Divided Paths

The night was still, but the tension in Sid's workshop was anything but. The three of them—Remond, Sid, and Hayato—sat in the dimly lit room, their shadows stretching across the walls as the neon blue screens flickered. Hayato stood with his arms crossed, his sharp gaze locked onto Sid, who sat in his chair, cool and collected.

"We should strike now," Hayato declared. His voice was steady but firm, his usual calm demeanor replaced by an urgency that was impossible to ignore. "We know enough. Axiom Syndicate is moving fast, and if we wait too long, we'll lose our chance to hit them where it hurts."

Sid sighed, pushing his chair back slightly. "You're being reckless, Hayato," he said, rubbing his temples. "We don't have all the pieces yet. If we go in without knowing what they're fully capable of, we could be walking into a death trap."

"Waiting will only give them more time to cover their tracks," Hayato argued. "Every second we waste, more people are at risk. And you're asking me to sit still?"

Remond sat between them, watching the argument unfold. He could see both sides. Hayato's frustration was understandable—Axiom Syndicate had already done too much damage, and their experiments were an abomination. But Sid wasn't wrong either; they didn't have enough information yet to make a decisive move. Charging in blind could get them all killed.

"Then what do you suggest we do?" Hayato challenged.

Sid leaned forward, his hands clasped together. "We keep digging. We need to find out how deep this runs. Axiom isn't just some gang—we're dealing with an organization that has resources, power, and influence. We need to be smart about this."

Hayato shook his head. "That's not good enough. I won't sit back while they continue their experiments."

Silence filled the room.

Remond felt like he was being pulled in two different directions. He wanted to act, but he also knew they couldn't afford to make mistakes. He looked down at his hands, feeling the weight of his own abilities. He had spent weeks training, pushing himself to master his Hatsu, but was it enough? Was he strong enough to take them on?

When neither Hayato nor Sid could come to an agreement, the tension only grew thicker.

"Remond, what do you think?" Hayato asked, his eyes locked onto him.

Remond hesitated. "I… I don't know."

For the first time, he realized that both of them were right in their own way. But he wasn't sure which path was the correct one.

Sid sighed and stood up, grabbing a drink from his mini fridge. "We don't have to agree on everything, but one thing's for sure—if we screw this up, we won't get another chance."

Hayato exhaled sharply, clearly frustrated but unwilling to argue further. "Then we better find something useful soon," he muttered, before turning on his heel and walking out of the workshop.

Remond ran a hand through his hair, feeling lost. He needed clarity. He needed guidance.

And there was only one person who could give him that.

---

Seeking Wisdom

The dojo was quiet, save for the rhythmic sound of Master Ho Dieng sweeping the wooden floor. The scent of incense filled the air, creating a sense of calmness that immediately soothed Remond's restless mind.

The old master glanced at him with his usual sharp yet gentle gaze. "You seem troubled, my student."

Remond sighed, stepping onto the wooden floor. "Sid and Hayato… they don't see eye to eye. And honestly, I don't know what's right anymore."

Ho Dieng set the broom aside and motioned for Remond to sit. "Tell me what happened."

As Remond explained the situation, the old master listened carefully, his expression unreadable. Once Remond finished, Ho Dieng remained silent for a moment before speaking.

"There are times when we must act, and there are times when we must wait. Both require wisdom," Ho Dieng said. "But the greater question is—what do you want to do?"

Remond looked down. "I… I want to fight. But I also don't want to rush in blindly."

Ho Dieng nodded. "A warrior's heart must be strong, but his mind must be sharper. The path of a fighter is not just about strength—it is about adaptation."

Remond frowned. "Adaptation?"

The old master smiled. "Your Hatsu is powerful, but have you ever considered that it can evolve? Strength alone will not always be enough. Growth is the key to survival."

Remond's eyes widened. "You mean… my Hatsu can be upgraded?"

Ho Dieng nodded. "Hatsu is not a fixed ability. It is a manifestation of one's will. If you train properly, you can enhance its capabilities—make it stronger, more efficient, or even unlock new techniques."

Remond felt a surge of excitement. If he could refine his Hatsu, then maybe… maybe he could help bridge the gap between Sid and Hayato's differing approaches. Maybe he could become the force that balanced both sides.

Before he could say anything, Ho Dieng's phone buzzed. He glanced at the screen, his expression unreadable. Then, with a deep breath, he answered.

"This is Ho Dieng."

A voice on the other end spoke, and after a few moments, the old master's brows furrowed.

"I understand. I will be there."

As he hung up, Remond couldn't help but ask, "Who was that?"

"The IADR," Ho Dieng said. "They require my assistance."

Remond sat up straighter. The International Agency for Diplomatic Relations was a powerful organization that dealt with high-stakes global affairs. Master Ho Dieng is a reliable agent of them who was stationed in Axiom Syndicate. But since that attack he was out of service. If they were calling Ho Dieng now, then whatever was happening wasn't small.

"What's going on?" Remond asked.

Ho Dieng smiled faintly. "It seems the world is shifting once again. And soon, you will have to decide where you stand."

Remond clenched his fists. He knew now—he couldn't hesitate any longer. It was time to grow. To evolve.

Because the battle ahead would demand nothing less than everything he had.