Spirit of Hope

  Chapter 9: Tournament of Snakes Part 1: Training Begins

  4 days have passed since Sohjin was allowed to participate in the tournament. Which makes it 4 days until the tournament starts.

  Sohjin anxiously waits for a text to come to HQ to train. Everytime he gets a notification his face lights up just to be disappointed by his mom who is texting him I miss you or I love you, something along those lines. In the meantime, he learned from an angry Alex how to sow and fix up his suit.

  With school being closed for the next few days. Sohjin is stuck doing nothing until now. He lays on his bed contemplating life when his phone lights up from a notification. He reaches for his phone, bracing himself for the disappointment, he opens his phone and his face instantly brightens up.

  Thursday, April 28, 2016

  3:45 pm

  1 message from Hamza

  He unlocks his phone and reads the text,

  “Hey bro, sorry to keep you waiting, we’re ready, can you swing by rn?” - Hamza

  “Yeah ofc, I’m omw.” - Sohjin

  Sohjin jumps up with joy, his body charges up with electricity and dashes out of his room putting on his costume in the process.

  He leaps from roof to roof leaving his neighborhood and enters the big city making his way closer and closer towards HQ.

  The city is more alive than ever from the honks to the crowds, the city feels like a living being. Sohjin dives off a large building, his heart drops as he falls closer to the ground, he smiles and dashes up before it is too late. The cold wind breezes through Sohjin causing his loose suit to flap as he rises through the air, the golden sun shines bright on the beautiful city.

  He finally arrives at HQ, he enters the building, waves at Arthur, and gets into the elevator and rises towards floor 12.

  As he passes each floor, he excitedly taps his fingers on the railing, conducting mini electrical shocks on the railing.

  The elevator chimed as it reached its destination. The door opened and Sohjin dashed out the elevator making a beeline for the table where Hamza, Cj, Daisy, and a girl he didn’t recognize stood.

  “Well someone’s excited.” Hamza said, with a smirk.

  “I’ve been waiting for this all week.” Sohjin answered.

  The unfamiliar girl standing besides Daisy smiled. “You're all dressed up and everything.” She said, pointing at his costume.

  “Oh right, you can take off your mask.” He stepped between them. “This is Marina, Marina this is Sohjin.”

  Marina brushed her long dark hair revealing a small but noticeable black dot that rested underneath her calm brown eyes. She held out her hand showing her smooth bisque skin tone.

  They shook hands, exchanging smiles.

  “Right, we’ve called you here because we’re ready to train you and also we fixed the training program because SOMEONE.” Hamza stops and glances at Cj. “Decided it was an amazing idea to use an uncontrolled full power tenshido. Anyways—-”

  Before Hamza could continue, the elevator chimed again. Suddenly, two figures burst out full speed, screaming at the top of their lungs.

  “SOOOHJINNN!!!!!”

  Hailey led the charge, followed by a guy with long hair that parted down the middle. Both of them slid, with tears welling in their eyes.

  “PLEASE TELL ME YOUR DOING THE TOURNAMENT AND JOINING US!!!” They yelled in unison, practically begging.

  “Oh god.” Cj said, burying his face in his hands. Daisy retreated behind Cj and peaked over his shoulder.

  “Uh, I…uh.” Sohjin stammered, unable to say a single word out of shock. “What the hell are these guys' problems?” He giggled.

  “Vance, Hailey get up, would you. Stop making fools out of yourselfs” Hamza said, in a disappointed, yet firm tone.

  They both apologized profusely and scramble to their feets wiping the tears away.

  “You’ve already met Hailey, but this is Vance also known as Ryker.” Hamza introduced.

  “You're just giving away our identities like that, not cool man.” Vance glared.

  “It’s well deserved after that entrance you guys made.” Hamza said. “Anyways, like I was saying the tournament doesn’t start until Monday. it’s important that you don’t slack off these next 4 days.”

  “We’ll teach you the basics of Seishin and how to fight. But first, I want to see where you're at with your skills. I’m going to have you spar Cj, and we’ll go from there.” Hamza smiled, nodding at Cj.

