Chapter 4
The Earth king Kuei II stood in his balcony overlooking his beautiful city of Ba-Sing-Se. He smiled to himself, pleased with how he has run the kingdom after his father's death. The original King Kuei would've been proud, at least that's what he'd like to believe. There were no food shortages, every one of his citizens had a home and warm bed to sleep in. He finishes his cup of wine and turns around to prepare for a nights rest on his bed when he suddenly finds himself face to face with a young man in rags.
"What are you—"
He yelps as he's flipped over and thrown onto his bed. He tries to struggle but he can't break himself free from his attackers grip.
"GUARDS! GUARDS!" he yells but is met with silence.
"You're guard won't be coming, they're indisposed." His attacker comments with a monotone voice as he binds his hands. His hands that are starting to become unresponsive.
Kuei begins to panic, afraid that all his men are dead. The young man sees his distress and smirks. "Don't worry they aren't dead, just knocked out. Someone has to take the fall for your death."
With more courage than he let on, the king tries to appeal to the Assassin's humanity. "You have no idea what you'll cause! If I die then my throne will be handed down to my niece Hou-Ting. That self-absorbed witch will drive this kingdom and all its citizens to dust! It'll be a catastrophe, uprisings and riots! You can't kill me!"
"Well my lord," he says mockingly, "You'll be disappointed to know that is exactly what we are counting on. It'll make everything so much easier for us. I admire you attempt at appealing to my humanity but that is something I've lost long ago."
Huei shudders then his eyes widen in realization in that he can't move at all. He looks at his wine cup "Poison." He whispers.
His assassin shakes his head, "Not exactly, tetro totoxin. Isolated from the liver of a puffer fish. I added it into your wine this morning and you as well as your personal advisors and confidantes have all ingested it. They're all dead. Everyone else who could raise opposition has been bought off so your niece's rise to royalty is ensured. Don't worry it'll be quick, you can go ahead and close your eyes. Then when your guards are awoken and questioned about your death, they'll be searched and found with the murder weapon in hand. And the rest will be history."
He pats the king on his head, "Have a good nights sleep." Then takes out a dagger and slits the kings throat open.
He walks to the balcony and attaches a hook to the rail. He then somersaults off the balcony and repels down below to the kings personal garden. Once on the ground he waits by the bushes then just as he suspected, a guard making his rounds notices the rope and investigates. Once he's within reach, the assassin sprints out from the bushes and tackles him into the wall. The guard bends a stone tablet out of the wall but the assassin is too fast. He catches the stone and uses the momentum to bring it around and throw it right back at the guard who stumbles back from the blow. He then strikes the benders throat, making him gag, then locks his arm and brings his face down into his rising knee, breaking his nose. The Assassin twists the guards arm behind his back and slams the poor guards face into the wall, leaving a crack on it. He tries to fight back but he feels a painful prick in the base of his neck. Alarmingly, he feels his limbs start to slacken and his vision go blurry. Last thing he feels is himself being gently laid down and something being added to his pocket.
The assassin doesn't stay long after he leaves the incriminating weapon in the guard's hand. He uses the bushes to cloak him as he gets himself to a gate. He hops up and twists himself over the edge and on the opposite side of the gate without making a sound. He takes one of his rags and uses it to cover his head then starts to just walk. Soon he finds himself in a crowd as they walk the streets, slowly disappearing into the sea of people.
Marek meditates with his legs crossed in front of a fire, his shirt off as breathes the smoke deeply into his lungs, relishing the burning sensation and breathing it back out. He opens his eyes and announces, "You may enter."
The door to his personal chambers opens and in walks the young man formerly known as Karnak. He kneels behind his master.
"It is done. The earth king is dead."
Marek smiles and stands, looking down at his personal assassin. "Good. Once Hou-Ting ascends the throne it won't take long for her to be corrupted by the power. Her kingdom will suffer, stoking the flames of chaos, making it all the more easier for when we come back and topple the kingdom down."
"Yes master."
"I feel I must congratulate you. This is your 108th successful assassinations and not one failure, all by the age of 18. I can honestly say now that your loyalty to the Red Lotus is without question. You have dedicated every moment of your life to the cause, learning all the principles and beliefs we carry as well as being at the forefront of every mission needed to further our goals. It's in large part thanks to you that we have come so far."
"I … appreciate your words master but I wasn't the only one. There is also Zan and the others—"
"Yes yes I know. You lot, ' the fist of the Red Lotus'. Quite the petname you've been given but its reputation is not unwarranted. All of them are ruthless, merciless, and coldhearted, but you stand out the most. Do not forget what I said about attachments, even in our organization. Remember what happened with Karai." He warns.
Karnak bows his head.
"108 killings. How do you feel about that? You've murdered men and women, some in even horrific ways. Have you felt any remorse?" Marek studied his Assassin's eyes, his body language, wanting an honest answer. Not because he was a good man, he just wants to remind his underling about his actions and making sure that all compassion he had was driven out for the sake of the next phase.
