An abandoned monastery in Quanhai. A small abandoned village on the Chinese East coast.
Michael Vastrix walks through the village with six Shocktroopers surrounding him to keep him safe. They wear dark gold armor with the black hand on their pauldrons to represent the touch of King Midas for they are the Golden Legion, the most elite of the Shocktroopers in all of Hammer Industries.
Michael Vastrix - How quaint this place is. I heard all the villagers that did not make an escape, were slaughtered. Don’t worry, my brave Legionnaires, for you are brave and true one in all.
As they walk, homes seem partially reclaimed by Mother Nature with a tree growing through the town hall. Michael ignores all of this and heads to a monastery closer to the coast.
Michael Vastrix - It is said that the Shāyú clan lived in this monastery. Originators of the deeply powerful Shark Kung Fu. They were the strongest clan of the land and their rulings governed the other kung fu clans for generations.
Michael walks up to the doors of the monastery and presses them as if to open them. They protest but slowly open with loud creaks to allow the most dangerous man in the world in through the gates. He looks around at dusty spiderwebbed surfaces and corners.
Despite the fact that sunshine should be shining through open windows that were there before the invention of glass, the air darkens inside the monastery until the Shocktroopers get out flashlights and their sidearms, their flashlights weakly fighting against the unnatural darkness.
Michael Vastrix - The place was enchanted by ancient magics for the Shāyú monks had senses other than mere sight to help them find their way to not become prey for others.
One of the Shocktroopers shines a light on an old bloodstain on the wall. A wall that was cracked as if something fierce drove a human body into it, cracking the stone wall.
Michael Vastrix - The Shāyú are dead. Their ways and their fighting style gone to the sands of time. They did not die from politics from the clans, though the clans did conspire against them to bring them down. No. A chance act. A traveler chanced upon the place, looking for a challenge. That is something that it found…lacking…with the Sharks.
A chain with a barbed speartip flies through the air and takes one of the SHocktroopers in the chest, going through him and into the stone wall. He fights to get the chain out of him, but it rips through his armor as the chain is pulled taut and through flesh and bone until it rips out through his chest at the left shoulder. The Shocktrooper falls dead to the ground. The others shine their lights at where the attacker should be standing and open fire.
You would think that being inside the gunfire would echo off of the walls and rebound over and over again to deafen those without protection, but the sounds are hungrily devoured by the darkness. A dozen more chains rip through the area in different directions, spearing the rest of Michael’s guard in short order. The last guard to survive is pierced through by three chains. Having dropped his weapons, he reaches for the unscathed Michael Vastrix.
Shocktrooper - H…how?
Micheal reaches into an inside pocket and pulls out a service revolver with a smile.
Michael Vastrix - My dear boy, the meeting that’s about to happen comes at a cost. Your service is greatly appreciated.
He places the gun barrel to the Shocktrooper’s forehead.
Shocktrooper - No…
BANG!
Michael’s cybernetic eyes begin to glow red, allowing his vision to pierce the supernatural darkness to see the humanoid creature with pale white skin and long black stringy hair that reaches its shoulders. The source of the bloody chains.
Michael Vastrix - Sheokega. It is a pleasure to finally meet that which ended the Shāyú.
Sheokega parts its hair so that it can properly see Michael. Its eyes a a sinister black aas it gazes upon him with a creepy smile.
Sheokega - You are not who you say you are. You are a spirit riding the body of your son.
Michael just shrugs, suddenly pressing two fingers to his temple as Jeremiah tries to gain control. He smiles when the fighting stops in victory, lowing his hand.
Michael Vastrix - I am what was. I have a mission for you in Japan if you are brave enough to go there, that is.
Sheokega - There is no mortal that can stop me from going where I might please to go. Who is it that you would like me to murder?
Michael Vastrix - Valora Salinas is the reason that I inhabit the body of my son instead of my own. I would like to see her die for her sins against me at last.
Inside Michael’s head, Jeremiah rails against the words.
Jeremiah Vastrix - No, father. She is my friend!
Michael Vastrix - She murdered your father.
Jeremiah Vastrix - A man who spent much time trying to kill me!
Michael Vastrix gives a strained smile as he silences Jeremiah’s voice inside his head.
Michael Vastrix - Sorry about that. Can you do it?
Sheokega - What prevents me from just killing you and being done with it? I like my peace.
Michael’s eyes begin to glow red as he gives a predatory smile to the supernatural evil.
Michael Vastrix - If I go missing, you will only know the peace of death. This place will be leveled from space. Or, you could do as I ask and be rewarded whatever it is that you would like.
Sheokega comes into the light, its pale skin nearly shining in the light of Michael’s eyes.
Sheokega - Maybe I will kill this Valora for you then. I have not left this place in generations. Tell me, does Tehuai Anxiu still lead the remaining clans?
Michael narrows his eyes, but smiles.
Michael Vastrix - She has and ever will as far as I know.
Sheokega - Good. I will go to Japan and I will kill Valora Salinas. Do you have a description of her?
Michael gets out his smart phone and flicks through pictures on the phone before showing it. It flinches at the light from the phone before curiously looking at the device and then the picture being shown.
Sheokega - Good. I will end her.
Michael Vastrix - Thank you.
Hours later, Michael Vastrix is on a private plan back to Japan. He is holding his camera and goes live with an easy grin.
Michael Vastrix - Hey, Jeremiah Vastrix here. I just wanted the chance to address Drake Nygma. I don’t care what you think that you are. I will end you in the ring. I am the leader of Hammer Industries, the premiere corporation in the entire world. You think that someone like you is going to make me afraid? No. I will go down to the ring and kick your ass. I may feed you to the pigs after the match just so that the world is rid of your body.
So don’t think you’re going to come in and get a win against the champion, man. Don’t think that’s going to happen. You haven’t earned your chops yet and never will once I get through with you.
