A Legend Retold Empress Kay-Li and the Soul Ripper Book One: Shadows of Sapphira (Part Three) Chapter Two: Thoughts of Treason

Chapter Two

Thoughts of Treason

Chaos filled the streets of Ray-Gor as panic gripped the souls of all those who lived there.  For death had come to their shores as buildings fell and smoke filled the skies above.  It was a landscape of ruin as its terrified civilians raced towards the harbor.  Their cries could be heard throughout the village as they ran through the streets like a horde of stampeding cattle, knocking men and women aside, fighting to escape the carnage.

Yet one man raced towards the battle, ignoring the explosive gunshots and flying debris.  For he’d seen many things in his lifetime, and thus, possessed a courage like no other.  His one working eye focused solely on the mayhem as guilt riddled his thoughts.

For he’d been many things in his decades — soldier, fighter, adventurer, sailor — but never the unwitting executioner of a city.  For it was he who brought this unholy samurai to the shores of Sapphira.  And thus, he raced forward, gritting his teeth as he prepared to make things right.

But suddenly, his self-loathing was interrupted as a large Tenshi assault vehicle was sent soaring through the air.  Its armored hull smashed into the ground as chunks of shattered steel were torn apart, flying through the air as it struck some of the still-fleeing civilians.  

Popeye quickly skidded to a halt, turning towards the injured family as he raced over to aid them from the raging beast, who stood facing off against the Sapphirian’s greatest soldiers.  His ears could still hear the sounds of wayward bullets smashing against the creature’s armored chest.  Yet he felt no pain as he continued to destroy their mechanized carriages.

“Aye, ya fellas alright,” the sailor cried, looking towards the semi-conscious husband.

His hand still gripped his wife’s as blood dripped from his forehead.  For the wounded couple had shielded their young son with their own bodies from the deadly metal.  Yet the fear could still be seen in the boy’s eyes as the sailor bent down, placing his hand on the boy’s shoulder.

“It’s gonna be alright, kid,” the captain said, flashing him a faint smile through his weary eyes.  He then looked towards the boy’s mother, asking, “Can he walk?”  The woman slowly looked down at her husband, her arms still cradling his wounded body as tears began to stream down her face.  But she soon replied, nodding her head.  

So, the man returned her gesture, turning back towards the carnage as he rose to his feet.  He could see the squadrons of vehicles rushing past him as hordes of soldiers ran by, ignoring the calls of the wounded Akra.  His eye could see in the distance only the faintest of silhouettes as he briefly watched the sight of the three factions waging war against one another.

For there were three sides to the chaos, the Tenshi, who had deemed both combatants a serious threat to the existence of Sapphira, and thus, were attacked with all the force that remained at their disposal.  Then there was the large, mutated beast that once called himself a man.  For he was cold and unfeeling, unharmed by the Tenshi’s most powerful weapons, yet all he could do was lash out like a vengeful child.  And then there was the final one, the demonic warrior whom he’d transported across the seas.  

To Popeye, he might’ve been the most interesting of the three.  For despite his unsettling appearance and seemingly inhuman demeanor, the sailor couldn’t help but notice that he never once attacked the Tenshi, despite their numerous attacks against him. 

For the immortal warrior was solely focused on battling the beast, even trying to force the monster away from the civilians with his immense strength.  Yet the creature’s own strength proved to counteract such a noble endeavor.

“Come on,” Popeye said, turning back towards the others.  He quickly began to pull the family members to their feet.  “I gotta boat at the harbor, we can hide out there till it’s over.”  

He then grabbed the woman’s husband, placing his arm across his shoulders as he helped the man limp towards the shipyards.  Behind them, he could hear the sounds of collapsing buildings and screaming soldiers as the cries of the monster grew increasingly louder with each passing second.  But the sailor knew he couldn’t react, choosing to ignore it as he continued to help the family forward.  His mind was still focused on their safety as they moved through the streets.  Yet he could tell that soon the beast would be upon them as the sounds of gunshots grew silent, but again he did not speak, except to encourage the others to continue their trek through the streets.  For he knew that the truth would only scare them further, and thus, they’d hesitate.  And in times like these, it would be something as simple as hesitation, which would kill them all.

“Come on!  We’re almost there,” he yelled out.

Several vendor stands behind them quickly exploded as food and merchandise flew through the air.  A nearby post office then collapsed in a frenzy of smoke and debris.  Popeye’s one working eye quickly grew wide with terror as the tall, hulking brute of a man emerged through the smoke.  His eyes glowed with demonic fury as he looked towards the sailor, seemingly forgetting the battle at hand.

