It was early in the night, the sky is a light red as the sun sets behind the mountains.  The wind blew lightly across the field barely moving the grass and trees.  On top of a large hill two fighter’s stand across from one another, starring wholes through each other.  One of the fighter’s was named Tensue, wearing a red torn up dobok, which has seen many years of hard training.  His belt dangled and blew in the wind, as he starred across the flat top of the hill into the cold eyes of his opponent.  The other fighter was named Goken, he wore a black uniform trimmed with silver and black shoes.  The tension was high between the fighters as they prepared themselves mentally, for the physical challenge that they were about to endure.  Tensue made the first move, charging at Goken just seeing him over his fist’s as he approached his opponent.  He opened with a left jab fallowed by a right hook punch and a right round house kick to the head.  Goken dodged the two punches and ducked beneath the kicked that was intended to knock him out.  He countered with a strong upper cut to Tensue’s solar plexus, temporarily knocking the wind out of him.  To his surprise Tensue recovered quickly and already struck him in the face with a reverse punch, before he had a chance to strike again.  Goken’s head jarred back and the rest of his body followed as he lost his footing.  As he regained balance and he shook off the blow, blood began to pour down from his lip, like a small stream.  As he whipped away the blood on his sleeve he regained his focus on the fight, wondering how Tensue could just shake off a strong blow that was practically inside of him.  Goken’s anger got the best of him, and he charged with a full out attack.  Leaping in the air, he put all of his strength into the strongest jump sidekick he could possibly do, aiming it straight for his opponent’s head.  Tensue immediately put his arms up in front of his face in an X formation.  As the strike hit he managed to keep his block strong and his body grounded, but he was sent sliding back into the grass.  His feet made two grooves in the ground ending at his new position on the hill.  As Tensue was sliding back Goken had already landed and was on the attack again.  Just as Tensue stopped sliding Goken’s strike came into his stomach, which was wide open from the block.  As Tensue’s upper body began so thrust forward from the crushing blow a knee met him in the face.  Again his body shifted in another direction, Goken grabbed him by the collar of his dobok and flipped Tensue over his shoulder, smashing him flat on his back against the ground.  The powerful throw left a semi impression in the ground were Tensue’s body laid.  His eyes opened as soon as he hit the ground and he saw a foot stomp speeding towards his face.  He quickly rolled out of the way just before the foot hit the ground, the debris rose up touched his face and Tensue immediately push himself off the ground using his arms to thrust him into the air.  As he was landing he grew sight of his opponent once more.  His face became grim, his fist’s clenched together, and his body began to tremble.  Goken rushed into for an attack, as he got closer Tensue sprung forward with a punch to the gut.  At the point of contact a large amount of energy was transferred through his fist, creating a ripple affect in the grass that started at Tensue’s feet and grew out wards, like throwing a peddle into a calm pond and seeing the first hollow circle get bigger.  Goken’s body went limp, and all of his weight rested on Tensue’s fist that was imbedded into his stomach.  Tensue quickly pulled away his fist and Goken’s body began to fall, but was met by a stiff upper cut underneath the jaw.  Goken’s body became air born, and soared back and hit the ground with a deafening thud.  Tensue’s eyes became cold, and his eyebrows came closer together, all of his focus and all of his intentions were on one thing…Goken.  Once again like before his fists were clenched together, his stance grew deeper and he began to channel his ki.  It was like there was an imaginary cylinder around in filled with wind.  His hair, belt and dobok were moving as if they were in a hurricane.  Mean while Goken was struggling to his feet, his vision was out of focus and blood poured from his lip and other new gashes. His eyes rolled around in his head, scanning the surroundings and finally stopping as they found Tensue.  He fought against the loss of energy, and fatigue through every muscle in his body.  Tensue saw that his opponent was to his feet again, his focus was all concentrated on his target.  His ki grew stronger light surged around his limbs, it looked like small streaks of lighting.  Without a hint of his actions Tensue charged forward, as he reached his wounded opponent he took his final step toward him.  Every part of his body worked as one.  As his foot raced toward the ground, his right arm was on its way out for a strike.  His hand, and fingers were bent back exposing his palm.  In the center of his hand was a small circular ball of light with beams of light exploding out of it, much like the ones that were surrounding his body when he began to channel this extraordinary ability.  His right foot hit the ground landing him in a deep stance, at the same time his palm struck Goken in the chest.  Tensue’s ki engulfed Goken and sent pain searing through his body.  The force of the strike sent Goken air born leaving him unconscious as he flew through the air.  His body hit the ground and slid to a stop, Tensue looked over at the motionless body and dropped his guard, and the fight was over.
