Return of the Dragon Master

One more punch to the big guy’s gut was enough to send him flying across the room, hitting the metallic bars and plopping to the floor with a grunt, blood seeping from his head, unable to lift himself he wallowed in defeat.

As soon as the final blow landed, the room fell into stunned silence, eyes widened, breath hitched, and prisoners exchanged bewildered glances at one another, their jaws agape. The only sound was the blood trickling down from Lauren’s head, a stark reminder of what had just happened.

Just then Lewis fell into a trance, surrounded by bright blinding celestial lights he shielded his eyes with his hands.

“Finally you have reached where no human has succeeded in reaching in a thousand years.” A thunderous voice erupted, startling him.

“Who… are you?” Lewis questioned in confusion, still unable to see through the lights, and decided to rely only on his hearing.

“Take this ring, it will guide you to the guardian.” Lewis was left bewildered and stared at his finger to see a dragon-like ring clung to his index..

Hesitantly Lewis gazed at his hand. “Why me?” He asked, baffled.

“The hidden power in you needs to awaken for your task to be completed.” The celestial voice replied.

“What power? Why me? I'd-“

“Great power with the ability to protect the ones you love and those in need.”

“I don’t care about anyone else but her.” Lewis hastily replied, he was still filled with confusion and the last thing he wanted was another task when all he wanted was a peaceful life in the arms of his lover.

“Protection comes at great cost, child, embrace your true power.”

“What power?” Lewis was still confused as ever, as the bright light slowly faded away, he felt a rush of sensation engulf his body as the warmth of the prison air enveloped him. His heart raced, pounding against his ribcage as he wondered what power the person referred to, the echoes of the voice still ringing in his ear.  

“What power?” He mumbled, his voice barely above a whisper, Just then he felt the ring tighten against his index finger and glow a little as though it was sealing itself in him before fading away, Confusion spread across his face one more time but he didn’t have time to dwell on it. The cheers from the prisoners broke his train of thought as he turned his attention to Lauren lying on the ground still.

“Now you know your place,” Lewis said with a snort as he gazed down at the defeated guy who was now unconscious.  Many wondered how a scrawny guy like Lewis could take down the strongest fighter in their block. Fights like this were nothing new but a sought-after ritual for dominance in each block, the strongest fighter rules. Lauren had just lost his position to a guy like Lewis which was surprising because everyone had expected otherwise.

As Lewis stood beside the defeated rival, whispers filled the hall.

“Did you see how he just defeated Lauren with a punch? This guy is no joke.”

“He looks so small and yet he was able to take down Lauren? No one would have predicted that.”

“H-how was he able to do that?”

“No one has been able to bat an eye in Larreb’s direction not to talk of fighting him and he took him down with just a blow?”

Prisoners whispered to each other as they analyzed the situation.

Lewis rolled his eyes and bit his lower lip in disappointment as he had just fought someone when he had promised never to be involved in a fight, he had promised the woman he loved who deeply hated violence never to get into a fight and he did just that. His expression hardened and his fist clenched. Turning around he ignored the cheers and whistles coming his way as he needed to clear his head.

“Fall to your knees!” One of the prisoners ordered the others and they did so without hesitation.

This was the act they did as a submission to the strongest in the prison, to gain his favor.

A guard called out, snapping him from his thoughts. “Pack your stuff, you're leaving..”

Lewis arched his brows in confusion but it quickly dissipated when he remembered he was to be released today. 

He clicked his tongue, turned around, and walked to his cell, packing his belongings, he went through some processes and was finally out. Glancing back at the ground floor where all the prisoners had gathered, they all bowed in respect to him as a last sign of their honor for him. He clenched his fists and walked away, he had sworn not to fight but things did go out of control. 

“Hey.” he heard a familiar old voice call to him, turning around he saw old man Zullian beckon him over. “Dont tell me you’re leaving without bidding your old man goodbye.”

Lewis sat on the hard bench, the faint sound of metals echoing through the corridors as Zullian his mentor gazed at him with a smile spread across his wrinkled face.

The air was different this time, today was probably the last day they would meet in this manner, rather than look saddened Zullian seemed excited. “Lewis.” he began with a heavy tone, Zullian was a father figure for Lewis during his stay in prison and had taught him so many things he wouldn’t know ordinarily.

“Remember your title must be reclaimed.” Zullian reminded him for the thousandth time.

Lewis has so many questions to ask but there was so little time to talk. “Its all confusing right now but you will begin to understand soon.” Zullian assured him, patting his shoulders.

‘Hey, time’s up, Lewis youre leaving right away.” the prison gaurd spoke, his voice ehoing throught the hallway.

“Thank you, master.” Lewis bowed his head respectfully, both smiling to ease the tension.

“Visit me in your spare time before this old man wastes away.” Zullian chuckled, patting Lewis one last time before he walked out, Lewis refused to glance back and soon made him way out, taking in the nostalgic air .

Stepping into the morning sunlight, he felt more alive than ever, a feeling most of these prisoners would never get to experience again.

“Finally.” He sighed, the thought of where to go next crossed his mind, he needs to meet his lover Allison.