  Hamza leads Sohjin and Cj into the training room, clearing an open space for them to fight. From above, Hamza and the others watch as the fight begins.

  Sohjin and Cj stood on opposite sides of the room geared up in their respective costumes.

  “You ready?” Cj said.

  Sohjin’s lips curved into a smirk. “Ready as I’ll ever be.” Sohjin said, locking eyes with Cj

  “Did Cj change costumes?” Marina mentioned.

  “Now that you mention it, I think he did.” Daisy laughed.

  Cj wore a martial arts inspired outfit. The base color was dark white with dark green highlights. He had arm and leg guards and a sheathe on his back with a dark green mask that covered his nose and mouth. To accommodate that he had a hood that covered him.

  “Hamza, are you sure this is a good idea?” Vance asked, his gaze locked onto Cj as he slowly pulled out his sword.

  “No, I don’t, but this should give us a gauge of where he’s at.” Hamza replied, peering down on them. “If things get nasty can you go in and stop them?”

  “Ohh, my pleasure.” Vance smiled.

  “From here on out I fight as Scorn. Are you ready?” Scorn said, in an intimidating tone.

  “Yeah, I’m ready.” Sohjin confidently said, getting into a stiff boxing stance.

  “On 3” Hamza yelled, over an intercom.

  “3”

  “2”

  “1-”

  Sohjins heart skips a beat as Scorn vanishes within a blink of an eye.

  Wind whipped around Sohjin, as he struggled to find him. “The hell di-”

  Scorn reappears behind him, thrusting his sword forward. Sohjin pivots, the blade grazing his nose.

  Sohjin tightens his fist, cocking his arm back, as he rushes Scorn. Scorn smirked, as his fist wildly shot forward. Scorn slipped the punch, feeling a rush of air brush past him.

  Sohjin growls in frustration, as he dug his feet into the ground, pivoting to face Scorn. Sohjin closes his eyes, feeling a warm sensation rise from his core and into his fists, as they lit up with seishin energy.

  Sohjin’s fist shot forward, Scorn scoffed, grabbing his right arm, and shoving him aside. He threw his blade by his side, his hand hovering over it. Sparks flickered off the steel as he slowly drew it back.

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  The energy crackled violently, black and white tendrils surged around his blade, before erupting into a raging force. “TENSHIDO!” Scorn roared, unleashing a devastating wave of energy that shot for Sohjin.

  Sohjin’s eyes widened, quickly regained his senses and dashed out before it could hit him. The energy wave slams into the wall, leaving a large mark.

  Hamza grabs the mic, “No tenshido in the building.”

  Scorn looks up at the window, rolling his eyes, as he slowly makes his way towards Sohjin, who was picking himself up. Scorn gripped his blade, thrusting for Sohjin’s face.

  Sohjin angrily frowns as he dodges the attack. Before he could recover, Scorn appeared in front of him, slashing him in a flash, causing Sohjin to fall to his knees.

  “You done?” Scorn said, placing his blade on his chin.

  Sohjin grabbed the blade as he overcharged his body causing electrical currents to run up the steel, shocking him. Scorn recoils back, as Sohjin’s kick shot forward, slamming into his gut.

  Sohjin smirked. “Can’t believe that worked.”

  Scorn flipped to his feet, imbuing his sword with his green and white seishin, before rushing forward. Sohjin drops to a running stance, dashing away.

  “Please.” Scorn said, placing his foot in front of Sohjin, sending him skidding across the floor.

  Without hesitation, He leaps in the air, slashing his sword in a downward arc. Sohjin’s heart drops to his stomach, as he narrowly, flips out of the way.

  Sohjin flips to his feet, and stares Scorn down, before launching himself forward.

  Scorn unleashes a barrage attack, but Sohjin knocks away each one. Scorn grips his sword tightly, slashing in a diagonal motion. Sohjin catches the blade, pain ripples through his palm, as the blade slices into his flesh. Sohjin grits his teeth, and forces the sword downward. With his free hand, he drives his fist straight into Scorn’s skull.

