Chapter 8.6

“Seek the way of humility, for in pride’s path lay the broken spears of Toltemoc, impaling all with their indifference,” intoned Jaala, capturing the angry elemental’s blade in his Yitte as the former gave a mighty overhead swing.  The elemental, fire fairly streaming from his eyes and licking about his obsidian armor, kicked Jaala to the ground and moved to deliver the killing blow when he was met by Katashi’s Daicho.

Katashi had heeded the elemental’s words well.  All Tataki are taught to keep their mind as empty as possible when crossing swords to engender heightened perception of their opponent’s moves, but Katashi was able to take this to a higher level with the aid of Cuauhtemoc’s pin.  Saving Jaala was his last coherent thought as he engaged in his duel with the fire elemental.

Jaala rose to his feet looking for some way to aid his companion.  He quickly sensed though that Katashi had reached some sort of state where he was equally matched with the fury of his opponent.  To step in now would only hurt Katashi in this contest of blades.  But was it a contest of blades?  Remembering his own prophetic words at the beginning of the battle, he realized that Katashi had once again achieved Wu Wei and that he must focus the fury of the elemental such that it destroyed its ability to act as thought.

To this end Jaala sheathed his blades and faced the antagonists.

~ by beinnsgriob on September 20, 2009.