Earlier in the morning, as the sunlight flashed through the horizon, the brother duo took a small breakfast and headed towards the dojo. The warm light of dawn cast a golden hue over the neighborhood, giving it a tranquil and almost magical quality. Nikolas and Erick walked in silence, the air filled with the quiet sounds of the waking world.
Nikolas glanced at his younger brother, who was wearing his usual gym clothes that highlighted his defined muscles. If it weren't for his smooth chin, people would surely mistake him for the older brother. As Nikolas took a deep breath, he could feel sweat starting to form on his brow; his heart pounded with both anticipation and exertion. Erick, on the other hand, seemed unfazed by the brisk walk, his steps light and easy.
When they arrived, Erick was mesmerized by the sight.
The dojo stood quietly at the end of the block, surrounded by a beautifully manicured garden that featured flowers and trees typical of Japan. The early morning sun illuminated the scene, casting long shadows and highlighting the vibrant colors of the blossoms. Because it was still early and there was no noise from the city, they could hear the birds sing and feel the wind blow, bringing the fresh scents of the flowers to their nostrils. It was a moment of peace that stood in stark contrast to the chaos Nikolas knew was coming.
"Beautiful, isn't it?" Nikolas smiled at him, feeling a pang of nostalgia. For years, this was his sanctuary, a place that had stood out during the apocalypse as a beacon of hope for him.
Erick nodded but said nothing; the sight was inspiring. The serene environment seemed to calm his usually energetic demeanor, and for a moment, he appeared lost in the beauty of the garden.
"Let me give you some advice: when inside, don't forget to bow down and be respectful..." Nikolas patted his shoulder. "Let's go!"
"Yes!"
As they approached the entrance, the smell of incense wafted through the air, mingling with the floral scents from the garden. The wooden gate creaked slightly as Nikolas pushed it open, revealing the tranquil interior of the dojo.
Upon entering, they saw the same scene as yesterday: Master Yuemura and his disciples were sitting in meditation in the lotus position. The dojo's interior was simple yet elegant, with tatami mats covering the floor and traditional weapons displayed on the walls.
[That old torturer knows how to hide his evil feelings, doesn't he?] Nikolas thought with a mix of amusement and apprehension.
The young man then bowed respectfully and entered the tatami, his brother did the same and followed him as they sat to meditate. Erick's eyes darted around the room, taking in every detail with a mix of curiosity and nervousness.
Even though Yuemura was sitting there with his eyes closed, Nikolas noticed that he slightly raised an eyebrow. Knowing him well enough, he sensed his master's surprise.
[You didn't think I would come back, right!?] Nikolas smiled inwardly, determined to prove his commitment.
The minutes passed quickly, but it felt like an eternity to Erick. He wasn't here to meditate, he was eager to learn how to fight! His restless movements betrayed his impatience, and after he shifted for the hundredth time, Master Yuemura opened his eyes.
"Can you stop moving!? Or are you trying to kill a bug with your ass?" he snapped, only to realize there was another kid in the room.
Yuemura cast a weird glance at Nikolas.
"Oh... not only are you stubborn, but now you are multiplying yourself?"
Nikolas smiled lightly; that was one of his master's acid jokes.
"That's my brother; he wants to know the path towards greatness too!" He easily amplified the situation.
The sensei looked at Erick with interest: at least the boy didn't seem to be a complete waste!
"Come here, kid!" he ordered, pointing to the mat in front of him.
"Yes, sir!" Erick jumped quickly and stood in position in front of Yuemura.
Nikolas almost slapped himself!
"This is not the military, kid; call me master or sensei..." Yuemura explained calmly.
The once Dragon King was shocked! He had never seen his master act so simple after a mistake! That could only mean one thing: either he liked his brother... or Erick was doomed!
[It's probably the latter!] He quickly came to the conclusion.
"Okay, sensei!" Erick bowed.
"Good... Now, try to take me down with all your might!"
"Really? I don't mean to brag, but I'm pretty strong." Erick's eagerness was palpable. He had been waiting for this moment to show his brother just how strong he had become.
"Don't be shy!" Yuemura replied, his voice calm and composed. He positioned himself with his right foot forward, his hands raised in front of his chest, ready to defend. "Come at me with everything you've got!"
Without waiting for another order, Erick quickly grabbed Yuemura by the elbows and tried to lift him with all his might! His thinking was simple: since he was a martial arts master, he wouldn't get hurt, would he?
.
.
.
"Uh?" Erick looked weirdly at Yuemura.
The older man hadn't moved at all! But a big smile hung on his face.
[Oh gosh, he is doomed!] Nikolas couldn't help but think after he saw Yuemura's smile. Shivers went down his spine.
Suddenly, Yuemura moved. Fast as a bullet, the man changed his posture and easily grabbed Erick's arm with one hand while the other grasped the boy's collar.
The boy had no time to react as Yuemura twisted himself. The last thing he saw was the world turning upside down before he reached the ground.
BANG!
The tatami trembled at the impact. Nikolas sighed at the sight, and the youngest disciple, Noboru, couldn't help but show a face of ridicule. Sada Saketsune only smiled, while the oldest, Hiraoka Tadamichi, shook his head.
