The beautiful cyberpunk city of Neo Edo Tokoyo (南京江戸) also known as Shanghai Tokoyo Beijing, the crown jewel of The Imperial Nation Of Ashurwah one of the six nations of Planet Gaia. Rose from it's crystal blue surface like a dream given form, it's
neon arteries pulsed with the rhythm of a million lives each one oblivious to the cosmic game of chess being played in their midst. Most citizens didn't notice, their
minds automatically filling in the gaps of the bustling city hustle. But from his perch atop Isaac's Orizuru Tower, Appolyse could see the truth even though he was too young to realise it at the time. The city wasn't
just built on Earth, it was built on a wound in space time where life was once broken down and the scars of memory still resonate.
"Focus! your mind wanders again."
Sensei Shang Kai instructed his voice carrying the tone and depth of resounding strength and discipline.
"Careful, your guard is down..."
Sensei Shang Kai warned as his voice rang in Appolyse's mind waking him amidst his daydreaming.
"Sorry Sensei..."
Appolyse softly apologized as he straightened his kata stance, bare feet gripping the dew dampened grass.
As the morning sun painted the cherry blossom fields a beautiful and radiant amber silhouette, with the serene and chaotic backdrop of the city --- the people chattering, the faunachrons in the trees and the commotion of moving traffic. The city was a beautiful and majestic futuristic biopunk megalopolis, with just the right amount of green. From a sprawling sparse of trees at the city center that spans outward towards north of the city's edge, just near the archipelago west offshore.
With sweat perspiring on his face, at just 13 years old he moved with a grace that seemed almost super natural. A matter of a fact that never seemed to surprise Sensei Shang Kai. Who has been the boy's martial arts master since he was at the tender age of 6, keeping silent about all the strange phenomena he would witness at times.
"Quite impressive Appolyse, I see your technique has improved considerably since our last training session."
Sensei Shang Kai complimented the young martial arts pupil for his amazing physical prowess and mental faculty.
"Domo arigato Sensei, I've been practicing my forms like you said."
Appolyse politely responded as he took a bow before Sensei Shang Kai in a gesture of honor and respect.
"Good -- very good, you're getting stronger and more proficient, it seems you might be able to hold your own in a sparring match against me someday."
"Well honestly I don't know about that Sensei, I've never actually thought of it like that."
Appolyse awkwardly laughs, and Sensei Shang Kai ironically laughs along with him.
"Ah I see, it appears the pupil is bound to become the master sooner rather than later..."
"But remember Appolyse, true strength comes from within."
Sensei Shang Kai sternly advised as he slightly nodded in approval.
Appolyse mutually smiled, feeling a great sense of accomplishment and pride. He loved Sensei's wise words, even though he didn't always understand them.
But still the boy looked on to the stars, and dreamed of worlds he could barely fathom. Aside the cyberpunk sprawl of Neo Edo Tokoyo, lies the secluded island of Orizaba Hiroshima that some how existed both within the city's skyline and outside the city limits. Where the boy lives a rather simple, quite and minimalistic life style with his philanthropist older brother Isaac. Every morning he would wake up at the peak of dawn, run a full lap around the island and then take a trip up the mountain.
Afterwards he would practice yoga and devotional meditation honing his mind and spirit. Then later on martial arts training with Sensei Shang Kai and by night time, he
would be reading in Isaac's Study.
But sometimes he would explore the city's neon lit street lights and hidden corners, looking to try out new things and experiences as a means to relax and unwind.
His older brother Isaac hadn't always been there sometimes he would vanish for months, leaving the boy all alone. With nothing but Sensei Shang Kai and the automated security systems to keep him company. But this time it was different, this time Isaac had been gone for almost a year now.
And it was really starting to bother young Appolyse, as his thoughts drifted back and forth to the plethora of vague dreams and distorted memories of other worldly creatures that have plagued him in recent weeks.
The boy never really knew his parents, he grew up with his foster brother Isaac who raised him ever since he was a child and taught him everything he knows. And the old master became something sort of a father figure because he looked more akin to Appolyse, human in a sense. Unlike his extraterrestrial sibling, Isaac who barely looks anything like him. But that has never
really affected the boy nor his relationship with his brother.
He always saw Isaac as human as anyone of them regardless of his appearance and as it should be for he is the boy's rightful guardian and caretaker. But Appolyse knew the difference between all the relative manner of faunachrons and beasts inhabiting this planet, as much as his older brother taught him.
Old man Sensei Shang Kai would move through the sacred art forms with the boy, and after that they would talk almost all manner of conversation. Naturally Sensei lectured and adviced the boy about life and all it's ups and downs and sometimes, just rarely enough they would jest. And at times Appolyse would find Sensei lost in thought and staring off into the horizon.
Admiring The Utah Himavat Zongdu Mountain, a prestigious monument
on the great mountain peak with articulately sculptured busts of The Zongdu (總督). The governor-general and reigning monarch of The Imperial Nation Of Ashurwah. From the first great founding father, Sun Yu Chengen and all the way down to his grandson Sung Jin Hoichuen the current zongdu of Ashurwah.
And Sensei always spoke so highly of Sung Jin Hoichuen in a way that it stirred a deep festering admiration in the boy's mind. So much so that it made him respect the Zongdu more than his own master and mentor but not because of their political power, status nor rank but for their strength,
discipline and nobility. The old master Sensei Shang Kai (商) also known as Master Golden Fang (房), who's birth name is Xian Shang Kai. A 78 year old sophisticated and compassionate daoist Ashurian male of the royal bloodline. First born son of Xiangqi Khung Lao (ꯈꯨꯟລາວ/ခွန်ລາວ) also known as Master Silver Fang (房) and the first cousin of reigning Zongdu Sung Jin Hoichuen. His father founded The Shinryu Dojo and it has been part of The Yinchao Royal Family history. One morning as Appolyse trained with Sensei Shang Kai he felt a strange sensation as if something was slowly building up inside him. Sensei had always told him it was just a sign of his latent potential, but Appolyse wondered what if there was something much deeper to it than that. But nonetheless he could never disregard Sensei's word. A few days later a sense of foreboding and tension grew heavy in the air as the troubling visions that haunt him in his dreams began to resurgent.