Splash.
Splash.
Splash.
The sound of repeated footsteps in the muddy ground mixed with the sound of heavy rain. Civilians looked on, bringing their children closer to them, not wanting them to run out into the street and possibly run into that man. He was bloodied, yet no one came to help, his steps seemed as if any second now, he would fall over. The bandages covering his face, drenched in blood and rain, nobody knew what he looked like under them, nobody dared to get close. Every adult knew who he was, yet nobody knew him by his name. They only called him Ebon, to reflect his unique, dark skin, unlike any from the east.
Knowing Ebon, he could've been attacked by bandits, maybe even other lone wanders, possibly even Dreadspawn, wretched monsters born from fear and other negative emotions of those who inhabit this realm. But nobody wanted to help him, they were terrified of him, his tall lean frame, his dark, tattooed skin, and the wounds that cover his body made all who want to approach him think twice. One of his dual short swords was missing from his back, the other one was in his hand, drenched in the blood of whoever he faced. He walked towards that inn, the only place that would house Ebon. Nobody understood why they did, but they treated Ebon as if he was just another customer.
One of his short swords was gone, the other gripped tightly in his bloodied hand. His path led him toward the inn, the only place that would offer him refuge. Why? No one knew for sure, but the innkeeper and staff treated him as any other guest, as if his presence was normal, expected.
With a soft creak, the sliding door to the inn parted. Ebon stepped inside, taking two steps forward before-
THUD.
He collapsed on the ground, bloodied and tired, the maids and workers rushed to his side, this was nothing new, they dragged him up the stairs and brought him to the room that was always left clean and reserved for him. They laid him on the bed, bandages and medicine ready at their side as they tended to his wounded body with efficiency, applying herbs to every cut, all eight hands moving swiftly across his body, not one hand reaching or the bandages on his face, no one dares too.
After the workers finished helping with what they could, a slender tall, older woman walked in, a pipe hanging from her mouth as she smoked, her skin almost as dark as Ebon, she walked over to him, taking a seat next to him, her eyes tracing his body, taking the pipe out of her mouth as she puffs out smoke, licking her lips and she looks down at him, reaching her other hand out to touch his face, but before her hand could reach, Ebon had his cracked short sword pointed at her neck, not saying a word.
She laughed, the sound soft, like silk slipping through water. "It's just Gigi, dear. You know I wouldn't do anything to you." With a quick motion, she set the bandages down on the table beside him, offering a wink before turning and leaving.
Ebon sighs, most likely thinking about how playful Gigi can be before he sat up, reaching to take off the bandages on his face. He stops, his head turning to his right, sensing someone standing outside of the door, It isn't Gigi.
Senbon came flying into the room as Ebon dashed to the corner of the room, two bandits came in, they look more like ninjas, not as rough as bandits, but Ebon knows, if they were ninja, they wouldn't have missed. Ebon propelled himself from the corner of the ceiling, his blade ready to strike at the bandit closest to him, but the other one was quicker, pushing their companion out of the way as they clashed blades with Ebon. "Your end is here, Ebon!" Ebon jumped back, landing on the ground before rushing in again, slashing at the leg of the bandit in front of him, dropping them to their knees, before his head locks onto the other one who is trembling, their sword in their hand, barely looking like a threat.
Before he could end the life of the bandit, senbon flashed towards his back, as the senbon sliced through the air, Ebon's hand moved in a blur, deflecting each needle with a swift twist of his blade. In the next heartbeat, his stance shifted, and his sword lashed out in rapid succession. The first strike was a clean, precise slash aimed at the bandit who threw the senbon. Before the bandits could react, Ebon's body flowed seamlessly, and the attack repeated, now striking the other bandit with the same lethal precision, cutting of his head. The motion was fluid, a continuous chain of slashes, each as sharp and powerful as the last, leaving no time for counterattack.
Ebon dropped to one knee, clutching at one of the larger wounds he had received before coming to the inn, it was bleeding through the new sets of bandages. He grunted, one of the only noises he ever makes, though it was quiet. Gigi entered the room once more, snapping, calling workers, this time male, into the room who moved quickly, gathering and disposing of the bodies of the bandits before mopping up the blood and exiting the room. Gigi walked towards Ebon, still down on his knee, Gigi placed a hand on his shoulder, a quiet yet peaceful hum is heard as her hand started to glow a purple color, healing Ebon's wounds with ease.
He stood, he was a couple of inches taller than Gigi who was already quite tall herself, he motioned a deep bow, expressing his gratitude towards her. Gigi giggles, "Raise yourself Ebon," he said calmly as Ebon looked up, fixing his posture. Gigi stepped closer, placing a hand on his cheek before moving in more, placing a kiss on his neck while her other hand was on his chest. Before she could go further, Ebon dashed back a little, putting his hands up in playful defense of himself. Gigi rolled her eyes, "Ah, you're still no fun." she said playfully before exiting the room.
Ebon stood up again, walking towards the bed and changing out the bandages on his face, going into the closet of the room and picking one out of the many straw hats that looked exactly the same, placing one on his head. He walked out of the room, going down to the lower restaurant opening. As the people who were eating noticed who walked in, the chatter slowed and quieted down, eventually stopping as a whole while Ebon made his way to a seat all the way in the back the same seat as always.
A maid rushed to him, bowing deeply and asking him if he wanted his usual, he nodded, chatter in the eatery picked back up, the maid rushes to the back and is handed the already prepared bowl of noodles, mixed in with many kinds of meats. The chatter stopped as he picked up his chopsticks, breaking them apart and placing them in the noodles, getting quite a lot on them before bringing them to his face, he stopped for a moment, his bandages blocking his mouth, he sighed, the noodles vanished, appearing in his mouth, he was chewing, without taking off his bandages, the food was in his mouth.
The people in the restaurant erupted, many gloating as they told many that is how Ebon eats, many taking their money as they betted on this, others have their heads in their hands as they can't believe what they just saw and how much money they lost. As Ebon finished his food, he raised his hand, a male waiter came over, bowed and told him that today he didn't have to pay, Ebon stood, bowing slightly as he walked towards the stairs, many of the people in the restaurant waved and said bye to the man who simply responded with a simple wave, returning to his room.
…
…
Late at night Ebon sat in his room, the moonlight almost like a stage light on him. A knock is heard at his door, a specific one, he repeats the sequence by knocking on the table next to his bed. Gigi walks in, two short swords in her hand, she throws them at Ebon, who catches both in one hand, noticing that these are different. "Those should be much stronger. And once you… you know, learn how to use qi, those will be very helpful." She turned around, blowing a playful kiss at him before closing the door. Ebon chuckled, unheard by any.