Fist of a Righteous Disciple
"Are you ready, Kana?"
"...Yes, Master Juris."
"Then let the test begin!"
A gong was struck, filling Kana's head with with its deep, metallic keening. She had been feeling nervous, unsure of herself before then. But when the gong had been sounded, officially signalling the start of her final test, all traces of worry were banished.
As one, the ten other disciples Master Juris had gathered stepped forward, surrounding Kana within a circle, and entering fighting stances. Kana inhaled and exhaled deeply, slipping into her own stance as well. The sound of the gong had died moments ago, leaving only the gentle sound of wind rustling within the trees that surrounded the dojo's outdoor arena.
And then, suddenly and without warning, four of her ten opponents moved forward to attack. But Kana was ready.
With the barest of movements, she dodged the attacks for two opponents, and blocked those of the others. Her face was impassive...but her eyes. Kana's pale green eyes gleamed with a vicious light. That viciousness was transferred into her fists, as the young woman retaliated.
Master Juris and the other dojo elders watched in amazement as Kana fought. She took on all ten students with relative ease, and had done it faster than any in recent memory. Not one harmful blow was landed against her, and not a single adversary was left untouched. Her movements were fluid and graceful, and she utilized every single form and technique that was taught to her over the past three years.
The gong sounded out again, and Kana ceased her movements, her fist centimeters away from one unlucky guy's face. She stepped back, looking towards Juris and the elders and bowing. She remained bent over, despairing under the gaze of Juris. It was a moment that stretched out into infinity, before the Master finally spoke.
"...You have proven yourself, Kana. No longer are you a mere disciple. You are recognized as a full practitioner."
"Th, thank you, Master!"
"And furthermore...you have been chosen as this dojo's champion." Kana, despite all of her training and discipline, stood up straight, gazing upon Master Juris with incredulity and confusion. Juris merely stood there, stroking his beard, a faint smile playing across his features. "And as our champion, it is your duty and your right to leave our haven, venture into the world beyond our domain, and participate in Tournament of the Heavenly King."
The rest of that day passed for Kana in a blur, as preparations were made for her journey. She had confident enough in her skills as a marital artist to be recognized as a full practitioner, but never once dreamed that she'd be chose as champion. Only Master Juris himself had ever been named thus, so many years ago. He'd left their domain, ventured outside the Sacred Lands...and fought in that most fabled of competitions.
The Tournament of the Heavenly King. The premier martial arts tournament in all of the Dynast Realms. Every five years, fighters from all over, practitioners of all disciplines, came together to test their might in combat until only one stood above the rest. Some fought for honor, other glory. Some sought the wealth fortune, and others still fought for the sake of battle itself. But Kana? She would fight to honor the ancient spirit beast Ienzo, God of Battle. She and the others that lived in the Sacred Lands might've been the only ones to worship the old god, and in truth she really did not believe Ienzo existed. But she'd do this for herself, and for the sake of her people.
However, though Kana may not have believe in Ienzo, Ienzo certainly believe her in. The battle-spirit did indeed exist, and was putting his faith in the young warrior monk. Things were happening in the spirit world, things that Ienzo himself could not stop. He need someone to act as his hands, an envoy in the world of mortals...and he'd chose Kana. The journey ahead would not be an easy one, but Ienzo would not let his proxy go without aid.
It had been two weeks since Kana had finally left Sacred Lands, venturing out into the Dynast Realms. She was like a child, marveling at everything she saw as she embarked on her journey to the Imperial City of Jentha, where the Tournament would be held. All she knew about the world beyond the Sacred Lands was from Juris and his stories, so it was all rather daunting. Thankfully, her training would be useful to her. Especially when it came to dealing with bandits attempting to rob her after venturing into a more unsavory part of a lesser city.
"You have made a grave mistake in choosing to targeting me." She said, slipping into her fighting pose. "You shall be given no quarter. Behold, the Fist of the Beast King!"
Of course, the matter would be settled quickly, and Kana would on her way. But her marital display would catch the eye of someone, who'd soon approach her for one reason or another...
