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 Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 2:13 am
 What's Eating You?
Sakngea | Xiu
Sakn insists Xiu hang with him, and on the way in from a boat trip, the redhead insists on knowing what is wrong with his friend. Xiu in turn gets flustered and emotions are revealed.
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Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 1:38 pm
 Down To The Market
Sakngea | Yue Lao
After leaving the Ichi-Koi, Sakn is joined by Yue and the two take a adventurous walk through the Black Market.
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 10:58 pm
Home, Home On The Range
Sakngea | Jianyu
Jianyu takes a very pathetic Sakngea back to his house after he passes out from their fight. But what happens when the redhead awakens in a unknown Legion home?
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Posted: Tue Dec 07, 2010 11:02 pm
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:04 am
Solo Journal
Dearly Departed
Sometimes you don't know you love something until its gone.
When I wake, it feels like any other morning. I grunt, groan and roll myself around in my bed. I whine(in a manly fashion, mind you) when my ma comes in and insists I get up, and I wash myself in my usual-every-morning-dazed manner. But something feels off about today, and as I stand in the dining area, soaking up rays of sun that splash through the wide open windows, I hear a sound that turns my blood cold. A scream, and not just a startled cry, but a full blown blood curdling scream.
My father left early this morning, and is far gone at sea already, and so it's I and my mother who rush out to see whats the matter. I scan the area, but its my mother who notices one of the young village girls staring down at a body. I can't bring myself, when I see it(her...oh gods), to accept what---who it was. But Bopha is already running towards the corpse, and I reluctantly(why am I so scared?) follow.
The face is so real, the eyes staring up. The hands, the clothing...the bloody mess on her neck. It's all real, and it's Sothy. Everything feels blurry, hot and heavy. All I hear is buzzing and I th---
I think I blacked out then, or at least shut down. My next moment is back in my home, with my mother leaning against me, her faced covered in dried tears.
I ignore the fact that my own face is brittle with salt as well.
I slip outside and walk, nervously, over to the hut that is-was Sothys(will I ever be used to this?). It's frightening, even more so then before, and my body is soon covered in ghost pimples. The wind whistles through the open windows, and I can almost hear her still.
I can't believe she's gone.
Just yesterday I stood at this door and listened to her yelling at the top of lungs. Those weren't the lungs of someone about to die. That wasn't the voice of a dying woman, that was the voice of an old hag with plenty of years left to torment me. Just yesterday she hit me on the head hard enough to leave a sore spot, and today...
I rub my head, feeling that spot as if to remind myself of her, like its the last thing left of her in my life. The skin is sore, and I wince; scowling as pain races down my neck. But I can't seem to dredge up the casual irritation that usually came with thinking about the many bumps and bruises Sothy gave me. All I can feel is a sense of drowning, a sense of lost.
"Saaaaakn," my ma's voice rips through my thoughts like a knife through butter, and I turn to look at her. She's standing across the center grounds of our village on the miserable little step outside our front door. Her arms are crossed, and she's leaning against the frame. Most wouldn't notice that she's suffering. She's good at hiding her feelings when it comes to times like this(a trait she learned from being raised here), but I'm her son and I can all of it. The slump in her back, showing her exhaustion, the crows feet at the corners of those dark eyes, the narrowness of her lips.
My ma was more then upset, she was furious.
Thing is, Sothy didn't die on natural terms, and I jog over to help my mother carry over the cleaned silks we will be burying my teacher in, I feel rage boiling in my stomach over Sothy's murder. How could someone murder an old woman like Sothy. She's near blind, and while she's frightening enough to teenage boys, she's no threat to any soldier. My fists squeeze tightly around the handles of the basket I take from my ma. We walk in silence, both fuming and holding back tears.
But as we reach the group circled around Sothy's decorated body, my mother breaks down. The basket in her arms slip from her grasp and drop to the ground. I don't think about how we have to wash them again before we can use them, I don't look embarrassed at this sudden out burst. I only shakily(why do my hands shake so bad, why can't I be stronger?) set down my basket and crouch beside my mother, who's on her knees now.
The tears stain her red cheeks, and her sobs rip at my heart. I feel my eyes burning in response, but I bite it back. I can't cry now, even though my vision is blurred and my chest hurts. "I's okay, Ma," I whisper, awkwardly taking her hand in mine, like I used to do. "Com'on Ma, we can do this," this encourages her, and I smile as wide as I can when she looks up at me.