 Beyond the starting brush and deep into the heart of the secluded forest, a large bare circular area stands out from the rest of the compact trees surrounding it.  The ground contained in the circle has been worn down to a hard surface.  There are tracks left and slight imprints imbedded into various areas.  On the outskirts of the circle a large cedar tree stands alone.  The surface of the tree seemed to be beaten away, various cracks and chips infiltrated the enormous trees armor.  In the middle of the unusual clear area stood Tensue, in a fighting stance, peering over his fists into a world of his own.  He thought back to the first time he experience the power of his own ki, and the hard training he did to get to the level he was at today.  He was young and already an extraordinary martial artist.  It happened when he was training one day, he just finished an intense work out and was going to begin to meditate.  He stood in the exact spot where he was now.  Then he felt an enormous pain in the center of his body, it was no regular pain.  It felt like raw energy building up inside of him and it was ready to explode at anytime.  Every limb on his body tightened and felt as if they were on fire.  His breathing went out of control, and he was gasping for air.  Every vein in his anatomy grew bigger and burned, as if they were carrying boiling blood through out his entire body.  Tiny balls of light circled him, dust and grass flew around him like he was in the center of a tornado.  The burning sensation became more intense, Tensue let out a tremendous scream.  Light exploded out of his body, and the ground began to tremble.  The light was in the form of a large sphere, it swallowed everything if came in contact with.  The ball of light grew bigger, and the ground inside gave way causing a large indentation in the area of the circle.  As quick as the light appeared it vanished, Tensue’s body went limp and he blacked out.  When he awoke he saw the destruction that he caused.  The area was completely demolished, all the trees and plants were gone.  In only a few short months Tensue was able to gain complete control over his new ability, and call upon it at his own will.  He was also able to create new powerful attacks with his ki, which no one had imagine possible.  Tensue awoke from his daze, he looked over his shoulder to see his good friend Mecarrow.  “I, thought I might find you here.” He said, as he walks towards Tensue, “I see your still training harder than ever.”  A smile came across his face, “how about a round?”  Tensue smiled and rased his guard.  As the two fought the thunderous sounds of limbs colliding, and every hit that they made on each other echoed throughout the forest.  The two ended the fight staring at each other, Tensue dropped his guard with a smile Mecarrow did the same.  “You’ve gotten stronger” Mecarrow said amazed, “So have you” Tensue replied.  Mecarrow walked over to him, and they shook hands.  He then told Tensue about the challenge that he got from Goken, he was confident about himself and had no worries about the fight.  After the two caught up with each other, Mecarrow left and Tensue went on with his training.
