The thirteenth monastary had originally been of their number, but they had fallen and eventually become the Dark Side.
Setsuna groaned as Ranma's path crossed that of the Senshi, just as she'd feared when their fate-threads had tangled.
1982________
The ancient master looked over the young boy and his father as they walked down the slick stone corridor. "I am surprised you found us - we are but a legend in the World Outside - or so I thought."
"The boy was injured in a training accident," explained Genma. "So I took the chance of a scroll I stole from an evil Master that led me here. Can you help him?"
"Perhaps," said the old man, his walking stick thumping on the ground. "You are familiar with the legends of our special arts?"
"Not especially," said Genma. "The legend of Shangri-La and of the hidden monastaries that practice martial arts techniques forgotten by the outside world have been repeated and changed over the centuries. There are so many different versions it was impossible to tell if any of them were actually true."
"Yet you found us," said the old master. "I am Hai Pahn, current Seneschal of the Twelve Monastaries. There was a thirteenth once, but they are locked away in a cave that is frozen through arts now lost to us. Oh just a moment. Artemis!"
A young boy came running up, his single white braid flapping as he bowed to the sensei. "Yes, Master?"
"Have the girls prepare two rooms. One for the new student, the other for the father. When you've done that, go find the healer on duty and bring her to the boy's room. Now hurry."
"As you will, Master Hai Pahn," said Artemis with another bow.
"And no stopping to flirt with that Luna girl!" called out Hai Pahn as the boy left. "Young kids these days. Now - as to payment."
"I don't have much money," said Genma, guarded now.
"Hmph. Didn't think you did. The boy is to be a new student, but it is typical of one who comes here to pay a cost. Give up something dear to you, and the gods will judge if it pays the spiritual cost for the services."
"All I can think of is the arrangement with the Tendos," said Genma jokingly, not willing to part with anything. With Ranma's injuries, Genma had been wondering how he would be able to get Ranma in the sort of shape necessary for the arrangement.
The torches flared up all along the corridor.
"It is done, the sacrifice accepted," said the old master. "Good choice. Expected you to try to welch out on it. Never a good idea."
"Uh huh," said Genma as the torches settled back down.
"Anyway, there were thirteen branches originally, though one turned to evil and tried to destroy the others. Then too there are the numbers continually declining of those practitioners of the Art here. Sad really. Need to get some new blood," said the ancient Master. "That's the problem, gene pool getting too shallow. Oh well. Ah, here we come to a sparring match between two young students. That is Makoto and Rei of two different styles. Hardly know they were friends the way they go after each other."
Genma adjusted his glasses as two girls about the age of his son fought.
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(Posted Sat, 01 May 2004 08:31)
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らんま1/2 © Rumiko Takahashi
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