February 9th: Everywhere - 100 words - This battle was a little bit... extra messy.
It had been a week since Chiaotzu had stood briefly up to Shen. A long, tense week. He had spent the whole time hiding in their room with Tien. They'd drawn pictures, they'd played cards. But mostly they'd explored Tien's telepathic abilities, talking to each other, testing the boundaries of his psychic reach. The boy loved it. Every moment was like a game to him. Chiaotzu had been more cautious, warning him not to stretch his mind beyond the confines of their room, lest Shen catch on.
But then their peace had been broken. Shen sent the message via his younger brother. Tao Pai Pai had knocked on their door, pulled Chiaotzu from the room, and wordlessly dragged him away from the confused toddler and away from the school.
It wasn't until they were on their way that Tao finally spoke. His voice was cold and flat, empty of emotion, and totally matter of fact.
"You really fucked up."
Chiaotzu flinched, drew his shoulders up around his ears. "I'm sorry, Master Tao," he mumbled, flushing bright red. "I'll make it up to Master Shen. I swear."
"My brother has never been so furious. He considered killing you. He's cooled off a little in the past week though, and has decided to give you another chance. We're on our way now to your test." A cold smirk spread over Tao's face. "We've got a contract to fill. And you're going to do it."
Chiaotzu couldn't find any words. He had never had to kill anyone before. It had been threatened, but Shen had clearly seen the fear and trepidation that had filled Chiaotzu at the very mention of it. Apparently it was the most severe punishment he could think of.
"M-Master, I don't think I can."
"Nonsense, Chiaotzu. This is what my brother has been training you for. Your target is a man who has slandered the name of the Crane School. He has defamed your master as a murderer and a monster. You are going to set the record straight."
Chiaotzu cast a disbelieving glance up towards Tao. "I'm going to set the record straight," he repeated, dazed, "by murdering him."
There was a short silence. Tao's hand flung out, a sharp short blow that would have knocked Chiaotzu off his feet had the boy not managed somehow to dodge beneath it at the last moment. The assassin glared at him, but apparently decided it wasn't worth the effort to swing again.
"Come along, boy. You're going to kill him and you're going to kill him the way I tell you to, got it?"
"Yes, Master."
The brief flash of adrenaline from successfully dodging a strike from Tao Pai Pai quickly dwindled until all that was left was a cold fear that pushed against his skin and wrapped around his spine.
They travelled in silence. When flight was required Tao pulled Chiaotzu around by his upper arm, wrenching his shoulder almost out of its socket. Winces pulled at Chiaotzu's mouth, pain drew his brows together.
Eventually they reached a small hut hidden on a deserted coast. A man was working on a modest vegetable patch, his head covered by a large floppy cloth hat and his arms burnt to a bright, painful red. He had not been here for long. He was not accustomed to the sun. An icy finger traced Chiaotzu's back as the realisation that he never would hit.
"Grab him."
Chiaotzu reached out his hands, extending tentative bands of energy. Energy visible only to him, a light blue that crackled and sparked, wrapped around the man. Chiaotzu was aware that he had caught the bony prominences of the man's body, not sinking into the soft unprotected areas. In a small way, he was almost protecting this target, making his last moments on earth a bit less painful.
All of the blood rushed out of the man's face. Sweat broke out, adding a sickly sheen to the grey caste of his skin. He knew what was happening. He knew what came of those who spoke against the Crane.
Tao approached. Tears ran freely from the man's eyes. His pleas fell on deaf ears. Without a word Tao turned and locked eyes with Chiaotzu.
Finish him.
Chiaotzu's hands started to tremble. His eyes filled with tears. The bands of power holding the man still tightened, formed a cacoon of telekinetic energy.
M-Master, I can't.
Tao's eyes narrowed. Without looking he raised one hand and pointed at the man. His lips moved. A concentrated beam of fire escaped his fingertip. Chiaotzu could feel the heat even from this distance, and the power of it seemed to radiate back through his power and into his mind.
He drew back, gasping, hands balling into fists and eyes slitting against the brilliant flash of light. A terribly short anguished scream rang out. Through his narrow frame of vision he saw the man glow, like an ember, like a furnace, before the edges of his body started to crumble away until nothing remained. The light faded. Chiaotzu opened his eyes.
There wasn't any blood. Only a blackened scorch marked the ground where their victim had been standing. He was just… gone… Turned to dust.
Nausea rose, pushed against Chiaotzu's throat. Tao took a step forward, his face a mask of fury, and terror gripped the young telepath's heart.
He'd really fucked up this time.