Mei and Isaac walked home along the late-night streets, talking quietly. The city around them was quiet at this time of night, disturbed only by the occasional distant sound of a car passing by or the soft rustle of leaves in the cool breeze. Their footsteps echoed on the empty sidewalks, and the glow of streetlights cast long shadows behind them, like a somber dream.

Mei looked up as she walked, her gaze occasionally drifting to the stars above that were barely visible through the urban haze. Up above the moon shone brightly, like a faint spot of yang contrasting the endless yin of night that stretched out before them.

They hit a crossroads branching between their two paths, and Isaac waved goodbye. Mei watched him walk off somberly. She would see him again shortly – probably tomorrow, as a matter of fact. And it's not like someone like her was in danger being alone at night. But there was always something sad about seeing someone walk off into the darkness. To see them consumed as if by the endless night.

Now alone, she turned back to walk to her own compound. She had been through a lot today in the Sea of Possibility, both mentally and physically. So she would be glad to get some rest. She hoped that she wouldn't be called back early. She wanted to sleep in, lay around relaxing in the morning. Maybe get in some reading.

She walked down an alley as it was the shorter path to return. She thought about how this was something most women wouldn't do on account of safety. Though, at this time of night, it was probably something a lot of men wouldn't do either. She reflected on how the world can be a very different place based on who you are. Different pathways open and close based on your own personal reality and how it intersects with your life and the lives of others.

But today was different. Something was there. Mei felt something suddenly, and looked up to see in the middle of the alley a dark figure standing in shadow. She was instantly wary because she realized that she couldn't tell they were there before looking. And that this wasn't an accident. Whoever they were, they knew how to conceal their presence. And she wasn't sure how to respond, since they seemed to also be able to conceal their intentions.

She slowed to a stop and stood across from them, with a gap between them, looking at them quietly. The figure was dressed heavily in black, like she herself was. But they had a mask covering their face and had nothing signifying who they might be or whoever they might be affiliated with. They didn't seem like a temple guard. Temple guards tended to announce themselves on account of the position they held in society. Whereas this person was clothed carefully to distort their details. Whoever they were, they took great pains to keep it secret. And this was all that Mei could tell about them.

As she was watching, a red logogram symbol started glowing on their mask. They began to speak. But this did little to clarify things, for their voice was distorted, having an electronic edge.

“You are injured.”

The dark figure pulled a knife from their side, making Mei tense up. But the figure flipped the knife around, pointing it at themselves.

“Allow me.”

Mei reached up her arm reflexively, thinking of the figure she saw fatally wound themselves earlier today. But she realized that this person wasn't aiming at their vitals. They drove the knife into themselves slightly so that they started bleeding, but then pulled it out, cleaning it on their sleeve, and placed it back, turning their masked head to the side.

“There. Now I am like you.”

Mei wasn't sure how to respond to that. Somehow it felt a little embarrassing. Who was this person, and why did they think they needed to handicap themselves to take it easy on her? Did they know who she was, or was this the preface to a random mugging? But no – they didn't seem like a mugger. They were too well prepared.

But she understood one thing now. The interlocutor was preparing for a fight. They drew a vibro-saber katana from their back, igniting it to a glowing red and holding it at their side, pointing down. Mei looked around cautiously. Although this was a somewhat secluded place, she was worried about causing a disturbance here. Anything that could put her on the radar of the temple was a risky thing to engage in. But she assumed it wouldn't be easy to get out of this. She could run. But this opponent seemed like someone who would be able and willing to readily follow. And it wouldn't improve matters to end up in a more populated place. She accepted her fate. And drew forth her own saber as well.

She looked up to speak, thinking over her intro carefully.

“Who are you?”

It was best to start simple. Though she understood the paradoxical nature of asking a masked person who they are.

The shadowed figure responded.

“I myself am nothing. Nothing more than the sum total of all that which led to me.”

This did not shed much light on Mei's concerns.

“What do you want?”

The figure turned its head to the side, like it was thinking about this.

“There is much that I might want. You would probably be able to relate to it if I were to share it with you. But no. That is not talk for today. I am here for you. I am here to see what you are capable of.”

