Yao was making his way home from the university. It was quite a distance to walk, but Yao didn't mind – he usually enjoyed the quiet walk home; at least he could have some time to himself to think and reflect on the day.
However, that day, Yao could sense another aura that seemed to be following him. But he couldn't pinpoint as to who the aura belonged to. It was also quite ambiguous – Yao didn't know if it was a peaceful aura or a malicious aura.
Yao glanced to his left to see if the stranger would reveal himself. He looked to the other side.
Yet, there was no one.
Yao was beginning to get very nervous. Should he head back to the university where there'd be a crowd in order to safeguard him from this stranger, who most likely had wicked intentions?
Just as Yao was turning to go back to the university, he felt a pressure on the back of his neck and the lower part of his spine. Immediately, his knees went weak, and he gave a cry as he collapsed to the ground.
Yao tried to haul himself to his feet, but they wouldn't obey him. This sensation was new to him, and it scared him, being so helpless.
Yao looked up to see a tall figure looming over him. He was wearing a mask, and the sunlight that was streaming down prevented Yao from properly gauging his features. Yao had to shield his eyes from the sun with his hand to avoid blinding himself.
"I see from your reaction that you've never been chi-blocked before," the figure commented.
Chi-blocked? Yao squinted at the stranger. Was that what had happened to him?
"No matter. This makes my job a lot easier."
Without warning, the unknown person threw a fistful of powder at Yao's face.
It was then Yao knew no more.
Natalia was in her parents' blacksmith workshop, awaiting Toris' delivery of Yao to her. Toris was an acquaintance of Ivan's – they had gone to school together, and still kept in contact with one another after graduating.
Natalia had everything planned out already. She was going to enjoy slowly killing the firebender and then bleeding him out. A friend told Natalia that he needed the blood from a firebender for a poison he was concocting, and since was already planning on killing Yao, she thought she would help her friend out and provide the blood he needed.
The door to the workshop burst open.
Natalia immediately looked up from where she was seated to see Toris and his partner, Feliks enter. Feliks was carrying an unconscious Yao inside.
"We've settled our end of the deal," said Toris as Feliks threw Yao on the ground in front of Natalia. "Now give us our money so that we can be on our way."
"Not so fast," Natalia said serenely. "Help me secure him."
Toris scowled. He was clearly upset that he was forced to do more work for Natalia. "Where?"
Natalia pointed to the ceiling in the centre of the workshop. There was a hook attached to the ceiling, and a long string of rope dangling in straight line from it.
Feliks frowned at the set-up. "Like, what do you want us to do?"
"Just use that rope to tie his hands together above his head."
Toris and Feliks hoisted Yao bonelessly from the ground. Yao was surprisingly light, and there was no effort in manoeuvring his body below the hook and tying his hands together.
When Toris and Feliks were done, Yao's body hung limply from his wrists bound together with the rope tied to the hook on the ceiling. He was in a kneeling position, and his body was slumped towards the floor, since he was unconscious and unable to support himself.
"Now tie his legs together," ordered Natalia, holding out a long piece of rope to Toris and Feliks.
Toris grunted, while Feliks glared at Natalia. "It would like, help if you were a bit nicer to us, you know."
Natalia rolled her eyes and glared at Feliks coldly. "Whatever."
Toris placed a placating hand on Feliks' shoulder, and looked warningly at him. Don't piss her off, or we might be the next people at the end of this rope!
Feliks got Toris' message, and clamped his mouth shut. Although a bit grudgingly.
Toris took the rope from Natalia and proceeded to bind Yao's legs together. As soon as he was done, he stood up. "That's it. We're done," he told Natalia.
"Good, good…" Natalia said, smiling somewhat evilly. She walked towards Yao, and circled around his body, surveying Toris and Feliks' work. After a moment, she beamed at Toris. "Well, good job, boys. Your money is outside, in an envelope placed behind the door at the back of this workshop."
Toris nodded, and then wordlessly, led Feliks out of the workshop and out of Natalia's life.
Natalia watched as Toris and Feliks walked out of her parents' workshop. Then, her attention shifted to the still unconscious Yao, hanging piteously from the ceiling. Natalia's wicked smile got wider as she thought about what she was about to do to the firebender in front of her. She was going to enjoy every second of torturing Yao.