NIGHT OF THE AWAKENING

Word of the prophecy had circulated across the Kingdom and it eventually reached the King's ears.

"The son of my father and the blood of my own, heaven's calling is to mold on his side for me the last carrier of the Hallowed bone, to atone for a sin so vile like this, the rebel and his house must certainly be extinguished." King Jinpyeong read the report that had been handed over to him.

"What's this?" He said as he cast the scroll in front of Ichan Seulbu.

"Your Highness, I am afraid that this rumour has travelled quite first it has taken over the entire Capital." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"I tasked you with one very simple thing and you were supposed to entirely find out the people that are spreading these rumours and also contain them." King Jinpyeong said.

"Your Majesty, perhaps my men are incompetent." Ichan Seulbu said.

"Right now it is beyond redemption and there is nothing that we can do, even if we were to capture the instigators and publicly execute them the people would have more reason to believe that in deed these words are authentic." King Jinpyeong said.

"About doubting the authenticity of those words Your Majesty rumours have it that this is a prophecy that was sent down from heaven upon us all." Ichan Seulbu said.

"There is something that you are hiding from me and I can clearly tell it is not quite pleasant to my ears." King Jinpyeong said.

"Pardon me Your Majesty." Ichan Seulbu apologized.

"What is it?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"The Rebel in the prophecy." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"Who is the rebel?" King Jinpyeong asked calmly and Ichan Seulbu kept quiet.

"Who is it?" He raised his voice a little and Ichan Seulbu gathering all the courage that he could possibly find decided to speak out his mind.

"Your Majesty." He said. "word has travelled far enough and I am afraid enough of the Courtiers and the other officials here within Seoraebeol have turned to Chopalhye where their eyes have been drawn." He added.

"You are implying that the rebel in the prophecy is my brother?" The King asked.

"Initially it is supposed to be so, at first, the prophecy wasn't telling a clear distinction between which one of the other two Royal brothers but the last phase of it is intentionally drawing the sword and pointing it at Galmunwang Gukban." Ichan Seulbu said.

The King was disheartened that his hands hang limp.

"Father, my Father." He said. "Have I forsaken your children?" He added.

"You can not blame Yourself Your Majesty." Ichan Seulbu said.

"This Prophecy which I find to be nothing but a baseless rumour pointing to the Queen's sons being unable to survive infancy is asking me to turn against my brother." King Jinpyeong said.

"You don't have to Your Majesty." Ichan Seulbu said.

"It's natural that quite a number of the Courtiers initially feared Gukban's influence in the court, when he deserted the Battlefield so famously his pride died out so soon it seemed that the threat that they had long feared had been vanquished.

"Now that you ask me a number of people want him dead more than ever." King Jinpyeong said.

"But you can still protect him." Ichan Seulbu said.

"How?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"I have always been so curious Your Majesty and what could perhaps call me envious as I boast quite the most remarkable reputation at that.

They say that even the seat of heaven itself can not give me all the satisfaction in the world and that is something that I can not entirely deny.

This personality of mine has made me cautious and watchful of people and I am starting to think that the two hands you took for yourself and also turned into your wings are subduing one another." Ichan Seulbu said.

"You in deed have a very sharp eye and everyone is suspicious in your sight." King Jinpyeong said.

"Over the years as Galmunwang Gukban retired from the life of court he still insisted on retaining his title and on top of that no one can underlook the fact that he is a Seonggol." Ichan said.

"And on the other hand there is Galmunwang Baekban who while maintaining his court appearance as a rather silent official he has gained influence in both Seoraebeol and the areas that surround it's nucleus." King Jinpyeong said.

"What I am trying to say your Majesty is that both brothers are putting on quite an excellent act we can not wholeheartedly trust any of the two." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"Why?" King Jinpyeong asked. "Galmunwang Gukban could start up such a rumour that would entirely jeopardize the fate of his entire family including himself your saying?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"It is a possibility." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"A possibility that you can not justify." King Jinpyeong said.

