Untold Part 1: The Strength Within

Chapter 8: Head On

Iteijyu and Mabaru enter the gym the next day and notice Cole is not present. They find Shidan drinking water on a bench and ask him.

"Shidan. Where's coach?" said Iteijyu.

"He went out for a family emergency. The gym is barren at this point."

"Not many people are here huh? What are we going to do?"

"Iteijyu's got you. I gotta leave early for my training. Sorry I can't stay."

"It's fine. I was going to do mitt training with Mabaru."

"Good luck man. Put those skills to work! Have fun y'all." Shidan pulls a fist bump and walks out.

"Guess we'll warm up. You know the drill." Iteijyu lightly punches Mabaru's shoulder.

"Of course."

Iteijyu and Mabaru prepare themselves in front of the mirror and begin stretching on the floor. They face each other and start small combos. Mabaru circles his head with his guard up. Iteijyu follows him back and forth and steps around him. He pulls out his hands to signal a jab, a cross, and an uppercut. The timer on Iteijyu's phone stops and Mabaru catches his breath.

"You alright?"

"Yeah... I just need a breather, that's it."

"It's cool. I'm gonna get the gloves in the closet. You chill for a bit?"

Mabaru rests his arms behind him. He looks around the gym and thinks to himself. He reflects how much progress he got out of the place. He wasn't as weak and scrawny as he once thought before. He stares and talks to himself in front of the mirror.

"Look at you! You're the real deal. You got everything! And I did it. I finally made it. I'm proud of myself." He gently smiles.

"Yes. You are one with Ookami."

"Never let them manipulate you."

"Huh?!" Mabaru quickly shakes his head and walks around a little bit. He hears a faint voice––almost childlike—whisper in his head.

Iteijyu brings two pairs of gloves and calls out Mabaru. He sees him stumble around frantically.

"Woah! What happened? Are you okay?"

"It's okay. I'm fine."

"Something is up. What's wrong?"

"I heard a small voice in my head. It told me to 'Be one with Ookami.' It was weird. I still want to continue."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Trust me, it's fine."

"Alright. Just making sure. Take these red gloves. Let's do this."

The timer in one of the corners of the ring was set to half an hour. Iteijyu clasps his mitts together and calls out Mabaru to ready his stance.

Mabaru is now used to Iteijyu's motivation. He skips his feet around and pivots in a direction. His hands guard his face and weaves left and right. The first target is set in place. Iteijyu pulls his left hand and commands Mabaru to jab. The punch lands firmly. Every time Iteijyu throws an attack, he senses Mabaru's swift breeze.

"Come on faster! No stopping!" Iteijyu pushes his unending fire.

Mabaru's breaths begin sporadic with irregular gasps for air. His sweat drenches his orange tank top. He feels the tension of his arms and legs wear out. Mabaru is not going to stop. Not after looking at where he is right now. He's not weak. He's strong.