The battle had ended, but the storm had just begun.
Ochieng stepped through the shattered remains of the arena, the echoes of the crowd's cheers still ringing in his ears. His body was battered, his muscles screamed with pain, but his spirit burned with triumph. He had done the impossible—he had humbled Shen Tao, the so-called Celestial Dragon.
But victories always came at a price.
As Ochieng walked through the dimly lit corridors beneath the arena, a familiar voice whispered from the shadows.
"You've made too many enemies tonight."
Ochieng didn't flinch. He already knew who it was.
From the darkness, a man stepped forward, his robes embroidered with the insignia of the Heavenly Pavilion—a sect feared for its control over assassins and mercenaries. His piercing black eyes studied Ochieng like a predator sizing up prey.
"You embarrassed the Celestial Dragon Clan," the man continued, his voice smooth but deadly. "And that means your days are numbered."
Ochieng exhaled slowly.
"Let them come."
The man chuckled. "You don't understand, do you? You just walked into a war you're not ready for."
Ochieng didn't respond. He simply walked past him, his golden eyes unwavering.
The real battle had only just begun.
Shadows in the Dark
That night, Ochieng didn't return to the academy. He knew it wouldn't be safe.
Instead, he found himself on the rooftops of the imperial city, watching the moonlight dance over the sprawling skyline. He had tasted victory, but he could already feel the consequences creeping in like poison.
A rustling sound behind him.
He moved.
CLANG!
A dagger whistled past his face, narrowly missing his cheek.
Ochieng spun, dodging the second blade just in time. Two masked figures emerged from the shadows, their movements fluid, precise. They weren't ordinary killers.
They were elite.
And they were here for him.
Ochieng didn't hesitate. His body moved on instinct, honed by years of battle and training.
The first assassin lunged, a curved blade aiming for Ochieng's heart.
He ducked.
A counterstrike—his fist met ribs, a sickening crack following. The assassin gasped, stumbling back.
But the second assassin was faster. A cold gleam flashed through the air.
Ochieng barely managed to twist, but the dagger sliced through his shoulder. Blood bloomed on his robes.
Tch.
He gritted his teeth, forcing the pain aside. He couldn't afford to be slow.
With a deep breath, Ochieng activated his inner energy. Golden light surged through his veins, crackling with power.
His speed doubled.
His strength tripled.
And then—
He vanished.
Before the assassins could react, Ochieng was behind them. His foot slammed into the first one's back, sending him crashing through the rooftop.
The second assassin barely had time to raise his dagger before Ochieng's hand wrapped around his throat.
His golden eyes glowed in the darkness.
"Tell me who sent you."
The assassin struggled, but Ochieng's grip tightened.
A gurgled whisper escaped the man's lips. "The Celestial Dragon… will not forget this…"
Then—
A sudden explosion of blood.
The assassin's body shuddered violently, his skin turning black. His mouth foamed, eyes rolling back.
Ochieng's eyes narrowed.
Poison.
These assassins had been silenced before they could reveal anything.
The war had begun.