The Ryu Dynasty Returns

Chapter 3:

Ten years later,

The Zhao’s Residence.

Grunts and sparks fill the air simultaneously, with the sounds of fists colliding and metal swords clashing through the cold morning air.

Riven Wei, now a far cry from the young 14 year old boy in the past, moves with controlled and calculated movements against Orion Zhao, who fights with equal intensity.

The two of them move against each other while other trainees observe from a distance.

“Still holding back?” Orion asked as their weapons collided.

“You wish.”

Riven twisted sideways just as Orion’s sword swept past his shoulders, inches away from striking him.

CRACK!

The weapon smashed into one of the training poles behind him, hard enough to splinter the pole apart.

Several trainees stepped backwards immediately.

Orion did not give Riven room to slow down. He pressed forward aggressively, his jaw tightening as he shifted from the structured Zhao’s techniques into something far more violent.

His strikes became faster, unpredictable, forcing the wind to whistle sharply around them with each charge.

SWOOSH!

SWOOSH!

Riven’s expression remained calm. His body moved almost instinctively, narrowly avoiding Orion’s attacks by inches before countering with precise, calculated strikes aimed at Orion’s exposed joints.

The sound of metal clashing against metal echoed repeatedly across the mountain grounds.

“Senior Zhao isn’t using the Zhao’s techniques anymore…” one of the younger trainees muttered as they watched the back and forth movements from the duo.

“Yes,” another whispered nervously. “But Senior Wei seems to know every move Senior Zhao does.”

Orion suddenly changed direction mid-attack, abandoning his sword entirely as he drove his elbow towards Riven’s ribs.

The move was an unexpected one that drew breaths from the onlookers, it should have landed. Instead, Riven moved before Orion’s strike could land.

It was quick.

Just a single step away and a slight tilt of the shoulders.

Yet, Orion’s attempt failed.

Riven trapped Orion’s wrist instantly, making his eyes go wide with surprise, and slammed him hard onto the stone platform.

BANG!

Cracks spread beneath Orion’s back as he cursed underneath his breath before rolling sideways just as Riven’s next strike descended toward him.

Without hesitation, Orion drew a hidden knife tucked under his sleeves and slashed towards Riven’s blind spot.

Several trainees widened their eyes.

That angle was impossible to defend but still, Riven caught Orion’s wrist without even fully turning around.

A pin drop silence instantly fell. The trainees held their breath, even Orion froze slightly.

Riven let out a faint smirk as he slowly released his hand before stepping away calmly. His breathing steady despite the intensity of the fight.

Orion and the younger trainees all stared at him with disbelief.

“How did he do it?”

The muttering began.

“That move was a clear move and he still avoided it?” Another said with wide eyes.

“He reacted before Senior Zhao attacked like he could predict it before it even happened!”

High above the training grounds, Damon Zhao stood silently with his hands behind his back. His white long hair flowing in the wind. For the first time since the sparring began, his face darkened.

…

“You’re getting more terrifying as the years go by,” Orion joked as they walked into the weapon storage room, the sounds of metal clashing in the distance.

Riven only lets out a thin smile as he cleans his sword.

“If you keep defeating everyone this easily, father will be forced to send underground to fight all our enemies.”

“You are also good at what you do, Orion,” Riven responds.

“Don’t be too modest about this, “ Orion gives a light shrug. “We fought together. You blocked my moves before I could even strike despite giving up the Zhao’s technique for moves of my own. You’re really good, Riven,” he adds.

Riven doesn’t respond, his gaze grows distant as he drops his sword along with the others. Orion pursed his lips, noting Riven’s change of expression.

Even after ten years, Riven’s real goal has never changed. He still seeks answers about the massacre and his sister’s whereabouts.

Orion holds his shoulder and says with conviction.

“We will find them, brother. I promise.”

Before Riven could respond, a cold voice sounded from the entrance.

“Riven.”

The two boys immediately turned.

Damon Zhao stood at the doorway with his hands clasped behind his back. His sharp gaze rested only on Riven.

Orion straightened up as he greeted. “Father.”

Damon gave a small nod, his gaze flickering slightly towards him and then back at Riven before speaking again.

“Come with me.”

Riven exchanged a brief look with Orion before following the older man towards the residence. The servants lowered their heads respectfully as they passed but Damon paid them no attention.

They entered into Damon’s private study filled with ancient scrolls and documents in the shelves with several lethal weapons laying behind glass walls.

Damon walked toward the large window overlooking the mountains before finally speaking.

“You sensed Orion’s attacks before he made them,” he said, without mincing words. “You have done it before, but today was different.”

Riven’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Damon turned around slowly.

“That final attack from Orion came from your blind spot,” he said. “Yet, you reacted before he moved. Tell me, what did you see?”

Riven exhaled quietly.

“Sometimes…” he began. “I see and sense things before they happen.”

Damon’s gaze sharpened instantly, a muscle in his jaw ticked slightly—not visibly.

Riven lowered his eyes slightly, looking for words to explain something even he couldn’t understand.

“It’s not clear,” he continued. “Sometimes they only appear in fragments, movement and intentions. Like my mind reacts before my body understands why.”

A heavy silence falls between them. Thick like it could be cut through with a knife.

Something dark passes through Damon’s expression.

“You’re awakening.”

Concern fills his voice as Riven stares at him, confused.

“I never thought it would manifest this early,” Damon continued.

“Do you know what this is?” Riven asked with a raised brow earning a nod from him.

“When your father was alive, there were rumors about certain bloodlines within the old dynasties possessing abilities far beyond ordinary human instinct.”

Riven’s brows furrowed.

“The ability you displayed today,” he continued quietly. “It resembles the early manifestations of something known as the Ryugan.”