Time passed swiftly as the academies prepared, honed their skills, and sharpened their minds. As the day of the Dragon Tournament approached, a shadow fell over the Wushu Guan, dark clouds gathering on the horizon.
In the hours before the event, the academies converged on the Arena of Xinhua, a colosseum of unparalleled grandeur located in the heart of the capital city. Crowds of warriors and spectators jostled, a buzzing, chaotic energy filling the air.
The Dragon Tournament was about to begin, and with it, the games of fate.
Sitting atop the grandstands of the Tournament Arena of Xinhua, Master Feng Hanzo of the Golden Elite Academy, Si-Fu Jiang Tokugawa of the Phoenix Academy, and Si-Fu Yagushi Sukuna of the School of Iron Fist shared a cordial nod of acknowledgment.
"It seems we're all here for a thrilling tournament," Master Feng said, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Si-Fu Tokugawa nodded, his expression severe and unyielding. "Only one can emerge victorious."
"Indeed," Si-Fu Yagushi interjected, his gaze shifting to the teams below. "And may the best academy claim victory."
As the crowd's murmurs quieted down, the host of the tournament, Master Sen from the Golden Elite Academy, rose at the center of the grandstand. "Warriors!" he cried out, his voice carrying across the arena. "Welcome to the Dragon Tournament of Wushu Guan!
Master Sen continued, his voice booming with authority. "For generations, both the young and mighty warriors have tested their skills and their fortitude in this sacred arena. Today, the young champions of our three esteemed academies will battle for the distinguished honor—the title of Tiger Warrior."
The crowd roared, their energy palpable, as Master Sen gestured to the teams below.
Meili's eyes sparkled as she imagined the glory of becoming a Tiger Warrior, but her joy was momentarily eclipsed by the throng of people around her. She turned to Kai, her teammate, whose stoic expression seemed untroubled by the crowd.
"Aren't you nervous?" Meili whispered, struggling to keep her excitement under control. "I can't believe all these people came to see us."
Kai's jaw tightened slightly, the only sign that he might be less composed than he appeared.
"Keep your mind on our goal," he growled, his words barely audible above the din of the crowd. "Don't embarrass us by getting distracted."
Meili frowned, a faint hint of disappointment in her gaze.
"Oh wow, check out that dark-haired hottie with the stone-cold gaze!" whispered a young lady from the crowd, her eyes tracking Kai's every move.
Her friend elbowed her in the side. "That's the hottie from the iron fist academy, they say." She paused dramatically. "His their academy's finest eye-candy."
"Wait, he's Hanzo too?" another girl chimed in, leaning forward for a better look. "Wow, their bloodline must be strong. I mean, just look at those icy-blue eyes. And those cheekbones!"
A ripple of laughter flowed through the group of friends, their cheeks flushed with a mix of excitement and giggles. One of them added in a hushed voice, "Yeah, and those ripped muscles! Do you think they're as powerful as they look?"
The girls erupted in a frenzy of giggles, but their enthusiasm didn't go unnoticed. Suddenly, a raucous chant broke out from their section: "Kai! Kai! Kai!" they screamed, waving their scarves and banners high in the air.
As Kai took his place alongside his teammates, the rest of the crowd began to take notice. A chorus of whoops and cheers swept through the stadium as a few others joined in, their roars of support drowning out the initial chant from the fangirls.
Lei, standing a few distance away from Kai, caught the rising fanfare. Her lips curled into a scowl as his jaw tightened. The crowd's admiration for Kai was palpable, stinging Lei like a poison dart.
Meili and Fuse exchanged incredulous looks as the arena erupted into a frenzy of cheers for Kai. Even some of their fellow competitors couldn't help but turn and gape at the sight.
Kai's scoff echoed through the arena, a clear indication that he wasn't going to indulge in any banter with the eager crowd. As the cheers and questions died down, Elia's lips curved into a knowing smirk, as if she were appreciating the spectacle. Meanwhile, Rhett's predatory gaze lingered on Kai a beat too long, a hint of rivalry glinting in his eyes.
The tournament host raised his arms, addressing the spectators. "Alright, I'll now welcome the contestants."
"Introducing our competitors: from the Golden Elite Academy, the champions of the Phoenix Academy, and the warriors of the School of Iron Fist."
The host's voice boomed through the arena, introducing each warrior with a dramatic flair. The crowd's response was deafening, their cheers and hollers echoing off the stone walls of the colosseum.