People come over to take the baskets from us, and bow deeply to my mother. She is-- was Sothy's right-hand woman, and just as respected as the deceased priestess. I blink back my tears as we walk towards the crowd, my mother cradled against me.
There is singing and crying and mourning then, and I can't bring myself to participate. I can only feel this hate, this anger and hurt deep in my chest for the person who did this. I don't want to sing or cry until I find that man and kill him. I will find him, I will.
I jump from my thoughts as my mother slips her hand into mine.
I stop my anger, and slowly raise my voice with the others as we sing, pushing Sothy's body out to sea on a small wooden craft. I will find that man, but for now, I need to seem strong for my mother.
For everyone.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:06 am
Saying Goodbye
Sakngea | Xiu
Sakngea has holed himself up after devastating news and Xiu comes to make sure his friend is okay.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:08 am
 Solo Battle
I'm Going To Kill You!
Revenge is a dish best served with a side of your fists.
The roar of the bar hit me like a wave from the ocean as I entered. The smoke was thick and I could barely breath, but I didn’t care at the time. All I knew was that he was here. The man that killed Sothy; took her life from her when he slit her throat. He was here, I knew it was so. I could feel it in my bones. Perhaps it was Sothy who told me, perhaps her meager training had paid off. I would like to think she taught me something, anything. I scanned the crowd, looking for someone whom I didn’t know amongst a great sea of strangers.
When I saw him, I knew it was true. I could see his pride, worn like a badge; the glow on his face. The women and men curled around him like starry-eyed children, in awe of his stories. I wondered then if he had told them of his recent escapades. His murder of a woman who, while Noble and strong in the spiritual ways, had no way of fighting back. Had he bragged about how he slit her throat when she left her home? Had he laughed with them over her death? Anger boiled I my stomach, and my fists were clenched so tight that the jagged edges of my nails bit into my palms. But I couldn’t move, not until he noticed me.
And when those dark, dirty brown eyes rose for a moment and met mine, I knew then that he knew why I was here. His face darkened and he didn’t break contact for a few moments, and when he did, it was only to make a hand motion and excuse himself.
I stood in that door way for what felt like a century as he walked across the room. He was about my height, with a heavy build and thin blond hair. He had it slicked back like it made him look fashionable, and his Legionnaire armour glinted in the lights hung around the bar. He wore a slick and slimy smile that revealed too many teeth, and as he came within speaking range, the man spread his arms and said, “I see you staring over there, little boy,” my face wrinkled in disgust, I was no ‘little boy’, more so not to him. It was disgusting how sugar-coated his words were, and when he continued to speak, all I wanted to do was punch him so hard his smiling face would shatter, “Why such a serious face, kid?” he asked as my face darkened. He was taunting me, and from the curve of his smile, I knew he knew what he was doing.
“Y-you kill’d my mentor,” he managed to grind out when he paused, and the man’s smile was less intense for a moment. But the predatory glint in his eye stayed, and when he spoke next, his voice was quieter, meant for only me and him. This was no longer a show he wished for everyone to see.
“Let us go outside and speak, eh?” he ushered, motioning for me to follow him outdoors. I did so only because there were too many people indoors for me to safely kill him without hurting anyone else. I ignored the group of men standing outside smoking and chatting, and instead stared holes into the back of that damn bastards head. We walked just down from the bar, where there were less people and the lights from the houses were all but gone. I watched him like a hawk as he turned to speak to me.
“Now, tell me, boy. What is your grievances with me?”
I’m not sure why, but the way he said it all pushed me in the wrong direction. I grit my teeth as he smiled at me, like he was gods damned innocent or something!, and shrugged his shoulders like he had no clue. It was a lie though, I saw it in his face, there was no confusion in those eyes.
“I-I” I started, but I couldn’t get the words out. Couldn’t say it because I was so angry, so full of hate, that all I could do was stand there and stutter like an idiot.
“I, I? Really now, is that all you have to say?” He was smiling still, that cheap, sleezy grin. Like he was better then me.