Karnak goes into deep thought. Truth be told, after his first kill he couldn't sleep. It haunted him the look on the criminals eyes as the life left him. The way his chest never rose for air again. The little sleep he did have were filled with nightmares. It had almost driven him mad until he began to justify it. The man was a criminal, scum. He deserved death. That's what he did from then on, for the next 7 years. Everyone he killed deserved it, so why lose sleep over it? It was for the greater good, 'the world can only make sense if you force it to' as he was told. This was just a necessary step. So on the rare moments that the ugly feelings of guilt came creeping back up, he would put it into a tight little ball, throw it to the back of his mind, and ignore it.
"No." he answers honestly.
Marek detects no lies in his subordinate and exhales a long breath, "I believe you are the one."
Karnak raises an eyebrow, "Master?"
"Come, there is something I must show you."
The pair walks upon a secret flight of stairs behind the Monastery that Karnak was not aware of. It was located in a secret passage behind a false wall in Mareks room. As they rise Marek asks Karnak,
"I trust that you are aware of the former Avatars exploits and allies?"
"Yes."
"Good. Then you are aware of the peculiar sword of which Sokka forged from a metal not of this world."
"Yes… he called it his moon sword."
Marek snorts, "Yes, ever the idiot he was. Anyway, that was not the only recorded time that meteors such as that had fallen from the heavens. No it had happened at least once before, here. This was why Xai Bau had this monastery built here centuries ago. Obviously he made weapons with it but he and his followers made a discovery."
Karnak follows Marek as they reach the top of the stairs and his jaw drops from the sheer beauty of the area he found himself in. a small garden with a stone path leading to a small but natural waterfall. Near it was a small fire with an unused teapot. But next to the water was a strange tree. It had a vibrant green color to its leaves, to the point Karnak could've swore it was glowing. But that wasn't even the strangest part. No, what really caught his attention were the heart shaped herbs growing from its limbs.
"Beautiful isn't it? This herb only grows here. You'll find it nowhere else in the world. Xai Bau had originally planned to tear down the tree but he realized that the meteor must've emitted something that caused the growth. He deduced that if it can make such powerful weapons, then its herbs can have the same powerful effect on us."
Marek grabs a handful of herbs, plucking them off the tree then washing them in the waterfall carefully. He then put them inside a bowl and started to grind them until they were almost powder then pours it into the teapot and sets the teapot over the fire.
"For most, when the herbs are ingested it results in a painful death, their blood becomes thick as mud, lesions form on their skin and their heart bursts in their chest. But for those who are strong, the herbs make them superior."
He locks eyes with Karnak. "That is why our training is how it is. So that the weak will be weeded out and the strong will be all that remains. Now I imagine that you hate me, good. I can't really say that I like you much either, but as I told you, none of our personal thoughts or desires matter. Only the cause. Which is why a leader must be ensured. Zaheer was the leader before me and I was his chosen heir. Now I have chosen you. Should anything happen to me, you will be the one to lead the Red Lotus. That is, if you survive."
By the time he had finished talking, steam was coming out of the teapot. He takes it off the fire and pours all its contents into a bowl. Then holds the bowl to Karnak. Karnak takes the bowl and without hesitation he begins to drink it. The taste was horrible and bitter and it burned as he went down into his stomach. Not just from the heat, but the herbs themselves were already taking effect. His insides started to hurt, his mouth went dry and burned. He began to sweat bullets and his vision began blur immediately while his entire body spasmed. Marek just watches it all without an expression,
"Lets see if you're strong enough."
Karnak wakes up with a start, gasping for air. For a beat, he doesn't know where he is or what happened, but then his mind cleared up. He gets his bearings and realizes he's in his quarters. Must've had me placed here until he was sure I lived… or died. Never really mattered.
He gets up and takes off his shirt, looking down at his body. All the scars that criss crossed his skin were still there, though he was still muscular, there didn't same to be any change, and he didn't grow in height either. But he felt different. Stronger, his senses felt keener. He exits his room and nearly bumps into Marek.
"Well it seems I have chosen well." He comments. "You feel reinvigorated don't you." he states rather than questioned.
Karnak nods in affirmation.
"Well then, you can get started on your next mission." He hands him a folder with a photograph. "His name is Jon Yin. He's a journalist in the northern water tribe that has become aware of our existence after witnessing one of our assassins. Make sure he stays silent."
Karnak bows and leaves to get himself ready. He enters his room and starts grabbing the gear he needs. Well, I guess this is as good a time as any for me to see just how 'superior' I've become. It shouldn't take me long to get there anyway. There are many companies now that transport goods to and from the North Pole. I can just sneak into one of the freighter ships and pass as a worker then sneak back out. Shouldn't take more than 2 week. After putting on his clothes and hiding his weapons he begins to leave but is stopped by Zan.
Zan scoffs, "Well if it isn't the new heir to Marek. Finally woke up from his beauty sleep."
Karnak rolls his eyes, "I wasn't taking a nap, just recuperating, ya jackass. Plus I could take a nap if I wanted to since I already finished my assignment. Have you?" he asks with fake innocence.
