Chapter One
To leap in time is to become one with hard work and dedication
As the warm luminous sun rises from the east the clouds lose their embrace to reveal the heavenly rays of light. The wind gust scatters the delicate red pedals of a nearby harmonious tree and the disciple quickly gathers the swarm of soft red pedals in a vortex and continues to spin the cascading petals in a controlled state. The vigorous movements show signs of fluid control and dynamic strength and speed. As he enters a mental state of enlightenment he levitates weightlessly. He is instructed by his master to bring his exercise to a close. His body descents rapidly and then he stomps down on the cold hard stone platform as he has done since the age of seven. Abruptly the particles of stone dust gravitate upward and then settle to the ground. He closes his eyes and bows to Master Shao who then nods In approval .
“Make your enemies face their darkest fear and you will conquer them”
” What if I have no enemies master?”
” Then my disciple, you are no more and the life around you does not exist.”
” I do not understand Master Shao?”
“In time you will, as sure as the wind carries the birds in the sky”.
” Why must you speak in riddles master?” The master grins.
“It is time to feed that beast in your belly, young one!”
” I have a beast in my belly!” The disciple looks down at his belly and placed his hand on his stomach and feels a grumble and then looks suspiciously at his master.
” I just thought it meant I was hungry. ”
” This beast in my belly does it have claws master?” He asked earnestly.
Master Shao, lets out a boisterous laugh. The disciple is confused at the master’s laughter. Master Shao is amused at the naive response of his disciple and embraces him and reassures him no beast lives inside his belly. He walks beside him and begins to ruffle his disciple’s hair and shaking his own head in disbelief. He then looks down at his disciple with a gleaming smile of love and admiration.
” Your body and skill have matured but your mind is only a seed in need of more water and sun.
” More riddles master! ” He smiles.
His disciple makes believe he is heading home and from the corner of his eye waits for his master to react.
” Are we forgetting something?” Master Shao asked him with a raised eyebrow.
“Oh right!”. The disciple playfully grins and drops his head and slumps his shoulders.
” Must we strike the drum after every practice master?”
Master Shao nods in silence and begins to walk toward the drum. They walk together on the vast gravel plateau near the edge of the cliff and Master Shao, recites a prayer ” As the forces will see that when I strike, the beast and the fairest will be.... together once more.” and then he grabs an ancient hard stone deep within a white porcelain vase. He holds the stone up to the heavens and mightily strikes the metal plate and the collision ignites an enormous torch like incent. He places the hard stone back in the vase and watches his disciple grab the two ends of the suspended hollow drum. His disciple cringes and braces himself. “You seem ready young one!” ” As ready as I will ever be, let’s get this over with!” The disciple replies with an expression of disgust.
The Master laughs and he begins his movement and conjure a bluish mist that radiate from his palms and then he mightily strikes and his palm lands in the indentation of the metal hollow drum with dragon and fire engravings. The vibration feverishly courses through their body and the drum begins to pulsates rapidly. The disciple knows the force will course through his body and make him buckle as it has done numerous times.
Then an unforeseen miracle happens, he is astounded to see himself still holding and standing strong for the first time in his entire life. The sound of the drum resonates and echoes across the plateau disturbing everything in its way.
A wave of birds and land animals take their turn being startled by the carried wave of sound and they scurry away as far as the eyes can see. Master Shao and his disciple both wait for the tranquility of the plains to return. Shao, proudly looks at his disciple and informs him with elation.
” You have endured many years of the Tao Drum and on this day it is noted that you withstood the divine blow. “You are indeed ready to be awaken!”
” Awaken?”
” Hold your tongue for after receiving the Tao you must not speak until we are off sacred ground!”
” This is a glorious day my young one!”
The disciple bows and they both begin to turn away from the divine Tao Drum and the sacred footing. During the walk home, Master Shao stops and instructs his disciple to stop and close his eyes and to listen carefully to their surroundings.
” What do you hear?” Shao asked.
” I hear the trees and the birds and the animals!”
” As I did every time you asked me Master.
” Anything else young one?”
” Ahh, running water from the stream as I have done day after day!”
” Why do you asks me the same questions every day master?”
Just as he was about to finish his last word he heard a peculiar sound, one he has never heard before. A feminine voice, which seemed so soft and delicate, he held his heart and faced in the direction of the singing voice. ” Weee woooooo…” he listened closely, he turns to his master who informed him with sincerity.
”It is a tradition that you find your way home after receiving the Tao, we will meet again at the cottage later.” The disciple unbeknownst to himself didn’t quite hear a word his master said and continued to be fascinated by the voice.
He rushed in the direction of the sound and moments later he stood startled and astounded by a magnificent vision. This creature with its enormous wings and pinkish blue razor skin and talons of grey was so graceful as it scooped up a giant fish from the stream and in one swoop devoured it. He looked back for his master who was nowhere to be seen.
” Where did they come from and why are they here?” He asked himself.
Then he observes a beautiful elegant young woman with flowing dark hair, holding a bouquet of flowers. He leaned forward to get a better look and on stepping down slipped on the wet river rock. The young woman was startled and let out a delicate yelp and noticed him. She quickly gathered herself and turned to her dragon for support.
” Who goes their Weewooo!” She said with authority.
