A Storm in the Alleyways
The slums of Southcross City reeked of rain and rust.
Jayden moved silently through an alley, hoodie up, hands stuffed in his pockets, gaze alert. He didn't belong here anymore — not after awakening the Dragon Mark and passing Trial Two. But the note that summoned him here was written in his father's handwriting.
Meet me where it all started. Alone.
—A.
He reached the dead-end alley where he'd had his first gang fight — where he'd cracked a thug's ribs at fourteen and barely lived.
Only now, it was empty.
And death hung in the air.
Suddenly, wind screamed past him — faster than a bullet. A slash split the brick wall behind him.
Jayden leapt back just as a figure descended from the rooftops like a vulture.
A man in black armor. Barefoot. Long white hair tied back, and a jagged blade in each hand.
"I didn't expect you to come alone," the man said.
"Who are you?" Jayden asked, fists rising instinctively.
"I am Kaito — the Reaper of Five Peaks. And your trial… has begun."
Five Styles of Death
Jayden barely blocked the first strike.
Kaito moved without warning — no chi flare, no sound — just sheer, terrifying speed. One blade curved high while the other cut low. Jayden dodged left, right, then rolled under a sweep.
Kaito's foot slammed into his chest, sending him flying into a dumpster.
Jayden coughed, ribs bruised. "You… fighting for the tower?"
Kaito didn't answer. He raised his first finger.
"Peak One: Flowing Ghost Style."
His body became mist. Not literal fog — but movements so unpredictable, they may as well have been.
Jayden activated his inner chi, the red-gold Dragon flame pulsing to life. His vision sharpened. He threw three acupuncture needles in quick succession — all missed.
He closed his eyes.
Listened.
Let the world slow.
The third heartbeat — that's where the real Kaito moved.
Jayden flipped, struck with a chi-charged palm — and connected. Kaito flew back, crashing through wooden crates.
But he rose again, grinning.
"Not bad. Let's try something harder."
He raised his second finger.
"Peak Two: Grieving Blade Style."
Blood on the Concrete
Kaito howled — not human, not animal. The sound pierced the air like sorrow itself.
Jayden's mind shook. His knees buckled.
The air around Kaito turned crimson, and each strike now screamed with sorrow. Jayden dodged the first few — but the fourth cut through his thigh, and the fifth grazed his side.
Blood splattered the alley walls.
Jayden hit the ground hard.
His head pounded. The sorrow clawed at him — memories of his father leaving, of hunger, of street fights and cold nights.
"Do you feel that?" Kaito asked, standing above him. "This is death's song."
Jayden's fingers trembled.
But he reached into his pouch — pulled out a 2nd-grade blood-recovery pill he had refined just two days ago.
He crushed it between his teeth.
Chi surged.
Wounds sealed slightly. Pain dulled.
And his mind cleared.
He roared, summoning Dragon Flame around his fists.
"Then let me show you what life sings like."
He launched forward, fists blazing — and this time, he didn't aim for Kaito's body.
He aimed for his soul.
Counterstroke: The Dragon Pulse
Jayden had studied not just strength — but acupuncture points, chi flow, the rhythm of life itself.
He struck three times:
Once at the shoulder's binding node
Once below the sternum's echo gate
Once at the spine's life channel
Each blow disrupted Kaito's internal flow.
The crimson aura broke.
Kaito stumbled.
But he wasn't done.
"Peak Three: Silent Lake Style."
He vanished.
Literally gone.
Jayden stood tense — listening, feeling, stretching his senses.
Then a blade kissed his neck.
"You rely too much on your eyes," Kaito whispered behind him. "Let me take them from you."
Jayden dropped, kicked backward, and rolled just in time.
He threw a smoke bomb.
Not to blind — but to listen.
When the blade whooshed again, Jayden anticipated it — he spun and elbowed behind him.
Kaito blocked — but now Jayden had his rhythm.
A Lesson From the Master
Jayden leapt back, holding his ribs. Blood dripped down his arm.
This fight wasn't about power anymore. It was about growth.
He remembered Master Ryu's words:
"Each opponent is a teacher. Learn the lesson… before they end the class."
Jayden suddenly grinned.
"You're holding back."
Kaito's eyes narrowed. "Why do you say that?"
"Because if you used all five styles… I'd be dead already."
Kaito lowered his blades.
Then raised his third finger.
"Peak Four: Sky-Ending Dance."
He jumped.
Jayden looked up — and barely saw the rain of slashes descending like falling stars.
There was no time to dodge.
He closed his eyes — and focused every last ounce of chi into his palms.
DRAGON FORM – FIRST STANCE: WIND ECLIPSE PALM.
A single, upward strike.
BOOM.
The shockwave shattered windows two blocks away.
Kaito hit the ground — smoking, blade broken, coughing.
Jayden dropped to one knee.
Blood pooled beneath both of them.
A Fight That Changed Everything
Kaito stood, slowly.
He smiled.
"Peak Five… was never a sword style," he said.
Jayden looked up.
"It's a choice."
Kaito dropped his broken blade.
Then bowed.
"Congratulations, Dragon Heir. You passed."
Jayden blinked. "What?"
"This wasn't a duel. It was a measure. The tower watches all potential heirs — but the Five Peaks measure something more than strength."
"Like what?"
"Will. Honor. Mercy. Rage. Focus. The five cores of martial immortality."
Jayden stood shakily. "You tricked me."
"I taught you."
Jayden was silent. Then: "Are you with the tower?"
"No. I work for someone else. Someone who knows who your father truly was."
Jayden's breath caught.
Kaito reached into his sleeve and tossed him a small black disk — etched with a dragon's skull.
"Come to the Tomb That Breathes Fire," Kaito said. "That's where your answers lie."
Then he vanished.
Final Scene — A Girl with Silver Eyes
Far away, across the megacity rooftops, a girl stood watching the night sky.
She was about Jayden's age. Hair like moonlight. Her eyes glowed faint silver. She wore robes of white and blue, lined with phoenix feathers.
Beside her stood a tall man with a hooked spear.
"He awakens too fast," the man said.
The girl said nothing.
"You will have to face him soon."
She nodded.
"I know. And when I do…"
She opened her palm.
A single spark of Heavenly Flame danced there.
"…I'll burn away the false heir."