Kiyoshi stretched and let out a yawn as he rose from his comfortable bed. The golden rays of sunlight streamed through his window, casting a warm glow on the room. "What a splendid morning," Kiyoshi remarked, feeling the energy of the day ahead.

But abruptly, his serene moment was shattered by the sounds of a commotion outside the dojo. Curiosity piqued, Kiyoshi rubbed his eyes and stepped closer to the window. "What on earth is happening out there?" he wondered aloud.

As he strained to see through the blurry vision, Kiyoshi caught sight of Lionel, one of his fellow martial artists, engaged in a heated battle with someone else. With a mix of surprise and admiration, Kiyoshi marveled at Lionel's lightning-fast movements and skillful defense.

Jax, another fighter who had joined the fray, challenged Lionel with taunts and bravado. In a swift motion, he launched a punch at Lionel, but to everyone's astonishment, Lionel effortlessly evaded it by flipping upside down and catching Jax's fist mid-air.

"Super Move: Neon Cyclone!" Lionel's voice reverberated through the air as he unleashed his incredible technique. However, Jax managed to maintain his guard while spinning uncontrollably mid-air. Lionel was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events.

Zebeon, also observing the spectacle unfold, couldn't help but interject. "That's something we don't see every day," he commented.

Lionel retorted with frustration evident in his voice. "Whose side are you on anyway?" he demanded.

With utmost respect, Zebeon replied, "Yours, master," though he quickly corrected himself upon realizing his mistake. "Sorry."

Unfazed by Jax's display of power, Lionel regained his composure and declared, "Now it's my turn." He began to gather his strength, his body enveloped in a dark blue aura. "Special Move," Lionel murmured, unleashing a surge of energy.

But before Lionel's attack could connect, Jax swiftly counterattacked with a series of punches and kicks. However, Lionel was already behind him, delivering a powerful straight kick to Jax's back. The impact left Jax breathless and stunned.

"Special Move: Neon Flash!" Lionel shouted triumphantly, releasing a burst of hot pink energy from his hands. Jax, momentarily blinded by the intense flash, closed his eyes instinctively.

"He's right above you!" Tethyus warned Jax.

Jax's reflexes kicked in just in time as he caught hold of Lionel's incoming leg. Confusion washed over Lionel's face as Jax used Tethyus' strength to push him back. With fierce determination, Jax formed two sparks of electricity in his hands, molding them into a medium-sized lightning sphere.

"Special Move: Lightning Pulse!" Jax exclaimed as he released the electrifying sphere, striking Lionel with pinpoint accuracy. A cloud of smoke billowed around Lionel as he fell to the ground, overcome by the sheer force of the attack.

Concerned for their fallen comrade, Kiyoshi and Felix rushed over to Lionel's side. "Are you okay?" Felix asked anxiously.

Lionel mustered a smile, assuring them, "I'm fine. It takes more than that to defeat me." He chuckled at their worried expressions.

Jax couldn't resist taunting Kiyoshi once again. "I bet you can't do something like that," he challenged with a smirk.

Frustration brimming within him, Kiyoshi snapped at Jax, "Why do you always target me with insults? Haven't you had enough of Lionel's grueling training?"

Jax shrugged nonchalantly. "We all know it gets under your skin," he replied casually.

Kiyoshi's anger surged, and without hesitation, he charged at Jax and shoved him forcefully. Jax stumbled backward, rolling on the ground. Confused, he questioned Kiyoshi's actions. "Why did you do that?"

"You know what," Kiyoshi yelled angrily, his frustration boiling over. "Static punch!" In a desperate attempt to defend himself, Kiyoshi threw a punch at Jax's gut, but Jax swiftly retaliated, sending Kiyoshi flying through the air.

"Sorry, but he had it coming," Jax remarked, seemingly unfazed by his own actions.

Understanding the gravity of the situation, Lionel acknowledged, "Point taken."

Felix's expression turned somber as he declared, "We need to find Kiyoshi." The group's worry for their friend was evident as they set off on a search.

Meanwhile, Kiyoshi landed face-first on the ground near a mysterious tower with sharp edges. Dusting himself off, Kiyoshi surveyed his surroundings in confusion. "Where am I?" he wondered aloud.

Back in the woods, Lionel, Felix, and Jax hurriedly chased after Kiyoshi. Lionel pointed towards the eastern part of the forest. "I'm pretty sure he flew in that direction," he deduced.

Approaching the tower's entrance, Kiyoshi was stopped by a guard who demanded to know his purpose. Nervously, Kiyoshi tried to explain that he had merely gotten lost and ended up there by accident.

The guard scrutinized him and remarked dismissively, "You're just a first-year fighter without any stars on your belt." Kiyoshi felt a wave of anxiety wash over him.

Suddenly, Scarlet arrived at the scene. Recognizing her voice, Kiyoshi called out to her. "Scarlet? What are you doing here?"

Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

With a sigh, Scarlet replied, "Long story." She was surprised to see Felix among the group. "Felix?" she exclaimed, clearly confused.

"Ma'am, do you know these people?" the guard inquired.

Scarlet nodded and confidently stated, "Yes, I do." The guard then opened the door to the pagoda, allowing them to enter.

Following Scarlet's lead, Kiyoshi, Lionel, Jax, and Felix ventured inside. The interior of the tower was vast, and only a select few esteemed fighters occupied the space. Scarlet explained that those with stars on their belts were considered part of the top tier of fighters on the island.

Lionel couldn't help but express his desire for one of those stars. "I wish I had one too," he mused, believing it would elevate his standing as a fighter.

Curiosity piqued, Felix asked Scarlet about the significance of these special stars. Astonishingly, Scarlet revealed that she possessed two stars on her belt, placing her among the top twenty-five percent of fighters on the island. Her accomplishment stemmed from her impressive performance in the end-of-year tournament.

Lionel, Kiyoshi, Jax, and Felix stood there dumbfounded by this revelation. "How is this possible?" Jax questioned in disbelief.

Smiling proudly, Scarlet explained that she had trained under Igor to achieve such success. However, she somberly added that she had left Igor recently and would no longer be seeing him.

Expressing remorse, Felix offered his sympathy. "I'm sorry about what happened to you," he said sincerely.

Scarlet reassured him with a friendly smile. "Oh no, you're fine. It was his evil ways," she replied candidly.

Moving forward, Scarlet guided them through different areas of the pagoda. They explored the main chat room where fighters discussed news, techniques, and strategies. Scarlet pointed out the sleeping quarters, divided by sliding doors that led to various renowned fighters' rooms. Additionally, there was an upstairs section for those who had made it even further in their fighting journey.

As they returned to the main room, Scarlet steered them towards two doors adorned with Kung-Fu fists in the center. Opening one of the doors, Scarlet revealed a vast outdoor fighting stadium. The grandeur of the stadium matched its size, featuring bleachers and a brick wall barrier.

Lionel couldn't hide his disappointment. "A nice stadium, but without someone to challenge me, it's all for naught," he lamented.

However, a voice interrupted their conversation and caught their attention. "Are you sure about that?" it challenged.

Turning around, the group found themselves face-to-face with Jared. Felix's anger flared at the sight of his childhood rival. "Jared," he spat out with contempt.

Greeting Felix with a smug smile, Jared remarked casually, "Nice to see you again." He relished in Felix's evident frustration. "I want to see how much you'll fail against me once more."

Felix clenched his fist tightly, his anger boiling over. But before he could react, Jared confidently declared that it would be a waste of time to fight him since he already knew the outcome.

Despite Felix's seething rage, Jared sauntered past them arrogantly, running his hands through his blonde hair. Jax couldn't help but express his curiosity. "Who is that guy anyway?"

Taking a moment to compose himself, Felix replied through gritted teeth, "He's my childhood rival."

Kiyoshi chimed in with an observation. "He looks like he's beaten you countless times," he remarked innocently.

"Shut it, Kiyoshi," Felix snapped, not wanting to dwell on past defeats.

In the midst of their conversation, Lionel sensed a new fighter approaching. "Incoming Prometheus fighter," he alerted the group.

Confused, Felix, Jax, and Kiyoshi turned their attention to the door once again. Another fighter entered the scene. Something about him felt off, as if there was an unsettling aura surrounding him.

"I sense an unquenchable thirst for battle within you," the fighter who entered proclaimed. "Ah, it appears we have amateurs among us today," he added with a hint of condescension. "There's something dark about this fighter," whispered Zebeon. "I feel it too," Lionel agreed. "Allow me to introduce myself—Cloven Norwood," he declared. Cloven possessed eyes as red as rubies, his straight white hair cascading down his elegant frame. Towering above them all, his fair skin accentuated his prominent cheekbones and strong chin. Clad in an inferno-red Gi with a black belt adorned with four stars and three tick marks, he exuded an air of commanding power. "Jax, keep your guard up," Tethyus advised cautiously. "No worries," Jax replied confidently.

"My name is Lionel Feret," Lionel introduced himself. "I've heard you're quite the formidable opponent, defeating that pathetic Lucas of all people. But you've yet to face the true pinnacle of combat," Cloven taunted.

"Holy crap! He has four stars on his belt," Kiyoshi exclaimed in awe.

"Yeah? Well, I'm not impressed by your stars or your empty boasts," Lionel retorted defiantly.

"You've got quite the mouth for someone who's about to suffer defeat in five minutes' time," Cloven sneered.

Lionel clenched his fists tightly as anger coursed through his veins. "Where do you propose we settle this?" Lionel challenged.

"Right here and right now," Cloven asserted confidently.

Zebeon interjected with concern. "Are you certain about this, Lionel?"

"Don't worry, Zebeon. With you by my side, we've got this fight in the bag," Lionel assured him.

