The Underdogs Throne

Chapter 4: The Dojo Attack

Smoke came through the cracks in the walls. The air was thick and smelled like burning wood. Leo stood still, staring at the broken door. The big wooden doors were now broken into pieces.

Shen stepped in front of him. He was calm but ready to fight. His robes moved from the blast. His hand reached for his staff by the wall.

"Stay behind me," he said in a steady voice. "They found us."

Leo knew who "they" were.

Dark shapes moved through the smoke. One by one, dark figures stepped into the light. They wore black armor and had fang tattoos on their necks. Their eyes were cold and mean.

The Fang Clan.

At the front stood a huge man with spiked gloves. His muscles were big and strong. He had a mean smile on his scarred face. Just being near him made the room feel cold.

"Talon," Shen said quietly. "Of course they sent him."

Leo got scared. "That guy looks really tough."

Talon cracked his knuckles and walked forward. "The old man and the kid. What a nice welcome." His voice was deep like thunder. "You've been hiding the boy, Shen. We want him."

"You'll have to fight me first," Shen said.

"Good."

Talon rushed forward and swung his fist like a hammer. Shen blocked with his staff. The hit shook the floor. They fought hard, throwing punches and kicks fast.

The other Fang fighters ran in behind him.

Leo stepped back. He was scared. He didn't know how to fight so many trained fighters.

But then his pendant got warm against his chest.

Stay calm.

Leo closed his eyes and took a deep breath. He let the Battle Core power rise up. Heat went through his arms and legs. His senses got sharper. Time felt slower. He was still scared, but now he could think clearly.

When the first fighter swung at him, Leo ducked and punched him in the stomach. The man fell back.

Another fighter attacked with a chain. Leo rolled under it, then kicked up and knocked the man down.

He moved faster than he thought he could. His body seemed to know what to do before his mind did.

But using the power was hard.

His heart beat fast. His vision got blurry. Controlling the Core was like holding fire.

A loud crash broke his focus.

Shen was thrown back. His staff was broken. Talon stood over him, raising his big fist.

"NO!" Leo yelled.

He ran forward and tackled Talon just as the fist came down. They rolled across the floor and hit a training dummy. Talon grabbed Leo by his shirt and threw him into the wall.

Leo hurt all over, but he got up. He was breathing hard and his arms were shaking.

Talon laughed. "You're fast, kid. But you're weak."

Leo made fists with his hands. He was getting angry. "You want a fight? Come get it."

Before Talon could move, something fast came between them.

A flash of silver. Two knives.

Kira.

She landed smoothly, blocking Talon's way with her arms crossed.

Talon looked surprised. "Kira? What are you doing?"

"I didn't come for you," she said coldly. "I came for him."

Leo stood up, confused. "Are you helping me now?"

"I'm not helping anyone," Kira said. "I just hate being lied to."

She spun around, her blades flashing, and cut one of the Fang fighters. He fell down right away.

The room became crazy with fighting.

Kira fought fast and well. Leo fought next to her, protecting Shen as more enemies came in.

"Why are you helping me?" Leo asked while breathing hard.

"I told you to ask Shen about the betrayal," Kira said, cutting down another fighter. "Turns out the Fang Clan lies too."

Talon yelled and charged again, swinging at both of them. Kira blocked his hit with her crossed knives but almost fell from how hard it was.

Leo jumped in and kicked Talon in the side. The big man stumbled, then growled like an animal. "This isn't over."

He whistled sharply and told his men to leave.

Smoke bombs went off all over the room. When the air cleared, the Fang Clan was gone.

But they had done a lot of damage.

The dojo was ruined. The walls were cracked, the mats were burned, and broken weapons were everywhere.

Leo ran to Shen's side. The old master was leaning against a post with blood on his clothes.

"Shen!" Leo got on his knees. "You're hurt."

"I'll be okay," Shen said weakly. "But this place... it can't take another attack."

"We need to get you out of here."

Shen grabbed his wrist. "No. You need to go. There's a safe place on the east side of Iron-vale, near the old train yard. It's hidden. You'll find answers there."

Leo shook his head. "I'm not leaving you."

"You have to. If they catch you, everything ends."

Leo didn't want to go. His heart hurt. Shen was the only steady thing since all this started. His only teacher. His only safe person.

"But..."

"Go, Leo," Shen said firmly. "Now."

Leo nodded, feeling sad. He stood up, grabbed a bag with some supplies, and turned to leave.

But before he got to the door, someone stopped him.

Kira.

She stepped in front of him. Her face was hard to read. There was blood on her armor.

"What now?" Leo asked, still breathing hard.

She looked at him for a long time. Then, quietly, she said, "Come with me."

Leo stared at her. "What?"

"If you want the truth about your family, about everything, come with me."

"Why should I trust you?"

"You shouldn't," she said simply. "But I'm not your enemy. Not today."

He looked back at the broken dojo, at Shen bleeding, at the ruined building. Then he looked at Kira, who had just saved his life.

His fingers held the pendant tight. It got warm again.

Was she telling the truth... or was this another trap? he thought.