“What?” Daniel was nervous, he didn’t know what to say. How did she know? How much did she know? No, she was asking, that meant that she didn’t know much yet.
Sarah’s face dropped as soon as she saw how badly shocked Daniel was by the question. “Sorry, that was rather forward. Look, I just wanted you to get your mind off your uncle.” “My- my uncle?”
“That is what you said. Jace even mentioned it earlier.”
Daniel did not notice. He was so worried about his uncle that he didn’t even think twice whether he called Gram his sifu or not. He cursed himself on the inside. His uncle didn’t want their relationship to be known. For a split second, he wondered if it would have been best to kill Sarah. She was here by herself. But the thought was gone in less than a second. She was his friend. Even if she wasn’t, the Traditionalists and Scarlet Grove both had blood spilt on both sides. Neither seemed willing to trust the other just yet.
“I know you have your reasons for not telling us.” Sarah then proceeded to hold up her hands. “I swear to you that I will never share this secret with anyone. If I ever go back on my word, may a warhead fly towards me, and my body be split into a thousand pieces.”
“A little grim, don’t you think?”
“That’s what my aunt used to say when she swore oaths with her sworn brother.” “Who was her sworn brother?”
“Spencer Shaw.”
Daniel couldn’t believe it. Diane had been sworn siblings with his father. He knew that his father was from the Pure Land Territory, but the territory was rather large. To meet his father’s sworn sibling was it fate?
“My aunt used to tell stories of how Spencer had a special skill, one that made him near invincible in battle. She said that when they fought. He would have mist about him. She said it was as if the very world itself was being bent to his power. And when we were on the battlefield, I noticed that you had the same thing happening to you.”
Daniel didn’t realize how much of himself he had revealed in just a few moments of each other. Still, he was glad that if it was anyone who figured it out, it was Sarah. Even without the oath, he would have believed her if she said that she wouldn’t tell anyone.
“Spencer Shaw was my father.”
“Your father?” A realization appeared on Sarah’s face. “You must have been really young when he died.”
“I was six, I think. My family never really kept track of time.”
“And how did you end up with your uncle.”
“He happened to be passing by the area when he overheard the Lone Riders were trying to recruit my father. By the time he appeared, my father was dead and my mother was poisoned with no hope for a cure.”
“And you’ve been with him this whole time?”
“My mother entrusted me to him. And while my sifu isn’t lenient in training, there hasn’t been a single time that I’ve felt he hasn’t cared about me.”
“I need to tell my aunt.” Sarah started to turn to look in the direction of where her aunt was. Both Diane and Hubris were still discussing the terms. Thus far their gesturing didn’t lead to a full on fight, so it seemed that everything was going alright.
“Please don’t.” Sarah turned back to see the sheepish face of Daniel. “My sifu’s relationship shouldn’t be known. We didn’t want anyone to know. If people found out that we’re related, they would use me as a way to get to him.”
Sarah smiled. “I know you have your reasons. I was going to merely inform her that you were Spencer’s son.”
“Oh,” Daniel felt a little embarrassed. He should have known to trust her. He let out a sigh. “Right. Sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.”
“I understand,” she said. “This has been a stressful time for you. But just know, if you need anything, I’ll be here for you.”
“Thank you.”
The two of them turned to look at Gram. Someone had been sent to take a look at the Western Fiend’s wounds. The two of them watched as a grey robe began to examine his pulse. He held up Gram’s wrist and looked up as he began to count. He frowned for a second. Daniel began to worry for his uncle’s safety. Then another grey robe asked the man something.
Both Daniel and Sarah watched with bated breaths.
The grey robe that had been checking on the Western Fiend’s vitals then ordered the grey robe away, shooing him off with his hands.
A few seconds later, the grey robe returned with a tray. On it were various objects. Most of it were bottles and something that Daniel wasn’t too sure about.
Sarah heaved a sigh of relief. “Your uncle should be ok.”
Daniel turned to look at her.