"Yet as a politician I am forced to wonder, only those that are quite smart enough could see that the prophecy itself is a double edged sword and a political boomerang meaning that it's bound to hurt both the victims and the people that are wielding it." Ichan Seulbu said.

"You are overestimating them." King Jinpyeong said.

"It is likely that where Gukban is the victim, Galmunwang Baekban is the wielder while on the other hand if Gukban were to defend himself it would be in the knowledge that Baekban connived with the Crown on the basis of the prophecy to oust him from the political sphere.

Eventually if the worst is to come to the worst, it could start as a single spark amongst the people that each one of the two Royal brothers is trying to commit the murder with a borrowed knife." Ichan Seulbu said.

"Its trouble for the three of us all." King Jinpyeong said.

"And yet the least of the worries you should be having as the question that is left to be answered is one." Ichan Seulbu said.

"Who suffers the least?" King Jinpyeong said.

"Yes Your Majesty." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"And what's the answer to that question?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"I shall be frank Your Majesty while telling you this." Ichan Seulbu said. "Even I sincerely don't know as this is an entirely well laid out stratagem cracking it would be very difficult." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"I fear that there is no way of countering this scourge." King Jinpyeong said.

"There is." Ichan Seulbu said. "and I am confident Your Majesty that it's the best stratagem we can use to counter this scourge." He added.

"What is it?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"Protect Galmunwang Gukban." Ichan Seulbu said.

"From the Courtiers?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"Yes." Ichan Seulbu said.

"As they would be out there planning the death bed for him, you are asking me to save him and bring him down back here to Seoraebeol?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"It's one way of keeping an eye on him and the other of countering Galmunwang Baekban's growing might in the Royal Court.

Additionally, if the two brothers can contend with one another while you maintain a neutral position, eventually they'll weaken and upon their weakness you can Master your strength.

Baekban may not be a Sangdaedeung but he is a Galmunwang and a Seonggol at that so even when he seems not to be a threat to us all, it's important that we take caution of the fact that on top of those two privileged castes, he has a wider sphere of influence which we can only suffocate with the existence of another equally powerful opponent.

And lastly if the King's saving grace saw his brother out of the jaws of death while they drench their hands with blood in the struggle with one another, keeping a distance and watching them, you'll have yours in deed kept clean." Ichan Seulbu said.

"So Lady Wolmyeong is in deed with Child." King Jinpyeong said.

"It's possible that the child within her womb could be the primary cause of the Seonggol extinction as the prophecy calls them the last carrier of the Hallowed bone so naturally if Baekban was the Enemy that we think him to be then he shall naturally see to it that that child is murdered and if he doesn't then at least other officials and courtiers that are concerned will." Ichan Seulbu said.

"You're suggesting that we protect the child?" King Jinpyeong asked.

"Pardon me Your Majesty but I never mentioned anything about protecting the child." Ichan Seulbu replied. "Only it's Father." He added.

"Gukban's family is his life." King Jinpyeong said.

"And should things take a very good turn then he can not let the deaths of those he holds dear especially his young child go unresolved and the perpetrators unpunished." Ichan Seulbu replied.

"So you want us to provoke him?" King Jinpyeong said.

"It'll take more than words and peace to bring Gukban back to Seoraebeol, the sacrifice of the child that Wolmyeong carries in her womb is the best excuse in the name of vengeance that can force him back to us." Ichan Seulbu replied.

Gukban stood on the edge of the hill at night and he stared up at the night sky as he admired the stars that lined the dark horizon.

The moon was full and it's moonlight wan and the hilltops was nothing but an abandoned site.

After a while, Gukban was joined by someone who moved up to him from behind dressed in black garments that were sewn together with golden thread.

As the person drew closer and closer, he unsheathed his sword and Gukban was quick to sense of that he tightened his grip around his and waited until the man was in a very close range.

The man brought his sword down upon Gukban and Gukban stepped to the side and span as he unsheathed his own and brought it towards the man's neck.

The man guarded it and possessing immense strength he countered Gukban's attack and pushed him backwards as he brought his sword to slay him again.

Gukban summersaulted and then he landed on his knees and looked up at the man whose face was veiled with a conical cotton hat and all that he could see was the smile on the man's face that looked familiar.

