A hoarse voice shouted violently.
"Now tell me where 'it' is!"
Packed with muscles and a menacing look, a towering giant held a bloody ice pick in his hand.
Right across his left eye, a hideous scar festered, making for a frightening look.
Opposite, another man was chained to a chair, anxious and unnerved.
He was gaunt, and powerless, with no room to move and no chance to leave.
His clothes betrayed him to be an ordinary man from the outskirts.
Neat and simple, yet nicely sewn. Mottled with blood, the neat clothing awakened a sense of peril.
The fellow found himself in a nightmare.
"Tell me!"
"Do you really want me to think you left it with your little daughter? Do you... do you want to die, you little bastard?"
Celas, the 'Mad Dog' kept on screaming in a throbbing voice.
"Tell me now and nothing will happen to her. Just hand 'it' over and you can both leave. I promise that with my good name on the line!" he then said in a open-minded and honest tone.
But the skinnier man –and anyone with half a brain– could easily tell that this promise was a veiled lie.
'How can I trust a man who tortures others with a smile on his lips?'
'And what's your damn name worth?'
Terry, the chained man, cursed silently.
"It's not with my daughter! You'll never find it!"
Seeing his reflection in the bloodied icepick of the smiling devil, he had only one thought:
'... Ahhh Tali, I hope you're safe.'
A pained frown was hanging on his lips.
'I think thats it for your daddy. I wish I could have seen you grow up into a splendid woman. He closed his eyes with a regretful expression and made a difficult decision.'
"I DON'T KNOW. JUST KILL ME ALREADY DUMB LOOKING FUCKER."
Tali's father cussed viciously at the burly man in front of him.
He was at his wits end and just hoped the opposite would snap and give him a painless death.
'I'd rather make him angry and die before I give in and compromise.'
"Hooo? What did you just call me? I think my ears failed me for a moment there," Celas said with bulging red eyes and a tight grip on the icepick.
"I said you are one ugly motherfucker pfu" the man spit blood on Celas' face. It was apparent he had given up on life.
"Hah. Hahh. HAHAHAHA. I SEE WHAT YOU'RE DOING YOU BASTARD. YOU REALLY WANNA DIE, HUH?!"
Celas fell into a ringing maniacal laughter before quieting down and staring the bruised, battered and chained man in the eye from a distance where their eyeballs practically touched. A pair of bulging bloody circles sized him up with grim determination.
"Forget about it."
An amused smile formed on his malicious face.
"You still have your uses, you can't die just yet, but... it shouldn't be too long... Be patient for a while," Celas revealed with a dark glimmer deep inside his pupils.
"But you know what we could do?"
"...I can make it so you wished you were dead! That's what I call a nice little compromise."
A devilish, fear-inducing smile rose from his lips. He raised the ice pick high up and swung it down with brutish force, piercing Tali's fathers thighs skillfully without damaging any important arteries.
A harrowing scream echoed inside the dark cellar.
"AHHHH. Fuck fuck fuck."
Swear words left the man's mouth almost naturally, along with huffed groans and rugged breathing. He had never been in a more terrifying situation in his life.
"His daughter will have to come if she hears about her poor father being beaten to death but ... how to do it?"
Celas pondered with his eyes gazing up at the ceiling and his hands caressing the light beard on his chin, showing what was essentially a thinking pose.
Resting his eyes on the ceiling, he missed the slight change in the chained man's countenance. Hearing these terrifying thoughts, Terry widened his eyes in horror.
No matter what happened to him. He can't let this maniac find his daughter!
In this moment where all hope and chance was abandoned, the man found strange resolve in a wicked thought. His eyes gleamed up in dark triumph as he opened his mouth and stretched out his tongue. With a hammering force, his teeth bit down with the intent of severing the muscle in one motion. All this happened in just a couple fractions of a moment.
...But to his dismay the predicted pain never came.
