The Lin Kuei Temple: North China.

Tundra lobs an ice ball towards Smoke, who rolls underneath it, following up with a flying knee to the chin of his best friend. Kuai Liang stumbles back, regaining his wits enough to step to to the side of Smoke's follow up attack and connect a frozen fist to Smoke's temple.

The Grandmaster hums approvingly, while Bi-Han flashes a brief, but genuine smile.

Tomas vaporizes himself looking for another opening and reapears with a flurry of thrusts with his kunai on the left side of Kuai Liang. Tundra dodges the first two, but grabs Smoke's wrist on the third attack. Ice flows through Tundra's finger tips, stiffening his friends hand and making him drop the weapon. Kuai Liang uses his advantage to knock Tomas back with a powerful right cross.

The Grandmaster is impressed by this exchange, stopping his note taking to briefly clap approvingly.

Tundra feels victory is close and presses forward with flurry of punches and kicks. Smoke rolls under a right hook, receiving a knee to the chest for his efforts. Smoke blocks the incoming right cross, ducking Kuai Liang's jab and unloading a lead hook to the jaw of his Lin Kuei bretheren. Smoke vaporizes behind Tundra, unsheathing a blade and placing it on Kuai Liang's throat.

"Yi-

Kuai Liang freezes Smoke's forearm and quickly slams the back of his head into Smoke's nose, giving him enough space to throw his best friend over his shoulder and to shoot an ice beam to keep him from escaping.

"Yield"

Kuai Liang says coldly while forming a large ice dagger.

"I yeild"

Tomas responds stoically.

"Very impressive Tundra, your only error was your recklessness once you felt the fight was won. The Grandmaster's gaze shifts to Smoke.

"Today you showed the power, speed and defense any top Lin Kuei warrior should strive to possess."

Tomas attempts to speak, but the Grandmaster cut him off, this continuing with noticeable disdain and irritation.

"Yet your killer instinct is still lacking! Even after a decade of training!"

"What good is an assassin who can only muster the intent to kill 50% of the time!?"

Bi-Han appears alongside the Grandmaster, behind his emotionless features, Kuai Liang and Tomas Vrbada recognize a slimmer of pity in his expression.

Bi-Han speaks slightly softer than usual, "Grandmaster, while your wisdom is correct, perhaps the performance review can be delivered after they have had their injuries treated."

"Very well."

The Grandmaster replies gruffly, handing Bi-Han the notes he had written down.

"Then you shall be responsible for their performance review, Sub Zero."

The Grandmaster quickly spins around, exiting the room, his cane and footsteps form a hypnotic rhythm as he walks.

-

Tundra and Smoke stand silently at attention while Bi-Han reads the final part of the Grandmaster's review to them.

"Kuai Liang and Tomas Vrbada are worthy of being Lin Kuei assassins under the caveat that they must be under the apprenticeship of one of the Lin Kuei's top warriors . They may shadow their veteran assassin on missions but it is up to the Grandmaster's discretion whether they can partake in the mission.

Bi-Han places the paper on the table, bringing his dominant hand to to his chest and speaking firmly, "We are the Lin Kuei, more stealthful than the night.

Tomas and Kuai Liang respond in unison, matching Bi-Han's energy.

"More deadly than the dawn."

Bi-Han stays silent for a few seconds before speaking again,

"Your first day as Lin Kuei assassins will begin tomorrow at 0400 hours."

"And you owe me greatly for covering for you today, Smoke."

Bi-Han turns leaves the room, to report back to the Grandmaster.

"How does it feel finally acheiving what all Lin Kuei strive to be?" Kuai Liang asks Tomas, somewhat tentatively.

Tomas bluntly replies, "As empty and unsatisfying as all the other milestones have been."

Kuai Liang nods solemnly in agreement, "I cannot disagree, brother.


Retroactively adding my input for each chapter.

I'm happy how this one turned out. Especially showing the friendship of Kuai Liang and Tomas Vrbada is the only light either of them really have in the darkness of the corrupted Lin Kuei.

I also like my characterization of Bi Han that shows he can do good out of kindness, but will still try and to capitalize off of it.