The two clashed once again as they struck their swords together multiple times.

Gukban ceasing an opportunity launches himself in the air and descended upon the mysterious man but the man guarded the attack with his sword but was nonetheless brought to his knees.

Gathering as much strength as he could possibly find, he tried to stand up as Gukban tried his best to confine him to the ground.

The man succeeded in breaking free and there he kicked Gukban who stammered backwards.

The man dashed towards him with his sword ahead of him but Gukban spinning his struck the man's sword to the side and he landed a spinning kick on him that he fell backwards.

The man stood up almost instantly reluctant to accept his defeat and Gukban was left with no choice but to make his attack.

In retaliation, the man did the same thing and the two clashing again halted with their swords in contact that they looked at each other.

At that moment, Gukban looked up to the man in the veil as the man also raised his head and together their eyes met.

Both men smiled at each other and at that moment they all pushed themselves using their strength that they stummered backwards but quickly regaining their stamina they did not fall.

Gukban sheathed his sword and the man did the same thing.

"Your skills have gotten better and better over the years." Gukban said.

"And you are still as strong as ever." The man replied as he unsheathed his sword.

"So at last we meet again Sokham." Gukban said.

"Yes, Your Excellency." Sokham replied as he walked up to Gukban and Gukban also did the same and both men halted at the hilltop as they stared so far in a distance that all they could see was a small City in a distance that was shining brightly with a number of lights.

"Those miles away." Gukban said.

"Seoraebeol lies still the same." Sokham replied.

"I suppose that you are no longer a simple guard at the city walls and barricades." Gukban said.

"As I developed my skill it was inevitable for me to rise through the military ranks at lightning speed I am also a general and a minor courtier." Sokham said.

"Judging by our meeting I can certainly tell that the court has turned into something livelier." Gukban said.

"In deed it has." Sokham confirmed.

"What is it?" Gukban asked.

"I can remember the benevolence that you accorded me with and it was able to push me to all these heights." Sokham replied.

"You are not here to appreciate me are you?" Gukban asked.

"You had long been forgotten as the Deserter Prince of the Battlefield, no one would recall the title of the Slayer of Slayers, defender of Shilla again.

The world turned around so fast and everything changed in an instant but as of now, the court has had their long lost attention redrawn to you." Sokham replied.

"Why?" Gukban asked.

"You still possess the Hallowed bone." Sokham replied.

"It's the last shield that I can not forsake because I know one time I shall use it to defend my children." Gukban said.

"Who are your children Milord?" Sokham asked.

"Those there are that came from between my legs, the seeds of mine whose veins are filled with the blood that runs through my own and certainly not Shilla." Gukban replied.

"The courtiers that look to Seoraebeol turn to you now, as the shield of the Hallowed bone you still hold in the belief of being your last shield they are determined to turn into a sword to wield against you." Sokham said.

"It's natural for them to fear what they can not control." Gukban said.

"You are beyond their control that right now all they do is seek to destroy you." Sokham said.

"I'll take my people farther and we shall leave Chopalhye once my wife delivers." Gukban said.

"No distance shall be enough to convince the Courtiers that you are not a threat to them even if you went as far as Gorguryeo and then even to Sui, even beyond Takla Makhan, they seem to be determined to hunt you there as long as that child is alive." Sokham said.

"What are you trying to say?" Gukban asked as he turned to Sokham.

"Seoraebeol and the country are being overrun by a rumour right now, a rumour largely claimed to be a prophecy that tells of the end of Hallowed bone bloodline." Sokham replied.

"What has the child that my wife is carrying in her womb got to do with this?" Gukban asked.

"According to the prophecy, the child that your wife shall deliver will be the last carrier of the Hallowed bone." Sokham replied.

"No." Gukban said.

"The son of my father and the blood of my own, heaven's calling is to mold on his side for me the last carrier of the Hallowed bone, to atone for a sin so vile like this, the rebel and his house must certainly be extinguished." Sokham recited. "This is it, this is the prophecy." He added and Gukban turned and looked at Seoraebeol his eyes starting to become teary.