“I,” I started again, taking a step towards him(he didn’t stop smiling, never stopped), “I’m going to kill you,” I pronounced each word carefully, I put all of me into those words. And he continued to smile. He smiled and said nothing, and my anger became rage. “Don’ you got anything to say t’that!?” I snap, unable to control myself, “You kill’d my mentor. Sothy, the old hag. Y’know her! Y’slit’er throat!” I waved my arms, got right up in his face, screamed and yelled and never once did he stop smiling. It was like a cheap mask, and I wanted to tear it off and see the man beneath. I panted, leaning back from him, glared like I could kill him with a look, and he crinkled his eyes, like he was laughing at me. I raised my fist, swing back and think about how with one swing I could swipe that smile off his sick face.
“And so what if I did?” he sing-songed, a tinge of laughter in his voice. I screamed, I think, or at least heard a scream, and my fist swung out. It collided perfectly with that bastards face, and his smile crumpled as his cheekbone shattered. My knuckles pulsed, and I pulled back, panting hard as I watched him stumble back, his hand clasping his broken face.
“I’m gunna kill you,” I growled, moving in to hit him again. I didn’t care if he was down, if it was a cheap shot. He deserved no respect. “I’m gunna send you to hell!” I swung down, imagined my fist hitting the back of his head. Imagined pounding his face in and I wanted it so bad.
The hand around my arm was a surprise, and when the fist connected with my side, I gasped in pain. It was like being hit with a hammer, and I barely held back a cry as the same fist hit me again. I could barely stand up-right, but that was no problem any more when a burly man wrapped his arms around mine and behind my head, holding me up and in place as the b*****d spit blood and cradled his cheek.
Another man, the one who had hit me in the stomach, I think, stepped around front then. He grinned like a mad drunk(perhaps he was), and hit me square in the face. The world exploded around me, bright lights invaded my vision, and I came back to with the b*****d tapping my cheek in an almost jovial way. He had that sickening grin back on his face, and I was still being held by the other man. I glared and spit blood and saliva at the blond, but he pulled back in time, and chuckled, as if my attempts were funny at best
“Y’think y’can jus’ hold me like this?” I barked, saying it just because I could. I wasn’t backing down from this. I was going to get free and kill that monster. But when I struggled, pulling against the hold I was in, I felt those arms tighten and when I kicked, I was quickly stopped with a swift punch to the gut from the drunken man.
It was after one of these punches that the murdering b*****d spoke. “So, little boy, tell me. Did you really think you could kill me? I’m a Captain of the Legion. I cannot be touched by slime like you.” I watched him as he spoke, squinting through my swollen eye, watching him pace back and forth. I bit my lip and I glared and struggled, only to be punched in the gut once again. I nearly screamed that time, as one of my ribs cracked under the force of the drunken man’s fist. I hung my head, and when fingers that were rough and worn, just like mine, lifted my head up, I jerked away. The blond man was before me, smiling and there was laughter, dark and sinister, in his eyes.
“You want to kill me? For some old woman?” he waved a hand, and the man who had held me let me go. I slumped to the ground, falling to my hands and knees; panting like a dog. I could barely breath with the pain coming from my chest, but I struggled to my feet anyways. And came face to face with a knife. The blond man was offering it to me, and his smile had grown. “Then kill me,” he purred.
I reached for the knife, and as I looked at it, I caught sight of a fist out of my peripheral. So it was a joke. I wasn’t supposed to actually get the knife. I darted my hand out, snagging the bare end of the blade in my hand, and ducked the swinging fist before retaliating with a swift punch to the man’s ribs. I heard the air leave his lungs as my fist came in contact with his stomach, and where I had only one broken rib, I was certain that poor b*****d had more then a few.
I turned then to the blond man, who looked less brave now, and twirled the knife in my hand. I would kill him now, this was my chance. “Y’b*****d,” I growled, raising the knife above my head, and was about to stab him when suddenly it all went black.
The sound of water trickling by woke me, and I tried to blink my swollen and blackened eyes, tried to taste something in my mouth besides gutter water and blood, and found that I could do neither. I groaned through bruised lips, and as I sat up, I spit blood out, along with one my back teeth. I groaned again and tried to stand, but my legs gave out. My knees cracked against the hard ground, and I cried out in pain. I felt like I had been run over by a cart and horse.
And worse of all, I had been beaten. I hadn’t gotten my revenge, and as I struggled to move so that my back was pressed against the side of a building, I felt anger and disappointment and emotions for which I had no name swell within my chest, and a hiccupping sob left me and broke the silent air.
