Scars

Rage's breath came in short, controlled bursts as he faced Benji, his dark red energy swirling around him like a tempest. Each punch and kick he threw was calculated, yet there was a fire behind them, fueled by a burning need to prove himself. Benji stood his ground, his white aura shining bright, a stark contrast to Rage's violent energy.As their fists clashed, Benji smirked, his confidence unwavering. "Is that all you've got, Rage? You're fighting like a wounded animal, not a mercenary."Rage's eyes narrowed, anger flaring within him. The taunt cut deeper than Benji could know, triggering memories that surged back, uninvited.A vision unfolded in his mind—a younger Rage stood in a dimly lit training hall, the air thick with tension. He could hear his teacher's voice, sharp and unforgiving."You thought power would change your fate? Look at you now, a mere puppet dancing to the whims of your own delusions."The weight of those words hung heavy over him, a ghost that refused to fade. Rage clenched his fists, nails biting into his palms as he fought to regain focus. The image of his teacher, with a sneer etched on his face, flashed before his eyes, taunting him as he struggled to find his footing in the present.Rage's rage surged, pushing him to lash out with renewed ferocity. He charged at Benji, energy crackling around him like lightning. The momentum of the attack was palpable, a fierce expression of the turmoil within.Benji dodged swiftly, countering with a roundhouse kick that connected solidly with Rage's side, knocking the wind from him. Yet, even as he stumbled, Rage's resolve only hardened."Do you think you can take me down so easily?" Rage spat, his voice low and dangerous. "I'm done being weak. I'll show you what true power looks like!"But with each strike, memories of humiliation surged through his mind. Each moment of failure, each disparaging remark from his teacher echoed in his thoughts. "You can't escape the truth, no matter how hard you try."Benji seized the moment, throwing a series of quick punches that landed on Rage's torso, driving him back. Rage felt the sting of each hit, but beneath that pain, a fire ignited. He refused to let this teacher—this reflection of his past—defeat him. Not now. Not ever.With a roar, he summoned every ounce of his energy, dark red waves crashing around him as he unleashed a flurry of attacks. The ground shook with the force of their confrontation, and Benji found himself on the defensive, his smirk fading as he realized the true depth of Rage's fury.Rage felt the adrenaline coursing through his veins, each blow echoing the tumult within him. The clash of fists and the shockwaves of energy sent ripples through the air, vibrating with a raw intensity that mirrored his emotional state. He was not just fighting Benji; he was fighting against the weight of his past, the ghosts of those who had scorned him.Benji, sensing the shift in the atmosphere, gritted his teeth and adjusted his stance. He couldn't afford to underestimate Rage, especially now that the mercenary was channeling his pent-up rage into every punch. He launched himself forward, aiming a swift kick toward Rage's midsection.Rage, however, was ready. With a swift pivot, he caught Benji's foot, twisting it and throwing him off balance. "You think you can keep up with me?" Rage growled, the dark red energy pulsating around him like a living entity.But Benji recovered quickly, rolling to the side and springing back to his feet. "You're just a big bag of anger! Power doesn't come from rage alone!" he taunted, his voice steady, masking the seriousness of the situation.Rage felt the words dig into him, igniting memories that threatened to overwhelm him. He could see her—the teacher who had made his life a living hell, her piercing gaze filled with disappointment. "You will never amount to anything, Rage. You're just a child playing at being strong."Shaking his head as if to clear the memories, Rage channeled his anger into a charged punch, releasing a shockwave of dark red energy that surged forward. Benji barely managed to block the brunt of it, but the force sent him skidding back several feet, leaving a trail of dust in his wake."That's more like it!" Rage shouted, feeling a rush of triumph. But the thrill was short-lived. As he prepared for another strike, Benji steadied himself and countered with a series of rapid jabs, each punch landing with precision.Rage felt the pain with each hit, but it only fueled his determination. "You don't get it, do you?" he growled, shaking off the blows. "I'm not that weakling anymore. I've shed the chains of my past!"With a fierce roar, he charged at Benji, unleashing a flurry of strikes that pushed the teacher back. Energy crackled in the air around them, the intensity of their fight drawing the attention of the remaining students and instructors."Rage!" Benji exclaimed, blocking another punch. "You're stronger than this! Use your pain as strength, not a crutch!" But Rage was too far gone, too immersed in the chaotic dance of combat to hear. The past haunted him, yet it was also the source of his newfound power.In a moment of sheer ferocity, Rage executed a powerful uppercut, sending Benji sprawling to the ground. The impact shook the arena, and a hush fell over the onlookers. Rage stood over him, chest heaving, a mixture of anger and triumph etched on his face. He was winning, yet the shadows of his past loomed large.As Benji struggled to get back to his feet, Rage leaned closer, the dark red aura swirling around him. "You think this is a game?" he snarled, the weight of his memories pressing down on him. "I'll show you what true power is! I won't be humiliated again!"But just as Rage prepared to deliver a finishing blow, a flash of yellow energy surged past him—Chris, recovering from his earlier confrontation, propelled himself back into the fray. "Rage! Your fight is with me!" he shouted, his yellow aura blazing bright.Rage's eyes flickered with surprise but quickly morphed into a smirk. "Finally, someone worthy of my attention." He turned to face Chris, the tension in the air crackling like electricity. The fight was far from over, and the stakes had never been higher.