The Tale of Legend, The Vagabond

shan735 wrote:Oooh I really enjoyed the last 3 chapters :)
More please ^_^

Soul wrote:I see you have added pictures too.Nice!

Hehe... Thanks a lot - It is much appreciated :)

Chapter 70: The Biggest Obstacle in Life is Expectation

The Dark Messiah was visibly exhausted. He pulled the weapon out of his chest, then caught up some of Captain of White Shadows' blood with his hands, while some of Legend's companions asked what he was doing. He drank the blood, shortly after he touched his chest and began to moan. His deep wound began to close, but he shouted louder and louder. He knelt on the ground, was on all fours, apparently feeling pain.

Tran: "What the hell is happening??" Richards: "Nothing good, it appears. We should be prepared for the worst."

The Dark Messiah looked up, had his fists next to him as he shouted, then suddenly his right arm split into two. Short time after the same happened to his left arm, then his head, his right leg, his upper chest and then the rest. Legend's companions were speechless and stunned as they saw two Legends, no more with his brownish wardrobe, but one in white and one in black, both exhausted.

The black one began to laugh out loud with his deep, dark voice and spoke: "I freed myself as I told you I would!" Legend, no more with brown but with blue eyes, stood slowly up and looked serious at him as The Dark Messiah stood up as well while grinning.



Legend: "So, what do you want to do? Fight against me?" The Dark Messiah: "Sure, why not? But before that... We were greeted so nice before, we should return the favor." Legend's eyes suddenly opened wide as he understood his words, looked back at the one who attacked him before and shouted: "RUN!" But just after his shout, The Dark Messiah punched his face as bad as never seen. He grabbed his neck while he was half-unconscious, held him up and looked grinning at Legend. He asked: "What do you think - Does he deserve to live?" Legend: "Yes he does. Let him go." The Dark Messiah: "Aww, Legend... Why do you always have to be such a buzzkill?" Legend: "Your punch was already abundantly clear. No need to overdo it." The Dark Messiah, grinning, answered "I don't think so." and broke his neck, then he let him fall down.

Legend looked at the dead warrior on the ground next to The Dark Messiah and said: "That was unnecessary." The Dark Messiah: "It was fun." Legend: "Fun for a few seconds, but then nothing to think about, is it? As I said, unnecessary." The Dark Messiah stopped to grin and said: "You're really a buzzkill." He spread out his hands towards the attacker's two friends and killed them with chi kung. Legend thought to himself: "Damn it... That was too fast. I wasn't focused."

Legend remained calm and looked lightly more serious at The Dark Messiah, then he said: "Stop it." The Dark Messiah grinned cheekily, held out his right arm towards Legend's companions, answered "Nope." and shot a chi kung wave towards them as well. Legend still remained calm and just looked into The Dark Messiah's eyes. The Dark Messiah was slightly surprised, kept grinning and took his arm slowly down. After the explosion and the dust went down, one could see Legend's companions still standing there, surprised by themselves. The Dark Messiah reacted amazed - He looked at Legend, but Legend simply began to smile slightly.

The Dark Messiah thought serious and lightly angry to himself: "How the hell did he do that..? He didn't even move his arms, didn't even look there."

Suddenly The Dark Messiah jumped high up and shot chi kung balls towards Legend and his companions and shouted grinning: "Let's see how you can handle more than one of them!!" Legend simply kept looking at The Dark Messiah without to move his body while his companions were frightened and took cover, however, not one of The Dark Messiah's attacks went through.

In the air, The Dark Messiah noticed his failure attack, got angry and said to himself: "Enough of this!" He felt down very fast, landed perfectly and ran fast towards Legend, attempting to punch him in his face, but Legend held his wrist while looking into his eyes. The Dark Messiah reacted shortly surprised again, then he wanted to grab him and throw him away, however, Legend held his other wrist with his other hand. The Dark Messiah was angry yet unsure, then he attempted to kick Legend from the side, however, Legend parried it by holding his knee up towards The Dark Messiah's kick.

The Dark Messiah couldn't do anything, and he was very well aware of that. He pulled his arms down - Legend simply let him go - and went some steps back. He was angry. Never has anyone managed to let his attacks go into nothing. His pride was hurt because he was not even able to throw Legend away and had to walk backwards instead. He wanted to do many things to him, but he knew he couldn't do anything, especially not in a furious state.

He didn't understand it at all. He thought to himself: "Why the hell is he able to do that..? Why the hell didn't he defend himself when the guy I first killed attacked him..?"

For the very first time, The Dark Messiah had to go beyond his enemy with his thoughts. For the very first time he was forced to be a mere truth-seeker. He wasn't aware of that, however, this was the beginning of a new cycle for his soul.

The Dark Messiah thought to himself: "What was his intention when the other guy attacked him..?" Shortly after, his thoughts continued: "If I wouldn't have been so focused with me getting free, I would know!" Some short time later, he thought: "Ah, I remember... Yet it wasn't much... He didn't have any bad feelings towards him. He just took it... Why..?"

The Dark Messiah looked at Legend's companions and shouted: "You guys! Go home!" They reacted surprised and looked at Legend. Legend looked at them, and while smiling friendly he answered: "It's okay, I can take care of myself now. Thank you for your help. And sorry for the trouble..." Rather speechless they began to walk back to Tibet, looking at Legend for a long time until they were gone.

Chapter 71: Light Enlightens Darkness

The Dark Messiah looked at Legend and spoke: "Hey, asshole, why didn't you defend yourself from the other guy?!" Legend replied while still slightly smiling: "There are various reasons." The Dark Messiah: "Which are..?" Legend: "Well, the biggest one would be the fact that I didn't have any bad feelings towards him." The Dark Messiah immediately said: "I know that, asshole! I was in your body! But why?! Why should you do this?!" Legend: "Because hate only produces more hate." The Dark Messiah: "Bullshit!" Legend explained calmly: "No, it's not. In a normal fight with me you would be totally in anger, and depending on the situation, hate me even more. But right now, you're in an unsure state, not able to see through your opponent, which makes your anger rather fall to the background." The Dark Messiah yelled: "YOU KNOW NOTHING ABOUT ME!!" Legend: "Okay, sorry I said anything. It wasn't my intention to offend you." The Dark Messiah: "THAT'S ANOTHER THING! STOP BEING SO FRIENDLY!" Legend: "Uh... What are we talking about here?" The Dark Messiah: "SHUT UP!!!"

Legend didn't say anything - not because The Dark Messiah demanded him to, but because he knew whatever he would reply, it wouldn't lead anywhere. So he gave The Dark Messiah the opportunity to recollect - And indeed, he did.

After a while, The Dark Messiah asked: "And what are the other reasons?!" Legend: "Well... Friendly or hard answer?" The Dark Messiah: "What..?!" Legend: "There are two ways I can explain it to you, and I'm not sure which one I should take." The Dark Messiah: "Just tell me straight!" Legend: "All right... You don't know everything I know because you haven't heard my thoughts since I'm awake. Not because I didn't think anything anymore, but because I used a different way of thinking." The Dark Messiah: "Which is..?" Legend: "Hard to explain... When we are children, before we start to think, we just know. Facts which are in our head before we name it with our head. Like when you look at the time and just know how many minutes are left until full hour instead of thinking about it first. The origin of the simple 'I AM', before we think 'I am this' or 'I am that'." Not sure if The Dark Messiah could follow he stopped. But shortly after The Dark Messiah said: "And..?" Legend continued: "In this natural but long forgotten 'I AM' state, we are our true selves. Only when it comes to judgments or other disturbances caused by what one could call the ego we lose our true selves, and with that our true abilities." The Dark Messiah: "And what was the 'hard' part of this speech?" Legend: "That wasn't it." The Dark Messiah reacted lightly surprised, then Legend said: "The thing is... I was able to use my full abilities of awareness the moment you left my body. The energy and focus I spent on you was then free to be used elsewhere. I knew the only way to fully find my inner self was to dissipate you, and I think I could have done it. But I decided to not do it." The Dark Messiah reacted more surprised about what Legend said, but looked serious and angry fast again. After some time he asked: "And I shall believe you?" Legend: "No. I just tell you how it is. If you believe my words or not is solely your business." The Dark Messiah was shortly quiet again, then he asked: "Why didn't you do it?" Legend: "For a few reasons." The Dark Messiah: "Which are..?" Legend: "I created you. Another reason is that you manifested your very own personality. Another thing is your character, which has grown and become richly colored, more than many other people." The Dark Messiah: "HA! Are you saying you love the way I am? Do you think you are something like a father or a creator?!" Legend: "No. All I am saying is, it is good as it is. I made my peace with it."

The Dark Messiah was visibly angry and answered: "Get the fuck outta here... What kind of shit are you talking?!" Legend: "You asked, I answered. It's only a matter of your conscious mind when you can't understand something." The Dark Messiah turned his head aside: "Grr..."

Realizing that a person in such a state would indeed not hold any grudge against others, The Dark Messiah looked back at Legend and asked: "Any other reasons?" Legend: "You mean, why I didn't defend myself from the guy?" The Dark Messiah: "Yes, that's what we're talking about!" Legend: "None important."

The Dark Messiah was again shortly quiet while they looked into each others eyes, then he asked: "So, how the fuck were you able to do that?! Is that some sort of chi magic?! I couldn't feel any chi." Legend smiled lightly but friendly and answered: "Even if I'd tell you, you wouldn't understand." The Dark Messiah: "Tell me!" Legend shortly stopped to smile, looked lightly innocent and said: "No, seriously, you will not get it - at all. You will think my head is totally out of whack." The Dark Messiah shouted: "JUST TELL ME!" Legend looked down, closed his eyes and then said: "Fine." He began to slightly smile again and explained: "Anything we do with chi is an alternation of reality by our vital energy, our chi. However, it is possible to alternate reality in a bigger, yet simpler way. It's like being fully aware and present - If you try to watch more than one thing around you it becomes hard multitasking, but if you are just aware, present and fully in the now you're able to observe more with little effort. Our ancestors were very well aware of it, but we have forgotten this a long time ago." The Dark Messiah: "And what exactly is it?" Legend: "Well..." He was shortly quiet, then he said: "Love." The Dark Messiah replied angered: "I should cut your throat for mocking me, damn bastard!" Legend: "Not the love you know from our society. Many would call it compassion. What people associate with the word Love is no love at all. When a man and a woman have mostly happy moments yet beat each other up when an argument has gone too far is no love, but a relationship of love and hate. When a father gives all her love to her child but tells it what it can and can not do is no love, but a parentship of love and control. When a girl loves all beauty of nature but can't handle love from another person is no love, but a living of love and fear. And many thousand other examples... It was pure love energy, sort to speak, without being weakened by any other feelings or emotions of the ego. It was not some sort of shield what held your attack. It was rather a sphere which didn't exist in the reality of your attack. A higher frequency." The Dark Messiah: "Are you on LSD?! Do you really believe a simple feeling like love could change reality, or do you think I'm retarded?" Legend: "Neither. That's a very, VERY simple explanation, indeed. I could explain you all in detail, but would it take several hours or even days with our language, if not longer, since one word can be understood in several ways, and in the end you would probably still not fully understand and realize the meaning of it. Furthermore, it would rather confuse you, and either shake your reality or close your mind for such kind of subjects - both would currently be unwise."

