Are you going to fight your brother soon? Ryu continued staring at the wood left to be chopped as he spoke. His axe lay inert as it stood propped against a tree a few feet away; the blade growing cold on the ground. The snowstorm of the day had settled into a trickle of snowfall at night. A thick tarp of sparkling white covered everything.
I believe so. But Ive felt like this before. Gouken stood a few feet behind Ryu, his bearskin cloak draped around him to his ankles. Gouken treasured it because it was a gift from Kuwabatake and it was warm.
Ive been sure hed show uplike a gut feeling sort of thing. But he never did. So Im extra ready for him. Gouken chuckled slightly while watching the snow drift down. As Ryu split logs from the ground he sensed something uneasy in his master.
You dont want to fight him. Ryu had a knack for stating the weight on his mind. Gouken didnt mind, he wanted to talk a little. He figured he had thought about it to himself too much.
I do want to fight Gouki. I do want to see who is the strongest between usnow. And how big the difference in strength is. Gouken looked out at the night sky and wondered again why it was a purple red when the snow fell. Was it really the snow?
Ryu continued chopping, noticing the lift in Goukens voice.
I want to see who is the strongest. I want us both to live after the fight. I refuse to believe it has to be a life or death battle to really matter. Gouken brought his palm up to his face and examined it. Gouken was surprised he could still see so many old cuts in such low winter light.
Satsui No Hadou. It is in mewhen I was younger I fought it. Ive found a way; an alternative to just surrendering to it. My brotherhe embraces the killing intent. Did he drift towards it? Did he fall? Or do I have it wrong? Gouken looked at Ryu, smiling an uncomfortable grin. Ryu felt confused.
Of course you have it right! It is too much of a waste to kill needlessly. That age of brutality is past! Goukens hearty laughter silenced Ryu and the young man went back to his chore as Gouken cleared his throat.
Im not trying to be mean Ryu Im sorry. It is just something else to hear pillars of wisdom I taught to you being stated back to me as reassurance. Dont worry I still believe! It is that my brother doesnt.
How can you stop it once you feel it rising up? Ryu did not look to his teacher as he asked.
Dont let your self be strapped into the mental rollercoaster. It happens on the insideyour feelings will simmer, boil and erupt. Satsui no hadou will show you visions of what will happen if you dont surrender to it. You have to seize control of yourself then so you have to first recognize that it is happening. Also and this one is important Gouken turned to look at the distracted Ryu as he paused.
You must shed your ego concerning defeat.
You can show him by sparing his life after you defeat him. Ryu did not turn to look at Gouken as he spoke this time. Ryu did not see Gouken nod and shuffle slightly in the snow.
Yes you are right. Would he find his life being spared insulting? Ryu would you ever find it insulting? Gouken trotted toward Ryu, a curious look on his face. One swift stroke from Ryus axe was enough for just about every log. Ryu did not cease his chore as he spoke. He was certain Gouken was acting different. Did master have anything to drink?
If I were left in a condition that I could not survive long. I was going to say if I couldnt fight anymore…but there is a life without fighting
Gouken smiled. He was right next to Ryu now.
Do you look forward to that life? A life without fighting?
Ryu let the axe drop in the snow as he picked up firewood. He stood up with the wooden rectangles bundled in his arms.
Im not sure. I cant imagine it all the way.
Interesting. Are you done with that firewood slow n steady?
Our conversation was distracting me! Ryu surprised himself with how easily a laugh or yell just jumped out of his mouth sometimes with his teacher Gouken. Ryu felt it was out of character only well afterward. Gouken realized early on that he could draw uncommon emotions out of Ryu and enjoyed doing so.
Dont worry about what place you hope to get in the tournament. Fight fair dont eat heavy foods before matches. Gouken nodded with closed eyes after he spoke.
