Grimm Tales: Rise of the Yokai

Chapter 4: Thunderstruck

The sunlight glinted harshly off the ice from Jason's last attack. Stray bits of ice crunched under my feet as I moved to the center of the arena. I heard broken pieces of conversation from the crowd as the roaring in my ears faded.

"Do you know what happened?"

"Looked like McHale said something, but I couldn't hear—"

"McHale just fought. Is Flamel really gonna let him go again?"

"I hope so! I want to see what that Grimm kid can do. Don't you know who his parents are?"

I stopped and turned to face the stands I'd just left. I was still shaking from all the adrenaline in my system.

Calm down, Zane, I thought to myself. Remember what Dad taught you. Use the anger, don't let it use you.

I closed my eyes and took a few deep breaths. It had been a long time since I'd felt anger like this. I had to get it under control.

I started counting.

One.

Five seconds. For five seconds, I let the anger take over. Let every violent thought and impulse run through my head.

Two.

All the things I could do to David to make sure he never mistreated Jason again.

Three.

He had been giving Jason grief for years. There had to be a reason why.

Four.

Even the worst people don't act like they do for no reason, even if it's a stupid one. But I was past the point of caring. The only reason I hadn't knocked David's teeth in before now is because Jason asked me not to. Told me it wasn't worth it. But I wasn't going to let it slide. Not this time.

Five.

When I opened my eyes, I'd stopped shaking and giving off sparks. The red-hot pit of anger in my chest seemed to have burned itself out. A cold, quiet pressure had taken its place. A stillness, like being deep underwater.

I watched David as he walked out into the arena. Even though he clearly had no problem going after Jason, he'd never really tried to pick a fight with me. A small part of me couldn't help but wonder why. Maybe because I've shown I'm not afraid of him?

Or maybe it's because I'm a Grimm. I know my family's reputation. I've heard the stories. Maybe that was the reason. Of course, I could've just been reading too much into it.

Magic or not, Jason was still a werewolf. He was a lot stronger than he looked, and that was saying something. But Jason was also one of the nicest people I'd ever met. Always looking out for others, being careful not to hurt anyone. David thought Jason would be an easier target.

Big mistake.

As I looked back at David, that arrogant, self-satisfied smirk spread back across his face.

"Let's get this out of the way," he said.

He stretched out his hand and unleashed a massive blast of wind. The mound of ice exploded. Pieces of ice rained down over the arena, some as small as peas, some as big as soccer balls.

If he was trying to intimidate me, it wasn't going to work.

"Nicely done," I said. "If you ask nicely maybe this winter, they'll give you a job clearing the sidewalks."

Well, that certainly wiped the smile off his face.

"Are both fighters ready?" asked Nick.

"Ready."