Chapter Text
Hiding in the shadows of the trees, Zen-Aku kept watch over Merrick and Shayla. Although he didn’t mean to, he overheard every word they had said. Darkness isn’t inherently evil. What really matters is one’s actions. Zen-Aku thought for a moment. These notions he had come across before but have never given them much thought until now. Merrick considered him a friend, but someone as pure as Princess Shayla did not consider Zen-Aku a monster. In his previous life as a Wargen, he never considered himself a monster. Just another of the lifeforms living on Earth. But after being cursed by Master Org, all of that changed.
Zen-Aku held his flute-knife in his hand, remembering Shayla’s words. No monster could play such beautiful music. “Is this what you were talking about, Valken?” Zen-Aku said to himself. “About fighting for the right cause to become all-powerful?”
* * *
Many Millennia Ago
On the training grounds of the Azure Flame Clan of the Wargen race, Zen-Aku sparred with an elite warrior of the Azure Flame, his biggest rival, and best friend Valken. His large scimitar-style sword clashed against Zen-Aku’s Crescent Blade. The force of the clashing blades was enough to push both warriors away from each other. Though they both fought fiercely, they laughed and enjoyed every bit of it.
Valken stabbed his sword into the ground, causing a large fissure with erupting blue flames to run towards Zen-Aku. Zen-Aku jumped high and gathered energy into his blade. After it was fully charged, Zen-Aku launched an enormous silver crescent at Valken. In a fluid motion, Valken grabbed his scimitar and slashed through the silver beam. Splitting it in half, the blade flew past Valken to crash into the empty stands behind him.
Valken put his sword away. Zen-Aku landed silently next to him and assessed the damage caused. Valken looked at Zen-Aku and said, “Well, at least we know that you’ve grown stronger, Zen-Aku.”
“I will repair the damages,” he said.
“No need. The carpenters have been needing work for ages now.”
Valken grabbed his gray poncho from the arena floor and guided Zen-Aku out of the training grounds towards the Temple of the Fallen. There stood murals of the ancient Wargen and the great battles they fought to protect their land from untold evils. The walls were lined with the busts of the great heroes who fell during those tumultuous times. But in the center of the temple stood a massive statue of blue marble of the greatest hero in Wargen legend. Morrighan the Argent was not only the fiercest warrior in Wargen history, but she was the greatest leader in the clan’s history. She led her pack to salvation when they were oppressed by the tyrannical Myotis in the days of yore. She brought them to the land they would later adopt as their new homeland.
Zen-Aku and Valken gazed at her statue with reverence. More from Valken than Zen-Aku. “It is every Wargen’s dream to be as great as my ancestor,” Valken said. The temple’s torches gave his azure fur an orange glow. “Everyone except you, Zen-Aku. Why is that?”
Zen-Aku shrugged. “I was never much for glory and reverence,” Zen-Aku told him. “Truth be told, there is a deeper reason to fight. I simply haven’t found it yet.”
“Deeper than the salvation of your people?” Valken asked.
Zen-Aku nodded. “I don’t see myself ever being a hero in such a scale as your ancestor, Valken.”
“Yet, despite your vision, you are your clan’s greatest warrior, are you not?”
Zen-Aku sighed. “I fight to protect my people from future attacks. To prevent the subjugation of the Wargen race again. But…”
“But you still feel empty. Unfulfilled,” Valken finished for him. Zen-Aku nodded. “I understand what you are going through, old friend. So, for old time’s sake, let me impart you with some wisdom I managed to attain.”
“Ever my instructor, Valken?”
“Just as you my student, Zen-Aku. But what’s more, we are comrades. Brothers in arms. More than anything else, you are my friend; my brother.”
“And you mine.”
Valken nodded. “But that’s why you feel empty. You have no family to call your own. No mate. No cubs. It’s just you. You don’t have anything precious to hold on to. Nothing precious to truly fight for.”
“I have my clan,” Zen-Aku protested. “My village.”
Valken shook his head. “That’s your duty. Your obligation to protect the clan. You lack that one precious thing, that one right cause, that you are willing to give up everything for. When one has that precious thing, they will sacrifice even their duty and honor to protect it. Once you find it, you will become all-powerful, my friend. And nothing will be able to stop you.”
Zen-Aku pondered upon Valken’s words. What could be more precious than one’s duty and honor? He looked to Valken, a question forming in his mind. Valken saw the question in his eyes, but sadly shook his head. Valken had not found that right cause he would be willing to sacrifice everything for. Though he was still looking. Valken knew it was only a matter of time before he found it. Zen-Aku looked back at the statue of Morrighan and wondered.
“Did she find it?” Zen-Aku asked.
Valken nodded. “She was expecting,” he said. “She didn’t want her cubs to be born into slavery. So, she rose up. The rest followed her, and she led them all to victory. Many died, but they put their faith in her. She remembered each one who fell, and they lined these walls along with other heroes over the ages.”
“How come this right cause wasn’t taught in our lessons?” Zen-Aku asked.
“It’s not something that can be taught, Zen-Aku. One must discover it themselves. Although, many never find it, and it is said that they are cursed to be reborn until they can find that precious thing. Thus, breaking the cycle of resurrection and finally being able to rest peacefully.”
A howl in the distance interrupted the conversation. Valken let out a low growl. Zen-Aku listened to the howl. A warning of an imminent attack. Running out of the temple, smoke rose from the direction of the howl.
“Who’s attacking?” Zen-Aku asked.
Valken’s verdant eyes went red with seething hatred. “Myotis.”
* * *
Zen-Aku remained in the shadows as he watched Merrick and Shayla continue their shopping. He felt something in his chest as he watched them. Their smiles. Their laughter. For the three millennia he had possessed Merrick, he had never seen him so happy. So at peace. Despite the impending attack from the Myotis, Merrick took the time to try and enjoy what little time he may have left. His chest tightened. The thought of Kyuketsu attacking them enraged Zen-Aku. His chest continued to ache. And then it dawned on him.
“Animus, I believe I understand what you mean. Valken, I may have finally found the right cause.” Zen-Aku continued to watch Merrick and Shayla. “Merrick. I know now what I must do. I only hope that you will be able to forgive me in the end.”
End Part IV