The Dark Messiah was quiet, jumping between states of quiet mind and having thoughts. He thought a fool of himself for actually considering Legend's words as truth, yet, in his current situation of being unsure and truth-seeking, he had to admit, deep within, that Legend's words made sense somehow. Furthermore, he could not find any other explanation or possibility.

"Love..? Compassion..?" The Dark Messiah thought, "How can that be stronger than rough, aggressive anger? That does not make any sense. This does not make any fucking sense."

"His power is over mine." The Dark Messiah realized, "But how can that be? He did not train much since our previous life, all he worked on was to achieve wisdom and finding peace within. How can this be strengthening in any way?"

"I was always the one saving his ass due to my advance..." he remembered. "This all does not make any sense..."

"How can that be possible..?" he thought.

Suddenly, after a while, The Dark Messiah turned around and began to walk away. Legend was shortly surprised and speechless, then he asked: "Where are you going?" The Dark Messiah stopped and looked at the ground. Then he looked lightly back at Legend and answered slightly aggressive "I'll have some time alone until I'll be forced to merge with you again. I need time for myself.", then he kept walking.

Chapter 72: There is no Time

Legend looked slightly surprised and speechless after The Dark Messiah. Short time later he just said "Hm..." while having some thoughts, yet without judging. Suddenly he heard a voice slightly laughing from behind: "Hm-hm-hm! Not bad, Legend." Legend looked back as Dreamghost continued: "I never expected your awareness to get to such a level. I bet nobody has. You even surpassed your father. It appears you are a young man with an old soul, just like your father. Your nickname indeed fits you well." Legend kept looking at him without much expression and didn't say anything, then Dreamghost wondered: "No pride?" Legend began to smile slightly and replied: "Pride is caused by ego, hence I have no interest in it."

"Hm..." Dreamghost said thoughtful, "I like to be open-minded, and I can clearly see that you've changed, yet... it's hard to believe you're able to hold yourself in this state for so long." Legend replied: "The behavior of a person lays always on one's reasons." Dreamghost: "And what are yours?" Legend looked out into the Land, saw and felt the nature, then he said smiling: "Never in my life have I thought of being able to get peace and happiness on such a level I feel since I'm awake. I used to look for it so hardly on my environment... I never saw the simple fact that it is about what we make, in every single present moment." Dreamghost: "I... don't quite follow." Legend kept looking into the Land and said: "There are no problems in the presence. In the past there might have been hard situations, in the future there might be hard situations, or even in five minutes. But there's no problem in the now. The past and the future are not actually real. It was real or it will be real, but it is not in our single present moment. There is indeed no time, only the now. This is the meaning of being awake and aware."

Dreamghost was shortly speechless, then he answered calmly yet stunned: "Wow... I never thought to say that, but these words just made me realize the meaning in what you just said..." Legend looked back at Dreamghost and said smiling: "It's not me saying it. It's the whole existence. I was just lucky to have realized this within." Dreamghost smiled and said: "Hm. You're on a whole other level than the rest of us. You have become unreachable to many." Legend: "That's not so." Dreamghost: "That's reality." Legend: "Reality and truth are rarely the same. You probably see me right now as something that you will never become, and so your opinion becomes your reality. But fact is, we're still all the same, and we always will be. We're all made of qualities and mistakes, are all children of our mother earth, and are all therefore brothers and sisters. Everything I can do and achieve, you can too."

Dreamghost was again speechless, after a while he asked: "How can you stay that humble?" Legend: "Don't try to be something, but simply be yourself - and while doing so, don't judge, and take it as it is." He looked at a plant nearby, what led Dreamghost's sight there as well, and continued: "Take a plant as instance. A plant does not think, therefore it does not judge. Yet it lives and it knows. It knows where to find water, it knows where to get sunshine, it knows where to grow through. All existence is knowing, but only few is thinking." Dreamghost was quiet at first, but then he appeared as if he had something in mind. Legend said: "Feel free to speak out if you want to do so." Dreamghost then said: "I do understand your words, yet it is hard to believe it. After all, you were a big contributor in ending the chaos in the previous life. Yet your opinion now is to accept things as they are." Legend explained: "Don't misunderstand me - What I tried to say is that one should accept things as they are, within. Make one's peace with it. But if you feel as if you have to stand for anything and to better something, as just said, it will be a feeling. A feeling within, not a thought in your mind. Therefore one can stand for what is right without to have hard feelings towards it." Dreamghost: "That actually makes sense..." Legend: "And that's why ego is such a dangerous thing. Because if the ego is too big, no matter how much sense the truth makes, it will be called lies and be fought against." Dreamghost: "I can see what you mean, but personally I think a healthy amount of ego is good." Legend: "What makes you think so?" Dreamghost: "My ego helped me on some difficult situations in my life." Legend: "So did mine. But eventually, we will develop deeper and wiser, and the ego won't be needed anymore. A different sort of society, where we would help each other and be there for one another would already suffice." Dreamghost: "Nah, I don't think so... There will always be a bit ego left." Legend thought a bit, then he said: "Many people, when they become old, around 80 or 90 years old, won't care about any bad thing, regardless if people are involved or if they're affected. At that point, they will put away their ego and just enjoy what they get. Then what - live 10 or 15 years with this sense of living? Why not earlier? Why necessarily stress oneself the whole life time?"

Dreamghost was thoughtful and didn't say anything for a while again. Then he said thoughtful: "Since years I think to know it all or almost all, operate in the background because I think that's the best way to change something for the better. Now I feel so incredibly stupid and ignorant because I realize how few I actually know..." Legend replied smiling: "There are as many different kinds of people as there are different kinds of flowers, and it is good as it is. There is no need to think little of oneself. We all learn, every day - and betterment can only be achieved through realization." Then he laughted slightly as he said: "And I'm not all-knowing either." Dreamghost asked slightly surprised: "You're not?" Legend laughs out with heart and says then: "Of course not. There is no such thing as all-knowing." Dreamghost: "But... You so appear to be." Legend: "Only because we didn't grow up with such kind of wisdom. The thing is, the more you know, the more questions there are. To seek all knowledge there is would be an enormous waste of time and energy, for this could never be accomplished." Dreamghost replied thoughtful: "Hm... That makes sense..."

Legend then said: "Talking about your daily work... What has brought you here to me?" Dreamghost: "Oh, well... I..." After some thoughtful seconds Dreamghost said: "Nevermind. It has resolved itself." Legend answered smiling: "All right. If you want to speak it out anyway, feel free to come back to me." Dreamghost began to slighty smile as well and answered: "Sure thing."

Legend: "Is there anything else I can help you with?" Dreamghost: "No, I think not..." Legend: "All right. I will go and look out for my father now. Farewell." Dreamghost: "Good bye. And... Thank you." Legend: "For what?" Dreamghost: "For your words." Legend, smiling, answered "You're very welcome. As said before... We are all but brothers and sisters." and walked then away.

Dreamghost looked after him, having so many thoughts that he didn't think anything at all.

Chapter 73: Be a Light Unto Yourself

Legend walked slightly smiling and without worry around in Loulan. A few hours later, he arrived Beiwei Village. When he arrived there, he looked around and eventually saw his father, The Vagabond, who was looking with a surprised expression at him.



Legend went to him and said smiling: "Ah, here you are. I've heard you were here somewhere." The Vagabond was speechless and just looked at him, then Legend stopped to smile and asked wondering: "Are you alright?" The Vagabond replied: "Yes, yes... I was just..." After a short break he said: "You're different. You're awaken. You're aware." Legend smiled slightly again and said friendly: "So it seems." The Vagabond: "This shouldn't be possible... Not yet... Not in our time..." Legend stopped to smile again and asked: "What..?" After a short while, The Vagabond said thoughtful: "I understand it now..." Legend: "Could you... enlighten me..?"

The Vagabond looked at his son, then he started to explain: "All existence is polarity, right?" Legend: "Yes." The Vagabond: "What do you think happens when you exist in a world where everyone else is on a lower dimension, sort to speak?" "Oh..." Legend replied as he understood, "It creates an equal reaction of the opposite..." The Vagabond: "Exactly." Legend: "So... This means... I am the cause of the chaos..?" The Vagabond nodded slightly. Legend: "Couldn't it be that I was the reaction of the chaos?" The Vagabond: "I felt you since you have awakened, and I was not sure if it was what I thought... But your presence shows me way more than I have imagined... And it made me understand." Legend: "Understand what?" The Vagabond: "The chaos became stronger in this Land the more you've found yourself. This time faster than the previous time, our previous life. But it was the same both times."

Legend looked a bit downwards and thought about it. He seemed to see some resemblances in what The Vagabond said, yet he asked: "Are you sure it is not the other way around?" The Vagabond was shortly quiet, then he replied: "I think not."

After a while, Legend asked: "So, what - Am I the one who has to defeat this chaos, or do I have to go, or what?" The Vagabond: "I'm afraid it isn't that simple... I'm afraid you have to go..." Legend: "But wait... If I leave this Land, won't this chaos still stay in our world?" The Vagabond: "I'm afraid it will..." With a bit of sadness Legend asked: "So... I have to kill myself..?" The Vagabond: "No, my son! God, no. But I think you do have to leave this world..." Legend: "I don't understand."

