"It's really you, isn't it?" Dawn Star murmured, stepping slowly towards Sun Kin. His face displayed a sense of sadness and weariness that showed what forty years of being trapped in an armor of pure evil could do to a person.
"Yes, Dawn Star. I can understand if this is startling. I am just as surprised as you are," Kin said.
"I'm sorry. It's just a shock to see that you're free from the armor you were bound to. But I am happy nonetheless."
"What armor?" Han Sing interrupted.
"Oh right," Dawn Star began, turning to face Sing. "This is my uncle, Sun Kin. He's the youngest brother after Sun Hai and my father, Sun Li. When Dirge fell, Kin was killed, and his spirit was bound to the armor that my father once wore. He became the evil entity called Death's Hand that followed the will of the Emperor. When Kun took over, he kept my uncle's tormented soul at his side during his harsh rule."
"Then it's true," Sing muttered, as if something just clicked in his mind.
"What is?" Kin asked curiously, walking up to Sing.
"When I was in the Palace, Empress Lian showed me a fearsome helmet that she claimed belonged to someone named Death's Hand, and that it was empty. When I reversed all of Kun's past bindings, I must have released you as well."
It took a minute to register into everyone's minds but it soon began to make sense. Kin, however, did not have all his questions answered.
"Yes, my other niece is now just as evil as the Emperor himself. For years, I watched her behind the mask. She was feisty but genuinely cared for the people of the Empire. But when I saw her in the company of Kun, I realized her character has changed to reflect his. But…how did you manage to free us all?" Kin queried
Sing went on to explain how he'd infiltrated the Palace, intending to steal the Amulet, and had been caught by Emperor Kun. He then proceeded to tell the Hand of Heaven how he managed to defeat the Emperor and escape the Lotus Assassins.
"That is impossible," Kin was firm in his voice, obviously not convinced. "Even without the essence of the Water Dragon, he was still the perfect fighter. No one could have possibly defeated him in a test of skill."
Sing narrowed his eyes at Kin, not liking his tone of voice. "Your brother managed to catch him off guard once. But I see your point; I don't consider myself a world-class warrior. I have been beaten many times by people who were much less intimidating as the Emperor was."
"Forgive me," Kin's demeanor relaxed. "I did not mean to scrutinize your skill in any way. I suppose the fact that you freed us all from his control is proof enough that you did defeat him. For that I am grateful. You've freed me from a fate that was worse than death itself. I was forced to do the bidding of three twisted and corrupted tyrants. I was nothing more than a tool to them that was only abused time and time again."
"I'm sorry to hear that. I couldn't imagine what kind of agony you went through all those years," Sing said. He let silence hold momentarily, then quickly changed to a lighter subject. "I'm sure you've met everyone else?"
Kin gave the rest of the on-looking group an uneasy glance. The last time they met was under a dire circumstance. One situation that they'd wish they could forget. He looked back at Sing.
"Yes, we've all met. But I was the reason Kun bound half of these people. They did not agree with Kun binding me to him, so he did the same to all who opposed him." Kin looked at Sky, Hou and Dawn Star with pity. "For the first few years of Kun's rule, I watched those three endure the same treatment as I did until he decided to have them moved to this place. I am truly sorry for all that you went through."
"You don't have to apologize," Hou assured. "It's not like you had a choice. You were a slave just like the three of us."
"That's right," Dawn Star placed a hand on her uncle's shoulder. "We may have met each other in battle once, but you are not the enemy. What matters is that you are no longer in his control."
Sky on the other hand, looked bothered by something. Though the others did not notice. He just looked away from Kin, as if disgusted by him.
"I suppose there is wisdom in your words, Dawn Star. Thank you," Kin said.
Dawn Star smiled. "Good. What will you do now?"
"Won't you come with us?" Wild Flower jumped in. "We would love it if you joined us."
Hou, Kang and Dawn Star agreed in delight, signaling their approval. Sky was the only one who didn't say anything, but again, no one noticed.
"Come with you?" Kin echoed in uncertainty.
