The abbot’s mind was still hard and opaque as he led Kade the other way.

“Thank you again for taking us in,” Kade said. “I know it’s a risk for you.”

“It’s nothing,” the man said curtly. His mind was a mask, unyielding.

“If I’ve offended…” Kade began.

The old monk snorted.

They turned a corner, and then another, and kept walking. The monastery was larger than Kade had realized.

“I know that I’m not a bodhisattva,” Kade said. “Not a holy man.”

“Do you?” The abbot turned, raising an eyebrow. “Do you really?” His mind was inscrutable.

“Yes,” Kade said. “I do.”

“You’ve given great powers to the young and foolish. Dangerous powers. Powers they should have worked for. Powers that even now are being abused, are they not? Some may love you for it. I do not.”

Chicago flashed through Kade’s mind, a glimpse of wires and then chaos. The news videos of broken bodies strewn about, men and women whose lives had been ended abruptly.

Powers that even now were being abused.

Kade opened his mouth, reached for some answer, some way to say that he still believed in people, still believed they’d use this mostly for good, despite the abuses.

But the abbot had already turned, walking briskly away, and Kade had to rush to catch up to him.

“Here.” Thich Quang An opened a door, gestured Kade inside before him. “There is something within, for you.”

Kade bowed, and entered.

Then something hard jammed itself into Kade’s belly and he gasped. Someone grabbed him from behind and slapped heavy tape over his mouth. He thrashed and tried to kick out but men held him. Then everything went black as they brought something down over his head.

[activate: bruce_lee full_auto]

His body dropped low and twisted and for an instant the hands on him were gone.

[Bruce_Lee: Escape Succeeded!]

He felt his leg lash out and make contact with a soft target.

[Bruce_Lee: Attack Succeeded!]

Someone groaned. Kade’s body twisted again and he felt something whoosh by him.

[Bruce_Lee: You Dodged One!]

Then he felt the heat of a body nearby and his fist lashed out and–

[Bruce_Lee: Attack Succeeded!]

Oh my fucking God

pain lanced up his right hand as soft, not-yet-fully-healed bone and raw nerve made contact with something much harder. He curled over, cradling his throbbing hand as the pain brought tears to his eyes. Then something hit him in the head, hard, and the world spun.

[Bruce_Lee: Dodge Failed L]

Kade came to slowly. They were carrying him by his ankles and armpits. He could see nothing through whatever was over his head, but something told him he was outdoors again. He tried to yell but he was still groggy, and managed only a weak grunt. The tape around his mouth stifled it.