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-West Covina California, United States
Ken Masters was glad the tournament was closed to most of the media, something he helped make possible financially. There was a guy with a humongous video camera and two photographers ringside but most had to wait until the press conference after. This meant the coverage wouldnt be large, with articles shoved in the back pages of newspapers and 30 second clips for some anchormans around the world in sports montage. Why didnt Ken want attention? Because he knew the tournament would not be too difficult to win. He wanted attention for something challenging. He wanted to be worthy of the front page. As he trotted out of the ring draped in towels his muscles still twitched eagerly. As he splashed water on his face in the sink he reminded himself that the tournament was not a cakewalk, that man Allen had given him some good moments. As he freshened up and prepared to meet the flashbulbs as the champion of the United States martial arts scene he wasnt tired. He knew he should be tired, exhausted and covered in bruises. He knew he should have been stumbling out of the ring supported by his trainers even if he was the champion. Especially if he was the champion! As he soaped up a washrag he wondered who would be at the World Warrior Tournament. He felt the mild sting of a few cuts as he washed. His shoulder hummed a little from too many targeted blows but nothing else.
Kenneth Masters, United States champion. Ken said it to the mirror in a slow monotone like an announcer. He smiled after because he did like the sound of it. He had beaten everyone and been declared the winner. He had beaten everyone and had energy to spare. Now it was time to take questions about it. As Ken passed through creaking locker room doors he just wanted to get it over with so he could see the pretty blonde named Eliza he met at the dentists office.
Ken didnt realize wearing a red uniform with the sleeves torn off would cause such a stir. It made him feel a bit like a spectacle; not that he was disgusted by it. Ken Masters, son of the influential Masters family and heir to an empire, coming back after his decade long stay in the Japanese countryside with a martial arts master. The media portrayed him as an extreme adrenaline junkie, the vibrant and robust young successor. Ken liked the attention, but was also glad he spent so much time away from it. He thought a younger version of himself would have let it go to his head. Ken felt his self image was very healthy. That is why when people asked him about the red uniform he said:
The color red just felt good to meit resonated with me. I think my element is fire. Pretty sure it is.
Does it give you power? The reporter holding the microphone to Kens face asked. He was at a press conference held directly after the United States Martial Arts Championship tournament.
The red uniform or fire?
Either one.
No. As Ken bluntly answered he wondered why he agreed to deal with the media before at least taking a shower. He dabbed his brow with a towel someone had handed him once he left the ring.
The red uniform helps my mental game. I cant see where all the blood is. Half of the reporters laughed but Ken thought it was amusing.
Mr. Masters you have been studying karate in rural Japan on and off for the last 12 years. Are you finally coming back to America now that youre champion? The reporters voice was flat and well annunciated. She spoke with a perfectly bland Midwestern accent.
Yes actually! My teacher is growing tired of me eating all of his food and I will come home for good after I make one more visit. Im sure Ill go back and stay a while in the future but for the next few years Im finally stepping into the family business. The crowd of reporters exchanged nervous glances at each other as Ken took a heaping gulp from his glass of water.
Where can I go to watch the tournament in Thailand herewhat time is it there right now? Ken thought, while his exterior was that of a relaxed gladiator listening intently to whatever the serious faced blonde holding the microphone had to say.
Mr. Masters there have been reports of your engagement in Shinto rituals
++++++++++++++++++
Youve come a long waybut Ive been doing this too long. Sagat cracked his knuckles as he spoke matter of factly. It was as if he was trying to re-assure his young opponent of his competence before the kid met defeat. Ryu said nothing in response as he rose from the ground a few feet away from Sagat. Ryu had just been sent to the ground by a vicious knee, his attempt at a shoryuken was too slow and too obvious. The crowd was seated and quiet during the final round of the World Warrior tournament.
Ryu knew Retsu was in the stands somewhere, and he felt a twinge of embarrassment. Retsu had lost his first fight to Geki the ninja. As Retsu told Ryu what he knew from Gouken about Gen Ryu felt a rush of excitement. He had hoped to fight the famous crane master Gen but he disappeared after winning his match. Ryu was silently shocked as he advanced past Birdie and Geki to the third round. . Sagats pupil Adon was strong but Ryu thought he moved around too much and his hadoken overcame the kickboxer. Adons words from the ground before the paramedics arrived were:
You beat me. But you have no chance of beating the king. No damn way.