The Dragon furiously stood erect and spreads his wings and stepped forward with a sturdy stature. The dragon let out a dominating grunt and lowered his head for a closer look at the intruder. The stranger then stumbles forward out of the foliage and into plain sight .
” You are surely to die on this day” She said convinced.
She turned her head away and waited for her protector to strike the stranger down as he has done many times before.
“WeeeWooo?” She said perplexed as moments went by in silence.
“Why haven’t you struck down this intruder!” She said angrily.
The dragon stares into the intruders eyes and then swiftly retracts his wings and looks away as if he knew the stranger. The dragon turned and whipped his tail striking her backside and nudged her forward. She looked back baffled by Wee Woo's reactions.
“What are you doing!, he could kill me Weewoo, protect me!” She protested.
She became livid and stomped on the ground and then slipped on the moss gravel stones and began her descend into the river. The disciple balanced his footing and greeted the dragon with a nod and braced himself. He inhaled deeply and stood mesmerized as the wind carried her lustrous long dark hair.
She scrabbled for her protector in an attempt to avoid contact with the stranger who waited to catch her fall.His embrace was powerful and nearly propelled her away and then he adjusted his strength to accommodate. He watched her go through numerous expressions and finally she settled on a passive stares.
He watched her eyes swell and then she closed her eyes to release a tear that cascaded down her blushing cheek and disappeared into her rosy lips. A soft summer breeze captivated an array of flower pedals and began to circle all around them. They both glazed into each other's eyes for the first time.
The brightness of the sun reflect a shimmer onto the falling leaves and the music of the song birds commence to sing a melody. The dragon curiously watches their every move and chimed in with a beautiful trance like whisper which added to the musical tone. She shook her head in disbelief and bellowed.
“What is going on here!" She bellowed.
“Let go of me, Weewoo help!” She commanded.
She noticed a humorous smile in the eyes of her so called protector and knew she was on her own.
” I apologize!" The young disciple said.
He carried her safely to solid ground all the while stealing glances at her delicate features.
" There you are safely back on solid ground, accept my humblest of apologies” He said sincerely.
As if she was covered in dirt she frantically brushed her magnificent eggshell colored gown with gold and diamond trimmings. She noticed there was nothing to brush away. She felt childish in her attempt to brush no debris off her beautiful gown and turned to her dragon and demanded that he take her home, right away.
” Wait, don’t go!” the disciple pleaded.
She stood her ground and lifted her head proudly and not once did she attempt to turn around to face him.
" What do you want!" She asked while looking away.
His heart raced and he attempted to speak yet he was lost for words.
" Well, I am waiting!" She said impatiently.
She let out a sigh and turned to face him. Her eyes met his and now they were both speechless.
She realized her heart began to flutter when her mind began to admire his physical appearance. He had the most amazing smile and dazzling eyes she admitted to herself. She felt unclean at the thoughts that raised shortly after and she put her head down to avoid his dreamy stare.
" Where do you come from?" He managed to ask.
" What is it to you?" She quickly replied.
Again he did not know why he wanted to know more about her, and stood watching her. She felt an uncomfortable stillness and spoke just to break the silence.
"Well I must be going, it is about to turn" She said unsure.
She gave a sign and her dragon genuflect and swung his tail around to assist her in mounting the decorated saddle on his back. She grabbed the harness for balance and sat as she whispered a command and the dragon stood ready. She whipped the harness and flew away stealing glances back as she directed her dragon onward.
He watched the most intriguing person he has ever met vanish into the setting horizon. He then realized he never asked for her name or where she was from. He noticed the colorful bouquet she left behind and walked to pick it up. He lifted the bouquet and buried his nose in it and inhaled deeply.
" These flowers are a reminder that one day we will meet again" He said out loud.
"She is indeed an extraordinary and enchanting delight." He said to himself.
He began to whistle the immovable melody in his head. He wondered where his master had gone and decided it was time to go home. As he walked home to his surprise the seasons began their annual turn. As a younger boy he always found it enchanting to watch the leaves turn different hues of color right before his own eyes. He brushed his hands over some of the leaves and they would change back to their original color. He always found the season change magical.
He playfully levitated and swiftly gathered as many leaves as he could manipulate and kept them afloat while he strolled in the direction of the cottage.
He walked into the cottage in which he has so many childhood memories. Everything seemed the same except that his master had left the stove on and the food was being over cooked. He went over to the stove and removed the pot from it.
" Are we getting forgetful master?" He said playfully.
"Master?" he repeated.
He didn't hear the customary welcome and grew with concern. He began to comb his surroundings and then noticed a written letter. He removed a peculiar medallion which held the letter down.
Young one, today you have achieved the Tao. This medallion is an indication that my teachings have reach their pinnacle, and the next stage of your training will begin. This is how it has been for many years in the Order. You will have another teacher visit you in the next few days to begin the next phase of your training as a Tao Drum Fighter. Sorry for leaving so quickly, the wing master waits for no one. Remember to go to the Shi market for provisions. I will see you at the completion of your training in the sacred temple.
Best Wishes, Shao
He rushed into Shao's room and indeed his fear became real, all master's things were gone and the room was left with an empty aerie feel to it. He can't remember a day he was alone and anxiety creep down his spine.
This is the End of Chapter One...Chapter Two is Written Just needs some touch up..posting soon. 12/8/2012
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