The Iron Tiger

Kai Ren, now accepting his role as Bloodthorne as well, stood before a mirror in his room. It took a few minutes to remember, but he recalled going to an inn when he first transmigrated.

The pale expanse of skin stretched taut across his stomach bore a haunting tapestry of scars, a testament to battles fought both within and without. Each mark, a jagged reminder of past trials endured, whispered stories of resilience and survival. Some were faded, like distant memories barely clinging to the surface, while others, fresh and angry, still wept crimson tears of pain. 

He couldn't remember, were these scars from before, or were they passed on through Sanctuary. Speaking of that, Kai had inherited all the memories of Bloodthorne.

From his oldest memory to even his memories in Sanctuary. And Bloodthorne was right, with all the memories jumbled up, he was struggling to tell his memories apart.

He sighed, donning his jet-black robe outlined with navy blue, and exited his chamber. Each creaking step down the stairs irked him, drawing curious gazes from onlookers below.

Ignoring the stares, he approached the counter. "How many nights did I reserve?" Kai inquired of the woman behind it.

"Ah, sir, I hope your stay was pleasant," she replied with a smile, tapping her chin in thought. "If I recall correctly, you paid for three nights."

"I see. Do you serve meals here?" Kai asked, glancing around the room.

She pointed to an open table in the far corner. "Take a seat there, and I'll attend to you shortly," she said, her eyes gleaming with eagerness.

Kai nodded, making his way to the designated table. Along the path, he exchanged glances with various patrons. The first table hosted two men, one lean and bald, the other burly with a massive sword. At the second table sat three individuals clad in gray and orange robes—members of 'The Iron Tiger,' he presumed.

As he approached his chosen seat, he observed four men at the third table. Two were engaged in a race to finish their plates, another was a towering figure with a scar across his mouth, and the last resembled Kai but with red eyes and blonde hair.

Seated now, Kai awaited the arrival of the woman, who swiftly appeared with two tokens—one wooden, the other clay—placing them on the table. "Would you prefer rice and noodles or duck?" She asked with enthusiasm.

Kai, puzzled by her zeal, studied her for a moment. "Which option is quicker?" He inquired.

"That'd be the rice and noodles, sir."

He pushed the wooden token forward, "then I'll have that one."

She hurriedly picked up the tokens and scurried to the back of the building. As she got his food, Kai glanced down at his hands, then back to the second table. 

'The Iron Tiger clan. They're a clan of honor, but what good does that do when they fall short to the other four main clans in Ling. Well, that's not what matters. I should investigate the Shadow Serpent Clan first. If anybody is dealing in demonic arts, then it's probably them.'

'Based off what I know, I'll have to travel all the way east to Azure City. My sword should also be there. The city borders with the Central Empire, so I'll have to b--"

"Hey, whadd'ya doin' talking to my girl, Yujie." A voice spoke out from behind.

Kai twisted his neck to the voice. Before him was the burly man from the first table. Kai peeked around the big man, glancing at bald friend snickering. 

"Hmm," Kai wondered, "what the hell are you going on about?"

"That girl," he pointed to the back, "she's mine."

"Okay...? You feel better now that you got that off your chest, bub?"

The man gritted his teeth, acting like a wild dog as saliva began to drool from his mouth. Kai palmed the side of his head, leaning over on the table, "don't do it," he said, "you'll regret it."

'Wait. Should I be acting weak as Kai Ren? I mean, what's my profession as the regular civilian?'

Luckily, two sets of hands gripped around the burly man's arms. He groaned as he turned around.

"We're a part of the Iron Tiger Clan. Please, calm down and return to your seat, sir." Said one of them, a boy with short, brown hair.

"What?" The burly man stood confused for a few seconds before erupting into a laughter. "Kaha! The Iron Tiger!? Why the hell would I care about them? You honorable idiots," he said in a sarcastic tone, "are the weakest."

"Do not misunderstand, sir. We are the weakest, yes, but the weakest of the strongest." Said the second member, a pale girl with coconut hair that cascaded around her neck. "So, do not underestimate us."

"Urgh." He groaned, like a zombie. "Whatever." He muttered, walking away and back to his seat. And as he did, Yujie walked out to the table. She put the food down, "did I miss something?" She asked, taking notice of the crowd.

"Nothing significant." He replied.

She still held a questioned look. But before either of them could converse more, the three Iron Tiger members approached Kai. All three of them bowed, quickly, then rose.

"Sorry to interrupt your breakfast, but I couldn't help but notice something." Said the third and final one. Kai didn't what it was, but the boy looked smart. 'Probably the glasses.'  He shrugged.

"No introductions?" Kai pressed, already digging into the noodles. To the Iron Tiger members, he already looked like a nonchalant person. Rude, maybe.

"You're right. I apologize. "My name is William," the boy introduced, gesturing to his companions. "This is Leander," he said, indicating the brown-haired boy, "and Azalea," he added, gesturing to the girl. "Was that satisfactory?"

Kai looked back at them, mouth full of noodles, "yeaj, souwds fyeihn." He gulped down the mouthful of food as Yujie sat down across from him. "So, what is it you want from me?"

