[Just a little intro story as to how Jux got to RK, thought I'd post it here too since I spent a while working on it.]
Part One:
"...not the light, but the darkness." Master Tien spoke to the two within the class in a husky voice; deepened by experience and the wisdom that they knew lay behind it.
"Ling, rise." Tien turned to the smallest of the two; her size was by no means a dampener on her ability but instead served to facade an opponents belief to defeat her.
She bowed forward slowly, pressing her hands together one closed fist, the latter; an open palm.
"Nine long years have you endured the trials of the House of Tien," Master Tien stepped forward and looked the robed individual up and down.
"Your past is your guide, what do you believe of your future?"
Ling kept her eyes focused intently on the floor. "I believe in the ability to defend."
"Go on."
"The ability to hold one's heart at bay, bring forth the guardian and let the sun be my guide."
Tien smiled, if only minutely. "Very good." He turned on his heels and walked towards the back of the room. The wall slowly illuminated as he approached it, torn scrolls and tattered writs affixed to it.
"Before you, are the last scrolls of the House of Tien."
Ling nodded, staying where she was.
Tien pointed down to the far left, be it only ten feet away. "Each scroll defined a belief and an ideal. Morally binding, honourably upheld."
"First: The scroll of distinction. Ling: Define it."
It was at this point that she looked up, and met eyes with her master. "Distinction; No member of the House of Tien may celebrate their victories. Unsung heroes; fighters of the shadows. Relinquishing our names, and releasing in death."
Tien nodded and moved to the next one:
"Second: The scroll of Binding. Define it."
"Binding: No Member of the House of Tien may carry a ranged or melee weapon. Our art is of fists and feet, to wrap them around a physical object is to limit ourselves."
Master Tien smiled and thought on that scroll for a moment, perhaps considering it to be of more value to Ling than his other student.
"The Third Scroll: Worth."
"No Student may put a price to his services, his friends are free, like him and he desires no funds or worldly possessions except that which to clothe."
"The Forth is that of the way of peace. Define it."
"The way of peace is one not to be toyed with, we are upholders; guardians and defenders. We prove ourselves by removing chaos, not creating it."
Master Tien stepped away from the scrolls for a moment and eyed Ling carefully.
"What have you learnt from that scroll, Ling?"
"Master...I have learnt that to prove one's self; they must wait for a time. Creating chaos and then defeating it is not peace. It is chaos."
"and finally, the scroll of belief."
Ling took in a breath from the luke warm air of the room. "Belief; ones abilities are not limited by their body. Focussing on a task allows you to complete it. Focussing on one's mind allows you to overcome it's barriers. Believe and achieve."
Master Tien nodded slowly. "So you have understood the five scrolls and learnt much on your journey. Your time has come; for you to receive your title."
Ling stepped forward somewhat anxiously. "What of my title master?"
"Your actions define you, and the path you have taken has made you the person you are today. Furious Ling, arise."
Ling opened her eyes somewhat wide and eyed Tien carefully. She nodded slowly, barely managing a "thank you."
* * *
"Furious?!?" Ling shouted, slamming her fist into her bunk.
Her fellow student eyed her carefully. "Master Tien said that our actions define us, your path has made you who you are today."
Ling stepped up to her student. "Don't...get involved Jay. It's not your fight."
He looked down on his fellow student carefully. "Calm yourself."
"Calm?" Ling turned towards one of the metal walls of their room and launched her fist.
Her fist never met the wall. In fact; Jay had stopped the fist before it had a chance. "Do not take out your anger on this room, take it out on me if you must."
She shook her head. "I won't fight you. Not like this."