The lift
door opened with a soft ting-tong. All five students of Team Bold Squadron
stepped out of the lift.
Kaal
said, "I don't know why, but I am scared."
Avyukt
replied, "No need to be scared."
They all
moved towards the Zenith Nexus. Daksh was also scared from inside but he was
not expressing it.
Shreya
said, "I heard somewhere that Zenith Assemblies are actually very strict, and
they also give strong punishments. I have a bad feeling about this."
Anamika
tapped on Daksh's shoulder. He got scared and said, "Don't call me like this,
baka!"
Anamika
said, "Are you okay? Don't be scared, it will be fine."
Daksh
said, "I don't know, but I am scared."
They all
reached the Zenith Nexus Hall and knocked on the door.
Acharya
said, "Come in."
"So,
Team Bold Squadron… finally you are here," said Acharya. "Daksh, you have
broken the rules. You used a technique and put innocent lives in danger."
{Acharya
Dhyan, age 82 – the Venerable Grandmaster 1. He mastered the Fire Fist at the
age of 29 through hard training.}
Acharya
said, "So because of you, your whole team will be punished as well. Now give me
the explanation, Daksh."
Daksh
was scared from inside, his legs and hands shaking. He said, "There was no time
to stop the train, so that's why I decided to use this technique to save that
guy."
Sensei
Akio Kazama said, "So to save one person you will risk other lives? Are other
lives not important to you? Right? Tell me!" he shouted. "I'm right or wrong?
Tell me, you damn idiot!"
His
anger boiled over. He slammed his fist down onto the table with a thunderous
CRASH!
Daksh,
Anamika, Shreya, and Kaal got scared. "Huh…" Avyukt was calm.
Acharya
said, "Calm down, Grandmaster Akio-San. Let the young one speak first."
{Akio
Kazama, age 52 – the Venerable Grandmaster 2. He is one of the High-Ranking
Mystical Monks from Japan. Akio Kazama mastered the Black Dragonoi Fist at the
age of 24.}
Akio
said, "Sensei Acharya…"
Acharya
said, "Yes, continue, Daksh."
Daksh
said, "I… I am sorry." He bent down and said sorry to all of them. "I value the
life of every innocent, but that time I had no other option. That's why I made
a plan: I would slice the train from between, she would throw the passengers,
and Shreya and Avyukt would catch them. I promise that I will not put innocent
lives in danger next time."
Elder
Sasha Petrov said, "I hope you will not take this kind of step next time."
He
continued, "All monks have done penance for more than 24 years to impress Lord
Shivji to get this power and fight against evil to save innocent lives. They
also start teaching this mystical fist power to innocents. But as you know,
this mystical power is very powerful, so before using these dangerous
techniques you should be aware and not put innocent lives in danger. Do you
understand?"
Daksh,
Avyukt, Shreya, Kaal, and Anamika said, "Yes, we understand, Grandmasters."
{Elder
Sasha Petrov, age 50 – the Venerable Grandmaster 3. He is one of the
High-Ranking Mystical Monks from Russia. Elder Sasha Petrov mastered the White
Tiger Fist at the age of 20.}
Jin-ho
Park replied, "In that incident, no one was killed, and Kaal already rescued
all the 8 passengers. But because of your Silvonoi Shear technique, the bridge
collapsed, the roof also collapsed, and platforms no. 4 and 5 were destroyed
because of the train blast."
Daksh
and the others were listening carefully to Jin-ho Park.
Jin-ho
Park continued speaking, "What if there were more innocent people on the bridge
and they died in that incident? Would you all take responsibility for those
people's deaths? Tell me, Daksh."
{Jin-ho
Park, age 48 – the Venerable Grandmaster 4. He is one of the High-Ranking
Mystical Monks from South Korea. Jin-ho Park mastered the Blue Flaming Fist at
the age of 26.}
Akio
Kazama said angrily, "This team should get punishment or be disqualified from
the World Fisttonoi Competition."
Daksh
said, "Don't do that! It's my fault, I did this. Punish me, but please don't
give any punishment or disqualify the team from the World Fisttonoi
Competition, please Grandmasters!"
Long
Jing-Hui replied, "It's hard to take a decision."