"Even with Kun gone, Lian is still in control of the Empire. As long as she is still ruling, the Empire will continue to be oppressed. We need to stop her if we are to bring peace back to the Empire. We must also search for the Water Dragon's essence and return it to the heavens. As long as it is missing, the dead won't rest," Dawn Star said.
Kin thought about it for a moment. The rest eagerly waited for his response.
"I had hoped we would never have to wage another fight against our family. But it seems like there is no choice," Kin reasoned. "Perhaps…perhaps this could be a chance of redemption for all the crimes I've committed in the past. I will join you, if you'll have me."
"Of course we will, the more the merrier!" Wild Flower beamed gleefully.
"Welcome to the team!" Sing added.
'Thank you for this chance to redeem myself," Kin said. He then turned back to Sing. "But I am curious about you, Sing. How do you factor into all this?"
"I'm just a simple man who grew up in a humble village with my master and Wild Flower. My master fell ill one day, and I desperately pleaded to the heavens for a cure. Chai Ka went before the Bureaucracy to plead my case and said the Dragon Amulet was the key to healing him. That is why I snuck into the Palace in the first place, but then I was presented with an opportunity to free you all and here I am now, being caught in the middle of what seems like a crusade to bring balance back to the Empire. How exciting."
'Oh you are too modest," Kin objected. "You must be either incredibly brave or foolish to infiltrate the Palace. Killing the Emperor is not exactly something a simple man could do. No, I believe you are meant to serve a higher purpose than a simple commoner. Perhaps the heavens see something extraordinary about that would lead you down a great destiny."
Sing laughed as if it were a joke. "Oh please, don't put me on a pedestal. I can barely cook breakfast for myself. How could you possibly know?"
"Well, I was known as the Hand of Heaven under my brother. I had a fair amount of contact with the gods. They are known to use the most unlikely people to do their bidding. Besides, Kun began his life as a simple student and look what he did."
Sing sighed, conceding the point. "Well that may be. But how am I supposed to know what my destiny is or what I'm supposed to do?"
Wild Flower's eyes glowed blue. (The heavens also know when the timing is correct and their wisdom is far beyond the understanding of mortals,) came Chai Ka's voice.
"Yes, which is why I would like to do an experiment." Kin said. "It just occurred to me that there is a possibility that your encounter with Kun and his defeat was no coincidence. I am confident that you were meant to meet him when you did. I would like to have a sparring match with you to see if there is anything unusual with the way you fight. You can tell a lot from a person by the way they fight. This was evident with Kun. Perhaps there is something about your style that the heavens thought would prove to be successful in killing the Emperor, much like the flaw Sun Li exploited in his student. Would you agree to this?"
"Well if it's just an experiment, I don't see any harm. But I doubt you will find anything useful. I still haven't completed my training since my master fell ill. The rest can be the observers. So you want to fight me?"
"Yes, I once led the Lotus Order before they became the Lotus Assassins. It was an elite order trained to advise and protect the Emperor. Even though Sun Li was leader of the Imperial Army, I had training that could make myself an equal to his skill. I promise I will be a formidable opponent."
"Uncle Kin, are you sure this is wise?" Dawn Star said in skepticism.
"Do not worry, this will be a simple sparring match, no major injury will inflicted," Kin reassured. "Sing are you ready? We will use any styles except weapon and transformation. The match will end when one of us is knocked out."
Sing nodded. The two men readied themselves into position. The both stood about ten feet apart from each other. Sun Kin removed his hat and threw it to the ground while Han Sing took off his black tunic. The rest of them gathered together on the steps leading up to the portal. The two combatants did some quick stretches to loosen their bodies, then faced each other, bowed…and then, the fight was on.
Both fighters launched themselves upward and caught the other's blow at the same time. As they landed back on the ground, the two spun around and threw a series of blows at each other. Both took turns exchanging offensive strikes and blocks. Neither had managed to hit their mark yet, but Kin was the more aggressive one. Sing went for a quick jab, but Kin knocked his arms away and slammed both his palms on Sing's unguarded chest. The force of Kin's chi sent him flailing backwards. Sing let a yelp of pain as he hit the ground, but he wasn't finished yet.
"Ouch! This guy really knows how to give a beat down!" Sky commented from the sidelines. No one else could disagree with that. Kin's performance was living up to his claim of skill.
