Legends of YB: Lady Tsin's Story. Farewell...

[Rathan]

"archangel recives his gift from his servent and knows who it is from just by looking at it....... Lady Tsin...... he knows it's power and what it can do....."

"the one thing he does not understand is why....... why is Tsin giving gifts to everyone..the last time this happened..... we lost sineater..... "

"does she know something we don't???" mutters archangel.....

"is she alright???".... " I mean niko DID say something about her leaving this world for the heavens........ I didn't think he ment her dying......."

" I must find out what is going on...... " archangel says...

*archangel takes off on his feathered wings to find Lady Tsin*

 

[Lady Tsin]

Lady Tsin reaches the Traveling Garden of Snow late that evening, and immediately she senses that something is wrong. The newly risen moon spills light over the painted wagon, and there is no sign of movement. No light spills from the unshuttered windows. There is no warmth or spark of life from the nearby fire pit.

The White lady moves closer, eyes seeking some signs of the Master, Sidhe Li, or his young students. But all is silent as she reaches the wagon's door and the steps leading up to it. She looks up, and gasps.

Claw marks rake across the painted door, which stands slightly ajar. The interior of the wagon is completely empty.

Tsin stumbles a bit, then sits upon the wagon's steps and buries her face in her hands. The glow of the Gem in her forehead spills between her fingers, its pulsing light the only movement.

For the second time, the White Lady begins to weep.

A shadow moves unseen across the moon, and suddenly a falcon darts in over the Lady's bowed head. It lands upon her shoulder and she is startled out of her sorrow.

Tsin reaches up and gently moves her fingers in the warm feathers of the Falcon's breast. It eyes her and clicks its beak. "Ahh, Guardian." Her voice is very sad. "I was coming to you at my own pace...but I am glad you have found me." She closes her eyes and reaches into her satchel.

"I am too late, you see. Too late for him." She brings out a small object and turns it slowly before her eyes. "Too late for them all, perhaps, for the world turns in its course and the past is swept away." She stares at the small thing a moment longer, then whispers, "This is for you, son of Honor." She breathes upon it.

And then she cries out. Her body twists in agony and she tumbles from the steps onto the ground. The Falcon, unseated from its perch, files in anxious circles and calls out its frustration. Tsin spasms on the grass, clutching her heart. The Gem she bears flares with fierce light, then fades to stillness, and glows no more.

After a time, Tsin sits up and the Falcon again finds her shoulder. She smiles faintly, and caresses it. "That wasn't so bad." She reaches out and places something small and white upon the steps of the Traveling Garden of Snow. Then she climbs unsteadily to her feet and walks slowly away.


The white object is a small ceramic pillar, completely entwined with a thick-leafed Vine, and inscribed with a tiny "T." It is called a Token of the Lady, and has the following power: Once, and only once, it will grant an expert of the Vine style the power to alter one of his/her generated moves to the Vine style. After this ability is used, it will crumble to dust.


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Lady Tsin the White
Yellow Belt 1: 10-3
Style: Spider
Bearer of The Gem of Heaven's Honor (relic)

 

[Lady Tsin]

At the Gardens of the Grandmistress, Yang oversees the last of the servants departing. Then he picks up his own pack and turns back to look at the now empty grounds. The flowers and shrubs and trees grow neatly now, but he knows that soon enough they will turn wild, and the forest will reclaim its own. The buildings will remain much longer, but even they will eventually succumb to the patient decay of Time.

The old man steps back and looks up at the arch above the gates. One banner still flies there...a white silk standard sewn with silver, showing a spider perched on an upraised sword. Yang bows low before it, then turns away. There is a new Grandmaster, he hears, and perhaps the young upstart would appreciate the wisdom of an old gardener.

 

[Lady Tsin]

ooc: My apologies to Left-Handed Hummingbird, Phoenix, and MidKnight. In the following posts lack of time forces me to commit a sin I would never otherwise condone: I will be writing for your characters. I will do my utmost to match the tone and style and spirit of your creations, and will keep my intrusions to a minimum. If there is anything you heartily dislike or wish to add, please rewrite the passage and email it to me and I will replace my words with yours. I apologize for this, and again emphasize that it is only strict time restraints (not just the reset...my parents are in town and I have to entertain them) that force me to do it this way.

LHH, note that I have incorporated your post above, since I did not see it before I wrote this!