“You… Side with them,” he yelled out, raising his clawed hand.  His veins pulsing with unholy energy as strange metal-like wires tightened against his metallic skin.

“I ain’t afraid of no bully like you,” the sailor said.  His eyes were still locked within the creature’s fiery gaze as his hand slowly reached down towards his duffle bag.  For the noble hero was not one to abandon a fight, especially against a foe such as this.

Yet before a blow could be struck, the ruthless Soul Ripper appeared.  His speed was nothing short of lightning fast as he kicked the brute against the jaw, knocking him to the ground.  He then leapt backwards, raising his hand as his long, cloak-like wing surged forward.  Its leathery form quickly wrapped around the beast’s neck, tightening its grip as the monster gasped for air.  

And with a simple flick of his wrist, the Soul Ripper watched as the cloak flung the creature back towards the mines.  His hulking body quickly vanished, smashing through several buildings as smoke and debris blanketed the streets behind them.  He then turned towards the sailor, nodding his head before he raced forward, disappearing like a burst of lightning.  

Yet Popeye remained, his eyes widened with shock, before he turned towards the family.  He then shook his head, snapping himself back to reality as he grabbed the husband once again.  This time, lifting him off his feet as he yelled, “Come on, we ain’t got all day!”

With that, he raced forward, always checking to see if the man’s wife and son were close behind him.  Never allowing them to stray too far, as the boy’s eyes began to sparkle with childish wonder.  Yet Popeye remained silent, instead focusing on reaching the harbor.  For he knew that the sea would serve as their shepherd, shielding them from a battle of unholy proportions. 

And after several minutes, they reached the docks.  Chaos had filled the area as Akrian civilians yelled and screamed, fighting for a ship to escape the madness.  Yet Popeye continued to push forward, knocking numerous people aside as he boarded his ship, watching as the family soon followed.  He then handed the woman’s husband off to the onboard medic before he looked back towards Ray-Gor.  

“Was that an angel?” the boy asked, tugging on the sailor’s shirt.

Popeye then turned towards the boy, removing a pipe from his bag.  He quickly lit a match, igniting the pipe as smoke began to billow outwards.  

“I wish I knew, kid,” Popeye answered, looking back towards the destruction.  

Fire painted the skies above as smoke blotted out the sun.  For the once weathered and decayed structures were replaced by dust and debris as sparks and flames crackled through the streets.  Yet the results of their battle remained undeniable as the wounded and deceased decorated the once horrid town.  For it was a tragedy of untold proportions as Popeye looked on, still weary of the decisions he’d made.  Yet a new question soon emerged.  One which haunted his mind, leading him to wonder, “He fought like a monster... but saved them like a man.  What kind of demon does that?”      

Three days later, the echoes of Ray-Gor’s destruction had found their way into the heart of Sapphira.

And thus, there was silence, the kind that was all-encompassing, like an all-consuming void.  For it hung within the air like a secret too horrid to speak.  Its influence had painted a very tense, yet panicked portrait of those who’d like nothing more than to keep the truth buried.  For this was the silence, which had taken refuge within the halls of the Sapphirian Council of the Tenshi.  Where it had claimed the hearts and minds of its numerous officials, each with their roles and influence.  For this was the kind of silence which possessed them like a virus, spreading through the room like an unstoppable force as their eyes remained glued to the contents of the documents, which had been splayed out before them. 

And yet, with a single breath, the silence was finally shattered as General Shig rose from his chair.  His eyes scanned the different faces, which now sat watching his every movement.  

“I refuse to believe it,” he calmly said, looking towards his various colleagues.  

“But Shig, these reports come from your own men,” Lord Hiroyuki replied, holding up the papers in question.  “Surely, you don’t think…”

“I don’t care,” the general yelled, slamming his fist against the oakwood table.  

He then looked towards his peers and sighed.  His temper had gotten the better of him, and thus, he bowed his head in shame, apologizing to the others before he returned to his seat.  In the process, his eyes caught a glimpse of a symbol, partially covered by the numerous papers.  Yet the sight of it sent a shiver down his spine as a flash of the past flickered within his eyes.  He then pushed the image aside, still refusing to acknowledge the evidence that had been laid out before him as a gut-wrenching fear began to churn within his stomach.

