Tut~

Hao only remained standing for half of a second.

“Fffffffff!”

Leaning forward, Hao made the sounds of a man drowning. Stifling his yells as he continued downwards until his forehead touched the ground. His hand clutched to his stomach as he curled up, kicking his feet like he was trying to balance on ice.

The pain was gone in time, putting on a stupid grin as he remembered a few words; “If someone told you the ocean was a garden, would you try to water it?”

Hao almost laughed in the cramped space, not sure why, his stupidity, the saying his father often repeated, or joy at the fact that he felt something.

That was not a burst, but something close, if I can remember that.

There Hao fell asleep, a short but dreamless sleep. The sound of wind and water chasing him in the empty void.

Moments later Hao woke with dust gathering sticking to his eyelids and teeth. He felt refreshed after peeling it off. His hand still hurt, but far less. He used the large spirit stone to inspect it. Bruised but unbroken, I guess I’ve gotten more durable. Hao praised himself but had no reference to go by, he had punched nothing hard before.

He wanted to try again and dare to, just not with his limbs.

This might work. The pickaxe he carried into the mine appeared less conspicuous, was sitting just behind him with his bag.

So he tried, taking stance and posture, the tool in his hand. From his feet up to his head down, he swung. Finding the pattern to breathe with as the tunnel ringed.

The stone could only go back and showered Hao and his belongings with shards of stone.

He felt something, but it was not the wave he had felt before; it was like a splash from a spilling bucket. Disappointing, Hao continued anyway, dust trying to clog his nose.

The feeling became stronger after a while, the water rocking, and the tingle appeared at the top of his swing.

It was enough and getting better, and Hao was feeling good, so he went on longer. Stone dust turned to clay in his sweat before falling in clumps, digging a small hole at the side for his stone and bag.

He left the mine well past the time he usually was sleeping. It was early night, the mine and path empty of people.

He went straight to his team’s cabin. He was too tired to count fifty-eight mines to fight over the well water or go further to the forest stream. The mining hall had a place to bathe, but it was communal, its water changed in the morning, and not even a fish would swim in it. He wiped off what he could, chewing on a stick to clean his teeth before finding his cabin.

Given how late it was, Hao was expecting his full team to be there. Axe was still missing, his follower gone with him.

The only person in the cabin made plenty of noise when Hao entered. “It’s just me.” Hao had to stay to stop the scuttling. Hao had only ever heard that ‘team member’ once, and he asked Hao for a food pill.

Hao had plenty now but rarely used them, a few bottles half empty. The lower you got to the bottom, the worse they tasted, mold until the last few, which was like ash still warm from the fire. It wasn’t from going bad. They were like that the moment they were bought.

Does he shrink every time I see him? Hao went to his bed, maintaining the maximum distance from the shadow watching him, getting a few hours of uncomfortable rest.

The next two days went well for Hao, turning in stones at the hall as soon as possible, washing and eating, before going to the mine. He would go to the tunnel after finding a few spirit stones to add to the stockpile.

How far have I gone? Hao placed his hands on the stones ahead, uneven and cold. His hand saved him from a fall. Damn it, there is no place left to stand. The tunnel was becoming smaller from chunks of stone taking up the ground.

Damn, it was just starting to feel right, starting to feel good! Hao was thinking of his last few hits. His impacts were bigger but more importantly, the rush was turning into a wave. All he had to do was get it to burst forward.

He knew if he was practicing the techniques in the book, he would have more success. How could a makeshift tool-swinging technique made by a random islander kid compare to the real techniques it was based on?

Focus on the rush turning to a wave, and the burst will follow. Hao was not sure if it was true, but he couldn’t stop now. Just until my hand heals.

Hao wanted to try once more, taking an awkward stance on the uneven stones below, and swinging down. The force was great, and the tingling in his fingers made Hao smile.

BUNGK!

On contact, Hao was expecting a burst of debris like before, but the pickaxe head stuck into the stone. The handle snapped in two, the cracking sound echoing up the tunnel.

“Lord of Water!” Hao said. Shouting as he places his hand on his head. What now should I try kicks? I can barely spread my legs down here! My other hand? Hao lifted his foot, aiming it at the bottom of the tunnel wall.

“Ey! Is anyone down there? This mine is being evacuated! A new mine is opening soon. You don’t want to be in there when it does!” a voice called from the top of the tunnel.

Hao threw things to the side of the tunnel, covering them in rubble, a couple of spirit stones, and opened pill bottles.

He took his bag, and the broken pickaxe up with him.

“What are you doing down there?” A man said. He stood at the top of the tunnel, his robes a lighter grey than Hao’s, almost white.

“Ah, haha, I was trying to bury the evidence but slipped,” Hao said. Holding the broken pickaxe up.

The man gave Hao a strange look. “Just throw outside in front of the racks. They break all the time.”

Hao was escorted from the cave and sent on his way to his cabin.

How long will the mine be closed? He was growing attached to the tunnel and had a few things stored there.

Dirty and tired, Hao tried to push the hunger out of his head, looking at his beat up hemp clothes.