Dreamghost walked towards them, with a bit of a sad face expression, looked at The Vagabond and asked: "Does he really..?" The Vagabond replied with some sadness as well: "I wish he wouldn't... But I'm afraid he has to..." Dreamghost: "But where shall he go?" The Vagabond looked at Legend, smiled slightly with some sadness in his eyes and said: "You won't regret it... Have you ever heard of Shambhala?" Legend opened his eyes wide and asked: "The mystical kingdom..? Yes, why?" The Vagabond: "Do you know where it is?" Legend: "According to legend, it is in the Inner Earth... A holy place called Agartha, where not only Shambhala but also Eden is located... Why?" The Vagabond: "What would you say if I'd tell you that's where you have to go?" Legend was stunned and asked: "It... It exists..??" Dreamghost was stunned and speechless. The Vagabond told Legend: "I was very, indeed very lucky... I was allowed to go down there once." Legend & Dreamghost: "You were?!?" The Vagabond: "Of course, I couldn't tell anyone... But my visit there of only a few days was not without reason. I was told that I would have to forward someone down there, and that I would know it when I'd see this person. I feel ashamed that I wasn't a better father to you because I spent my time looking for this person... I now realize that this one person is my own son..." Legend smiled slightly and replied: "Don't be. You were a good father. You taught me much, in this as well as the previous life." The Vagabond looked aside, getting slightly emotional, suddenly they've noticed The Dark Messiah coming from the side. He looked very serious, almost angry, but didn't say anything, neither did the others. When The Dark Messiah arrived them he held Legend's shoulder from the side, looked into his eyes and said "No word.", then he merged again with him. After a short ray of light they were both again one person, with Legend's old, brownish clothes.

Legend smiled slightly, looked at The Vagabond and Dreamghost and said: "Don't mind that." The Vagabond began to say: "Well... There's something you probably need to know..." Suddenly it exploded a few feet away.

Legend, The Vagabond and Dreamghost looked to the direction and saw a pyramid burning and smoking. The three began to run to see what happened. While they were running The Vagabond asked: "Was that...?" Legend replied: "No, he has nothing to do with it." When they arrived they saw a few people on the ground. They went to the people and held them, but they were all dead or about to die. The Vagabond: "A massive amount of the chaotic energy is present here. I really hate to say it, but I think we should hurry..." Suddenly, Legend noticed Ruye in the middle of the people on the ground: "Ruye!!!" He ran to him and held him. "He's still alive!" Dreamghost and The Vagabond looked at Legend and Ruye, then The Vagabond said: "I'm afraid he's about to die..." Legend: "Isn't there anything we can do?" The Vagabond: "I wouldn't know what..." Dreamghost asked: "Can't you do anything in your awakened state?" Legend: "Not since The Dark Messiah has returned into my body..."

A short time later Legend heard The Dark Messiah's deep voice within: "Transfer me into his body. I think I can save him." Legend spoke in his thoughts: "You want to save him?? Why??" The Dark Messiah: "I don't know. There has always been some sort of connection with Ruye I can't explain. Maybe it's my destiny." Legend: "What will happen to you two?" The Dark Messiah: "To be honest - I have no idea. But I think it won't be possible to come back into your body." Legend: "What makes you think that?" The Dark Messiah: "Nothing. Just a feeling." Legend: "What about the others?" The Dark Messiah: "I offer you to save Ruye, nothing more. Take it or leave it." Legend was quiet for some time, then he said: "Thank you..." The Dark Messiah: "Don't thank me. Just transfer me into his body and leave me alone. I don't want to see you anymore." Legend felt big gratitude within him, then The Dark Messiah said: "If you really want to thank me, transfer me into his body and go. You will see your friend again." Without any more words Legend placed his hand on Ruye's chest and slowly transferred The Dark Messiah into Ruye's body. After a while, he then stood up and began to walk back, The Vagabond and Dreamghost followed him.

While walking, The Vagabond asked: "What happened right there? You did something, didn't you?" Legend: "Yes. I transferred The Dark Messiah into Ruye's body." Dreamghost: "Why?" Legend: "He said he'd save Ruye."

Ok you gave me time to reflect about the past chapters and I think it is time for that shocking change of events you were to reveal :)

Chapter 74: As Part of Something Bigger, You Have to Make Sacrifices

While the three were walking, Dreamghost looked at Legend and said: "You look calm. How comes?" Legend: "I am aware." Dreamghost: "Aware of... wait, you've explained it to me..." Legend smiled slightly and said: "I can explain it again, if you want me to." Dreamghost: "Yes, please." Legend began to explain: "It is as if I would say 'I AM', and you would ask what I am." Dreamghost: "Ah, I remember that." Legend: "To be aware doesn't mean 'to be aware of this or that', it's simply to be aware, to fully be in the here and now. There is no problem in the now. And even if there would be anything disturbing, to be fully aware means to not lose your own self and to be one with yourself. This might sound easy, but if one panics at a difficult situation and loses oneself, it won't help anyone. Actually quite the contrary - you will lose control over the situation." Dreamghost: "I imagine how hard it is to get to that point." Legend stopped to smile again and explained while reflecting: "It was only hard as long as I tried. As soon as I stopped to try and rather just did, it was easy. We're often our biggest problem." Dreamghost: "I can see that... But I've noticed something. I've noticed you don't smile that much anymore since the situation with Ruye before." Legend: "It's not as if I wouldn't have my inner peace and happiness... But I'm just a human as well." Dreamghost: "Ah, I see... Sorry for asking." Legend looked at Dreamghost, smiled slightly and said: "Don't worry about it, I don't worry either. As long as it helps you on one way or another, it's a good thing to talk."

The Vagabond: "Where are we going?" Legend looked at The Vagabond, stopped to smile and asked wondering: "Where do we have to go?" The Vagabond: "Ah, I see. Yeah, we can go through here. We have to go to Tibet." Legend: "Why Tibet?" The Vagabond: "Because one of the entrances into the Inner Earth is in the roof of the world." Legend and Dreamghost wondered: "There is?" The Vagabond: "Well hidden and invisible to those not worthy to enter, guarded by many good monks."

Legend asked wondering: "By the way, father, how comes you knew and know so much about my state and the Inner Earth as if you'd be awaken? I can't seem to recognize you as such." The Vagabond: "You're right, I'm not. Not on such a high level that I could come up with these things all by myself. The most of it has been told to me when I was there for the purpose I've told you about." Legend: "I see."

The Vagabond: "I actually wanted to tell you that you couldn't enter before you wouldn't get rid of your inner demon The Dark Messiah, but it appears that's no issue anymore. However, there's more you should know." Legend: "Which is?" The Vagabond: "As said before, only the worthy ones may pass. However, everyone has to face a test." Legend: "What kind of test?" The Vagabond: "The test depends on the person. I'd give you the advice to stay open-minded and true-hearted, but you've mastered these things, it seems."

They arrived in Tibet. The Vagabond: "We got to go to Potala Palace." While walking, The Vagabond spoke to Legend: "My son, I want you to know something... Your situation might be unjust and the moment in haste, but you've made me very proud. When you were born I knew you were something special, when I saw you becoming a warrior I knew you would surprise me, but I never imagined you to achieve what you've achieved... In a different time, you would have had the opportunity to live among us and to share your knowledge and wisdom with all of us, but the darkness has manifested itself already too much on our world, wherefore you have to leave us for the welfare of all and the greater good..." Legend began to slightly smile again and said: "Yes, I'm aware of that. But my departure is not in vain. The few words I gave others were sufficient to leave a legacy or a seed - depending on the person - of wisdom which will be needed among the people in later times. And one day, in another life, I will return to end what I have started, assisting other link-minded people, in times where a spiritual revolution will be needed." The Vagabond: "So you're all right with the fact that you have to leave us all?" Legend: "It is good as it is, for everything has its purpose. So I accept it, for it is the only way to peace and happiness." The Vagabond smiled, so did Dreamghost and said: "I find it still amazing that in the end your son has overcome you like that, Zhong Yuan." The Vagabond smiled and said: "So do I." Legend, still slightly smiling to himself, answered: "I do not. At the end it is you who leads me through the right path for the welfare of others." The Vagabond: "So you're saying I'm better?" Legend: "I have learned that there is no one better. We all have our qualities where one is better than others." The Vagabond and Dreamghost agreed smiling.

Dreamghost asked Legend: "Do you think they deserve it? That someone like you sacrifices his home, friends, family, for people who don't even respect each other?" Legend replied: "You still see me as more than what I am. I am no different than you, my brother. I can bear the burden to leave everything behind because I've decided to do so, and it is all right so that no one else, who couldn't do it, has to do it. But yes, I think mankind deserves a chance to grow up and become wise, to live many years and lives in fights and war to eventually become tired and find together and become one." Dreamghost: "What if we can't?" Legend: "There will always be people like us. People just doing what the right thing is to do, people who work in the dark to serve light, people seeking to unite mankind or awaken their brothers and sisters. But the chance is there, of course, that we might fail at it as a whole."

They were passing the temple of the black monks and soon about to arrive Potala Palace.

Chapter 75: Go Your Own Way, And Let Others Go Their Way

Legend, The Vagabond and Dreamghost arrived Potala Palace and stopped in front of the entrance. The Vagabond said to Legend: "You have to go by your own. We will stay here." Legend looked slightly surprised at The Vagabond and replied "Okay.", then went ahead.

Suddenly, out of the entrance, a man with dark armor and a blade walked out and stood tall in front of Legend.



After some time he said with a mystical and echoing voice: "I am the keeper of the entrance you seek. You shall not pass unless you have proven yourself worthy." Legend: "And how can I become worthy?" The Keeper: "Three tests I shall give you, and each one you have to pass." Legend: "What happens if I don't pass them?" The Keeper: "The tests will go on until you succeeded or give up, regardless of the time you will need."



Legend: "All right, I am ready."

The Keeper: "Test one: Who are you?"

Legend looked into his eyes and thought about it, what this simple question could mean. After a short time he decided to sort of stay loyal to himself and answered calmly: "My name is Xin Lang Ke. I am the son of Zhong Yuan Lang Ke and Hu Shanshan. My title is Legend the Vagabond, my father is The Vagabond, and my mother the fallen Dragon of The League of Beggars."

The Keeper was quiet for some time, then he spoke: "You answered right and truthful. You have passed test one."

The Keeper was quiet for some time again, then he spoke: "Test two: Throughout the day I am small, with the evening I'm getting bigger, in the night I'm all over the Land. What am I?"

Legend looked a bit downwards and thought about it: "Throughout the day small... With the evening getting bigger... In the night all over the Land..." He thought about possibilities after possibilities, yet none really made sense, and he began to lose his mind. Then he realized that he was forcing it again, thinking instead of knowing, trying instead of doing. With a quiet mind he then saw the facts he knew all over again... "Throughout the day small, with the evening getting bigger, in the night all over the Land..." Suddenly, he realized it. He looked at The Keeper and answered: "You are the shadow."

The Keeper: "Am I real?"

Legend: "No, you are not real. You do exist, but you are not the reality of what you are about."

The Keeper was quiet for some time again, then he spoke: "You answered right and wise, with a quiet mind. You have passed test two."

The Keeper took his blade down, held it next to him and was shortly quiet again, then he said: "Test three: Know thyself."

