Blue Dragon

anything.
    The King concentrated and a small knife appeared in his hand. It had no handle, just the metal sticking out of the blade. ‘Take the knife, One, and let’s get this over with.’
    Number One pulled himself gracefully to his feet and stepped forward to accept the blade. He bowed slightly as he took it carefully using both hands. Then he bowed to me. ‘I am most honoured. My heart is filled with joy. I am given the opportunity to depart with dignity, seconded by you.’
    ‘Hmph,’ Wong said. ‘Seconded by a chick . Can’t see any honour in that.’
    ‘You see no honour in anything, Simon,’ the King said. ‘You wouldn’t know honour if it kicked you in the balls.’ He concentrated again. A katana appeared in his hand.
    The Japanese sword had a jet-black handle wrapped in black ray skin and a black lacquer scabbard. Gold silk cords bound it at the end and in the middle. It was completely devoid of any decoration; even the guard of the hilt, the tsuba , was plain.
    Wong and Number One both took a sudden, deep breath. Every demon in the hall froze and watched silently.
    The King rose, holding the blade in front of him. ‘Stand up, Emma, let’s do this right.’
    I rose and we faced each other on the dais. ‘Holy shit,’ I said quietly, ‘that’s the Murasame, the Destroyer, isn’t it?’
    ‘You are quite correct, my Lady,’ the King said. ‘I won this from the Turtle himself about two hundred years ago.’
    ‘You are giving the Murasame to the Lady of your most mortal enemy?’ Number One said with disbelief.
    ‘Just proving a point, One,’ the King said. ‘I can give her another blade if you like.’
    Number One was silent for a while, then, ‘I am really most profoundly honoured, my Lord.’
    ‘Good.’ The King held the blade out to me and I took it. ‘Emma.’ I looked up. The King gazed right into my eyes. ‘The Murasame is the only blade that will destroy me.’
    I looked down at the sword, then up at the King. I nodded without speaking and turned to Number One. ‘Where do you want to do this?’
    ‘What the hell are you doing, you stupid cunt?’ Wong shouted. ‘Take the bastard out! This is your chance!’
    ‘You really are quite a piece of work, Simon,’ the King said mildly. ‘I must say I am most tremendously glad that your Mother is dead.’
    I looked Wong in the eye. ‘Unlike you, I keep my word. I will make you suffer horribly for what you have done, Simon, that I promise.’
    ‘There aren’t enough gold coins in the whole world for you, my Lady,’ the King said softly behind me.
    Number One stood holding the short blade.
    ‘Where do you want to do this?’ I said.
    ‘Here. Now.’ Number One faced the gathered demons and knelt in a seiza position. He placed theblade on a lacquer tray that appeared in front of him. ‘Wait until the second cut. I will nod.’ His voice softened as he wrenched off his tie and tore open his shirt to reveal his bare abdomen. ‘I am profoundly honoured. My Lord, my Lady, I thank you both.’
    ‘It’s been fun, One,’ the King said. He turned to sit on the throne. ‘Come and sit with me, Simon, let’s watch the show. I wonder if Emma knows how to do it right?’
    ‘I know how to do it right,’ I whispered.
    ‘I’m sure you do,’ Number One replied, just as softly. ‘Thanks, Emma. I don’t deserve this from you.’
    ‘Just do it.’
    He leaned forward and picked up the blade. He closed his eyes and his face became a mask of concentration.
    I stood behind and to one side, unsheathed the dark blade, and held it ready. The jet-black blade of the Murasame was so cold that condensation appeared on it. It was a blade of pure yin. I wasn’t surprised that John had once owned it. I wondered how he had lost it to the King.
    Number One plunged the small blade into his abdomen and sliced himself across from left to right, his face not shifting at all as he pulled it viciously upwards at the end of the cut. He jerked the blade free, his face not moving. He plunged the blade into the middle of the lower part of his abdomen and sliced it upwards. His entrails started to slide out of the almost bloodless wound.
    He pulled the blade free and opened his eyes to see the crowd. He smiled and nodded slightly without looking away from the massed demons.
    I swiftly swung the Murasame to take off his head, carefully leaving a flap of skin on his throat so that the head would not be completely severed. Beheading wasfor criminals. Men of