Post by Deleted on May 7, 2012 13:41:53 GMT -5
"...And so we were the last generation. One by one, people passed away, moved away or simply moved on, until I, the youngest, was left. Heh, I don't suppose I'm that young any more," mused the Grandmaster answering a question Havoc didn't ask. Havoc was leaning against the wall that separated the grandmaster on the outside with him on the inside. The grandmaster had begun to talk, with now queue from a silent and resistive Havoc. He had explained how this dojo had seen a decline with the ranking system that had been constructed in this region of Karate island. Havoc, although he still was highly reluctant to engage with the man on general principle, did not feel the man was lying or concocting a story. This art form, to which the Grandmaster and the dojo were aligned to, was rooted in self-defence, a means of protecting oneself rather that hurting and maiming one's enemies. It made a lot of sense that the Art of the Yatagarasu, to which Havoc was subscribed, would be based on such a martial art, focused on swiftly getting away. The grandmaster was of similar age to Havoc's grandfather and could have possibly been a little younger for all Havoc knew.
Even still, Havoc found a knew dimension of intrigue and respect for the old man if he truly was a disciple of such a dojo in a past life before moving to the East Blue. Havoc mulled over these thought, knowing that he could draw any definite conclusion by being silent, but feeling the vague idea of their connection was satisfaction enough. The whole time the Grandmaster had been chortling softly after his own joke. Havoc couldn't tell if he was generally that obnoxious, or just simply didn't want to play into the tension Havoc's silence emanated.
"I understand," continued the Grandmaster. "I'm sure you have your reasons for not telling me why you're here. This dojo, for centuries objected to teaching aggression as part of the art. Nowadays, martial arts enthusiasts and tourists have no interest in martial arts to protect themselves. It's a golden era of war, of victory in battle. The days in which a man can be at peace simply still being alive are fading. I stuck to this principle, and will do so until I too pass away, but I think of my brothers and sisters, my master, his master and all those who wore these bands before me. I shame, dishonour towards them that I stand alone in the training grounds, with no disciples, not even a single apprentice with whom to pass on this legacy. I prayed for such a one... and then you arrived, a mystery in wings already versed in the art and commemorating all that he did with our insignia. I thought of you as an angel, a gift from God, but your mischief parallels that of a devil," he explained. Although his language and conjecture were ominous, he spoke in a warm and giggling voice. Havoc's eyes quivered when the Grandmaster spoke of his wings; Havoc had completely forgotten after being knocked out that the Grandmaster would have carried him back to the dojo. He still stayed silent, seeing as the grandmaster was happy to see him serve as some from of extraterrestrial or even celestial being.
"Red Demon... no. You have great skill in the arts, enough to warrant a true Feather-Fist title. Your actions remind of one man in particular. He was a young and vibrant teenager when I last saw him, but his penchant for mischief and peril to empower the name of Feather-Fist got him well known before he was given a title. By the time he was ready, the masters all agreed only one title would work: Black Crow. He was a pioneer of our last generation, leaving in the promise he would make the Feather-Fist a worldwide name. Rambunctious till the end... Yes. You are silent, more reserved, by you are just as much a handful. With the power vested in me as Grand Master, I, Jade Robin, duly appoint you the title of Red... Raven." spoke the Grandmaster.
Havoc breathed very deeply, taking almost an entire minute on a single inhalation and exhalation. That name ' Black Crow'; couldn't be a coincidence. This man known as Jade Robin couldn't possibly be that intuitive about Havoc and his sordid, secretive past in such a short time. The gods would have a hard time weaving such an accurate and precise lie from cold-reading a reluctant mute as Havoc. Now Havoc understood why all of his Grandfathers work in his double life meant so much to him, why he strived for the challenge, for the danger, for the reputation. He would betray all that he had gained in honest hard work to deceive and betray his way towards a promise he had made to himself as a child.
Was Havoc not doing the same? What did that mean? Havoc had found the drive to be who he was, to do as he had done out of vengeance. He became a thorn in the side to all of mankind for the sake of taking back all that this world had first taken from him; a father; a home; a place to belong. By running this path and ruining others along the way to a title within the dogs of the world government, Havoc could reclaim all of this and more. This world made him regret he was ever born. So would they. He even believed he was using his Grandfather, taking advantage of all the skills he bestowed on to him in his dying wish and diary. He was under the impression his Grandfather was simply using both Havoc and his father anyway, simply desperate for a mule to complete works in his name of the Yatagarasu, since his illness meant he could not. The idea, that his Grandfather was simply trying to pass on an honest and pure legacy underneath all the guise and the secrets, before he died without fulfilling a childhood promise; the idea that his Grandfather was willing to endure the hatred, shame and anger as a martyr was overwhelming to Havoc.