“Regardless of the results, the truth remains,” Abish chimed in, raising a document.  He then flicked his hand against it as he said, “Ah, yes, Ray-Gor... A jewel of moderate worth, at least before it was so carelessly reduced to ash.  And here I thought we were past losing entire cities overnight.  How quaint.. ”

“There’s an easy solution for that,” Lee-San said, with a sinister grin.  

Lord Hiroyuki then looked towards his former student, Lord Yashagoro, as Shig and Abish sat waiting for the woman’s next decree.  While the Supreme Mother and her adoptive son, Zee the Allseer, remained silent, watching with muted thoughts as they assessed the situation within their own minds.

“Well,” Abish impatiently asked.

“The Akra are a simple breed, Abish.  And hunger sharpens loyalty far better than kindness ever will,” she chuckled.  “So, we simply offer them a crumb and in response, they’ll work twice as hard.”  

She then raised her hand, inspecting her freshly painted nails.  A quiet chuckle escaped her lips, imagining the torture that her suggestion might bring.  For the mere thought of Akrian, pain filled her with joy as she looked towards the others.

“Sure, things might be difficult at first, but Ray-Gor was but one of many, and its destruction, although tragic, was merely three days ago,” she continued.  “So, there’s still time to make up for what we’ve lost.”

The various lords and ministers then turned towards one another; different opinions were painted on their faces as they discussed it with one another.  The greedy ones, such as Abish, couldn’t help but side with the elder, saying, “You can dress a wolf in silk... but you'll still lose a sheep or two.  So, I suppose it should be them who die in our place… wouldn’t you agree?”  

Yet those such as Shig saw this plan as nothing more than a necessity to ensure the survival of their empire, even though Lord Yashagoro and Lord Hiroyuki sat opposed to such an idea.  

For they both agreed that such a plot would harm more people than help, with the elder ninja even saying, “They fought us, yes — but so did we fight them.  The dead sleep poorly when the living forgets their humanity.”  

Finally, the group turned towards the Supreme Mother and her son, Zee.  For each of them required his opinion as they looked on, desperately awaiting his answer.  Instead, he maintained his silence, his eyes watching each and every one of them, judging them with nothing but a glance as his expression grew cold and serious.  His demeanor had shifted into something dark and sinister as the group fell back into silence.  

Slowly, he rose to his feet and walked towards the large display screen on the other side of the room.  He then reached inside his darkened robes, removing a folder of documents, while his eyes remained focused on the others as he turned towards a strange device, sliding the folder inside.  It then clicked with life as gears turned and electricity roared.  Finally, the device projected the files outward, decorating the room with an almost three-dimensional display of images.  

“I find it problematic, Lee-San, that you view the Akrian civilians as nothing more than cattle, ones which can be used and abused at our leisure,” Zee finally said.  “For they’ve been pardoned of their crimes by the empress herself.  So, treat them with the same respect you would me.”

“A creature born to servitude ought to know its place — beneath our boots,” Lee-San scoffed.  For she found the idea of coexistence with the Akra almost comical as she folded her arms, turning away from him.  Her eyes filled with anger as she bit her tongue, refusing to speak any further.  

“Now then, we need to discuss the actual problem facing the empire,” Zee began.  “Three days ago, Ray-Gor was devastated by an attack unlike any we’d seen before.”  He then raised his arm, motioning towards a nearby display, its screen soon crackled with life as it lit up, revealing the faces of several individuals.  

“These are but a few of the survivors who were interviewed by Shig’s men,” he said, pointing towards each of their faces.  “Their testimony paints the most accurate yet gruesome picture as to what happened on that fateful day.”  

Yet the words of the Allseer remained contentious in the eyes of the general as he once more rose from his seat, challenging the wisdom of their would-be prophet.  But Zee remained calm, ignoring the man’s disrespect as he turned to face the decorated war hero.  His inhuman eyes stared upon the man’s soul, while his face remained devoid of emotion.  

For Zee could see the fear, which now haunted the general.  Its shadowy tendrils now wrapped against him like the strings of a measly puppet as it made him bow to its will.  His courage had now faded within its influence as a once noble man stood challenging the wisdom of reality, doubting the truths of his own men as he desperately fought to bury the past, which had stained the streets of Ray-Gor in blood.

“Sit down,” Zee finally said.  He then looked towards the others, asking, “For what good are those who refuse to heed her call?  Is Kay-Li’s word not law, is her blood not true?”  

“The blood of kings does not flow through every fool who stumbles onto a throne,” Lee-San answered.

