The second chapter of the rewritten Murder, hopefully you enjoy trying to guess who the man is.
The man slowly crept inside of the temple, taking great pains to stay within the darkest shadows. Through them he crept as silent as he could manage over the old boards that had been there for nearly one thousand and five hundred years. One board creaked under his weight, groaning out for all the world to hear. Over the mans face a wince passed, his ears perking up to listen for any who might be coming forth.
"It would not do to be caught now. But soon, oh soon, I shall be rid of them all and my master shall be most pleased." The man thought with a slight smile gracing its way across his lips. Upwards his head rose at the sounds of the Elder Monks settling into their meditation within the meditation hall. To his ears he heard of each of them settling down into a lotus position, and heard of the sounds of the fire as it sprung to life.
A quiet shuffling sound echoed from wall to wall as he spun upon his heels and quickly made his way down the hall. Away from the meditation hall and away towards the kitchen he padded, his head tilted slightly to the side as he listened to the sounds of one of the young monks pottering about within the kitchen.
Searching through his pockets he felt for another dagger, another weapon, anything that could be used against the Xiaolin Dragon in training that he would find within the kitchen. He found nothing, his eye closing for a moment as he froze and attempted to remember of why he had only brought the one dagger. He searched within his mind, pressing away the cobwebs and finding of nothing. Not of why he only taken the one weapon, nor of why even he was doing this. Only one thing rose up into his mind, the image of one laughing who he knew as his master for the time being.
A wave of dizziness pressed over the man and caused him to lean against the wall, his eyes closing and his hand pressing up against his face. Heat passed into his hand from his face, the heat of his body making him feel ill until the wave had passed beyond him. Shuddering he pressed himself back up and once more took a few steps forward in order to move into the kitchen.
Within a few brief moments he reached the kitchen and from within it he heard of the slight sounds of someone moving about within the room. Of the bright fluorescent light that spilled out of the doorway he watched for a moment, not allowing himself to move for the moment. A soft sigh escaped his lips as he settled his face into a mask of cool, calm complacency that did not make to fade as he stepped softly into the room.
As he stepped into the doorway the sound of each of his footfalls was covered by the sounds of Clay Bailey rustling about within the fridge. Taking one step forward and then another he moved forward, considering of the things within the place that he could use against him. Upon the rope by the Dragon in trainings side his eyes fell, the decision of what it was that he was going to do to him having been made.
"The rope will work, though it is far away from the most elegant solution." The man though, pausing as a rumble of thunder once more hit out over the land. His head lifted up slightly as his shifting caused a slight creaking to sound out louder then it had before.
"Here to get a snack partner?" Clay turned, a smile on his lips as he made to turn around to face who he assumed was one of the other monks. Within his hand he held of a bowl of leftovers from the night previous, the contents within it as ambiguous as anyone could have ever imagined. Shock flowed over Clays face as he saw of the stranger that stood behind him.
"Whoa, what in tarnation are you doing in here pardner? I don't think you should be in here." Clay said as he looked upon the man while carefully setting the bowl down upon the table. He considered about yelling for the other monks but quickly dismissed it as a silly notion. He would feel silly if he shouted for their assistance only to find out that this man was only here to speak with Master Fung or some such thing.
"I have come to serve my master, and in doing such rid him of such threats as you." The hooded man spoke out as he allowed his hood to drop away from his face. Running his hand through his hair he felt of the tangles that had formed, a half reflection echoing within his mind that he should brush them out.
"That's crazier then my aunt Sally's old tom cat. Just what are you doing here an' why are calling somebody master?" Clay said, surprise tingeing his voice as he looked upon the man who had shown himself before him. It was a great surprise to see him here and even more so that he was calling someone his master.
"That… Is unimportant in this matter. I am here to end of the Xiaolin dragons, and you are one of the ones within my own way." The man spoke out once more after a moment hesitation, a flick of uncertainty hitting over his face. Something within him spoke out against what it was that he was doing here, though he could not find within himself why it did.
"Well, I can't be allowing of that. Raimundo, Kimiko, Omi, we got ourselves a heap of trouble!" Clay cried out, broadcasting his voice as far as he could within the confines of the temple. Even so his shout did not reach the others, Kimiko listening to her music and Omi meditating.
Wincing the man dropped down into a stance, his knees bending and his arms going down to his sides quick enough that he near looked to be a blur to the Texan cowboy who stood before him. Suddenly forward he pushed, leaping up into the air, spinning into a summersault and landing a kick upon the back of Clays head.
Down to the ground Clay tumbled, falling as though he were a great oak and landing upon the floor without preamble. For a moment he battled against the darkness that crashed over his eyes for he felt within himself that it was important to stay awake. Into the darkness he crashed, loosing his last grip on consciousness and slipping away from the waking world.
Landing softly the man turned and knelt besides Clay, his long fingers hooking into the rope and pulling it away from his side. Straightening of the rope he pulled it tight, suddenly working it into a circle and tying of a knot within it. Up and over the rafters he tossed it, watching as the look tumbled down over the side. To the rafters he reached, tying off a strong enough knot to attach the rope to the beam. Up over his shoulder he hoisted Clay, using one hand to slip the loop over his neck.
Closing his eyes the man breathed in and out before allowing Clay to tumble from his shoulder with no more care then one might use with a sack of potatoes. Taking one step back he looked at the monk, an indescribable feeling of guilt washing into him within ever moment that passed. Pressing his hand up against his forehead he groaned, fighting against the dizzying wave that once more crashed over him.
"Why am I doing this?" He whispered with his eyes opening wide and starting blankly at the floor. Up above him clay swung, the creak of the rafters barely registering within the mans mind. Into reality he was startled with a sudden noise, the sight of a scroll drifting past his feet coming over him.