A cool wind swept through the ancient trees of the Great Forest, their thick trunks casting long shadows in the early morning light. Sunlight broke through the dense canopy in golden streaks, illuminating sections of the moss-covered ground. Birds chirped in warning, startled by the energy about to erupt in the sacred woods. This wasn't just any forest. It was the battleground for the grueling test in the Knight Exams—the infamous Forest Race.
Each participant stood in their own starting zone, scattered throughout the woodland trail to prevent early conflict. The course twisted for miles, filled with traps, and rival competitors waiting for blood. Victory demanded more than speed—it required wit, endurance, and the ability to fight through chaos.
Dan stood silently on the root of a large tree, his fingers twitching as he stared into the foliage ahead.
"This is it," he whispered to himself, "Time to show them all."
From another starting point deep within the forest, a tall figure with metal-tipped fingernails stretched his hands, letting the morning light glint off the shimmering edges of his chi-enhanced claws.
"Oh boy," Ezar muttered, his eyes scanning the trees, "This race sure seems like it's going to be interesting."
Beside him, a figure clad in a dark hood and pale yellow robe stood eerily still.
"Yes, Ezar," said Buddy, his voice calm and low, "Let's make sure to win it."
Back at Dan's section, he noticed the two from a distance.
(Wow, these guys look tough...) Dan thought, swallowing the lump in his throat.
Meanwhile, elsewhere in the forest, Steven crouched low like a panther, his crimson eyes locked forward.
"Agi," he called.
A youthful voice responded from behind a nearby rock. "Yes?" Agi peeked out with a playful smile.
"Let's try and have fun!" he added cheerfully.
Steven's expression darkened. "No, idiot... be smart and completely focus on the race," he snapped, his red eyes glowing faintly with intensity.
Agi's smile faded. "Oh... okay. I won't lose," he muttered, mostly to himself.
High above the forest, a mechanical buzz echoed from a loudspeaker nailed to a tree trunk.
"The forest race starts in 3... 2... 1... GOOOOOOOOOO!"
All across the jungle, contestants burst forward from their positions. Trees shook as dozens of hopefuls leapt into action, darting across branches, dashing over rocks, or launching themselves into battle-ready stances.
Dan surged ahead, bounding from tree to tree with swift grace, using his lightning chi to enhance his reflexes. Just as he was about to leap onto another branch, something whipped at his feet and yanked him off balance. A thick, furry tail slammed into his side and sent him crashing to the ground.
"Ugh," Dan grunted, rolling across the forest floor. "The fights are starting already?"
Standing above him on a branch was a young man with wild brown hair, barefoot and crouched low like a predator. His eyes sparkled with mischief.
"I saw you," the boy said, smirking. "You're from the Lightning Nation. I couldn't pass up this chance to see you in person."
He dropped down and slid into a sharp stance, hands raised like claws.
"Cool," Dan said, brushing dirt from his shirt. "I've heard of animal chi users. They say you guys are tough." A grin spread across his face. "This will be nice. I've been meaning to test some new moves."
Just as he lunged forward, a blur struck him from the left. A sharp kick landed against his face, sending him stumbling.
(What the—?)
"Idiot boy," Brook laughed. "Did you really think I'd fight someone from the Lightning Nation one-on-one?"
Two more figures dropped from the trees, both with long tails and agile frames.
"My two other monkey chi user friends are with me. Together, we're unstoppable."
"Nice to meet ya," said Ritch, cracking his knuckles.
"Are you ready for us?" Vertz added, grinning.
Dan took a step back, scanning their movements.
(Damn it... I can't fight more than one of them at once—especially not at this level.)
"Fine," he growled. "Come on, then."
The trio cackled and charged. Dan dodged Brook's swing, leapt onto his back, and twisted mid-air to parry Ritch's tail swipe. He grabbed Ritch by the tail and slammed him to the dirt, but Vertz delivered a spinning kick to Dan's cheek, while Brook cracked a heavy punch into his back, hurling him into a tree trunk.
"Like I said, boy," Brook smirked, "Together we're unstoppable."
"You cowards!" Dan spat, blood trickling from his lip. "Ganging up on a kid like me?"
"We don't care," Brook replied, stepping forward. "You kids from the Five Nations are monsters already."
Dan's fists clenched. Lightning crackled around his hands.
"Fine... have it your way."
He roared and launched a charged punch at Vertz, but Brook yanked him out of the way, and Ritch struck Dan's ribs repeatedly before Brook stomped on his head, driving him into the dirt.
(Coughs out blood)
(What the hell... I can't predict their moves. If I attack one, the others cover for him. It's making it impossible to land clean hits...)