After opening his eyes, which he had closed in anticipation of what was to happen, he felt a cold shudder run through his bones. Mere centimeters from his face, another face stared at him with a low drooped frown, draped in dark shadows. Gleaming through the darkness were two eyes tinged in an unnatural red purple hue radiating surprise and madness.
'D-Devil...'
Directing his eyes down to confirm what he already knew, regret filled his face once more. Three fingers stuck inbetween his jaws, keeping the teeth slightly disconnected. Red streams inked the white- yellow teeth in bloody hues, trickling down from the barely bitten tongue onto his lips and chin.
...The fingers however, were completely unharmed.
Terry's golden thread was torn-off!
Cursing themselves for underestimating the man in front of them, both expressions showed a deep frown when faced with each other. The only difference was that one frown exuded madness and surprise, while the other painted a picture of regret, fear and unwillingness.
"It seems I have greatly underestimated your resolve," Celas growled with a complicated look before composing himself to his usual mad, annoyed attire.
"Hold his mouth agape and.. bring a rag to plug it. The fucker almost bit his tongue off!" he motioned to a subordinate ruffian.
Before he left the room, Celas added another demand in a malicious, playful tone.
"Bring the dirtiest you can find."
After completing his villainous action, Celas left the room and turned to another subordinate.
"Where are the two dumb brothers. Are they not back yet?"
"We haven't heard back from them yet, boss ..." the dirty-bearded man replied nervously and added, "But we can go and help to capture the little brat!"
Celas cast him a scrutinous gaze before shaking his head, "I won't believe they can't even catch a little girl."
"Fine. We'll need to change our plans then. I happened to have a wonderful idea just now." he added, as his crooked smile returned, hinting at devious intentions.
"Set up a pole somewhere in the slums. We'll hang the fucker up!" Celas ordered with a laugh, "I don't believe his daughter will just let him hang there. She is a good daughter after all, isn't she?"
He looked at the chained man with indifference, seeing an undescribable expression painting his face. Tears came rolling down and in his thoughts centered around just one thing.
'Tali ... Please don't come.'
* * *
Out in the deserted slums, situated in the south of Monsoon City, a wooden pillar was erected in the earth, protruding from the ground like a tree.
The Fervent Sand Plains ranged out to the horizon, and decrepit houses spattered in the proximity . In midst of this, the opaque pillar jutted out the sandy soil like a menacing horn of nature.
Currently, two men were standing in front of it in absolute silence. One was tall and slim, while the other was of portly stature.
"Hey Milo... isn't this a bit too much?"
It took Milo a couple seconds to reply.
"... Don't question the boss. It won't have a good ending."
"But you don't like this either, brother. I can see it in your face." Bilo said with a worried tone, looking at his taller brother's contorted face.
Milo's frown only deepened with that comment.
"Bilo ... we were born in the slums, lived in the slums and fought in the slums. Our way will always be one of a slumrat. Don't forget that. It's too late to turn back now. It has been too late ever since we were forced to join this god-forsaken gang."
"In the end, it's a simple decision between two actions and their outcomes... Should we leave the gang or shouldn't we?"
He looked his brother deep in the eyes.
"We'll end up as dregs if we don't, but... we will be killed by Celas if we do."
At this point, Milo showed a meaningful expression.
"... Tell me, what do you prefer?"
With a conflicted expression Bilo agreed, "You're right... It's too late."
"For now, we'll just have to focus on not getting beat to death for failing to find the brat..."
...
After a while about a dozen more men joined the brothers in front of the pole.
"There they come!"
"It's the boss."
Celas had another man under his arm, his dripping blood streaking their way in a dark red.
Of course it was Tali's father.
He threw him on the ground in an uncaring manner and ordered someone nonchalantly, "Hang him up!"
"Hehe, yes boss."
Shortly after he was roughly hung up by the chains binding his hands. Just the sight of it made the observer uncomfortable. It was a humiliating and cruel act. It's impossible to relate to how the man must have felt in that situation.
'So ... humilliating'
A tear rolled down his cheek, the same way his blood rolled down the pole, coloring it in a deep scarlet hue...
