The crowd was alive with anticipation, their cheers reverberating through the coliseum as Kaiden stepped into the arena. His heart pounded in his chest, but his focus was absolute. He had felt the flow return to him in his last training session, but this—this was the real test.
Across from him, a man stood, tall and muscular, his eyes cold and calculating. His opponent had the look of someone who had spent years in the ring—scarred and weathered, but with a strength that was undeniable. The challenger was known as Garrick the Iron Fist, a fighter whose record of 35 wins and 17 losses made him one of the most respected in the arena. Kaiden could see why. Garrick's broad shoulders and calloused hands spoke of years of brutal training, and the pair of brass knuckles he wore on his hands was a testament to his raw power.
The bell rang, and the fight began.
The Clash of Titans
Garrick charged forward immediately, his movements sharp and precise. He was fast for his size, and Kaiden quickly realized that this wasn't going to be a straightforward battle. Garrick swung his right fist with terrifying speed, aiming for Kaiden's head. Kaiden ducked, narrowly avoiding the punch, feeling the wind of the blow brush past his skin.
Garrick's knuckles connected with the ground, sending a shockwave through the earth as he shifted his stance. He was quick to recover, stepping back and preparing for another blow. Kaiden's mind raced. This man wasn't just a brawler; he had skill. Each strike felt like it could end the fight, and Kaiden couldn't afford to get hit.
Kaiden moved to the side, his body flowing with a fluidity he hadn't felt in months. His muscles were loose, his mind clear, and his awareness sharp. As Garrick's fist sailed past him, Kaiden saw an opening—just a fraction of a second.
Kaiden's fist connected with Garrick's ribs, but the impact barely fazed him. The man was built like a wall.
Garrick grinned. "You've got spirit, kid. But you'll need more than that to beat me."
Kaiden didn't respond. He simply watched his opponent, calculating his next move.
The First Taste of Flow
Garrick launched a flurry of punches, each one more dangerous than the last. Kaiden ducked, dodged, and parried, but he was starting to feel the strain. His body ached from the effort of avoiding the powerful strikes, but his mind was calm. He was tapping into something deeper.
The flow, Kaiden thought, recalling the concept Garin had taught him. I've been training with my body… but now I need to focus on my strength. Not just my moves. Not just my fists. I need to amplify my body's natural power.
The first step in mastering the flow, Garin had said, was learning how to enhance one's own physical abilities. Kaiden had practiced it before, but it was only now that he truly understood the potential of it.
Kaiden took a deep breath, clearing his mind. He focused on his hands—his fists. He could feel the energy coursing through him as he pushed the flow into his body. The flow wasn't just a tool for fighting; it was a part of him, a force that heightened every muscle, every nerve. His knuckles cracked as the energy surged through him, amplifying the strength in his punches.
Garrick threw another punch, and this time, Kaiden was ready. He shifted his weight and met the punch with his own.
Crack.
Kaiden's fist collided with Garrick's with an intensity that sent a shock through the air. The force was enough to stagger Garrick back, his knees buckling for just a moment. Kaiden saw the surprise in his opponent's eyes.
The crowd gasped, but Kaiden wasn't finished.
Vanguard's Grip in Action
With the flow now fully in his grasp, Kaiden switched to the first form of Vanguard's Grip, a style Garin had introduced him to during their training. He could feel the power in his legs as he adopted the stance—solid and firm. He had seen Garin use this form to dismantle opponents with ease. Now it was his turn to make it his own.
The first form focused on stability and overwhelming strength. Kaiden planted his feet into the ground, feeling the earth beneath him. He was ready for anything Garrick threw at him.
Garrick swung wildly, using his brass knuckles to enhance his blows, but Kaiden was prepared. With the first form, he blocked each punch, the force of Garrick's strikes absorbed through his legs and hips, his core working like a pillar to support his movements. He was like a mountain, unmovable, absorbing the power of Garrick's attacks without giving an inch.
Then, Kaiden shifted into the second form of Vanguard's Grip, which focused on counterattacking. As Garrick's right fist came for him, Kaiden sidestepped, his body flowing in a smooth motion that surprised even him. He extended his arm, using Garrick's momentum against him. He struck Garrick's ribs with a fierce elbow, following up with a palm strike that sent the larger man stumbling backward.
Garrick's breath came in heavy gasps. He was starting to slow down, the toll of the battle wearing on him.
The Fight Intensifies
But Garrick wasn't finished yet. He roared, anger flashing in his eyes, and threw himself at Kaiden with a savage fury. His fists were like hammers, each blow landing with a resounding thud. Kaiden was on the defensive now, his movements precise but desperate.
He could feel the flow of his energy starting to wane, his body tired from the constant onslaught. He couldn't afford to let Garrick take the initiative again.
No… I won't lose, Kaiden thought, feeling the flow surge once more.
With a final breath, Kaiden shifted into the fifth form of Vanguard's Grip—the form of absolute offensive power. He pulled every last ounce of energy from his body, his fists glowing with the strength of his will. His movements were blindingly fast, a blur of motion that Garrick couldn't react to in time.
Kaiden's fists slammed into Garrick's midsection, each blow coming faster than the last. He moved like a storm, relentless and unforgiving. Garrick staggered back, unable to keep up with the onslaught, until finally, Kaiden landed one final crushing blow to his opponent's chest, sending him crashing to the ground.
To Be Continued…
The crowd erupted into a deafening roar, but Kaiden barely heard them. His heart raced, his body sore and bruised from the battle, but he had done it. He had survived.
The fight wasn't over, but the first step had been taken. Garrick lay in the dirt, gasping for breath, his body wrecked by the overwhelming power of Kaiden's fists.
Kaiden's eyes narrowed. I can do this. I will make it to the top. Nothing will stop me.
But the path ahead would not be easy. The coliseum was only the beginning. The world beyond was far more dangerous, and Kaiden knew that. He would need every ounce of strength to survive and conquer.
The battle had only just begun.