If this was all true, which it more than likely was, Havoc had indirectly been honouring his Grandfather's memory by the aspiration he himself strived towards. By making his mark on this world under the emblem of the three-legged bird of mystery he would become a mysterious saviour of this dojo, the House of the Yatagarasu and the Art of the Feather-Fist. That idea of honour unnerved Havoc. It was to noble, to great. He had worked hard at distilling his heart of that morality and the more he thought about it, the more disillusioned he became over what he believed were selfish and dark-rooted ambitions.
Havoc's ears fluttered in the silence. It was a noise that had started only a short time ago. It was a thumping noise. It had irregular rhythm and magnitude, some thumps being louder and closer together than others. It sounded like demolition to Havoc.
"What is that?" he asked, marking the first words he had spoken to Jade Robin since awakening.
"I think that is a battle in another dojo. A giant of a man walked through here, looking for the Shotokan Dojo on the other side of the hill. Some judges soon arrived. I believe he is challenging the dojo for their banner." explained Jade Robin. The master had already spoken in detail about the ranking system, upon which Havoc had used the speech to fill in the rather large blanks he had about the social order of martial arts in this land. Havoc become tensed when Jade Robin uttered the word Giant. With how exhilarated the people were rushing in their droves to the restaurant, giants were just as rare a sight here as they were anywhere else in the known world. It was impossible for their to be two giants roaming Karate Island today. Havoc, putting two and two together, noted that the last time he saw this man, he had challenge the master of the restaurant to a fight. Now, he had seemingly entered this region-wide tournament, looking to claiming a dojo as his own. For all he knew, this might not even have been his first challenge. Havoc marked this giant as a rival, someone who must have come to Karate Island with the same intention as Havoc did for staying - to take 'Karate' from it. It seemed Karate was not quite the ideal Havoc believed it was. He was aware during his confrontations with resident martial artists that the term 'Karate' didn't even cover all of the forms of martial arts on the island. while he had been stuck figuring how to make the ideal of karate island a tangible form which he could pry from the hands of its upholders, it seemed this Giant had been claiming it by force from Dojo to dojo! What was worse, Havoc had been unconscious at the hands of losing to Jade Robin, which gave the Giant a good hour of extra time. If the booming sounds of impact were anything to go by, it meant that this Giant was still near by. Havoc could not afford to risk targeting the entire island. He would never catch up to the giant at this rate. He would have to target it the giant instead, and then, once the astoundingly huge figure had the ideal of karate within his grasp, Havoc could emerge from his rather intimidating shadow and claim it for himself.
Havoc looked down at his body and pulled at once of the ice-patches. His body didn't feel sore or tender while they were applied leading him to believe he didn't need them any more but the flesh tingled in pain just as he tried to removed the first. Havoc had no interest in fighting a giant on a good day. He hoped he wouldn't have to fight him now.
Havoc stood up, no able to be seen by Jade Robin through the window collecting his things. Jade Robin had no wish to trap hi or capture him, but he did still have some curiosity about Havoc, where he came from, what his purpose was, why he came back here of all place to put the name of the Yatagarasu in the forefront of this region's minds.
"Are you going to interefere?" asked Robin, peering in.
"Just a little curious," replied Havoc, still refusing to be completely sincere.
"The judges keep order in this region. The ranking system maintains peace between the dojos, to stop war and anarchy from breaking loose. Soon enough if not already, they will be aware of your actions, taking and claiming titles from other dojo under the name of Yatagarasu without giving warriors the honour of a true battle. I will not be able to satiate them as the dojo Master since this dojo doesn't participate in the tournament. They will want their retribution from you personally, branding you as a rogue." he warned Havoc. Havoc said nothing, not even taking a moment to pause and visibly heed the warning.
"What happens if I can escape the punishment? What happens if I refuse." asked Havoc, choosing to ignore the hazard in Jade Robin's last comment.
"Refuse?" parroted Jade Robin. He didn't recognise the response because it wasn't an option.
"I'm no more apart of this game than you and this dojo are. Technically, I can't break the rules to a game I wasn't playing in the first place. That means any and all punishment is completely unwarranted. I didn't play, ergo I didn't cheat." explained Havoc.
"There's nothing they can do... I suppose. So long as you can live with the shame of dishonouring this tradition and the Yatagarasu Dojo for the rest of your life."
"...I think so," replied Havoc resounding cavalierly. To his credit, this was not the first time someone would shake their head in dismay at his actions. "If they ask for me, just tell them where I am."
