Episode 7 - The Black Crucible

Written and Narrated by Rajiv Narang

Musical Score Composed by Rajiv Narang



Thank you for listening.

Keywords: fantasy, fiction, adventure, science fiction, friendship, story, action, mental health, mystery, Toronto, psychological exploration, self-discovery, fantasy fiction, supernatural

Transcript

The Lost Books

Angel of Aphelion

Episode Seven - The Black Crucible

In the alley outside the Lost Books Library…

Odette, youthful but frail, stands at the far end of the alley. She carries herself as if she were always cold — always seeking warmth, and when she speaks, her voice seems carried by some sad melody.

One of the leather-clad ruffians approaches. "It's my turn. You can go," he says. "No. I'm going to wait for her," says Odette, not taking her eyes off the Library at the far end of the alley. The ruffian leaves. "Where are you?" she asks.

On the second floor of the Library...

James walks up to Asha. "Is it alright if I keep you company?" he asks, and she beams with a smile. The two walk along one of the well-lit aisles. Asha fidgets with her hair, happy to be alone with James... until...

"James," says Dee as she approaches. "Could you look at something with me?" "I'm sorry," says James. "Can I look at it later?" He turns back to Asha. Dee pulls out the Dream Cards she won from the Strongman and holds them out. "Could these help you remember?" she asks. "The Strongman had a genuine fascination with them." "Is that possible?" asks James as he takes two steps toward Dee and finds himself halfway between the two women.

Dee can see James hesitating. "Maybe you don't need them," says Dee, and she abruptly walks around the corner. "Wait!" calls James. "Asha, I'll be right back." And he follows Dee around the corner.

Asha stands alone in the middle of the aisle.

A few aisles over...

"Dee, wait," says James. "I thought you weren't coming," says Dee. "Can I see..." James reaches for one of the dream cards as Dee puts her hands behind her, causing James to put his arm around her.

Asha looks down the aisle and sees them. She turns away and goes.

James clasps the card and steps away from Dee. "How does it work?" he asks. "You know as much about it as I do," says Dee. The two study the cards.

Rowle walks out from his study. He finds only Eli in the main room. Rowle places the book "All That Glitters" on the counter. "Where's James?" he asks. Eli calls out, "James?"

Rowle looks up as James and Dee appear on the second-floor balcony. "Where's Asha?" asks Rowle. James looks around but doesn't see her anywhere.

Rowle races up the stairs and down an aisle. James follows several steps behind. Rowle turns a corner and spots an open book on the floor. Rowle reads silently, and the coloured lights come. James runs around the corner to see Rowle as he enters the book. 

On the shore of the Dark Lake... 

Under the heavy grey of an overcast sky, Rowle steps onto the wooden pier. That same pier where he asked Asha to leave the place with him.

Thirty yards off the end of the pier, he can see a figure in the water. It's Asha. She's struggling to stay afloat, and she goes under.

Rowle runs the length of the pier, makes a long leaping dive into the water and swims hard toward where he saw her last.

He dives down below the water, driving deeper and deeper.

James reaches the shore but sees only water.

Rowle sees Asha sinking to the bottom and swims to her. He wraps his arm around her and pushes off the lake bottom, propelling them upward. They break the water's surface. She is unconscious as Rowle swims with her toward the shore.

James races down to the water's edge. Rowle emerges from the shallows carrying Asha to land.

In a second-floor aisle of the Library...

Carissa and Eli stand over the open book. Rowle appears with Asha in his arms, both soaking wet. "What happened?" asks Carissa.

James appears from the book.

Rowle lays Asha down, and Carissa begins CPR.

James stands stunned. Asha coughs up water.

"That's alright, sweetheart," says Carissa as the rest of the group gathers around them.

Carissa holds Asha. "You're fine," she says to both Asha and Rowle. "You're fine."

Rowle's fear turns into anger. He focuses it on James.

"Why did you leave her? I told you... You promised me! Do you think I'm playing a game with the safety of these people?" says Rowle. "He didn't know," says Carissa. "Let's take her to her bed," Nether picks her up, and he and Carissa take Asha.

"I'm... sorry," stammers James. "Do you even understand what just happened here?" asks Rowle.

"She almost drowned?" says James.

"She was supposed to drown James. That's how the story that was written for her ends. She dies. And if she dies now..." Rowle sighs, turns his back to James, helps Carissa get Asha up, and they take her around the corner.

Nether steps up and places a comforting hand on James's shoulder.

"You didn't know," says Nether. "Know what?" asks James.

