Kai felt a jolt run through his body, a sudden, strange awareness that made everything around him seem sharper, more vivid. The sounds of the city—distant sirens, murmurs of the crowd, the hum of a passing car—all seemed to stretch and bend as if coming from some other world. His heart pounded loudly in his chest, and a cold sweat broke out on his forehead. Something wasn't right.
He blinked and looked around. The alley, the city… it all felt oddly familiar, like he'd been here before, but it was different somehow. The shadows felt deeper, the light more blinding, and everything seemed to be moving in slow motion. He stared at Mako, who was still bristling with frustration, and Joseph, whose voice had just echoed around them.
Kai's mind swirled with confusion. "Wait… this isn't real," he muttered under his breath, the realization dawning on him like a bucket of cold water. "This is… this is a dream."
Mako turned to him, her eyebrows furrowed. "A dream? Kai, what the hell are you talking about?"
Kai shook his head, trying to steady himself, his breath coming in short, ragged gasps. "No, I mean… I've been here before. We've done this before. Joseph, Mako… this isn't real. You're not real."
Joseph's face shifted from his usual goofy grin to something more sinister, and his laughter rang out, echoing in a way that made Kai's skin crawl. "Oh, you're catching on, Kai!" he said, clapping his hands in mock applause. "Took you long enough! I thought you'd never figure it out."
Mako rolled her eyes, still looking annoyed. "Oh, come on, Joseph. You didn't have to mess with his head like that. Just tell him already."
Joseph's grin widened, and he gave a dramatic bow. "Alright, alright, Mako. You're no fun! Fine, Kai, I'll let you in on the secret. This is a dream, yes. But it's also more than that… It's a vision. A place between worlds where we can talk freely, without anyone listening in."
Kai frowned, his mind still racing to catch up. "A vision? Why? What do you want?"
Joseph's smile faltered slightly, and for a moment, there was a flicker of seriousness in his eyes. "We wanted to talk to you about something important, Kai. Something big."
Mako folded her arms, her expression still tough but less hostile. "The Martial Arts Tournament," she said, her voice steady.
Kai blinked, confused. "A tournament? Why would I care about some tournament?"
Joseph chuckled. "Oh, this isn't just *some* tournament, Kai. It's the biggest one ever held. Martial artists from all over the world will be there. Fighters with abilities like yours… and mine."
Mako cut in, her tone sharp. "And the winner gets something very special. Something powerful."
Kai's curiosity was piqued despite himself. "What kind of power?"
Joseph's grin returned, sly and knowing. "A relic, Kai. A very old, very powerful relic that could change everything. They say it can amplify any power, any ability… turn a weakling into a god."
Kai's eyes narrowed. "And you want me to enter? Why?"
Mako sighed, clearly impatient. "Because you're one of the strongest fighters out there, and you've got a reason to win. Look, this tournament isn't just about the prize—it's a way to draw out people like us, people with… extraordinary talents."
Kai hesitated, still suspicious. "So what's in it for you? Why do you care if I enter?"
Joseph shrugged nonchalantly. "Oh, we have our reasons. Let's just say… we like to keep things interesting. And besides, we can't have all those powerful people gathering without keeping an eye on them, now can we?"
Kai was silent for a moment, thinking it over. "And if I say no?"
Joseph's grin widened. "Well, you can say no, but I have a feeling you won't. You see, this tournament… it's going to change things. Big things. Things you can't ignore. And if you're not in it, you might find yourself on the wrong side of history."
Mako stepped closer to Kai, her voice lower, more urgent. "Look, I'm not going to lie. I don't like you, Kai. But I respect you. You're strong, and you're smart. We could use someone like you on our side. We're not asking you to trust us—we're asking you to do what's best for you."
Kai's mind whirled with the possibilities. A tournament that could draw out powerful enemies… a chance to win a relic that could change everything. But he also knew Joseph wasn't telling him everything. "Alright," Kai said slowly. "I'll think about it. But I'm not agreeing to anything until I know more."
Joseph clapped his hands together, his grin widening. "Excellent! That's all we ask, Kai. Just think about it. And remember… you're not the only one who wants to win this tournament."
Mako nodded, a small, satisfied smile tugging at her lips. "You've got a lot to think about, Kai. We'll be in touch."
The world around Kai began to shimmer and blur, and he felt himself being pulled away, the dream dissolving like mist in the morning sun. He blinked, and suddenly, he was back in the real world, his heart racing, his breath coming in short gasps. The alley was gone, and he was alone in a quiet, dark room.
Kai sat up, his mind still buzzing with the conversation. A tournament… a relic… Joseph and Mako. He knew he had to make a decision soon. Whatever this tournament was, it was going to be dangerous, and he needed to be ready.
He stood, taking a deep breath. "Alright, then. Let's see what you've got, Joseph."
As he walked towards the door, he felt a strange sense of excitement, mingled with dread. Whatever lay ahead, he knew one thing for certain—it was going to be a fight like no other.