"They will not be patient with you. They will exact justice by the fist. I already told you of Dan and Kyu warrior rankings. You couldn't defend yourself against a mere 2nd Dan Tatsumaki-ryoku warrior. They will send someone of much greater martial arts skill than that. In the short test I gave you, I know you do not have the hand-to-hand skill to match such an opponent." insisted Jade Robin, becoming invested in this anonymous protégé.
"Then it's a good thing I'm not a martial artist." responded Havoc, finally packing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder to leave. His rebuttal caught Jade Robin off-guard, bringing the Grandmaster back down to earth. He laughed in approval of Havoc's rebellious nature, realising he was trying to align him to rules that Havoc clearly would never follow. It reminded him of Black Crow so strongly, he was convinced this must be his herald or messenger.
"How is Black Crow?" Jade Robin asked presumptuously as Havoc was at the doorway. Havoc paused with his back to Jade Robin. He thought about telling him the truth, of his Grandfather's passing.
"Who?" replied Havoc before leaving, caused the Grandmaster to smile with zeal, believing that he had guessed Havoc's presence correctly. Havoc tried to reason that he lied simply to give nothing away to the stranger, keeping his hand close to his chest, but he was aware the man was on his last hope, clinging to something that Havoc didn't wish to take from him. He wasn't interested in seeing what would become of Jade Robin if he knew he had died over ten years ago.
Havoc knew how to utilises lies, not just to hurt, but also to heal... even if he rarely felt he needed to.
It was a lot easier for Havoc to find a place of refuge at the Shotokan Dojo than at the restaurant because of how desolate the are was. There was no one about the grounds, it looking as bleak as the neighbouring Yatagarasu dojo next door. However, there was definitely activity on the inside. Havoc could hear it distinctly over a hundred yards away. Havoc went against barging through the front entrance and instead used a ladder from the shed in the corner of the ground to ascend up to a window at the second floor. He climbed to perch himself on the empty windowsill slowly and discretely, while a battle on the inside seemed to reach a climax. Havoc crouched pertinently, as raven locking it's tragic, dooming gaze on a lost wanderer as the giant raised his hands to a man in a similarly bulging man who curiously had diminutively small legs. Sure enough the giant was the one and the same he witnessed at the restaurant.
Moreover, Havoc could see a couple of men dressed in rather regal looking garbs. Their uniforms didn't match up with either the giant's outfit or that of his opponent and they stood straight and still watching as if positioned on an imaginary sideline, leading Havoc to deduce that they must be the judges of which Robin spoke of. It meant that the giant was definitely making a grave or bold challenge against this Dojo.
<Who are you...> mused Havoc silently in the back of his mind, locking his eyes on the giant as he made his climactic clash with his enemy.
Even still, Havoc found a knew dimension of intrigue and respect for the old man if he truly was a disciple of such a dojo in a past life before moving to the East Blue. Havoc mulled over these thought, knowing that he could draw any definite conclusion by being silent, but feeling the vague idea of their connection was satisfaction enough. The whole time the Grandmaster had been chortling softly after his own joke. Havoc couldn't tell if he was generally that obnoxious, or just simply didn't want to play into the tension Havoc's silence emanated.
"I understand," continued the Grandmaster. "I'm sure you have your reasons for not telling me why you're here. This dojo, for centuries objected to teaching aggression as part of the art. Nowadays, martial arts enthusiasts and tourists have no interest in martial arts to protect themselves. It's a golden era of war, of victory in battle. The days in which a man can be at peace simply still being alive are fading. I stuck to this principle, and will do so until I too pass away, but I think of my brothers and sisters, my master, his master and all those who wore these bands before me. I shame, dishonour towards them that I stand alone in the training grounds, with no disciples, not even a single apprentice with whom to pass on this legacy. I prayed for such a one... and then you arrived, a mystery in wings already versed in the art and commemorating all that he did with our insignia. I thought of you as an angel, a gift from God, but your mischief parallels that of a devil," he explained. Although his language and conjecture were ominous, he spoke in a warm and giggling voice. Havoc's eyes quivered when the Grandmaster spoke of his wings; Havoc had completely forgotten after being knocked out that the Grandmaster would have carried him back to the dojo. He still stayed silent, seeing as the grandmaster was happy to see him serve as some from of extraterrestrial or even celestial being.
