Training

Age 750, March 24, Afternoon, Kami’s Lookout

Ten

Once more. I thought as I gathered my Ki together, concentrating as I was sitting in meditation.

Slowly, I channeled the power beneath me, an endeavor that required every ounce of my concentration. The nearby plants swayed in response to the pressure emanating from my body, but I kept my thoughts strictly on directing my Ki downward.

Gradually, I began to rise off the floor, inch by inch. Every movement, every breath had to be measured and controlled.

My muscles tensed and relaxed in a delicate dance, striving to keep me afloat. First, an inch, then another, until I was floating a foot above the ground.

-1,500 Ki/s!

The process was painstaking, but I would persevere.

Maintaining my balance alone was an immense challenge; the slightest distraction threatened to disrupt my focus. As I directed my Ki, I felt the subtle shifts and adjustments my body needed to make to stay steady.

It was as if I was teetering on a narrow beam, trying to find a precarious equilibrium.

But eventually, I succeeded.

A small smile crept onto my face, a brief moment of triumph.

Yet, even this slight distraction was enough to disrupt the delicate balance I had achieved. My concentration wavered, my Ki faltered, and I plummeted back to the floor with a thud.

A groan of pain escaped my lips as I landed.

-500 HP!

Rubbing my sore backside, I couldn’t help but chuckle at myself. The difficulty of maintaining balance really was like learning to walk all over again. Every setback was a lesson, every stumble an opportunity to learn and grow stronger.

I took a deep breath, reaching for the calm within, and prepared to try again. This time, I was determined to float a little higher and a little longer.

I repeated this feat a few times, though there wasn’t much progress. Still, just being able to float, even momentarily, was a wonderful thing— a dream come true for me.

As I continued my practice, recent memories flooded back. I recalled my trip on the Nimbus cloud; despite the ride being uncomfortable and unnerving, the wondrous sights had been burned into my mind.

The sky above, the clouds around me, the earth and seas below passing by at breakneck speeds— it was an experience unlike any other.

I wanted that freedom, the ability to fly on my own, but I knew I needed patience.

Checking my skill list, I navigated towards the one I had been working on: 

---

Flight (Lv 1 – 54%) – Flight is an ability many species across the universe have developed as part of divergent evolution. You, on the other hand, decided to say no to all of that and just blast power underneath you like some kind of demented rocket. 

Cost: 1,500 Ki/s

---

Small steps. Each attempt was a step closer to next level, and I presumed that the skill would begin to cost less as I grinded it.

I had to remind myself that mastery didn’t come overnight. It was a journey, much like my entire adventure had been so far.

So, I took a deep breath, centered myself, and tried again.

And again.

And again.

Eventually, however, I stopped and got up, stretching to get all the kinks out. No amount of training was worth doing if I wasn’t making sure to rest.

Seconds later, I found myself staring over the edge of the Lookout, taking in the vast expanse of the world below.

It was late in March, though it was hard to tell from up here; the temperature at the Lookout was always perfectly comfortable.

This place felt disconnected from the troubles of the world in every way, and it was exactly what I needed.

Before I’d come here, my life had become a relentless series of crises, with barely any time in between to re-acclimate and rest.

Battle after battle, challenge after challenge— it had all begun to wear on me.

I had even started to view my [Gamer] powers as more of a curse than a gift, because they seemed to bring nothing but conflict to my life.

The constant pressure and the unending cycle of danger and recovery had taken their toll.

But the time spent here, high above the world’s chaos, had allowed me to center myself. The serene environment, coupled with the structured training under Kami and Mr. Popo’s guidance had given me a chance to breathe, to reflect, and to regain my sense of purpose. 

In the long quiet, I found myself re-evaluating my journey. My [Gamer] powers, despite the threats that came with them, had brought me to this point.

They had given me the ability to attain the strength to protect those I cared about and the resilience to keep moving forward.

Who knows what would have happened had the Red Ribbon Army gotten their hands on the Dragonballs, or what would have happened if Genus had been allowed to invade the world through the rift in the Demon Realm?

Akkuman may have indeed been able to deal with the threats— of that, I had no doubt— and I was sure much of the Red Ribbon’s movements had been a direct result of my altercations with General Blue. Still, I couldn’t imagine being the boy I was a year ago, anymore.

