Sensei of the Sea

Leo

When Leo awoke at dawn to raise his new companions, he found Sato already awake, once again dressed in his signature royal blue hoodie and jeans, but the nice leather boots remained. Sato was sitting in the parlor, looking restless and exhausted all at once. He rose when he heard Leo enter the room. His lips pursed as if he was about to launch into a tirade. Instead, only a meek "Hey..." escaped. The disappointment Sato felt in himself was painted across his face. Leo knew everything Sato meant to say without saying a word of it. He was grateful, partially for Sato's caring, but most because he had had the good sense to bite his tongue.

"Good morn, Hero. If you are ready, you may accompany me to the dojo. There we will find the Master-at-arms, your teacher," before Sato could interject, Leo added, "Your friends may rest. They had a long and tiring night. The servants will tend to them once they wake," Sato followed dutifully, yet failed to verbally reply. It was just as well to Leo. He led Sato out through the south hall to a small pair of oaken doors, perhaps half the size of the Grand Hall's. 

As Leo cracked the doors, they were hit with a wave of crisp autumn air. It was accompanied by the distinct smell of fallen leaves. They walked by a massive oak, already ripe with a big mat of orange leaves, those that remained. They walked upon a winding gravel path until they reached a circular courtyard. The ground was covered in footmarks, dirt, and blood. Leo attempted to cover it up with his boots, but Sato had already seen. They approached a small wooden structure. They walked up onto the porch of the building, after removing their boots upon the steps, and approached the thin paper panels that constituted the doors. Leo slid open the door delicately and silently. Inside sat the back of a man with long, thick black hair and a dark navy kimono. He was sitting cross-legged, clearly meditating.

"Sensei, I have brought you your new pupil, The Hero of Otherworld," Leo whispered into the man's ear as he kneeled next to him

"Sit," the man said, inviting yet stern.

"I'll leave you to it." Leo vanished before Sato could get a word out.

Saito

"Sit," The man repeated himself without a hint of impatience. Sato dropped unto his knees and began attempting meditation. His mother had shown him before, his grandfather too, but it was not a custom he practiced with any regularity. "Breathe," the man exhaled, and Sato realized he hadn't taken a breath since he entered the space. He gasped for air and heard the man chuckle lightly. "Listen... but also breathe," The man quipped. Sato settled into his position and focused on his breathing. At first, his heart raced and his mind stirred. Then he heard it. The frogs croaking..., the birds singing..., the leaves rustling..., nature. His breathing steadied. 

"I chose this place because it is far enough from the castle that you can hear the sounds. What do you hear?"

"Peace," Sato blurted out instinctively.

"Wrong. You are hearing nature's battles, the frogs claim and contest territory, the birds fight for the attention of a lady, and the wind, the wind is the greatest warrior of them all."

"The wind isn't a warrior," Sato caught himself speaking and wished greatly that he had kept his mouth shut.

"Wind destroys all, given enough time. The very hill this castle was built upon was once a great mountain, but the wind won that battle. The only battle that matters. That of time. It kept battling and battling the mountain, and it never gave up. That is why it won. That is why it is mighty. Unlike the wind, we do not have the time on our side. Perhaps the rush of the river is a better teacher. The river knows where it goes, and it gets there, one way or another. If nature or man tries to stop it, the river adapts, transforms, changes, but never does it gives up."

"So I'm the river, not the wind," Sato questioned.

"You are only a boy. But the lessons of both great masters and many more shall teach you. Much better than I can." The man rose, turned to face Sato, and bowed. Sato was shocked to see how blue his skin was. It was the color of ink and appeared slimy. His skin was thick and rough and textured like that of sandpaper. The webbing of his finger weaved as he interlocked his hands. He was muscular, yet slight of frame. He has clearly seen many battles and lived to tell the tale.

"My name is Coelpress. You may call me Sensei. I will be your guide to the masters. You will train with me every day from sunup to noon until you are ready to fight your battles."

"When do we begin?" Sato had been hoping to hear that

"Today's lesson is nearing its end. You will listen for the masters. Once you can tell me who you hear, you may leave." Sensei made for the door and shut it behind him. Sato returned to his meditation and listened for the other masters. He listened and listened and listened, but he never heard anything new. By the time he opened his eyes, it was dark out. He stood and made his way to the door when he heard the sound.

"This is your second lesson. First, breathe. Second, your sensei may lie to you." The second lesson was much more painful than the first.