[b]Li-Li ~Meadow of Emergence~[/b]

I throw my hands up and flop back on the meadow floor, exasperated. Why must they always be so difficult? Still the note makes me smile. I stuff it in one of Akuketsu's pockets and plan.

There's only one course of action left. Fact: Zaak is hiding something. Fact: That is unacceptable. Outcome: Punishment.  I stand with confidence, vengeance making me warm. It's been awhile since I've beaten something senseless. I can't think of a better punching bag. 

[b]~ The Oasis~[/b]
With Lucy in one hand and Cursed Vengeance in the other I return to the Oasis. I don't speak I just shoot. One round from Lucy to one kneecap. One round from Cursed Vengeance in the other. With Zaak on the ground, he's at perfect kicking height. I swiftly introduce his face to my boot. I'm aiming to crack a few teeth. The First Lotus says nothing. She doesn't even seem marginally surprised, instead she comes to stand a step behind me and to the side. She's ready should I need her. I decide I do. 

"Lotus, bind him." That surprises her, my direct address. She doesn't hesitate though. Immediately light-stitch bindings wrap around his body. The tail end wraps around her wrist like a lasso. His position, laid out in front of me with his hands behind his back, somehow reminds me of a pig. He's just missing the apple. I put my boot on his throat and point Cursed Vengeance straight down at his head. 

"It has come to my attention that you have forgotten your place. I shall now remind you. Your existence is forfeit. Your life is forfeit. That's the price for dragging my mother and your friends through hell to give you rest and then spitting on their sacrifices by wretchedly resurrecting. Everything you are belongs to me." I let that sit for a second before continuing. "I believe I told you, you were not to twitch without my knowledge. So imagine my surprise when I find out you are being quite active behind my back." I put my finger on the trigger of Cursed Vengeance. "Give me a reason not to send you straight back to the pit you crawled out of."