Still holed up in my room, escaping the world through the lens of games because I had no hope or desire to deal with the future.

As I stood there, gazing into the horizon, I felt a renewed sense of determination.

The challenges would continue, no doubt, but with the clarity and balance I had regained here, I knew I could face them head-on.

“Ten.” Mr. Popo called from behind me.

I turned to him, a smile forming on my lips.

“Hello, Mr. Popo.” I greeted. “How’re you?”

“Quite well, Ten.” Mr. Popo returned the greeting with a nod. “Kami wishes to speak with you.”

I frowned at his words, puzzled.

“Kami?” I said. “Is something the matter?”

Mr. Popo’s expression remained as serene as ever. “Oh, yes. He’s requested your presence.”

I absorbed his words for a moment, before nodding. “All right.”

“If you’ll follow me…”

And so I did, my mind whirling with ideas.

Kami had been reclusive lately, immersed in his meditative practices and emerging only to aid in the recovery of Chichi’s mind. His sudden desire to speak with me was unexpected, and a sense of unease crept into my thoughts.

I wondered what it could be about. Ever since our last conversation, he’d appeared troubled by some of the information I’d given him.

Had the threat of universal destruction as a consequence of my failure in some supposed future event truly affected him that much?

It couldn’t have been; I had come to know the wise deity, and I knew that he was made of sterner stuff than that.

No. Kami was resilient and wise, his spirit forged through centuries of guiding and protecting Earth. It was hard to believe that he would be so deeply shaken by the mere prospect of future calamities.

It was probably something else. Probably.

“Here we are.” Mr. Popo said, gesturing toward the door ahead.

I took a deep breath and nodded. “Thank you, Mr. Popo.”

With that, I pushed open the door and stepped inside. It wasn’t a room I had ever been in before, and I wondered why I hadn’t. It was wide and spacious, perfect for practicing close-quarters combat.

I turned my gaze to Kami, who stood at the far end. To my surprise, Chichi was standing beside him. She smiled and nodded at me, though she did not approach to say hello. Even now, I could tell she was restraining herself.

The Red Ribbon Army’s programming and King Piccolo’s taint still clung to her mind, despite Kami’s efforts.

Seeing her like this disheartened me, but I pushed those feelings aside. Chichi was doing her best to fight this, and I would support her every step of the way. I took a deep breath and greeted them both.

“Hello, Kami. Chichi.”

Kami nodded solemnly, as was his wont. “Ten. Thank you for coming.”

Chichi’s smile was small but genuine, though it did little to mask the turmoil within her.

“Ten.” She said, her voice steady but tinged with nervousness.

I nodded back at her, my resolve strengthening. “It’s good to see you, Chichi.”

And it really was. The young woman had been training in relative isolation from me, this whole time. It was an odd sensation, being so close to her, and yet still so far.

Kami’s voice drew my attention back to him. “We have much to discuss, Ten. Your presence here is more important than ever.”

I stepped closer, my curiosity and concern intensifying. “What is it, Kami? Did something happen?”

He paused, glancing at Chichi before turning his full attention to me. “Many things have, but let’s deal with them one at a time. First, I have asked you here to aid me in testing Chichi.”

I looked at Chichi, her determination clear despite the shadows still haunting her. “A test?”

“Indeed.”

“I’ll do everything I can to help.”

Kami’s expression softened slightly. “I know you will, Ten.”

And so he began to explain.

“As you already know.” Kami said. “The corruption within Chichi’s mind and soul are a mixed result of the Red Ribbon’s efforts at conditioning their soldiers, as well as the malevolence inherent within Piccolo’s very being.”

I nodded, wordlessly gesturing for him to continue.

“This, of course, has wrought havoc onto Chichi’s mind, and most certainly her primal instincts.” Kami said. “And as you also know, her own soul rebelled against these changes, causing further chaos.”

“Which is why.” I said, sending her an apologetic look. “She reverts into a primal state, attacking anyone nearby.”

“That’s right.” He said, placing an encouraging hand on her shoulder, speaking to his charge. “However, Chichi… Over recent months, you have made astounding progress. Truly, your improvement is remarkable, but the true test comes now. Are you ready?”