"From the Golden Elite Academy, we have Master Ansen Hanzo's squad, with Elia Hanzo!" A thunderous roar shook the stands, as the prodigy Hanzo warrior stepped forward, her head held high. "Alongside Elia are Nix Hanzo and Levi Sukuna!" More applause, this time mixed with chants of "Sukuna! Sukuna!" as the crowd showed their support for the dark horse of the tournament.
The host continued, "From Master Ryker's squad, we have Lao Sukuna, Wei Tokugawa, Kato Hanzo!" The crowd's cheers continued. "And lastly From the Golden Elite Academy we have from Master Shen's squad, we have Rhett Hanzo!" Again, the crowd went wild at the sound of Hanzo clan leader's son stepping forward, Rhett's sly grin more than enough to earn him a flurry of whistles and catcalls." As well as Jade Hanzo and finally, Xia Hanzo".
"From the Phoenix Academy, led by Si-Fu Han Tokugawa and Si-Fu Hua Tokugawa, we have Chang Tokugawa!" The crowd showed their respect for the Tokugawa family, their cheers a testament to the academy's prestige. "Their contestants are Chang Tokugawa, Taka Tokugawa, Rei Sukuna and Kaguya Tokugawa, Saburo Tokugawa, Asami Tokugawa", The arena erupted in chorus of cheers, welcoming this Phoenix Academy competitors into the arena.
While the host announced the names of the school of iron fist , there were two people's names really got the crowd roaring loudly, "Kai! And Lei!", their excitement at seeing the mysterious hot kid and The well known daughter of the Hanzo clan's leader.
After the excitement over Kai and Lei had died down, the crowd began to whisper amongst themselves, speculating about the unusual composition of Kai's squad. Some wondered aloud if the inclusion of two Zino clan members would be a liability, causing Meili's ears to burn with embarrassment.
She fidgeted nervously, feeling the weight of her clan's reputation pressing down on her shoulders. But as the murmurs grew louder and more derisive, Meili couldn't shake the sense of unease that settled over her.
The host raised his arms, signaling for silence. "Remember, the tournament is a test of teamwork and skill. Do not judge a warrior by their clan alone." His stern gaze swept over the crowd, quelling their whispers for a moment. But as the hubbub died down, Meili could feel their eyes lingering on her, sizing her up and finding her lacking.
Kai gave her a quick glance, his expression neutral. She couldn't tell if he was unbothered by the whispers, or if he simply hid his thoughts behind a calm façade.
As the host continued his announcements, Meili tried to focus on the task at hand. She glanced at Fuse, hoping for some reassurance, but her face remained stoic. She knew she could sense the crowd's doubt just as well as she did, and the pressure was palpable.
Meili whispered to Fuse, her voice low and fierce. "We'll show them what the Zino clan is made of. This tournament is ours to win."
Fuse nodded, his expression hardening into one of resolve. "Damn right, Meili. We're gonna prove 'em all wrong. We're here to win."
The crowd's chatter faded into the background as the two Zino clan members turned their attention to Master Sen.
As Lei stood, her heart sank at the weight of her family's reputation and her brother Rhett's disapproval. She felt his icy gaze upon her, silently criticizing her presence in the arena.
"He doesn't believe in me," Lei thought, her mind a flurry of frustration and insecurity. "He doesn't think I deserve to be here."
Sensing the tension, another competitor from Rhett's squad—Elia—leaned in and whispered, "Don't let him get to you", Elia's voice was soft but firm. Lei met her rival's gaze, finding a surprising solace in her words. In that moment, Elia seemed less like a competitor and more like a fellow warrior, someone who understood the pressure of familial expectations.
"Thanks," Lei murmured, her voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd. "I'll try."
As the host continued to introduce the remaining competitors, Lei focused on Elia's reassuring presence. The two young women shared a nod of solidarity, a momentary alliance against the suffocating weight of judgment.
"Warriors of the clans, you have been chosen to compete in the Retrieval Gauntlet! The gauntlet will test your strength, your cunning, and your teamwork. Each team has been secretly given one of the three ancient artifacts, it either be the Golden Scroll, Jade Amulet and Silver Badge. Your mission is to decipher cryptic clues, navigate treacherous terrain, and outmaneuver your opponents to retrieve the two remaining artifacts.
But be warned! The final artifact will require you to engage in a Stealth Showdown with your opposing team, where all means are necessary to claim victory, except for inflicting fatal harm. The first four teams to retrieve all three artifacts will advance to the next round."
