Rain poured down in relentless torrents, hammering against the mountains as thunder crashed overhead, the sound vanishing instantly in the howling wind. One figure climbed an seemingly endless staircase of grey stone, his footsteps steady and sure.
His face was hidden beneath a wide-brimmed hat, water rolling down the fabric in rivulets as he wore a black robe, and the young man pressed on, a single blade strapped to his hip as he climbed.
At the top of the stairs the young man found himself staring at a great and sprawling estate, towering wooden gates of ancient dark wood marking the entrance, with two characters carved of golden metal embedded in the wood above the entrance.
HUO.
The young man's colorless eyes locked onto the characters, the sight sending a shiver of something down his spine, before a calm and utterly emotionless voice spoke from the figure, sending the words rolling over the grounds.
"Death awaits you."
The great gates groaned and groaned as they began to open, revealing a courtyard full of warriors, hundreds of them standing in a solid formation, weapons not even lowering as they took in the young man and his attire.
“The Soulless Swordsman.”
“So, he has finally arrived.”
One warrior stepped forwards, his grip tightening on his katana.
"He has come for the Clan Head!"
Another raised his weapon higher, eyes locked onto the young man's head.
"Kill him!"
The order was given as the entire courtyard of fighters launched themselves forwards with a deafening roar, weapons flashing in the flashes of lightning. The young man stood his ground as the first warrior reached him, his face still hidden behind his wide brimmed hat. Slowly, he reached down and placed his hand on the hilt of his sword before releasing a single word, his voice calm and utterly emotionless.
"Moliu..."
There was the softest of sounds as the young man drew his weapon.
"Dark Flow."
As if something had clicked, the entire courtyard of warriors seemed to freeze as the young man's words echoed around the grounds.
CLICK.
With a lazy flick of his wrist the young man re-sheathed his weapon before a thick and heavy silence fell over the courtyard. The hundreds of warriors that had charged the young man carried on running, completely oblivious to what had just happened as spears of blood erupted from their torsos, their weapons falling from limp hands as one after another, they dropped to the ground. Some were still alive and blinking in confusion as the young man simply watched on, others twitched on the floor, their blades still pointing at the young man's chest.
Within minutes the courtyard resembled a bloodbath, the only remaining warrior lying on his knees shaking violently as his sword clattered to the floor, his eyes wide as he stared at the young man.
"W-What? I.. I didn't even see him move!!"
The young man passed him, casting not even a second glance at the fallen warrior as the young man passed him, his footsteps echoing in the now silent courtyard. Behind him a trail of carnage followed, the rain showed no sign of slowing as it hammered heavily against the tiled roof of the great hall, thunder rumbling overhead.
Within the great hall the image of an old man sat cross-legged on the floor, his weathered hands resting on his knees as he stared at the ceiling, his eyes closed.
A sheathed sword rested beside him.
"Another one..." He muttered to himself, a soft smile playing at his lips as a flash of lightning lit up the room, followed by a rumble of thunder.
The doors to the great hall creaked open as another figure entered the room, the old man's smile widening as he gazed up at the new arrival.
"You must be... the Soulless Swordsman."
The young man stood at the doors, the rain dripping from his traditional cap, offering no greeting at all as the old man chuckled gently.
"With a name like that, I suppose it's best to remain silent."
The old man opened his eyes, locking his piercing gaze onto the young man's hidden one beneath the brim of his cap.
"So then, tell me. What brings you to my home?"
The young man finally spoke, bowing slightly before answering.
"You already know."
The old man studied the young man for a moment before chuckling again.
"Ah yes. That voice of yours speaks volumes. So loud with hatred and vengeance. So then, I presume we know why you are here."
There was no reply from the young man beside him. His chuckling ceased as the old man's hand rested on the hilt of the sheathed sword beside him.
"I neither know nor care who sent you. However, to enter the Huo Estate is a mistake you will greatly regret."
With those words the old man drew his sword, the edge of the metal flashing a faint shade of crimson as it danced with flickering flames, sending the room's temperature rising slightly. The young man copied the old man, slowly drawing out his own blade, the air around his weapon darkening as tendrils of inky black energy curled around the metal.
The two warriors stood face to face, the rain pattering gently against the outside doors as the two stood perfectly still, neither moving their blades or breathing.
A single drop of rain struck the concrete floor before suddenly, they were gone. The ringing of steel filled the room, followed by hundreds more as the two fighters clashed in a furious battle, their weapons a blur as the rain tried to part around them.
Silence fell once more as the two combatants stood motionless. Footsteps echoed down the hall as the young man stepped forwards, a slight trickle of blood running from the side of his blade and with a casual flick of his wrist the young man sent the droplets flying through the air, scattering the crimson liquid into the rain as he pushed himself off the wall, sheathing his blade and turning away from the hall without looking back.
Behind him the leader of the Huo Clan still stood, a thin line of blood crossing his chest. His sword fell from his hand as he fell to his knees, the sound of the young man vanished into the storm as he had disappeared once more into the downpour.
There was only one thought in his head.
"May the hunt commence.”