“I am.” Chichi nodded, and the answer pleased the guardian.

“Very good. Keep that strong will.” Kami said with approval before turning to me. “Chichi will need to confront her instincts head-on, and the best way to do this is through battle.”

I glanced at Chichi, seeing the determination in her eyes. “Somehow I had a feeling you were building up to this. So it’s to be a fight, then?”

“Yes.” Kami’s gaze was unwavering. “In combat, she will need to face her overwhelming instincts. This will be the ultimate test of her progress and her willpower.”

I took a deep breath, the weight of the task settling over me. “I understand. I’m ready.”

“So am I.” Chichi said, stepping forward.

“Then please.” Kami said, gesturing for us to move. “Take your positions.”

We did as we bid, and the air was heavy with anticipation. I could feel the tension radiating from Chichi, her inner battle as palpable as the one we were about to engage in.

“Whenever you’re ready.” Kami said, stepping back to give us space.

I raised my hands, adopting a defensive stance. “Show me what you’ve got.”

“Gladly.”

Our eyes met, each of us gauging the other’s readiness with a silent intensity. We circled each other, the gravity of our impending clash weighing heavily on our surroundings.

Chichi moved with a grace and precision that seemed far different than the monstrous beast she had devolved into. Her stance was solid, every muscle poised for action.

I mirrored her, keeping my own center of gravity low and my senses sharp. We continued to circle each other cautiously, each waiting for the other to make the first move, searching for any hint of weakness or opportunity.

When the moment came, I decided to test her reaction with a feint. Stepping forward with a quick shift to her left side, I aimed to provoke a response. Chichi didn’t hesitate; her left forearm shot up in a swift block, ready to intercept a blow with controlled ease.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, a hint of a challenge in her gaze. I smiled back. 

I lunged forward with a quick jab aimed directly at her chest. As expected, Chichi reacted with lightning-fast reflexes. She stepped back with a slight tilt of her body to the left, evading my jab with a fluid grace.

She wasted no time in retaliating, unleashing a rapid barrage of punches aimed at my torso and head, each strike designed to test my defenses and wear me down.

I blocked each punch with well-timed movements of my arms and body.

-200 HP!
-100 HP!
-200 HP!
-50 HP!
-200 HP!

The impact of her blows reverberated through my muscles, enough to hurt, but not overpower. I held my ground, maintaining a steady rhythm of blocks and counters to keep her at bay.

Eyes narrowing, I sidestepped her roundhouse kick, nudging her slightly to break her balance before stepping forward into range and unleashing a right hook into her face.

Her guard came up, intercepting the strike and bleeding off most of the damage, but the momentum nevertheless sent her tumbling into the ground, crashing into the wall.

I took my defensive stance again, watching her closely.

Quickly, Chichi got up, rushing me again. Ki surged in the air as she renewed her offensive. I responded in kind, flesh meeting flesh in a series of consecutive clashes which shook the room we stood in.

Chichi leapt back to avoid a kick before surging forward, driving her unyielding fist into my gut, driving the breath out of my lungs even as struck me twice more.

-2,000 HP!
-1,000 HP!
-2,500 HP!

By the time her fourth punch flew, this time aiming to smash my face, I met the strike halfway and twisted around it, bleeding off the majority of its power.

Taking hold of her wrist and neck, I spun in place, using that momentum and that of her strike to throw her over my shoulder, slamming her into the hard marble floor, cracking it.

Her response was swift. Even as the marble cracked from the impact, Chichi only grunted, bracing herself against the floor and driving her legs into my chest. I managed to partially block it, but the strike sent me flying up into the ceiling.

-7,500 HP!

I twisted in mid-air, blasting Ki behind me, slowing me enough so I could simply push off of the ceiling, straight back down to her, fist glowing with energy.

Just before the strike reached her, she jumped back, but not quickly enough. The powered fist glanced off of her shoulder, forcing her to spin uncontrollably in midair as I crashed into the already damaged marble flooring.

A moment later, she landed ungracefully, stumbling back a few steps before assuming her stance on instinct.