"I mourn like I never have throughout my life, I am a citizen that lives like a prisoner in the land of my own birth, even now as the will of heaven has forsaken that which is mine, I am forced to look at Shilla now become an Enemy in my own sight." Gukban said.

"The King by nature might choose to protect you but that alone shall be very difficult for him, if he doesn't hunt you down thinking that you are a threat to him, the courtiers certainly will." Sokham replied.

"Is this it, is this what Seoraebeol has become?" Gukban asked.

"My only desire as a friend that I cherished so dearly and as the person I looked up to, as the teacher that moulded my conduct and as the man who was so devoted and was without flaw, I wished to tell you this as my way of helping you." Sokham said.

"The hunters have marked their territory and they are coming soon." Gukban said.

"You can live to fight another day Milord but if it is to protect yourself from these men then Chopalhye can no longer be an efficient refuge." Sokham said.

"Where can I go, of certainly not Shilla?" Gukban asked.

"You are on a sinking ship Milord so I ask you." Sokham said as he fell to his knees and then he ceased Gukban by his feet.

"Flee and abandon Shilla before Shilla abandons you." He added.

Gukban looked surprised having heard those words coming out of Sokham's mouth.

"Get up." He told him

"No Milord." Sokham refused. "This is the only way that I can possibly protect you." He added.

"Get Up." Gukban said as he ceased Sokham by his shoulders and then helped him up onto his feet.

"I'll see to it." Gukban said. "In this condition it's going to be very difficult for my wife to travel a very long distance." He added.

"Alright Milord." Sokham said. "You be careful." He added.

"I should be the one telling you that." Gukban said.

"My life compared to yours is worthless, there are eyes from Seoraebeol watching you from every corner, they await like a lion to devour you.

Watch out for the snakes as well Milord, they'll come pretending to offer aid when in actual sense you are welcoming murderers into your house.

Others shall come with armies to put you down and when the worst is at its worst, they shall be more than determined to leave certain that you'll never walk on the face of the earth." Sokham said.

"I understand your concern and I won't take it for granted, however, you must return to Seoraebeol before Dawn." Gukban said.

"I'll take my leave." Sokham said as he bowed his head and turned around to depart from the place.

Gukban watched from a distance as Sokham vanished from sight before he turned up and looked at the starry sky.

"Is it true?" He asked himself as he stared at the stars.

"Should I abandon Shilla." He appeared to be talking to them.

"Has Shilla abandoned me." He asked himself and then he kept quiet appearing to be expecting an answer but the only thing that followed was silence.

Fed up of it, Gukban turned around and he also walked in his own direction back towards his Manor.

A number of months passed and Lady Wolmyeong's bulge had eventually become prominent.

All the women in Chopalhye had known her to be the good wife of their great hero.

She sat in the courtyard of the manor early on the day that she was supposed to deliver and the women and their children lined up to present gifts to the expecting mother.

Many brought with them fowls and others even clothes, materials that could be used to sew for the young child clothes and others toys.

Gukban stood beside his wife and watched as those offering their gifts took turns and he greeted them along with his wife the moment that they stepped up to the both of them.

Moo Mak stood at the entrance of the manor with a couple of other guards while watching those who made their way inside.

At that moment, surprisingly, Master Gongsung, a monk from the nearby temple walked into the vicinity and Gukban quite surprised along with everyone else paved way for him as they bowed their heads.

"Master Gongsung." Lady Wolmyeong said as the old man came closer to the beautiful expecting lady.

"Lady Wolmyeong." He said.

"Yes?" Lady Wolmyeong replied.

The Old Master stretched out his hand as he placed it into Lady Wolmyeong's hands.

"A whole new world shall be opened up for this child, it's birth shall be the advent of greatness and a new light shall shine in this Shilla.

For the path that is laid ahead of this child and the victory that is set ahead of it being laden by fierce resistance and great antagonism, may it still find the courage to survive through it all." Master Gongsung said as he opened his hand.

Withdrawing it from Lady Wolmyeong's grip, he revealed a small Jade pendant that was carved with Lotus drawings that had been incised within it and a small image of Buddha seated above them.