Nether leads James, K, Shen and Eli out of the dancing portal lights to a city street that resembles Toronto's Koreatown. A few people walk along the sidewalk, and then... they see something, or rather someone, strange.

"Why does that person look different than all the others — that… blue paleness… like they're walking through a fog that follows them everywhere?" asks James.

"They were once free," says Eli. "Free? They're from the Library?" says James. "They were," says K, lowering his head.

"They came back to this place… their old story," signs Shen as K translates.

"They let their old story take them," says Nether.

"Sometimes their old stories take them and end so…" Eli cringes. "They let themselves forget about the outside world… the library…" says Eli.

"They accept what they falsely believe is their fate," signs Shen.

"They accept misery and even death in their old story over life in a new one," says K.

"They died here?" asks James.

"They died here after having been outside."

"Sometimes a person isn't prepared for what's out there… So they choose to forget," signs Shen.

"Or maybe they had to forget."

"They chose to return to their old stories?" asks James.

"No," says K, "They are the liberated… who came back to die in their old stories."

"Now they're stuck here forever," says Eli. 

"Irretrievable," says Nether as he reaches out to touch them, only to have them slip like smoke through his massive fingers.

James watches them walk past…

"Are they… ghosts?" asks James as he studies the pale blue-grey absoluteness of their indifference.

"To them, we're the ghosts," says Eli.

"Or the dream," says Eli as they all watch them walk into the distance — the trail of fog with them.

"That's what could've happened to Asha?" asks James. 

No one answers. James feels a coldness.

In the main room of the Library...

Wrapped in a blanket and drinking hot tea from a mug, Asha is comforted by Carissa and Rowle.

Visibly shaken, James enters, followed by Nether, K, Eli and Shen.

Dee watches over them all from the balcony.

"I was hoping I could, uh... Can I just say... I didn't mean... I... I promised Rowle I would keep you safe, Asha. I'm so sorry I... It's my fault you were even at risk. I asked Rowle... well... I just want to say... I'm sorry, Asha. I'm sorry to all of you. And I think it's time I took steps to regain my memory without putting everything on all of you," says James.

"I want to train at The Black Crucible."

Rowle studies James carefully, considering what James has said. Then... "You'll need to pass The Test at the Gate," says Rowle.

The entire group walks out from dancing portal lights at a tall gate in the wall of The Black Crucible. They enter and walk into an arena just within the entrance to join Rowle, who stands with the Grandmaster -- a middle-aged man. His eyes shimmer like moonlight on water. His smile dances like moonlight on a knife. 

The Grandmaster looks them over as James, growing anxious, steps out in front of the group.

"This is the one you want us to accept?" asks the Grandmaster. "I can smell the fear on him from here. He can't possibly be a candidate. Please, Rowle. Show us a champion worthy of training here. How about that one," the Grandmaster points eagerly to Nether. "I'd love to see him hit something as hard as he can! No? Alright... There," he points to a place for James to stand, then glances over his shoulder to a warrior in full black kendo armour. Three other warriors in gray armour stand behind him. Kendo helmets cover all their faces. "Quimby," calls the Grandmaster, and the helmeted warrior steps to a rack of swords.

The Grandmaster calls out: "Bokken," and the warrior picks up two bokken hardwood swords from the rack.

"Shinai," says Rowle. The Grandmaster scoffs.

"Shinai." The warrior puts down the hardwood swords and picks up softer, more flexible bamboo practice swords. The Grandmaster leans to Rowle: "Shall I have them wrapped in tissue paper as well?" The warrior approaches and hands one of the bamboo swords to James. James drops it, causing the Grandmaster to glance at Rowle.

"I'm not sure I can watch this," says K as he and the others stand beside Rowle.

James picks up the bamboo sword as the two warriors in grey tie protectors onto James's chest and arms. The Grandmaster holds up three fingers to Rowle, and Rowle holds up five fingers back. The Grandmaster nods begrudgingly. "James, you have to score on him once before he scores on you five times, alright?" says Rowle. James grips his sword tightly with both hands. The kendo warrior bows to him, and James clumsily bows back. Then, they face each other with swords tip to tip. The warrior unleashes a series of five strikes that land rapidly and soundly on different areas of James's body.

"Five," says the Grandmaster. "So… not swords then," he adds.

Eli calls out, "Did that hurt, James? That looked like it hurt," says Eli.

James walks back to the gate, frustrated. He stares out at the glimmering portal leading back to the Library.

He's filled with the desire to return to the comforts of his room and to the peacefulness of the rows and rows of books. Finally, he takes a long breath, regains his composure, and returns to the arena and the Grandmaster.

