The Promise of Retribution

Three Years later.

Bloodthorne had created a trial for Kai. Three mythical creatures. The battle raged on for a year before he decided to impart the Tome of Forbidden Shadows knowledge unto him. 

Kai struggled at first, still unable to kill the creatures. However, he realized that he really was that much more powerful. And a huge indicator of this was the fact that he could not grow tired. No matter what technique he unleashed, he simply felt more exhilarated. 

And roughly a year and a half into the trial, he killed the Nine Tailed Fox. 

It was brutal for he tore off all its tails.

Then, six months after that, he was given the Scroll of Divine Retribution. He lost his arms a few times, which was nothing he couldn't fix, and eventually killed the Qilin. Its feathers scattered throughout the air when he killed it, and it was the only beauty he could remember. 

And finally, two and half years from when the trial started, he had only one creature left.

The Phoenix.

But just like with the previous opponents, he showed no sign of caring. And after six months, he defeated the Phoenix, nothing but the sounds of screeches in the air.

Kai stood next to the dead body, and slowly, they began to dissipate from existence. As did the landscape Bloodthorne created, which was destroyed from the battle. 

"Did your creations bring you pride?" Kai's voice pierced the silence as Bloodthorne approached.

"They served their purpose—to shape you," Bloodthorne replied. "And for that, yes, I am proud" 

Kai twisted his wrist, his hand facing himself. Then, like the creatures, his sword dissipated. 

"Mere illusions." Kai muttered.

"Illusions you too will be able to create in the real world."

"..."

"Well, it's time."

Kai scratched his neck. "It is?"

Bloodthorne smirked. "You're not up for it, huh? Tired?"

Kai took a few steps back, raising one fist, his brilliant sword materializing. "The only thing I'm tired of is this place. Once I kill you, then I'll know how to use Sanctuary, yes?"

Bloodthorne nodded his head, "do not fail me." He said, getting into battle position as well.

Their swords as well as their faces were unable to be told apart. Kai always wondered, if this place was where your soul resided, then why wouldn't he be in Sanctuary as the body of his first life.

Well, more like he used to wonder that considering it hasn't crossed his mind in the last couple centuries.

Kai made the first move. He teleported in front of his opponent and swung his sword vertically, clanging swords against one another, like thunderbolts colliding in a storm. 

The sparks blew up throughout the air. "Tch!" Kai clicked his tongue, pushing Bloodthorne a few feet away. Then, he spun his body and threw a kick. 

It was met by air.

Gathering his feet, Kai looked over at his blade, now cold and lifeless. Then, with his other hand, he pushed down on his chest. There was an urge to feel something, but no matter what, nothing appeared.

His thoughts wanted to swarm as the blade felt warm in his hand. He had never felt temperature in here.

Never.

And springing forth like a jack-in-the-box, Bloodthorne emerged from the shadows. He inhaled a massive amount of air, pumped out his chest, and summoned herculean strength as the sword sliced through the air with a whoosh.

As he landed on the ground, he kicked Kai's chest. With some space created, Bloodthorne's fingers turned a shining gold. He raised it up to his head, sword in hand, and stabbed himself.

"You always cheat." Kai said.

The hilt of Bloodthorne's sword began to have a violet fog levitating around it. It swerved around as Bloodthorne pulled it from his head, "I'm going to die no matter what. I might as well make as much trouble for you as possible."

"Seems like the exact opposite of something a teacher should say."

"Master."

"..."

"I am not a mere teacher. I am your master. Do not forget that."

"Sure, whatever makes you feel better… master." Kai said, uttering the words, "Moonlit Blood Dance."

As the name suggested, the move was similar to a dance. Firstly, he took the stance of the crescent moon, both hands on the sword. Right after he would normally begin to gather the power from the moon, but he couldn't this time. So, he recited the words, "Illusion!" 

The dark surrounding began to change, dissipating like smoke. And above the both of them, a glimmer shined onto them. A full moon.

'Now, it should have absorbed all the darkness. If so…'

Kai began to focus his inner energy, drawing upon the qi in the area. He channeled the energy into his blade, increasing its sharpness and agility.

And then he began the first move of the dance, "Dance of The Silver Serpent." 

He leaped forward, sword positioned from his chest. Bloodthorne felt it was best to dodge, and as he took one step to the side, he realized he lost sight of Kai.