 A few weeks later Tensue was passing through a small village that he was familiar with.  He was very respected and was well known to all martial art practitioners.  As he walked among the village a street fighter told him that Mecarrow lost his match against Goken, and was hurt badly.  He made his way to the hospital, and found Mecarrow’s room.  When he walked in, his eyes opened as wide as they could, and he was in disbelief.  Mecarrow looked as if he had been hit by a train, and then beaten with a lead pipe.  Mecarrow’s eyes open, and then the two started talking.  Tensue learned that Goken took his loss very seriously, and that he wasn’t the same person that he was, when the two first fought.  Gokens obsession with his loss drove him to hatred towards Tensue, and that was what fuelled the darkness and rage inside of him.  Tensue left the hospital with revenge on his mind.  As he started to make his way out of the village an arrogant young fighter challenged Tensue.  The inexperienced fighter thought he would become a legend if he beat him.  Tensue wasn’t in the mood to put up with the foolish young man, the kid gloves were coming off.  The young fighter charged at Tensue recklessly, with an out of control high punch to his head.  He easily ducked underneath it, and sprung forwards with a solid right knee to the solar plexus.  The young fighters eye’s bulged out of his head, and the air escaped his body.  Tensue continued the beating with a left reverse punch to the side of his face, followed by a right upper cut underneath the jaw.  The young fighters head snapped upward and his body became air born.  Tensue quickly grabbed the collar and the hair of his challenger and spun around and threw him straight into a wall.  The body hit the wall with such impact, that it echoed through the street, leaving a crater in the wall.  Tensue turned around and continued his way out of the village, with the amazed eyes of pedestrians watching him.
With the defeat of Mecarrow on his mind, Tensue knew that Goken must have become stronger than ever.  He went back to the wooded area where he trained.  This place was sacred to him, this was where he could concentrate and put his full potential into his training the most.  He began training on the cedar tree, putting full power into every kick and every punch.  The surface of the tree grew weaker as every blow struck it.  Images of his wounded friend flashed into his head, Tensue's strikes became more powerful.  The tiny balls of light appeared again as he hit the tree, the dust on the ground blew away in a circular effect.  Tensue clenched his fist, the balls of light flew towards his hand, like metal being attracted to a magnet.  He stepped forwards with full speed and power started extending his punch towards the tree.  A trail of light followed his hand, his fist met the tree with incredible power. Three quarters of the trunk of the tree was destroyed, completely gone.  A loud creaking noise came from the tree, which sounded like its cry of pain.  The body of the tree began to lean towards the missing side of the tree, the rate at which it started leaning increased and the tree began to fall.  Tensue leaped back and watched the destruction unravel.  Satisfied Tensue began his meditation, focusing his ki to a new level.  He trained like this for weeks on end.  Tensue finally set out for Gokens dojang, as he got closer he could feel a strange ki through out the area.  It was solely fueled on hate and darkness.  Tensue entered the dojang, and found Goken meditating on the floor waiting for him to arrive.  Goken rose to his feet and the two stared at each other as they did once before, but unlike before this fight meant a lot more to both of the fighters.  Goken looked at Tensue with a smile, “How’s your friend, I hope you’ll give me more of a challenge.”  A small smile came to Tensue’s face, “How did you feel when you woke up after our fight.”  The smirk disappeared from Goken’s face, and turned into a cold stare.  Goken brought up his clenched hands to his waste, and his arms began to shake.  Lights appeared around his body they looked like lighting bolts, the wind started to blow.  Tensue’s body started to tremble, he never felt anything quiet like this before.  It sent a chill through his body, he could feel the darkness in the ki exerting from Goken.  Goken rushed forward and struck Tensue across the face and then in the stomach.  Paralyzed from the strikes, he gasped for air but before he could catch his breath Goken kneed him in the face.  His body hit the ground, he had never been hit so hard before, it was a shock to see how powerful Goken had become. Goken smiled again, as his dark ki filled the room.  As Tensue rose to his feet he knew he was going to be in for the fight of his life.  Goken was relentless he continued his attack, he attacked with a round house kick to Tensue's head.  He managed to get a block up, but Goken's attack was to powerful and went right through his guard and struck him in the side of the head. His head snapped to the side and his body followed, causing him to become air born and spin out of control.  The dead weight of his body hit the ground with a thud.  Blood started to stream out from a gash above his eye.  