“Those bottles there,” she pointed over to one that was in the middle of the tray. It was translucent and appeared to have a clear liquid inside. “That’s alcohol, it’s used to help treat wounds. I don’t think they’d waste it on a dead man.”
Daniel almost laughed when he heard what was in the bottle. Of course he knew what alcohol was. Although if they knew how much alcohol his uncle drank in a week, he didn’t think they’d really need it.
The man took the object that Daniel wasn’t familiar with and began to dig it into Gram’s body. Daniel wanted to run towards his uncle, but Sarah stopped him. “They need to dig the bullet out of your uncle.”
Just as she said that, the grey robe doctor took the instrument and dropped it with the bullet onto the tray. He then proceeded to treat the rest of Gram’s wounds. With Daniel’s mind put at ease, the two of them said their goodbyes. Sarah went back to the Traditionalists and Daniel stayed. He wanted to keep watch over his uncle.
Time passed from midday into night. The whole time, Gram hadn’t once stirred. He remained in a peaceful state of silence. At times, Daniel wanted to go to his uncle, to see if he really was dead. But then he remembered what Sarah said, why would they waste resources on a dead man? After she had left, they also bandaged him up.
Daniel wanted to be there for his uncle. But he wasn’t sure what he would have been able to do. The cold air had taken the place of the scorching sun. It was only pleasant for a second, before the cold air had caused Daniel’s entire body to shiver. He wanted so much to use his qi to keep him warm, but when he felt the reservoir inside himself, he found that it was barely even registering. It seemed he really had reached his limit.
It came to a point that it was almost unbearable to stay out in the cold. He took his backpack off. He had become so accustomed to having it on the past few days, he had forgotten that he still had it. But right before he reached in to grab a blanket, someone had thrown one on him.
The blanket had a bit of a weight to it, not like the one that he had inside his pack. He turned to see who had placed it on him. Sitting next to him with his legs spread out was the elder of Scarlet Grove, Languor. The old man, despite having rested for some time, still seemed rather tired. Neither of the grey robes who were with him earlier were standing by him now.
“So you are the famous Daniel.”
“Famous?” Daniel didn’t think he was all that famous. Actually, where did this old man even hear about him?
Languor laughed when he saw Daniel’s flustered face. “I merely heard from my sworn brother that a disciple from his hall had taken up a student.”
“Oh,” Daniel said. He then thought of something that Elder Languor had mentioned earlier. “Senior, you said that the leader of Law Hall has a bounty on my uncle. If your sworn brother knows, then why doesn’t he call off the bounty?”
That question earned a snort from the old man. “While we seven brothers and sisters are sworn siblings, that sworn brother of Law Hall is simply immovable. He is as stubborn as a goat and as pig headed as they come. There’s only a slight chance if he finds out your uncle is part of our sect that he would call off the bounty.”
“If there is even a chance, why won’t my sifu’s master tell him?”
“Even I don’t understand his mind sometimes.” The old man let out a yawn. “Each of my sworn siblings have quirks about them. Your sifu’s master is someone who likes his schemes and plans. I’ve given up understanding him a long time ago and only trust that he will do what’s best for the sect.” “Senior, what hall is my sifu part of?”
“Research.”
“Research?” Daniel didn’t expect to hear that. His uncle didn’t really seem like the person who would stuff his face in a book. He thought if anything his uncle would have been better suited for a more militaristic position. But then he remembered how often the two of them would avoid danger. Added to the many places they visited over the past five years, it started to become obvious to Daniel.
The old man stretched when he yawned. “You should really come find a place to sleep. The cold air isn’t the best place for someone so young.”
Young? Daniel almost had a laugh. He was almost middle aged. But the old man was right. The cold wasn’t best place for him.
The old man got up and began to use his cane to stabilize himself. He motioned for Daniel to follow him. “Come along. Don’t worry, stay by my side and you’ll be safe.”