Legend looked at The Keeper, but he seemed to stay quiet, so he said: "I don't understand." The Keeper answered: "There's no better way to know oneself than in battle. You should dress your Rising Dragon clothes." Legend replied: "Uhh... I don't really want to..." Suddenly The Keeper attacked Legend. Legend parried his attack with pushing his weapon aside, made some steps backwards, held his hand palms towards The Keeper and said: "Okay, okay. I will fight against you." Legend began to unpack his Rising Dragon wardrobe while The Keeper spoke: "It is not me you will fight against. It is you." While unpacking, Legend looked at The Keeper and wondered what this riddle could mean. He looked down at his backpack and kept thinking about it.

When Legend was dressed and wore his gloves, he stood tall in front of The Keeper.



Shortly after he asked: "Now what?" The Keeper replied "Now we will fight." and attacked immediately. Legend was surprised and just simply defended himself, then he asked while parrying: "Why are we fighting?" The Keeper, still attacking, answered calmly: "Why not?" Legend parried attack after attack, then he held The Keeper's weapon thight and asked: "Wait, can't we talk this over?" The Keeper kicked into Legend's stomach and kept attacking him while saying: "Talk as you will, but I won't stop."

While they kept going like that, Legend said: "This fight is pointless." The Keeper: "Everything is pointless, yet all has a point." Legend: "So what do you want?" The Keeper: "The question is not what I want, but what you want." Legend: "I want you to stop." The Keeper: "Why?" Legend: "Hate creates but hate, war creates but war. I might not react with hate and war, but the fact remains that this fight is pointless." The Keeper: "Why don't you hate me?" Legend: "Because there is no reason." The Keeper: "I am attacking you without any reason. Is this not reason enough for you to hate me?" Legend: "No, as I said, it would be unwise to do so, also it would take away peace and happiness from me. Furthermore, we're all the same. And while others see each other as individuals, I realize that we're all but brothers and sisters." The Keeper: "How long do I have to attack you until you show your true face?" Legend: "I have my opinion because I've walked my path. But I would have your opinion if I would have walked your path."

Suddenly, The Keeper became as fast as the wind and hit Legend with one attack after the other. After a few painful attacks Legend laid on the ground. The Keeper stood in front of him and looked at him. Shortly after he took his weapon into the other hand and held his right hand open towards Legend. Legend looked at his hand and into his eyes, wondering if this was a trick, but then he decided to trust him and grabbed his hand.

The Keeper helped Legend to stand up. They stood in front of each other, after a short time The Keeper spoke: "You are able to keep a cool head and stay wise, and to not take anything personal but even to trust an opponent. You have passed test three." Legend began to smile happily and surprised: "I did?" The Keeper took off his helmet, but what Legend saw was his own self. Stunned he said: "Your words... 'It is not me you will fight. It is you.' But how can this be? The Dark Messiah is the only personality who came out of me." The Keeper: "I am you, yet again I am not. I do not exist in your reality and am but a projection. You will understand soon." He was shortly quiet, then he continued: "Congratulations, you have proven yourself as worthy. Now I think you should say good bye to your friends and family, and then, follow me."

Legend looked happily back and was suddenly surprised to see many known people. All the friends he made throughout the years from the black and white clans were standing with The Vagabond and Dreamghost. The whole Vagabond Army as well as many old vagabond masters, veterans and hermits. Some clan masters and old dragons.

Chapter 76: Namaste, Shambhala

Legend was surprised and asked: "But how... How did you find us here at this time?" Tran: "We were still here in Tibet and saw you walking through." Karian: "Yeah, so we thought we'd follow you to see what's going on." Lone-Hero: "Well, I met Vagrant on the border to India, and we thought we should see how you are doing. We were expecting some things, but this was unexpected." The Iron Fist: "After having a fight with The Dark Messiah, I just had the feeling to come here and take a look at you." The Keeper spoke to Legend: "Everyone has a different reason – Just know they have all been led here."

Legend looked happily at all the people and didn't know who to talk to first. He then looked at the Vagabond Army disciples, made some steps towards them and said: "I'm sorry, but I won't be able to lead the guild anymore." Soul answered with a bit of sadness: "We've heard already..." Legend said: "You have two possibilities now... Either one of you takes the leadership – or a group of you – and continues the vagabond legacy I and Vagrant have started," Vagrant interrupted and commented "Your legacy.", then Legend continued: "or you disband it." TV said: "We want to keep it alive." Legend: "So who shall take the lead?" The vagabonds seemed unsure, and after a while Gaiden answered: "We don't know..." Legend looked downwards: "Hm..."

He then looked aside and noticed Ruye standing there. He was pleasantly surprised, walked to him and said: "Ruye. Good to see you're all right. How are you?" With a bit of a deeper voice and slightly red eyes he answered: "I'm fine. Better than expected, actually." Legend: "Are you Ruye or The Dark Messiah?" Ruye: "It is strange... But both personalities appear to become one." Legend, wondering if he had made a mistake, asked: "Is this good or bad?" Ruye: "For both old personalities it's neither. There's a lot of things which could be considered bad, but we see how much good there is in it. Maybe that's why our merge is going so well." Legend: "What kind of good things?" Ruye: "The experience of becoming one personality out of one... The knowledge which merges and answers a lot... The power and potential which results out of the merging... I never thought something like this is possible... It's an amazing experience." Legend smiled happily, then he asked: "How will your name be?" Ruye: "I will keep the name Ruye, since The Dark Messiah is but a title anyway." Legend smiled, then he said: "I'm happy you're doing well." Ruye looked at him as he lightly grinned, after a while of reflecting he said: "Hm. So my last wish from the holy dragon was pointless after all." Legend smiled and said: "There's for everything a reason, and everything has its consequences. If I wouldn't have had forgotten my memories, who knows how hard it would have been to achieve this state of inner happiness and peace I sought so long." Ruye grinned thoughtful as he seemed to understand, then he replied: "Hm. Every action has its reaction, eh?" Legend replied smiling: "That's true." They smiled at each other, then Legend gave him his hand. Ruye held Legend's hand with his own, and as they looked into their eyes, Legend said: "I'm happy that I knew you, brother. You were a good friend and helped me whenever I needed help. Thank you." As Ruye grinned slightly, he said after a while: "I'm glad that I was your friend. Whenever our time will come again, I will be there." Legend replied smiling: "I know you will." After a short time, Ruye said: "I wish there would be more people like you." Legend first thought about asking for fun which one of the personalities said it, but then he knew it better and decided not to and simply smiled happily.

Gaiden spoke: "Legend... We've talked a bit about it and..." Legend made some steps towards them while Gaiden kept going: "Well... could I take leadership of the guild? At least until someone more capable comes along." Legend smiled: "Good. You shall be the new guild master. Make the best out of it – all of you. I'll feel free to share with you my wishes for the future of this guild - how you decide, however, is solely in all of your hands: My goal and message of this guild was to gather the people of the path less traveled, no matter where they come from or what their ideology & belief is. I would be happy to see this guild one day still going the same direction, finding each other as brotherhood and in friendship. Never forget, while all others will keep fighting against each other, we were the very firsts neutrals in the Land and will always be those who seek peace and unity – as The Vagabond himself was. Don't forget those who achieved a lot for all Vagabonds in the past - and I'm not even talking about myself. I mean Vagrant, the very first legendary Vagabond in the Land, for instance, as well as many others which I've added into our Hall of Fame a long time ago. Honor them. Add the new ones, keep it updated, but honor those who gave passion into this path and achieved much for all clanless. Just stay loyal to yourself, your true inner self, and lead this guild this way – and I will feel very honored when new stories of the Vagabond Army arrive me." Gaiden: "Thank you very much, Legend. We all still have much to learn in being a vagabond." Soul: "Thank you, Legend. Thank you for all of your help. Your advice always helped me. We wish nothing but the best for you." Legend smiled happily and replied: "Thank you."

Karian went to Legend, looked into his eyes, then she hugged him. After a while she said: "I remember when we went into the School of Rising Dragon together... I've never saw anyone taking care of me as you did then... I wish I could have known you better." Legend was shortly quiet, then he answered slightly smiling and with warm eyes: "So do I. I am thankful that I knew you."

Legend let Karian go after a while again and looked at all the people in front of him, then he said: "Thanks to all of you for everything. Thank you with all my heart."

Karian: "Will we ever see you again?" Legend turned to the side, looked up to the sky while feeling the air around him, then after a while he said: "There will come a time where the majority of mankind will have had forgotten all connections to mother earth and be unaware of the miracles around them. They will be without any gratitude for the air, the water, the food. Cursed and trapped in the vortex of their ego, they will give power to false leaders and destroy their own environment, their home. Mankind will eventually arrive a point of decision, where they have to choose wittingly or unwittingly their fate. They will either choose the way of unity where everyone has the same rights and start the Golden Age, or choose the way of individuality where everyone fights everyone because of their ego and eventually extinguish themselves due to war."

Legend looked aside to the people and said slightly friendly smiling: "It is then when we will meet again. It is then when I and others like me will return to earth in a new life, without any knowledge of our previous lives, to help the ill and misled people find their true inner self again. Many will not listen and refuse to open their hearts, and our mother earth will cry. So will many of us, but it will be indispensable... and eventually, not in vain." The people noticed that Legend, although he was smiling, had lightly watery eyes. "Although many of us, you included, do not want to come back to Earth at this time, we will do it anyway, because we will think we couldn't live with ourselves anymore if we don't."

Everyone was quiet and nobody questioned Legend's words, for the way he talked, the way he spoke the words, and the way his expression and charisma was, spoke for itself. Then Ruye asked: "Why should anyone sacrifice himself like that?" Legend replied smiling: "When you are a part of something greater than yourself, you have to be selfless. You have to make sacrifices."

After some time, Legend turned around to The Keeper and began to walk. Some steps farther, in front of The Keeper and the entrance of the palace, he looked back at the people. Legend stopped to smile as he noticed a few people weeping, so he turned around to them again and asked: "Why are you weeping?" Lone-Hero replied: "Because the light of the world is about to be extinguished and we will be in darkness." Legend began to smile, then he said: "This remembers me of a story of Buddha I've heard once... When Buddha was on his death bed he noticed his young disciple Anan was weeping... 'Why are you weeping, Anan?' he asked. Anan replied 'Because the light of the world is about to be extinguished and we will be in darkness.' The Buddha summoned up all his remaining energy and spoke what were to be his final words on earth: 'Anan, Anan, be a light unto yourself.'" Legend was shortly quiet, then he continued: "I know, it can be hard sometimes. I know it too well... Whenever you have to mourn about anything, do so fully – but don't forget to move along. Whenever you have to cry about anything, do so fully – but don't forget to move along."

