Chapter 8: To Rise, You Must Burn
The silence of the sealed chamber was like a tomb—thick, heavy, unshakable.
Blue flames danced gently along the edges of the walls, casting shadows that twisted with each flicker. Rai stood still in the center of the room, facing Shurai—the dungeon boss who wasn't just a monster… but a man. A man who knew his past.
A man who now held his future.
Shurai's crimson cloak shifted as he stepped forward, his voice cutting through the stillness.
> "Before we begin, there's one more truth you must hear."
Rai blinked. The tension in his shoulders returned instantly.
> "When you grow strong enough—stronger than you've ever been—you must kill me."
Rai's eyes widened.
> "Only then will the gates open. Only then… will you be free."
Rai took a step back, stunned.
> "W-What…? Why didn't you tell me this before?!"
Shurai didn't flinch.
> "Because if I had… you would've trained with fear. Now, you'll train with purpose."
He turned around, walking slowly toward the center of the training chamber.
> "Your time here begins now."
---
Core Awakening
Shurai held out his hand. In his palm were nine glowing stones, each radiating a unique color.
> "The first step is unlocking your Core. Without it, you're just a body pretending to be a warrior."
Rai looked at the stones. In his mind, knowledge flooded back—memories of elemental systems, of powers and rankings from this world.
There were nine Core Colors, each representing a tier of power:
> 1st – White
2nd – Green
3rd – Blue
4th – Purple
5th – Red
6th – Yellow
7th – Pink
8th – Orange
9th – Black
> "My uncle is Red Core—5th stage…"
"Mina… probably on the second or third…"
"And me?"
> "I haven't even unlocked White."
Rai clenched his fists. The shame clawed at his chest.
> "I was a champion once. What am I now?"
Shurai stepped closer.
> "Choose one. Let it choose you."
Rai hesitated… then reached out. His hand hovered above the brilliant stones, the colored light dancing across his skin.
He didn't go for the strongest. Or the brightest.
He chose the weakest—the dull white stone.
He gripped it tightly.
> "Now," Shurai said, "meditate. Sink into yourself. Deeper than thought. Deeper than breath."
> "And remember… what it felt like to fight."
---
Memories of the Arena
Rai sat, legs crossed, stone in hand.
His breath slowed. His body relaxed.
In his mind, flames formed shapes. Shapes turned into faces. Faces into memories.
He stood in the center of a fighting arena. Crowds screamed. Blood dripped down his knuckles.
Before him… another version of himself.
Taller. Sharper. Stronger.
> "You forgot," the voice of the past whispered. "But your body remembers."
He took a deep breath… and stood.
---
Taekwondo Returns
Rai's legs moved without thinking.
One foot forward. Arms up. Back straight.
Stance 1: Ready.
Stance 2: High Block.
Stance 3: Side Kick.
His movements flowed like water. He wasn't just remembering—he was awakening.
Shurai watched, nodding silently.
> "Yes… yes, you were born for this."
---
5:00 PM – The Daily Duel
When the training ended, the clock struck.
Shurai stepped into the ring.
> "Every day at this time, we will fight."
> "You will lose. You will bleed. You will suffer."
> "But through that suffering… you will burn away who you are—until only the warrior remains."
---
Afterstory
Time passed.
Two years, sealed inside the dungeon.
No sun. No sleep. No distractions. Just sweat, silence, and fire.
Every day—core training, meditation, martial combat.
Every day—defeat, pain, exhaustion.
And yet, Rai stood taller.
Stronger.
Sharper.
The flame inside him… had not died.
It had only grown.
---
To be continued...