“Yet she has decreed that we are to be the defenders of the Tenshi.  And are we not a united nation, one where both Akra and Tenshi live together as one?  So, I beseech you, my noble lords and ministers, abandon thy prejudice.  For death comes to the shores of Sapphira.  And if not us, then who shall defend us from the forces of darkness?”

He then took a breath, surveying the room as he studied his colleagues.  His eyes slowly shifted towards the Supreme Mother.  Her mask was devoid of any expression, yet he could sense her approving eyes staring back at his own.  For her judgment had gifted him with the faintest of smiles as he looked towards the others, awaiting their response.

“Forgive us, Zee,” General Shig finally said, bowing his head.  “But we’ve lost so much.  Yet the burden of our empress’s mistakes still hinders us.  For is there no end to the madness?”

“Yes, such madness has torn our lands asunder,” Abish admitted, looking towards the Allseer.  “Kay-Li’s little charity project has given us more mouths than meals — a rather poor return on investment, wouldn’t you agree?”  

He then raised his hands, exposing his milky white flesh.  “After all, the Curse of Kay-Li has already robbed us of our natural hue.  Well... desperate times do so often demand unthinkable solutions, do they not?  Solutions I would never personally propose, of course... unless the council deems it necessary.”

“Only a fool would consider such an offer,” Lord Hiroyuki interrupted, gritting his teeth. 

“But times are desperate, my old friend,” Lord Yashagoro answered, turning towards his former master.  Such a response had silenced the mighty ninja with disbelief as he stared into the eyes of his gallant student.  His heart felt betrayed by his friend’s response as the young ninja continued saying, “But we can’t allow our egos to blind us to the truth.  And unfortunately, the truth is quite obvious; this entity, no matter who he may be, is beyond anything we possess.  For he is power incarnate, while we are but men and women with simple gadgets and gizmos, pretending to be invincible.”

“He’s right,” Lee-San said.  “We have indulged Kay-Li’s… experiments long enough.  For even a child must learn when playtime ends.  Yet time after time, she has proven that she is unfit for her new role as empress.”  

She then sighed, saying, “Just look at what she’s accomplished in her six-year tenure, shattering generations of political laws just to integrate those Akrian savages into our ranks.  She’s brought us on the brink of war with Flar himself while abandoning her post to play in the fields with her daughter.  A daughter who has no identifiable father.”

“Say what you will of Flar — the man understands leverage,” Abish muttered, rubbing his chin.

The angered woman then rose from her chair as she continued.  “And that’s just the tip of the iceberg when considering the fact that Kay-Li has several unspoken controversies, some of which were observed by members of this very council.  Yet she’s been left…”

“That’s enough,” Zee interrupted.  “For there’s a reason such accusations remain unspoken.  And until you can provide proof of such outlandish theories, then they’re to be treated as nothing more than fantasy.  Do you understand?”

The elder woman scowled in response, nodding her head, displeased by the Allseer’s stance on the matter.  Yet a part of her was not surprised by his opinion, for it was no secret amongst the council that Zee was prone to defend his adopted sister.  But eventually the old woman grew silent, returning to her seat at the sound of the Supreme Mother rising to her feet. 

Her very movements shocked the council as they all turned, bowing their heads towards her.  Their expressions were calm and filled with respect as she left her seat, approaching Zee with the most subtle of graces.  She then motioned for him to return to his seat, and thus, the Allseer did.  

“As you all know, with the death of My-Lo came the rise of Kay-Li,” she began, placing her hands upon Zee’s shoulders as if to silence him.  “And since then, I’ve taken the Vow of Etourning, so that my daughter could ascend to the highest honor of the Tenshi.  For I believed in both myself and in My-Lo, that we’d given her everything that she’d need to continue Sapphira’s greatness.  Yet I stand here today, appalled by what’s become of our once noble race.”

She then looked around the room and sighed, saying, “Our people’s food diminishes with each passing day as we struggle to feed not just ourselves, but the murderers of our sons and daughters.  And now, as the days pass, we must struggle with the stress of watching our soldiers die, killed on the high seas by Flar’s unholy Fire Soldiers.  Yet here we are, bickering like children over what’s right and what’s wrong.”

“Yet we teach our children to walk by letting them fall.  So too must we guide our empress with patience, not poison,” Lord Hiroyuki suggested.

“Her heart is large… a pity her empire is not,” Abish quietly admitted.