Legend smiled slightly and looked with his warm eyes at the people for a while, after a while he then said: "Don't be sad. Wherever you seek shelter, you will find me there. Wherever you seek guidance, you will find me there. Wherever you stand for what is right, you will find me there. Wherever you seek help, you will find me there. Go your own way, and let others go their way."

Everyone was quiet, after a while The Keeper asked: "May we go?" Legend looked at him, smiled and nodded. Then he looked back at the people, said smiling "Take care, all of you. I wish you all the best... Farwell.", then he turned around and followed The Keeper.

When Legend walked through the entrance of the palace and held it next to him, he spoke what were to be his final words: "Namaste, Shambahla."

Legend and The Keeper were gone, and everyone was standing outside with different feelings. Nobody said anything, neither did anyone move. After a while Lone-Hero asked: "We wouldn't find him if we'd go inside, would we?" The Iron Fist replied: "No, I'm afraid not." After a while again Dreamghost said to The Vagabond: "I didn't catch the last part with 'you will find me there'." The Vagabond replied: "He didn't talk of him as individual, but as part of the whole. As what he stands for, sort to speak." Dreamghost: "But there's one thing I don't understand... How comes he had the gift of clairvoyance?" The Vagabond replied: "Logical conclusion has nothing to do with clairvoyance. It's just that in this state, he sees much more of the whole picture than we do." Dreamghost did not answer anything, for he understood.

Chapter 77: My Last Thoughts & Words

And so, everyone who was present that day went his own way, always carrying Legend's words in their hearts and minds likewise. Some gave their wisdom they've achieved by seeing at things from a different perspective with Legend's help to their children and grandchildren, others wrote books about it in the hope that mankind, at a much later time, would understand the wisdom within it. Some others shared their knowledge and wisdom with those who wanted to listen at any chance they had. But you most probably want to know what happened with the others, the ones you've read about in this book... Not much is known to me about all the people who were there, but I tell you what I know:

After Legend was gone, the majority of those who were there joined together to end the remaining chaos in the Land.

Because Ruye was still member of the Heavenly Demon clan, he joined the Infernal Army and helped with a strong will, aggressivity and power to end the chaos and the last remaining fights. He became fast known throughout the Land as one of the strongest. But after his last mission was done, Ruye left the Heavenly Demon clan and travels the world ever since to find the means to meaning, as they say. I think the personality which came forth tries to understand life and to find peace in the hate he has received from The Dark Messiah part. I'm certain the future will hold many surprises and stories of him.

The Vagabond Army joined unheralded the fight against the remaining chaos. Althought they were not many and not one of the strongest group in this battle, they served well and surprised many warriors in this last battle, which brought them a lot of respect. Especially their help in the battle field, helping and taking care of others who couldn't move anymore or were laying on the ground and needed help, was very welcome - to everyone. After this mission, the Vagabond Army achieved a cult status. After that, they fought for the same status as clans. Later they've become an official path a clanless warrior could walk, accepted by the emperor, with the ability to form officially accepted Hero Bands and Leagues. I often wondered why there were more vagabonds at a much faster rate when we lived our lives the second time. Through that, what Legend said to me, I became open-minded and often have several theories to something since then. I think, we may all be somehow connected, whereby an idea might appear to several people. The first time we've lived our lives in this Land, there were few who actually considered the idea of being a vagabond, and throughout the time more people liked the idea of being a clanless warrior. The second time, however, people seemed to take this idea as normal, even if they didn't remember their previous life or time anymore. That's what made me assume that there must be, somehow, some sort of a connecting consciousness, which we are all part of, and wittingly or unwittingly share our thoughts together.

The Vagabond and The Iron Fist joined the last battle against the remaining chaos as well, but not in fighting. They helped the people who were hurt and needed help. I guess they inspired the Vagabond Army and were the main reason for them to help out people in need during this battle. After that, The Iron Fist returned to his mountains, and The Vagabond helped out in the Land and gave advice to those who needed and wanted them... As he always used to. I think he often regrets to not have spent more time with Legend, what reminds me of Legend himself whose message was to live in the now and to make the best out of it. If Zhong Yuan Lang Ke wouldn't have been so busy with what he considered to be his mission, he would have had no regrets. He often gives this advice, to live as the heart tells, to other people, so that they won't do the same mistake as he did, but only few realize the meaning of it; the majority still has to make this experience by themselves before they truly understand. Still... I often saw him smiling and touching or holding his chest. He said once that he can feel his blood – I think he could feel his son from time to time. Maybe, one day, I will write more about this part.

Lone-Hero, Vagrant, VGP, V, Bliss and many other veteran vagabonds joined the last battle against the remaining chaos as well before leaving the land again. Althought they weren't Vagabond Army members per se, there was no difference to be seen on the battle field. They acted and helped out as if they were part of the Vagabond Army. After that battle, the most returned to their lonely journey. Lone-Hero, however, became a wise man, affected by his former master and friend Legend. He has become humble and doesn't want much, but whenever he can share his stories, his knowledge and his wisdom with others, he pleasantly does so. He has become the "not-so-lone-hero", sort to speak. Legend would have loved to see this.

And me... Dreamghost... Well, as member of the League of Beggars, I joined the Imperial Army to help fighting the remaining chaos and end the last few fights. I enjoyed it to fight with Ruye. It was the first time that the Imperial and the Infernal Army worked together. And while others rather hid their friendships with others from the opposed army at the beginning, we and some others who joined as well were open about it. I guess that was a big reason why many others stopped to hide their friendships. After this mission, I stopped to work in the background after the enlightenment Legend gave me. Some day, I left the League of the Beggars and traveled the Land to watch life and existence, and what I found was exactly what Legend spoke of and even more. I often wonder if Legend knew even more than what he told us; then again, he told us much, and even more than that would probably have been an unwise thing to do.

I've grown tired of fighting and have decided to write down this last piece of Legend's story. I used to wish to meet Legend one day again and to remember him when it happens, but today, I just hope to really meet him in a later life again, regardless if I remember him.

I have not mastered Legend's advice yet. There are some days where I am in a state just as Legend was, where I have my inner peace, where everything is good as it is, where my mind is quiet because I simply am. Some other days, however, I have concerns about the future, and have many thoughts...

Some time after Legend was gone and our last battle was fought, the dangerous chaos disappeared again and the Land stabilized, yet I can see how it remained here. It easily influences people to become more and more selfish. I will always remember Legend's words, and sometimes I wish they wouldn't be true... But all I see around me some days shows me otherwise. People are losing their spirituality. Their connection to their inner self. They become more egoistic, care less about others and more about their own, materialistic selves. Instead of listening to wise words as Buddha's and to follow his path, they prefer to pray to him and to wish for anything to appear – even after reading quotes of him saying to not believe him any word but to go see for themselves. If I find it bad already as it appears to be, how bad has it to be at the time Legend was talking about?

Even we, the ones who were present that day, went all our own way sooner or later, to seek knowledge and wisdom, thus made many of us lonely travelers. Yet another thing Legend sort of thought us not to do - he told us to live in the now, to enjoy what we have. I think there's a buddhistic line to that... "Seeking is suffering". And indeed, because we sought answers we lost sight of each others, and find rarely someone who can understand us now.

On some days, I pray... Not to Legend, or to Buddha, or any other wise man. But I pray... I pray that mankind will find their spirituality again. I pray that mankind will find their way back to nature again. I pray that mankind will find each other as family again.

Many wise people have come to earth, and many wise people will come to earth. And I hope they all will be present the time they're most needed – for if not, I fear we will, as Legend said, extinguish ourselves.

So as my last words, I wish you the best. I wish you inner peace and happiness in your life. I wish you to never lose your heart in any storm of trouble. And I wish you light and love in your daily life. I don't know you, but I wish you all that and more. Because if you do lose your heart, you will eventually lose yourself in the vortex of anger and hate.

Living a happy life, to be free and to thrive is a right we all have.

The Dreamghost

So, that was it. That was the last part of Legend's story. I hope you all had fun reading it, whoever did read it :)

However, I had some idea for a special chapter... Due to the hurry in the situation of Legend at the end of the story, he had to leave "this world" as fast as possible, what made it kind of difficult to ask him important questions.

If you, as character IN this story, would have the opportunity to ask the story character "Legend" - what would you ask? What, of all his advice, did you not understand yet? What of it would Legend need to explain more in detail? What are you unsure about yet?

So if you would like to see another chapter (or some other chapters), write here your questions ;)

So, is this the end?For real?No big war of a few years with many casualties and epic fights between good and evil?

I guess it ended much more peaceful.It would have been more badass but I guess some of the conflicts cand and will be solved without a war.

You were saying something about questions and I would like to present mine:What would happen to Legend now?To Legend,the protagonist of the story.Will they ever see him again?

And I feel there is room for a little more:What happens to Zeno in the end?(You might have told us in the story and haven't paid attention)

And what of Legend the player and character?What shall happen to him?

Soul wrote:So, is this the end?For real?No big war of a few years with many casualties and epic fights between good and evil?

Yes, this is it. The big wars with the many casualties of the past were enough to Legend :)

Soul wrote:I guess it ended much more peaceful.It would have been more badass but I guess some of the conflicts cand and will be solved without a war.

Yes, that was the message of it. To be strong does not mean to fight others and win, but to be strong within and be able to be wise with the knowledge one has gained throughout life :)

Soul wrote:You were saying something about questions and I would like to present mine:What would happen to Legend now?To Legend,the protagonist of the story.Will they ever see him again?

And I feel there is room for a little more:What happens to Zeno in the end?(You might have told us in the story and haven't paid attention)

I guess I didn't put it right. I edited the post before to the following:

Legend wrote:If you, as character IN this story, would have the opportunity to ask the story character "Legend" - what would you ask? What, of all his advice, did you not understand yet? What of it would Legend need to explain more in detail? What are you unsure about yet?

However; to your questions to what happened to Legend, if they will see each other ever again and who Zeno was: They are indeed loose ends, especially who Zeno was, what his real intentions were, what his goal was. Another question is what happened to Ruye, who became one personality out of two demons. But they are intended to be loose ends. Since the 2nd chapter part "The Dark Messiah", this 9Dragons fanfiction story was supposed to become part of a bigger story project called "Daemons", with several story lines of a few different characters, unrelated to 9Dragons, eventually to become a community project - if it actually will live that long. Such questions would be answered there in a much wider range, but as said, unrelated to 9Dragons.