  Electricity surges through Sohjin’s body, his fists becoming a blur as he rains blows on Scorn, each attack amplified with his electrical dashes. Sohjin shot around him like lightning, hitting Scorn from every angle.

  Scorn closes his eyes, and with a deep inhale, he sucks the air around them before throwing his arms out, sending a powerful blast of wind, sending Sohjin hurtling back.

  “That little stunt you pulled must have made you tired.” Scorn mocked. LETS SEE YOU KEEP UP NOW” Scorn swung his sword, slicing across body.

  Above them, Marina grips on the chair she’s hovering over. Hamza watched closely, examining Sohjin’s every move.

  “Not to be that guy but shouldn’t I be going in now?” Vance asked.

  “No, not yet I’m curious about something.” Hamza replied.

  Behind them a door creaked open. “Hey guys sorry I’m late, my car broke down.” Jack said, joining the others.

  “That's it I'm stopping this!” Marina said, fixing her bracket and rushing towards the door.

  “No wait, please.” Hamza ordered, holding his hand out.

  “What’s going on?” Jake said, stuffing his face with a jelly donut.

  “Cj is gonna kill Sohjin.” Vance answered.

  Jack's mouth dropped. “HUH!? WHY!” Jack asked.

  “I want to see if Sohjin’s “awakening” was a fallace” Hamza said, in a determined tone.

  “And if it is?” Jack said.

  “It won’t.” Hamza finished.

  Scorn continued his assault, backing Sohjin into a corner. Scorn twisted his blade, and sliced Sohjin’s thigh, causing Sohjin to drop to his knees.

  Scorn flips his blade, blood flies off and gets ready to deliver the finishing blow. “Pathetic” He scoffed, and swung his blade.

  “FIGHT WITH ME, MS MAGIC!!” Sohjin roared, placing his bloody hand over his face.

  Suddenly a large gust of wind blew around Sojin and purple light mixed with hints of fire emitted around him. The gust of wind blows Scorn back.

  Everyone watching gasps in awe as Sohjin rises with his keeper beside him. He tightens his grip around his sword. Blood crept down his sword as his wounds close up.

  Hamza smiled. “I knew it!”

  Jack laughed and wrapped his arm around him. “You really went that far huh?” He said.

  “So this is your keeper…Impres-.”

  Sohjin interrupts, violently dashing toward him. Instantly appearing in front of him, his fist ready to strike.

  Scorn smirks, blocking the attack and leaps back. Sohjin keeps the pressure and continues his assault.

  “He’s getting faster, but not better,” Scorn frowned.

  Sohjin extended his right arm and made a gun with his fingers. On the tips of his index and middle finger a small fiery red orb formed and fired it straight at Scorn. Scorn dodged the attack with ease and got ready to slash Sohjin.

  “Is that all yo—” Scorn taunt was cut short as the orb curved back like a boomerang and struck him in the back.

  Cj unable to react glided in the air towards Sohjin who had a look of determination on his face. He pulled his arm back and imbued it with his purple energy.

  Cj gasped, “Is that? No way!”

  Socrm pulled his left arm to his face and got ready to cover his face. Sohjin’s fist inched closer and his purple energy slowly transformed into black and white energy.

  “RAJIN” Scorn yelled, as he pulled his hand off his face, he slowly burned off skin. His screams fuel him, his light green aura spikes around him and consumes him.

  Finally his energy disperses behind him and forms his Keeper Raijin. His keeper had a demonic look with a red skin tone and long curved horns that rested atop his head. To add, he had sharp fangs that pierced out his mouth. Floating behind his back sat a ring of 6 drums with different symbols. He had a shirt to reveal his tattoos that ran along his arm and his tight abs. He also wore arm guards on each forearm. For his pants he wore a long gray battle damaged hakama.

  His keeper grabbed Sohjin’s fist, “Hello boy,” He said in a deep voice and tossed him behind them.

  “Hehe, it’s been a while, Cj.” His keeper noted, in a deep voice.

  “Indeed.” Scorn replied, his burn marks slowly healed.

