Training (Part 1)

Liu and Mikimo exit the room, stepping into an eerily silent corridor. The entire building stands empty, thanks to Liu's snakes slithering through every hall and crevice, ensuring no one remained. One by one, the snakes return to Liu, curling around his arms and shoulders before merging back into his being. They exchange glances before proceeding down the dimly lit hallway, their footsteps echoing against the walls. A grand staircase looms ahead, its spiraling steps leading them deeper into the unknown.

Mikimo clings onto Liu, her grip tightening as an unsettling presence washes over them. Just as they reach the bottom of the staircase, they collide with a towering figure. A muscular, imposing man, his arms crossed over his chest, regards them with cold, calculating eyes. Without a word, he jerks his head towards a sleek black vehicle parked outside. "Get in," he commands, his deep voice leaving no room for argument.

The drive is long and silent, the cityscape morphing into an industrial wasteland before arriving at a fortress-like complex. As the doors swing open, Mikimo and Liu step out, their gazes scanning the intimidating structure. Inside, they are greeted by rows of guards, their sharp suits and unreadable expressions making it clear they are not to be trifled with. The towering man strides forward, leading them through the maze-like corridors before stopping in front of a massive steel door. With a swipe of his hand across a concealed panel, the door slides open, revealing a high-tech training facility filled with state-of-the-art equipment.

But beyond the obvious, another chamber lurks in secrecy. Pressing one of the countless tiles embedded into the floor, the man activates a hidden mechanism. The ground rumbles as two rooms merge seamlessly, revealing a concealed laboratory brimming with experimental machinery and containment pods filled with unknown substances. "This is where we create," the man announces, his voice laced with both pride and mystery. "We engineer, we innovate, we test." Turning to face them, he finally introduces himself. "I am Calg."

With a calculated move, Calg color-codes the activation tile, ensuring they can access their new quarters at will. "Get some rest," he instructs. "Tomorrow, we begin your testing."

Mikimo and Liu exchange glances before retiring to their assigned quarters. They change into their nightwear and settle into their respective beds. The silence stretches before Mikimo hesitantly speaks. "Hey… umm… are you… the only child… of your parents…?"

Liu shifts uncomfortably, his expression unreadable. "No… I have an older brother… that idiot."

"...Do you… like him?" Mikimo asks cautiously.

Liu exhales sharply. "I guess… I just don't like him. We're not very fond of each other's existence or presence." He turns to her, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Is that all…? What else do you want to know?"

Mikimo hesitates before shaking her head. "...Huh… Nnnnnn… nothing else."

Morning comes swiftly. A sudden, deafening bellow shakes their room. Calg stands in the doorway, his powerful voice pulling them from their sleep. "Get up! Time to train!"

He leads them into the training facility where the rules of engagement are simple: Spar. The first to hit the ground loses. The countdown begins. Ten seconds. The moment it reaches zero, Mikimo lunges, aiming to sweep Liu's feet from under him. But Liu is faster, his mastery of Chinese martial arts allowing him to counter with ease, slamming Mikimo onto the mat.

Calg's voice booms. "Winner: Liu."

Mikimo growls, springing back up. "Again," Calg commands.

This time, Mikimo's movements are sharper, faster. He feints left, then drives a powerful kick into Liu's back. Liu stumbles, but before he can fall, he retaliates with a swift series of Wing Chun strikes, neutralizing Mikimo's offensive and securing another victory. Mikimo seethes in frustration, his eyes burning with defiance.

Calg raises a hand. "Enough. Rest. Liu, you're going to the C-Corp testing room."

Liu enters the stark, sterile facility, his mind calculating every challenge before him. The tests push his endurance, agility, and strategic thinking to their limits. Each one he completes effortlessly. Mikimo, despite his frustration, follows suit, passing with equal skill.

Evening falls, and Calg gathers them in the living room. "Mikimo, Liu. You both will fight in a tournament held in Beijing."

Mikimo's eyes widen with exhilaration. "Seriously?! A tournament?!" His energy ignites, the prospect of battle fueling his anticipation. Liu remains composed, bowing respectfully. "I will do my best."

"The tournament is part of your training," Calg states. "Expect the unexpected."

Mikimo envisions monstrous fighters, their sheer presence exuding bloodlust. His excitement intensifies.

The following morning, they board a state-of-the-art private jet, faster than any conventional aircraft. As they soar over China, Liu stares out at the changing landscape, memories flooding back in fragments. "It… looks so different now."

Calg, arms crossed, nods solemnly. "Yep… it's changed alright."

Upon arrival in Beijing, the streets are teeming with fighters from all around the world—China, Japan, France, Poland, Russia, Africa, India, Korea, Vietnam. Liu marvels at the diversity of warriors gathered in one place. A pair of short girls step forward, their voices cutting through the murmurs. "This is no ordinary tournament," one announces. "This is a life-and-death battle."

A man emerges, commanding their attention. "Welcome to the Sǐwáng yǔ shēngcún jǐnbiāosài—the Death and Survival Tournament. You will be placed in groups based on your strength. Your goal? Survive. If you are forced out of the stadium, you're eliminated. Only one team will remain standing." He pauses, a grin playing on his lips. "Now… let's see what you've got."

Suddenly, alarms blare. "DANGER. DANGER," a mechanical voice announces, detecting immense energy levels. The fighters look up as two figures descend from the sky—one massive, the other smaller but no less menacing. The ground trembles upon their landing. The larger of the two steps forward, his voice booming with confidence. "We can kill every single one of you."

Mikimo and Liu tense, but before they can act, the other participants launch their attack. The two figures—known as the Mage of Kaklani and Kakluh—counter with brutal efficiency. Kakluh releases a devastating "Cursed Bomb," sending fighters flying.

A red-haired warrior steps forward, his presence radiating sheer force. He lunges at the Mage of Kaklani, driving a powerful punch into his face, smashing him into the ground. Liu seizes the opportunity, unleashing Hēi'àn èzhì (Dark Containment), trapping Kakluh momentarily.

The battlefield erupts in chaos, attacks clashing, bodies flying. Mikimo is sent hurtling by a dark meteor, barely managing to stay conscious. Kaijo, the red-haired fighter, summons a colossal fireball infused with divine energy. It collides with Kaklani's meteor, the explosion devastating the surroundings.

But the battle is far from over.

Mikimo's vision blurs, his rage bubbling. His eyes roll back, turning black, iris shifting white with a sinister red core. His laughter grows deranged as he shatters the Mage of Kaklani's chains, charging at him with unrelenting fury. The war for survival has only just begun.