Soul wrote:And what of Legend the player and character?What shall happen to him?

I'm not sure yet. First I'd like to hold the big vagabond event I've planned since a long time, but before that, this would be good (link only viewable to guild Masters & Leaders).

So, you might want to come up with some new questions, as character IN the story (as if this happened) :)

I think the time has come to start posting a new series and probably last few chapters of my character...

Though I'm aware that it won't be quite the same without fighting and beating and hating and all, I hope whoever reads it will still enjoy reading it :)

Chapter 78: The Old Land

A man was running through the Land.

Tirelessly he ran through long distances. Without any special technique, without any horse, he simply ran.

From far distances you could see this man running, without rest and stop. But the Land was empty now, unlike how full of warriors it used to be. And so, the man stayed unnoticed.

From where he came, nobody knows. But as this man runs through Nanchang, we see he's wearing worn clothes and pelts, similar to a beggar, with some basic, conical hat... We see his face, and we recognize him:

Legend, the Vagabond

He headed to Cane Castle, the remains of the Vagabond Army, and stopped at the upper part of the stairs before the caste. Legend looked at it from far away and smiled slightly.

Though he couldn't see anyone around, he walked down the stairs and towards Cane Castle.

As he approached it, he realized more and more that nobody was there. Standing in front of the castle, he saw the castle was empty. Most of the stuff which used to be inside was gone, either taken or broken.

He entered the castle and looked around. He looked at the broken chairs... The broken tables... Worn pillows and cloth, and old, damaged decoration.

He looked around, of what had remained of the proud Vagabond Army. Slight disappointment was on Legend's face.

He headed out of the Cane Casle and walked away.

Legend stayed in the Land unnoticed for many months. He mainly observed how things were... All kind of things.

The following has been updated:

- Non-working pictures now working and showing again
- Missing Chapter 13 added
- Missing pictures added

Chapter 79: Reflecting

For many months Legend had been in the Land unnoticed, watching as things happened and unfolded.

He had learned a lot in Shambhala. He knew the connection between him and all things, and he learned to let go of the ego. Yet... He wondered sometimes how some of his old friends were doing.

Legend knew some things about some of his friends. Some he knew had left the Land, others he couldn't find out anything about. He knew for a fact some were doing well - like Soul, who was desperately trying to find himself but was doing well, or Bliss who settled down in Hefei and simply moved on with her simple, daily life.

And he had faith the ones who left the Land would do well - like Dreamghost, who went back to the Silk Road, or Ruye and The Dark Messiah whose beings became one and was now searching for essential and fundamental answers, or Vagrant, who Legend considered to be some sort of Master once, who he sadly couldn't find or contact despite many efforts. Yes, he had faith they were doing well, and he stayed in peace within although not knowing the answers, able to do so due to what he has learned about himself.

And yet... How was Vagrant doing? How was VGP doing? How were Lone Hero and many others doing?

Why did he come back? He has learned and experienced that the essence of who and what he really is is consciousness, pure presence, I AM-ness. But what good is it in a world that desperately needs and looks for conflict and useless drama made up by the unsettled mind? No, not the world... The world we live in is in harmony. It gives us food, water and shelter, and has anything to provide a free living, free of worry, to anyone on it. But man... Man is unbalanced. He does not control his chi, his chi controls him. He does not control his mind, his mind controls him. He does not think, the thinking happens to him. He believes he's his thoughts, and our true human nature, the essence of who we are, is either a joke, a reason to hate, or insanity in his eyes. If man is so desperately lost in his own thoughts, even if you figured out this 'big riddle', what can you possibly do?

Why did he come back? Just to watch the whole circle repeat itself over and over? He may have found true presence and peace within, but he knew what his heart was saying. He knew he couldn't possibly awaken them all, so this possibility was just out of question. Maybe a seeking one, the one among thousands, that was possible - though they too are rare, and impossible to find. So what was his purpose? How could he use his new 'abilities' in the best and most realistic way possible?

He did not know this answer yet, but maybe... It was time for him to return?

Chapter 80: Old Riches

Legend was walking to the Cane Castle in Nanchang. He took his time, without hurry or haste.

A few hours later he arrived at the Cane Castle. He entered and walked in, when he was standing in the center he looked around again.

Shortly after he walked to the broken table in the middle where he used to work and opened a drawer. A note was in there – the old note a few warriors gave him in the 'previous life' because it had his name written on it, which he was never able to read before. Feeling like he should keep it because he might be able to read it one day, he kept it in his drawer in the headquarters of the Vagabond Army.

Legend slowly took it out, opened it and began to read it, while gently moving the thumb over the surface, removing the dust and dirt.



"Xin

The things are not always like they seem to be

Do not stand in your own way and do not search too far - The answer is often more near than one thinks

Stand for yourself and your opinions no matter who is against you

Realize the truth and you will realize the divineness in yourself

You will find your peace when you will bring others peace

Hu Shanshan" *

Legend smiled slightly and yet speechlessly surprised. The words "No way..." slipped out of his mouth.

For the first time he actually read what his mother Hu Shanshan has written to him.

He smiled slightly and from the heart... He felt the love his mother wrote these words with. He was very well aware of the irony, too... Life is ironic like that. He stood up again and put it in his pocket.

He looked around again. Looked again at what has become of the guild. He noticed a few little things changed – perhaps there was still someone coming there?

He was still looking around. He thought about what he could make out of it. Should he re-create a vagabond guild? Should he create a community for vagabonds? Or should he just leave it be?

A surprised voice coming from the entrance: "Legend..?" He looked around his shoulder to the entrance and saw Vagabond Soul. "Is it really you?" Soul asked.

Legend looked around, at the broken things and what has become of this place. After a while he said with a soft yet firm, almost emotionless attitude: "I've left this guild to Gaiden and you, and with it much potential and big opportunity to make something great out of it, and left the Land with your word that you would take good care of it and bring the guild back to its glory. I've come over and over back here the last few months, to take a look, and every time all I saw was the same waste, despite of your achieved strength and skill." Shortly after he looked at Soul and said: "I remove you and Gaiden of your administrator positions, effective immediately." He looked aside and kept on: "I'll make something better out of it... Finding new heirs to carry on the legacy of the last remains of this guild, make it to a neutral place and community for vagabonds, some kind of tribute, or whatever my mind comes up with..." Shortly after he looked at Soul again and said: "I want to make clear that this is nothing personal and there are no hard feelings. I don't have to agree with you to like you or respect you."

Legend started to walk out and walked away, while Soul just kept looking at Legend.

* The original letter can be found in Chapter 25: Unknown Letters
Fun fact: The translated letter posted above was hidden all those years below the original picture. If you select all text, you'd see the text below the picture "Secret Links are Secret!" which would then lead to the translated picture - yet nobody ever found it

Chapter 81: Observation

The old Halls of the Vagabond Army were mostly empty, especially since Legend has taken Soul's leader position - Gaiden was gone since a while. Thus Legend spent quiet some time in there, all by himself.

He thought sometimes about the last time he spoke to Soul... Did the ego take over or was it really just Legend's opinion at that time? Even though he wasn't disrespectful and was able to stay centered and calm - Was there another way to handle the situation? Why did something still feel wrong, though?

Whatever the case, he was also aware that he did the best he was able to do in that situation.

Legend was in the Cane Castle. Most things were still broken, but he apparently fixed the table in the middle. He was sitting there and working on some golden, hexagonal plate. With patience he took all the time needed and worked with much precision on it. In the middle was the Chinese sign for 'Vagabond', which was surrounded by some hexagram i.e. stick signs on the outer part, pretty much like the 'I Ching'.

A short time after, Soul came into the Castle. Legend looked at him, said "Greetings, Soul." and kept working on his plate. Soul answered: "Hello."

Soul kept talking: "Legend, I kept leading the guild as my time allowed me and checked these halls regularly. I kept it clean and in order as I could. I haven't been here this summer because... it's summer, and I have also been non-active here for some time because of training... I haven't been in touch with other Vagabonds."

Legend was looking at him and listening, then answered: "That's okay. I was just saying that there could have been made more out of it, that's all."

Soul: "Yes, that's what I was talking about. The thing is, we tried gathering Vagabonds but most of the Vagabonds we met said they'd check out the Vagabond Halls and they never did it. I don't know if there are many Vagabonds left in the Land but most of them are unorganized lone wolves. Gaiden is probably busy with his own journey and I understand his lack of presence. As for other stuff, I checked the halls regularly, keeping it free of creatures."

Legend's mind came up with thoughts... Even when he was not in the Land he has had his ears around and knew that they never made any efforts on a big scale, and never held any events to attract vagabonds into the guild. Gaiden wanted to become one of the immortals first and then focus on the guild, as he used to say, but that's when he left. And even though Legend could understand why one has to follow his own way, Gaiden should have given the lead to someone worthy and able to do what Gaiden promised yet failed to do.

But Legend was not his thoughts... There was no reason to take them, his thoughts, serious. Furthermore, all Legend wanted to say was that it was okay - what happened happened, and he's taking it in his own hands again either way.

The conversation jumped rapidly to other subjects, though. Legend observed this human condition which he once was a part of too, truly realizing it for the first time.

Soul kept telling things, also about two Vagabond disciples which he had trouble to take as disciples for non-obvious reasons, and Legend kept listening patiently.

Chapter 82: New Appearance

A few months have passed already since Legend was back.

Soul has been proven to be a somewhat difficult case at times.

Thinking that he would be able to help people realize some things about themselves here and there, Legend was not even able to keep Soul focused on one subject, except when it was about how shitty something was - yet another human condition which affects all of us, especially when one's not fully conscious and mindfull.

He was not even able to open Soul up for the idea of unity - every time he tried, Soul became unconsciously mad, arguing against the things he had something against.

No one's mind can be freed unless they want to be free, and as long as one wants to fight or have something against something, there's no reason to be free. Soul was a good person... He meant well. All Legend could do was to accept Soul as he was, in this state of mind, regardless of how obvious Soul's path was and what would await him, and regardless of how much Legend would like to prevent him to go through it, and nourish the friendship where it could be nourished. But where Legend was going, Soul could not come along. Soul's path was destined, so it seemed, to go into another direction.

Legend has been observing himself often too. It was not only Soul, but pretty much everyone, everywhere. It seemed there was no one looking for truth and meaning, and there was nowhere you would not find pointless arguing or trouble and other ignorance.

Yet, Legend knew... would someone have tried to free his mind in the past, he'd probably just answer with anger and hate. Too important seemed his own thinking and mindset to be, willing to die for useless and meaningless reasons. This whole thing seemed more and more like an absurd circus... but it was real.

