Alright, 2 chapters up within a few hours. I'm on a roll here. Anyways, this chapter splits off from Gahng's story and introduces another character that will become important to the story, Dao Tan. Hope you enjoy and please tell me what you think.
Dao Tan had already heard the approach of the Fire Nation soldiers long before they had reached his point on the mountain trail. The Iron Bandit, a title he received for the mask of iron he wore, was wanted for many crimes in the Fire Nation, including having single handedly plundered a caravan of 75 Fire Nation soldiers. As he walked up the mountain trail, thick forest trees on either side of him, he reminisced on his raids. He never fought with a team, they would simply hold him back. It wouldn't be worth the effort of babysitting other people while at the same time conducting a raid against Fire Nation soldiers.
A gust of wind kicked the dirt and leaves of the trail into the air as Dao continued up the trail. His loose clothes, which resembled those of a monk far more then those of a bandit, fluttered softly in the wind. Dao's jet black hair, which was tied back in a long braid, did the same. The Fire Nation soldiers were close, he could hear the heavy clop of the rhino mounts. Soon he would have to fight them, but it was a fight he was looking forward too.
Dao continued to follow the trail, stopping once the forest around him opened into a large meadow. His timing couldn't have been more perfect, for not a moment after he stopped the soldiers had reached and surrounded him. Dao, from beneath his iron mask, looked around at his opponents. Firebenders, 25 of them. The Fire Nation must have taken quite the loss by his hand for them to send so many benders his way.
"Dao Tan," a strong voice came from behind him, clearly that of the groups commander. "You are under arrest for crimes against the Fire Nation and Fire Lady Azula. If you come peaceably, we will spare your life."
Dao turned to face the commander, who was the only bender there not wearing a helm. The man was handsome, and young, with strong features. He must have had a good woman living with him at home.
"And just who are you?" Dao asked from behind his mask.
"If you must know, my name is Odoma," the commander replied.
"Odoma, you have a wife yes?"
"I do, what of it?"
Dao chuckled softly. "Do your wife and men a favor, Odoma, and leave now so I don't have to kill you."
"What? You've no idea just who you're dealing with! We are Lady Azula's elite!"
"Oh? Well, this does change things. In that case…"
Dao looked intently at Odoma, slamming his right foot into the ground as he assumed his fighting stance. His fists were raised, level with his shoulders, and his feet were spread apart at the same length. With a grunt, he called for the Firebenders to attack.
"Come then, and show me your skill!" Dao ordered.
Odoma was shocked. Never before had he seen someone so willing to fight such a large group of elite Firebenders, or any group of soldiers that outnumbered them 25 to one. Something about this man wasn't right, he could feel it. Dao wore a large broadsword on his back, yet he chose to use his fists in this fight. Why? They were question's he'd have to leave for another day. For now, Odoma ordered his men to attack and to capture the bandit, dead or alive.
It was just as Dao had wanted. The Firebenders had dismounted and they opened with a blast of fire from each side. Dao avoided the blasts by moving under them, spreading his legs into a split and lying chest-down on the trail. As each of the blasts collided Dao threw himself up in front of them, using the force of the explosion to crash foot first into the helms of two Firebenders, sending them crashing to the ground. Then the real fight began.
As the Firebenders around him closed in, Dao turned and struck at each one with a powerful blow. With a thundering crash his fist cracked the armor of the Firebender to his right, and his powerful kick sent the one to his left careening into a boulder, shattering it on impact. When the Firebenders behind him came running he thrust his elbows back, smashing into each of their stomachs and denting their armor. Dao's skill was shown to be even more profound when three of the Firebenders outside the immediate fray shot a fireball at him and he avoided it, causing it to crash into three more Firebenders.
It wasn't long before the group was reduced to near nothing, and the only remaining warrior was Odoma. However, Odoma wasn't going to give up easily and he proved it when he unleashed a burst of searing flame at Dao. The Iron Bandit's blade proved more then a match for the attack, and as the jet of fire came soaring at Dao he drew his blade and cut through the flame with such speed and skill that the flame itself seemed to attach to the blade. Dao continued the swing, twisting in a full circle and sending the jet of flame back at Odoma, who in turn reflected it with another flame burst.
Dao assumed a new stance with his sword drawn, holding the blade above his head in his right hand, his left extended before him. Odoma had assumed his ready position as well, prepared to fight with all the speed and skill that only the greatest Firebenders could use. The two stared each other down, more then prepared to continue their bout, yet neither moved.
"You are a very skilled bender, Odoma. Few have been able to negate an attack my blade reflects."
"And you're not too bad yourself, Iron Bandit."
"Well, shall we finish?"
"Certainly."
Odoma opened with the first move, a crescent of flame shot along the ground from his sweep kick. Dao avoided it with ease, simply flipping over the flame. What he did not realize was that the initial attack was merely a distraction, and as Dao was flipping in the air Odoma unleashed three more waves of fire from his 540 roundhouse kick.
Odoma smiled as the flames coursed towards Dao, certain of his victory. He would defeat the Iron Bandit and prove himself once again to be the elite among the elite. This feeling was short lived, for when Odoma looked back up to where Dao was, he saw a spinning pillar of flame that barreled towards him. Odoma barely had enough time to react, slamming his fist into the ground to create a pillar of flame to cancel out the first, but the fight was already over.
After Odoma had risen from his strike against the ground, Dao was already inches away. The Iron Bandit's fist collided with Odoma's chest, bringing him to the ground. When Dao stood back up, the point of his broadsword was resting at Odoma's neck. Once again, Dao had been victorious against the Fire Nation.
Dao looked down at his defeated opponent, and was surprised at what he saw. Even though he had been beaten, even though he had a sword to his neck, Odoma's eyes still glowed with intensity and a determination for victory. Odoma's eyes reflected a need to live, to see his wife again. Seeing this, Dao knew he could not kill the boy. He raised his broadsword, sliding it back in the sheath on his back.
"Why don't you kill me?" Odoma asked.
"It would not be honorable to take a man away from his family when he has already been beaten," Dao said. "Now, leave this place and return to your wife."
Dao started to walk back down the forest path when he heard Odoma call out to him from the meadow. He turned back to see Odoma standing, ready to continue fighting.
"We aren't finished here Dao," Odoma said.
"You've got a lot of spirit," Dao replied, assuming his ready stance once more. When Odoma attacked with his firebending, Dao once again avoided it and attacked, slamming into Odoma with a powerful kick. "You've got spirit, but you do not know how to control it. Now, heed my words and return to your wife. If you attack me again, I will kill you."
"Dao…"
The bandit turned to face the brave Firebender once more. Odoma refused to surrender, forcing himself to his feet in preparation to fight. The beating he had suffered at Dao's hands was too much for him though, and he fell back to the ground.
"You are certainly a strong warrior, Odoma," Dao said. He walked over to the unconscious body of the young Firebender and set him on the last remaining rhino. "Go, take him back to the camp," Dao told the creature, sending it on its way. "Yes, you are very brave Odoma, perhaps too brave for your own good. Return to your wife, that is where you are truly needed." With a nod, Dao watched the rhino return to the camp with Odoma on its back for a short while longer before returning to the trail.
For those of you who are interested, Dao Tan's unarmed fighting style is drawn from the Chinese Kenpo fighting style. His method of fighting is actually inspired mostly by Feng Wei of the Tekken fighting game series.