Daniel did as he suggested. Over the past few hours, the Scarlet Grove Sect had erected a campsite. Now that the two armies had separated, Daniel now had a full scope of how many soldiers the sect sent. Even though Daniel had seen the vast army before, he didn’t get to appreciate how large of a force it was. It wasn’t just that there were thousands of people in that one site alone, which was larger than the average town, but it was also the fact that despite them overwhelming the number of Traditionalists, this was only a single force that the sect could send. It made Daniel shutter to think of just how large the Scarlet Grove Sect actually was.
Languor lead Daniel past the medical tent. Daniel’s eyes wandered towards it, but the old man ushered him along.
“You can check on your sifu in the morning. For now, we should get our rest. There’s something happening in the morning that I believe you will want to see for yourself.” In typical fashion, as soon as he said the words, he covered his mouth as he yawned out the last word.
Footsteps began to approach them. They were fast paced, not hiding their presence at all. Both of them turned to see the two disciples grey robes running towards them. Once they were close, they halted their movement. But their momentum hurled them forward, causing their feet to dig into the ground. By the time they stopped, their feet left an angled crater.
“Sifu, where have you been?” One of them, asked. Now that they were closer, Daniel noticed that one of them had a mark sticking out from behind their collar, probably a birthmark. “We have been looking everywhere for you.” The other one was a more clear faced man. His skin was softer as though he had time to moisturize. A strange sight in the Wastelands. “There’s no need to worry, I was speaking with someone.” The old man gestured to Daniel. The two disciples looked at him with a rather confused look. Daniel could guess that they weren’t used to their master giving someone so much attention.
“We see.” Birthmark said. He then gestured to a tent off in the distance. Despite the camp site to be rather large, Daniel was able to see the top of the tent. Not only that, he saw the upper half. The thing looked as though it were less a tent and more of some kind of flimsy castle.
Languor gestured and they headed towards the tent. As soon as they got there, the Elder asked for his disciples to get him a bucket of hot water to soak his feet in. The old man waited until they were gone before Daniel asked.
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“Senior, why are you acting so nice to me? I mean, I’m not part of Scarlet Grove.” Languor had laid himself out on a bamboo mat on the ground. “Part of Scarlet Grove or not, I do admire what you tried to do for our sect.” He strained himself as he sat up. “These mats seem to get harder and harder every year,” he grumbled. “But that is not something you’ll probably ever have to worry about. And besides, that’s what my Hall is for. We’re the Domestic Hall, we take care of others, its what we do.”
Daniel wanted to ask more about his uncle’s sect. While he lived in the Scarlet Grove territory, his father didn’t go into complete detail about the sect that ruled it. And Daniel never asked. They were, after all, stuck out in the desert.
But before Daniel could ask anymore, the Elder had already fallen asleep. His snores were rather soft. He looked so peaceful. Daniel almost forgot just how powerful this elder was. Not that long after, the two disciples returned with a bucket of water. They sighed when they found the elder asleep, showing that this probably wasn’t the first time this happened. They offered it to Daniel, but he didn’t feel like soaking his feet. He let them have it after all they had been through. The two of them thanked him and left.
Daniel spread himself out on the ground, using his backpack as a kind of pillow. He stared up the ceiling of the tent until he fell asleep.
Night turned into day before Daniel knew it.
He woke to a start when a blaring horn blasted its sound through the air. Daniel looked around the tent and found that Elder Languor wasn’t there anymore. With nothing else to do, he made his way out of the tent. People were already going through the camp, all of them heading towards a long line on the far end of the camp. By the time Daniel had gone out, the line had stretched at least a hundred feet off in the distance.
Daniel made his way towards the end of the line. At the front, he found the soldiers that had been fighting. Those with injuries had been given priority. As for the back, there were grey robes. Daniel decided to join them. As soon as started heading back, the grey robes began to call out. “Younger brother, please go on ahead.”
Their voices were a little disjointed, but only a little. It was loud enough that Daniel was startled just hearing them all call out at once.
One of the grey robes stepped out. Daniel recognized him as one of the disciples of Languor, the one with the large birthmark.“Younger brother Daniel, we of Domestic Hall have always allowed others to eat first. So, go ahead. We insist.”