Mei thought about what they said. The figure did not use her name. But they seemed like they might know who she was. And that she had special significance. This was concerning. For this was meant to be a well kept secret. She didn't want to convey her nervousness about this fact, though. So she forced herself to respond with an even demeanor.

“Well then. I hope I don't disappoint.”

The figure spoke in an electronic tone.

“I have had similar hopes. But I believe that you will find that it is not so easy.”

Mei held up her blue saber, and they pointed the sabers at eachother. Due to the figure clouding their appearance and demeanor, she couldn't sense much from them, and so didn't totally know how this was going to go. Injury concerns aside, it could still be bad if it went on too long. And she wanted to figure out this person's story if possible. But that wouldn't be possible if she had to run from temple guards. And there was no telling how close some might be. Even normal law enforcement might be a problem.

They dashed at each other and swung their blades, parrying and spinning around to look at each other from the opposite side. Mei saw that the figure was using a left-handed swing. It was something, but not a lot to go on. Their swing was strong and skillful, though. This wasn't someone who would be easy to incapacitate.

They rushed back together, swinging and parrying a few more times. But the figure was not swinging aggressively. True to their claim, Mei felt that they were interested in seeing what she could do. They stepped back again after the short skirmish. She looked around subtly to see if there was anyone else in the area, with awareness that there was no guarantee that this figure was alone. They could be trying to distract her so that others got in position. But listening closely, she heard no other sounds of movement. There didn't seem to be anyone else here. This black knight was confident in their own abilities. And she saw as she looked that they noticed what she was doing and dropped their fighting stance temporarily to look up at the rooftops themselves.

But she wanted to speed things up. She shifted to a more aggressive stance and rushed forward to try to disarm them. She quickly parried their blade multiple times and pushed forward to drive them back. She tried to slide her blade up theirs to get to their hand, but was surprised that they shifted stances quickly and began to push her back.

She took a step back, glancing at the stairs and ramp ascending behind her. This person was good. Perhaps even good enough to learn her moves from fighting her too long. So she had to wrap this up before it became a problem. She took a few steps back, beginning to climb the stairs as the black knight followed her to continue to slash.

But finally she saw an opening. She dashed suddenly forward, slashing at their sword and sending it across the alley, after which it stuck up in the ground at an angle. But she didn't have a chance to corner them, because as the sword flipped away from them, they flipped backwards towards it, placing themselves close to its landing spot.

The figure looked at the sword and back at her. Mei spoke up at them.

“You're not fast enough. You won't be able to beat me like this.”

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The figure looked back down.

“That is true. But I am afraid that there is something I have not been totally honest about.”

Mei felt suddenly nervous.

“And what is that?”

The figure walked over to, and picked up the sword, now with their right hand.

“I was not using my dominant hand.”

Mei braced themselves as the figure suddenly turned and rushed them, now moving faster. They swung at her now with much faster and surprising speed she could scarcely keep up with, putting her immediately off guard. They sent her sword out of her own hand, and she glanced at them, quickly diving for it and rolling, standing up to brace herself again.

She was normally good at not underestimating an enemy. But this person was so good at clouding themselves from her that it was throwing her off. And she was starting to realize that she might now be in real danger.

But she didn't have much time to think. The figure was quickly on her again, slashing with both strength and speed that forced her on the defensive, giving her little in the way of an opening. She continued on like this for several parries, but was eventually forced back. The figure grabbed her with their other arm, holding her to the wall and holding their covered face up to hers, with her just barely blocking their blade with her own.

She pushed back and slashed, causing them to jump backwards. But she could tell now that she was at a disadvantage. If she didn't do something to turn this around soon, she was going to lose.

They paused to look at her, speaking in their electronic voice.

“You are struggling.”

She realized they could already tell she was at an unfavorable position. Her mind was beginning to race, thinking of what would happen to the others if they had to continue on without her.

But no. Now was not the time. She calmed herself to breathe. She sublimated these thoughts. She wasn't too prideful to admit the reality of the situation out loud. She looked back more confidently and held up her blade.

“It's not over til it's over.”

The figure looked up, thoughtfully.

