Brushing off the crumbs of his breakfast, Gai felt fully satisfied. There was nothing better than fresh buttered bread in the morning. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting a golden glow over the quaint cobblestone streets. The air was crisp, filled with the scents of dew-kissed earth and blooming flowers from the nearby gardens. Gai began to head home to practice some morning drills, the rhythmic chirping of birds accompanying his steps.

Suddenly, a piercing cry shattered the tranquillity, emanating from an alleyway shrouded in shadow behind him. Gai's heart skipped a beat as he quickly moved towards the noise, which sounded like a child in pain. The narrow alley was damp and littered with debris, its brick walls streaked with grime. Rounding a corner, he came face to face with Roland, Louis, and Boris. The sunlight barely penetrated the alley, casting a dim light on the cruel scene.

Louis had the hair of a young girl pulled taut in his hands while both Roland and Boris threw mud at her. The girl, her dress already dirtied and torn, was crying and trying to pry Louis' hands off of her. Roland turned and sneered at Gai, his face partially obscured by the shadows. "Look who it is, Boris. He's come back for another beating." Boris laughed, a harsh sound that echoed off the walls, and wiped his muddied hands on the young girl's dress, eliciting a small whimper from her.

"Let her go!" Gai shouted. His voice reverberated through the narrow space, momentarily startling Roland and Boris. Louis loosened his grip on the girl's hair just enough for her to break free. She stumbled, then ran away down the alley, her sobs fading into the distance.

Roland turned on Louis, fury contorting his face. "You're useless!" He punched Louis in the ribs, dropping him to his knees.

"This was your last chance to prove you weren't a coward like him. Now we're going to have to beat you up as well!" He pointed menacingly towards Gai. Without warning, Boris launched himself at Gai, intent on using his greater size to tackle Gai to the ground as he had done weeks before. This time, Gai was ready. He pivoted out of the way, his movements swift and fluid. As Boris careened by, Gai gave him a kick in the rear, launching Boris into the wall opposite, where he slumped, dazed.

Roland threw his fist out in a wide swing aimed directly for Gai's jaw once again. "Move your feet, son," came the words of his father to mind. In a single motion, Gai parried his foe's incoming strike and struck towards Roland's midsection with his fist. Roland gasped as Gai made contact with his sternum. Gai pushed Roland to the ground, where he lay gasping for the air that had been knocked from him.

Louis, who had watched the entire altercation that lasted only moments, stammered, "S-sorry," before scrambling to his feet and fleeing after the girl.

Gai stood there for a moment, his heart thundering in his chest. He looked down at his former bullies, now laying in the mud, the early morning sun finally beginning to chase away the shadows from the alley. Taking a deep breath, Gai turned and walked home, the weight of the encounter still heavy on his mind.