The Sword of Destiny

ZI YIN WANTED TO go after him, to comfort him and tell him that he was more than just a servant. But he couldn't. The competition was about to start, and he couldn't afford to be distracted.

Zi Yin clenched his fists, seething with anger and frustration. How could Shifu be so heartless? He had always respected his mentor, but now he felt nothing but contempt for him.

"Shifu…" Zi Ling said in shock, but he said nothing.

"I told you both before Fu Tai is nothing but a servant! You must not be too familiar with him, least of all you Zi Yin! He comes from the Snake Poison sect. They are sneaky poisonous creatures and must be beaten into submission!"

Zi Yin's mind was reeling and he leaped up, running after Fu Tai so quickly, he could barely hear Shifu calling after him. Nothing matter except Fu Tai. Zi Yin had seen him train for days and weeks, so proud to be included in the competition and Shifu had watched from the sidelines, all the while knowing the truth.

Fu Tai was never going to compete. It was really too vicious. Zi Yin ran through the streets searching for Fu Tai but couldn't see him anywhere. His heart felt like it was going to break in two, but he couldn't find Fu Tai at all. Zi Yin returned with his head down, Shifu and Zi Ling were waiting for him near the competition stage. Shifu said nothing, but his frown was etched into his face.

Zi Ling touched his arm offering him a sad smile. He could feel Fu Tai's absence like a weight on his shoulders, and it was all he could do to push his anger aside and focus on the task at hand.

The martial arts competition was held in a large, open-air arena, surrounded by towering walls made of stone and wood. The floor of the arena was made of packed earth, with a raised platform in the center where the fighters would face off. Zi Yin watched with rapture as the first competitors took their stage, their bodies fluid and agile like dances, they fought so quickly that their robes were like a blur.

The crowd was seated in bleachers that rose on all sides of the arena, providing a clear view of the action. The seats were made of simple wooden benches, but they were packed with spectators, who leaned forward eagerly to watch the fighters below. Zi Yin and Zi Ling were high above the rest, Shifu had a nice seat beside General Zi Wang and his mother, but Zi Yin and Zi Ling couldn't sit still and preferred to stand near the edge of the competition.

In the distance, he could see the flags of various martial arts sects, fluttering in the breeze. The Burning Fire sect's banner was especially prominent, with its striking red and gold colors standing out against the rest. But as the competition progressed, Zi Yin couldn't help but think of Fu Tai. He had been a loyal friend and a dedicated student, and now he had been cast aside like he was nothing. It was an injustice that burned in Zi Yin's heart, and he vowed to make things right, no matter what it took.

Despite the excitement and commotion, there was an air of respect and discipline in the arena. The fighters moved with focused determination, their eyes fixed on their opponents. Even the spectators were quiet and attentive during the fights, only erupting into cheers and applause when a particularly impressive move was made.

"You're up next," Shifu said to him, and together they walked down to the area. Shifu grasped his shoulders, looking deep into Zi Yin's eyes. "I know you think I'm cruel, but there are certain things about the Fu clan that you don't understand and you won't until you are older. Snake shifters are not to be trusted."

Zi Yin bit back his reply, knowing that Shifu wouldn't listen to anything he had to say anyway. He knew all about snake shifters and how they were different from wolves, but Zi Yin didn't care. Fu Tai was his oldest friend, he cared for him.

"Circulate your qi, you are now at the Core Formation stage. Make your father proud."

"Shifu," Zi Yin said, looking deep into his eyes. "Thank you. For everything you've done."

Shifu snorted and patted his back. "Don't thank me until you've won."

The air was filled with the sounds of cheering and shouting, as the crowd egged on their favorite fighters. Zi Yin's blood was pounding in his veins the moment he stepped onto the stage. The noise was almost deafening, and Zi Yin could feel the energy of the spectators coursing through him. Zi Yin squared off against Dong Hu, the sect leader's son of the Fearless Gang, holding his Butterfly Swords tightly. Dong Hu wielded a broadsword with deadly precision, his eyes locked on Zi Yin with fierce determination.

It was the same man from earlier who had attacked him. Zi Yin's eyes narrowed as he thought back to the vicious words that were spouted at him for not knowing his place as an omega. Back then, Zi Yin had been distracted and there were five guys against two. Now he would have his victory.