She looked dazed, disoriented for a few moments before she frowned and got ahold of herself.

We continued to dance in close quarters, each exchange echoing out like the deep bass of a symphony as our fists met in a rapid exchange. I could feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, heightening my senses as I focused on anticipating her next five moves.

As the battle intensified, however, Chichi’s frustration began to show.

Every strike I blocked, parried or dodged seemed to irk her, slowly but surely causing her to become angrier.

Her attacks became more aggressive, sacrificing precision for sheer power as her Ki subconsciously responded to her emotional state.

I mirrored her intensity, raising my Ki levels to match, maintaining my focus and adapting to her escalating attacks.

C’mon, Chichi… I thought as I pushed her fist aside, striking at her elbow and forcing her to kick me away to hold me off. Get it together.

But Chichi didn’t seem to be listening. Ignoring her injured arm, she raised her hand up high, and I felt her Ki coalescing above it.

This is… I frowned in alarm, rushing towards her as I charged Ki in my own being as well. I can’t let her form the boomerang! Whatever I’ve gathered will have to do.

-5,500 Ki!

“Ha!“ The blast flew true, exploding into the slowly forming boomerang and sending a wave of pressure in all directions.

We weathered it with deep cringes on our faces, even as we met in the middle of it.

Her fist swung down hard, breaking through my guard just long enough for her to land a devastating kick to the side of my chin, sending my crashing into the floor.

She moved to follow up, but stumbled and fell to a knee, too tired and dazed in the moment to continue.

I pushed myself off of the ground slowly, watching as she did the same.

Frustration now etched deep lines on Chichi’s face, much to my dismay. She’d lost control. I barely had the time to open my mouth when she came again. Her attacks, once precise and controlled, now came with raw, unrestrained power.

They were easy to dodge— laughably so. Her strikes may have been strong enough to cause me considerable damage, but with her moves so obviously telegraphed, she may as well give up.

She lunged forward again with a barrage of strikes, but I pivoted and weaved through her onslaught, striking her elbow again, and then her neck.

Uncaring, she pushed through her pain with a roar of challenge. Her fists whistled past me, each blow too far from connecting.

A step forward, and an elbow to her solar plexus caused her to stumble back, the pain now overwhelming her enough to stop her attack and clutch at her midsection.

I looked to the side, where Kami was calmly watching. Wasn’t he going to intervene to halt this battle? Chichi had clearly lost.

But Kami said nothing, even as Chichi rushed towards me again. Couldn’t he see this?

Fine. I thought as I hardened my resolve again.

If he won’t do it… I feinted to the right, then to the center before sweeping her feet. Chichi, to her credit, managed to dodge the brunt of the sweep, causing her a mere momentary imbalance.

Still, her recovery wasn’t fast enough to stop the rapid punch aimed directly at her midsection, aiming to drive the wind out of her.

That was when she smiled, and I noticed her injured hand glowing purple. Too late; I felt my body seize up.

Paralysis – 1s

With a fluid twist of her body, she used my frozen arm as a brace, her leg arcing through the air with incredible speed, delivering a devastating kick aimed at my side.

-10,000 HP!

The impact was fierce, knocking me off balance and sending me crashing into the nearby wall with a resounding thud. The force of Chichi’s kick reverberated through my body, momentarily stunning me as I struggled to regain my composure after the paralysis ended. I gritted my teeth against the pain, my mind racing to recover from her unexpected counterattack.

With adrenaline coursing through my veins, I fought to overcome the shock of Chichi’s powerful strike. As I staggered to my feet, Chichi was already coming at me, intending to finish this.

Before she could follow up with another attack, I closed the distance between us in a blur of motion.

I grabbed her extended leg mid-air, halting her momentum and preventing further assault. Using my leverage, I swiftly pinned her against the nearby wall, immobilizing her with a firm grip.

She attempted to recover, using my arm as a brace to allow her to kick me with her other leg, but I moved closer into her, pressing into her and negating most of the damage from any subsequent attack.

The chamber fell silent, the echoes of our battle fading into the background as I held Chichi firmly against the wall. Our eyes locked in a moment of intense confrontation, both of us breathing heavily from the exertion of our duel.