{Long
Jing-Hui, age 29 – the youngest Grandmaster 5. She became Grandmaster
immediately after her father, Grandmaster Long Feng, died. Long Feng's age was
56; he died due to sudden illness. His death was unexpected and shocking for
the entire Zenith Assembly. Her daughter, Long Jing-Hui, mastered the White
Crystal Fist at the age of 20.}
The
female guru of Team Bold Squadron, Sam Rikaza, replied in a cold and calm tone,
"Grandmasters, let them have one more chance. I promise this won't happen next
time."
Acharya
said, "Let them decide. What's your decision? Our Grandmasters' elite students
will decide."
Grandmaster
3 Elder Sasha Petrov said, "One more chance for this team. Reason: no one
died."
Grandmaster
4 Jin-ho Park replied, "Yes, I believe we should give them one more chance. The
reason will be the same."
Grandmaster
1 Acharya said, "Yes, one more chance. What about you, child Long Jing-Hui?
Give your opinion. Don't be scared."
Grandmaster
5 Long Jing-Hui said, "It's my first meeting in the Zenith Nexus, so my opinion
is compulsory."
Acharya
said, "Yes, it is."
Long
Jing-Hui replied, "I think we should give them one more chance. They all are
sweet and innocent."
Akio
Kazama, the Grandmaster 2, said, "They are not innocent. I have decided to give
them punishment, and my elite students will be on my side."
Avyukt
murmured, "This old man… why does he never stay quiet?"
Sam guru
said, "Be quiet, baka!"
Acharya
said, "So elite students, now it's your turn. Tell us one by one: should we
punish or disqualify Team Bold Squadron from the World Fisttonoi Competition?"
Karan
said, "I and Arjun decided to give one chance to Team Bold Squadron."
The rest
— Min-Jun Kim, Ji-Woo Lee, Zhi-Ming Chen, Xiu-Ying Wang, Ivan Volkov, Katya
Smirnov, Ren Tachibana, and Yuki Sato — said, "Give them one more chance."
Akio
Kazama shouted, "BAAAKKKKAAAAA!!!"
Ren
Tachibana and Yuki Sato got scared and said, "Gomen nasai!"
Acharya
said to Grandmaster Akio-San, "Let's forgive them for one time."
Akio
Kazama said, "Okay Sensei, yes, I give them one chance."
Daksh
said, "Thank you so much, Grandmaster. Next time, this won't happen."
Acharya
said, "So Team Bold Squadron, we have forgiven you this time. Now you all may
leave."
Daksh,
Shreya, Kaal, Avyukt, and Anamika said, "Thank you, Grandmasters," and exited
from the Zenith Nexus.
Daksh
said, "I was scared. I thought they would not forgive us."
Shreya
said, "Grandmaster 2 Akio-sensei was too strict. I was scared when he shouted
at us."
Avyukt
said, "That old man… I really hate him, that bloody—"
Sam
replied, "Just shut up, Avyukt! Otherwise, I am going to remove you from my
team. You don't have manners on how to respect the Grandmasters and elders!"
she shouted at Avyukt.
Avyukt
said, "I am sorry."
Sam
said, "Now go and have breakfast." She looked at Anamika. "Now you feel better?
That day you were injured."
Anamika
said, "Yes, ma'am, I am fine."
Kaal
said, "When is the World Fisttonoi Competition going to happen, and where?"
Sam
said, "It's going to happen next year, and this time it will happen in Seoul,
South Korea."
Kaal
said, "Seoul… my dream place! It's going to be fun!"
Sam
said, "Don't shout!"
Kaal
said, "Sorry, I got excited."
Acharya
said, "Ritesh, that boy Daksh saved — who is he, and why was he attacked?"
Ritesh
said, "That guy's name is Lewosito. Daksh saved him. Lewosito was born with the
Fire Fist — he didn't gain that power through training."
Acharya
and all were shocked.
Akio
Kazama said, "What?! How is this possible?"
Ritesh
guruji said, "Yes, for the first time, I was shocked too, but it's true."
Acharya
said, "Then why didn't he fight against those attackers?"
Ritesh
guru said, "Just a few days ago, he had an accident. Lewosito told me he has
forgotten everything about his past, and a few days before, he woke up from the
coma."
Acharya
said, "I want to see him. Where is he now?"
Ritesh
said, "He is running on the ground — his training has started."
Acharya
said, "Let's go to the ground. I want to see him."
Ritesh
and all Grandmasters came and watched Lewosito from far away.