“Elder brother, without your master, I very much doubt that we would be standing here and having this conversation today. To honor what he has done for us, please go on ahead. I don’t mind waiting for a bit longer.”
The look on the man with a Birthmark was utterly stunned. Based on his reaction, Daniel guessed that no one had actually turned down his offer. Daniel did move to the back of the line, but no one said anything against it.
A full hour passed before Daniel even made it to the front of the line. At the front he could see what people were serving. It looked something similar to wet cement. It was rather thick looking and came down on the bowl it was served in with a plop.
“Senior, you call this food?” Daniel placed his hand over his mouth. He couldn’t believe that he just said that.
Instead of being angry, the grey robe smiled. “Yes, with food supplies low, we’ve been forced to literally scraping the bottom of the barrel.”
“Oh,” was all Daniel could say. Even if these guys were one of the top sects in all of the Wasteland, even they had their food issues. The concept seemed almost alien to Daniel. Because his uncle knew how to cook and the establishments he went to all had cooks on hand, Daniel hadn’t even seen anyone ever cook anything like that. It churned his stomach just looking at it.
After receiving his bowl, Daniel took a bite.
He grimaced at the taste. It wasn’t bland, as he expected. It was chewy with Daniel finding it hard to separate with his teeth. As for the flavor, most of it was salty. Scratch that, it was as though someone had just poured salt over it. And there was a strange taste of mint. But it was faint like a distant memory.
“Hard to stomach, right?” The Brithmark Disciple had taken a seat next to Daniel.
“Yes.” Daniel didn’t want to sugarcoat it. If it was bad, he wanted this disciple to know. “Senior, not to sound rude, but aren’t you supposed to be with your master right now?”
“Actually, he’s the reason I’m here. After you’re done eating, I’m to bring you over for the meeting between the Traditionalists and our sect.”
Daniel nodded. He was rather curious as to why he was being called in. So he scarfed down the “food”. With his food gone, Daniel left the bowl on the ground as he saw others do and he and the grey robe began to walk towards the meeting.
Two large braziers were set up on either side. The two factions were standing by each other. One one side, Diane and her family stood with the backing of a few bodyguards. On the other, the Law Hall disciple, Hubris, held out a roll of paper. Behind him was the smooth faced grey robe, Languor, and a small squad from the Scarlet Grove sect. By the time Daniel and the Birthmark disciple got there, the two sides were already setting out the terms they discussed the day before.
“-five thousand of Scarlet Grove soldiers shall be left behind in order to help the Traditionalists with their reconstruction project.”
Diane nodded. She then added something else. “Prisoners found from the Fifty Shark League shall be handed over to the Scarlet Grove Sect.”
When she said this, the Traditionalists stepped to the side. The Fifty Shark League Gang were waiting there, tied up. Despite their name, Daniel found it rather odd how flamboyant all of them looked. Many of them were dressed in what could only have been considered the finest of fabrics and the most beautiful of design. But those designs didn’t mean anything now. They were prisoners to the Scarlet Grove sect.
After the Traditionalists stepped to the side, they nudged the gang members forward. The gang members walked. It was a slow walk, clearly the Traditionalists had given their own beatings before they lost these prisoners.
Once they had made their way, the Hubris then called out. “All Lone Rider Gang members shall be handed over to the Traditionalists to do as they see fit.”
Scarlet Grove moved to the side. There weren’t that many Lone Rider Gang members. Actually, it was only one. He didn’t look all that hurt. He had trouble moving, but Daniel suspected it was more because of what Elder Languor did to him the day before.
Diane held up her hand. “That’s far enough.”
Decadence stopped in his tracks. He looked into the eyes of the woman. He saw hatred that burned like a forest fire, threatening to burn all that came close. His face was someone who was utterly terrified, cowed by the visage he saw.
“The Traditionalists would like to deal with this prisoner right here.” Diane turned to Elder Languor. “Elder Languor, please unlock this man’s acupoints.”
The old man looked as though he were about to walk over. But Hubris held out his hand. “That wasn’t part of the deal.”