As Hao approached the rows of cabins, he noticed the lack of people and lights. It was just turning night, people would be retiring but not sleeping.

A loud yell tore through the night air. A commotion this early was rare, the usual suspects, his team.

If Axe was back, there would be some loud proclamations, but no screaming.

Hao’s worries seemed true as he reached the end of the row. He could hear murmuring from a few dozen voices around the cabin.

As his small building came into sight, he saw a crowd of people standing on one side of the door.

No one was stepping beyond the threshold, but feet were just steps away from the bed Hao claimed as his.

He knew and spoke to none of them since he arrived here at the mine, and he did care if they were there for show, if they weren’t going to stop the source of shouting they could piss off make to their own beds.

Hao place his tongue on the roof of his mouth, his jaw clenched tight.

Another “HEE!” sound rolling out through the door above the head of those gathered.

If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

A single person at the front peak his head in looking around the door, standing there and doing nothing more.

Hao stomped through the crowd, pulling and pushing people aside, his feet drums, his bag a whip.

“What is this!” Hao said. His teeth gritted add effect, most of them looked, the man at the door included.

“We’ve done nothin’. He was like this when we arrived.” The man in the door said, brown dust shaking from his beard as he pointed.

His finger going at the donkey-faced follower of Axe, who was unconscious on his knees, his head bent forward, blood falling from his head to his thigh. There were clean cuts on his clothing, but no wounds beneath. The only real strike he took was to his head.

“Then what are you just watching for?” Hao said, losing air in his voice.

“I ain’t interfering with other teams.” The tall man said, lifting his hands. The answer he got seemed right to the rest around, but made Hao’s foot twitch, pushing dirt.

The disbelief and confusion, his previous frustrations, all that collected since far before he landed on this mountain mixed.

It stirred in his stomach, there was no hatred or contempt in the brew, as each was their own but he could not help his disgust. How dare they act blind!

Hao looked in the face of the man in the door frame again. He wore a neutral face, turning towards entertained. Leaping forward, Hao grabbed his grey robes, slamming him to the door frame. Hao wanted to hit him, a desire not so strange to hold.

The man looked down at his lips pulled to the ends of his jaw, his shaking eyes shaking beads.

“At least call for help.” Hao said, shoving him to the side.

Hao entered the door to the sound of cracking along with the groans. The smell of ash filled the room. Bottle that once held food pills on the floor.

His bed was untouched, and so was the bed above.

The other side was the opposite. The bunk was barely staying together, blankets thrown around.

Axe, who had been missing for days, was there clawing at the bed. Hao only knew the other person was there because expected it and heard the sounds.

Hao acted quickly after looking around, trying to pry Axe from the bed.

Surprised at his own strength until he was reminded of the difference between them.

Axe turned two Haos tall, flung Hao away, charging as he turned.

Hao was suddenly pinned against the wall near the door, his bed in the reach of his foot. Gasping for air as the large stone in his back pressed against his back, stuck in a vice, Axe’s hand pushing him harder against the wall.

“I know you have some, give them to me along with your stones!” Axe said, hot breathing hitting Hao in the face.

Hao's feet started to lift from the ground, his back rolling along the stone that dug in, unable to say anything.

Axe was unsatisfied with no answer. Axe squeezed down his fingers, planning to throw Hao down to the ground. Left with confusion when he pulled back, only having a dirt hemp rag in his hands, looking back at Hao, now bare chested.

Hao felt a drop of sadness land in the caldron of emotion that was spinning in his stomach.

Then his toes touched the ground. A massive breath impacted his lungs as his feet landed, his face bright red, and his vision blurred, only able to make out shapes.

His mind wasn’t able to keep up as his body moved.

Preparing to retaliate, his feet found a flat place to plant, taking their practiced posture.

The rush of water turned to a wave before he had a chance to realize it. He did not feel the world push back in the slightest, but as he breathed out, his vision snapped back crisp and clear. Axe was reaching back towards him.

Hao’s stance was good, but the execution was poor. He was too used to using the pickaxe and his body defaulted to it.

His hand came down with a long exhale. A wild but practiced swing, Hao felt the burst he was looking for, where his body touched the world pushing out. Hao knew it was wrong, far too early as his hand was still high.

The wave continued a rushing endless flow raged inside him.

Finally, his hand landed on Axe, who was reaching for his throat.

Axe’s two heads taller than Hao took the hit to the shoulder.

A crack burst out. The image of stone breaking in the mine appeared in the minds of all those who heard the sound.

Hao’s fingers folded in, his wrist bent, the hand already injured sent heat all the way to the top of Hao’s head.

The rush, the wave of water flowed backwards just as fast, doing the opposite of what it has always done.

Chough! Hao shot blood from his nose and mouth, hints of black in the red.

The two bent forward at the same time, Hao managing to hold himself up. Axe stepping back before falling forward, hitting the ground.

Cracking sounded as the ashy acrid smell got stronger in the room.

Quiet followed. The only sounds remaining were shuffling feet and whispers from the people looking in.

Hao didn’t try to hear their words or look at them as he walked towards Axe.

It took less than he thought to flip the man over. Grabbing the chunk of hemp shirt beneath his body.