A Halo surrounded the Buddha's head and the a small string was attached to the pendant it looked like a necklace.

"Such a precious gift." Lady Wolmyeong said.

"For a very precious child." Master Gongsung replied.

"Thank you." Lady Wolmyeong said.

"No." Master Gongsung said. "Shilla should be the one to be thankful." He added.

"I pray that if in deed this child is destined for greatness, heaven shall see him through." Lady Wolmyeong said.

"In deed." Master Gongsung said as he turned around to depart from the place.

At that point Gukban spoke up.

"Master." He called and the Old man halting in his footsteps turned around to look back at him.

"I shall never forget your kindness." Gukban added and the old man smiled at him.

"We all come into the world for a purpose." Master Gongsung said. "After nearly a hundred years in the world, I only came to realize it today that this was the reason for which I was commissioned as a Priest." He added before turning around and with his staff at hand he left the place.

Lady Wolmyeong turned to her husband.

"He has such a big heart." She said with a smile on her face as she looked at the pendant in her possession.

"He really does." Gukban replied as he stared at him amused while he vanished from sight.

It was dusk and darkness lingered over the country as it made its descent.

Lady Wolmyeong was already sweating profusely and the room was being prepared for her to deliver.

"Hold on tight." Gukban said to her. "Do not worry about anything and just know that I'll be out there waiting for you." He added.

"Yes dear." Lady Wolmyeong replied.

Haek Ga walked into Baekban's quarters.

"Your Excellency." He said.

"The day has finally come." Galmunwang Baekban said.

"Yes Your Excellency." Haek Ga replied.

"I hope our sources got it all right." Galmunwang Baekban said.

"Yes." Haek Ga replied. "It has been confirmed that Lady Wolmyeong shall give birth today." He added.

"Is everything ready?" Galmunwang Baekban asked.

"Yes Your Excellency." Haek Ga replied. "We are simply waiting for your orders." He added with a smile on his face.

"Then what are we waiting for?" Galmunwang Baekban said.

"This way." Haek Ga led him out if his quarters into the Courtyard of his manor where a number of men fully dressed in black clothes had gathered.

Galmunwang Baekban stood in front of them.

"You that are standing in this courtyard are not only the best, you are the defenders and warriors of Shilla.

Within Chopalhye lies the rebel and the threat to the stability of this our heavenly kingdom and you the men that I am sending out to day are the heroes that are going to extinguish his flame and bring glory and peace back to Shilla for generations to come.

Ride there as fearless warriors going into a war because the person that you are attacking is a lion that has long been sleeping in his den waiting for someone to devour.

And once you land on the manor, if it means to set it on fire then do it and whatever it takes make sure that no one there is left alive." Galmunwang Baekban said.

"Yes Your Excellency." The men said in unison as they covered their faces with black veils.

"Go." Galmunwang Baekban said. "Deliver the rebel's head on a silver platter, please, rid Shilla of him." He added.

"Yes." The assassins replied and at once they set out of manor while Baekban remained there while smiling ghastly.

Ichan Seulbu had also gathered his own men in his courtyard and he stepped out to talk to them all.

"Today a very great threat faces us all." He said as they all kept quiet and their torches lit smoke was rising up into the sky.

"You are all serving his Majesty the king and there is a precious talent that Shilla holds too valuable that you must protect this night with Your life.

As you march into Chopalhye this night, I assure you that for the good cause of this country History shall remember you.

Where you shall certainly lose your lives your families shall live well in my care, whatever it takes, you must protect Galmunwang Gukban with everything there is that you have." Ichan Seulbu said.

"Yes Your Excellency." His men said in unison as they as well covered their faces with black cotton veils they set out of the manor immediately.

After a while Lady Wolmyeong started to cry out.

"Milord, you must step out now." Namo said.

"No." He said.

"Milady's labour's have started, the child is coming." Namo replied and Gukban who was reluctant turned to his wife.

"Go." She said as she cried out in pain. "I shall be fine." she added and at once Gukban withdrew from the room and the doors were shut behind him as he remained to hear his wife screaming.