He became somewhat aware of the fact that he was losing himself in his thoughts again. Down there, where he was before, it was easy - considering the perfect environment given. But up here, in the middle of all this ridiculousness and idiocy, with few who actually would understand him, it was more of a struggle.

Why did he come back? What was the point of all this?

Soul entered the castle as Legend was sitting there in reflection. Legend noticed and greeted him as he was approached. Soul greeted back.

Soul: "Hey, you always wanted to wear the beggar wardrobe which looks like your father's, right?"

Legend giggled slightly, then answered humbly with a smile: "Yes."

Soul: "Which one is it again?"

Legend looked at him and answered "The Swallow Garment."

"Okay, thanks" Soul answered with a smile, "I'll be back soon. I might then have something for you." Legend kept looking after him as he left, not sure what it meant, but with empty and still mind.

Some hours later Soul came back. Legend noticed him again and looked at him as he entered. Legend noticed some furry clothes on Soul's backpack.

Soul went to the table and began to take the clothes and hat off his backpack. Legend stood up and went a few steps to the table. As Soul put the clothes on the table and the hat next to the clothes, Legend recognized the Swallow Garment - he was surprised.

Soul looked smiling at Legend and said: "This is for you."

Legend looked at him, kind of speechless. After a while he asked: "It's not forbidden anymore?"

Soul replied: "They're actually made by a new Wardrobe Master in Hefei. Kind of a replica, so to speak, but he's officially accepted."

Legend, shortly after, answered sincerely thankful: "Thanks a lot, man."

Soul smiled and replied: "You're welcome."

Legend asked: "How much do I owe you?"

Soul replied smiling: "It's a gift."

Legend felt very grateful - he looked somewhat down and bowed slightly and humble as he said thankfully: "Thank you very much."

Soul smiled and replied: "You're welcome."

Legend had a realization as the situation was unfolding, and was observing the realization now. As he was reflecting before, he unconsciously judged Soul and the others. Doing so, he was busy with his own mind-made 'problems', while Soul, out of the heart, remembered what Legend once desired and thought about giving it to Legend as a gift.

Truly, there is no better - only different... For a short instance Legend became shortly slightly afraid - something he hasn't been anymore in a long time. He realized that it might not be as easy 'up here' as he thought it would be. What if he couldn't manage this? What if he would fall back to the lost inner state he used to be in the past? He realized, if he wouldn't be careful and mindful, he would lose himself yet again. Shortly after he let the fear, doubts and thoughts go - the only way to not let that happen again was to stay present, and so he went back to presence.

Legend looked at the wardrobe and smiled slightly, then he looked at Soul. Soul smiled as well, then asked "Well? Are you going to try it out?" Legend smiled even more, then he took the wardrobe and went into his old room.

Shortly after he came out. The beggar suit fit perfectly. And the big hat, from which you could see Legend's smile underneath, matched him.

Legend went to a somewhat broken mirror nearby and looked at himself - He liked it. A lot.

Soul, smiling: "It fits you. How do you feel?"

Legend walked some steps towards the entrance as he slowly turned his hands and arms, looking at himself and the wardrobe he used to want to wear. Then he stopped at the entrance.

He began to do slow Tai Chi moves. Then he held his fists tight, shouting "HA!", punching and kicking, and doing more moves as he kept shouting. He then stopped with his last shout.

He looked at himself, mainly his hands and arms, then just said "Yes..." rather whispering than talking.

Soul laughed and said: "Like father, like son."

Chapter 83: Healthy Conversations

Legend went down to the fourth floor of The Cave of The Conqueror, visiting his father he often felt but didn't see for a long time.

As he approached his father, The Vagabond noticed him. As he saw his new dress he began to smile. As he was getting closer, he said with a smile and somewhat joking: "Damn, you look good!"

As Legend walked the last few steps, smiling as well, he replied somewhat joking as well: "I know, right?!" Legend laughed.

The Vagabond, smiling: "So you've heard those dresses can be worn even by vagabonds now."

Legend, smiling: "Well, Soul gave it to me."

The Vagabond: "Nice. It fits you!"

Legend: "So I've heard!" He laughs joking. "I like it too. Very much." He continued.

The Vagabond: "I've been feeling your presence in the Land for a while now. Wondered when you'd be showing up here."

Legend: "You know how it is to be a vagabond.. But I thought I should come visit you once again."

Legend grabbed into his bag and said "I've brought you something." then took out some Sweet Bread.

The Vagabond: "Oh, Christmas Cake! What a treat!"

Both smiled and sat down. While they were eating, The Vagabond looked at his son with a smile, then he said "You've grown up."

Legend smiled and said "Yeah.. More beard." as he brushed through his beard with his hand.

The Vagabond smiled and said: "Yes, that too."

Legend asked: "So, how have you been the last few years?"

The Vagabond: "Good, good. Mostly doing the usual stuff. Helping here and there, assisting vagabonds.. What about you? How was it down there?"

Legend, smiling: "You were right, it was awesome. I wish it would be like that up here."

The Vagabond: "Yeah.."

Legend: "I've learned a lot there, especially about myself. But then I had to make a choice, to either stay there for the rest of my life or to come back here and never return again. I thought I could share what I've learned there with the people here, but..."

Legend was shortly quiet. The Vagabond smiled and said: "Yeah.."

Legend smiled too and said: "It's complicated.."

The Vagabond, smiling: "People are like that."

Legend looked slightly down being silent, almost thoughtful. After a while The Vagabond said: "By the way, there's something I wanted to show you."

Legend: "What's that?"

The Vagabond took out a book and held it towards him. Legend took it, opened it and looked at it. It was written by Dreamghost, the beggar from The Silk Road. Apparently, he continued to write Legend's story, of what happened before Legend went away.

Legend, rather untouched, while still looking into it: "So, Dreamghost continued Ruye's books about me?"

The Vagabond: "Yes."

Legend kept reading some things and kept jumping further. Being familiar with what was written in there, he got pretty fast to the end of the book - until he got to the last chapter. This caught his attention. It was merely Dreamghost's last thoughts.

While reading, Legend said: "This is so exaggerated..."

The Vagabond: "It's a story."

Legend: "An exaggerated one."

The Vagabond: "Aren't all stories?"

Legend: "Come on! Read this: »Some gave their wisdom they've achieved by seeing at things from a different perspective with Legend's help to their children and grandchildren, others wrote books about it in the hope that mankind, at a much later time, would understand the wisdom within it.« I was just gone for about 10 years, not a whole life time!"

The Vagabond kept silent. Legend kept reading it, and after a while he also became sort of surprised at the wisdom Dreamghost put in his words.

He read it through, all that was written, until he finished the last chapter.

After a while he said calmly: "This was partially written out of fear. This was not the reason why I said all those things."

The Vagabond: "As people are, words like those will always bring out both hope and fear."

Legend was thoughtfully silent for a while, then he asked: "Where is he now?"

The Vagabond: "The last thing I know was that he went back to The Silk Road after leaving the League of Beggars again. Whether or not he's still there, I do not know."

Legend nodded, giving the book back. Looking somewhat down and seeing slightly thoughtful, they both kept silently eating together.

Chapter 84: Unexpected Events

A few months have passed yet again. Legend was known to many people by now. They talked about him, that he was kind of weird, like his father. How little did they know... They even spoke of 'prophecies' about and related to him, like how he's destined to bring peace into the Land and such nonsense. Legend tried to not focus on it and to not care about gossip.

Ever since he has had that realization with Soul, though he became sometimes frustrated by people, he just kept trying to help people and disregard the frustrating parts. This was an important realization, which he hoped he wouldn't forget again.

One day, as he and Soul were in the vagabond district in Hefei, two official guards came to Legend. He was somewhat confused as they approached him. One of the guards asked him: "Are you the vagabond they call Legend, who has been trying to free people's minds?"

Legend, rashly assuming they had questions, answered smiling: "Yes. What can I do for you?"

The guard replied: "You need to come with us." Legend looked surprised at them.

Legend looked somewhat down and aside, thoughtful, after a while he stood up and grabbed his backpack. Soul, not far away and watching, stepped closer and asked "Hey, what's happening?" in a serious tone.

The guard replied: "This is none of your business, civilian."

Soul stepped closer, touched the hilt of his sword and asked somewhat bold: "Where are you taking him?"

"Soul", Legend said. Soul looked at him. Legend shook slightly his head, then said "It's okay."

Soul replied: "I won't allow this."

The guard took his blade staff in fighting position and said "If you interfere with official business, the penalty will be death!"

Legend touched the guards shoulder slightly as he said calmly "Please...", the guard immediately looking at him, probably expecting an attack. Legend continued calmly: "There's no need for unnecessary violence. I will come with you."

The guard let go of his defensive position as he looked somewhat angry at Legend, then at Soul, after a while turned around and said "Let's go!" as he started walking.

Legend began to walk after the guard, the second guard following Legend. Soul, unsure of what was happening, called him: "Legend!" Legend looked to Soul and said: "Don't worry, I'll be back soon."

Legend followed the guards out of the city and was led to some sort of wagon. When they were in, the horses began to pull and they left Hefei.

After a while, as he was looking out, Legend asked calmly: "Where are we going?"

The guard next to him answered: "Beijing."

Surprised, Legend immediately looked at him. A moment of silence. Then he asked: "Beijing?" The guard just looked at him.

Legend looked out again. He knew something was about to happen.

Chapter 85: The Forbidden City - Part 1

Legend and the two guards arrived in Beijing. During the trip he had noticed that his hands were sweaty, as if he'd be nervous of what's about to happen. As they were passing through, Legend looked at all kind of things. After a while he saw the Forbidden City. Was it possible that they were going to the Forbidden City? Why would they?

When they arrived at the Forbidden City, they stopped. They went out of the wagon, and Legend was ordered to follow them. As they walked towards the Forbidden City, Legend now fully realized the situation he was in. He knew, one little mistake, and he would have more troubles than he ever wanted. Throughout the Land The Emperor was considered to be divine, and mere mortals were not allowed into the Forbidden City, hence the name. There were only two possible reasons why he was here: Either The Emperor was looking for some wisdom, or, more likely, Legend's actions of trying to free people's minds didn't sit well with The Emperor.

Legend looked at the two 'Fu Dogs' guarding the entrance to the Forbidden City, and noticed one of them holding the 'Flower of Life' under its paw. As they were walking, he looked at this massive monument. He also noticed his hand palms being more sweaty now, as were his feet. He realized at that moment that he was not the master he thought to be. He was not able to face everyone with the same attitude. It was a very weird situation overall. He never wished to enter this city. There are people who would give anything to be allowed in, good people who live in servitude of the powers that be, and yet are never allowed in. Why was he brought here?

