The cloying scent of polished wood and sweat permeated the dojo, the air thick with the remnants of Kai's intense training. The young warrior sat cross-legged on the floor, his bruised and battered fists resting on his knees.
As he let his mind drift back to the recent encounter with Zirkyu, a scene that played on a continuous loop in his head, his expression shifted, an indescribable mixture of emotions dancing across his face.
'Zirkyu,' he thought, his fingers curling into fists as he recalled the man's chillingly calm demeanor and ruthless efficiency.
At the time of the tournament, whereas Meili was taken on Xaphan. As Kai concluded his cleanup of the fallen beast, his gaze turned skyward, the shroud of Wraithbane's power twisting around the forest in a sinister embrace. The air hung heavy with unease.
"Lei, Fuse, Meili," Kai uttered, their names a mantra to fuel his resolve. "What trouble have you all stirred up this time?"
Just then, the sound of twigs snapping beneath approaching footsteps drew his attention. And what he saw chilled him to his core.
Zirkyu stood there, a sinister smirk curling his lips.
Kai's body tensed, his muscles coiling with a lethal readiness as he regarded the deadly figure before him. Zirkyu's eyes gleamed with cunning, sizing Kai up with an unhurried deliberateness.
"Impressive," Zirkyu said, his voice a silken purr. "You've made quite the mess of my minion. A pity. But perhaps you'll be a more worthy specimen."
Kai's fists tightened, the hairs on the back of his neck prickling with danger. "Who the hell are you? And what are you after?"
Zirkyu let out a low chuckle, a mirthless sound devoid of warmth. "Me? I'm just a humble servant of Lord Xaphan," he replied, his grin widening. "And what are we after? Why, only the most powerful warriors this forest has to offer. And you, my young friend, seem to fit the bill. We've been watching you for a while now and we think now's the time we brought you in, Kai!"
Kai's stance shifted, his battle-hardened instinct kicking in. "I'm no one's servant. If you want to fight, then fight."
Zirkyu's expression hardened, his smile fading into a thin line.
Zirkyu's gaze swept over Kai like a hawk surveying its prey, admiration mingling with contempt in his voice. "You're either incredibly brave or incredibly foolish. Not many would have the audacity to face me without fear, talk less of having my Lord Xaphan by my side."
The Xaphan clone stepped forward, its expression eerily similar to the original. "You see, Kai. We didn't come here to fight you."
Kai's fists tightened further, his heartbeat pounding like a war drum in his ears. "Whatever, you're the ones who are gonna regret this," he growled, his gaze darting between the two opponents before him.
The Xaphan clone spoke, its voice a mocking imitation of the real Xaphan. "We didn't come here to fight, boy. Lord Xaphan has a proposition for you. An offer, if you will."
Zirkyu's brows furrowed, his eyes narrowed in a dangerous glare. "Join us," he growled. "Forget your Wu-Lin nonsense. With your strength, you'd be a valuable asset to our master."
Kai's lip curled in a sneer, his fists raised as he prepared to fight.
"I've had enough of this conversation," Kai shouted, his voice dripping with disdain. "You can both go to hell. I'll never join you."
Kai's defiance only fueled Zirkyu's bloodlust, his stance shifting into a predatory readiness. "Your defiance is admirable, if foolish. You really think you can keep us hanging like that? You're nothing but an arrogant child."
"This doesn't have to be difficult," the Xaphan clone interjected, its voice oozing with false kindness. "Xaphan's power is unlike anything you've ever seen. With him, you'd never have to worry about protection. The forest, even the whole world, would be yours."
Xaphan's clone revealed, "Lord Xaphan is well-acquainted with your entire profile, Kai - your background, potential, desires, and most notably, your parents."
The mention of "parents" sparked a mix of shock and defiance on Kai's face. "Oh, really?" he sneered. "News to me. I never knew they existed. Don't try exploiting that for leverage. Cut the manipulations and let's get to the real agenda: fighting."
The Xaphan clone's smirk grew, its expression oozing with a kind of twisted glee. "Oh, so you're the type who'd rather bury their pain than embrace it? Your parents, yes, we know about them. Lord Xaphan knows everything, including the truth about your past. He can give you answers, answers you've been seeking for so long."
Kai's eyes flashed with a mix of anger and incredulity. "You're lying! My parents died when I was a child, in a forest fire.
Kai's eyes blazed with anger and incredulity. "You're lying!" he exclaimed. "My parents perished in a forest fire when I was just a child."
