10 Chapter 9

As Rain lay on the cold, hard ground, the echoes of his defeat reverberated through his mind, each bruise and cut a testament to the intensity of the battle he had just endured. His body ached, but it was the sting of failure, the bitter taste of defeat, that weighed heavy on him. Memories flashed before his eyes, reminders of his journey from a timid, bullied teenager to the formidable fighter he had become. Yet, despite all his training and dedication, he had been bested by his mentor once again. The realization cut deep, stirring a whirlwind of emotions within him.

He recalled the countless hours spent in training, the sweat and tears shed in pursuit of mastery. Each setback, each obstacle overcome, had forged him into the warrior he was today. But this defeat was different; it shook him to his core, challenging everything he thought he knew about himself and his abilities.

As he lay there, battered and bruised, Rain couldn't help but wonder if he had been too arrogant, too confident in his skills. Had he underestimated Gun, his mentor-turned-rival, and paid the price for his hubris? Or was there something deeper at play, some flaw in his technique or strategy that he had failed to recognize?

Beside him, Jake, Jace, and Vasco remained silent, their eyes betraying a mixture of concern and uncertainty. They had witnessed firsthand the ferocity of the clash between Rain and Gun, and now they were left to grapple with the aftermath. Each of them had their own reasons for being there, their own stakes in Rain's journey, but in that moment, they shared a common bond – the bond of comradeship forged in the heat of battle.

Slowly, painfully, Rain pushed himself upright, his muscles protesting with every movement. He knew he had to face the reality of his defeat, to accept it and learn from it if he ever hoped to grow stronger. But in that moment, as he gazed up at the empty alley where Gun had walked away, a flicker of determination sparked within him.

He may have been defeated, but he was far from broken. With each breath he took, he vowed to rise again, to train harder, to push himself further than ever before. Rain steeled his resolve, his eyes narrowing with unwavering focus. He would learn from this experience, using it as fuel to surpass his limitations and emerge stronger than ever.

The alleyway, once the stage for their clash, now bore witness to Rain's renewed sense of purpose. As he departed, leaving behind the lingering presence of Gun's triumph, Rain knew that this was only the beginning of a new chapter in his journey – one that would test his mettle and forge him into the true master he was destined to become.

Rain's defeat at Gun's hands had been a harsh lesson, a wake-up call. He realized he couldn't rely solely on strength and skill; he needed to adapt, to evolve, to become something greater.

As he reached his apartment, Rain found comfort amidst the chaos of his thoughts, the warm photo on the table near his bed bringing a bittersweet smile to his face.

---

"When will you stop getting yourself into these situations? It's exhausting to see you bruised and bloodied." Alisa, a young and beautiful woman, exclaimed, concern etched on her face as she wiped dirt and blood from Rain's face.

"Those bastards messed with you. How could I not fight back?" Rain replied, a frown marring his features.

"Violence isn't always the solution. Talking things through can resolve some problems too. I can't bear to see you hurt," Alisa said softly, her voice laced with worry.

"I don't deserve to be called your lover if I can't defend you, right?" Rain smiled, earning a playful smack from Alisa.

"Just promise me," she pleaded.

"I promise."

---

Rain focused, as if reaching enlightenment. Gun's figure materialized before him, his mentor and enemy. Though not life-threatening, Gun was the most powerful person Rain had ever met. With extreme focus and knowledge of Gun's abilities, Rain easily materialized him as his sparring partner.

And so, in the solitude of his apartment, Rain continued to train, pushing himself to the limit physically and mentally. Each movement was deliberate, each strike precise, as he sought to hone his skills and overcome his weaknesses. The training was grueling, but Rain welcomed the challenge, knowing that it was the only path forward.

Days turned into weeks, and weeks turned into months, but Rain never wavered in his determination. He poured his heart and soul into his training, driven by the memory of his defeat and the promise he had made to himself and to Alisa, he vowed fighting solely for what was right. And as he sparred with the ghostly figure of his mentor, Rain felt a sense of purpose unlike any he had ever known.

For Rain, the journey was far from over. But with each passing day, he grew stronger, more resilient, more determined to seize his destiny and become the master he was destined to be. And as he looked towards the future, Rain knew that no obstacle could stand in his way, for he was Savitar, the dark horse rising from the ashes of his defeat.

A/N - Alisa's from God Eater. If u know, u know 😏

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