"The quest starts now. Your first challenge is to decipher this cryptic riddle:
"High in the mountains, where the winds howl,
Seek the ancient one's resting place.
His final words were etched in gold,
Beneath the cold, hard earth", Master sen continued,
"The second riddle is for those who dare to brave the treacherous terrain:
"The path is treacherous, and the shadows lurk.
Stay alert, for danger lies around every corner.
The spirits watch from the trees,
Waiting to ensnare the unwary traveler."
The crowd's cheers are at a fever pitch as the host's announcement concludes. The gauntlet is officially underway, With the first riddle revealed, the teams sprinted out of the arena, ready to unravel its secrets and retrieve the ancient relics.
Once the three Iron Fist Academy warriors arrived at the Shaoshi mountain forests, the reality of the Retrieval Gauntlet hit home. The first riddle loomed large, begging to be deciphered and acted upon.
"Shoashi mountain! We should be careful in this parts, we're most likely to get attention from monsters," Kai stated.
"Warriors, the Retrieval Gauntlet will take place in the vast forests surrounding the sacred Shaoshi mountain," the host had announced earlier, setting the stage for this round of the tournament."The forests are filled with challenges and hidden dangers, but no monster there is strong enough to threaten the lives of true warriors. Only those with keen wits and agile limbs will survive."
As the three warriors entered the forest, Meili recalled the pre-gauntlet briefing. Each team was secretly handed one of the three relics to be protected. Fortunately, Si-Fu Hibiki had revealed to his squad that they were the keepers of the Jade Amulet.
Meili, turned to her fellow squadmates. Her youth and eagerness was evident in her bright eyes as she spoke. "Kai, Fuse, we need to crack this riddle. 'High in the mountains, where the winds howl, seek the ancient one's resting place...' Where do you think we should start?"
The trio stood at the edge of the forest, the dense foliage stretching before them in all directions.
"We'll need to be stealthy too," Fuse added. "Remember, every other team is after the same thing. We don't want to be caught off guard."
"Right," Kai responded with his signature air of skepticism. "We'll need to move swiftly and quietly, though the chances of encountering another squad are high. Remember, we're not the only ones hunting for these artifacts. The odds are stacked against us."
Meili, undeterred by his skepticism, nodded in determination. "Then we'll just have to beat the odds. But we need to be smart about this. Fuse, Kai, what ideas do you have for how to locate the first relic?"
Kai's biting sarcasm cut through the forest air like a blade. "Who died and made you leader, Meili?" he snarked. "Why don't you try contributing an idea before asking for others?"
Meili's mouth tightened into a thin line. She refused to be cowed by Kai's attitude. "Fine. We should move towards the easternmost peaks. 'Ancient one's resting place,' sounds like a tomb or a burial ground to me. I bet it's hidden in the caves up there."
Kai's eyes narrowed slightly.
Kai let out a derisive snort, clearly unimpressed with Meili's suggestion. "It could just as easily be a hidden temple or an old ruin. The riddle is intentionally vague to keep us guessing. The caves might be a dead end."
Fuse, sensing the tension between them, spoke up. "All right, enough bickering. We're wasting time," Fuse interjected. "Meili's plan makes sense, and it's better than nothing. Kai, if you can think of a better idea, let's hear it."
Kai didn't budge, his expression remaining hard. "Always gotta take Meili's side huh, Fuse. Caves may be one option, but I don't think we should rule out the possibility of a hidden temple or ruin. Just because the riddle uses the word 'resting' doesn't mean it's a burial place. I say we scout the area first before heading into dangerous caves."
Meili rolled her eyes, irritated. "That's just going to slow us down, Kai. Look, we can't afford to be indecisive. Let's go with my plan for now, and if we hit a dead end, we'll try something else."
Fuse chimed in, hoping to defuse the tension. "Hey, guys. We're all on the same side here. Kai, we're not going to commit to Meili's plan indefinitely. But she's got a point. Standing around arguing isn't going to get us anywhere. We can always change course if her plan doesn't pan out."
With a determined set to his jaw, Kai shook his head at Meili's suggestion to head east. "No. We'll be more efficient if we split up."
"Split up?" Meili echoed, a flicker of concern in her eyes. "That could be risky."
"We can meet back here later," Kai continued, pointing to a distinctive tree with twisted branches. "We'll compare findings and go from there."
"But who gets to keep the Jade Amulet?"
The question of who should carry the Jade Amulet caused a momentary stalemate.