I had lost, I hadn’t been strong enough.
I thought of Xiu, of my mother, my friends; Yue, Kiran…even that b*****d Jianyu to an extent. I couldn’t protect any of them. I bit my lip and swallowed my cries as I tried to motivate my body to move. I couldn’t protect them, couldn’t save Sothy. I had to become stronger. I had to find power.
A piece of me was locked away then. The part of me that wanted to go back and lay with Xiu, to wake up and let someone else deal with this. I locked it away and struggled to my feet, ignoring the pain and aching. I had to leave, now. I had to go somewhere, any where. Had to find the strength to become stronger.
I would train, and then I would come back, and I would be able to protect them.
But first, I had to see a man about a promise.
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Posted: Thu Dec 09, 2010 2:09 am
Promise Me, Damnit
Sakngea | Jianyu
Sakn shows up late in the evening at Jianyu's estates; beaten up, bruised and angry, to tell Jianyu he's leaving. But first he needs Jianyu to make him a promise.
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Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:30 am
A letter from Sakngea to Bopha, left on the kitchen table.
Dear Ma
You won't believe this, but I found the man who killed Sothy. I found him, I followed my instincts and it lead me to him. He's disgusting, a leech of a man. I vowed to kill him, and I would have...I would have. But when the moment came to deal the blow, I paused. How could I have done that!? I paused and it was that second that ended it. His loons knocked me out and left me bleeding in a gutter. I am ashamed. I will not return until I have killed him.
It feels like I’m drowning, unable to stay afloat. All I can think about is how I failed to do what I set out to do. I feel lost and confused. I cannot show my face at the village, not like this. I’m beaten, battered and bruised, both my body and my pride. I feel as weak as a baby right now, unable to defend myself and unable to protect my family.
I know you won't approve. I know you will argue and you would stop me, but by the time you get this, I will be gone. Please understand where I‘m coming from, Ma, understand what I am going through. I will not forgive this man, and I will not let him live. Even if I must sell my soul for his death, I will. I would do anything to have the power to protect you and Pa...and Xiu. I will find the power, and when I do, I will come back and exact my revenge. You'll see, when I come back, everything will be better. We'll be a family again, and nothing will hurt you.
Tell Pa I...tell him I love him, and make sure he doesn't do anything stupid. You know how he gets. And don't let him get upset. Just tell him I'm off on a trip, don't let him know what’s happening. He'll worry over it too much. You've always been the level-headed one when it comes to these things. And if he asks where his traveling kit is, tell him you don’t know. If I lose anything, I’ll replace it before I get home.
And...Xiu. Please, he's still in my room. I checked in on him before I left. Just, make sure he's not alone when he wakes up. Don't tell him whats going on. You need to keep this letter hidden. I'll contact him later. Just, let him know things are going to get better soon. Let him know that Jianyu is going to watch over him until I get back. And tell him to be careful, and not be out late. It’s dangerous, and I can’t deal with anymore loses right now.
Stay safe, and know that I will be back, and things will be better soon. I will write a letter when I can.
Sakngea
P.S.
I left my fishing knife behind. It’s sharp, so be careful, but will you give it to Xiu? It’s important to me, and I want him to have it, just in case. Not that there is anything to worry about. I’ll be back soon enough.
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Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:33 am
A letter from Sakngea to Xiu, 17 days after Sakn's disappearance. Arrived via letter carrier. The writing is written with a seemingly hesitant hand, as if Sakn was nervous or on edge.
Xiu
I'm not sure how to begin this letter. Perhaps a sorry would be the best way to begin? I am sure that you are upset, and I can't blame you. I left you, without warning, and I did nothing to alleviate your worries. I should have written sooner, and had planned to, but I have found a master, of sorts, to train me. She makes me work often, and has taught me many new things. Every day I am with her, I feel stronger. It's like a great fire within me, one that cannot be put out.
Xiu, one day soon, I will come back and show you this power.
But for now, I want you to know I do miss you. It's a strange feeling, this intensity I feel when I think about you, but since meeting Hyun Chun, I have felt many things differently. I worry about you often. There are many people out in the city that are dangerous, so please be safe. I cannot protect you yet, not until I am stronger. Please, don't be angry with me.
I left my knife with Bopha, I hope you have it with you. Keep it close.
