Futile Efforts

Darkness engulfed him, leaving not a hint of light to be seen nor a trace of warmth to be felt. Even the concept of "coldness" seemed to be fleeing, not to mention any sounds or colors. This was the world Ichiei Sakata was trapped in, roaming aimlessly in the endless void until his inner struggle, kinetic energy and spirit had brought him to his senses. He woke and felt the coldness biting into his skin and numbing his thoughts.

Damn!

His mind screamed of danger, light filling his eyes as he caught a glimpse of his opponent that was about to flash past him.

The competition, the honor and expectations—was he about to let it all go?

No! Struggling, he tensed and whipped out his right leg, leaving a trail of white light as he kicked upwards at Lou Cheng.