Ritesh
said, "That white t-shirt guy is Lewosito."
Akio
said, "Who is that guy running behind him?"
Ritesh
said, "His caretaker. He wants to be a Fisttonoi member and gain mystical
power."
Long
Jing-Hui thought to herself, Lewosito… what a beautiful name. He is so cute and
handsome. I don't know why, but my heart melted seeing him. She was blushing
Elder
Sasha Petrov said, "So, Uchitel Acharya, you will teach him how to control
power?"
Acharya
said, "Yes, because he has to control his emotions and control the power."
Jin-ho
Park said, "Seonsaegnim Acharya, but I don't think that guy may have anger
issues."
Acharya
said, "I think so. But he was born with the Fire Fist, so maybe in his past he
had anger issues. Now, since he has forgotten his past memory, he is living a
new life."
Acharya
saw Long Jing-Hui — she was blushing.
Acharya
called her, "Grandmaster 5 Long Jing-Hui."
She
said, "Yes, Laoshi."
Acharya
said, "Why were you blushing?"
Long
Jing-Hui replied, "No, no, no, I was not blushing."
Acharya
said, "Okay… but Ritesh, after one month, send both of them to Himachal
Pradesh, Manali. I will teach them. And what is the name of that guy who is the
caretaker of Lewosito?"
Ritesh
said, "His name is Atharv."
Acharya
said, "Okay, so send both Atharv and Lewosito to Manali."
Akio
Kazama said, "Sensei Acharya, so it's confirmed that the World Fisttonoi
Competition will happen in Seoul, South Korea?"
Acharya
said, "Yes."
Akio
Kazama said, "Okay, Sensei, I understand."
Lewosito
said, "I need some water, I am thirsty."
Atharv
said, "More 110 rounds are remaining. It's going to be hard — I am here it's
because of you, Lewosito."
The
Restaurant Yauatcha in Mumbai, Bandra East.
Mahzura's
voice cut through the silence like a knife.
"We've
lived among these humans for many years now. For the past 1000 years, our
purpose has been to torment them. But then… the gods gave them power. The power
of the Fist."
He spat
on the ground.
"Even
with that, they're still nothing before us."
Rajas
raised an eyebrow.
"You do
realize you're saying all this in front of actual humans?"
Mahzura
replied, "So you think that this human can do anything to us? I will crush
these humans easily — that too with my fists."
Trypuras
said, "The Fisttonoi have become more powerful, and they actually believe they
can challenge us."
Rajas
added, "Yes, they have become very powerful. And two days ago, one of them cut
an entire train in half to save that boy, Lewosito. Bandra Station was
destroyed because of him."
Trypuras
asked, "Who is this Lewosito?"
Rajas
replied, "Lewosito, who has the Fire Fist — and he was born with it."
Rajas
continued, "He fought with Ace, but he went into a coma. Ace thought he would
die, but he didn't."
Brayk
said, "Lord Ace had already sent three disciples after him. One got killed by a
Fisttonoi member, and the other two ran away."
Trypuras
exclaimed, "Disgraceful!"
Mahzura
cracked his knuckles.
"I want
to see this Lewosito. It will be more fun to kill him. So, let me play with him
first."
Rajas
narrowed his eyes.
"No… Ace
will end him with his own hands. No exceptions."
Brayk
added, "Lord Ace said the next time he fights with Lewosito; it'll be the
last."
Trypuras
said, "Let's see how your Ace is going to kill that Fire Fist guy."
He
continued, "And also, the main Asura who is cursed — Hiranyas, one of the most
powerful Asuras. He got cursed, so his body turned into rock. And this curse
can only be broken by your Ace."
Brayk
asked, "Wait, who is Hiranyas, and why did he get cursed? And why can only Lord
Ace break that curse?"
Mahzura
said, "Hiranyas has been cursed for the last 650 years. He enjoyed killing all
humans and torturing all mystical Fist users. Five Zenith Assembly monks fought
with him, but no one could defeat him. However, because of one mistake,
Hiranyas was defeated, and he got cursed, turning his body into rock."
Rajas
said, "But where is his body sealed? We have to find out."
Trypuras
said, "I know. Only Acharya can tell us where the Hiranyas Asura is sealed."
Brayk
asked, "But why can only Lord Ace break that Asura's curse?"