I felt her body tense and writhe beneath my grip. Despite my efforts to restrain her, her instincts continued to drive her, manifesting in desperate attempts to break free.

“Chichi, get a hold of yourself!” I urged, my voice firm yet laced with concern. “It’s over!”

Her struggles intensified, her movements fueled by a primal urge to escape. I maintained my hold, refusing to yield despite the strain of her resistance. Each moment stretched on, the chamber filled with the sound of our struggle as I tried to reason with her.

“I know you’re in there. That last attack was genius.” I continued. “You’ve come so far. Don’t let this control you.”

Her eyes flashed with a mixture of determination and fear, battling against the conflicting forces within her. I tightened my grip, willing her to find the strength to resist the remnants of the Red Ribbon Army’s influence and regain control of herself.

She could do this. I knew she could.

All of a sudden, Chichi’s tense struggles ceased, and a calmness settled over her features. Without warning, she leaned forward and kissed me on the lips. Shocked by the unexpected gesture, I instinctively loosened my grip.

Grinning mischievously against my lips, Chichi swiftly shifted her stance, driving a fist into my stomach.

-1,000 HP!

The impact doubled me over, forcing me to let go of her. Before I could recover, she followed up with an elbow strike to my back, and my face met marble again.

-1,500 HP!

I quickly spun in place, arms moving to defend the inevitable follow up stomp coming to crush my head, but it never came.

Staring up, I saw Chichi’s leg raised, though it wasn’t going down. She was hesitating, I realized; conflicted emotions were flickering across her face. Her foot continued to hover over me, torn between her instinctive impulses and the struggle to regain control.

I met Chichi’s gaze with my own, and got back up.

Chichi lowered her foot finally, giving me a nod of apology. “I’m sorry, Ten.”

“It’s alright.” I replied, offering her a reassuring smile. “You stopped, didn’t you? That means that you’ve come a long way.”

Kami, who had observed silently this entire time, finally spoke up, his tone filled with pride. “Indeed, Chichi. You’ve made remarkable progress from the troubled soul who first came to the lookout. You should be proud of yourself.”

Chichi’s expression softened at Kami’s words, and she nodded gratefully.

“Thank you, Kami.” She murmured, glancing at me with a hint of gratitude in her eyes. The gratitude, however, seemed to shift to surprise as she saw the guardian move to leave the room. “Kami?”

“You have passed the test, however close it was.” Kami said, stopping and sending the girl a smile. “Though you still have yet to completely master yourself, you’ve demonstrated that you are now ready to begin the next stage of your re-acclimation to humans. And what better way than to be with the one human you prefer the most?”

Chichi opened her mouth, only to close it again. She gave a deep bow, saying nothing as Kami left, leaving the two of us alone in the practice room.

“So…” I said as she slowly rose again. “Are we going to talk about that kiss?”

“No.” She said, turning to look at me with an inscrutable expression on her face. “There’s nothing that needs to be said.”

With that, she left the room, leaving me staring behind her.

“…” I only smirked before following her. “I suppose you’re right. I’m glad I let you win.”

“And what is that supposed to mean, Ten?”

“I didn’t use any magic in that fight, or my full strength.”

“Well, you’d better do it next time.”

“Next time.”

oooo

Around the same time, Wilderness east of Central City

The remote mountain training ground was a place of harsh beauty.

Jagged peaks framed the horizon, their shadows stretching long across the rugged terrain. Dense forests clung to the mountainsides.

It was late afternoon, and the sun cast a golden glow over the landscape, though it did little to warm the cold anger burning within Mark.

He stood at the center of the training ground, his breaths coming in steady but heavy. The torn gi he wore clung to his body, damp with sweat from hours of relentless training.

His fists were clenched, knuckles white, as he faced Tao. The memory of Master Palm’s death at the hands of the Red Ribbon Army was a constant, gnawing pain that fueled his every move.

Taopaipai, the assassin with a reputation as cold and unyielding as the mountain itself, stood opposite him. His eyes, sharp and calculating, observed every nuance of Mark’s stance and expression. He could see the simmering rage within the young man, a double-edged sword that could either sharpen his skills or lead to his downfall.

