The days following the battle at the dojo passed in a blur. The media had moved on to other sensational stories, the police had closed their case due to lack of evidence, and the city resumed its usual rhythm.
For most, it seemed like the chaos had ended. But for Remond, Hayato, and Sid, it was only the beginning.
Master Ho Dieng remained in the hospital under observation, his injuries slowly healing. Yuki, despite her attempts to stay strong, was visibly shaken by what had happened. Hayato, though mostly recovered, had grown quieter, more distant. And Remond—he felt a fire burning inside him, one that refused to die down.
Then, on the fourth day, something changed.
---
Master Ho Dieng Regains Consciousness
Yuki had just finished refilling a cup of tea when she heard a soft groan from the hospital bed. She turned sharply, her heart pounding.
"Grandpa?"
Master Ho Dieng's eyes fluttered open, his expression dazed. He blinked at the white hospital ceiling before shifting his gaze to his granddaughter. A weak smile formed on his lips.
"…Yuki." His voice was hoarse.
Tears welled in her eyes as she rushed to his side. "You're awake! I— I was so scared…"
He chuckled softly, though it quickly turned into a pained cough. "I've been through worse."
Yuki wiped her eyes. "You shouldn't push yourself."
Master Ho Dieng's smile faded as his memories of the battle returned. "Lu Shueng…" he muttered. "Where is he?"
Yuki hesitated. "Gone. He was… defeated."
The old master exhaled slowly, closing his eyes in relief. "Good." Then he frowned. "What of the others? Remond? Hayato?"
"They're okay," Yuki assured him. "They took some hits, but they made it."
Ho Dieng's expression softened. "Then that's all that matters."
But even as he said it, a shadow of unease crossed his face. He had felt the immense power of Lu Shueng that night. If such monsters existed… there would surely be more.
---
Sid's Investigation: The Axiom Syndicate
Meanwhile, Sid sat in his dimly lit room, staring at his laptop screen. He had spent hours digging through encrypted data, piecing together scattered fragments of information. And now, it was all starting to make sense.
His fingers flew over the keyboard, cross-referencing names, locations, and classified files.
Axiom Syndicate.
He had first heard the name from a hidden database linked to black-market research projects. They weren't just another underground criminal organization. No, they were something much worse.
Human evolution experiments.
Sid's eyes darkened as he scrolled through documents detailing unethical trials—experiments on people to push them beyond their natural limits. Superhuman strength, durability, enhanced cognition. And one name kept appearing over and over again: Dr. Edwards.
Remond's uncle.
A cold realization settled in Sid's chest. This wasn't a coincidence. If Axiom Syndicate had been working on human enhancement, then Dr. Edwards' research might have been connected.
Maybe Remond's powers weren't an accident after all.
---
Hayato's Path: Training in the Mountains
While Sid worked in secrecy, Hayato took a different approach.
He left the city before sunrise, his feet carrying him toward the mountains beyond the outskirts. The fresh scent of pine filled his lungs as he ascended the rocky terrain, his muscles tensing with every step.
Once he reached a quiet, secluded clearing, he stopped. He could still feel it—that raw, uncontrollable power surging inside him. The werewolf form. It had given him the strength to fight Lu Shueng, but it had also made him reckless. He had almost lost himself to it.
Hayato clenched his fists.
I have to control it.
Closing his eyes, he steadied his breathing. His senses sharpened—the wind rustling through the trees, the distant sound of a stream, the faintest shift in the earth beneath him. His body remembered the battle, the pain, the rush of instinct.
Then, he let it happen.
A low growl rumbled from his chest as his muscles expanded, his skin bristling with thick fur. His nails sharpened into claws, his teeth lengthened, and his golden eyes flashed in the dim morning light.
The werewolf was here. But this time, Hayato didn't let it take over.
---
Sid's Workshop: Preparing for War
Sid leaned back in his chair, rubbing his temples. He had seen enough.
If they were going to fight against Axiom Syndicate, they needed to be prepared.
Standing up, he moved toward his workbench, where an array of mechanical components, wires, and prototype gadgets were scattered. His eyes flickered to a reinforced vest he had been working on for Hayato—a special combat gear designed to handle his transformations. It needed adjustments.
As he grabbed his tools, the door to his workshop swung open.
Remond stood there.
His body was still recovering, bandages visible beneath his loose shirt, but his eyes burned with determination.
"I'm in."
Sid raised an eyebrow. "In what?"
"The fight," Remond said firmly, stepping inside. "This isn't just about what happened at the dojo. It's bigger than we thought."
Sid sighed, setting down his wrench. "I figured you'd say that."
Remond's fists clenched. "They were involved in my uncle's research. I don't know how deep it goes, but I need to find out. And if they're doing human experiments… I can't let them get away with it."
Sid studied him for a moment before nodding. "Then we'll need to make your gear, too."
Remond smirked. "I was hoping you'd say that."
Sid turned back to his workbench, his fingers already moving as he began modifying the designs. "You know, this is going to get dangerous."
Remond's expression hardened. "I'm ready. It's time I take responsibility for my powers."
Sid glanced at him. "Then let's get to work."
---
The Road Ahead
As night fell, a storm brewed in the distance.
Hayato continued his training in the mountains, his werewolf form moving with newfound precision.
Sid worked tirelessly in his workshop, designing and upgrading combat gear, weapons, and tactical tools.
And Remond, his fists clenched with purpose, knew that the fight had only just begun.
The Axiom Syndicate was watching. Waiting.
But this time, they weren't the only ones preparing for war.
To be continued…