The Bear Awakens

Zain's boots pounded the forest floor, his breath steady despite the weight of two unconscious bodies slung over his shoulders. Luke was draped over his left, Justin over his right, both battered, broken, and silent. His white hair trailed behind him like a comet's tail as he sprinted through the darkened trees.

"I'm happy they lost," Zain muttered to himself, almost cheerfully. "That noble… he's really something else. I'm just lucky I got there in time."

The wind whistled past as the trees began to thin and the edge of the slums appeared in the distance.

"But I heard… there's another team planning to attack the Kaizer noble house," he said under his breath, his tone shifting, darkening. "But I can't interfere, not with Father watching. If I do… he'll know I'm plotting something."

His jaw tightened.

"Please... don't let anyone die."

With that, Zain vanished into the shadows of the slums.

Meanwhile, at the Noble House of Kaizer...

The night sky shimmered with stars above the tranquil garden. Crickets chirped softly. On a stone bench beneath a flowering arch, James and Sam sat hand in hand, the gentle silence between them filled with warmth.

James looked up at the moon. "It's getting late… We should go back inside."

Sam nodded. "Yeah… we should."

They stood, brushing off their clothes, but before they could take a step...

Rustle.

From the hedges burst a dark blur. In a flash, James was snatched off the ground, a rough hand gripping his face like a vice. Sam gasped in horror.

A man with glowing blue eyes, white hair, wolf ears, and a tail stood before her.

"Hey, Sam," the figure sneered, lifting James higher with one hand. "Is this your new boyfriend?"

James struggled, fists hammering against the hand that held him, but the brute didn't flinch.

From the shadows emerged another, almost identical. White-haired. Blue-eyed. Smirking. He leaned lazily on the other's shoulder.

"Long time no see, whore," the second man said, voice like poison. "The King misses you. Says no one warms his bed like you."

Sam froze, color draining from her face.

"Johnny… Luther…" she whispered, fear surging through her veins. "You're the King's personal guards. Why would… why would he send you?"

Johnny chuckled. "The King misses his favorite toy."

Luther grinned darkly. "Said the others just don't satisfy him the way you did."

Sam's breath hitched, horror rising in her throat. The memories, the nights she tried to bury, threatened to consume her. James, seeing her pale, trembling expression, clenched his teeth.

Then, with a sudden surge of strength, James twisted Johnny's wrist, using every ounce of technique he had. With a shout, he flipped Johnny over his shoulder in a fluid Aikido throw.

Johnny's eyes widened as he spun through the air and crashed into Luther with bone-jarring force.

"RUN, SAM!" James shouted, desperation in his voice.

Sam bolted toward the manor.

On the ground, Luther laughed. "That kid really just did that. Hahahaha!"

Johnny groaned and shoved himself off Luther, scowling. "No manners these days."

Brushing themselves off, they rose to their feet.

"Go get her," Johnny said. "I'll deal with the brat."

Luther sprinted after Sam.

James made to intercept but Johnny was faster. Again, James was yanked off his feet, lifted like a ragdoll.

"Kid," Johnny growled, "that trick won't work twice."

His fist drove into James's gut.

THUD.

James's scream tore through the garden.

"AAAAARGHHH!!"

Another punch. And another.

"AAAGHHH!!"

(It feels like he's crushing my organs…)

Tears streamed down James's face. He was no match for this.

"MY PRINCE!!" Sam shrieked, tears streaming from her eyes.

"'Your prince,' she says," Luther snorted. "That's rich."

He grabbed for her but before his hand touched her wrist, a calm voice interrupted.

"Let go."

A hand landed on Luther's shoulder.

Luther froze, then turned, slowly.

Behind him stood a man in a white robe, his eyes calm, his hand firm.

Sam's eyes lit up with tears. "Jonathan… please… save my prince!"

Jonathan didn't flinch.

"Go inside," he said softly, "and call Percival."

Sam nodded and ran.

Luther smirked. "Who the hell do you think..."

WHOOSH!

With the grace of a dancer and the strength of a beast, Jonathan spun Luther into the air with a flawless Aikido throw. Luther soared like a stone and SLAMMED into Johnny, causing both of them to collapse in a heap.

Johnny dropped James, who landed hard, coughing up blood.

Laying on the cold ground, James saw boots walking toward him. Familiar. Comforting.

"Teacher…" James whimpered. "I'm weak…"

Jonathan didn't stop walking.

"You think you're strong, attacking children," he said, voice calm but tinged with fury.

"James," he added, glancing down. "Watch closely. This old man will show you the true, overwhelming power of Aikido."

James blinked through his tears, watching with wide, reverent eyes.

Johnny and Luther rose, eyes glowing blue now, weapons drawn, massive greatswords gleaming under the moonlight.

Luther snarled. "Let's kill this old bastard."

Johnny nodded. "Time to shut him up."

Jonathan stopped a few feet away. His golden eyes glowed.

"I'm usually a peaceful man," he said softly. "But what you did to my student and the girl he loves, has made my blood boil."

Then, slowly… he tore off his robe.

Muscles, like iron. Scars, like stories. His body was a battlefield.

His stance lowered. His eyes blazed brighter than gold.

With the force of thunder, he roared...

"I AM JONATHAN KAISEN, THE BEAR!

ONE OF THE 36 HEROES!"

He snapped into his Aikido stance, the ground cracking beneath his feet from the weight of his presence.

The garden held its breath.

Even the stars paused to watch.