Abruptly, Kai appeared from behind. The blade looked like it began to deform into dips as it swerved to find the opponent.

"!" Bloodthorne tried to block, but the tip of the blade really did transform, turning into the head of a snake. It opened wide, and sunk its teeth of venom into the skin. As a mere illusion, it abandoned its teeth and reunited with Kai who began the next sequence, "Strike of The Lunar Eclipse."

He used one hand as he began to pierce Bloodthorne with a rapid amount of strikes. Precision wasn't even a concern for Kai as he unleashed a fury of blows. The air once again crackled with sparkles and stars as the moonlight glistened over them.

But Kai retreated as the dark fog invaded his vision, which was the exact same plan he was trying to do with the quick attacks.

Nevertheless, he pushed through the fog, glancing at Bloodthorne. His eye moved like a pinball as he tried to find the weak spot.

'There you are!' He thought.

"Whirlwind of Shadows." He whispered. He ran full speed, stopped, and with all his strength threw his sword whilst it spun. Bloodthorne deflected it, but a sudden gust of wind entered the air. Both of their hair began to gracefully fall with it, and soon, a mini tornado had been created.

The deafening roar of the winds assaulted Bloodthorne's ears, drowning out all other sounds as debris whirled violently around him. The acrid scent of dust and upturned Tenkū filled his nostrils, mingling with the metallic tang of defeat that hung heavy in the air. With each gust, the force of the wind buffeted his body, the sensation of being tossed about like a rag doll registering keenly against his skin. Vision obscured by the swirling mass of clouds and debris, he groped blindly for purchase, his fingertips grazing against rough surfaces as he effortlessly took the damage.

He began to walk through it, but saw a sudden bright flash of light, oddly curved as Kai roared, "Crescent Moon Flash!"

"!" Bloodthorne knew there was no way to dodge the attack, so he tried to block with his sword. The dark night turned bright, momentarily, as he reopened his eyes shortly after.

"Cough cough!" He spat out blood, the tornado now naught.

"So, you could get hurt in here." Kai stated, walking through the debris. His steps resonated throughout the ground. However, there was an uneasy feeling within him. 'It would never be this easy. Never. There's just no way. He hasn't even landed an attack on me.'

He continued walking closer, slowly. 

"Like I said, anything is possible for me here." Bloodthorne used his sword as a support to stand up. He groaned, wincing. "Now, are you done with that attack… fool."

"!" Kai immediately gripped his sword as tight as he could. 'This stubborn fucker.' He cursed, sweat trickling down his head.

He gulped, standing on guard.

He was waiting for an attack.

But Bloodthorne was merely standing there. "W… what are you doing?"

"Does it matter? Am I not open to an attack? What have I been teaching you this whole time?"

Kai merely traded looks at him. 

He dropped his sword.

And as he stood amidst the tranquil ground, bathed in the soft glow of the moon overhead, he began to prepare for the execution of a technique passed down through generations—the Harmony of the Celestial Palms. With a focused gaze and a steady breath, he raised his hands to chest level, palms open and fingers spread wide, as if beckoning the celestial energies to converge upon him.

As the rhythm of his movements continued, Kai seamlessly transitioned into the next phase of the technique, reversing the gestures to align with the energies of yin. His left hand traced a vertical line while his right hand moved in a counter-clockwise arc, symbolizing the balance of darkness, receptivity, and introspection.

With a deep inhale, Kai brought his hands together in front of his chest, fingers interlaced in a symbol of harmony and balance. In this moment, he felt the convergence of yin and yang energies within him, a unified force pulsating with celestial power.

Expanding his arms outward, Kai unleashed a surge of celestial energy, the shimmering waves radiating outwards like ripples on a tranquil pond. With each movement, he felt the raw power of the cosmos coursing through him, filling him with a sense of purpose and determination.

As the celestial energies reached their peak, Kai brought his hands back together in front of his chest, fingers intertwined in a final gesture of unity. With a focused gaze and a resolute spirit, he propelled his hands forward with a burst of energy, unleashing the Harmony of the Celestial Palms—a cascade of shimmering energy that surged forth to smite Bloodthorne.

The blast made Kai want to close his eyes, but he didn't. They dried up as he focused on Bloodthorne, who disappeared behind the light. And as his attack was wrapped up, he fell to his knees. 

He felt it.

Tiredness.

But why?

He wasn't tired for literal years of non stop fighting.

