The Choice

Dawnwatch, Crimson Hound's villa.

"Training in five in the indoor dojo!" A voice echoed throughout the villa, bouncing off the stone walls and reaching every corner of the expansive estate.

Adam's eyes opened, waking up from his meditative state. He was sitting cross-legged and had meditated for the past hour.

He was hoping to get his emotions under control.

'Better hurry.' Adam stood up, his legs feeling slightly numb, and then left his room and headed straight to the central courtyard.

After arriving, he saw players opening a sliding door, bowing, and putting their shoes aside before entering the sacred ground.

Adam followed suit, opened the sliding door, bowed in respect, and placed his shoes aside. 

Then, he entered the dojo in only his socks and saw rows of tatami mats covering the entire floor.

The players stood up in rows, talking with their friends and stretching while waiting for their instructor to arrive.