The brothers stared at the pole with wide and complicated eyes, yet they still kept silent.
The ruffians next to them were screeching like crazy hooligans. They acted totally indifferent, uncaring of the array of emotions they planted in the mans heart.
"Yeah yeah, hang him up!"
"Hahah thats what happens if you disobey the gang."
"He had it coming!"
Celas, satisfied with the idea he came up with, was grinning widely at the vicious sight.
I told my men to spread the information of him stealing something precious from us. There is no way, she won't hear about this.
"Now we wait"
He sat back jauntily in a pre-arranged wooden chair and waited for things to take course.
...
Only two hours must have passed, when the change finally happened. But definitely not in the way Celas had calculated.
Contrary to expectations, it wasn't the daughter who arrived at the scene, but instead a completely uninvolved young man.
It looked like he hasn't realized what was going on. People avoided this area on purpose after hearing about what was going on. They didn't want to implicate themselves into something so vicious.
After all, they had not the strength, nor the reason to care about the situation more than about themselves, and their safety.
But there he was, a young man without a care in the world nearing the plaza where the pole has been erected, and what felt even stranger was that it looked like he was on an afternoon stroll.
'A straggler?' Celas wondered with a skeptic look.
"Isn't that boy ... the one we saw earlier today?" Milo noticed with raised eyebrows
"Yes it's him!" Bilo agreed, "What is he doing here?"
"What's that guy doing?" Celas frowned, feeling that something wasn't right with the kid.
Suddenly the boy stopped and looked at the pole as if he just realized where he had wandered. He was angry in his heart but nothing more than a calm demeanor could be seen.
"Oh wow, what's going on here! Is it some kind of festival? What a weird taste you guys have!"
The thugs around the plaza were stunned at his words. After all, noone had seen another person as daring and clueless as him, openly courting death.
But it didn't stop there.
After what they felt, was nothing more than a fools ramble, the boy continued, pointing sharp daggers in the form of words at them.
"Hahaha you guys look funny, and smell funny, too! Kind of insane that I can smell it from back here, haha!"
"Just what kind of horrifying people would visit your festival with that stench in the air? What dedicated fans... In my opinion, you'd have to live your life in a garbage can to mix with you reeking dregs... Have you guys ever heard of a shower?"
"Hm, I guess not!–Ha Ha–"
"Could it be ... you're all homeless?"
A chuckle left his lips, before he covered his lips in apology.
"Sorry, that was thoughtless ... not everyone is blessed in life, after all."
Before, his actions could be explained with blind stupidity, but this... this was daylight mockery!
The thugs understood this fact very well, deep scowls colored their faces black, and anger made them drop their cups to the ground.
All bandits unsheathed rusty or shiny blades, brandishing them in the air with wide eyes and gritted teeth.
"But no worries! There are alternatives."
"If my memory serves me right ... Yes! I think there should probably be a lake somewhere around here?!"
"I could even be your guide! Wait ... no, not without payment," he said in a mocking tone, even going as far as motioning a cross in the air.
It was the epitome of ridicule.
The bandits started to take a couple steps towards the young man who stood a safe distance away. They threw curse words at him, which he indifferently ignored.
"Anyways... it's a hot today, isn't it, guys? Do you sell something here? Cotton Candy? Popcorn? Ice? A festival would not be a festival without an ice stand. I like Pistachio flavored ice the most but I'm not a picky eater. Beggars aren't choosers after all. But you already knew that, right? Aaha."
"One serving of Pistachio then, please!"
He rambled on and on, uttering one weird thing after another.
"What's up with this fool?" Celas frown grew stronger. Something wasn't right.
And as if to prove him right, Spark slowly conluded his rambling.
"Hmm, but I don't have any coppers on me right now... What to do, what to do..."
"...OH! I know! I found a weird thing on the side of the road today. It says some weird stuff I couldn't possibly understand, so it's not of much use to me."
