8 - Phoenix Saga Part 2

"There are times when your struck by Tragedy

But there is also an opportunity.

Yes. Some Tragedies bring Opportunities

It all depends on your mindset

Nobody is Born Strong

They're made strong

If you're hurt and have time to feel sorry

Use it to think about what went wrong

Or better, work towards improving yourself

If your denied an opportunity

Go ahead and create one for yourself

If life throws you lemons

Make yourself lemonades. Turn your sweat into salts

Add all your hardwork into it

And Make it taste better

Only you can help yourself. 

Your future is in your hands

Thank you"

These words echoed through the Room as Akamu looked up at the T.V.

It was the City's Local news channel conducting an Interview with Mr. Lee Johnson. 

He had recently won the Mellon County Strongman Championship in his first rookie appearance. 

They showed the Highlights from it, showing Lee Johnson pulling a Tractor for 100 meters.

Carrying The Atlas stone Weights and placing them on platforms that were growing in height as the weights progressed.

Deadlifts, Overhead Log Lifts. 

The feats of strength that could be only achievable by Heroes of Myths and Legends. 

Akamu's eyes lit up as he watched it. He was taken in by all the displays of strength by men who weren't really Greek Gods in Physique. But made it up by their show of strength and power. 

It reminded him of the Life in Village, people working in the Farms. Moving away stones and boulders in their way by collective efforts.

It was like an Everyday man who did things that would take 10 or 20 people to achieve. 

Akamu wanted to be like them. 

He was always called weak. His lean appearance was caused by the Illness he had. 

He couldn't lift weights children his age could. Nor have the body mass required at his age. 

He always dreamt of lifting boulders off the Sides of the Road when he passed by, with the Village people watching in Awe how a weak boy could pull off such a feat of strength.

Or rescue a Kid who is being bullied by just showing up. His bulk physique doing the talking. 

Akamu immediately called his Mum, asking what the Competition was about and wanting to be taken there.

He wanted to meet the Man who showed up on T.V

His mum said Akamu was scheduled for another therapy session so they can't travel. 

Akamu's excitement slowly came down as he heard those words. Looking at his mom

"Am I destined to be in this Bed ?

In this Prison, subjected to endless tests and therapy.

If...

If I leave this room. Will I die ?"

"AKAMUU!!!"

His mother answered back with Stern voice.

"Don't you ever talk like that.

This room isn't a Prison. 

It's where you're safe. 

Safe from all the bullying from the Village. Safe from the diseases that roam outside.

Safe from the cruel fate that awaits everyday.

We're keeping you here so you could be safe"

Akamu was taken back from the sudden outburst from his Mom. This was the first time she had raised her voice against him. 

Tears flowed from his eyes as Akamu looked at his mom

"I… I'm sorry mom. I'm…"

His words broke as he talked while crying.

"It just feels like I'm Stuck here…..

The only time I get to go out is for a month. Then taken back here.

I've woke up to this same ceiling more times than the open sky"

Akamu held the blankets tight with his head down. 

"No Akamuu. I'm sorry"

His mother hugged him, wiping off his tears

"I'm sorry my dear. You know mama don't like words like that"

Akamu nodded, hugging her tightly

"You'll soon leave this room dear. Think of all this as Training for you to become strong.

The Strongest Man in the World"

"Really… I can become the Strongest Man in the world ?"

"Yes dear. You can. You don't need a bulky Physique or Muscles to show for it.

You just need a strong mind and the Willingness to fight through whatever obstacle is in front of you"

Akamu broke the hug, looking at his mom as he sobbed

"You are a God given child Akamu. Your birth wasn't without struggles. 

Mama fought through it to bring you to this world"

She wiped off the tears off Akamu's face, continuing

"You have a wonderful story to share with the world. Battling to take your first breath. 

Now Battling against an Illness that's trying to make you weak and lose hope everyday. 

Make it through all of this and you'll be the Strongest Kid in the World. 

You want to be that don't you"

Akamu nodded

"There. Now focus on improving for Mama alright. We'll go back home together and show all those people how strong my Akamu is"

Akamu smiled, hugging her as he watched the T.V

The Interview concluded with Lee Johnson pointing his finger to the Screen saying

"To whoever is watching this. I'm challenging you. 

I'll become the Strongest man in the World. 

If you think you can do this better than me or don't like me holding the Top Spot.

Come after me.

I Dare You

DO IT!

Get your butts off your couch and get to work!!"

The feed cut off to the studio discussing Lee Johnson's victory.

That was a message he gave for his Rivals. 

But for Akamu, it seemed like Lee Johnson challenged him. 

Akamu gave a thumbs up, smiling. 

*His Grandpa watched all this happen*

He went to a Nearby Bookshop, asking if they had books about Strongman Competitors and related stuff to it. 

He wanted Akamu to know more about it. As this could act as a stimulant for him to recover fast. 