Goken rushed towards his body on the floor and kicked him in the ribs, causing Tensue's body to side across the floor and crash into the wall.  Tensue tried getting up to his feet first lifting with his arms, as they began to tremble from the weight of his body.  Goken watch with amusement, Tensue continued to struggle to his feet, using the wall the to help support him.  Gasping for air he charged at Goken and put whatever he had left into his attack.  A sphere of light appeared in his hand and he stepped forwards into a deep stance, and thruster his palm forwards.  Streaks of light caused from his ki followed his hand as it went forward.  His strike went into the dead center of Goken’s chest, but he didn't move an inch.  The powerful strike that worked the last time didn't even faze him.  Goken countered with a ki attack of his own.  He put his palms together with his hands bent back and sent his strike forward into Tensue's chest.  His body was sent flying across the room, and continued to slid back when he came in contact with the floor.  He let out an agonizing scream, as he grabbed his chest.  Once again he struggle to his feet, blood poured out from various cuts, his body ached all over and he stared right through his opponent showing no fear.  His face became grim as the focused his ki, his arms rased and his teeth clenched together.  His uniform, hair and belt began to move uncontrollably from the power of his ki.  He tilted his head back and let out a tremendous scream.  At the same time a crash that sounded like thunder came from his body, and sent out a large invisible circle that you could see the presence of along the ground, from the dust and debris movement.  Tensue felt a new sense of power in himself, he never experienced his ki on such a high level as it was at this moment, his hard training paid off.  It was like he was injected with raw energy, he had never dreamed of such power.  Goken rushed forward for another attack, leading with a reverse punch to Tensue's face.  His punch came to an immediate stop, Tensue had caught the punch with ease.  He pulled his opponent in closer and met him with a head butt to the bridge of his nose.  Goken’s head snapped back as he took a few steps back.  Tensue followed with one deep step, and then leaped into the air spinning around in a 360-degree motion followed by roundhouse kick to Goken’s head.  The kick made contact sending his opponent soaring through the air, Tensue charged after the air born body.  Goken hit the wall with great impact, which cause his body to bounce slightly off of it.  As his body bounced Tensue caught his head, so that his hand covered his face and he continued towards the wall.  Tensue drew back his arm that the head was held in, and suddenly shot it forward driving Goken’s head through the wall.  A large hole crumbled out of the wall as his head smashed through it.  On the outside of the dojang he laid amongst the ruble of the wall.  Tensue stepped out side and looked at the car crash looking mess.  Goken managed to get to his feet and charged at him with a full out ki attack.  Lights flared from both of his fist’s, he reached Tensue and threw out a series of punches ranging from the head to the stomach.  Goken wound up for the final punch, aimed at the side of Tensue’s face, on the cheek just above the jaw line.  His head began to twist as the punch followed through, then his neck muscles tightened and stopped the momentum of the punch.  With Goken’s fist still on his face pushing forward, Tensue turned his head in the direction that the punch came from.  Goken’s arm began to tremble as he began to push harder, but Tensue’s head kept turning and stopped when the two were face to face.  He threw another punch but Tensue caught it and pulled him in close once again, this time he gave him a right elbow smash across the face.  His body jerked backwards but Tensue still held on to his arm, he pulled him in again driving his knee into the stomach.  Tensue quickly pulled back his knee and then drove his knee up into Goken’s face.  As soon as his opponent’s face left his knee everything seemed to go into slow motion for him.  Goken’s head and upper body was on its way upwards from the strike, Tensue closed his fist tightly.  All of his focus was on Goken’s face his arm began to shake, as he made his fist stronger.  Goken’s body was almost at the upright position, Tensue stepped in slightly and started to extend his punch.  With his full strength and the newly developed level of his ki, the punched excelled faster and stronger than ever before.  The punch made contact, Goken’s face veered off to the side.  A critical snapping noise caused complete since when his head couldn’t turn any more.  His lifeless body spun to the ground.  Tensue stepped back and let out a long breath as he looked at his opponents body.  He turned his back and began to walk away, wondering what he would encounter next on his path of life.  For Tensue the quest to become stronger, faster, and to be the best fighter is a never-ending one.  There always seems to be new limits to reach and opponents to overcome.  The path of the warrior is a long one, but it’s a path that he strives to live by.

Ryan Buchan