Zan growls, "One of these days I'll be the one looking over you with the same smug smirk. Just you watch." He stomps away, leaving Karnak to contemplate what precautions he'll take.
1 week later
Thanks in large part to the crew of Varrick Global Industries shipment, Karnak found himself in the Northern Water Tribe without a hitch.
"Alright boys, try and get some shut eye we got a long day ahead of us tomorrow!" the Captain announces.
Not like any of the men will listen, almost all of them head to the local tavern for a drink or 3 after a long trip. Which is what the young assassin will be doing as well, but for different reasons. If you ever need to find anyone or anything, chances are you'll find a lead in most pubs. All whispers and rumors pass through or come from there. Karnak enters and immediately heads to the bar calling for the bartender, an older and large woman.
"You old enough to drink kid?" she asks in a raspy voice.
"You really care?" he asks back.
"No, what'll it be?"
"Strongest rum you got."
"Coming right up."
He thanks her and begins to listen in on the conversations going on around him. Not far from him, at a table, are 3 men dressed in northern water tribe clothing.
"You hear? Ol' Jon Yin's yapping about some shadow secret society bullshit. Calls it the red lotus or something." One says with a chuckle.
"Red lotus? What is he color blind, it's the white lotus and those guys are stuck down south. The fuck is he drinkin." Another disputes.
"He's another wannabe journalist, is what he is. Not da first from here, not gonna be da last. Der all da same. Yapping about some fuckin nonsense nobody could give less a shit about, anything ta get outta here and inna da mainlands. Just ignore em."
"Yea I know butcha gotta admit its funny."
Karnak accepts the rum and downs it quickly. He waits a second but doesn't feel the quick buzz that usually comes with it. Not paying it much mind he turns to the men.
"Yea I heard about dat, s'why I came here, figured whateva booze he drank is worth the trip." Karnak butts in, faking an accent as he pretends to be a drunkard.
The men look at each other then back at Karnak in amusement. "booze here is great kid but shits aint that great. If it was then Berta over there would've looked like a supermodel." He points his chin to the bartender who flips him off.
"den where does he go?" asks Karnak, "Cause I'm lookin for a good buzz."
"guy lives in the east side, all of em are uptight aristocrats. Sorry to say but they only drink tea an' piss over dere. He always heads to the local markets."
"Damn." Karnak fake pouts, giving the men a good chuckle.
He smiles though, knowing where to go looking. The Assassin allowed an hour to pass before he left the tavern. He walked the sidewalk for a while before he turned into a alley. Form there he sprinted then used the walls to jump and climb up onto the roof. Well that was a lot faster than before, easier too. He starts traveling over the rooftops, backflipping and somersaulting from rooftop to rooftop gracefully. He jumps 20 feet into the air and lands without feeling any of the ache that usually accompanies such a bound. So this is what superior feels like. I like it. He rapidly approaches the east side and soon enough he's overlooking the local markets. He pulls out the photograph then scans the crowd for a match.
His senses work in overdrive, never confusing one person for the other. It didn't take him to find Jon. Karnak instantly is upon him as he enters one of the backroads away from the crowd. Karnak is upon him waiting until he is sure that he is out of the line of sight of the crowd. He instantly jumps down from the rooftop and directly behind Jon. He grabs the man from behind and kicks his feet out from under him. His hand wraps around his throat, lifting him into the air with ease. Jon gargles as the pressure is immense.
He whispers into his ear, "The Red Lotus send their regards." And he slowly, very slowlydigs his fingers, almost taking pleasure in how painful he's making it. The journalists agonizing screams were muffled by Karnaks hand. The screams turned into gurgles as blood seeped between Karnaks fingers before he grabs his trachea and tears it out of his body, he then drops the lifeless husk to the ground. He rips off a piece of Jon Yin's shirt to use to clean his hand, staring at it, marveling at the power he now has. He's about to leave but hears a whimper. He turns around and finds a small child. A little boy holding a toy. Tears are streaming from his face, a look of horror and devastation in his eyes. This boy… must've been his son. He doesn't know why, but something in Karnak twists. A flash of the firebender killing his father briefly enters his mind. Within seconds he's on the move, sprinting away from the body off the streets, out of the city and into the sea of snow and ice. The wind and snow sting his face but he ignores it just as he ignores the tears flowing from his eyes.
He stops suddenly and falls to his knees. He grips his head in pain as he begins to remember every person he has killed. Every scream, every stab. Their bones breaking, the blood splattering and spilling. And finally he remembers the look in the boys eyes, those horror filled eyes that witnessed his father be murdered. Those eyes that watched as the blood pooled onto the stoned floor. He suddenly doesn't see Jon yin on the ground. He sees his parents. And the boy staring at him in horror, was himself. Karnak's face twists into an expression of agony as he lets out a roar of pain and denial. Realizing he has become the very same man that killed his parents. His pain filled screams slowly turn into devastated sobs as he curls into fetal position in the snow.
Oh god… what have I done.
