Within the quiet Monastery of Emei cries resonated, it was an infant's who was left at the front door.
Abbot Shi Yong's tired face looked upon the newborn with an affection that mirrored a mother's. Once in his hands the boy gave a joyful laugh as if being found the second greatest gift alongside of his birth.
"A name." The old man smiled. "I wonder what I shall call you young one."
His mind sprinted about the many beautiful things to call this new addition to the monastery, finally his mouth opened to give the name of special meaning.
"I shall befit you with the name of my brother, Batuo." He chuckled and brought Batuo into his new home.
Time passed as it usually does, Batuo enjoyed his life within the walls of Emei, he saw the training of his fellow Shaolin brothers and wished to partake. His eagerness was received and with Abbot Shi Yong's blessings he too took in the training.
Batuo was very outstanding, to the point that whispers in the Monastery surrounded rumors of him becoming the next Abbot hung heavy within the holy air. Along with him was another Shaolin of promise, he and Batuo were showing signs of a child like rivalry even then they didn't oppose each other nor showed jealousy. Both enjoyed the company of the other and loved the training they shared.
Both Batuo and Sei were basically brothers.
Tragedy struck however.
It came with flames as an invasion pursued the quiet continent, among the three temples of shaolin training were Henan, Wutang, and lastly O Mei Shen. Henan was nothing but ashes thanks to the unknown attackers.
Smoke was seen from Emei, this concern grew causing angst among the monks. Some voted to fight against the threat that invaded their lands.
Batuo was one of them.
He was gathering allies and sharpened weapons thinking only of returning the blood favor tenfold. Batuo was the last to leave, so his only friend tried to speak to him once more.
Sei however knew that a true Shaolin doesn't seek war, he turned down his brother invitation to attack the enemy who drew near.
"You wish to stand here and let them invade!?" Rage rattled through his voice. "This is madness, we would be just waiting to die!"
"No." Sei softly spoke. "We only defend ourselves that is why we train, not to take a life."
"He is right." Shi Yong walked between the two. "We are not warriors we are monks first and foremost. The teachings bestowed and blessed upon us are from Bodhidharma, and through his wise words we are to only use these methods as a way to help not harm. Only when in a corner or when options are as dry as a well during drought can we use our power only for defense . It seems our brothers have been taken to the world beyond, we should flee while we have time."
For the first time in the young man's twenty years of being a follower within the Emei Monastery he gave his master and brother a face of disgust.
"I refuse to flee."
These were his last words before storming off into the direction of a marching army.
"Sei..." Shi Yong sadly called out to his disciple. "I want you to remove his name plate along with the ones who followed him into battle from amongst the others and hold onto them, should they spill blood you will throw it away, but if they return as clean as snow then you may return it and so can they can be with us once more."
Sei did as instructed, he looked at the rising smoke worried for his brothers.
Batuo leapt great distances through the trees, his fury was not being quenched at all. He was now fully enraged, the Sin Jayeon within was burning. It always gave a soft warmth, but this was different...
It felt like a wildfire in his chest, that flame traveled to his hands and feet eventually enveloping him.
Never before had Batuo seen such violence, the armies was equipped with swords and spears. They all were dyed in a deep crimson from the brutal onslaught of the citizens who had once resided in Henan along with his fellow brothers.
All eyes looked up hearing the angered screams of Batuo, he leapt down from the cliff and struck. Numbers overwhelmed him drastically, yet his skills were dwindling them. One strike was all it took to either stop the breathing, or a swift slash of his hands would remove limbs and heads from countless bodies.
They kept coming...
Spears and swords were plunged into the young man, he didn't mind however. All of those attacks were meaningless to him, only his rage kept him moving in a manor that mimicked a demons.
Remnants of the once dangerous army were now dogs with tails between their legs. Fear gripped it's cold fingers into the hearts of these frightened men.
Batuo still stood, his orange Shaolin clothing was now covered in red. His eyes were glossed over as he was now knocking on the door of death.
Still he moved forward.
Upon seeing this they fled.
"I... I stopped them..." Batuo fell his eyes looked into the thundering sky, as grey clouds rolled over sending a storm to wash away such sins. "Master... Sei..."
He closed his eyes awaiting the next world, yet instead before him was a man within a cage of pure black bars. Beside him a woman of virtuous beauty stood.
Claps echoed in this dark hall.
"You are truly a warrior." Donavan applauded. "Never have I seen a man destroy the morale of an army, even in death you prevailed. I have a proposition for you." He extended his arms from the cell. "Join me and help gain the freedom I yearn and I will give you life."
The thought of being returned to his family was too good to be true, Batuo instantly took the offer. Once his hand touched Donavan's he was back in the world of the living.
Excitement had taken over as he wanted to go back and hear the cheers of his brothers and family.
Batuo was now before the gates of Emei, his voice boomed in happiness. It even overtook the blaring rain about him.
"Brothers!" He called. "Master Shi Yong, Sei! I have stopped them."
