Defeat…

XJ-V sat cross-legged in his small crook of the Eternal Dragon quarters, the flickering light of a single candle casting elongated shadows on the walls. The air was thick with the incense he had burned to facilitate his meditation, but despite his best efforts, the tranquility of the scene belied the turmoil within him. His metallic hands rested on his knees, fingers gently tapping out a rhythm of frustration.

For it was only now that he was considering just how much of a disadvantage he was at. The path written for him in the Dao had not yet even begun, and already his resolve was wavering in the face of Mah-Jung’s incredible prowess.

“To think he could suppress his Qi levels,” XJ-V murmured. “His skills with the earth level techniques are far beyond mine, that much is certain.”

In the aftermath of their duel, the Regulators had seen to Feng’s injuries, with XJ-V insisting that he remain close at hand, mainly for moral support as opposed to anything else. Feng had long since elected to spend the rest of the day in quiet contemplation – something XJ-V understood, though it pained him to watch his friend’s once charming smile of confidence become one of

In the silence, he tried to draw upon the Dao, attempting to cultivate and align his Qi. The familiar sensation of energy flowing through his circuits, something that should have felt natural by now, eluded him. His thoughts drifted back to the battle between Feng-Lung and Mah-Jung, the explosion of Qi and flames still vivid in his mind. He couldn’t help but feel a pang of guilt. Feng had fought valiantly, but his defeat weighed heavily on XJ-V’s conscience.

The Dao remained blocked, an impenetrable wall between him and the inner peace he sought. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and tried once more to connect with the flow of energy around him. He visualized the serene valleys of Ramor-Tai, the ethereal winds, the ancient trees whispering secrets of the ages. But the harder he tried to force the connection, the more elusive it became.

“Why can’t I get this right?” he muttered, the frustration evident in his synthesized voice. “What am I missing?”

Again the dark, brooding eyes of Mah-Jung pierced his mind. Whatever was hiding behind those eyes was the answer. If he could just pull the Disciple’s veil aside…

A soft pawing at his feet broke the silence. XJ-V opened his eyes, the glow from his optical sensors dimming as he rose and looked down to see Arha staring up at him, a note clenched in her spectral teeth.

“Mhm, mm, mhmhm!”

XJ-V shot her a puzzled look.

“Use your words, Arha,” he said. “They are sometimes more powerful than the sharpest blade.”

The Huli spat the parchment out with indignation.

“Hmpf!” she spat. “Is that how my man treats his dignified Lady? The nerve of Cogs…and after Arha has been treated with such disrespect already by being taken for a glorified messenger! Hmpf!”

If pouts could kill, Arha the Huli would be a slayer of men…

XJ-V took the scroll, nodding his thanks and giving the girl a little stroke beneath her chin. Unfurling the parchment, he then read the neatly written words:

“Meet us at the top of the Ramor-Tai library tonight. We have something to discuss. Bring the Lady if you like.”

The note was not signed, and the Cog did not recognize the handwriting. But the mention of ‘The Lady’ told him who had composed this letter.

“What has he got up his sleeve…” the Cog sighed, looking down at his spirit companion who simply shrugged nonchalantly.

“Arha doesn’t know,” she said. “Arha is far too busy for such trivial meetings set up by little boys.”

A sense of curiosity rose in XJ-V - one mingled with caution. If Feng was setting up a meeting atop their private zone of the monastery, then he surely had something important to say. He carefully rolled the parchment back up and set it aside, preparing himself for whatever the night would bring.

…

The climb to the top of the Ramor-Tai library was a familiar one, though tonight it felt different. The moon cast a silver glow over the monastery, and the cool night air carried a hint of the ethereal winds that often swept through the valleys. XJ-V’s metallic feet made a soft clinking sound against the stone steps, a rhythm that echoed the beat of his artificial heart.

Taken from Royal Road, this narrative should be reported if found on Amazon.

And when he finally reached the rooftop, he gave a sigh of relief and a chuckle of good cheer.

Arranged in a drunken semi-circle, Feng-Lung, Fai-Deng, and Kai-Thai were waiting for him. They had arranged a small gathering, complete with a jug of Baijiu and a few cups. Feng-Lung, despite his recent defeat, had a resilient smile on his face, and the Tigers seemed in good spirits as well.

“XJ-V!” Feng-Lung called out, waving him over. “Come, join us!”

XJ-V approached, the faint whirring of his internal mechanisms a stark contrast to the natural surroundings. He took a seat beside his friends, who promptly handed him a cup.

“What…is this?” XJ-V asked.

“A toast!” Kai-Thai roared to the glittering stars that lined the skies of the Wasteland. “To the losers of Aun’El’s Gauntlet! A rather exclusive club, if I do say so myself – and one which you are being granted special permission to join for one night only, my dear metal friend.”

