Chapter 8: The East and the West
The war between the East and West clans, known as the Great Divide, had become a conflict that shook the very foundations of the martial world. Though it had started as territorial disputes, it soon escalated into a full-scale war involving the most powerful qi masters on both sides. This war, more than anything else, was the reason Ron had chosen to focus his attention on extreme training, leaving the affairs of his clan, the Fist of Meteor (FOM), in the hands of others.
The Great Divide was more than just a battle of land or resources—it was a clash of ideologies, a brutal contest to determine which side held supremacy in the martial world. The East, home to ancient clans like FOM, had long prided itself on their mastery of qi and control over natural forces. The West, however, was known for something even more fearsome: warriors who could create destruction akin to Taiyo's devastation without using qi. This was no small feat, especially considering that Taiyo, before mastering qi, had slaughtered nearly a billion troops with his unparalleled martial prowess alone.
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The West had grown infamous for producing such monstrous warriors. Their lands were vast, home to clans that wielded power with nothing but their physical might, training their bodies to levels unheard of. Among them were qi masters who could level cities with a single blow and demi-gods who transcended normal martial limits. The West's greatest champions were the demi-gods Natsu and Hadius.
Natsu, often called the Thunder God, was a man whose very presence seemed to command the skies. With the flick of his wrist, he could summon lightning storms that tore through battlefields, reducing armies to ash. His every step reverberated with power, a force that seemed to defy the heavens themselves. Natsu's strength was feared and respected across all of Murim, and he led the Western forces with the authority of an emperor.
Hadius, known as the Hell Maker, was Natsu's counterpart in power, but he chose neutrality in the Great Divide. His abilities were darker, more sinister. Stories circulated of his control over flames that could melt even the strongest qi-infused weapons, and his presence on any battlefield was enough to send even the bravest warriors into retreat. However, for reasons unknown, Hadius had chosen not to participate in the East-West war. He remained neutral, content to observe the carnage from afar, though his neutrality did little to calm the tension between the two sides.
In contrast, the East had once boasted its own mighty champions. Haruto, the leader of the World Clan, had been one of their key pillars, but his humiliating defeat at the hands of Taiyo had left a massive void in the East's ranks. His fall shattered the confidence of many eastern clans. Now, only two great figures remained to stand against the West: Ron, the leader of FOM, and Itigawa, known as the Flame Phoenix.
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Itigawa, the Flame Phoenix, was a warrior whose qi burned hotter than the sun. His mastery over fire was legendary, and he had single-handedly incinerated entire enemy battalions in the past. But even his power was limited when faced with the overwhelming might of the Western demi-gods. With Haruto's fall, the East had been weakened, and it now fell upon Ron and Itigawa to hold the line.
Ron, however, had his own problems. The seeds of revolt were already growing within his own Pillar Clans, and Taiyo's return had only exacerbated the situation. With each passing day, the loyalty of the Pillar Clans weakened, and rumors of rebellion spread through the ranks. Yet despite the looming threat of insurrection, Ron chose to focus on something else entirely: training.
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The reason behind Ron's obsession with training could be traced back to his first encounter with Natsu, the Thunder God. The memory of that battle haunted Ron. Natsu's power had been unlike anything he had ever seen—a raw, uncontrollable force of nature. In that fight, Ron had barely survived, forced to retreat after being overwhelmed by Natsu's lightning attacks. The humiliation of that loss drove Ron to push himself beyond his limits.
His training became legendary in its own right. Day after day, Ron would seclude himself in the mountains, his qi shattering the landscape as he honed his Meteor Fist technique to new heights. His hands bled from the strain, and his body was riddled with scars, but Ron refused to stop. He knew that if he was to face Natsu again—and this time, win—he would need to surpass his current strength.
But Ron's relentless training came at a cost. With his attention solely focused on surpassing the demi-god, he began to neglect his duties as leader of FOM. The Pillar Clans, once united under his banner, started to question his leadership. Taiyo's return had shown the world that FOM was no longer invincible. The fall of Haruto, the silence from Ron, and the growing strength of the West had stirred doubts within the Pillar Clans.
Whispers of rebellion spread through the ranks. Takeda of the Thunder Serpent Clan, Kaede of the Jade Phoenix Clan, and Kazuki of the Iron Wolf Clan all saw the writing on the wall. FOM's power was waning, and Ron's obsession with his personal vendetta against Natsu had left the eastern forces leaderless. The Pillar Clans, who had long supported Ron's reign, now began to wonder if their allegiance to FOM was misplaced.
"We've bled for Ron, fought his battles, and what have we gained?" Takeda had said during the secret meeting of the Pillar Clans. "While he trains in isolation, the West grows stronger. If he continues to ignore the real threats, we'll be the ones who pay the price."
Kazuki had agreed. "It's not just about Ron anymore. FOM has grown complacent. Taiyo's return and the destruction of the World Clan have shown us that the old order is crumbling. If we don't act soon, the West will crush us, and Ron won't even be there to help."
Kaede had remained silent during most of the discussions, but when she finally spoke, her voice was cold and resolute. "The East is faltering, and Ron's obsession with his personal vendetta will be our undoing. We must decide where our loyalties truly lie."
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As Ron continued his grueling training, unaware of the growing unrest within his ranks, the Pillar Clans were on the brink of revolt. The East was losing ground in the war against the West, and the strength of its forces was weakening. The once-mighty alliance between the Pillar Clans and FOM was disintegrating, and the seeds of rebellion were beginning to sprout.
The East and West were at war, but the real battle had yet to begin. The war that Ron had been preparing for wasn't just against Natsu or the demi-gods of the West—it was a war within his own ranks. The revolt of the Pillar Clans was coming, and when it did, the East would face a conflict that could shatter its empire forever.
And through it all, Taiyo watched from the shadows, biding his time. He knew that the war between East and West was merely the beginning. The true reckoning was still to come.
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I will be taking an week hiatus, as i am going on a trip.
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