  Hailey virtually had her whole face pressed against the window and her jaw dropped to the floor.

  “I don’t understand a single thing that’s going on, what are those things standing beside them I'M SO CONFUSED!” She exclaimed.

  Sohjin gets into his battle stance staring down Cj. Ms Magic stands behind him ready to fight.

  “And just like that training is over…come up here and we’ll discuss the rest.” Hamza yelled.

  Sohjin eases up and takes off his mask. “Your…a guardian!” Sohjin said, excitedly.

  “I’m glad you are too.” Cj said, taking off his mask.

  As they walk towards each other their guardians dissipate and fade back into them.

  “I can’t believe you're a guardian!” Sohjin said, trying to wrap his head around it.

  “Me neither, got my powers 3 years ago and became a guardian around 9 months ago.” He said.

  “What was it like? The process of becoming a guardian I mean.” Sohjin asked, as they made their way to the exit.

  Cj's expression hardened, and his voice became serious, “I forced myself to get Raijin to acknowledge me. It wasn’t some magical and heartfelt moment. It was a fight. I had to prove myself.”

  Sohjin’s eyes widened. “You fought your keeper?”

  Cj crossed his arms and looked off in the distance as if to recall a memory. “Of course, Raijin doesn’t like weakness, neither do I. He wanted to see if I was worthy of wielding his power. I had to earn his trust, that’s what made us stronger.”

  “Stronger together huh.” Sohjin remarked.

  Cj held the door open for Sohjin and said, “Yeah, something like that.”

  As Cj and Sohjin got closer to the observation deck, they could hear arguing above. The argument was muffled from afar the only words that they could hear were killed or Sohjin.

  “Can’t wait to get my head screamed off.” Cj jokes, opening the door.

  The door swung open revealing chaos, Daisy and Marina yelled at Hamza for putting Sohjin’s life at risk. Vance sat in the chair with big eyes invested in the argument, all while Hailey begs Jack to let her get a bite of his donut.

  “Settle down, he's still alive. Besides, if he could survive the school, he could survive a little beating.” Cj barged in, with a comedic tone.

  “Little beating? Are you insane! You almost killed him!” Daisy yelled.

  “Yeah but I didn't, did I?” Cj clapped back, “besides his body is gonna heal itself anyways.” He held up Sohjin’s arms to show his wounds slowly closing up.

  “I needed to see if he was even a guardian, I had to push him! If he doesn’t learn to push himself he’ll never learn.” Hamza added.

  “You could’ve slowly built him up!” Marina said.

  Sohjin steps back watching his new friends argue over him.

  “GUYS!” Sohjin yelled, getting everyone’s attention.

  “Hamza’s right. If I don’t push myself I’ll never get stronger.” Sohjin said.

  Everyone stops, and shifts their focus towards him. The argument is still heavy in the air.

  Daisy crosses her arms, “Sohjin, there’s a difference between risking your life and pushing yourself.”

  Cj leaned against the wall, “Sometimes the only way to figure out what you're made of is to take risks.

  “But not all risks are worth taking.” Marina said, with a fierce look. “You don’t just throw yourself into danger without thinking! What if you didn’t summon your keeper!”

  Sohjin took a deep breath, “look I understand your concerns, but I need to learn my limits before the tournament.”

  “The point is we don’t want you to get killed before the tournament.” Vance said.

  In the corner of the room Hailey begs Jack to give her a bite.

  “Jack, just give me a bite.” She says, melting into the floor.

  Jack rolled his eyes. “Fine, stop whining.” He says, lending her a piece.

  Hamza let out a sigh, “I’m guessing that means you're still in?” He asked.

  “Yeah, of course.” Sohjin nodded.

  “Your wounds aren’t deep and should be healed in an hour or two. Let's continue training from here.” Hamza noted.

  Sohjin looked around at his friends with a mix of excitement and determination. The weight of everyone’s concerns weighed heavy, but beneath that, he could sense everyone’s support.

  Chapter end

  Next time on Spirit Of Hope,

  Chapter 10: Tournament of Snakes Part 2: Training Continues