Liwei dashed through the halls looking for Weilong, he followed the bolts of lightning Killian left behind.
Liwei was running when something flew through the air, almost hitting him. He looked to see where it came from and there stood Hu Renxuan.
"Renxuan. Didn't expect to see you here," Liwei said.
"I could say the same thing for you Liwei Zhang. What is the new abbot of Ishu Chu doing in my village?" Renxuan asked.
"So, you heard…"
"I've come to take my revenge on Weilong Zhao, and put an end to Kai Zhao." Liwei said.
"Funny enough Liwei, I'm here for the same thing." Liwei stared into Renxuan's eyes, "A coup? This village really is as ruthless as everyone thinks."
"I'm sorry but I can't let you get past me, only one person will kill Kai Zhao and his son, and that's going to be me. Fortunately, enough for me, you're the Abbot now, so I'd be killing three birds with one sword, imagine that. How lucky am I huh?" Renxuan said smugly.
Liwei's eyes turned cold, he pulled out his steel dagger, "if you insist on standing in my way… I'll kill you."
Renxuan put his sword away, pulling out an orange tinted dagger, "this is a better fit for this occasion."
Renxuan went in, like a predator. Liwei stepped forward quickly, catching the attack with his dagger. Liwei punched with his free hand, Renxuan quickly slashed at Liwei's chest, ripping through his clothing and cutting his skin. He followed up, quickly twisting his body to the side and unleashing a flame powered kick to Liwei's stomach. Liwei brought his hand down, grabbing Renxuan legs and stepping in thrusting his blade forward at Renxuan's head, Renxuan slipped, and used his free leg to kick off of Liwei's body and flip backwards.
"Not bad Zhang," Renxuan said, feeling his face. Liwei looked down at the blood on his chest, "I could say the same for you Renxuan."
Liwei punched the air twice, blasting wind at Renxuan, he jumped into the air while Renxuan was distracted, unleashing a flying kick that sent Renxuan sliding back. He continued his assault, giving Renxuan a quick jab to the stomach, and following up quickly with a right hook to the face that slammed Renxuan into the narrow hallway wall.
Liwei quickly turned to thrust his blade into Renxuan's stomach, but Renxuan kicked him back into the opposing wall.
They circled each other, giving feints, seeing what each other would do. Liwei dashed back,
"Wind Blade!"
He slashed at the air, causing blades of wind to travel through the air. Renxuan kept dodging, moving forward.
"Dance of the Tiger: Ten Claws!"
Renxuan used his dagger to initiate the first claw, cutting through the wind, he reached Liwei, he quickly flipped to a reverse grip, using a quick wind powered downward slash. Liwei redirected the attack with his own blade, but the grip Renxuan had allowed him to seamlessly chain his attack.
"Third Claw!"
He thrusted forward into Liwei's ribs, the blade heating instantly. Liwei screamed in pain.
"Fourth Claw!"
Renxuan pulled the dagger, and kicked Liwei in his chest, sending him back into the hall.
"Fifth Claw!"
Renxuan formed a spear of flame, the flame burned bright in his hand. He gripped it tight with his right hand, dropping the dagger in his left hand, he raised it, fusing wind in his left, and flame in his right to create an even more powerful spear.
He launched it from across the hallway, right at Liwei who was in the hallway, it moved at a blinding speed.
Liwei stepped forward, caught it with his right hand, and use his wind to hurl it straight back at Renxuan. It struck Renxuan's left shoulder, carrying all the way to the end of the hallway.
Liwei picked up his dagger, putting it back in its holder. "Consider this an act of mercy that I didn't finish the fight Renxuan!"
A voice came from the end of the hallway where Renxuan was, it sounded familiar, "big talk for someone that just barely won from the looks of it!"
A figure stepped out, his katana at his hip.
Haitao.
"Killian left a trail for us, if we follow it, we should be able to reach Weilong Zhao." Liwei explained.
"Alright so let's go finish this shit then." Haitao said.
The men continued to follow the bolts of lightning till they reached a door, when they opened it, a long stairway led down, one singular bolt of lightning lay at the bottom.
"X marks the spot then," Haitao said, "after you milady." Liwei said.
Back where Renxuan lay…
Renxuan stood, the spear of flame and wind had dispersed. He was angry, more than angry, he wanted to destroy Liwei Zhang, and the Zhao family. Anyone that stood in his way would die tonight.
Renxuan took his sword and cut both his hands. In his hands daggers started to form.
"Dance of the Tiger: Apex Predator!"
His body lurched as something beneath his skin pushed outward. Fabric tore as his frame swelled, muscle grinding against muscle. Orange fur bled through his arms in coarse patches, black stripes crawling over them like brands burned into flesh. White fur spread across his chest as his spine straightened unnaturally.
His eyes burned into a feral orange-gold, pupils thinning to cruel slits. When he exhaled, it wasn't a breath, it was a low, vibrating growl, and the teeth bared within it were no longer human.
"I'll kill them all…"
The men had no clue the monster they had awakened…