"Milady, please hold on." He heard Namo say as he walked away slowly.

"Moo Mak." Gukban called and at once Moo Mak came running towards him.

"Milord." he said.

"Have you prepared the fastest stead." Gukban asked.

"Yes." Moo Mak replied.

"That's good." Gukban said.

"But Milord, I don't understand one thing." Moo Mak said.

"What is it?" Gukban asked.

"Why are you preparing the stead?" Moo Mak asked.

"War." Gukban replied.

"Milord, what do you mean by war?" Moo Mak asked.

"War is coming to us here in Chopalhye." Gukban replied.

"Milord, for whom have I prepared the stead?" Moo Mak asked.

"Patience and you shall see." Gukban replied.

Lady Wolmyeong's mouth was covered with a piece of cloth.

"Breathe in, breathe out." Namo said and Lady Wolmyeong complied.

"Give us a push." She added and there Wolmyeong pushed with her might.

The moon was rising and it stood above Chopalhye as a group of Silhouettes made their way through the woods while trying to move to the direction of Galmunwang Gukban's manor.

Lady Wolmyeong was in absolute pain but she persisted as Namo, Hyang and Seol Mi tended to her.

"You can do this Milady." Hyang said.

"Push, I can feel the head now." Namo said as Seol Mi handed over the cloth that had been drenched in water.

Lady Wolmyeong pushed and the pain that was only escalating made her screams come out to her husband's ears.

Baekban's men who were already in the woods were stealthily making their way about the forest floor and at that moment, one of the men stepped onto a string and at once a log was released that it came swinging in their direction.

By the time a few of them noticed, it was too late as the spiked log struck two of them they landed on the ground dead.

"There's traps in here." One of the assassins said.

The others who were walking were unable to look down and as they continued farther, two of them fell down into a pit as they shouted and immediately, their colleagues looked down only to see them dead and pierced by a couple of Spears.

"Advance." One of them said and they continued.

"Milady." Namo said. "it's almost out." She added.

Gathering every last bit of strength that she had left within her body, Lady Wolmyeong pushed and eventually relieved the baby was out that Namo carried it up before her eyes.

The baby cried out loudly and it's cries came up to Gukban and Moo Mak's ears outside.

"Milady." Namo said. "It's a girl." She added.

Lady Wolmyeong smiled and then raised her hands as Namo handed over the baby to her.

"She is beautiful." Lady Wolmyeong said as she breastfed the baby while Hyang and Seol Mi started to tidy the place.

A while later, Namo walked out of the room up to Gukban who was standing there anxiously.

"Milord." Namo said as she bowed her head.

"How are they?" He asked immediately.

"Lady Wolmyeong and the child are both safe." Namo replied.

"Can I go in?" Gukban asked.

"Yes Milord....." Namo replied But before she had completed, her Master had already made his entry into the room.

He halted when he looked at her embracing the child.

"My dear." Lady Wolmyeong said. "It's a daughter." she replied as her husband walked up to her.

"May I?" He asked as he stretched out his hands and Lady Wolmyeong handed him the baby which he embraced and looked at with a smile on his face.

"I am more than grateful." He said as Lady Wolmyeong sat up a little while leaning against the bed.

"You must be tired." Gukban said as Moo Mak walked in with a small bowl in his hands.

"What's that?" Lady Wolmyeong asked.

"Medicine to ease the pain and replenish your energy that has been exhausted." Galmunwang Gukban replied as Moo Mak handed over the bowl to Lady Wolmyeong who took it.

"Thank you." She said as she drank it's contents and after she was done, Moo Mak took the bowl from her hands as she looked at her husband with a smile on her face.

Gukban continued to play with the child.

"I hope you feel fine." Gukban said.

"Yes dear, I am just a little bit tired." Lady Wolmyeong replied before her eyelids started to grow heavy and at that point she instantly passed out.

"Milady?" Moo Mak called as he looked at her frightened.

"Forgive me my dear." Gukban said as he turned his head from his wife and looked at the quiet sleeping baby that he had in his arms.