“It is for some. There are those who are doomed to nothing but humiliation from the moment they are born.”

The figure started walking towards her.

“But you are right. It is better to be a fighter.”

They crouched, readying themselves to jump forward.

“And then you can see just how far your determination can take you.”

With these words, they dashed forwards swinging at her and putting her off balance. She tried to block, but was being pushed too quickly out of the way. She began stepping back again and tried using an ether shield as a defense, but she was now too far on the defensive, and they neutralized it quickly with an ether blast of their own. They swung her sword out of the way again and into the far wall and as she was now defenseless, kicked her over.

Mei froze now. She was on the ground, confused about what just happened and running out of tricks she could use to buy time. She still had her guns, but with the figure standing directly over her, she would likely not be able to grab the guns in time if she tried. She could try grabbing their legs, but that wouldn't be fast enough to avoid getting stabbed either. The figure looked down at her on the ground, holding the saber over her close to her body.

“Weak. Do you truly believe that you can resist the six heavens with strength such as this?”

They softened their stance and turned their head to the side.

“Apologies. Force of habit.”

Mei was getting more nervous now. This person knew who she was. They knew her intentions. But she knew nothing about them. And now she was disarmed. If it came to it, she could still try to push herself up and run. But she was starting to doubt whether even this would be successful. And even if she survived, this still reveals an entirely new element that they had not predicted.

The black knight stared down at them without expression.

“I know what you are feeling. The feeling of being powerless. Of knowing that there is nothing more you can do. I too have felt this way. And I made a determination that I would never feel this way again.

They stood up tall. For indeed they had a rather striking height.

“A time comes when one has to make a choice. Whether to live their life as a slave or to seize this power for themselves. Perhaps you do not yet understand my meaning. But you will.”

Mei wasn't sure how to respond. But she felt nervous and unable to respond at any rate. Unsure what to do. Unsure if there even was anything she could do. Her mind raced, feeling like she had to get tensed and ready to run. But she likely wouldn't get far with them standing over her with a weapon.

But at that moment she heard running and shouting from down the alleyway.

“Mei!”

Isaac had rushed back, likely having heard the fight, as he was not far from her when it had started. He pointed his guns at the figure in a threatening stance. The figure looked back at him wistfully, like they were unimpressed.

“Please.”

The figure quickly dashed away to a wall and scaled up it, disappearing from view before Isaac could do anything else. He looked around a few moments to make sure they were really gone, but then ran up quickly to Mei to see if she was injured, still glancing up from time to time just in case. Mei was still on the ground though, looking shocked and disoriented.

“What happened?”

At first she didn't respond. Isaac saw that she was in shock, and realizing that they might still be in danger, he looked up, and climbed up to the rooftop to see whether the figure was really gone or whether there was anyone else in the area. From the roof he could no longer see anyone though, and listening closely, he did not hear any movement in the immediate area. So after he waited long enough to be reasonably sure they were now alone, he climbed back down, though he still stole glances upwards from time to time.

For awhile she did not seem able to respond. So he kneeled down by her and stayed there dutifully until she would be ready. But eventually, becoming gradually more lucid in stages, she slowly turned to focus in his vague direction. But as she did, she also slowly started to shake in panic now that her fight or flight response began to subside. He asked again, now in a softer tone, seeing what she was going through, and being empathetic to her suffering.

“Mei, what happened?”

“I... I don't know. Someone showed up. I couldn't...”

“Are you still injured?”

She looked at her hands, and around her body.

“...No. I feel okay.”

“What do you mean? How did this happen?”

Mei shook her head. She had been at a disadvantage in fights before. But usually it was for some type of extenuating circumstance. Either she was outnumbered, or at a tech disadvantage, or in some cases weak on account of already having sustained injury and blood loss. There were some people around her level, among the most skilled. But it had been a long time since someone simply outclassed her.

“You don't get it, Isaac. It's not because I'm tired. They beat me in single combat. They knew I would be here. They were waiting for me. Whoever they are, they know who we are, they know what we are planning, and... I couldn't beat them.”

Isaac turned pale. Or rather, slightly more pale than he was already.