Zee then turned towards his adoptive mother, his eyes begging her not to continue as she looked down.  Her mask shielded her thoughts from his enhanced senses as she tightened her grip on his shoulders.  For he could feel the guilt within her heart, yet her voice remained steadfast in her belief that what she spoke was true.  

“For today, we face a turning point in our nation’s history,” she said, surveying the room.  “One which I fear my daughter is unable to embrace, and thus, it falls on us to preserve the legacy of Sai-Shi.”

“Which is,” the general asked.  

“For an empire to be maintained, sacrifices must be made.  So, I propose a truce,” she said.  She then looked down towards Zee, but he simply closed his eyes, refusing to match her gaze as he looked away.  A slight sigh then escaped the Supreme Mother’s lips as she turned her attention back towards the others. 

“My fellow lords and ministers, it’s no secret that Flar seeks the conquest of our island.  For the simple fact that we’ve maintained our freedom.  Yet now, I suggest the unthinkable for the survival of our race.  For I propose the sacrifice of my own daughter, so that Flar may claim the empire as his own.”

“A tragic loss, yes... but far less expensive than a prolonged war,” Abish conceded.   

“Such is true, but our empire remains far from the House of Devon, so to govern it, I will opt for my son, Zee the Allseer, to serve as our leader.  For he has proven his worth in more ways than one.”

“But prosperity born from cruelty is as fleeting as the morning mist,” the wise old ninja interjected.

The various council members then turned and began to whisper amongst themselves as Zee sat there, watching the lips of his colleagues.  His eyes danced from face to face as things grew worse with each passing second.  

Each of the men and women had their own opinions and agendas for why they were for or against such a proposal.  Yet the Allseer soon turned away from the council members, disgusted by their words as he looked towards his mother.  

She then shook her head as if she sought to reassure him.  Yet her gesture, although nice, was far from comforting as he brushed her hands from his shoulders.  He then rose from his chair, halting the conversations as he looked towards the others.  His inhuman eyes studied each of their faces as he clenched his fist.

“I refuse to aid in such traitorous behavior,” he angrily said.  His eyes faintly glowed with a heated fury as he continued, “For we should be better than this!”

“And yet our fields rot, while our Empress of Flowers dances in the meadows with that monster of a child,” Lee-San yelled back, slamming her fist against the table.

Deep in the grasslands of Sapphira, two horses raced through the luscious meadows of the island’s most sacred gardens.  For this was one of the few places which remained untouched by the influence of the Great Darkness.  And thus, its beauty maintained its innocence.  For this was a land of endless flowers, each of a different color and design, as butterflies and rabbits lived amongst its majesty.  

For such a place remained a paradise in an era of suffering, yet nothing can truly last forever.  A fact that could never be ignored as shadows stirred in the distance.  For the darkness, which plagued their island, was growing, spreading like a deadly disease as it slowly crept across the skyline. 

Yet its cancerous influence remained far off, a problem for another day as the horses came to a well-trained halt.  For the riders of these noble steeds were none other than Empress Kay-Li and her six-year-old daughter, Princess Ojo.

“What do you think?” Kay-Li asked, jumping down from her horse.  “Do you still want those riding lessons you asked for?”  She then approached her daughter and unstrapped her from her horse’s saddle before she picked her up and lowered her to the ground.  

“Mother, that was incredible,” Ojo yelled out, hugging the empress.  “Oh, it was just so cool!  The wind in my hair and the petals flying through the air, it was just so…”

“Breathtaking,” Kay-Li interrupted, removing their picnic basket from inside the horse’s saddle bag.  She then took her daughter’s hand and together they walked off towards their usual spot, placing down a blanket as they prepared their meals.  

In the distance, Kay-Li could see the growing darkness as lightning flickered off in the distance.  It was an eerie sight to behold as she turned away. 

Instead, she focused on her daughter as she once more gave the girl a hug, holding her tighter than before as she quietly said, “I love you,” before she kissed her forehead.  

Her mind now focused on the moment, no longer worried about her empire nor its people, but instead living for the here and now.  For she cared about only one thing, providing her daughter with the greatest day that she could ever hope to give.  And so, she looked down at their picnic, excited about the meal they were soon to share. 

Yet far beyond the meadow, the sky rumbled again — as if the heavens themselves mourned a mother’s fleeting peace.

To Be Continued In: A Legend Retold Empress Kay-Li and the Soul Ripper Book One: Shadows of Sapphira (Part Four) Chapter Three: Sins of the Past

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