A stream runs from the gates of the old White Spider Dojo. The gates have been locked for many months, but tonight a slim white-robed form approaches and leans against them. Upon her shoulder rides a great Falcon, and as she rests it flies up to circle the training grounds. Satisfied that all is as it should be, the bird alights upon the gate and cries out to the woman below.

Lady Tsin looks up and smiles. "You have been so faithful, Guardian. I am glad you will be with me, now." She reaches into her robes and pulls out a key, unlocks the gates, and enters her old domain.

She passes the training ground and the students' quarters, making note of some small disturbances in the dirt. She smiles and shakes her head, but continues on to the flowering tree and the stone hut beside it. The stream dances in the moonlight nearby. Tsin stands for a moment, and breathes deeply. Her voice is the faintest of whispers. "Home."

Then she turns back and approaches the students' quarters. "I know you are in there, so you may as well come out now," she calls, settling herself upon a bench outside. As she does so, two kids holding each other's hand walk slowly out of the building and move hesitatingly toward the Lady. Their eyes are red, and their cheeks are blushing. They do not understand what is happening, but they were suddenly filled with a sense of loneliness, and they urgently needed to be with Lady Tsin.

"It was her idea to come here tonight, Lady," says Cadwgawn, with just a spark of his usual fire.

Lamya rolls her eyes. "We both had the same dream, Lady. I'm just the one who knew it was important!" She cannot help but pinch her brother, despite the fear in her voice.

Lady Tsin laughs lightly, and something of her sadness seems to lift. "You both did right, and I am not mad." The Falcon, however, seems miffed to have his guard broken, and lands with a ruffle of feathers upon Tsin's shoulder once more.

The Lady leans forward and touches each twin's cheek, and they both look up at her with wide eyes.

"You don't look well, Lady," says Lamya uncertainly. Cadwgawn does not speak, but stares at Lady Tsin's belt with frightened eyes.

"I am well enough," Lady Tsin replies calmly. She reaches into a leather pouch hanging from her shoulder and pulls out two small white objects. "These are for you. Take good care of them, for they are the last that I have." She brings them close to her mouth, then hesitates and looks at the young warriors with deep amethyst eyes. "Don't be afraid." The Falcon, knowing what is coming, leaps into the air.

Tsin breathes upon the things in her hand, and immediately her body shudders and her face twists in agony. She cries out softly, and only the shaking hands of Cadwgawn and Lamya keep her from tumbling off the bench.

Panting, the Lady smiles and caresses each of the twins. "I'm all right, you must trust me." The young warriors eye her uncertainly, but she shakes her head and presses the two objects into their hands. "Use them well, and remember me always," she says.


The white objects are small ceramic hands clutching Kamas, each inscribed with a tiny "T." Together they comprise a single Token of the Lady, which has the following power: Once, and only once, it will grant an expert of the Kama style the power to alter one of his/her generated moves to the Kama style. After this ability is used, they will crumble to dust.

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Lady Tsin the White
Yellow Belt D1: 10-3
Style: Spider
Bearer of The Gem of Heaven's Honor (relic)

 

[Lady Tsin]

As the youngsters stare at the Lady's Gifts, Tsin herself looks past them and smiles deeply. "My love is here," she murmurs. Lamya and Cadwgawn turn to see the Enlightened Master Nikodemus striding swiftly across the Dojo grounds towards them.

Tsin pulls Lamya and Cadwgawn close and places a kiss upon each one's forehead, then rises unsteadily and steps towards her lover. The Falcon circles above as the two warriors embrace.

Nikodemus caresses his Lady with tears in his eyes. "You are so weak. This is moving too fast." He eyes the Gem in her forehead, which no longer pulses with light. "You should have let me accompany you..."

Tsin silences him with soft fingers against his lips. "You are with me now, when I most need you," she murmurs. She reaches one last time into the pouch at her side, but this time the object she draws out is not made of white ceramic. It is instead a silver ankh pendant, attached to a fine chain.

"This was the first gift I received when I came to these Lands," Tsin says. "A wise fighter named Ejja gave it to me as I defeated him in battle. He was a friend of Berandor, but is long gone now, I know not where." She moves her fingers over the silver, and it catches the light of the moon. "I have carried it ever since, and now I am going to give it to you. I do not know what powers it may or may not have, and perhaps that does not matter anymore." Her amethyst gaze rises to Nikodemus's face and sorrow is reflected there. "The world turns, my sweet love, and all our plans are swept away. Only the Ancient Ones know for certain where the path of the Future leads."