“You don't know who they were? Who they were working with?”

She shook her head.

“I don't know. They didn't have temple insignia. And they didn't seem to be a straggler from Weihong's men. There was no indication at all who they are or what they want at all.”

Isaac looked worried. He wasn't sure what to make of this. If they really weren't from the temple, it might mean a totally new group they have to worry about. It was implausible a random mugger could be this prepared. Fortunately, it might still be a small group, though. If it was larger or took more actions, they would likely have discovered it already. But they would still need to be on guard to try to figure out what was happening.

But those considerations could wait. Looking down, he could see that Mei looked like she might be still having a panic attack. He didn't know her to ever act this upset other than when having to deal with family. But perhaps there are things that can remind you of family all over. And he knew she was already bent out of shape from the fact that she would have to deal with them again soon. He sat down next to her and held her to comfort her. She was shaking and seemed unwilling to get up. But it was no matter. He could stay here as long as she needed.

“I felt powerless, Isaac. It's one thing to lose. But this was a situation where winning didn't even feel possible. It was like there was nothing I could do. I can't be like this. There are people counting on me.”

Isaac put his hand on her head like she used to do when he was younger. Well, younger, relatively speaking, that is.

“Its okay. They are gone; you are safe now.”

He looked down. She was breathing heavily, almost hyperventilating.

“Take your time. Breathe with me.”

Mei looked weakly in his direction. But she began to comply, trying to slow her breathing and using breathing meditative techniques. At first, this was not doing much. But gradually, she became more calm, visibly slowing her breaths. They waited there just like this for a long time, just sitting and breathing. Eventually, Isaac spoke again.

“Don't strain yourself. You can't be expected to do better than your best. All we can do is try to work out what the next step should be.”

She listened to this, and then looked wistfully into the distance, donning a somber tone. She acted like she was about to speak several times before starting.

“I'm sorry, Isaac. I am the one who pulled you into this life. I wanted to be strong for you. But inside, I am the same afraid little girl I always was. I feel like I am lying to you about being strong. Lying to everyone. This fight made me feel like when I was young. When I was powerless to resist my family. When I almost...

She trailed off. Isaac shook his head.

“You are strong, Mei. You are the strongest person I know. But no one can be strong all the time. Strength is nothing but how well you hide your weakness. You are the one who taught me that. And besides, I told you...”

He stood up to walk in front of her and then held his arm down to her, standing with his face in shadow and with the moon behind him.

“I am here because I choose to be. And I am with you to the end. If we are taken to the very fires of Hell. You told me you believed in me once. Now believe in me when I say I believe in you.”

She looked up at him, stunned. Gradually she reached for his hand. She hesitated and paused. But then, thinking it over, took it firmly, pulling herself up. This almost knocked him over on account of their size difference, causing them both to stumble and laugh.

She smiled and looked back at him.

“Thank you, Isaac. I feel okay now. I think.”

“Are you sure?”

She looked up at the stars.

“No. I never am. But I guess that is life, right?”

“Sometimes. But the future is not set in stone. And if you try for it, it doesn't have to be.”

“Now who sounds like a self help book?”

“Still you.”

They both laughed again. Mei looked up at him and adopted a softer tone.

“But really. Thank you for everything. I wouldn't be able to do it without you.”

He held up his finger to wag it.

“The people behind the symbol always have struggles of their own. But don't worry. It can be our little secret.”

She smiled.

Good night. I'll be alright now. I don't think they are going to come back today. And when they do... well, we'll be ready.”

He waved back.

“See you tomorrow.”

He stared after her semi-skeptically. He knew she likely still didn't feel as well as she was pretending. But he trusted that she would be okay. At least for the time being. And it probably wouldn't go over well if he demanded to come over and take all her sharp objects.

He looked up at the moon one last time, thinking over the ebbs and flows of the day. People's feelings and development weren't always linear. They can shift back and forth in a cycle. And you have no choice but to just coast through it as the good and bad come. He too had bad days. And he probably always would. But this is the flow of the Tao. On and on.

He turned around to head home as well, walking down the empty streets. Besides him, there was no other sound or motion all throughout the rest of the cold night.