Mahzura
replied, "Only the guy born with the Blackonoi Fist can break any curse — and
Ace was born with the Blackonoi Fist."
Brayk
exclaimed, "Wow, that's interesting! I am excited."
Just
then, a girl, a restaurant staff member, walked up to them.
"Sir, do
you want to order anything?"
Mahzura
looked at her coldly.
"No, we
don't want to order. Just leave."
She
added politely, "Sir, it is not allowed to sit here without ordering. The
manager shouts. You will have to order something—"
Before
she could finish, Mahzura placed his hand on her shoulder. Flames erupted
instantly, engulfing her in fire. She screamed, turning to ash within seconds.
Her companion barely had time to react before he, too, was scorched and killed.
The
surrounding crowd scattered, screaming in terror.
"What
the hell are you doing? Are you insane?" Rajas yelled.
Trypuras
stepped forward.
"Control
yourself, Mahzura! That wasn't necessary."
Mahzura
snarled, "She was getting on my nerves."
All the
patrons started running and shouting.
"Aaaaaaaaaaa!"
Daoshen
appeared and shouted, "Don't dare to run away, all patrons. Stop!"
They all
froze, scared.
He
continued, "Haha, if you all try to run, I will kill you."
Rajas
said, "Let them go, you baka."
Daoshen
said, "Let's have some fun with these humans. I love how they are scared,
hehehe… wuahaha!"
Trypuras
said, "May their souls rest in peace."
The girl
in front of Daoshen was truly scared; her hands and legs were shaking.
Daoshen
touched her face.
"You are
really scared. I am truly enjoying how scared you are."
Her face
was full of sweat; she was terrified.
One guy
from behind started running, but Daoshen saw him.
"Gravity
Fist: Inward Drag!"
That guy
was pulled closer by an invisible force.
"So, you
want to run away, huh? Die here! Mushti Vidyut Kundak!"
He
grabbed the man's throat and crushed it. The man died instantly.
Rajas
yelled, "What are you doing? Why don't you listen to me?"
Trypuras
calmly said, "Calm down, Rajas. Let everyone else go, Daoshen."
Daoshen
replied, "Aaahh, it was fun to see them scared."
A boy
from the reception area was going to call Fisttonoi Headquarters, but Trypuras
saw him.
He said,
"Ah, I am letting everyone else go — that doesn't mean that you will do such a
thing!"
That boy
started running. Trypuras used his technique: Silvonoi Shear. He cut that boy
in half.
"Don't
be so oversmart, idiot!" Trypuras snapped.
"Let's
go from here," he added with a grin. "Let their souls rest in peace… if that's
even possible."
Mahzura
asked, "Is Lewosito really strong?"
Rajas
said, "Yes, Lewosito will be the most difficult to kill. But he won't survive
this time."
Trypuras
replied, "That's why it will be fun to see that fight." He smiled.
Fisttonoi Headquarters
It was
now 1 PM, and Lewosito and Atharv had finally completed 150 rounds. They both
collapsed into a seat, and Lewosito began devouring his food like a wild
animal.
"Aaaagrh!
I'm going to eat EVERYTHING!" he shouted between mouthfuls, chewing like a
beast.
"Aaaagrh!
Eat slowly!" Jash replied to him. "All food is yours, or food's going to get
stuck in your throat!"
Just
then, Natasha saw Jash and arrived smiling. Jash's face turned red when he saw
Natasha.
Natasha
said, "He's not the problem." She continued, "Look at that guy — he's literally
eating and sleeping at the same time."
Jash
blinked. "Seriously!"
Jash
said, "Wake up! You idiot! How can he sleep while eating?"
Jash
joked, "Natasha, give him a slap!"
Natasha
replied, "Wait, what? Seriously?"
She
actually gave Atharv a tight slap across his face.
Atharv
shot up, half asleep.
"What
the hell?! Can't a guy even sleep in peace?"
Jash
raised an eyebrow. "You were falling asleep while eating."
Atharv
blinked. "Oh wait… was I? Damn. That explains the dreams I had about fried
rice."
Lewosito
— still chewing aggressively — said, "One more plate of Pav Bhaji with chopped
onions!"
Jash
replied, "Wait, what?! You've already eaten three plates!"
TO BE CONTINUED CHAPTER 4.0
THE HARDEST PATH I
"THE ARC 2 STARTS FROM HERE TRAINING ARC"