"Red Demon... no. You have great skill in the arts, enough to warrant a true Feather-Fist title. Your actions remind of one man in particular. He was a young and vibrant teenager when I last saw him, but his penchant for mischief and peril to empower the name of Feather-Fist got him well known before he was given a title. By the time he was ready, the masters all agreed only one title would work: Black Crow. He was a pioneer of our last generation, leaving in the promise he would make the Feather-Fist a worldwide name. Rambunctious till the end... Yes. You are silent, more reserved, by you are just as much a handful. With the power vested in me as Grand Master, I, Jade Robin, duly appoint you the title of Red... Raven." spoke the Grandmaster.
Havoc breathed very deeply, taking almost an entire minute on a single inhalation and exhalation. That name ' Black Crow'; couldn't be a coincidence. This man known as Jade Robin couldn't possibly be that intuitive about Havoc and his sordid, secretive past in such a short time. The gods would have a hard time weaving such an accurate and precise lie from cold-reading a reluctant mute as Havoc. Now Havoc understood why all of his Grandfathers work in his double life meant so much to him, why he strived for the challenge, for the danger, for the reputation. He would betray all that he had gained in honest hard work to deceive and betray his way towards a promise he had made to himself as a child.
Was Havoc not doing the same? What did that mean? Havoc had found the drive to be who he was, to do as he had done out of vengeance. He became a thorn in the side to all of mankind for the sake of taking back all that this world had first taken from him; a father; a home; a place to belong. By running this path and ruining others along the way to a title within the dogs of the world government, Havoc could reclaim all of this and more. This world made him regret he was ever born. So would they. He even believed he was using his Grandfather, taking advantage of all the skills he bestowed on to him in his dying wish and diary. He was under the impression his Grandfather was simply using both Havoc and his father anyway, simply desperate for a mule to complete works in his name of the Yatagarasu, since his illness meant he could not. The idea, that his Grandfather was simply trying to pass on an honest and pure legacy underneath all the guise and the secrets, before he died without fulfilling a childhood promise; the idea that his Grandfather was willing to endure the hatred, shame and anger as a martyr was overwhelming to Havoc.
If this was all true, which it more than likely was, Havoc had indirectly been honouring his Grandfather's memory by the aspiration he himself strived towards. By making his mark on this world under the emblem of the three-legged bird of mystery he would become a mysterious saviour of this dojo, the House of the Yatagarasu and the Art of the Feather-Fist. That idea of honour unnerved Havoc. It was to noble, to great. He had worked hard at distilling his heart of that morality and the more he thought about it, the more disillusioned he became over what he believed were selfish and dark-rooted ambitions.
Havoc's ears fluttered in the silence. It was a noise that had started only a short time ago. It was a thumping noise. It had irregular rhythm and magnitude, some thumps being louder and closer together than others. It sounded like demolition to Havoc.
"What is that?" he asked, marking the first words he had spoken to Jade Robin since awakening.
"I think that is a battle in another dojo. A giant of a man walked through here, looking for the Shotokan Dojo on the other side of the hill. Some judges soon arrived. I believe he is challenging the dojo for their banner." explained Jade Robin. The master had already spoken in detail about the ranking system, upon which Havoc had used the speech to fill in the rather large blanks he had about the social order of martial arts in this land. Havoc become tensed when Jade Robin uttered the word Giant. With how exhilarated the people were rushing in their droves to the restaurant, giants were just as rare a sight here as they were anywhere else in the known world. It was impossible for their to be two giants roaming Karate Island today. Havoc, putting two and two together, noted that the last time he saw this man, he had challenge the master of the restaurant to a fight. Now, he had seemingly entered this region-wide tournament, looking to claiming a dojo as his own. For all he knew, this might not even have been his first challenge. Havoc marked this giant as a rival, someone who must have come to Karate Island with the same intention as Havoc did for staying - to take 'Karate' from it. It seemed Karate was not quite the ideal Havoc believed it was. He was aware during his confrontations with resident martial artists that the term 'Karate' didn't even cover all of the forms of martial arts on the island. while he had been stuck figuring how to make the ideal of karate island a tangible form which he could pry from the hands of its upholders, it seemed this Giant had been claiming it by force from Dojo to dojo! What was worse, Havoc had been unconscious at the hands of losing to Jade Robin, which gave the Giant a good hour of extra time. If the booming sounds of impact were anything to go by, it meant that this Giant was still near by. Havoc could not afford to risk targeting the entire island. He would never catch up to the giant at this rate. He would have to target it the giant instead, and then, once the astoundingly huge figure had the ideal of karate within his grasp, Havoc could emerge from his rather intimidating shadow and claim it for himself.