As he dug into the rice, William said, "this may come off a bit weird, but we believe you have great potential?"

"M-mf?" Kai pointed to himself. He slurped on the noodles, thinking, 'Did I do something to stand out? I've only been down here for a few minutes, though.'

William chuckled. He put his hands together, "I know what you're thinking..."

'Does he?'

"... but I promise we're not stalkers."

'He definitely doesn't.'

"Truth is, sir, Azalea here actually holds a technique passed down through the Iron Tiger Clan. She can see one's potential. And yours is great."

"You do know how old I am, right?" Kai asked, his bowl of noodles empty. He began finishing the rice. Yujie whispered, "tea?"

He nodded his head, and she rose from the table. 

"Your age isn't a concern in the cultivation world."

Kai scoffed.

"Yeah, so cut to the chase. What is it you want from me?"

William tooks glances with the other Iron Tiger members before nervously making a request. "Ha, how would you like to join the Iron Tiger Clan, sir?"

"No can do." He replied, Yujie handing him tea, which he took a sip of, continuing, "I'm headed east."

William began his rebuttal, but Kai's eyeballs suddenly widened. He nearly spat out the tea. 'What is that?'  He thought; a golden thread connected from his heart to Azalea's neck. It was wrapped around, like a noose.

The words William said were blurred to him. 'That fool never said anything about this. Damn it.'

"... so, what do you think, sir? Just one week there and you can come with us west."

Kai pinched his eyebrows. "Fine, but I don't plan on joining."

"That's great to hear!" William exclaimed, "but I wouldn't be too sure... uh...?"

"Blo-- Kai. Call me Kai."

"We're leaving now. Do you have anything you need to take with you?" Leander stated.

"Nothing." Kai responded. He gazed out the open doors, seeing a wagon. "Is that what we're taking?"

"Sure is, my trusty Horsey is one of a kind." 

"If you say so." Kai groaned as he stood from the table. He looked at Yujie. He felt like thanks were in order, but another part of himself reminded him not to. He simply said, "stay well."

She smiled, and in the middle of the room that burly man huffed. "Yeah, you too." She spoke.

"Well, then, I'll be on my way."

**********

A few hours later, Kai and the others were getting closer to the destination. 

"So, Kai," Leander piped up, undeterred by the frostiness in the air. "What's drawing you to Azure City? Must be something pretty important."

Kai's gaze remained fixed ahead, his response curt. "It's personal," he replied, his tone sending a chill down Leander's spine. "Let's leave it at that."

Leander nodded, sensing Kai's reluctance to elaborate. "Fair enough," he conceded, exchanging a glance with William, who seemed undeterred by Kai's aloofness.

"Still, Azure city? That's interesting, but I won't pry. That city is in ruins right now, are you sure that's the right place to go to?"

'Ruins?'

Kai's response was sharp, his words cutting through the air like a blade. "Ruins or not, I have business to attend to."

William, undeterred by Kai's coldness, grinned eagerly. "Well said, Kai! That's the spirit!"

"Brave, huh? Only time will tell. But you guys are also headed east. So, what's your story?" Kai asked.

"The three of us are on a personal mission out there. We're chasing something." Azaela replied, with William adding, "enough about that. How about you ask some questions? You know, we can help you with you 'unfinished business.'"

"You say that Azure City is in ruins. Why? How?"

William exhaled, "Wow, that's a long story. Have you really not heard what's happening on the border?" He questioned. Kai nodded his head, so William continued, "it looks like we're pulling up to our home, so I'll simplify it for you. Long story short, the Central Empire, supposedly, "he emphasized, "has been sending bandits to attack Azure City. So much so that they've practically ran the city dry."

'Bandits? Sounds like a punch of pests. Who knows, though, maybe they can provide me with something.'

"I've heard something other than that," Azaela began, "apparently, there's something in the Azure Mountains, and that's why Emperor Maximus Valerian has been sending all those bandits there."

"Their real objective is some hidden treasure?" Leander tapped on his chin.

"That's what I heard. It makes sense too, because the Central Empire wouldn't just raise the tension between us for no reason."

"Sounds like he wants a war." Kai added, bluntly.

"A war?" All three of them said in unison.

"Yeah. They aren't exactly known for being a nice empire, are they? Would better of an excuse to declare war on eastern kingdoms when they declare war on you first?"

"Not following?" Azaela scratched her head.

"I get it." William announced, "you're saying that if they keep kicking Ling's crutches down then we'll have no choice but to fight back. And that's why he's using bandits. They're not a direct connection to him."

"And if they do, then they probably have a person to take the fall for them." Leander concluded.

The carriage came to a stop. An elderly man at the front held the reigns. He said, "we are here, young warriors."

The three of them stepped out. William grabbed his thin sword, Leander his bo staff, and Azaela had nothing. 'She must purely focus on martial arts not sword or any weapon arts.'

"Ah~" William held his arms out, sucking in some air, "we should introduce you to the Chieftain!"

"You three are able to do that?"

"Of course we are! We're warriors after all, not initiates." William cheekily smiled.

Kai merely nodded, his expression inscrutable as he followed Leander, Azaela, and William into the unknown.