"Granted ... I can't really read that well, but... fine whatever, I'll trade with you for an Ice Cream!"
Spaek pulled out a tattered book from under his shirt. The cover read 'Clearing Cloud Circ...'
Before anyone got to get a good look, he rolled it into a rod and brandished it around the air.
"It's not in pristine condition, but it certainly has other uses like a... fly slap or ... maybe to fix an uneven table?"
"Th- this can't be right..." Celas eyes bulged out of his sockets aa he jumped from his chair.
Noone could recognize the item in Spark's hand, but Celas had a trained eye, ever since reaching the Peak Body Foundation Stage.
He could vaguely discern the words on the cocer, shortly before Spark folded it into a rod.
"WHERE DID YOU OBTAIN THIS?"
All subordinates were struck by the sudden reaction of their boss.
At this distance they could hardly see what exactly the lampooning young man was holding in his hand!
Seeing the Mad Dog react like that, could it be...?
A valuable treasure?
Maybe even the one that was stolen from them!
Celas had never explained what exactly they were looking for in detail. He only mentioned that they would know, once they found it.
"Oh, someone seems interested? Could it be..."
Spark stopped for a dramatic pause.
"DON'T TELL ME...."
He lingered in silence again, a sweating shocked expression plastered on his face.
"This thing is worth more than one serving? Hehe I hit it big this time !"
Celas roared and ran lunged forward with long strides.
"GET HIM!"
Everyone started moving.
"Oh, why are you chasing after me! No deal then, no deal!"
Spark also made haste.
'This ... This seems dangerous? He's like a tiger!'
'... Luckily Joey and I made a plan. Let's just hope it works.'
* * *
[An hour earlier]
"I am ready to go. You guys should stay here. It will be very dangerous"
Joey said solemnly.
"No! I want to help!"
Joey didn't budge and scolded Tali.
"Impossible! I won't allow it!"
"My wife will take care of you. Just wait for the good news. I promise I'll get him back!"
Certain of success, Joey exclaimed confidently.
"Joey, do you even have a plan?"
"Plan? ... A plan .. Hmm, yes, quite right, I have a plan!"
"Beat em' black and blue, save her father, and drink a nice bourbon to end the day!"
Jessie shook her head in anger.
"Joey!" she scolded, and gave him a glaring look, "Don't talk nonsense! I won't allow you to barge in without a plan!"
She said so, but didn't have a safe solution either.
Spark chimed in and threw his hands up at the fool.
"What are you going to do if he takes him hostage? What are you going to do if the Mad Dog, by some miracle of the heavens, also reached the Qi Realm? What then ? Don't tell me you haven't thought about that."
"Uhm... well," Joey scratched his head.
"Hey, hey have you heard? Shoemaker Terry made an enemy of Celas and his gang. Apparently they want to make an example out of him," a passant said to another, while walking past Spark, Joey, Tali and Jessie.
"I heard of it already.. they said he stole something from them... But who would believe that crap? Terry is a good virtous man, he wouldn't hurt a fly. He repaired my shoes, even when I didn't have money to pay him. Poor guy. I just wish I could help... "
Tali's head instantly turned in the direction of the conversation, "Mister! What did you just say just now?" her worries were reflected in her tone.
"...Hey, isn't that you, Tali?"
The passerby seemed to remember Tali and his expression turned sour.
With a regretful sigh he whispered quietly to the girl.
"Your father... they hung him on a pole. I've heard they are at the outskirts plaza of the town, near the abandoned wells... I'm sorry, Tali."
"N-No... No! ..." Tali started crying, "Is he still... alive?"
The man hesitated and heaved an agonized sigh.
"He is ... But I don't know what they planned to do to him..."
Joey hit a wall in fury!
"THESE BASTARDS! There is no time to lose, I'll get going right now!"
"Joey !! Calm down," Spark shouted, "I have an idea."
"But ..."
"We need to stay calm and collected. Or else it won't work. Our main priority is saving Terry. we can't just run in thoughtlessly."