"A strong bull that doesn't know how to use his strength will always be dominated by its horn…" Yuemura stated as he turned back to his place and sat down.
"Maybe you are teachable after all…" Yuemura smiled.
Nikolas gaped in shock! He had never, ever heard master Yuemura compliment someone like that! Not even his disciples could hide their surprise as they sent weird glances toward Erick.
Unaware of his predicament, Erick returned to his seat, rubbing his head in pain. He had never imagined that the old man could possess such incredible strength! Despite the throbbing ache, a fierce determination ignited within him, fueling his resolve.
Remembering his brother's advice, the boy bowed sincerely.
"I'm ready to learn, sensei!"
"As I told your brother yesterday, you must first learn to breathe and walk before you learn how to fight!" Yuemura rose to his feet and adjusted his robe. "I've said too much already, let's start the training."
Albeit unknown to them, that's how Erick's path toward greatness started.
And soon the days easily went by.
*******
The week that followed was an intense period of training for Nikolas and Erick. Each day began at dawn, with the brothers arriving at the dojo before the first light of morning had fully broken through the sky.
Master Yuemura's training regimen was grueling and uncompromising. The focus for the week was on body control, a foundational principle of Aikido and martial arts in general. Despite Nikolas' experience from his past life, he played the role of a novice to avoid suspicion. His body, burdened by excess weight, added a layer of authenticity to his act. Every movement was deliberately clumsy, every stance slightly off-balance. Yet beneath this facade, Nikolas expertly executed each move with precision, subtly adjusting his posture to mimic the learning curve of a beginner.
Erick, on the other hand, found himself facing a steep learning curve. His initial confidence, fueled by his physical strength, quickly waned as he struggled with the nuanced movements of Aikido. The first few days were particularly tough. The morning would start with meditation, a practice that Erick found challenging. Sitting still and focusing on his breath was a foreign concept to him, accustomed as he was to the high-energy environment of the gym. His impatience and restlessness were evident, and more than once, Master Yuemura had to correct his posture and remind him to focus.
"Your mind must be as still as the pond, free of ripples." Yuemura would say, his voice calm but firm. Erick would nod, trying his best to comply, though often finding his thoughts wandering.
After meditation, the brothers would engage in basic exercises designed to build strength, flexibility, and coordination. Running laps around the dojo, practicing basic stances, and engaging in stretching exercises became their morning routine. Master Yuemura emphasized the importance of these fundamentals, explaining that without a strong foundation, their progress in Aikido would be limited.
"The body must be disciplined before the mind can command it." The old man would say, often with a critical eye on Erick, who struggled to maintain balance and form.
Nikolas, despite his façade, found these sessions beneficial. The rigorous physical activity helped him shed some of his excess weight, and he could feel his muscles growing stronger and more toned. He moved with deliberate awkwardness but internally celebrated the progress he was making.
One of the most challenging aspects of their training was the series of exercises focused on balance and body awareness. These drills involved standing on one leg, moving slowly and deliberately from one stance to another, and practicing rolls and falls. Erick found himself frequently toppling over, his frustration mounting with each failed attempt.
"Use your center of gravity." Nikolas would whisper to him during short breaks. "Imagine your weight is centered in your abdomen. Move from there."
Erick would nod, sweat dripping down his face, and try again, his determination evident despite his struggles.
Master Yuemura's corrections were frequent and precise. He would adjust Erick's stance, reposition his limbs, and demonstrate the correct technique with an effortless grace that only highlighted Erick's inexperience. But Erick was persistent, and each day brought small improvements. His falls became less awkward, his balance steadier.
Nikolas, meanwhile, continued to refine his skills under the guise of learning. He made a point to struggle visibly with certain techniques, wincing in exaggerated discomfort during stretches and falling clumsily during rolls. Yet, in moments when he was certain no one was watching, he would practice with the fluidity and precision of his former self, reminding his body of the movements it once knew so well.
Their evenings were spent in meditation again, a time for their bodies to recover and their minds to settle. Erick, exhausted but resolute, would often fall asleep during these sessions, only to be gently nudged awake by Master Yuemura.
"Endurance is built through persistence," Yuemura would remind him. "The mind must be disciplined as well as the body."
By the end of the week, both brothers had made significant progress. Nikolas had shed a noticeable amount of weight, his body beginning to resemble the leaner, more muscular form he once had. Erick, though still struggling with some of the finer points of Aikido, had developed a newfound respect for the art and its demands. His muscles, accustomed to lifting weights, were now learning the importance of balance, coordination, and control.
Master Yuemura, while still critical, began to show subtle signs of approval. During one particularly grueling training session, he even offered a rare compliment to Erick.
"Your balance is improving." he said, nodding slightly. "Continue to focus, and you will see progress."
Erick beamed with pride, the pain and exhaustion momentarily forgotten in the light of his sensei's approval.
Nikolas, watching his brother's progress, felt a surge of hope. They were both on a path to strength and survival, preparing for the dark days ahead. And as the week came to a close, he knew that their journey was only just beginning.