Six years after Meiying's murder. Winter.
Bi-Han, now sixteen, threw a right hook at the sackcloth and straw dummy, causing it to shake and wobble wildly. He clutched his fist, hissing in pain. Ever since Meiying's murder he had been practicing day and night. He intended to kill every member of the Red Dragon that participated in her demise. The young ninja roundhoused the dummy, once more causing it to shake and wobble. His body burned and ached but he continued to practice. Bi-Han let out a yell and rushed the dummy, slamming into it with a straight punch.
The construct shattered, straw flying everywhere from the force of the punch. The boy panted heavily, sweat dripping from his brow. He grunted and stood up straight, wiping his forehead. He went to the small stoop that lead from the sanctuary to the training ground and sat down, letting a deep breath.
Bi-Han brought up his right hand, and wiggled his fingers. He narrowed his eyes and focused. A light blue tinge appeared on his fingers and slowly crawled down to his wrist. He could feel the temperature in his hand drop considerably. Small icicles began to form on his fingertips, and he began to feel faint. He ceased focusing and took a deep breath, instantly regaining clarity. Bi-Han had discovered just last month that he was a Cryomancer, one with the ability to control ice and water. He would soon begin training to control his abilities.
This power will surely come to use for me, he thought, clenching his fist. He got up with a grunt, ignoring the ache in his muscles and began walking to the hot spring. The heat would surely do him some good. He scratched the back of his head as he walked. He had been training for several hours. His weariness suddenly overcame him, and he fought back the urge to pass out right there.
Bi-Han slid open the bamboo door to the hot bath and grabbed a towel. He silently crossed the room to enter the hot spring. Night had fallen, and the sound of absolute silence deafened his senses to all else. Bi-Han breathed in the freezing scent of the Chinese winter and sighed. China was his soul. He was Lin Kuei, therefore he was China. This was his mantra.
Bi-Han loosened the sash of his hanfu and slipped out of the traditional garment, baring his skin to the cool night air. He shuddered upon contact, a ripple traveling down his body. He stood there for a moment, half nude. The door behind him slid open. Bi-Han did not turn around, for he knew who it was.
"Why do you persist, Sei Fong?" he growled.
The woman slinked over to him.
"My, Bi-Han, how much you have grown…" she said. Her eyes traveled up and down his body, drinking in the sharply chiseled features of his muscles. Sei Fong placed a hand on his arm, feeling the triceps brachii muscle. Bi-Han steeled himself. He would not give in to this viper.
The woman chittered mischievously, trailing her fingers along his body.
"You seem to be a man of high moral upbringing, Bi-Han."
Bi-Han lifted his head high.
"I will not fall into your pit of seduction, witch," he growled. He tensed when her hand reached his groin and stopped. She came closer to him.
"Mark my words, Bi-Han," she hissed, "I will have you. I always get what I want."
She squeezed his crotch and left, chuckling darkly. Bi-Han clenched his fists, and removed the remaining garment, stepping into the hot spring. He sighed deeply, enjoying the warmth of the water. He leaned his head back, closing his eyes. His muscles began to loosen up, and the throbbing gradually lessened. After a time in the hot spring, he decided to return to his quarters for the night. He put on his clothing and silently left the hot bath.
Bi-Han shivered slightly in the night air as he walked back to his quarters. His feet crunched in the snow, the only sound amidst the silence.
When he reached his quarters, Bi-Han put wood in the furnace so as to spread heat. He changed into his bedclothes and laid down on his palette, drifting off to sleep in seconds.
Several days later. Lin Kuei training grounds.
Bi-Han threw a flurry of punches and kicks, sidestepping and dodging incoming attacks with precision. He let out a shout and threw his hands forward, instantly freezing his opponent in a solid block of ice. At the same time, he felt nearly all of his energy being sucked out of his body. He collapsed, grasping his chest, gasping for breath. A small string of saliva snaked its way from his lips to the ground. Grandmaster Boqin walked over and helped him to his feet.
"Exceptional work, Bi-Han. You'll become a master Cryomancer in no time!" he said, dusting off Bi-Han's clothing.
"I… I feel so weak, Grandmaster… I can't continue," Bi-Han said, clutching his head.
He stumbled forward, about to collapse. Two Lin Kuei warriors rushed over to grab him, supporting his weight so that he would not fall to the ground.
"Go, my son. Regain your strength. We shall continue tomorrow," Boqin said. The two warriors helped Bi-Han return to his room, and stood watch outside. Bi-Han drifted into unconsciousness almost immediately.
It was dark when Bi-Han awoke from his slumber. Groaning, he sat upright, rubbing his face. He got up and went to the well to get some water. He pondered recent events as he drank. A muffled clattering came from behind him, along with grunts of pain.
Bi-Han narrowed his eyes and placed the ladle back in the bucket, setting it on the rim of the well. He quietly walked back into his room and stopped in the center. All was silent. Suddenly a figure crashed through the wall and landed on Bi-Han, sending him tumbling to the ground. He smacked his head on the floor, groaning in pain. The masked figure repeatedly punched him in the face before he shielded himself from the blows. He knocked the person off of him and spit out blood.
The masked assailant jumped up and brought out a dagger that gleamed in the moonlight. Bi-Han's eyes caught the insignia on the blade. Lin Kuei. Why would a Lin Kuei try to assassinate him? He got into his fighting stance, and waggled his fingers, daring his assailant to make a move. The assassin shouted and darted forward, attempting to slice open Bi-Han's neck. He dodged and avoided the slices, and grabbed the wrist of the assassin. The masked person grunted and struggled to free themselves. Bi-Han grabbed the figure by the neck and squeezed.
"Who sent you?" he growled. The person in the mask gasped for air and clawed at Bi-Han's hand.
"I… I will not… speak!"
"Tell me now! Or I'll freeze your windpipe."
To prove his point, Bi-Han focused his energy to make ice form on his hand. The assassin whimpered and finally broke.
"Okay… okay I'll… s-speak!"
Bi-Han released the pressure on his assailant's windpipe.
"It was Sei Fong! She hired me to force you into coming to her place or kill you if you resisted! That's all I know, I swear!"
Sei Fong. That vile serpent knew no bounds. It was time he put her in her place. Bi-Han threw a powerful punch, knocking out the would-be assassin and threw him to the side. He examined the hole in his wall and stepped through it to find the two Lin Kuei warriors dead. He clenched his fists, anger boiling within him.
Sei Fong would pay dearly for this attempt on his life.