The ruined castle on the Scottish border smelled of old iron. The Redcap, a stunted goblin with iron boots and a hat soaked in blood, sharpened his pike. Murderer's Pike. He heard heavy footsteps.
Zhong Kui, the Demon Queller of Chinese myth, ducked under the archway. He was a giant of a man with a beard like steel wire, carrying a massive sword and a fan.
The Redcap grinned. "Fresh dye," he cackled.
The Charge
The goblin charged, his iron boots clanking on the stone. Iron-Boot Stomp. He thrust his pike at the giant’s belly.
Zhong Kui didn't draw his sword. He yawned. He caught the pike tip with two fingers.
"Your weapon is dull," Zhong Kui criticized.
The Seal
The Redcap tugged, but the pike was immovable.
Zhong Kui whipped out a calligraphy brush. Demon-Catching Brush.
With a fluid motion, he painted a glowing golden character on the Redcap’s forehead.
BIND.
The Redcap froze instantly. His muscles locked. He tipped over, rigid as a statue, his hat falling off to reveal a bald, scabby head.
Zhong Kui picked up the goblin by the scruff of the neck. "You are too ugly to eat," the Demon Queller decided. "I will put you in a jar and sell you to a Taoist alchemist." He stuffed the paralyzed goblin into his sack and walked on.