He had given better than he had gotten. But no match did Ryu consider easy. As Ryu hopped in place and took stance he wondered how much farther he would go. The fight with Sagat had just started 2 minutes and 40 seconds ago. Ryu had spent the last couple minutes guarding and dodging with rare openings for attacks. Ryu had trouble finding openings because he was too busy defending.
Sagat strolled forward toward Ryu with a blank face and his arms at his sides. He wasnt guarding. He wasnt running to his opponent. Sagat felt both were unnecessary. Ryus eyes darted from the crowd to the sky, to his approaching opponent, back to the sky and finally fixed his gaze on Sagat.
I must focus. I must give him no rest. Ryu thought.
Ryu rocketed forward on the ball of his back foot, in half a second he was in Sagats striking range. Sagat stopped in place and waited for Ryu to open the latest exchange of blows. Sagat was still leaving himself unguarded, but this time he had a smirk.
Ryu hopped in place and performed a roundhouse kick. Sagat held up one bent forearm to stop the attack cold before it could reach his head. Sagat used his other arm to punch forward and down. Ryu had to use both arms to guard against the drilling fist. Once Sagats fist retreated Ryu shot out with a front kick that was swatted away. Ryu then caught a right hook to the jaw that dropped him. He was back on his feet in an instant. He didnt bother to wipe the blood.
Sagats leg slashed through the air horizontally, Ryus ducking roll saved him from surely being knocked unconscious. Ryu darted to the side of Sagat and delivered a precise kick to his unguarded ribcage. Sagat whirled around and kneed Ryu in the stomach. As Ryus body sagged he lamented on underestimating Sagats speed. Ryu cocked back his fist and delivered a close uppercut to Sagats ribcage, the same spot he kicked. Ryu jumped back before Sagats response could land. Sagats fist abruptly stopped in mid-air as if even his limb knew the target was missing. Sagat smiled and began to stand upright as his fist slowly retracted. Ryu remained in stance.
Sagat charged again. A sudden thunderbolt of energy with little warning. In a single bound Sagat was upon Ryu again. Ryu attempted a downward cop but Sagat simply side stepped it and jabbed Ryus cheek. Ryu staggered and Sagat grabbed Ryu to throw him. Ryu took the opportunity to knee Sagat in the ribcage. Sagat grunted and backfisted Ryu across the face. Ryus upper body jerked to one side and his hands flopped. Sagat then grabbed Ryu by his shirt and violently tossed him toward the other side of the arena. Sagat threw Ryu like he wasnt a human being. Ryus body only skidded once.
Stop going for my ribs.
++++++++++++++++++
Ryu lay still on the ground, but his head was swirling as if he were spinning while drowning.
What could he do now? How could he fight on when his senses blurred at random, when the earth under his feet seemed to swell and contract while his legs spasmed. How could he win when he could barely stand?
Ryu flipped himself over, once his back was on the ground he noticed he had gotten more blood on his white headband. His eyes were barely open, the sunlight burned too much. He had forgotten he was in Thailand while he was swimming in the ground. As the sound of the crowd rose in his mind, first a deep distant thunder but now crashing, chaotic, a smashing of individuals. Had Sagat made them louder, more excited while beating Ryu up? As Ryu slowly stood he knew the crowd held no allegiance; they just wanted to see a grand spectacle.
Sagat was far away, unreachable as he stroked the crowd. He was throwing his long arms and pumped fists to the sky, his face carried a big grin and his one eye shined with accomplishment. He paced a slow circle 30 feet away from the wobbling Ryu; a practice for his victory stroll out of the arena. The crowd was with him; his chanted name began to bring an odd order to the grandstands. The sound swept up background noise and swelled into a deafening uniform mantra.
Ryu straightened his back and swallowed hard. Perhaps the crowd did have a favorite. As he exhaled as deep as he could he heard the sound of Sagats feet galloping across the tiles. Ryu swerved to the left as Sagats fist raced past his cheek. Ryu kicked Sagats exposed ribs and received an elbow to the jaw in response. As Ryu spun backward pounced with a raised knee. The roundhouse kick from Ryu connected first and Sagat fell to one knee holding his chin.
