my identity. Even after all my years, I still remember things both recent and faraway, and my most recent memory of strife comes from just a few days ago, when I encountered an angry young man and his friends, all intent on bringing me harm. It was after many attempts at striking me that he finally drew his own blade-- a pocket knife-- and forced me to draw Bat Nau Jau.
Their jaws dropped when they saw my holy blade... and I could see the fear quickly flood the young man's eyes, his heart beat fluttering as his muscles tightened in preperation to run from this man. And yet, defiant as a man overcome with fear is at times... he stood strong, and turned his fear into anger. With a snarl, the young man ran at me, looking to bring his blade to my throat.
My sword cut his hand from his wrist, toppling him to the ground and bringing forth a howl of pain from his very soul. His friends were quick to pull forth their own weapons-- ranging from similar pocket knives to handguns, as they attempted to make me back away from their fallen comrade. I turned my head slowly and frowned... these men were completely unhonorable. They would strike an innocent person and end their life to simply steal their money... taking care of their problems with lethal strikes and no cares whatsoever.
A cowards way of fighting.
"Drop the sword you crazy son of a bitch, and step away from Joey!" shouted the shortest and portliest one, his second chin jiggling as he spoke every word.
I let a laugh draw forth from my lips, as I slowly turned to face these foolish lads. They all had lives ahead of them that I could not deny... but I would be sure to show them the meaning of destiny. Even then, the bloodied stump of the young man's hand had actually began to heal, my holy blade not allowing its victims to perish from the assault. I allowed my anger to build within me, detesting the way tht honor had been left behind with all the changes of this world... and spoke to them words fueled by my very soul.
"You dare challenge me? I, who steers the very direction of this earth?"
It was then that his friends left him in fright, realizing my strength and not wishing to contest it. Had I been any other man, their friend would not have survived... and it was that which sickened me. So easily do brothers abandone brothers in these days.
The days of old have long since perished, and I am but the last shred of past remaining.
I, the weilder of the sword of immortality, the man who brought what historians call the 'Shadow Age' to an end. I, the same samurai who, on December 18th, all those ages ago... triumphed over all. I... whose legend shall never be allowed to die, as promised by the heavens themselves...
Bei Tai meng... the Wandering Samurai.