Languor had a wicked smile on his face. He put the junior’s arm down. “Don’t worry, sonny. I want to see what she’s going to do.” He walked over to the Lone Rider. In a matter of a couple seconds, tens of blows landed on the man. She asked him to release the locks he placed on the man, but she never said that he had to be gentle with him.
Decadence flew through the air for a few feet before landing on the ground.
“He’ll need a few moments, but he should be able to move more freely.”
Diane accepted. “The Traditionalists will be fair in this matter. By our laws, we give you these two option, you may either come with us of your own free will and become our prisoner to find a fate of our choosing or you may choose to go through trial by combat. Should you win, you are free to go.” That last word came out as though she had just sipped poison in her tea. Decadence was about to speak, but Diane cut him off. “Remember, for this trial, I am free to choose anyone I so deem, even myself.”
That remark gave Decadence pause. Large beads of sweat were rolling down the man’s face. They were large enough that everyone present could see them.
“I- I- uh.” Decadence stood there for some time. He whispered to himself. It was soft, even Daniel barely heard him. But he heard his words. “I’m a venerable elder. Who dares challenge me?” He then looked Diane in the eyes. “Bring out who you will, I’ll kill them.”
Diane looked over to her niece. Daniel wondered what was going on. She didn’t really expect to put her own niece in danger, would she?
“We’re selecting that you fight Daniel.”
The Lone Rider Looked at the Tradtionalists. “Who’s Daniel? I’ll kill him.”
It took Daniel a moment to register. For a long while, Decadence waited. The anticipation seemed to be doing a number on his psyche. His breathing became irregular. He started to laugh. “There is no Daniel there. Are you letting me go for free? If he doesn’t come out, am I free to leave?”
“You’re not escaping this time,” Daniel stepped forward.
“Huh?” Decadence turned, surprised to hear the voice coming from the Scarlet Grove faction. His eyes zeroed in on the eleven year old child. The boy had a fire to him, one that was just as intense as Diane’s, perhaps even more so. For a moment, Decadence forgot just how old Daniel was. But that was only for a moment. In the next, he began to laugh. “I should have killed you when I had the chance.”
“As if you could.”
Someone from the Traditionalists threw two daggers. Both landed on either side of them.
This was it, the moment Daniel had been waiting for. With a step, he lunged for the dagger. He grabbed it before rolling on the ground to cushion his fall. He held the dagger in a defensive stance. Daniel waited for his opponent to grab his dagger. As much as he wanted to attack him, it would have felt wrong to attack an unarmed opponent.
Decadence went into a sprint towards Daniel. Along the way, he bent down and grabbed the dagger. He held it in front of him as though he were holding out a spear. Which, with his height advantage, he practically was.
Once he was close, Daniel ducked under and went for a slash at the man’s wrist.
Decadence had just as fast reflexes, he brought his dagger down in the same instant. It plunged down, aiming right for Daniel’s eye.
At the last second, Daniel changed the direction of his strike. He struck at Decadence’s arm with his own, and used the momentum to move his body in a different direction, narrowly missing his ear.
Both Daniel and Decadence continued to clash.
Sarah spoke up after watching their exchange for some time. “Aunt Diane, Daniel’s movements, I don’t recognize the technique.”
“That’s because he’s not using one. Daniel is relying on his foundation to react to the battle at hand. What a genius.” Diane had been watching Daniel for some time. His movements were solid, but there were definitely cracks. “Why is it that you wanted me to choose him for this fight?” The day before, Sarah had suggested they do a trial by combat. Diane hadn’t even considered it. For nearly wiping out their small sect, she wanted to kill Decadence right then and there. But her niece convinced her otherwise. Her argument was that Daniel had helped them to survive this tribulation, thus he should have been the one to face their prisoner. And while Diane liked Daniel, she wanted to be the one to strike down the Lone Rider. Sarah was insistent, and Diane relented. She wanted to see what her niece was up to.