They entered the city, then headed to the main building. In front of the big doors inside, one of the guards said to Legend in all seriousness: "If you're not respectful, I'll cut your head off." Legend looked somewhat speechless at him, then the guard rapidly took off Legend's hat as he said "And take that hat off!" Legend grabbed his hat and looked down, and nodded slightly - submissive.

As one of the guards opened the gates, Legend put his hat on his back. As the gates opened he saw many guards standing inside, in two lines, facing each other, from the entrance to the seat at the other end of the room, where yet another person was sitting. He knew who this was.

The other guard ordered Legend to follow him. Though being nervous and in a situation where he had no control whatsoever, Legend walked in after the guard with inner calmness. As they approached the person sitting on the high seat, the other guard closed the gates.

At one point the guard Legend was following stopped. He knelt and looked down and said "My Emperor! I have brought you the Vagabond as you ordered." Legend looked at the guard, then somewhat helplessly at The Emperor. The Emperor looked stern at Legend. Then Legend looked down and knelt as the guard did. With his head lowered, still looking down, he made the common greeting gesture with his hands, often referred to as 'Bao Quan' or 'Wushu Greeting'. In short, this greeting can be explained as follows: The right hand, as a fist, means strenght. The left hand, as a palm, means friendship, with its thumb bend, means humbility. And hands together, with the left palm over the right fist, it's a greeting for mutual respect.

Then he said: "Emperor, please forgive me for my lack of formal knowledge and behavior. But if I may speak out freely... I can't think of a reason why I'm here."

The Emperor laughed: "HA ha ha ha ha..." The guard next to Legend stood up again and stepped aside. Legend looked somewhat clueless at the guard who just stood up and the guards around him, until The Emperor said laughing, perhaps somewhat ironically: "Please, stand up." Legend stood up, though had his face still somewhat lowered, and said silently and somewhat insecure: "Thank you..."

The Emperor looked at him, then he said: "So you're the Vagabond they call Legend." Legend: "Yes." The Emperor: "Though your real name is Xin." Legend looked slightly surprised. The Emperor kept talking: "Your father is The Vagabond Zhong Yuan Lang Ke, 'The Nameless One'. And your mother is Hu Shanshan, 'The Flower of The League', lost dragon of The League of Beggars in Tianjin." Legend was shortly quiet, realizing that they'd probably know everything knowable about him, then answered: "Yes."

The Emperor looked at him from the top to the bottom, then said: "You're not much to look at."

Legend looked slightly down and remained silent. He was aware of the situation, and surrendered to it.

Shortly after he looked at The Emperor again, but he did not speak and just looked at him.

After a short while, Legend said: "If I may ask... What is someone of my status and with my lack of refined behavior towards official government doing here?"

The Emperor looked intensively at him and responded: "Word is you've been preaching to the people lately. Something about freeing their minds."

Legend wouldn't call it preaching, but he understood what he meant... He remained silent.

The Emperor: "Nothing to say?"

Legend looked aside at the guards, then looked at The Emperor and asked: "May I speak freely?" The Emperor replied: "You may." Legend: "I wouldn't call it preaching. I don't tell people to believe what I tell them. I encourage them to start gathering the answers from the inside rather than believing things from the outside." The Emperor: "Ah, a philosopher."

The 'box thinking' attitude... The limited way of putting things one does not understand into 'boxes'... That was to be expected... Though it was probably the best way to make him understand what Legend was doing. So Legend replied: "Kind of."

The Emperor: "Well, enlighten me."

Legend was slightly confused, unsure of what The Emperor really wanted. He didn't know what to say at first, but then he said: "No one can enlighten you except you yourself. No one can give you answers - everyone has to find and realize them on his own." Unaware of the meaning of these words and that this was pointing inwards already, The Emperor looked slightly grinning at him and said "That's what I thought."

Chapter 86: The Forbidden City - Part 2

"I... beg your pardon, Sir..." Legend said, "But why exactly am I here?"

The Emperor said: "You're free to reflect on life, write down your realizations and offer your teachings to those who seek them, but you will not attempt to convert the masses."

Legend was somewhat confused, and after a while he said: "I don't understand."

The Emperor: "I forbid you from converting the masses into free thinkers."

Legend, humbly: "But... They're not my teachings." Slightly in wonderment he continued: "It's the ultimate truth of who and what we are..."

The Emperor sort of interrupted him and said: "Whatever it is, you're not to spread it around."

Legend became slightly irritated. The typical behavior, out of ignorance of one's own truth... He was sick and tired of seeing it everywhere, in every person, and admittedly, also within himself.

He was shortly quiet. Then he said: "But what better deed could one do than helping people help themselves? If people would be free in their minds, there would be no boundaries. There would be literally nothing we couldn't do or achieve. It would bring a new age~"

The Emperor interrupted him and said: "I don't care! You're to follow my orders, or you will be executed for interfering with government interests!"

Legend was quiet. He looked with serious eyes at the ground. Shortly after he continued: "Isn't the government supposed to have the best interests for the people in mind and lead the people in the best way possible? Isn't the government supposed to~"

The Emperor interrupted him loud: "What the PEOPLE are SUPPOSED to" He was shortly quiet and got Legend's attention, shortly after he continued: "is to follow the orders given by their government! We will not abide people walking around doing whatever they want!"

Legend felt furious emotions arising in his body. He looked with his eyes at the guards around him... Old patterns of thoughts came up, which he, in the heat of the moment, automatically identified with... Observing The Emperor and the guards around him, he'd probably be able to kill them all, and get away before more guards would be coming in... Yet he knew and had to admit to himself that he probably couldn't kill any of them, least The Emperor, and thus shoot in his own foot. Not only would the consequences be unimaginably - killing another being was just out of question for him now. He was no bad guy. Not anymore.

"I am not my thoughts" he thought to himself, "I am not my thoughts..." He gave his attention to his breathing. He felt the breath in his body, flowing in and out. Dragging himself back into his body, to the awareness of the body, to the here and now.

Shortly after he looked at the Emperor, his eyes still slightly serious, and said "I will think about your proposal." as he slightly bowed with his head down.

The Emperor: "I need a decision now."

Legend looked slightly down, reflecting, then said: "I'm afraid... It's not that simple..." Knowing how the Emperor would react, he said "I need time to reflect on this. If you wish I can stay and reflect here until I have come to a conclusion."

The Emperor, of course reluctant, answered shortly after: "You may leave. But beware: Should you act against government interests, the penalty will be imprisonment for life, or even death."

As he put his hands together again he said "I'm aware of that.", looking down, then bowed slightly and said "Thank you for your kindness, Emperor." - actually meaning it. He turned around and started to walk out, accompanied by the guard. The guard at the door opened the gates and let them out.

The Emperor, to himself: "I'll never understand these 'wise guys'..."

Legend walked out of the Forbidden City, still accompanied by the guard. At the wagon, Legend kept walking. The guard stopped and said "Hey, I'm to bring you back!" Legend, looking down, kept walking as he said "I'd rather walk." The guard, laughing: "All the way back? You'll have a few weeks." Legend, still walking: "I'm aware of that."

The guard looked shortly after him, then shook his head and walked back.

Legend had to reflect upon what just happened. He knew so much, compared to most other people, thought to be some sort of master, yet he just experienced a situation which he handled it like a mere child. First he became nervous of the situation he was thrown in, and then he almost messed it up.

He realized now that he was no master. In fact, he needed a master himself.

Chapter 87: A New Face

A few months have passed since Legend left Hefei, and only now has he come back again.

He had walked all the way back from Beijing to Hefei. Before he arrived in Hefei, a man with a beggar lookalike suit, a cape, a sword and a bow approached him from far away. It was his father, The Vagabond, The Nameless One.

Legend saw and recognized him from far away, stopping to walk as he did so. When he was next to him he said: "Father."

The Vagabond: "Hello, Son. How have you been doing?"

Legend sighed slightly as he looked down, then said: "Well..." Shortly after he looked at him and said: "I'm fine..."

The Vagabond: "I've been feeling it.. So you met The Emperor."

Legend looked at him, then shortly after he said: "Yeah..."

The Vagabond: "Any trouble?"

Legend replied: "He told me to not try to free the minds of the masses and to give my teachings only to those who seek them, as if I have any 'teachings'.."

The Vagabond: "Is there anything I can help you with?"

Legend: "I can deal with it. Thank you."

The Vagabond: "Good to know. You know where to find me should you need my assistance."

Legend: "Yeah, thanks."

He went again, and Legend kept walking towards Hefei.

During the whole trip from Beijing to Hefei, Legend was meditating and reflecting as he was walking. He knew he'd make lots of enemies if he would just openly try to awaken people. And not being any sort of master himself, not being able to overcome his ego at any time, he knew he'd be vulnerable.

However... No one said anything about gray areas... Like riddles. One can easily pack a mind-blowing realization into a riddle, into stories and art, and share it with others for purposes of entertainment or, simply, being art. Those who would have eyes to see would see.

Maybe he should be some sort of Captain Obvious. No one's going to forbid you from being Captain Obvious, right?

Maybe the best thing was indeed what The Emperor told him to do. Simply do his own thing and offer his 'teachings' to the few who would be interested in.

This was still all just meaningless. The only meaningful thing right now was to find a true master. He wanted to overcome his ego, and grow mentally to a point where he'd truly be able to face everyone with the same attitude. He wanted a true master. Not a master of Kung Fu, but one of self-awareness. They say there are many good Gurus in India. Maybe that's the place he should go. Maybe he should go to India and look for a Guru there?

Legend arrived in Hefei. He went somewhere to the outer part of Hefei where not many people were and where he had a good look at the people and happenings in Hefei. Sometimes he was watching closely at the busy Hefei, the people and what was happening; Sometimes he was reflecting, thinking about what he should do and where he should go.

Although he was, so to speak, somewhat down, he also was aware of some deep, peaceful feeling which came with it. It felt good, and he gave into it, feeling and enjoying it to the fullest. It was like meditation, just that he was awake.

After a while, he noticed someone far away heading his way. A Wu-Tang disciple approached Legend, walking towards him with a happy and certain smile, as if she had finally found what she was looking for. As Legend observed it, he gave all his attention to her - he knew she was about to talk to him.

As she stopped and stood a few steps in front of him, they looked at each other. Shortly after she said happily: "Vagabond Legend..."

Legend looked at her with a friendly, slight smile.

Dratshitse: "I've been looking for you for a long time."

Legend smiled. It felt like this conversation was about to be more interesting, or rather meaningful, than most others.