Havoc looked down at his body and pulled at once of the ice-patches. His body didn't feel sore or tender while they were applied leading him to believe he didn't need them any more but the flesh tingled in pain just as he tried to removed the first. Havoc had no interest in fighting a giant on a good day. He hoped he wouldn't have to fight him now.
Havoc stood up, no able to be seen by Jade Robin through the window collecting his things. Jade Robin had no wish to trap hi or capture him, but he did still have some curiosity about Havoc, where he came from, what his purpose was, why he came back here of all place to put the name of the Yatagarasu in the forefront of this region's minds.
"Are you going to interefere?" asked Robin, peering in.
"Just a little curious," replied Havoc, still refusing to be completely sincere.
"The judges keep order in this region. The ranking system maintains peace between the dojos, to stop war and anarchy from breaking loose. Soon enough if not already, they will be aware of your actions, taking and claiming titles from other dojo under the name of Yatagarasu without giving warriors the honour of a true battle. I will not be able to satiate them as the dojo Master since this dojo doesn't participate in the tournament. They will want their retribution from you personally, branding you as a rogue." he warned Havoc. Havoc said nothing, not even taking a moment to pause and visibly heed the warning.
"What happens if I can escape the punishment? What happens if I refuse." asked Havoc, choosing to ignore the hazard in Jade Robin's last comment.
"Refuse?" parroted Jade Robin. He didn't recognise the response because it wasn't an option.
"I'm no more apart of this game than you and this dojo are. Technically, I can't break the rules to a game I wasn't playing in the first place. That means any and all punishment is completely unwarranted. I didn't play, ergo I didn't cheat." explained Havoc.
"There's nothing they can do... I suppose. So long as you can live with the shame of dishonouring this tradition and the Yatagarasu Dojo for the rest of your life."
"...I think so," replied Havoc resounding cavalierly. To his credit, this was not the first time someone would shake their head in dismay at his actions. "If they ask for me, just tell them where I am."
"They will not be patient with you. They will exact justice by the fist. I already told you of Dan and Kyu warrior rankings. You couldn't defend yourself against a mere 2nd Dan Tatsumaki-ryoku warrior. They will send someone of much greater martial arts skill than that. In the short test I gave you, I know you do not have the hand-to-hand skill to match such an opponent." insisted Jade Robin, becoming invested in this anonymous protégé.
"Then it's a good thing I'm not a martial artist." responded Havoc, finally packing his bag and slinging it over his shoulder to leave. His rebuttal caught Jade Robin off-guard, bringing the Grandmaster back down to earth. He laughed in approval of Havoc's rebellious nature, realising he was trying to align him to rules that Havoc clearly would never follow. It reminded him of Black Crow so strongly, he was convinced this must be his herald or messenger.
"How is Black Crow?" Jade Robin asked presumptuously as Havoc was at the doorway. Havoc paused with his back to Jade Robin. He thought about telling him the truth, of his Grandfather's passing.
"Who?" replied Havoc before leaving, caused the Grandmaster to smile with zeal, believing that he had guessed Havoc's presence correctly. Havoc tried to reason that he lied simply to give nothing away to the stranger, keeping his hand close to his chest, but he was aware the man was on his last hope, clinging to something that Havoc didn't wish to take from him. He wasn't interested in seeing what would become of Jade Robin if he knew he had died over ten years ago.
Havoc knew how to utilises lies, not just to hurt, but also to heal... even if he rarely felt he needed to.
It was a lot easier for Havoc to find a place of refuge at the Shotokan Dojo than at the restaurant because of how desolate the are was. There was no one about the grounds, it looking as bleak as the neighbouring Yatagarasu dojo next door. However, there was definitely activity on the inside. Havoc could hear it distinctly over a hundred yards away. Havoc went against barging through the front entrance and instead used a ladder from the shed in the corner of the ground to ascend up to a window at the second floor. He climbed to perch himself on the empty windowsill slowly and discretely, while a battle on the inside seemed to reach a climax. Havoc crouched pertinently, as raven locking it's tragic, dooming gaze on a lost wanderer as the giant raised his hands to a man in a similarly bulging man who curiously had diminutively small legs. Sure enough the giant was the one and the same he witnessed at the restaurant.
Moreover, Havoc could see a couple of men dressed in rather regal looking garbs. Their uniforms didn't match up with either the giant's outfit or that of his opponent and they stood straight and still watching as if positioned on an imaginary sideline, leading Havoc to deduce that they must be the judges of which Robin spoke of. It meant that the giant was definitely making a grave or bold challenge against this Dojo.
<Who are you...> mused Havoc silently in the back of his mind, locking his eyes on the giant as he made his climactic clash with his enemy.