Pretty good. Sagat whispered. In a flash he was upon Ryu again. Ryu clumsily punched the air and Sagat kneed him in the stomach then backfisted him across the face. Ryu blinked but did not lose his composure and a violent exchange of deflected blows went on for 10 seconds. The clash slowed after Ryus powerful front kick missed terribly and Sagat positioned himself while grinning. Ryu winced at the thought of what was coming.
Sagats foot hooked into Ryus side, the kick splashed a wave of burning in Ryus insides. As Ryu rolled a few feet Sagat massaged his wrapped hands as he strolled forward. Ryus body made scraping noises as he clumsily got up. As Ryu slid his legs under him a bit of dust jumped into the air near his knees. He staged a bit and blinked several times but quickly regained his bearings and formed fists from his previously slack and heavy hands. Sagat smiled as he thought to himself:
It shouldnt be much longer.
Sagat stopped abruptly when he was in range of Ryu. The way Sagat lifted up and reared back only his right arm was mechanical. He fired the punch in an instant. The crowd hollered as the wrapped club of bone and muscle crashed into Ryus sternum. Ryu skidded across the arena for 7 feet.
Why didnt the bum block it?! A high pitched wail leapt from the crowd like lightning.
As Ryu lay heard the announcer far in the pressbox clearly through the loudspeaker. He was counting. Everything else was a distant, fuzzy haze. All the pain in Ryus body tingled fiercely, it reminded him of an alarm clock ringing. Ryu could hear the announcer but he could not understand what was being said. Ryu felt he was losing his grip on consciousness. He was losing the fight.
The crowd was now chanting the count with the announcer. Ryus waves of tingling intensified as he thought about how everyone wanted him to lose. This new feeling flowing over his body burned hot. Ryu lay on the ground and clenched his fist as he thought of going home with nothing but cuts and bruises. Or wrapped in a body cast.
No… Ryus body creaked and groaned as he stood. His anger throbbing in his head, dulling some of the pain. Drowning out the pins and needles in his skin.
You want more? Sagats voice sounded so distorted to Ryu; like a dog barking gravel. Ryu read his lips and cunning smile and grew angrier. The blood pumping through his body thundered in Ryus head.
Bastard. Ryus voice was too low for anyone to hear him. Sagat read his lips and decided to attack.
The crowd was shocked and amused that Ryu was still standing. A second before Sagat was upon him Ryu looked into the stands with a stone face. He wanted to pluck out the eyes of all the passive spectators that watched violence like they ate candy. He wanted to rip apart all the scum that bet against him, sure the kid had no chance.
Time slowed for Ryu as the moment was upon him. He studied the dirty and blood splotched white wrappings on Sagats cocked fist. He peered into Sagats arrogant, wide eye and he had no thoughts in his mind. He was blank and emotionless as his body moved by itself.
The shoryuken was perfect. Ryu felt his knuckles tear into flesh. Ryu felt the weight of Sagats body against his arm. Toward the end of the motion he felt the blood splatter on his arm. On his white gi. On his face.
The crowd was silent as Sagat crashed to the ground 15 feet away from a now kneeled Ryu. Splotches of blood on the tile marked the path of flight, right up to the ever growing pool underneath Sagats stil form.
Ryu was out of gas. It suddenly dawned on him as his senses flooded back. His body felt two heavy, even his eyes required concentration to stay open. The crowd was a thin murmur of disbelief, the hushed whispers rolling through the stands.
Ryu started to hear an echo as he thrust his arms to the ground, propping up his sinking upper body. Through rheumy eyes he saw Sagat still did not move. The pool of blood had grown. Ryu let his body drop to the tile with a wet thwack. His eyes began to close as he saw the white shoes of paramedics galloping toward Sagat. As the sounds drifted farther Ryu caught one last word from the announcer, the word heard as if it came from atop a hill:
Winner!