Both Daniel and Decadence hadn’t been able to deal the other a critical blow. But they didn’t need to, this was just them sizing each other up. If the other had died so easily, then they would have just wasted energy on more powerful moves.
“You’re not so bad kid,” Decadence commented. He held out his hand. “You should join me. Join the Lone Riders. Do what your father was too afraid to do.”
“Afraid? My father didn’t join you because he was afraid. He was a righteous and above ground man. The only reason you killed him was from a low and dirty trick.”
“How dare you mock the name of the Lone Riders!”
“And how dare you mock the name of Spencer Shaw!” Daniel shouted at the top of his lungs. Fury bore itself into his flesh like worms to the ground. They writhed inside him. They gave him the order, kill!
Daniel lunged forward.
Decadence brought out his dagger to meet Daniel, but Daniel was smaller, he went under and rolled so that he was behind the Lone Rider. He kept his body low, aiming from below. He slashed at the back of Decadence’s knee, causing him to buckle forward in pain.
That one strike ensured that Decadence wouldn’t be going anywhere too fast. But now that Decadence knew where Daniel was attacking from, he was better able to defend against him. All of Daniel’s next attacks were blocked by the more experienced fighter.
If Butcher in the Forest wouldn’t do it, he would switch to another technique. Instead of going for cheap shots, he let out what looked to be a reckless attack.
Decadence was rather surprised, it was a fast attack, but it was too wide, easily counterable. But that was what made him suspicious. This was a trap. He knew it was a trap. But how should he counter it? Where was the trap? The wrong move would have been fatal.
In the end, Decadence went for a defense and parried the blow.
Just as Daneil had wanted. He countered Decadence’s counter, changing the direction of the blow right before impact and aimed it right at Decadence’s side. His arm flew down like a bird diving for its prey.
Decadence moved to dodge, but he wasn’t fast enough. The pain from the earlier wound had caused him to be a fraction too slow and the dagger scraped his side.
This was his chance. The Warrior Descending From Heaven only gave him a small window of time to act.
While Decadence was crying out in pain, Daniel had unleashed his qi. White wisps began to form from his body. He needed speed. He needed to be faster than even the human mind could react.
With it, he brought his arm right in front of Decadence’s chest. With a burst of energy, he plunged his dagger into the Lone Rider’s chest, Roving Through the Depths.
Red hot anger burned in Daniel’s veins. He knew that a single dagger to the chest might not do it. So he went around Decadence. Taking the Lone Rider by the throat and slitting it. Daniel then kicked the Lone Rider to the ground.
All eyes were now on Daniel. They were stunned. Not only because he had taken down someone three times his age, but because they didn’t realize what a pedigree this one had. He was a student of the great Western Fiend, but the son of Spencer Shaw.
“You imbecile, do you think this ends here?” Daniel turned to look to see his uncle. He had his arm in a cast and bandages over his chest. The Western Fiend made his way forward. “The Lone Riders have many allies, many members.”
“Sifu, I-”
“Shut up!” Daniel was stunned hearing his uncle say such words. “You should have given up on your anger.” He then turned and began to leave.
Daniel ran towards his uncle.
Gram held up his hand. “Don’t follow me. You are no longer my student.”
“But- but…” Daniel wanted to call out to his uncle. But he felt that it would have made things worse if he revealed that he was his master’s nephew. He wanted to run towards his uncle, but he knew that his uncle would paralyze him if he did. In the end, Daniel just felt trapped. With nothing he could do, he just stood there.
A hand was placed on Daniel’s shoulder. He turned to see Diane there. She had a frown on her face. “You’re Spencer’s son.” Daniel didn’t say anything. He just looked at her. But she had seen enough to know the truth. “You can stay with us. You are the son of my dear friend, you are practically my nephew.”
Daniel let out a sigh. “Thank you, auntie Diane. But right now, I just want to be alone.” Daniel began to walk back towards the camp. A sour taste was in his mouth.
“Aunt Diane,” Sarah said, “should we go after him?”
“Leave him be. This is our territory, if he needs help, we’ll know.”