Kai was the first to speak. "I should be the one to carry it. I'm the most capable fighter here, and we can't risk it falling into enemy hands."
Meili shot him a scathing glare. "And what, I'm not capable? We can't know for sure that we'll all survive this. I should be the one to carry it, just in case."
Kai held her gaze, undeterred.
Fuse, trying to be the voice of reason, stepped in again. "Look, Kai and Meili, both of you are good fighters. But we have to consider the fact that this isn't just about who's the better fighter. We have to consider strategy too. What if we compromise and find a way to split the amulet in two?"
Kai considered Fuse's suggestion for a moment before shaking his head. "Splitting the amulet itself might get us disqualified and render everything useless. But how about this…We make a decoy—something that looks like the amulet. One of us takes the original, the other takes the decoy."
Meili, though initially resistant to any plan of Kai's, couldn't help but see the merit in his idea. "That just might work. If we could make a convincing enough decoy, we could throw our enemies off our trail. But who gets which one?"
Fuse raised her hand. "We can take the decoy. We'll act stealthy. If anyone's going to be able to keep the fact that it's a fake under wraps, it's me."
Kai nodded. "Agreed. If anyone tries to take it, you both can outsmart them, and if you're both caught it's destroyed, we still have the original."
With that, Meili relented. "Okay, but if anything happens to you or the original, I'm holding you personally responsible."
"Understood," Kai acknowledged, giving Meili a curt nod. "Fuse, we'll meet back here by sunset nothing more than that. That should give us enough time to explore and come up with leads on the other relics."
Fuse and Meili exchanged a glance. Meili had her reservations about splitting up, but she knew that arguing with Kai was likely a fruitless endeavor.
"Okay," Meili agreed, turning to Fuse. "Let's head east, then."
With a steely look in her eyes, Meili turned back to Kai. "Remember, you better not lose the amulet. I don't want to have to hunt you down and kick your ass for losing it."
Kai met her gaze, unfazed by her threat. "Like you ever could. Don't worry about me, Meili. Just focus on not getting yourself killed out here. The amulet is the least of your worries in these woods."
Fuse, ever the diplomatic one, simply nodded to Kai, then motioned for Meili to follow her eastward into the forest.
In the lush green undergrowth, Ryou, Lian, and Lei from Si-Fu Mei's squad were facing their own challenges. They too were trying to decipher the cryptic riddle left by the host.
Lei, the sharp-minded strategist of Si-Fu Mei's squad, quickly analyzed the riddle with a keen intellect. "The phrase 'where the winds howl' implies that we're looking for a location with strong wind activity. And 'ancient one's resting place' likely means a tomb or burial site of some kind."
Lian, the shy one of the group, nodded in agreement. "T-that makes sense. But where e-exactly could we find a place like that?"
Ryou, the steady and dependable member of the trio, surveyed their surroundings. "We'll have to start searching."
Lei, with her extensive knowledge of martial arts history, pondered for a moment. "I heard of a legendary Wushu Guan warrior, Long Fei or was it Wu fei, who was rumored to have been buried in these mountains. But that was centuries ago. I'm not sure if any traces of his burial place remain."
With Ryou leading the way, the trio began to make their way deeper into the forest, keeping a sharp eye out for any clues that might lead them to the first relic.
"Th-there's a c-cave opening over there," Lian stammered, pointing to a dark opening in the rock face. "D-do you th-think that could be the resting place of the an-ancient one?"
Lei gave Lian an encouraging smile. "It could be, Lian. Let's check it out. But we need to be cautious."
Lian, nerves still jittery, nodded.
With Lian's stammering as their only guide, the three young warriors cautiously made their way to the dark mouth of the cave. They paused at the entrance, hesitant to venture deeper into the unknown.
"I'll go first," Ryou said, drawing his weapon and stepping forward into the darkness. He took a few steps, the cave's icy air enveloping him.
Suddenly, a sharp gust of wind blew through the cave, almost knocking Ryou off his feet.
"Woah!"
"R-Ryou, are you okay?" Lian stammered, peering into the darkness. She shivered slightly, both from the chill of the cave and the dread of what might lie within.
Ryou quickly regained his footing, a look of concern on his face. "I'm fine, but did you feel that wind? It's so strong in here."
Lei, her instincts kicking in, scanned their surroundings with a watchful gaze. "I don't like this. The wind here is too strong to be natural.