Cloven added a stipulation. "I always put my rank on the line when I fight. I hope that won't deter you."

"I'm ready," Lionel declared, steeling himself for the impending battle.

Cloven and Lionel made their way towards the center of the stage. Standing on opposite sides, they bowed to each other, making their confrontation official. "Match ready," their watches chimed.

In the office of Grandmaster Sensei Tom, a notification alerted him to an imminent match. The camera trained on the stage focused on Lionel and Cloven. "This should be an exhilarating match," Grandmaster Sensei Tom remarked with a smile.

After the formal bow, both combatants assumed their stances. "You make the first move," Cloven challenged.

"Very well!" Lionel responded decisively. Turning to Zebeon, he asked, "Are you ready?"

"As ready as ever," Zebeon affirmed.

Lionel lunged at Cloven with a punch, but swiftly maneuvered behind him to deliver a surprise attack. To everyone's astonishment, Cloven effortlessly caught Lionel's fist without even looking. "Huh?" Lionel gasped in disbelief. Scarlet, Jax, Felix, and Kiyoshi watched in awe as Cloven snatched Lionel's fist without missing a beat. "Does this guy possess any trace of humanity?" Jax wondered aloud.

"Doubtful," Felix replied.

In an instant, Cloven swiftly counterattacked with a back kick to Lionel's stomach, seemingly without moving at all. The impact felt like an immense force crashing into Lionel as he staggered backward from the blow. Jax and Felix exchanged astonished glances while Lionel rolled and bounced across the fighting platform. Slowly, he rose to his feet.

"Neon punch!" Lionel shouted, his hand glowing with a vibrant hot pink light as he aimed to strike Cloven in the face. But before his punch landed, Cloven had already been hit in the gut, retaliating with a forceful blow to Lionel's face and grabbing him, hurling him forcefully to the ground. As Lionel bounced back up, Cloven delivered a scorching punch known as the "burning punch." It connected with Lionel's stomach, sending him hurtling through the air once more. Lionel struggled to regain his footing, bearing the marks of battle etched upon his bruised and battered body.

Observing Cloven with a red aura enveloping him, Lionel resolved to make a dent in his opponent's seemingly impenetrable facade. "Let's see if I can leave a mark on your face," Lionel muttered grimly. Channeling all his strength, he unleashed a surge of hot pink energy, surrounding himself in a radiant aura. "Super Move: Neon Cyclone!" Pink cyclones swirled around his wrists before launching towards Cloven in rapid succession. Seizing the element of surprise, Lionel leaped into the air, aiming to catch Cloven off-guard. However, Cloven held his guard firmly intact, seemingly unaffected by the barrage of attacks. Undeterred, Lionel pressed on and threw another neon punch with Zebeon's assistance. The blow struck Cloven's chest, yet it failed to make an impact. In a peculiar manner, Cloven executed a swift and unconventional kick to Lionel's head, causing him to tumble over. "Is that all you've got? How can you call yourself a fighter when you can't even land a hit on me?" Cloven taunted.

"Release!" Zyjipsue whispered urgently. "Yes, release me, sir," Zyjipsue pleaded. "Very well," Cloven agreed, drawing strength from the entity within him. As he powered up further, his body underwent a transformation, morphing into a menacing red alien creature known as Prometheus. His once-red eyes widened, revealing glimpses of his bony structure through his now-pale skin. "Prepare to witness

Ultra-Move: True Inferno Blazing Punch combo!!!” Yelled Cloven. His fist and legs turn into a hot blaze. Lionel got up, and his vision got blurry. Cloven releases the combo with two punches to the chest and then a sweep to the leg and another kick to the side, and then with a punch to head finish, but right before the finish, Lionel transforms into a hot pink penguin to save himself from death. The punch knocks him right out of his transformation. Lionel fainted. Cloven powered down and then pointed at Jax, Felix, and Kiyoshi and said, you are next while throwing Lionel back at them. Lionel is covered with burnt marks, bruises, and about half of his Gi destroyed. Then, he slowly walked away from the scene. “Well done, Cloven,” said Grandmaster Sensei Tom as he was clapping his hands in excitement. Jax and the others were carrying Lionel to the medical wing on the island. Scarlet ran up to Felix with tears in her eyes. “I am so sorry about Lionel,” Cries Scarlet. Felix got nervous and said, “it is alright; you didn’t do anything wrong.” Then, Felix went for a kiss to try to calm her down. “Eww!” Said Kiyoshi as he turned his head. “You will never understand love,” said Jax. “I don’t care, honestly,” said Kiyoshi. “Thank you for sending a message to them for showing you are the top fighters on the island,” said Grandmaster Sensei. Since that fight, you put more power into that sword. We are almost there to release that sword,” said Grandmaster Sensei Tom. Then in a closet next to them was the actual Grandmaster, Sensei Tom, wrapped up in rope and shaking to try to get out.