His breath was heavy, but as he looked around, he understood that Bloodthorne wasn;t defeated. 'Sanctuary is still holding.' He thought, climbing to his feet.

He walked a few feet away, the soreness already apparent, and went to pick up his sword.

However, just as he tightened the grip around the hilt, a sudden shadow casted above his head. He quickly looked up, "Bloodthorne." He cursed.

The sword came crashing down, "Asura Blade, Tenth Form!" The fog around Bloodthornes blade gathered up, and like a whip, got hold of Kai's wrist. He went to cut it, but was met with a sudden kick to the head and two horizontal slashes to his abdomen.

As he was falling backwards, the foggy whip pulled him forward again. Kai, with only his left hand, felt a surge of primal energy coursing through his veins as he swung the sword, severing the whip.

He rolled across the ground. As he got up he felt like his grip was losing strength. He gritted his teeth as he looked at Bloodthorne approaching.

"You said it yourself," Bloodthorne said, summoning his mask. He put over his face, his voice now muffled, "you didn't want to be here forever, right? So, stop messing around!" Bloodthorne appeared directly in front of Kai. Instinct took over as he dodged the attack, "Eclipse Strike!" He yelled, his blade turning a sudden golden-like color. 

The sound of steel meeting flesh filled the air as the sword made contact.

He had cut Bloodthorne's arm off.

Yet, the true cultivator didn't care. He shrugged it off, jabbing with his sword, as if it were a rapier. Kai ducked just below them, thinking of a plan.

'Should I just go for his other arm… no…'

"Illusion." Kai said. Next to him, four other versions of himself.

He couldn't see his face, but he knew Bloodthorne scoffed.

With his dopplegangers, they all attacked. Bloodthorne sliced three of them into oblivion in an instant. Sweat trickled down Kai's face. 

His only other doppleganger went for the right shoulder whilst Kai went for the left. Bloodthorne dodged the dopplegangers attack, bumping it with his shoulder and sinking the sword into it. He swiftly turned around.

"!"

"Haha… urgh… you got me." Bloodthorne gazed downwards, a stomach piercing his stomach. "Now… finish me."

"..."

"Finish me, fool!"

"VOID SHATTER!" Kai commanded, everything in the surrounding area being consumed by a bright light. The force pushed against the both of them. Until it didn't.

Kai stumbled backwards, sighing. Around him, Sanctuary was breaking, like a snowglobe with cracks.

From the broken pieces was a light, like the sun. And across from him, Bloodthorne.

He walked up to him, slowly. As he got next to him; he fell to his knees. The man was laid out across the floor, his body nearly severed in half. 

"You… went easy on me." Kai spoke.

From behind the mask, Bloodthorne was coughing up blood. His hand shook, but he pointed to his mask. Kai obeyed, taking the mask off.

Somehow, his face was uninjured, simply stained with blood. 

"What… makes you think that?" Bloodthorne kept a smile, despite the blood spilling from his body.

Kai bit his lips. "... I just know."

"Ha–cough! Cough!... you know what you have to do, fool. Don't fail me now."

"I won't."

"Good, that's the most… emotion I've seen from–cough!... from you in decades."

Kai got off his knees. He grabbed his sword, held it over the man. He looked at his right hand, it was uncontrollably shaking. 

"You… have to make him… pay. Make. Him. Pay."

Teeth clenched; Kai tried to control his screams.

Bloodthorne's eyes looked distant, his body turning pale. However, he was able to utter his last words. "Just… get it… over with. Because… that's what you are now. Who… are you, fool?"

"ACK… AGH…" Kai raised his blade up, struggling. Tears strolled down his cheek. And then, he started his path to granting the man his wish. The sword dove down, and with it rose Kai's voice. "AGHHH!!!!!!" He cried out as he heard the final breath.

Sanctuary was on the brink of cracking. "I'm sorry… master."

Suddenly, Kai felt himself laying on something. The ceiling was unfamiliar. A cold feeling strolled down his cheeks. He went to wipe them. Tears.

He got out of the unknown furniture. There was a window, and he gazed outwards, the sun beating down on him as he saw the city full of life.

"Ah… I remember now." He opened his palm, noticing the scars on it. His sword from Sanctuary appeared before him, light in his hand. He took one final look out the window, his eyes full of hatred, a deep, seething hate from within. He whispered, a promise of retribution. "I am Bloodthorne. And I will kill you, Xue Long!"