5 Chapter 4 - Initiation (1)

Thong looked at Mike, taking in the words he just said to him.

Thong: Me? Joining the Eclipse?

Mike let out a sigh as he put the stack of money he had just gotten on the table.

Mike: How much do you think I just got from that fight alone?

Thong looked at the money sitting in front of him. The simple fact that a Benjamin was staring at him, he knew that Mike was making a profit.

Mike: In case you were actually curious, there's around two K in there.

Thong: Two thousand dollars! That much from just one fight?!

Mike: Yeah, how else do you think I'm paying off my mortgage on my new place and on that car I just bought? I'm living a pretty good life myself. Don't you want something like this?

Thong gulped as he stared at the money. He clenched his fists on his lap as his head pounded.

Thong's thoughts: I can live a good life from just fighting? I think I'm pretty good at fighting myself, But these are serious matches that could kill me... Mom and dad are suffering because I can't make enough to support them. With the Eclipse… even I can help my dad. I'll be able to get the money!

Mike looked at Thong staring at the money intently. He smiled as he placed his feet back on the ground.

Mike: If you're interested, be sure to call me. Oh yeah, you couldn't pay your phone bill, huh? Well…

Mike reached into his pocket before throwing a phone at Thong. Thong scrambled to catch it as Mike pulled his money off the table.

Mike: I bought that since it would be a real pain to tell you in person to meet me at times, that I'm not entirely certain of myself. I'll text you in the morning about where to meet me.

Thong: Wait, in the morning? Aren't you tired from that match?

Mike: Sort of. I wasted no time on beating that guy. Especially since I forgot to take that phone out of my pocket. He was scarily strong that if it wasn't for his overconfidence, I definitely would've lost. So don't think that just because I won a fight in a few hits, I'm super strong. But what matters right now is getting you in shape so that you can beat fuckers like that easily!

Thong: Getting me into shape, huh?

Mike stood up as he started walking towards the door, Thong staring with his food and new phone in front of him.

Mike: I'll contact one of the representatives that I got someone interested, so getting you that initiation as soon as possible is important. This organization isn't one that wastes time. So make sure you rest up, cause tomorrow is going to be a hectic day for you.

Thong looked as Mike left the store, confidence all over his face.

Thong's thoughts: He thinks I can make it in such a competitive place… But there was something I remember him saying to Kusari. Something about rank? I wonder if I'll get a rank too once I get initiated. What's the initiation process anyway?

The next morning, Thong had met up with Tiana for a small calming conversation by the school campus, leaving once his nerves had completely calmed. Thong later arrived at the location that Mike had messaged him. It was a very average looking dojo, one that looks to only be in slightly better condition than his father's. He opened the door, only to lean back as a kick came flying at his face.

Mike: You took longer than I thought. You were talking to her again, weren't you?

Thong: I just needed to calm my nerves from that fight last night.

Mike: Well, I'm about to make that useless. C'mon, get ready, we're going to spar.

Thong took off his jacket, showing himself to have defined and nicely toned muscles.

Mike: You have a better build than I thought. I guess you really have been training.

Thong: You know firsthand that I take my training seriously.

Mike: Yeah, you don't want to make your father's dojo go to waste.

Thong faced Mike, raising his fists up to his sides and having his feet and knees pointing inward.

Mike's thoughts: Thong practices Wing Chun, so he's pretty good at combined attack and defense. I'll just have to test that myself.

Mike immediately charged in, striking at Thong with a high kick, only for Thong to slide off of it with one of his arms, jumping back as Mike regained his stance. Mike jumped in again, swinging a strike as Thong slid off the punch again, leading in with his own punch, only for a book closing to be heard behind them.

???: Are you two done? I don't remember saying you were the test, Michael.

Mike turned around, rubbing the back of his head as Thong lowered his fists.

Mike: My bad, my bad. Just had to prepare him, you know?

There stood a tall, lean Chinese man. With shoulder-length black hair and wearing a grey suit and a red tie, he was clearly a professional. He pushed up his glasses with one hand, the other being occupied with a clipboard.

Mike: So you're finally here, Shen Dianshi. You invited the guy over, right?

Dianshi: Of course I did, and I'm assuming that's the man that wishes to join?

Mike: Yeah! This guy is strong, so I hope you're not underestimating him.

Dianshi: I'm not allowed to, that is the rule of the initiation.

Thong looked on as the two conversed. The fact they knew each other really did show that Mike wasn't just a random name in this group, he was an extremely well known member. Dianshi turned to look at Thong, Thong standing straight up as he stared back.

Dianshi: Hello, Thong Tran. Mike has told me a bit about you, so I will make things simple. The Eclipse, while a mainly underground association, has connections to some of the strongest people in the world for our main attraction: the Eclipse matches. These matches are high risk, but come with a high reward. Agreeing to join these matches and take this initiation test means you are aware of the risks and the harm you may face.

Thong gulped as he clenched his fists. His heart wavered before he felt a hand grab onto his shoulder.

Mike: You're still worrying, aren't you? Remember what this is all for.

Thong closed his eyes. If he doesn't make it in this industry, in these matches, he'll leave his family in a much harsher position than before. But if he can succeed and win as many matches as possible, he can finally push his family out of the debt that has been tormenting them.

Thong's thoughts: Dad works hard, harder than anyone I know. If I don't try putting the martial arts he's worked so hard to give me… If I don't try putting myself at risk for the greater good of my family, what type of man would I be?

Thong looked up at Dianshi, a new confidence in his eyes.

Thong: I agree to those conditions. I wouldn't be standing here now if I wasn't ready.

Dianshi: Good choice of words. If you two don't mind, follow me.

Thong: The match isn't happening here?

Mike: I just chose this place for a little spar. It's owned by the Eclipse, yeah, but this isn't where you're going to fight your opponent.

Mike and Thong followed after Dianshi, Thong keeping his breathing steady as he walked towards an unknown enemy. They walked towards a bridge before heading downward, a metal fence underneath it. The sound of a crowd growing as they got closer.

Thong: A fight under a bridge?

Mike: The cops are less likely to notice us here, but since we got Dianshi here, they would likely avoid arriving as much as possible.

Thong: Wait… You mean…?

Mike: Yup, the Eclipse even has connections to the police. I was surprised too, but it was made clear to me when someone called the police on us during the middle of a fight, and once they arrived, their sirens were off and they just stood around watching. Nothing happened and no arrests were made.

Thong looked in awe as Dianshi opened the gate to the chain fence. A circle of people in suits stood around in a circle, similar to how they were in Mike's match.

Mike: I wonder who Dianshi chose to be your opponent.

Dianshi: I chose one fighter befitting for someone new. One that will test if he stands any chance of being in this organization.

Thong clenched his fists as he looked at the crowd. His heart was pounding, but the sound was drowned out by the chattering of the audience.

Thong: Looks like my time is near.