As he was purchasing the Book, he heard a few kids arguing about who was strong.

Goku or Vegeta. 

He seemed confused, asking who they were. And where he could find those people.

The kids laughed as they heard him say where can I find them. 

They showed him a book, with pictures drawn in black and white. 

They said they existed here and in their imagination. They are the strongest Heroes on Earth. 

Another countered saying only Goku was the strongest. Starting another Argument. 

Albert looked at the passion and respect they had for these characters, asking the Shopkeeper if he had those books so he could know more. Telling him about Akamu and his newfound desire for strength. 

The Shopkeeper agreed to give him his copies. Starting from Vol 1 each week. 

Albert thanked the kind man, going back to the Hospital. 

He gave Akamu the books he purchased along with the Dragon Ball manga. 

Akamu was just learning to read, so he needed Albert's help to explain to him what some of the words meant. 

He was happy to help, getting immersed in Dragon balls and its storytelling. 

Albert and Akamu could connect to it easily. Following the Adventures of Son Goku, Falling from the stars to Earth and getting raised by Old Man Gohan. 

The Story was a fun ride for both of them. With Grandpa Gohan reminding him of his Grandpa. 

Akamu began slowly training his body like he saw in manga. Beginning with soft exercises so he wouldn't tire himself out. 

Akamu simultaneously read about The Strongman Competitions and the exercises involved in it. 

But Akamu was confused between what a Bodybuilder and a Strongman was. 

A Chiseled Physique vs a Bulky one. 

Why do they Eat so much. Should he be eating like that if he wants to be one ?

So many questions in his mind as he approached his mom with it.

Akamu's mother explained to him

"Think of Bodybuilding like making a Statue out of a Boulder dear. 

You use the Dumbbells like Chisels to shave off excess muscles and get that perfect shapes 

And the weights to smoothen out the statues. 

Lifting weights is more towards shaping up your body. With a strict diet all year round"

Akamu looked at the Bodybuilders Physique in Awe. Especially one called Arnold Schwarzenegger. 

A popular movie star who was a Bodybuilder. 

Mr. Arnold explained in an Interview how he was enjoying lifting weights rather than looking at it as work to be done to be body. 

And the dedication he had to make this dream physique come true. 

He said he was happy knowing he was Inspiring the next generation to become Body Builders like him.

"Then what is a STRONGMAN Physique Mama ?"

"I'll explain it"

His father came into the room at that time. 

"Papa"

Akamu rushed in joy seeing him, hugging him tight.

"Hey lil champ. How you been today"

"I'm good. Grandpa says I'm starting to put some muscle"

Akamu lifted his shirt sleeves, flexing his arms.

"Seee"

Lee looked, complementing Akamu

"Well done. Keep on improving yourself"

He Gave his pats as he carried him to the bed

"Papa. What is Strongman Physique"

Leo put the blanket on Akamu, getting him comfy.

"Hmm... To explain it in simple terms. 

You've seen a Truck right ?. A big one going through the city streets"

"Hmm hmm"

Akamu nodded

"Well Strongman physiques are like that. Built to handle heavy weights"

"OoO"

Akamu's face lit up in amazement

"Yess. You've seen them carry loads of Logs and Boulders right.

That's how powerful they are. 

That's also why they are also big in size. 

The engine that powers it should be capable of hauling that much weights"

"You mean the bigger the Truck, the heavier it can carry"

"Yes. Exactly. 

Strongman Physiques are like trucks. The engines are their body which helps them do things a normal human can't. 

Their legs are like the Heavy duty wheels. Each muscle is like a piston that powers them to get the weights off the ground.

They're like a collection of the most powerful parts assembled together to build a powerful version of the Truck"

"That means they're the best of the best right"

"Yes. Strongman Competitions are like

When an Unstoppable force meets an Immovable Object. 

The Strongmen being the Unstoppable Force and the feats of strength being performed on an Immovable Object. 

They will either move that Object or they get stopped by it"

Lee explained by motioning a Boom sound effect. 

"That's why they're body is also big"

Akamu showed the Physiques of Strongmen and Bodybuilders. 

"Well the Body needs fuel right. That's where the food disciplines come in. 

Bodybuilders follow a strict diet that gives them energy and no additional body weight. 

They use that energy to work out and tone their physiques.

Meanwhile the Strongman only focuses on calories. Eating meat and everything in large amounts.

And they burn it up by lifting weights. Using that amount if calories to lift.

The bigger the better. 

Your body needs to handle all the stress u put on it by lifting large weights"

"Yesss. I understand now papa"

Lee patted him

"Alright then champ. Sleep now. We gotta go back to the Village tomorrow"

"Goodnight papa"

Akamu went to sleep as Lee and Sharon watched. 

The Therapy sessions for now had ended. Akamu was getting a break to experience the open world after so many months. 

Akamu was eager to show off his slightly improved physique to the Villagers. Yearning to Shut their mouths up for saying he was weak.