"It could be a trap," Lei continued, her voice tight with concern. "Remember, this is a gauntlet. The forest is filled with enemies. And that wind...it's not just strong, it's also...ominous."
Ryou glanced back at Lian and Lei, sensing their growing apprehension. "We can't turn back now. The cave might be our best lead. But we'll need to stay alert.
Lian swallowed hard, gathering her courage. "Y-you're right."
The trio proceeded into the cavern, the wind growing stronger and more chilling as they went deeper. Lian shivered, hugging her arms tight against her body, while Ryou and Lei pressed forward with weapons drawn.
Suddenly, the trio was faced with a fork in the cave. On the left, the wind roared, and in the distance, they could hear what sounded like the wail of a soul in torment. On the right, they could see nothing but a black void.
"Split up?" Lei suggested, eyeing the two paths with grim determination.
Lian's eyes widened in fear.
"I'm n-not s-sure about that," Lian stammered, her voice quivering. "If we split up, we'll b-be more vulnerable."
Ryou weighed the options. "She's right, but we don't have much time. If this really is a trap, the host will be waiting for us to make a move. If we stick together and choose the wrong path, we could waste valuable time."
Lei narrowed her eyes, contemplating their options.
"Okay, here's what we'll do."
"Lian, you and I will go down the left path," Lei explained, her voice crisp and steady. "Ryou, you take the path on the right. We'll stick together and hold on to the Jade Amulet, and cover more ground. If one of us runs into trouble, we'll signal with a shout. If the noise grows louder, we'll retreat and regroup."
Ryou nodded, his expression determined. "Got it. Good plan."
With that, the three warriors parted ways, Lian and Lei heading down the wind-riddled path, while Ryou ventured into the darkness.
Lian, anxious and wary, crept down the wind-filled path with Lei, both of them glancing at each other for reassurance as they pressed forward. The sound of the wailing grew louder, but as they turned each corner, nothing appeared. The wind continued to howl, whipping their hair around their faces and pelting them with small particles of rock.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over Lian. She gasped, staring up into the swirling darkness, and a glint of light reflected off a blade. Lei, still a few steps ahead, didn't notice.
Lian hesitated, frozen with fear, before letting out a startled cry. Lei, alerted by the sound, spun around to see Lian being held at swordpoint by a dark figure.
"Lian!" Lei shouted, unsheathing her own blade.
"Fancy meeting you here, Iron Fist warrior," the figure hissed, pushing the tip of the sword closer to Lian's neck. "Looks like you're on the hunt for something."
Lian trembled, realizing that this was an adversary, likely from another academy.
The figure was none other than Mr Zenkichi, who previously had an encounter with the Iron Fist Academy. But Lei and Lian weren't able recognize his face or his voice.
Zenkichi smirked, the edge of his sword still dangerously close to Lian's neck. " You might remember me as the Golden Elite lackey who intruded in your base some weeks ago, but..."
Lei narrowed her eyes, surveying the situation, her face a mask of concentration.
The situation took a terrifying turn as Zenkichi revealed his true nature, his body twisting and appearance shifting into that of a young man around Lei's age, albeit with a sinister glint in his eye.. "Call me Zikryu," he growled, his voice still laced with menace.
Lian trembled, confused by the shift in appearance, but still visibly shaken by her captor's sudden transformation.
Lei, her training kicking in, stood her ground, her blade poised for combat.
"What are you?" she demanded.
"I'm a rogue warrior, serving the dark lord Xaphan," Zikryu cackled.
Just as Lei was about to react, a shout rang through the cave, echoing from another part of the cavern. It was unmistakably Ryou's voice, signaling danger.
"I'm going to deal with that," Lei growled, her eyes fixed on Zikryu. "Let Lian go, she's of no use to you."
Zikryu's smile widened. "Oh, but she's of great use to me. Lian is my bargaining chip, and of great importance to Lord Xaphan's plan," Zikryu explained. "Also the more of you I can take out of this gauntlet, the better. And I'm not about to let you off with your lives."
Lei's jaw set with determination. "Well, you'll have to fight me first."
Zikryu's smile only grew. "Of course. But I'll make you a deal: you leave here with your life, and I keep Lian. If not, I'll have to take her—and your life."
Lei's gaze was filled with defiance as she replied. "You think I won't beat you?" Her tone was laced with unwavering confidence.
Zikryu's expression didn't falter. "I don't think, I know," he hissed. "You're outmatched here. Surrender, or suffer the consequences."
Lei tightened her grip on her weapon.