Most heroes come from humble beginnings. They pass through innocence and ignorance before they dig deep into themselves for the courage and wits that will see them through their trials alive. The heroes in Tao Feng™: Fist of the Lotus™ were once people you'd meet in the streets—people who might have been a part of your family or who might have sat next to you at a local restaurant. And yet, they're not like you and me …
The members of the rejuvenated Pale Lotus sect fight for what they believe, literally. They have dedicated their lives to what they know is right, and they will die for their cause. That's what heroes do.
Fierce Tiger We've all known teenage girls like her. Isis Williams started out as a smart kid who insisted on rebelling against the system. She was bored in school, so she acted out. She abhorred mediocrity for the disease it is, so she rejected its carriers whenever she came across them. She didn't fit the social norm. This outspoken, hot-headed young woman became best friends with another one of the smartest kids at school: Aria Chen (see Behind the Scenes: Heroes, Part 1). Though Aria was much more serious and law-abiding, they formed a bond that has remained strong even to adulthood.
Isis began training with Aria in school. It gave her a focus for her energy and an outlet for her anger. Aria taught her how to use her chi, how to defend herself, and how to maintain control over her emotions in any situation. Aria gave her tools she needed to make it in the world. Without Aria's early coaching, Isis would undoubtedly have ended up on the wrong side of the tracks. Instead, she ended up training under Master Sage Lo Shu (see Behind the Scenes: Heroes, Part 1).
Divine Fist An honest cop? In Metro-China? Surely not. But, yes, Divine Fist, commonly known as Officer Shen Zhen, is not only honest, he's dedicated and completely incorruptible. Shen Zhen is a hero. He comes from a long line of martial artists, who understand the importance of fighting to the death for the right cause. Shen studied martial arts with the Eastern Sun sect, a group of Shaolin monks who adopted Buddhism and moved to New China on a mission of Good.
The Eastern Sun sect has often worked closely with the Pale Lotus sect. As a matter of fact, it was Shen's father who, on his last legs, delivered the Yang Tablet to Lo Shu after having lost the Yin Tablet to robbers. Shen now helps Lo Shu, both because he admires the Master Sage and because he feels he owes it to his family to cleanse the family name and retrieve the lost Yin Tablet.
Iron Monk The streets of Metro-China harbor many dangers for a boy-child without parents. The intimidating Iron Monk was once just a boy, getting by the best he could in the streets. One dark night, he attempted to rob the wrong man: Lo Shu. Lo Shu could have taught the dirty child a severe lesson, but instead, he showed compassion. Lo Shu recognized a symbol hanging around the boy's neck, the symbol of the Iron Monk, and offered to train the boy in the arts of the Pale Lotus.
Damon Li was indeed a descendent of the Iron Monk. That name had no good connotations for Lo Shu, and so it was especially surprising that the Master Sage decided to train the boy. The Iron Monks, Damon's ancestors, were traditional enemies of the Pale Lotus and members of the Black Mantis. Lo Shu, however, saw that Damon Li had escaped them before he was warped by their dark teachings. Lo Shu trained the boy at night, in secret. Now, the boy has developed into a skilled, if mysterious, warrior. He fights on the side of Lo Shu and the Pale Lotus, a testimony to the power of Good over Evil.
What does it take to be a hero? Dedication? Wisdom? Fate? You've just met three of the six main heroes of Tao Feng. Do their stories bring you any closer to understanding? Maybe we're all heroes, all children of heroes, grandchildren of heroes, and this is a story that has been played out a billion times and will continue to be played out in a billion forms throughout the history of the world. For the characters of Tao Feng, their hero numbers came up. Maybe yours is next.