From behind the wall came a small object, it landed beside Batuo he glanced at it.
"Why is my name plate out here?" He picked it up. "Sei! Master! What is the meaning of this?!"
No answer came...
"Y... Your kidding." Laughter came from him. "Your kicking me out of the Monastery? After I just saved you all from damnation! I did this for you!"
The doors opened slowly.
"No." Shi Yong came from behind the doors. "You did this yourself, a monk does not let rage take him. He does not murder..."
"They were killing us!" Batuo shouted.
"Look at yourself." Shi Yong shook his head. "You are doused in blood, and you still claim that you are in the right. I may be old, but I can tell you cannot wield Sin Jayeon anymore."
"Yes I can!" Batuo tried his best but it won't appear, instead of the warm red he was accustomed to, a ominous velvet coated his arms. "What... What is this..?"
"You've been cursed with Agma." Shi Yong explained. "That is pure demonic energy in your hands. You are not welcomed here anymore..."
"No I... I was trying to..."
"From now on Batuo is no longer your name." Shi Yong placed out his left hand. "You are a demon."
A golden aura exploded sending Batuo hurdling through the forest, he landed back to where he fell off a cliff and into a river.
There was only one thing replaying in his mind.
"How can they do this to me."
"How dare they do this to me!"
He jumped from the riverbed and back onto the cliff, his eyes were encased in rage's horrid aura.
"I'll kill you all." He growled.
Shi Yong watched a burst of purple explode from Batuo's direction.
"It seems I was right." He sighed sadly looking at his former student. "You are no longer the disciple... no the son I knew."
Shi Yong placed his staff aside, he took in a deep breath and prepared himself.
Trees were being torn down from the blinding speed Batuo showed. He was before his Master once more, however, his eyes were hateful and fist clenched for a destructive blow.
For the first time in his life...
Batuo had connected his fist against Shi Yong...
Whiplash from their clash sent shockwaves across the continent, gold and violet colors intertwined violently.
"What is this?" Sei gasped. "This isn't a normal battle."
A disciple came to Sei.
"We should assist Master." He cried.
Sei knew that getting in the way would only bring death to all of them, he declined the ludicrous idea.
"We can only watch." He hated this weakness. "We will only get in the way."
Batuo felt himself being pushed back. Even with the new body he was granted the old teacher was remarkably stronger, Shi Yong refused to falter.
Batuo stepped back
"Master you..."
"Do not call me Master." Shi Yong hissed. "You are a danger to others and yourself, I will not kill you for that is against our way of life. Instead I will remove your limbs to make sure you cannot harm anyone again."
Hesitation was not within his mind, he disappeared from Batuo's sight.
"Whe..."
A disconnection from both arms suddenly came.
Batuo looked and saw how his arms were on the floor beside him. Soon he fell to the ground as the legs he once stood on were now before his eyes.
All of his limbs were removed.
"This is the path you have chosen." Shi Yong bowed and turned to walk away.
"It is..." Wickedness created a evil grin on Batuo's face. His arms and legs suddenly regenerated, he got up. "I don't regret a thing." His Agma exploded stronger than before.
Shi Yong swung around, his face still held a stern look. This facade held fear though, he was stunned to see not only the limbs regrew also the power with him.
"You are indeed a demon." Shi Yong grimaced.
"Then so be it." Batuo raised his arms. "Your going to tire out master, and once your fully exhausted... I'll kill you."
"He's serious..." Panic came over Sei. "There has to be a way to stop this madness."
"This is what Bodhidharma must have felt when he saw Zhong gave in his humanity for power." Shi Yong dug into his robe and brought out a small vial. He threw it at Batuo who was caught by surprise.
"What is this trickery." He growled. "Can't you see I can't be harmed."
"You can be sealed." Shi Yong corrected him. His hands clapped together and from his tired lips he whispered a prayer. A golden circle appeared slowly about them.
"As if I'll..."
Chains shot from the ground and embraced Batuo in their resplendent aura, he tried his best to remove them. It was like every time he used his Agma, it was being absorbed by those restraints.
"Oh waters of Nirvana that washes away sinful aspirations." Shi Yong prayed. "Taketh the one whose way of life is lost into your constant flow."
More chains appeared along with them a bright light within the circle began to swallow Batuo into it's warmth.
"No.... No!" Wailed Batuo. "You can't do this!"
Soon his cries stopped as he was dragged away into the brightness.
"Amitabha." Shi Yong whispered.
There was nothingness all about him, he felt himself sinking deeper into a realm of colors until he felt solid ground.
"I'm trapped here..." Speechless, Batuo looked up into the golden amethyst sky. "Damn you!"
Frustration made his fist slam into the ground.
"Damn you!" Another punch then another.
Soon he stopped and sat down in despair.
"I can't believe he used the sealing chant on me." His teeth were clenched to the point of bleeding. "You old bastard!"
"Enough." A voice calmly commanded. "How am I supposed to meditate if you keep screaming."
Batuo was so concentrated on his rage, he didn't notice the man in a crossed legged position near him.