The training ground was silent save for the rustle of leaves and the distant cry of an eagle. It was a place removed from the world, disconnected from its troubles, yet for Mark, it was a crucible where he could forge his anger into something formidable.

Tao’s voice, calm and stern, broke the silence. “Today, we push your limits, Hercule. Your power, your control, everything must be honed to perfection if you are to stand a chance against those who wronged you.”

Mark only nodded.

He knew that to avenge Master Palm, he needed more than just raw strength. He needed the precision and mastery that only Tao could offer.

Tao raised a hand, pointing a single finger at Mark. “You’ve done well in learning how to strengthen your body using your Ki, but now it’s time to learn one of the Crane School’s ultimate techniques— the Dodon-pa.”

Mark’s eyes widened slightly, but he quickly masked his surprise with a steely resolve.

He had never seen Tao use the Dodon-pa before. The man had mentioned it all of once, and even that had been in passing.

Tao began to explain, his voice as precise and sharp as the technique itself. “The Dodon-pa is not about raw power alone. It requires absolute concentration and the ability to focus your ki into a single point. Watch closely.”

The man raised his hand. with only his index extended.

A moment passed before a bright, concentrated point of light formed at the tip of his finger. The air hummed with energy as Tao aimed at a distant boulder.

“Dodon-pa!” With a sharp, commanding shout, he released the beam. It shot through the air like a bolt of lightning, striking the boulder with pinpoint accuracy and gouging a large, spherical hole into it before exploding and sending chunks of stone every which way.

When the dust settled, he gulped. Not only had the stone been penetrated, but it had also been burned, judging by the scorch marks.

A frightening technique.

He looked to his teacher, who gave him the go ahead.

Mark swallowed hard, feeling the weight of the task ahead. But his anger, his desire for vengeance, fueled his determination. He mirrored Tao’s stance, raising his finger and focusing his ki. The process was painstaking, requiring immense concentration to gather and compress his energy.

For several agonizing moments, nothing happened. Then, a faint glimmer of light appeared at his fingertip. Encouraged, he poured more of his ki into the point. The light grew brighter, more intense, but it wavered, threatening to disperse.

“Focus.” Tao’s voice cut through the haze of concentration. “Feel the energy, control it. Do not let it control you.”

Mark gritted his teeth, sweat streaming down his face. He visualized the face of his fallen master, the symbol of the Red Ribbon Army. His anger sharpened his focus, and the light steadied, becoming a small but fierce point of energy.

With a shout, Mark tried to release the Dodon-pa. The beam sputtered out, a weak flicker that barely extended beyond his finger before fading away. He dropped his hand, panting and frustrated.

Tao was not surprised. He gave a small nod of understanding. “Adequate first attempt. Again.”

Mark nodded, determination hardening his resolve. He was about to try again, focusing intently on gathering his ki, when Tao’s sharp command cut through the air. “Stop.”

He froze immediately. Had he done something wrong?

He almost opened his mouth to speak before thinking better of it. Disobeying Tao’s orders would lead to consequences; painful, torturous consequences. He’d learned firsthand that Tao’s punishments were legendary for their cruelty, and Mark had no desire to experience them again. He waited, his breathing heavy, as Tao stepped forward.

“I’ll demonstrate the technique again.” Tao said, his voice calm but sounding a little off. He seemed a little distracted, but Mark knew better than to say anything.

He nodded, stepping back to give him space.

Tao extended his arm, pointing his finger outward towards the boulder again. He began to build up his ki, and Mark could feel the intensity of his energy filling the air. The power radiating from Tao was almost tangible, like a wave of heat overpowering the breeze of a cool day.

Tao made a show of his buildup, his ki swirling around him in a visible aura. Mark watched, mesmerized by the control and precision Tao displayed.

“Like this.” Just as Mark thought Tao was about to fire the Dodonpa in front of him, Tao suddenly twisted his body and aimed the finger behind him, towards a grouping of hedges. “Dodon-pa!“

The Dodonpa shot through the air like a lightning bolt, its speed and brightness momentarily blinding Mark. From the hedge, he heard a loud cry followed by a heavy thud.

His eyes widened in shock as he turned to see the source of the noise.