"We could make it 100 to one, and he would still fail," says the Grandmaster. "I'll take ten," says James. This makes the Gandmaster's dangerous smile flash. He nods to the kendo warrior. And, with swords at the ready, the two face each other again.

The warrior feints and then launches an attack, striking James three times. James notices the Grandmaster hold up three fingers at him.

The swordsman sets himself and looks calm. He pretends to sheath his sword, pressing it against his belt and shows his now-empty hand to James.

James knows it's a trap and takes a quick step forward. The warrior draws his sword and attacks in one motion. James leans back, lowering his sword, and as the swordsman advances to collect his tenth blow, James's sword pokes him on the toe. "Stop!" calls the Grandmaster. The two stand there with the tip of James's sword on the warrior's toe.

The Grandmaster calls out again: "Joshi!"

Scurrying is heard in the distance. Then, a boy appears carrying a uniform and a wooden tablet with an inscription. He runs across the arena and holds it out between James and the Grandmaster.

"This is your uniform. Take care of it. This is the Code of the Black Crucible," says the Grandmaster handing James an engraved wooden tablet. "I expect you to be able to recite this from memory."

The group gathers around James, congratulating him. The Grandmaster steps back to speak with Rowle. "It's a mistake. You know he'll never make it," says the Grandmaster. "This is the student you want to endorse?"

Rowle nods.

"It's time for his training to begin," says the Grandmaster. Nether, Carissa, Asha, K, Shen and Eli say their goodbyes. 

As James looks over, Rowle is already walking away.

"We'll visit soon," promises Eli. 

"I don't think James will be the same after this,:" says Eli. "I don't think the Library will ever be the same after this," says K.

"Will he be alright, Rowle?" asks Carissa. "I don't know," he says. The group vanishes into the dancing portal lights. And the dancing portal lights disappear.

James follows the boy into the complex.

James, his new uniform in his hands, is guided down an arched hallway by the young Joshi. "This place is impressive," says James. "You're so lucky you get to train here," says Joshi.

Something on the wall catches James's attention. 

It's a stone mosaic depicting a story… a man climbs out of a pit, travels across a prairie to a tower, and climbs to the top of it. He holds his hand toward the sky. James's eyes widen when he sees the following image, which takes up the entire wall… the man… and holds his hand upward with a circle of light glowing around it.

It's a picture of that man — his hand reaching to the sky encircled with a disc of light penetrating all shadow and all darkness.

James stops. "Who is that?" he asks. 

"He's the greatest warrior, Grandmaster, and leader the Black Crucible has ever known. Light Hand," says Joshi.

"Light Hand?" says James. Staring at the picture, he feels curiosity welling up inside of him.

"The Black Crucible has been, since its founding, the greatest martial arts academy in the world. Light Hand... made it FAR greater. He made it so much more," says Joshi.

"He's a teacher here?" asks James. "He's the head of The Black Crucible," says Joshi. "He came here with nothing and rose to the most incredible heights." James can hear the wonder in the boy's voice. "Is he holding his hand in front of the sun for a reason?" asks James. "That's not the sun. While training here, he harnessed phenomenal power (beyond anything anyone had ever seen.) They say it glows like a disc of light around his hand. They say it's a power from another dimension." James stares at the picture — that hand with fingers outstretched... a disc like a sun, shining all around it. "Yep. He's the greatest. I'm going to meet him someday," says the boy walking down the hallway.

James re-emerges from a room dressed in his new uniform.

The Grandmaster strolls into the hall. "It's time for your second assessment," he says.

They enter a small gymnasium with elevated seating and viewing areas. The Grandmaster joins four masked warriors — two men and two women — at a long table. "Who are they?" asks James as Joshi leads him to the centre of the gym. "The four headmasters," says Joshi. 

The Grandmaster addresses James.

"Will you honour yourself in all your efforts here and conduct yourself with honour within and beyond these grounds?" asks the Grandmaster. "I will," says James.

"Will you learn the code of the Black Crucible and… Joshi, will you show him how to tie a belt? I can't look at that anymore," says the Grandmaster. "Learn the code," he says, irritated. He sighs. "I sincerely hope you do honour to the one (man) who brought you here."

A distant mission bell chimes and Joshi steps away, leaving James alone before the table of masters.  

A fighter in a black mask and black uniform walks in to stand beside James. The man -- more muscular and more athletic than James -- is imposing. He bows to the masters at the table. James bows, too.

"This is your skills assessment, James. Do whatever you can to incapacitate or subdue this man," says the Grandmaster. The fighter in the black mask turns idly to face James and bows — James bows just as awkwardly as before. 