Sakngea
A letter from Sakngea to Xiu, 22 days after Sakn's disappearance. Left on the steps of the Temple, with Xiu's name scrawled messily across the front. The words are quickly scrawled and messy, as if Sakn had little time to write, or was frightened.
Xiu
I can't tell if it's me anymore, or her. It's exhilarating, and at the same time, frightening. I can't figure out who's thoughts are who's, and every day, she promises me more and more. I want all of it, Xiu. With all of her power, I can protect you. Nothing will get between us. I will be able to destroy anyone who dares to hurt you.
Some days I get the urge to come back, but Hyun Chun won't let me. She has me go to the villages around our mountain camp, where I found her. We look for fights some nights, Xiu. I am so much stronger. No one can get up after I knock them down. Hyun reassures me that they are fine, so I don't worry. Sometimes though, I feel as if the villagers here fear me.
I miss you, sorely, and I think this upsets Chun. Sometimes when I think of you, she gets so angry that I hurt. I'm not sure when I will be back, but it will be soon.
Sakngea
A letter from Sakngea to Xiu, 29 days since his disappearance. Left at Sakn's home, and delivered to Xiu by Bopha. The words are barely legible, and there is reddish brown stains on the top corner, as if someone had set the letter down in something.
I have little time. The blood is every where and I can't get it off me. Hyun reassures me that everything's alright. She says this is how it's supposed to be. I was afraid at first, but her words are good, and they relax my soul. When Hyun is relaxed, so am I. Xiu, do you believe in power? I have the strength of a thousand gods. I can kill anyone I want, and no one can stop me. Hyun is my mentor, protector, everything. She reassures me the blood won't stain my clothing.
Xiu, I'm not supposed to write any more to you for a while. Hyun thinks it is a distraction. I need to devote my time to practicing. I have to stop now, my skin is prickling. She is upset with me.
Xiu, I will see you soon.
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Posted: Tue Dec 21, 2010 11:45 am
A letter from Sakngea to Yue Lao, 31 days after Sakn's disappearance. Arrived at the Ichi-Koi, and given to Yue there. The words are messy, but slightly more controlled.
Yue Lao
It has been a month, hasn't it? How strange. Did you know that one of your fellow Legion members murdered my mentor? Had the news ever reached you? I wonder how you reacted. A part of me imagines you were upset, but I can't erase the hate that blinds me, and I can't but imagine all the Legion rejoicing over the death of her. Do you miss me, Yue? Did you even notice I was gone? Is this letter a surprise, or perhaps something you are waiting eagerly for.
Tell me, Yue, when I come back. If I kill them, the Legion, if I wipe out all those you have worked with, have known, in the name of my mentor, what would you do? Would you stand before me, try to stop me? Do you think I would spare you? I can't tell you the answer, because I no longer am a single thought, but two. I am an entity, a god, a ghost, a person. I am born again to exact justice upon those who are wrong. So, Yuyu, would you be brave enough to stop me?
I have killed people, Yue. I have blood on my hands, blood I never can get rid of. Even if I wash and wash, it always remains, like a tattoo. I look at their bodies and I see a monster, but it's not me, is it? Hyun promises me righteousness, not murder. Those deaths are not me, are they. Someone else then, someone else with these hands and this blood. How strange is that. These are my hands, yet not mine. Hyun promises that I am not a murderer, Yue. she promises me that, and I will always believe her.
She has never lied.
Yue, when I come back, will you try to kill me? If I find the man who killed my mentor and I kill him, will you hunt me down and kill me? Hyun Chun says you cannot, because she won't let you. Tell me, Yue. Do you know Hyun Chun? She is me new mentor. I speak with her from the dead, and she leads me down a path of glory and justice. When I feel, she feels, and her strength becomes mine. She has taught me, and when I come back to the city, will you try to kill me?
Hyun Chun says she will destroy any who harm me. She says she loves me, that I am hers. Yue, do you know what love is? Hyun knows of love, and of hate. She tells me they are the same.
Who do you love, Yue?
Hide them, because I cannot stop what happens, Yuyu. Me and Hyun will be there soon. Do you think the city can handle us? Tell that man to hide, Yue, tell all the Legion to hide. I will destroy them when I come. Don't stop me, Yue. Promise me you won't stop me.
Sakngea
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