Spark turned around and walked in the direction of the setting sun before facing the three of them again.
Rays of the sun blinded them, and obscured Sparks's figure.
A golden shine reflected off of his ring-finger.
Somehow this was the first time they noticed the golden accessory.
"Would you believe me when I told you, I've solved far more difficult problems before?"
Spark's silhouette was bathed in light as he spoke.
"Tali, I promise you to bring your father back alive... Just be good and wait for the good news."
They didn't know if it was an illusion or not, but for a fraction of a second, there wasn't a young boy facing them, but a grown adult in a black suit with a black tie.
He oozed off confidence and competence. One glance and weirdly enough, one wouldn't doubt a word he told you.
Tali and Joey rubbed their eyes, but when they looked again, it was just the young boy standing in front of them.
Yet, the feeling of trust hasn't vanished.
"Alright... Let's hear your plan then," Joey said with a solemn expression.
[Back to the present time]
After sprinting in full speed for a couple dozen meters, Spark's breathing became rugged and hoarse.
"Damn it, he is coming dangerously close."
Spark's face paled. He had never run so fast in his life. In both of them, to be specific.
A dozen meters behind him, the Mad Beast gave chase like a lion on a hunt.
Madness and avarice wreathed around an obsessive smile.
...
For Celas, the situation stunk to the heavens in and of itself.
He wasn't foolish enough to step into bear traps, but his mind was consumed by greed.
Basing utter confidence on speed, he took a calculated risk and decided to catch up, kill, and snatch.
It wasn't unfounded and careless.
At the beginning, atleast a 100 meter distance stretched between them. But two dozen seconds later, he was almost close enough to rip Spark's head off.
'Just a bit more.'
Spark glanced back, and almost suffered a heart attack.
'Close!'
His muscles were melting and cramping up in vicious spasms.
The air he sucked in wasn't nearly enough to saturate his needs. Both lungs burned hellishly with every breath.
It didn't look good for him at all.
With a pleading voice, he let out a scared cry.
"Damn it! Fine! You can have it! Just don't kill me!"
Spark ran towards an abandoned well, and threw the book into its shadowy depths.
Celas' iris narrowed to the size of a pin.
"NO! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
After ridding himself of the book, Spark quickly changed directions. He was very sure that Celas would prioritize the book, and not him.
Well...If he didn't... Then he just signed his death warrant.
He realized this blunder a bit too late. Shudderinf at the thought of miscalculation, Celas followed the script obediently.
With a apprehensive groan, he threw himself into the well without any hesitation, all to salvage the precious technique.
"JOEY! NOW!"
Joey jumped out of his hiding spot like thunder, and shot towards Terry. The entire maneauver from taunt to signal took no more than a minute, but it successfully created a situation where Terry could be aaved from his demise.
Joey transformed all his pent-up rage into sheer physical power, and with popping veins on his forehead, he shattered the rusty, iron chain into broken bits.
Tali's father was freed.
The roaming thugs didn't dare to make a move after seeing this act of strength. It was awfully clear who would have the upper hand in an altercation. After all, the man in front of them had to be at the very least in the Peak Body Foundation Realm, the same as their Boss!
And nobody present could match that.
Spark screamed on top of his lungs.
"BRING HIM TO SAFETY FIRST, DON'T WORRY ABOUT ME!"
...
"That's what I said, but why aren't they letting up?"
Spark gritted his teeth and kept on running.
***
Meanwhile, Celas was free-falling the mouth of darkness like a languid stone.
He already caught the Circulation Technique in midair and readied himself for immediate impact.
He felt that he had almost reached the ground. It should have been dry for years, so there were no worries there. At most there should be some dirty, leftover puddles.
The book should be safe with him holding it above his head.
Celas braced himself for impact, but when it happened, his expression distorted in excruciating pain.
Like a dozen bullets, something mangled the bottom of his feet, piercing through skin, flesh and even bones.
A deafening cry echoed out of the depths of the morbid well.