As Yukita makes his way to martial arts class, he feels uneasy, as if a lurking shadow is following him from the dark corners of the alleys. A sense of alertness seizes him, causing his heart to beat rapidly and his mind to churn with overflowing thoughts.
Suddenly, a blurry figure materializes in the nearby alley, barely visible amidst the shadows. A sense of pressure overtakes Yukita, as if he's being watched by invisible eyes full of murderous intent. He pauses for a moment, feeling the weight of imminent danger in the air around him, the wind blowing forcefully and tension filling the surroundings.
Paranoia envelops him as he cautiously moves forward, every step marked by the sensation that something abominable is following closely behind him. Every shadow seems to come to life, whispering dark secrets and filling his mind with a premonition of imminent danger.
A shiver runs down his spine as he realizes that the threatening presence is still there, hidden among the shadows. He wonders what would have happened if he had gotten closer, but the idea makes him shudder with fear. With his heart in his throat, Yukita continues on his way, aware that something sinister is lurking in the darkness.
Unnoticed by him, there was a pool of blood in the alley, among the garbage lay a completely mutilated body and the shadow standing next to it.
Later on, Yukita suddenly turned around, searching with his gaze for the source of his unease, but found nothing but the dancing shadows of the empty alleys. A sigh of relief escaped from his lips, dissipating the tension that had been building up in his chest. He decided to distract his troubled mind by buying a gum at a nearby store, hoping the sweet taste and the simple act of chewing would help calm him down.
Finally, he arrived at the dojo, the familiar refuge where he could find peace and focus on his training. With a sigh of relief, he prepared for the session, leaving behind the worries of the day and focusing his attention on himself and his martial arts skills.
He began to warm up, executing precise and fluid movements as sweat beaded on his skin, creating a fleeting glow in the light of the dojo's lamps. With each punch and kick, he felt the tension melting from his muscles, leaving him in a state of focus and determination.
For fifteen minutes, he immersed himself in the frenetic rhythm of his training, giving himself completely to the art of combat. Each movement was an expression of his inner strength and ability, taking him beyond the limits of the physical to a state of pure concentration and power.
As the training session progressed, Yukita began to feel a gradual improvement in his mood and well-being. The tension that had plagued him earlier slowly dissipated, replaced by a sense of calm and balance. However, despite this improvement, a persistent feeling of confusion clung to his mind, as if something vital had changed within him without him fully understanding it.
During the classes, his attention was drawn to his training partners, and he noticed something strange: some of them seemed to be surrounded by a subtle halo, a kind of aura that fluctuated and changed in size and color. He watched as this vibrant energy enveloped them, some with larger and brighter halos than others, as they performed their movements with grace and skill.
Intrigued by this revelation, Yukita pondered the meaning of these auras. He sensed they might be related to each individual's inner spirit, a tangible manifestation of their strength, skill, and presence in the world. However, despite his curiosity, Yukita couldn't perceive his own aura, leaving him with a sense of uncertainty and longing to discover more about his true power.
That afternoon, Yukita found himself in the dojo, preparing for a crucial showdown against the national champion. With each move, he could feel the anticipation and excitement driving him forward. He was determined to prove his worth and skill in combat, ready to face one of the greatest challenges of his career.
Although, as time passed, the national champion didn't show up. Yukita anxiously awaited his arrival, visualizing every punch, every block, and every strategy in his mind. But as the hour passed, impatience began to creep in.
It was a crucial day for Yukita, he had been mentally and physically preparing for the combat against the national champion. Every move, every breath, was imbued with determination and anticipation for the challenge that awaited him. However, as time went on, the absence of the champion began to generate uncertainty in the tense atmosphere of the dojo. Yukita anxiously waited on the mat, with tense muscles and a heart pounding, but the champion never arrived.
Finally, the door opened and an unknown individual made his entrance. His presence seemed to radiate a sinister energy, and a sinister smile curved his lips as he stared at Yukita. With a voice full of challenge, the stranger proposed a "friendly fight," although his tone suggested anything but friendship. Yukita, confused but determined, accepted the challenge, knowing that this fight could be much more than a simple confrontation.
Surprise and fear seized Yukita as he faced the overwhelming presence of the stranger on the mat. A sense of déjà vu washed over him, reminding him of the chill he had felt in the alley, it's the same, no, it's much more intense than in the alley, that pressure is very different. With trembling hands and a heart beating wildly, he forced himself to maintain composure as he prepared for the showdown.
With courage, he assumed a fighting stance to face the mysterious opponent. However, his bravery was soon challenged when, looking past the stranger, he discovered the imposing presence of a gigantic monster. A creature that seemed to have emerged from the very depths of nature itself, it was a king, with an imposing and threatening presence that left Yukita breathless. Faced with this terrifying sight, Yukita realized that this is a true monster.
Awakening dizzy, with his mind clouded by confusion and bewilderment. He slowly sat up, seeking answers among the shadows that still danced in his mind. He cast a puzzled look at his coach, seeking clarity amidst the fog of his confusion.
"What happened?" Yukita inquired, his voice barely a whisper amidst the gym's murmur.
The coach, with a worried expression, replied in a calm but doubtful tone:
"The moment the bell rang, I only saw you take a step and fall unconscious to the ground. I didn't see anything out of the ordinary, I didn't even feel any force that knocked you down. It's as if you just lost consciousness suddenly."
Yukita, struggling to regain composure amid the confusion, clung to the most urgent question in his mind.
"Where is that person?" Yukita asked, his voice trembling with a mixture of concern and courage.
The coach shrugged, reflecting the same uncertainty that tormented Yukita.
"He left the moment you passed out," he replied, with a somber tone. "He didn't say a word, but his expression... it had a kind of excitement, as if he had found what he was looking for. I thought it would be better. I don't think you're ready to face him right now."
"But who was he?" Yukita insisted, his mind struggling to understand what he had just experienced.
The coach sighed, his wrinkled hands adjusting his training uniform belt.
"That's what worries me, Yukita. I don't recognize that person, he didn't even seem to be a fighter from the tournament. He seemed... different."
Yukita frowned, his mind buzzing with unanswered questions.
"What would he want with me? And why do I feel so... different after that encounter?" he murmured, more to himself than to his coach.
The older man gave him a sympathetic look, placing a comforting hand on Yukita's shoulder.
"That's something only you can find out, Yukita. But remember, don't confront something you don't fully understand. With time, the answers will come."
Yukita nodded, feeling a mixture of courage and apprehension growing within him. As he prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead, he knew that this experience marked the beginning of a new and unknown stage in his life.
As Yukita walked home, his mind was tormented by the memory of his recent defeat. With each step, the sense of failure seemed to weigh heavier on his shoulders, like an implacable slab threatening to crush him.
Without speaking a word on the way, his face reflected a mixture of disgust and frustration. His eyebrows furrowed in a grimace of discontent, and his tightly pressed lips could barely contain the anger boiling inside him.
Once inside his home, Yukita slumped into a chair, tears beginning to blur his eyes. With a lump in his throat, he let out a choked cry of disbelief and despair.
"How?! How could I lose to a complete stranger?!" he exclaimed, his voice trembling with the intensity of his emotions.
Tears continued to flow as he faced the harsh reality of his defeat. The fear that paralyzed him at the crucial moment haunted him, and the pain of disappointment mixed with fierce determination.
"I couldn't do anything... because of fear," he murmured between sobs, his fists clenched with helplessness. But then, a spark of determination gleamed in his reddened eyes. "This is never going to happen again!"