Chapter 11 - Confronting the Shadows
Kai awoke, troubled. Despite rededicating himself to spiritual progression, Van's doubtless enemies' threat loomed. And none made for more implacable foes than cowards used to attacking unopposed from the shadows.
Little did power obstructing the righteous disturb their static worldviews. Thus transparent now certain figurative knives surely aimed at his own exposed back given yesterday's overheard council dissent. What exactly worried those comfortable old men? Why him, a mere nobody without political phone beyond being gifted?
Shaking off sinister concerns through vigorous exercise, Kai nevertheless remained wary. Sharpening senses against subtle tells of surveillance through mundane places seemed prudent today. Leisurely morning errands along sleepy streets and hawker squares yielded no clues though. Even beggars and stray cats appeared surprisingly cordial rather than spies for murky cabals.
By afternoon with azure skies graced by picturesque cotton clouds with no untoward incidents, Kai began doubting initial intuitive suspicions. Unease faded further after the evening meal when he helped a struggling pupil who had not Van's hereditary advantages. Compassionate instruction and camaraderie outshone aggressive individual paths to strength.
Walking home alone under starry skies down hushed side roads for scenic detours, Kai pondered how history's legends valued cooperative courage. Lofty mentors emphasized bonds over martial prowess, kindred ties lending spirit against soul-crushing isolation...
Abruptly the alley behind Kai collapsed into interdimensional darkness, eldritch wails drowning his shocked cry! Ghastly tentacles lashed towards immobilizing prey as unfathomable horrors arose, merciless and all too real!
Only a hair's breadth saved Kai from losing corporeal form before he instinctively channeled protective glyphs. Eldritch hellion jaws clashed against his reinforced physique, apocalyptic and ravenous. Lesser beings would have faltered against this paranormal onslaught. But Kai was scion of an ancient peerless bloodline recently awakened!
Flowing with terror towards overpowering outrage, Kai roared defiance against primordial terrors from before history's first dawn. Pitted ancestry channeled as searing orange-white energies immolated vile appendages down to seething stumps. Banishing further advances, Kai pressed the attack by drawing blazing wards of light from Kazan's towers through sheer force of will.
"Begone fiends who once plagued wiser eras!" No hollow boast but statement of spiritual sovereignty by embodiment of philosophical fury. "Haunt ancient graves rather than vex today's world again!"
Howling protest in timeless hatred, the gibbering interlopers retreated through closing crevices between worlds, promising venomous revenge against impudent blood. But Kai stood unmoved, resolute authority warding his community until silence ruled again. None would threaten innocents under his steadfast vigil...
Still coming down from righteous battle high some minutes later, Kai almost stabbed approaching shadows with magical blades before recognizing them as monks wearing apologetic expressions. These were Van's inherited nemeses representing fears from beyond the stars themselves rather than mere terrestrial conflicts. Things escalating if left unaddressed further...
The abbots bowed deeply while respectfully requesting Kai accompany them. "Reckless actions draw dire consequences endangering all Kazan besides yourself." Kai understood bureaucracies prizing order over problematic heroes, much less realizing what deeply slumbering threats now surely stirred.
Tight-lipped officials scrutinized Kai for hours with transparent mixed feelings he correctly sensed were told make damned reports before they allowed his release with stern admonitions against unsanctioned activities. Both parties recognized the futility though protocol continued anyway. Vague governing apprehension just spread under moonlight through emptied streets as taverns and street performers closed shop early too.
His lupine brother awaited at home faithfully, eager for ear scritches despite remaining outdoor hours worrying over master's unknown fate. Together they wordlessly agreed come dawn making swift exit from suddenly claustrophobic surroundings towards countryside offering freer engagement scopes against awakened terroristic menaces. Van himself operated best unrestrained by hesitantly fearful hierarchies anyways...
Let allegedly benevolent overlords debate what transpired in pointless committees. At least tonight the city would sleep safely, guarded invisible by one inheriting mantles from eras when right made might stood self-evident. This spiritual warrior wandered ever onward seeking higher meaning always awaiting over next dawns.