Tsin raises the ankh to her lips and breathes softly. Then she screams.

Nikodemus cradles his lady's body as it shudders and convulses. His tears wet her black hair and his lips press against her skin. The two lovers struggle with pain in the cool moonlight as the Falcon circles above, crying out into the night.


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Lady Tsin the White
White Belt: 10-3
Bearer of The Gem of Heaven's Honor (relic)

 

[Lady Tsin]

Far away, at the Citadel of the Sword, MidKnight is roused from a deep sleep by a cry in the night. He steps to his window and looks out over the moonlit grounds--and as the light touches him a now-familiar voice reverberates within his mind.

You are the One. The Time is Now. Go to Her, and Take what is Yours.

MidKnight shakes his head, then grabs his sword and runs out into the darkness.

 

[Lady Tsin]

ooc: All of this, by the way, takes place BEFORE MidKnight's Deathmatch with Meowth.


Lady Tsin lays against Nikodemus, her face pale, her eyes closed. He kisses those eyes, and she smiles faintly and stirs. "Take me to the tree," she murmurs, and in one swift motion Nikodemus lifts her in his arms. He walks to the white blossomed tree beside the stone hut, beside the cool stream, where Lady Tsin's life in this realm began. He places her beside it, and she feels its gnarled roots and smooth bark, and seems to regain some strength.

"That wasn't so bad," Tsin says to him with a wry smile, and he cannot help but laugh softly. The Falcon dives down and lands upon a branch above their heads; white petals fall.

Cadwgawn and Lamya, who have watched all this in solemn and tearful silence, now tune their heads towards the main gate. "Someone is coming," says Lamya. Cadwgawn moves between the tree and the gate, as if to shield the White Lady from view. Nikodemus rises to his feet.

The new Grandmaster of Dojos, MidKnight, strides towards them with something of a wild look in his eye. The Circlet of the Spider gleams in the moonlight upon his brow.

He barely notices the young warriors, and spares only a slight bow for Nikodemus before he drops to one knee before Lady Tsin. "They called me, my Lady--the Most Ancient Ones. And somehow I knew where to find you. But they said I must take something--I know not what." He seems almost angry, defiant, and as he realizes her weakened state--sees the dullness of the Gem she bears--his eyes darken. "It is not my intention to take anything from you, my Lady, ever."

Lady Tsin smiles at MidKnight, and the moonlight sparks fire in her amethyst eyes. "I know, MidKnight. But sometimes our choices are made for us. Each of us can be an instrument of Fate, if the Ancient Ones desire it to be so."

Beside them, unnoticed, Nikodemus clenches his jaw and his fists, and stares up at the velvet sky with a gaze of pure anger.

Lady Tsin reaches out her hands to MidKnight. "Help me up," she says. He clasps her hands, and there is a sudden burst of light from the Gem of Heaven in her forehead. As Lady Tsin rises the Gem begins to pulse brightly once more, and in turn she herself seems to gain strength. When she regains her feet, she will not let go of his hands.

"And now you must fight me."

MidKnight's face twists with horror, and he struggles to free himself from her grasp. "No!" But the light of the Gem pulses between them, and he cannot break free.

Nikodemus steps up behind his love and bends over her. "No, Tsin, my only love, no." His voice is rough and shaking. "Let it be me, if it must be someone--let it be through Love that you depart." Tears run down his cheeks and his hands hover at her shoulders.

Tsin turns her face and kisses Nikodemus, and the light of the Gem bathes them both. "My Life for your Life, sweet warrior. We will always be one. But MidKnight has been chosen, and sometimes Fate rules us all."

Nikodemus caresses Tsin's face, then closes his eyes and turns away.

 

[Lady Tsin]

MidKnight stands with his head bowed, hands still clasped in Lady Tsin's. She faces him and speaks in a strong voice. "The time is Now, Grandmaster of Dojos. Show me what you have learned."

MidKnight takes a deep breath and nods once. His when he looks up his face is hard, his emotions guarded. "The Ancient Ones mark the way, and we can only honor their Wisdom."

Lady Tsin nods too, and smiles softly.

The two combatants bow low to each other, then step back and prepare for battle beneath the white blossomed tree, beside the stream. Lady Tsin is perhaps the only one who is aware that this is where her very first fight took place, against an Angel of this land. Perhaps she is the only one who appreciates the symmetry.