"Who... are you." His voice was weary.
"I am someone who has been here for quite some time." The man sighed. He opened his haunting purple eyes. "You are... no were a Shaolin. It seems you walked in my path of power and got to where you are now. What is your name?"
"I... was Batuo, and you?"
"You should know me." The man chuckled. "I'm sure your abbot has told you the stories of the first demon monk."
"Zhong." Batuo's voice quivered a bit. "You... Really are trapped here. They say you have power to split the continent, why do you remain in this place."
"It's not a choice." Zhong got up. "I tried to leave, yet this place absorbs my energy every time. The sky above is proof. Look how my Agma mixes and dissolves in that golden color I'm sick of."
"I refuse to be stuck here." Batuo's hands glowed.
"To exude energy yet still stand." Intrigue was in Zhong's voice.
"What do you mean?"
"Watch."
Energy exploded from Zhong, it sent chills through Batuo. Then just as fast as it exploded it suddenly stopped.
Zhong panted heavily as he felt his energy being taken away.
"This accursed place always consumes Agma quickly." He explained through short breaths. "My theory of escape is to feed Agma into the sky and once full this prison will shatter and we shall be freed."
"So if I keep feeding this place my power I will be freed." Batuo smiled. "I will have my revenge on those monks."
"You are planning to destroy the Shaolin." Zhong composed himself. "May I ask to see your statement become reality. I don't ask of this for free either, I can teach you the ways in which I obtained power." He smiled. "You will be unstoppable."
"So be it."
"Then come child let me send my mind into your own."
Zhong extended his hand and Batuo took it with great enthusiasm. It turned to fear as his vision was being clouded suddenly, he felt his mind slipping away slowly.
"What are you doing?!" Batuo weakly asked. "I feel so tried."
"Do not worry about it child." Zhong snickered. "It is just a soul transfer technique, except my soul is much more dominant. So I'm going to take this body of yours. Don't worry, I'll see to it that those Shaolin monks are eradicated."
Batuo was slowly drifting away until finally he gave in.
Zhong opened his eyes to look at his new body in excitement.
"I don't know how you gained this body." He laughed. "But I'll use it for my own benefits."
"I think not."
A voice called from the deep within his mind.
"You must be the entity that gave him such power." Zhong hadn't felt fear in a long time, but just the voice alone was giving him an energy where even a hint of arrogance would spell the end of his life.
"I have and since you took his body you might as well do my bidding." Donavan explained. "Refusing would be the end of you instantly, for that boy had died and came to me for power."
Zhong wanted to curse under his breath, yet withheld it.
"What must I do?" He regretted taking this body.
"Do not worry, it's the same as your last goal Zhong the Sorcerer." A chuckle vibrated Zhong's body. "Kill as much as you can and bring to me their souls."
Zhong's fear stopped.
"You want me to kill as many as I can?" A smile appeared. "Then there isn't any problems at all."
Present Day.
Davy watched the Jiang Shi load up into his ship and was about to return to New Port to send another wave of these soul taking beast.
"Amazing creatures, aren't they?" Chuckled Zhong. "They do the dirty work a lot more easier for me. I've never heard of this place called New Port, a shame it'll be rubble soon."
"What?" Japheth exclaimed.
The heavy glares of both Zhong and Davy made him continue mopping the floorboards on the flying Dutchman.
"You love picking up pest."
"It's my rule, don't you have yours." Davy shot back at him. "At least I can converse with these sets, you surround yourself with dead bodies as a hobby."
"Your tone is upsetting." Zhong glared.
"So is your face." Davy shot back.
Japheth felt a chilly air roll through, he turned to see Zhong and Davy in a deadly stalemate.
Davy's sword was to Zhong's neck and Zhong's fingers to his.
"Why didn't you gain immortality like us." Zhong sighed. "I wish to lope off your head without consequences."
"Duels with lives on the line are the most beautiful things in this world." Davy sheathed his blade. "The only thing as beautiful ismy beloved whom I'll see after dealing with all this soul collecting."
"You and your love tales are exhausting." Zhong shook his head. "Whoever those brats are they have accomplished killing both Mary Ann and Christopher, they reside in New Port so said her soul. Christopher's is still missing."
"It disappeared without a trace." Davy's sigh sent the smell of alcohol into the air. "They might have something to do with it. Careful now Zhong those guys seem to take souls too."
"If they try, I'll just turn them into a new batch of Jiang Shi." He stroked his beard. "Those Shaolin were in multitudes so it's easy to make a few more."
"You found that place called Wu whatever yet?"
"Wutang is a holy sanctuary. Even this dark power can't pierce it for some reason."
The last Jiang Shi boarded.
"Well I'm heading to drop the last load." Davy went aboard his ship.
"I'll continue making more."
Once Davy was aboard, the flying Dutchman suddenly vanished.
"Such an interesting power, he can travel to any place in the seas." Zhong looked at the mass amount of lifeless bodies. "It's time to continue."