The two warriors circled each other, their movements slow and cautious. Zi Yin's gaze was sharp as he looked for any openings, the Fearless Gang were mountain lion shifters, known for their sheer brute force, but Zi Yin knew that he had to find a way to outwit his appoint or at least he be crushed to death by his Broad Sword. The crowd was seated in bleachers that rose on all sides of the arena, providing a clear view of the action. The seats were made of simple wooden benches, but they were packed with spectators, who leaned forward eagerly to watch the fighters below.

In a flash, Dong Hu lunged forward, his sword whistling through the air. Zi Yin blocked the attack with ease, then followed up with a leg sweep that sent Dong Hu sprawling.

But Dong Hu was quick to recover, vaulting back to his feet and charging forward with a flurry of strikes. Zi Yin blocked each one with precision, his swords flashing through the air in a deadly dance.

The two fighters exchanged kicks and punches, each trying to gain the upper hand. But Zi Yin could sense that he was losing ground. Dong Hu's strength and skill were formidable, and Zi Yin was starting to tire. This was not good. Most omegas had gentle dispositions and weren't made for longer-term frightening due to their bodies, but Zi Yin gritted his teeth. He would win.

Just as Zi Yin thought he was about to be defeated, he saw an opening. Dong Hu swung his broadsword in a wide arc, leaving himself momentarily exposed. Zi Yin seized the opportunity, darting forward and delivering a swift strike with his Butterfly Swords.

The strike connected, and Dong Hu stumbled backward, his broadsword clattering to the ground. Zi Yin stood panting, his swords at the ready, as Dong Hu slowly rose to his feet. The two fighters circled each other once more, both gasping for breath.

Then, in a burst of energy, Dong Hu charged forward, his fists flying. But Zi Yin was ready. He deftly blocked the punches, then delivered a swift kick that sent Dong Hu reeling backward.

Dong Hu crashed to the ground, defeated. Zi Yin stood over him, his swords gleaming in the sunlight. He had won. Zi Yin's lungs burned and his entire arm felt like it was going to fall off. The crowd erupted into cheers and Zi Yin's smiled so wide and so hard he thought he might die.

Zi Wang and Shifu saluted him from the balcony and Zi Yin knew he had made them both proud.

Breathless and exhilarated, Zi Yin sheathed his swords and walked away from the arena, his mind racing with the thrill of the fight. He knew that he had been lucky to come out on top, but he also knew that he had given it his all. As he was walking down, in the far corner he saw Fu Tai's parents, both of them huddled together under the wooden bleachers, waiting for Fu Tai to be called next.

Zi Yin's heart nearly broke, he was about to walk over to him with Shifu grabbed his arm, and pulled him into a tight hug. "I knew you could do it!"

Zi Ling jumped in hugged them both and laughed. Zi Yin laughed too and his father brought him into a hug. "I'm so proud of you."

Zi Yin was happy, but it was twinged with sadness and when he looked back to the bleachers, he noticed that it was empty. Fu Tai's parents were gone. He barely had time to register it, when another fight began. Zi Yin's heart pounded as Zhan Sheng stepped onto the stage. The young warrior from the Burning Fire sect was dressed in flowing red robes, his long hair unruly left unbound. The crowd gasped as he drew his weapon - a gleaming Saber, its edge glinting in the sunlight.

Shen Shi from the Snake Poison sect stepped up to face him, twirling his Soft Sword with ease. The two fighters bowed to each other, then the fight began.

Zhan Sheng attacked first, his saber flashing through the air in a series of quick, deadly strikes. Shen Shi countered with fluid, graceful movements, his soft sword dancing around Zhan Sheng's attacks.

Zi Yin watched in shock.

He had heard the rumors that a devil had infiltrated the Burning Fire sect but never believed them, but as he watched him fight with such ferocity, he couldn't help but wonder. Zhan Sheng's aura was fierce, there was a slight haze of darkness around him and it was enough to make the hairs on the back of his neck bristle.

Zhan Sheng was dangerous.

The fight reached its climax as Zhan Sheng unleashed a flurry of powerful strikes. Shen Shi tried to defend himself, but it was too late. Zhan Sheng's saber found its mark and cleaved Shen Shi's sword in half.

Shen Shi collapsed to the ground, defeated.

The crowd erupted into cheers as Zhan Sheng was declared the winner. Zi Yin felt a shiver run down his spine. The rumors about the devil in the Burning Fire sect might be true after all.