(Fuck, fuck... what do I do?)
Brook bent low, sneering. "You sure are disappointing me, boy. Maybe you're just a waste of blood.... Come on guys let's go"
Dan's breath hitched. His eyes darkened with fury.
"Where the hell do you think you're going," he growled, rising. "After saying that crap?"
The trio turned just in time to see Dan's entire demeanor shift. His aura flared, sharp and wild.
"You're interesting," Brook said, nodding to his friends. "Let's finish this."
They charged again—but Dan had a plan.
As the monkey trio attacked, Dan used their own speed against them, dodging and retreating through the trees. He leapt up the trunk of an ancient cedar and disappeared among the leaves.
"Don't think you can just escape like that, boy!" Brook yelled.
"Catch me if you can, idiots!" Dan's voice echoed through the trees.
"Did he call us idiots?" Ritch asked.
"Yes," Vertz nodded, frowning.
"Let's show him," Brook growled. "Split up. If any of us find him, blow the flute."
One by one, they scattered.
Vertz moved quietly, hopping from branch to branch, eyes darting—
Crack!
A flash of lightning exploded above him. Dan appeared and dropped down, landing a precise karate chop on Vertz's neck. The monkey boy hit the ground below with a dull thud, unconscious.
"Hehe," Dan smirked. "One down, two to go."
He found Ritch next, wandering near a clearing.
Ritch looks for Dan thoroughly in the forest, but he starts to get tired and irritated "Where the hell is this boy, I'm tired of looking for him"
"Well, look no further," Dan whispered.
Ritch spun. "You—"
Dan rushed forward, but Ritch dodged.
"You thought that would work on me?"
"Yes, pretty much."
"Too bad."
Dan taunted him. "Aren't you going to call your friends? You're too chicken to take me alone."
"I'm a monkey, asshole!" Ritch snapped. "And of course I can beat you!"
The two clashed—fists, kicks, tail swings—until Dan managed to catch Ritch's tail. He delivered rapid lightning punches to the chest and slammed him into the ground.
"I just needed to rile you up to get you in range, dummy."
Dan raised his fist.
"Goodnight."
He unleashed his Lightning Karate Punch, and Ritch went still.
"Two down. One more."
Brook, growing impatient, blew his flute.
No answer.
"What the—? Where are they?"
"Taking a good nap," Dan said, appearing behind him.
Brook's face twisted. "Bastard."
They clashed again. Fists flew. Brook landed a brutal kick to Dan's head. Blood dripped down his face.
"Don't think you can beat me easily, boy."
"Not planning to."
They struck at the same time—fist to fist.
"Nice punch," Brook admitted.
"Right back at you."
Dan waited, timed his next move, then delivered a flurry of punches to Brook's gut. He ignited his leg with chi and kicked Brook's head down hard, slamming him to the dirt.
Brook didn't rise.
"Finally..." Dan breathed, wiping blood from his cheek. "How's that for a waste of blood?"
Suddenly, Brook stirred behind him.
Before he could strike, a blur with sliver blue hair appeared. The girl grabbed Brook's head and slammed him back down.
"What the hell was that?" she snapped.
Dan turned. "Wait... you're that girl I saved from the big guy. And in the hall—"
"Yes," Rebecca the girl, interrupted. "Why are you using your chi like that?"
"Like how?"
She frowned. "Like a kid."
Meanwhile...
In another part of the forest, Steven raced through the underbrush. He was fast, efficient—fire chi surrounding his fists as he carved through the jungle path.
A massive axe suddenly spun through the air toward him. He ducked and rolled.
A hulking man with scars and two axes stepped forward, grinning.
"Hey, kid! Where you running off to this early in the competition? Try and enjoy it!"
Steven stared.
"Not much of a talker, huh?"
Steven didn't wait. He rushed forward and drove his Fire Fist into the man's chest.
"Maybe that'll teach you not to pick fights with people above your league."
The man barely flinched. Bloodied but grinning, he retrieved his second axe.
"So, you're from the Fire Nation. Impressive punch. Got any more?"
"Just when I was trying to avoid fights," Steven muttered. "Fine. But don't think you'll hurt me."
"We'll see."
They collided in a brutal exchange of flame and steel. Eventually, Buff was bloodied and panting, while....
Steven stood over the man, no injury sustained
"Well, that was a nice match."
Buff chuckled, even as Steven punched him back to the ground.
"You're tough," Steven admitted. "But clearly below my league. Still... I hope you make it to the end. I might want to recruit you."
He turned and walked away, the fire still burning softly around his fists.