Master Lee

Master Lee refined medicine for nine days and nights straight. At the end he had several tables filled with powders and liquids.

Around each pile Andi would put inscriptions, each different from the last. At the end of the ninth evening master Lee extinguished the flames and told everyone to leave.

For another twenty days Master Lee remained locked within the refining hall. A medical aroma constantly flowed from the hall but neither Atom nor Andi dared to enter.

Finally on the day the sect master came out of isolation he called the pair. "Silly boy you made things difficult for this old man, but still I won't blame you." After a slight chuckle he continued "this master has two skills; the ability to refine and the ability to inscribe. Andi you are my first apprentice and I will pass you all of my skills. Atom you are my second apprentice. When my master passed on the sect to me he gave me a Manuel."

The old man lowered him self to look directly at Atom "its a horrific skill that requires a child to be physically abused daily for years in the process of developing a strong body and spirit." Looking to the sky master Lee took a pause "my master could not force this upon me and I could not force it upon my child."

"When I first saw you I was shocked, an earth root abused daily to the point of constant exhaustion. You will inherent my masters techniques and in turn this black earth sect will be yours should you accept."

"But I don't even know any martial arts, I'm so weak..." Atom mumbled in hesitation.

"Do not worry my masters bound earth and black sky technique will make you strong, but it is painful..." The old man had placed everything on the table. Truthfully he did not know if he would ever meet another boy who was trained so roughly nor could he bring himself to use such a technique on a child. Atom was his first and only choice.

Atom however did not hesitate twice. Watching his parents die being sold off, beaten, used and traded yet finally he would have a chance at power. The type of power that could protect him forever.

"This little one accepts..."