A figure lay sprawled in the bushes, smoke rising from the spot where the Dodon-pa had struck.

An intruder!? Mark thought, shifting his gaze towards Tao in surprise. His heart raced, not just from the intensity of the demonstration, but from the realization that Tao had known about the intruder the whole time.

Tao lowered his arm, his expression unchanged. He continued to explain, as if he hadn’t just killed someone in front of him. “You see, Hercule, the Dodon-pa is not just about power. It’s about control, precision, and awareness. You must be ready to strike from any angle, at any moment.”

Mark swallowed hard, nodding almost dumbly as he tried to process what had just happened.

He was about to say something when Tao gave him a new order. “Retrieve the body. I wish to see who dared spy upon us.”

Without hesitation, Mark moved quickly toward the bushes. To his surprise, the man Tao had hit was still alive, trying to crawl away. He winced; the man’s spine had been punctured and burned through— Mark hesitated for a moment, unsure of what to do.

“Bring him over here.” Tao commanded.

Mark nodded and carefully lifted the injured man, carrying him back to where Tao stood waiting. The man tried to protest, to fight against his captor, but he was so weak and debilitated at this point that it was pointless for him to do anything but accept his fate.

Mark laid the man on the ground, stepping back to let Tao take over. The man groaned in pain, and Mark couldn’t help but feel a pang of sympathy, at least until he saw the familiar looking patch on the man’s clothing.

“Red Ribbon.” Mark snarled, pointing at the patch.

“Indeed it is.” Tao said, smiling suddenly. “I suppose it is a good thing you aren’t dead— this presents us with a rare opportunity, does it not?”

“Yes, Master.” Mark said.

“Well, then…” Tao said as he crouched by the downed fool. “Who are you?”

The man did not respond, and Tao merely closed his eyes. It was such a familiar reaction that Mark tensed up immediately. He knew that, whenever Tao did that, violence soon followed.

And so it did. Armed with nothing but a sharp stone, Tao went to work on the man, stripping bits of skin off of his flesh, ignoring the fool’s loud cries with a look of dispassion borne of years of being an assassin.

He did not last a minute.

“Please!” He begged in between cuts. “I’ll tell you everything— please stop.”

“Good!” Tao said, giving him a cold smile. “Was that so hard? It would have been so much easier for you to have given up at the beginning.”

“Please…”

“Very well, cease your whining. It does grate at my ears.” Tao said, all pretense of humor gone as he pinned the fool with a hard stare. “Tell me everything I need to know. Locations, names, security.”

With no hesitation, the fool began to speak, betraying his unit for the slim chance of making it out of his predicament alive. Tao, with a face chiseled out of marble, calmly listened to the deluge of information, nodding every now and again, and asking the man to elaborate on a few things.

Eventually, however, the man ran out of things to say.

“Thank you.” Tao said, before turning towards Mark. “He’s no longer required. Kill him.”

Mark hesitated, glancing down at the trembling man, who had broken down crying again, begging to be spared.

“Please! I’ll do anything— I’ll join you, I swear. Please don’t kill me; I have a family!”

The pleas for mercy tugged at something within Mark. He wasn’t a killer; this wasn’t what his Master Palm would have wanted. But before he could voice his reluctance, Tao’s voice cut through his thoughts like a knife.

“These people killed your master, Hercule.” Tao reminded him, his tone harsh and unyielding. “Ruthlessly, and without remorse. They did not care that he may have had a family of his own, and students to aid. Did you not come to me to seek your rightful vengeance?”

Mark’s jaw tightened. He remembered all too well. The anger and grief surged back, hardening his resolve.

“Please!” The man tried again even as Mark’s face scrunched into something ugly. “I’m Pelco. What’s your name?”

“My name!?” Mark said, and something inside of him snapped. “… My name is Hercule.”

Without another moment’s hesitation, he delivered a swift, harsh blow to the man’s heart. The intruder slumped to the ground, his eyes turning glassy.

Mark stepped back, his hands trembling.

“Good. Very good.” Tao said, his expression unreadable. “Remember this feeling, Hercule. Vengeance will fuel your strength.”

Mark— no, his name was Hercule now— nodded. “Yes, Master.”