Failure

As Rage looked at Benji, surrounded in white light, the shadows of his past loomed larger than ever, weaving memories into the present.He saw himself as a young man, raw with ambition yet untested, training under the unyielding gaze of his merciless teacher. Every misstep was met with a barrage of scorn, each failure carving deeper scars into his psyche. "You thought power would change your fate?" she'd taunted. "Look at you now—a mere puppet dancing to the whims of your own delusions."The haunting words echoed in his mind, a relentless reminder of every moment he had fought to overcome. Rage had dedicated his life to shedding that weakness, yet as he faced Benji, he felt a flicker of doubt—was this all for nothing?Memories flashed before him, moments of grueling battles fought tooth and nail, each encounter sharpening his skills but further entrenching his isolation. The voices of past adversaries taunted him, "You think you're stronger now? You're just a shell of your former self!"But the true weight of his past pressed heavily on his shoulders. He had become the very thing he once despised—an embodiment of chaos and cruelty. And now, facing Benji, that inner conflict manifested in a tumultuous storm of emotions."Why are you doing this?" The voice of his past echoed, filled with disappointment. "You've become everything you swore to fight against."Rage staggered, the revelation stinging deeper than any blow. He faced Benji, whose unwavering resolve shone like a beacon of hope, contrasting starkly with the darkness that had consumed him. Rage's hands clenched into fists, the shadows of doubt swirling around him."Benji!" he shouted, his voice a mix of fury and desperation. "You don't understand! This isn't just about power—this is about proving I'm not a failure!""Then let's settle this once and for all!" Benji's voice rang with determination, fueling the fight that was about to unfold.In a flash, Benji surged forward, his aura blazing with radiant light, and Rage instinctively reacted, unleashing his own dark energy. Their powers collided with a cataclysmic force, shockwaves rippling through the ground, sending debris flying. Benji was relentless, his strikes a blend of precision and unyielding strength, each blow carrying the weight of those who had suffered at the hands of mercenaries like Rage.Rage fought back, desperation fueling his every move, but with each of Benji's punches, the memories of his failures flooded back—each taunt, each scornful laugh from his past echoed in his ears. The realization hit him hard: he had underestimated Benji's strength and resolve."Enough of this!" Rage bellowed, his energy flaring dangerously, desperate to reclaim control. He lunged, but Benji was prepared. With a swift sidestep, he redirected Rage's energy into the ground, leaving the mercenary momentarily unbalanced.In a breathtaking moment, Benji gathered all his strength, his aura glowing brighter than ever. "This is where your reign ends!" he declared, launching himself at Rage with a blinding speed, his fist glowing with pure energy.The impact was monumental, the air crackling with raw power as Benji's punch connected squarely with Rage's chest, sending him crashing to the ground. The force of the blow resonated through the battlefield, silencing the chaos around them.As Rage lay there, gasping for breath, staring up at the brilliant light above, the weight of his past bore down upon him like an avalanche. For the first time, he felt the true meaning of defeat—a sensation he had fought so hard to avoid."Your time is over, Rage," Benji said, standing tall, the embodiment of resilience and hope, casting a long shadow over the fallen mercenary.With Rage on the ground, the realization of his failures settling like a heavy cloak, Benji prepared to deliver the final blow."Stop right there, Benji!" A commanding voice cut through the tension like a blade. "You're not finishing this."Benji narrowed his eyes, bristling at Klaysher's interference. "What are you talking about? Rage is a threat! He's already taken down our students, and I can't let him gain control of the Nexus.""That's exactly why you need to step back," Klaysher replied, his tone unyielding. "I'm calling in the Bender Force to secure Rage. He's a mercenary, and he'll be dealt with accordingly. You don't need to put yourself at risk."Benji's fists clenched at his sides, frustration boiling over. "You're seriously going to just let him go? You think they can contain him? After everything he's done?""The Bender Force is trained for this," Klaysher shot back, his voice low but filled with authority. "You've been retired too long to know what's at stake here. This isn't just some grudge match. It's a tactical response.""Yeah? And what happens if they fail? We can't afford to take that chance!" Benji snapped, his energy surging as he glared at Klaysher. "I won't stand by while Rage gets carted off like some trophy. He needs to be stopped now!""Enough!" Klaysher barked, stepping closer, his anger simmering just beneath the surface. "You're not in charge here, Benji. You think your personal vendetta matters in the grand scheme? We need to secure the Nexus, and that means taking Rage into custody."Before Benji could retort, the air around them shifted, and Klaysher raised a hand, summoning the Bender Force. Their distinctive uniforms, adorned with the insignia of the academy, appeared in the distance, swiftly moving toward the scene."You're making a mistake, Klaysher!" Benji protested, desperation creeping into his voice. "This isn't just about protocol. Rage won't hesitate to strike again. He's not going to be a prisoner for long!""Trust the process," Klaysher replied, the certainty in his voice unwavering. "We'll handle it. Your emotions are clouding your judgment. Stand down."As the Bender Force approached, their determination evident, Benji felt a surge of frustration. He hated that Klaysher was right in some way, but he couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. The stakes had never been higher."Just remember," Klaysher said, turning to lead the charge, "you're not alone in this. We're all fighting for the same cause, even if you refuse to see it."He turns back and nods at Benji,"But you deserve credit for keeping him at bay."And he walks off as the Bender Force takes Rage away.