Sing rolled backwards and up onto his feet to escape the Hand of Heaven's blow. Seeing an opening, Sing launched a kick that made Kin stumble backwards. Kin recovered just in time to release a clearing wave of energy that pushed Sing back once again. This time, Kin brought up his hands and focused his chi. He made no attempt to move as Sing recovered and charged at his opponent. A small breeze came from beneath Sing. As he got closer the breeze became stronger, up to a point where it was slowing his movements to a snail's crawl. The technique was commonly known as Heavenly Wave. Sing fought hard to break from the effect, but it had a firm grip on him. His movements were slow and sluggish. Kin then broke from his trance and Sing was caught off guard as he did not anticipate that the grip on him was broken. With a sudden spin, Kin delivered a roundhouse kick to Sing's face. His head snapped backwards and fell on his back in an instant. This time, he did not get up. The spectators cringed at the blow. Kin dusted his hands and gave a bow of courtesy to his fallen opponent. Wild Flower and Dawn Star rushed to Sing's side attempting to revive him.
"Ha ha! Much kicking and punching!" Kang exclaimed, clapping. "I haven't had this much fun since I tested my Celestial Rocket Chair while I was escaping from an angry mob. Although now I would have preferred the mob considering how I landed."
"Wow! I doubt my Drunken Master style could stand up to your skill," Hou marveled, rubbing the back of his bald head. "By the way, I watched very closely and I couldn't see anything strange with the way he fought. I actually found his moves to be a bit predictable at times."
"Hmmm…I noticed that as well," Kin said in deep thought. "I will admit he is disciplined, yet his skills are unrefined. He is no different from many of the other men I have fought and defeated. This makes me question more and more how he managed to kill Kun. I don't know what it is, but there has to be a reason for it. It does not make any sense."
Wild Flower got up from Sing's side; who was still unconscious but was being tended to by Dawn Star. "Wait! Maybe our Master, Tong, could tell us something. After all, he did train Sing. I'm sure he'll know something. Besides, we have to get the amulet to him. He needs to be healed right away."
"Alright, then that is what we will do," Kin complied.
"Wonderful, as long as we don't have to go to the Imperial City! I can't take the chance that my wife could still be alive after twenty years of being away. She'd probably make me pull the ox cart and let the ox ride on it if she found out I was gone this whole time," Hou said.
Wild Flower ignored his remark and walked over to Kang. "Kang, would you ready up the Dragonfly? We'll be leaving soon!"
"Yes, yes of course! All this excitement is really getting to me!" Kang gushed.
"Good, I'd rather we not stay here any longer," Kin said. "This place brings back bad memories."
Wild Flower helped Dawn Star carry Sing's body off the floor. The others exited the room but in went back for his hat. As he started to catch up to the rest, he noticed that Sky was standing before him.
"Yes? Is there something you need?" Kin asked politely.
Sky's face was hard; apparently he had been waiting for this moment to speak to Kin alone.
"Look, I'm glad you're free from being bounded and all," Sky's voice sounded grim. "But let's get one thing straight: The others may trust you, but I don't. I know you were part of the reason why the Spirit Monks are extinct and why the natural order was disrupted."
"I believed the wisdom of my older brothers was beyond my understanding," Kin said defensively, not liking where this was going. "Had I known what they were about to do I would have stopped them. Please, you have to believe me."
Sky crossed his arms. "That may be so, but I won't let my guard down on your word alone. Just know that I will be watching you, and if you try to do anything to jeopardize what we are doing, you will regret it."
With that he walked off to join the others. Kin stood alone for a moment. He did not want to believe those words, but then he looked around the room. This was the same room where he took part in a heinous crime against the heavens that night forty years ago. It was also the site of his death. He shuddered at the memories of all the innocent lives that have been claimed by his hand.
"Just when I thought they all would trust me," Kin said to himself. "I hope…I can prove myself to them in due time."
He shook off his thoughts and ran to catch up with the rest. Ten minutes later, the Marvelous Dragonfly lifted off the ground and flew off into the horizon.