The man places his hands leisurely on his belt and assumes a loose fighting stance. He gestures from James to attack. "I… I don't really want to hit him," says James. 

The First Headmaster yells out, and the masked warrior punches James in the stomach. James hunches over, gasping for breath. "Okay," squeaks James as he pauses to catch his breath… "I want to hit him a little."

James, raising his fists, squares off with his opponent. The fighter stands there… with his hands down. James launches two lacklustre punches that the warrior easily avoids.

The four headmasters turn to the Grandmaster with questioning glances.

The Grandmaster gets up and walks over to the fighters. "James. He won't move this time. Strike him with any part of your body. Can you hit him?" asks the Grandmaster. 

James studies his stationary opponent. "I don't want to," he says. "Good!" says the Grandmaster. "An honest answer. Now we are one step closer to finding the fighting style that fits your nature. We must find the discipline that fits your nature! Your nature determines the discipline, not the other way around." 

The Grandmaster returns to his seat, and one of the female headmasters calls out: "Ready!" This time the fighter in the black mask puts up his hands and starts moving… for real…. like a tiger about to take down its prey. James doesn't know what to do. 

"Begin!" shouts the headmaster. And the warrior rushes in at James with his fists slicing through the air. 

James fumbles back, grabbing the masked warrior's arm as he does. He falls… backward… pulling the man with him. And as James hits the ground, pulling the fighter with him out of reflex, the warrior trips over him and sprawls to the mat.

Everyone is caught by surprise — especially James.

The Grandmaster looks over to The First Headmaster, who is already nodding. Then he looks over at the other three. They all smile or shrug in agreement, and one of them says. "Yoko Otoshi," another agrees.

With a glance, the Grandmaster sends the glaring masked warrior in black… away. 

"Okay, James," says the Grandmaster. "We know what your primary discipline is going to be… Judo."

"Half your training time will be spent exploring your strengths in your primary discipline of Judo — the gentle way -- and half your time will be spent covering fundamentals from other fighting disciplines while shoring up any weaknesses you currently possess."

The Grandmaster gets up and leads James out of the gym. "Now, I'll introduce you to your teacher," he says. Joshi runs up and gives James a towel. "That was awesome, James! And Judo is the same primary discipline Light Hand himself started with!" says Joshi.

James follows the Grandmaster into a martial arts training room. An extraordinary row of punching bags, targets, and pads is in an even line down the entire length of the room. James can't help but be impressed by the military precision of it all.

"Grandmaster," says a man behind them. From the hallway emerges Harley — a man of contradictions, polite even to the point of seeming delicate. But James can sense the fierceness of this man. The man bows graciously to the Grandmaster. "James, this is Harley. He'll be your teacher. He'll also lead you through your third assessment," says the Grandmaster. "Third assessment?" asks James. 

Harley enters the room. "Kicking, Striking, Trapping, Throwing and Takedowns, Ground-fighting; these are the five areas of practice for you," he says. "Since you're studying Judo — you'll focus your remaining time on kicking, striking, and fighting in the trap, along with one weapon training session," says Harley. "Your third assessment covers fundamental techniques." The Grandmaster interjects: "We want to find those techniques you have the most natural feel for. That's the doorway in. Pick one technique from each range and learn to apply it. That's how we'll start. Practice them all, but focus on applying one from each range."

James follows his Teacher through a series of hand strikes, then a series of kicks, then striking with head-butt, knees, and elbows. They reach the end of the line of targets, and James slumps over to catch his breath.

"Which hand strike did you feel most comfortable with?" asks the Grandmaster. James huffs: "The first one?" "Lead Hand Strike," says Harley. "Which kick?" asks the Grandmaster. "The roundhouse?" says James. "No," says the Grandmaster. "The front kick for you. And obviously not the head-butt. So… knees or elbows… which felt stronger for you?" "The knee," says James. "And, finally…" says Harley, pointing to a wall of weapons, "pick one."

James looks them over. He pulls the nunchaku from the wall, and the Grandmaster gently takes them away. "No, no, no… not for you," he says as he puts them back.

James sees a shinai -- the same bamboo sword he used when he was accepted into the Black Crucible. He picks it up. Swings it from side to side and accidentally hits the Harley. "Oops! Sorry!" says James sincerely.

"Eat well. Rest well. Tomorrow morning your training at The Black Crucible begins," says the Grandmaster as he walks away.

Joshi leads James out and across the main quad. Across the yard is the central tower of The Black Crucible. 

"That's the tower? That's where Light Hand is?" asks James. Joshi nods.