When Hao look back up, he saw bulging eyes, a horrifying face with a scowl, bruised and battered.

Hao jumped back, the chunk of woven hemp in his hand. He could feel something sliding through his skin.

A backhanded strike, a swipe across his chest, “Stop him, he has a weapon!” one of the voice called from the door.

Hao managing to get back and look, but the man was no longer going for Hao.

Snip, a thin finger sized piece of spirit stone, shining blue, cut down Axe’s cheek and ear. The hand holding the blade diverting at the last second. It was the tall man Hao pushed out of the door.

It did take much to restrain him. He had become even smaller than before. His bone showed and bruises rose in bumps.

Hao sat as he looked down, seeing the thin long cut on his chest, bleeding slowly, shallow in depth.

Hao fell back taking a breath, he was feeling a hundred thing but paid them no mind, his mind overloaded.

Inline with the door, his head on the floor, Hao looked up it was hard to ignore the people taking turns to stare at him.

“Did someone call for help?” Hao asked.

“Its only been thirty seconds.” The tall man said.

It was hard to believe. Hao thought it would have been morning by now, yet he was looking at the sky identical to the one he saw a while ago.

Hao got up shirtless, sliding his bag around to his arm and ripping the rest of the shirt off his waist.

“I’ll go,” Hao said, putting away the remains of his hemp shirt.

“You can’t your injured,” the tall man spoke again.

“Does anyone here know medicine?” Hao asked, waiting for a reply.

His hand was in his bag and while he was there, he took out a porcelain medicine bottle throwing it on the floor.

“If you had more, you should have handed them over!” The man said, half alive yet still swinging his chip.

“What’s he talking about?” The tall man asked, retraining the arm with the blade.

Hao walked through the door. The people stepped back as he approached. “He only ever talks of food pills.”

“Wait, can I ask brother his name?” The tall man asked.

Hao’s foot stopped, it was weird, someone asking his name, it felt good.

“Hao, no family name,” Hao said. Looking at the bag with the scraps of his shirt inside. “Island rules say the big guy owes you ten live since you saved his. Make sure you take what your owed.” Hao said walking.

He hopes the long walk would calm down the loud buzzing in his head.

At the mining hall, things were done efficiently. Not everyone listened the to shirtless, dirt covered boy. Luckily the Hall Leader was Senior Ya.

Hao was pulled in his from his treatment for a few questions. By the end, he had a single bandage wrapped on his chest.

Senior Ya was the one question him, asking for a few details. Hao told Senior Ya what he knew of the people in the cabin and the events of the night.

“There is a smell of ash, but no fire at all?”

“Was it a fight over spirit stones?”

Hao answered a few questions with, “It might have been the food pills.” To Senior Ya unhappiness.

Hao didn’t say anymore. Every way he thought of saying sounded like he was accusing Senior Ya of handing out poison. Hao knew that wasn’t the case.

Thankfully, Senior Ya moved the conversation along. “Well, no one died so far, that’s good, but none of you are in a great condition. It’s a good thing the main servants’ quarter has a medicine hall in the sect. I’m not sure what they do about the one who was severely starved. I don’t know how he was even alive…”

“What about Axe, the big one?” Hao asked.

“Not too bad, broken collarbone, dislocated shoulder. He cuts on his face and chest and legs from falling on medicine bottles.” Senior Ya said, rubbing his forehead. “He got a badge for the Outer sect trial. He was probably waiting at the trial ground before hearing about the trial being closed until the new mine was open. That would explain his outburst explained by people on the other teams.”

“It’s more interest you fought someone off with trial qualification unless you have them too.” Ya said. Giving Hao an expectant gaze.

Hao could only shake his head. “No, the rush of water went in many directions. I spat blood.” Hao said. Confused about his situation.

Ya jumped forward, grabbing Hao’s arm, running a finger down Hao’s arm. “Haaa… This could have been worse. You could have crippled yourself.” Ya said, his face solidifying to stone.

“You have good comprehension. You learn fast, but your aptitude is not the greatest. Along with your injuries, you will have little to do here. This place used to be better. It once had pills that could repair bones and heal organs.”

Ya shook his head, fiddling with a ring on his thumb, a nearly translucent bottle popping out. Ya placed the bottle into Hao’s hand. “If you have a place you belong, and don’t belong here, you should leave the mountain.”

“Will they kill me?” Hao asked, his voice cracking.

“What? For a fight between servants? No, probably deduct contribution points.” Ya said.

Hao’s head went blank.

“Do you want to buy it then? The Mortal Mending pills? Just tell me where the rest of the spirit stones you hid are. They’re trying hard to keep me from getting any,” Ya said, tapping the bottle down into Hao’s hand.

“A patch of grass a short walk from my team’s cabin. Wait, I thought you were saying I should run away.” Hao watched Senior Ya walking out of the room.

“I was, a lot of people will tonight and the next few days.” Ya said, “Most of the facilities will shut down until the new tunnel is dug. Usually, it takes two days to prepare. Run if you want.”

“This place will only get worse until the Tiger returns to the mountain to punish the Monkey playing king.”