"Man, you pack quite a kick, Kin," Sing said groggily, rubbing his sore cheek. "You guys at the Lotus Order must have been a force of reckoned with."
"Just be glad I did not fight you as Death's Hand, I believe I was stronger then," Kin joked.
"Ugh, don't even mention it. I don't want to think about that!"
Everyone had been onboard the Marvelous Dragonfly for about two hours now. Wild Flower was sitting in the cockpit guiding Kang to the direction of the village that she and Sing grew up in. The rest were in the back talking.
"Well, I have to say there was nothing unusual about the way you fight, Sing," Dawn Star pointed out.
"Yes, as I saying before to Kin, there were times where even I could predict your moves," Hou added.
"Thanks a lot guys, I feel so much better," Sing muttered sarcastically. "Well I hope that proves your case, Kin."
'I apologize if I hurt you badly, but I had to be sure," Kin said. "I wanted to know if the gods saw something in the way you fight as a possible way of defeating Kun, but nothing was evident."
"Well, do me a favor and no more of your "tests," okay?" Sing said indignantly. "I'm sure we can get something out of my master. But let me treat him before we question him. My Master Tong is very weak and likely not up for talking quite yet."
Kin nodded in agreement. Wild Flower etched her head to the back and told everyone they were a few minutes from their destination.
"Good, it's nice to be home finally," Sing breathed a sigh of relief as he got up and looked out the window.
Dawn Star came to his side and looked out with him. "What is this village called?"
"Moon's Point. It's a small village close to the edge of the Golden Delta province, virtually unknown to the government of the Imperial city. This is the perfect place to lay low."
Dawn Star spent a moment and looked at the surroundings. A long river flowed from as far as the summit of the mountain in the east. There was a small town square where peasants went about their simple lives. Off to the side was a open field where youngsters practiced meditation. The simple life in this place made her miss her own hometown.
"This is just like Two Rivers, only a little busier," Dawn Star sighed. "I sure miss those times."
Sing broke his gaze and stared at Dawn Star. He had heard of the fate of Two Rivers. "You used to live in Two Rivers?"
Dawn Star nodded sadly. "It was where I grew up. It was the only place where I really belonged. But that day, it was all taken away from me. My fellow students, my only family were all slaughtered by the Lotus Assassins and Gao the Greater's men."
Sing stood there, stunned by her horrible story. Kin walked up to Dawn Star.
"I remember, Dawn Star," Kin's voice began to crack "I-I was there. Deep inside I was horrified, but my brother's grasp forced me to attack your home. I know there is nothing I can say that will bring them back, but…"
"No…no it's all right," Dawn Star choked back tears and forced a smile. "You were forced against your will and I know you would have stopped them if you could. Besides, I've come to accept it and move on."
"We're here!" Kang called from the front. Everyone realized that they had just landed on a field. They all began to move out of the Dragonfly.
"Let's go," Dawn Star moved ahead, hiding her face from the rest. Sing wanted so bad to say something to comfort her, but no words came out. But now was not the time; he had to save his master. But something was still lingering in the back of his mind. If a small innocent looking village like Two Rivers could not escape the Lotus Assassins' attention, how much better would Moon's Point have if they were searching for him?
Wild Flower and Han Sing led the way down a road. Everyone looked around and saw people in the fields sowing the soil and little children playing with the dogs. Though simple, the locals seemed happy and content. They stopped at a hut that appeared no different from all the others. Sing pushed the front door open and the rest walked in right behind him. As they all got in, they saw an old man on a chair. He had long white hair tied in a pony tale and a long pale moustache that drooped twice as long as Hou's. His hands resembled a skeleton's, if the skin had not been intact. It was obvious he was very weak. His eyes gleamed with joy as he looked at Sing.
"Master Tong, I have returned!" Sing gestured a bow.
"Ah, there you are…Silent Star!"
Author's Note: Well, hope you guys enjoyed this chapter. I hope by now people have a general idea of who Han Sing is. I know he's a OC and so I have to talk about who he is and how he ties in to the plot. If I haven't made it clear, let me know. All I can say is that he is basically the center of the plot. Also if any of the characters seem out of character let me know too. Thanks!