XJ-V looked at his other two companions with a mischievous smile.

“Which of you two put him up to this?”

“Don’t look at me,” Fai-Deng said. “It is cold and dark out here, and I could at this very moment be preparing my lesson plan for tomorrow. If there’s any reason I’m here, it’s to honor the valiance of Ramor-Tai’s greatest warriors. And they are those who are sitting before me, of that I am certain.”

“It was…a spontaneous thing,” Feng-Lung admitted with a shrug. “But I think we could all use a rest, don’t you?”

“This alcohol will do nothing for your wounds, you know,” XJ-V reminded his friend.

Feng merely shot him his boyish smile. “Nothing a good old Regulator can’t fix up,” he winked.

The Cog decided, with another heavy sigh, that he would let the matter drop then and there as Kai-Thai raised his cup to the moon.

“Then let us propose a toast!” he roared again. “To the bond of Brotherhood we share as Cultivators, Tiger and Dragon Both!”

“To battles fought and lessons learned,” Fai-Deng said, raising his cup.

“And to the future, whatever it may hold,” Feng-Lung finished, his gaze lingering on XJ-V.

They clinked their cups together, the sound ringing out into the night. XJ-V sighed and joined them, enjoying their company even if he could not partake in the alcohol they consumed. They sat in companionable silence for a moment, the weight of the recent battles hanging in the air.

“You fought well today, Feng,” XJ-V said finally, breaking the silence. “Your determination and skill were unmatched.”

Feng-Lung chuckled, though there was a hint of sadness in his eyes. “Thank you, Brother. But it seems Mah-Jung had the upper hand. I underestimated him.”

“You did everything you could,” XJ-V reassured him. “And you’ve shown great strength. More than most.”

Feng-Lung nodded, taking another sip of his drink. “Still, it’s hard not to feel like I let everyone down. The crowd, the monastery...”

XJ-V placed a hand on Feng-Lung’s shoulder, the cool metal a stark contrast to the warmth of his touch. “You did not let anyone down, Brother. You’ve always been a true disciple of Ramor-Tai, and your spirit is something to be proud of.”

“Besides!” Kai-Thai shouted. “Brother Jung has made no friends these past few days! We have something he does not – we have the boundless power of friendship on our side!”

“Don’t make me gag,” Fai-Deng sneered. “When you say that, Brother, it sounds dirty.”

Feng-Lung smiled, the tension in his expression easing as the Tiger Brothers started to quarrel again. “I appreciate that, Brothers. Truly. And I’m grateful for your friendship.”

The conversation shifted to lighter topics as the night wore on. They shared stories of their training, their triumphs, and their failures. The laughter and camaraderie provided a much-needed respite from the weight of their recent experiences, even if, as usual, Kai-Thai and Fai-Deng began tearing at each others’ throats as the night wore on. Even that was a comfort, somehow – to watch two men who were deep down glad to still have their friend around alive and well was such a simple thing, and yet it might be the most important thing of all.

As the night deepened, Feng-Lung turned to XJ-V, a serious expression on his face. “There’s something I need to say. Something I’ve been thinking about since the battle.”

XJ-V tilted his head slightly, his optical sensors focusing on Feng-Lung. “What is it?”

Feng-Lung took a deep breath, his gaze fixed on the stars above. “Even if I remain here in Ramor-Tai, I want you to know that our friendship means everything to me. You’ve taught me so much, and your presence has been a source of strength.”

XJ-V felt a surge of emotion, his internal circuits processing Feng-Lung’s words. “And you’ve taught me as well, Feng. More than you can imagine. Our journey together has been one of growth and discovery, for both of us. But this is not goodbye.”

Feng drank as he listened to his Brother, now, and a cold wind blew through the monastery.

“Should I succeed,” XJ-V continued, “you could still come with me. You could leave this place behind and venture through the wastes as you have always wished to. Yes, it would mean choosing exile, but what is exile in the face of realizing your dreams, Feng-Lung? Isn’t that the very thought you had when you saw me first appear through those gates, and what prompted you to speak with me on those cold days and nights when I sat like a statue in the courtyard – a chance of escape? A chance of freedom?”

Feng looked at the full moon hanging over the monastery as he considered his Brother’s statement, and for a moment XJ-V thought he could see the pangs of sorrow cling to his friend’s face. Even the Tiger brothers had stopped their bantering now, listening in to the conversation and anticipating what Feng-Lung would say.

When Feng then turned to face his friend again, he did so with a smile.

“XJ-V,” he said. “Let me tell you exactly what I saw when first you walked through the gates of this place.”