"...Yes, Master Juris."
"Then let the test begin!"
A gong was struck, filling Kana's head with with its deep, metallic keening. She had been feeling nervous, unsure of herself before then. But when the gong had been sounded, officially signalling the start of her final test, all traces of worry were banished.
As one, the ten other disciples Master Juris had gathered stepped forward, surrounding Kana within a circle, and entering fighting stances. Kana inhaled and exhaled deeply, slipping into her own stance as well. The sound of the gong had died moments ago, leaving only the gentle sound of wind rustling within the trees that surrounded the dojo's outdoor arena.
And then, suddenly and without warning, four of her ten opponents moved forward to attack. But Kana was ready.
With the barest of movements, she dodged the attacks for two opponents, and blocked those of the others. Her face was impassive...but her eyes. Kana's pale green eyes gleamed with a vicious light. That viciousness was transferred into her fists, as the young woman retaliated.
Master Juris and the other dojo elders watched in amazement as Kana fought. She took on all ten students with relative ease, and had done it faster than any in recent memory. Not one harmful blow was landed against her, and not a single adversary was left untouched. Her movements were fluid and graceful, and she utilized every single form and technique that was taught to her over the past three years.
The gong sounded out again, and Kana ceased her movements, her fist centimeters away from one unlucky guy's face. She stepped back, looking towards Juris and the elders and bowing. She remained bent over, despairing under the gaze of Juris. It was a moment that stretched out into infinity, before the Master finally spoke.
"...You have proven yourself, Kana. No longer are you a mere disciple. You are recognized as a full practitioner."
"Th, thank you, Master!"
"And furthermore...you have been chosen as this dojo's champion." Kana, despite all of her training and discipline, stood up straight, gazing upon Master Juris with incredulity and confusion. Juris merely stood there, stroking his beard, a faint smile playing across his features. "And as our champion, it is your duty and your right to leave our haven, venture into the world beyond our domain, and participate in Tournament of the Heavenly King."
The rest of that day passed for Kana in a blur, as preparations were made for her journey. She had confident enough in her skills as a marital artist to be recognized as a full practitioner, but never once dreamed that she'd be chose as champion. Only Master Juris himself had ever been named thus, so many years ago. He'd left their domain, ventured outside the Sacred Lands...and fought in that most fabled of competitions.
The Tournament of the Heavenly King. The premier martial arts tournament in all of the Dynast Realms. Every five years, fighters from all over, practitioners of all disciplines, came together to test their might in combat until only one stood above the rest. Some fought for honor, other glory. Some sought the wealth fortune, and others still fought for the sake of battle itself. But Kana? She would fight to honor the ancient spirit beast Ienzo, God of Battle. She and the others that lived in the Sacred Lands might've been the only ones to worship the old god, and in truth she really did not believe Ienzo existed. But she'd do this for herself, and for the sake of her people.
However, though Kana may not have believe in Ienzo, Ienzo certainly believe her in. The battle-spirit did indeed exist, and was putting his faith in the young warrior monk. Things were happening in the spirit world, things that Ienzo himself could not stop. He need someone to act as his hands, an envoy in the world of mortals...and he'd chose Kana. The journey ahead would not be an easy one, but Ienzo would not let his proxy go without aid.
It had been two weeks since Kana had finally left Sacred Lands, venturing out into the Dynast Realms. She was like a child, marveling at everything she saw as she embarked on her journey to the Imperial City of Jentha, where the Tournament would be held. All she knew about the world beyond the Sacred Lands was from Juris and his stories, so it was all rather daunting. Thankfully, her training would be useful to her. Especially when it came to dealing with bandits attempting to rob her after venturing into a more unsavory part of a lesser city.
"You have made a grave mistake in choosing to targeting me." She said, slipping into her fighting pose. "You shall be given no quarter. Behold, the Fist of the Beast King!"
Of course, the matter would be settled quickly, and Kana would on her way. But her marital display would catch the eye of someone, who'd soon approach her for one reason or another...
[[Literates, please. Male or female both accepted.]]