Xaphan sneered, "Oh, really? And who told you that fabricated tale? Your precious Si-Fu, no doubt? He must have fed the same lies to that farmer you used to stay with. Only Hibiki and I know the truth – and he's the one responsible for your mother's disappearance. As for her current whereabouts... I can't actually say, but she might actually be alive."
The words struck Kai like a physical blow, his entire world shifting on its axis. He took a step back, his mind reeling with the implications of Xaphan's claim.
"You're lying," he hissed, the veins in his neck bulging with rage. "I may not really trust that guy. But he wouldn't do something like that. You're twisting the facts to get to me."
Zirkyu stepped forward, a cruel smile curling his lips. "We have no reason to lie about that. You fool."
"If you're interested in learning more or perhaps require assistance in locating your mother, we'll be keeping a close eye on you, awaiting a change of heart. The Iron Fist School's followers will never find us, as we don't gather in any fixed location. Farewell for now, Kai Guoshu. We'll stay in touch."
As Xaphan's words echoed through the forest, a chill ran down Kai's spine.
"Later, Kai," Zirkyu mocked, its voice fading into the distance. "Remember, we're always watching."
And with that, the pair vanished into the shadows of the forest, leaving Kai alone with the tumultuous thoughts swirling in his mind.
Returning from his reminisce, "Guoshu," he muttered, the name unfamiliar on his tongue. "Why would they call me that? Who was I before the forest fire? What are they hiding?" The questions churned in his mind, eating away at his trust in his Si-Fu. He couldn't help but wonder if Xaphan's words held any truth, if they knew something he didn't.
Kai's inner turmoil was interrupted by the sound of his name being shouted. "KAIII, KAI WHERE ARE YOU?"
At the familiar voice, he turned, his eyes scanning the area for the source of the cry. And there she was, Meili, her face flushed with concern, her long hair windswept and wild.
"Meili? What are you doing here?" Kai asked, his tone still laced with the unease of his recent revelations.
Meili's eyes scanned Kai's face, her concern deepening at his troubled expression. "I've been searching everywhere for you," she said, breathless. "Lei's in the hospital, and the situation is dire. I had to find you."
Kai's gaze hardened, his jaw clenched. "What can I do about it?" he asked, his voice icy.
Meili's voice took on a hint of reproach. "You could have at least asked about Lei's condition or what happened to her." She softened her tone, continuing, "Xaphan attacked us, and Lei... she's in a coma."
Kai's expression darkened. "And you went to help, didn't you?" His voice remained cold. "How is it that you're unscathed, yet you ended up in the emergency center?"
Meili began eagerly, "It's a long story, but I don't mind sharing. When Fuse and I arrived, we—"
"Meili!" Kai interrupted, his tone low and frosty. "Why did you come here?"
Meili's face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and indignation, but she remained resolute.
"I came here to apologize, Kai," she said, her voice determined. "I shouldn't have said those things to you before. I was angry and scared, and I took it out on you. You were right, We shouldn't have abandoned the tournament to go after Xaphan. I know I was wrong."
Kai's jaw tightened further, the admission doing little to thaw the frigidness of his demeanor. "What crap are you talking about? The tournament's cancelled, just forget about it. Is that all?"
Meili's cheeks colored, her embarrassment at the oversight intensifying. She gathered her resolve, meeting Kai's icy gaze with a newfound determination. "Listen, Kai," she began, her voice steady despite her nerves. "Regardless of what happened at the tournament or how you feel about Fuse and me, I'm sorry. I truly am. I know we haven't been the best teammates or been of any good to you at all, but I hope you can forgive us."
She paused, her gaze searching Kai's face for any sign of softening. "And I know this is a lot to ask, but I'm hoping we can start all over and work towards becoming a better team.
Kai took a moment, "I get your point, Meili. But I just wanna be alone right now", Kai replied, his gaze drifting elsewhere.
Kai's words hung in the air, a palpable chill settling between the two of them.
Meili's expression grew somber, the weight of their situation settling upon her shoulders. "I see," she whispered, her voice quiet.
Turning away, she made to leave, the dojo's silence descending like a curtain.
As Meili's footsteps faded into the distance, Kai remained still, his mind a tangle of emotions. With a heavy sigh, Kai turned, his gaze sweeping across the dojo. "Hibiki," he murmured, the name a chilling whisper on his lips. "I'll need to hear the truth from you, I can't possibly believe you of all people could have anything to do with my parents."