"Boom!","Boom!", "Boom!","Boom!".
I felt deep seeded hatred awaking inside of me. I didn't care anymore, that guy had to die. With a final punch, he released my arm, and I flew through the air again. When I slammed into the ground, my vision got blurry, but also more red, darker red to be precise. I was no longer able to stand, but somehow my body picked itself up.
"Ha..Hahaha…", a laugh escaped my mouth. Although the voice belonged to me, it didn't at the same time. I faintly heard someone shouting, but I no longer knew what was going on. My body started walking, then running. Something didn't feel right, and then I heard my voice, but not my voice again. 'Release me, and I will kill that man for you'. I was confused. My body still moved around, and attacked that stout man.
The voice repeated 'You are weak, release me. No one can stop us if you do'. I asked 'Release you? What are you?'. The voice replied 'Why ask, when you already know the answer? Release me, let the world drown in blood. We can achieve anything!'. I realised what it was, I already met that… thing before. I fought it before. This was not the same as last time. This time, that thing was different.
I replied 'No! You have no power over my body!'. The voice screamed 'Fool! Don't you realise your own potential? Release me, and we can rule this world!'. I shouted 'Shut up! Get the hell out of my head!'. My body suddenly stopped, but not because I shouted, something stopped me. The blurry dark red vision began returning to normal, and I fainted.
I don't know for how long I was out. When I woke up, everything hurt me. I couldn't move at all, and even my vision was blurry. I felt weak. I closed my eyes again, and fell asleep. I was too tired to stay awake. When I woke up for the second time, I felt much better. I could move, and the pain mostly disappeared. After a while, I noticed that I was inside the old man's house.
"Old man… you there?" I asked loudly. The old man replied "You are finally awake. It took you some time. You were out for about two weeks". I sat up, and asked "Two weeks?". Then I realized someone else was inside the house. "What is that bastard doing here?", I asked. The stout man stood up, and walked towards me, but the old man stood in front of my bed, and said "You already done enough. Sit the hell down!".
The stout man replied, "You think you can order me around. Out of my way". He released his Aura, but the old man did the same. As they were about to clash, they suddenly stopped, and their Auras vanished. A short grandpa walked in, and said "I told you two to stop messing around. I will not repeat myself again". The stout man mumbled "Bastard", when suddenly a dagger appeared on his neck.
The short grandpa asked "You said something boy?". The stout man stayed silent. 'I couldn't even see the dagger. Not only that, I couldn't see when he took it out' I thought. This was the third master. The master in the Art of Hidden Weapons. I could easily guess that the second guy, was a master in the Art of Rage, but I didn't like him at all.
The short grandpa walked over to my bed, and said "Stand up boy". I nodded, and stood up. He observed me, and suddenly my instincts flared up. I jumped backwards, shielding myself using my right arm. The short grandpa only stood there, and a smile bloomed on his face. He said "Good reaction boy. I see that idiot messed you up a bit, but you should be proud. You managed to get in a few hits on your own. Who knows what would happen if I didn't stop you". I asked surprised "You were the one who stopped me? I don't remember much, only some hazy memories, but I'm sure my body suddenly stopped. How did you do it?".
He smiled, and replied "I don't mind showing you, because you came up with something similar, at least according to Yater". I asked "Yater?". The short grandpa looked at the old man, and asked him "You didn't even tell him your name?". He shook his head in defeat, and said "One almost killed him, and the other ignored him… Are you guys real masters?". Both of them hung their heads down. It seemed like this short grandpa had a lot to say.
I asked "Why do they listen to you?". The short grandpa replied "Because I've been a master for a long time now. These two are new". He pointed at the old man, and said "He became a master about 10 years ago. The previous two masters, died 20 and 7 years ago respectively". He then pointed at the stout man, and said "This guy is younger, and doesn't have as much experience. He became a master only 3 years ago. The previous one, died 5 years ago".
He then continued "My name is Nathan. We both lived through the same experiences. Otherwise, I wouldn't be even talking to you. That is not enough though. If you want my help, you have to earn it". I replied "I don't need help, I always planned to master my skills. With or without your help, I will make it one day". I then pointed at the stout man, and said "He can piss off too. I don't need that kind of guy in my life. After what happened last time, I don't need his Art".
The stout man snorted, and replied "What? Little baby got punched too hard, and is scared now?". I asked "Scared? Of you? No, I'm scared of that thing, which would eventually kill you. I don't need that thing, whatever it was". The guy didn't take it well, and released his Aura. As he was about to launch at me, he suddenly stopped. "I told you to shut up, didn't I? How many times do you think I will repeat myself?", said Nathan.
The stout man was bleeding all over his body, then I finally noticed something. "Strings!". Nathan replied "Wires, not string. Similar concept though". When the stout man could finally move, he said "Whatever, I'm off. He is not interested in learning from me". No one stopped the guy, and he left. The short grandpa asked "Are you fine with that?". I replied "I don't need a jackass, who punches me in my sleep. Besides, I don't need his Art. I don't want to deal with whatever it was again".
Nathan replied, "You are wrong about something. This idiot Yater probably told you, he is a master in the Art of Rage. That is a commonly used name, due to the characteristics of the practitioners. The real name of this Art, is the Art of War. He wouldn't teach you how to be angry, but how to control and use your anger as power. That is the basic principle of the Art of War".
He then continued, "If you knew him, then you might understand why he did it. Although it might've been a bit overboard, but that's how the Art of War is. I can get him back here, if you want". This time Yater replied "He hasn't left. He sits outside, like an idiot". I heard a loud "I'm not an idiot!". I sighed, and said "Alright, I will learn all three Arts. Let's forget about what happened".
Nathan said "I told you already. You need to show me, you deserve my help. I've been disappointed too many times. There were many who I spend time on, but they couldn't get it, they were not fit to be masters. Instead of wasting my time, I will watch you. If I'm satisfied, I will help you out. If not, I will leave. Yater will stick with you for sure, I can see that he is impressed by you. That idiot Irwin will also stay. He has no chance of finding another one like you easily". I replied "As you like", and walked outside.