The morning started as usual in the mountains where the dojo of warriors rested. Birds chirped harmoniously as sunlight streamed through the lush, well–tended leaves of the trees encircling the dojo, casting a warm glow on The Player's skin. 

 He reached the final steps of the mountaintop, his gaze locking onto the dojo’s magnificent gate and towering rooftop, which seemed to point toward the heavens. Exhausted, he rested his skinny frame against the stones near the stairs. To any onlooker, The Player’s frail build would have made it hard to believe that he had climbed 200 to 300 feet to reach the summit.

 After resting for a few minutes, he rose to his feet and strode toward the dojo's gates, which bore an insignia of flames encircling a draconic pattern intricately carved at the center. A powerful aura pulsed from the dojo, filling the air with an almost tangible energy. As he stepped inside, he was immediately halted by ninja-like figures clad in void-black garments, their faces concealed behind masks resembling demons.

 "Who are you? Why have you come to the mountains?" one of the men demanded.

 "I’m just a normal guy who wants to become strong, that’s all!" The Player answered, his voice trembling with fear.

 The man narrowed his eyes in suspicion, his piercing glare freezing The Player in place. The sheer intensity of his aura was suffocating, pressing down on him like an unseen force, nearly choking him.

 Suddenly, the oppressive stare vanished as another figure emerged from within the dojo. He approached the group and whispered something to the glaring man. The man's expression shifted to one of surprise before he silently turned and walked toward The Player.

  “You got lucky kid, The Grandmaster wants to see you,” the man muttered while dragging the player inside the dojo.

 While he was dragged along, he examined the interior of the dojo, the hallways were lined with torches that radiated a warm glow along the white walls which were punctuated intervally by a few wooden windows. The floors, made of polished logs, the ceiling was of a darker wood, top was reinforced by slabs.

 When The Player and the group came to a stop in what appeared to be the center of the dojo, his eyes fell upon a man in full white unlike the group whom the player encountered, meditating on top of a rock. His long white hair resting on the broader shoulders, body more robust compared to the group of men in black clothes.

 Through his short white beard he spoke. “Young man, tell me why you came to this dojo. Are you here to fight? Or are you here to train yourself in self defence?”

 The Player hesitated at the unexpected question before finally answering, “To train and protect my loved ones. I am done being weak.”

 The Grandmaster, eyes widened, before smiling at him. However, he could not take The Player as a student of the dojo on a whim. Instead, The Grandmaster firmly instructed, “Well then, if you wish to become strong you need to have the resolve and the talent to become one. Follow me”

 Without hesitation, The Player obeyed.

 They passed through a door opposite to the entrance. When he passed through the door he felt an overwhelming surge of energy and aura, it seemed that beyond the door was a fighting arena. People cheered from an elevated platform along with the sounds of metallic clangs echoing through the air. The Player’s eyes focused onto the center, where the arena rested. 2 men clashed with bladed swords in a sandy arena, their movements with deadly precision. Separating the common ground and the arena was a single rope.

  “HALT!” The Grandmaster’s commanding voice booming across the arena as he commanded. 

 The entire crowd fell silent, caught off guard by the abrupt command. Turning their attention to The Grandmaster, who marched toward the arena.

  “Young man, come along with me to the arena,” he ordered.

 The Player didn’t bother asking any questions and simply followed.

 Once they had set foot in front of the arena, The Grandmaster instructed him to choose a weapon. He looked at a filled shelf with weapons like short swords, long swords, daggers, spears, staffs, knives, gauntlets etc. Is the decision to come here correct? Or will I regret it? What weapon do I choose? I don't even know how to fight with one.

 “I don’t know how to fight with a weapon… I’ve never fought with anyone before.” The Player complained. Hearing this, the audience surrounding the arena roared with laughter at his amusing remark.

 “SILENCE!” Thundered The Grandmaster. “I shall not tolerate or see anyone’s ridicule from now on.”

 Looking at The Player, The Grandmaster the advised, “Take a gauntlet”

 Heeding The Grandmaster’s advice, he turned his attention to the gauntlets on the shelf, there were lots of them, some looked heavy and durable while others looked flimsy and weak, he chose a cheap looking one with silver coating with some rusted patches, however, it fitted him perfectly. Once again, the spectators had to stifle their laughter.

 The Grandmaster, expression unchanged, commended him. “Good choice, that weapon is compatible with your physique. It’s lightweight and won’t strain your body.”

 Stepping into the center of the arena, The Grandmaster announced, “Come, let's start the test.” 

  The Overseer stood tall and announced, “Let the match begin!”

 “Ahh I didn't sign up for this!” The Player exclaimed.

Author = Ryujin (@gol_d_ryujin)

Editor/Proofreader= Tricky (@tiky_tricky)