From the first moves, it is clear that Lady Tsin has not lost any of her skill. The Brown and the White circle each other, leaping and kicking and whirling with prowess unmatched by most in this land. As the rhythm and flow of the battle intensifies, Lady Tsin's eyes sparkle as of old with the joy of battle, and a fierce grin often flashes upon her face. But MidKnight's brow is furrowed and sorrow reflects in his eyes.

The White Lady sweeps MidKnight off his feet, and he lands on his back hard. Tsin leaps, twirling, and slams her shoulder into his chest. For an instant they are face to face, and she chides him softly. "You are holding back, Brown Belt. I do not fear the Panther, or the Claw. And the Spider and the Sword were once mine!"

MidKnight growls and throws the Lady off him, then flips up and batters her with a flurry of kicks. He is panting and grinning through clenched teeth, and a spark lights in his eye. "So be it," he says.

And now the fight becomes bright and furious. Limbs and hands and feet blur with speed, the force of gravity is defied again and again, bodies twist and whirl in an impossible dance, and both combatants are bathed in sweat. The Gem of Honor pulses blindingly, madly, intensely, and it is hard to say whose body its light emanates from.

There is a moment, a brief instant, where Lady Tsin may be the victor--but then she steps into the stance of the Sword. Anguish returns to MidKnight's face as he easily blocks her attack. Lady Tsin closes her eyes and reaches out her arms, moving into the Spider style, and MidKnight flinches slightly--but the instinct of battle carries his defense, and suddenly Tsin is in his grasp, her back arched and nearly broken over his thigh.

Point MidKnight. Match, MidKnight.

The ethereal voice echoes from above, and Lady Tsin spasms. Her eyes lock on MidKnight's and she reaches up and captures his head between her hands. The Gem blazes between them as she pulls him closer, closer, and they both begin to scream.

 

[Lady Tsin]

Silence falls upon the old Dojo of the White Spider. Dawn approaches, and Lady Tsin and MidKnight lie in a heap upon the ground, unconscious.

Nikodemus blinks light-blinded eyes. Blood drips from his palms from where his nails pierced his own flesh as he watched. Now he stumbles toward them and pulls MidKnight off of his Lady, then groans.

Lady Tsin is on her back, twisted in such a way that it is obvious her spine is broken. But Nikodemus is staring at her forehead...her pale brow which once cradled the Gem of Honor. Now, there is only a raw and jagged hole, blood pooling within. Nikodemus darts a glance at MidKnight's limp form--and there it is, the Gem of Honor, now embedded in the Circlet of the Spider which MidKnight wears. It pulses strongly with the beat of his heart.

Nikodemus hears a faint sound and looks back at Tsin. Her eyes are open and tears run down the sides of her face, wetting her black hair. He lowers his head until her lips brush his ear, and still he can barely make out what she whispers to him.

"He must take care of them," she breathes. "Tell him to watch over them all. Bring Sidhe back...."

Nikodemus holds Tsin softly, fiercely, and covers her face with kisses. "I will tell him. And I will come after you, Tsin, my love, my only love. My Life for your Life, until the end of time."

Tsin kisses him back as best she can. "I love you forever, Nikodemus," she breathes at last. "I will see you in Heaven..."

And then, as the sun rises above the horizon, she dies.

 

[Lady Tsin]

This story can be completed by those participating in it, or any others who might wander by, if they so wish...my part is done.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone in the YB community for giving me so much enjoyment over the past six months. I have always loved to write, and to tell stories, and this has been a wonderful outlet for both. Thank you to Berandor, Bhallreah, Lady Diamond, and everyone else who encouraged me by using Lady Tsin as inspiration for their own stories. Thank you especially to Phoenix, Left-Handed Hummingbird, and Vanor for taking Lady Tsin into your hearts and into the lives of your characters--I could not have done anything without you. Thank you to Witch for all that he does and gives for this game--your energy is astounding and humbling. And thank you to a certain board administrator, without whom I never would have discovered this game...among other things.

This is my YB swan song, for many trivial real-life reasons that have piled up over the past months. I wish all of you well after the reset, and I am glad that my time on the committee had a small part in making the game better for you all. In the future I may stop in now and again to judge...that is, once I have had a chance to digest all the new rules! But I will not be creating a new fighter.

May the Ancestors bless your path.

And have fun!!!