Lives changed

"Well old man, my name's Liam, can you let go now?" The kid said in a snarky tone. The man let go of his grip on the boy's wrist. When his wrist was freed he latched it back to his chest and began to walk around the man assuming this was the end of their interaction. But the man quickly asked a question that caused him to stop. The man during this short time was observing the boy, the boy wore slightly ragged cloths with a lot of creasing and even faded in terms of colour.

"Hey, Liam, where are your parents?"

The man asked genuinely intrigued though there was a hint of worry. The boy still faced away from the man as the man was now fully turned in his direction. The boy liked over his shoulder at the man.

"They're gone."

The boy said with a melancholic voice and a sorrow filled expression. His eyes started to water as he raised his hand to his eyes and wiped away his developing tears as he turned to continue his journey away.

The man reached out his hand to the child and held his shoulder. "How about you come with me kid." The man said with eyes that while showing his stoicism also showed some pity for the child he was looking at.

"But I don't even know you old man."

The boy said lowering his hands while he looked into the man's eyes now viewing him in a newer, less dangerous light.

"You make a good point, my name's Kreese, John Kreese"

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Few days later, Liam has been living with Kreese for these few days and has learnt a bit about him, Kreese was in the military and is a well trained and strong man, he said the martial arts he uses is karate. The two of them have been living in a relatively normal house except there is a room with padding and other martial arts equipment.

Liam and Kreese are currently sitting around a table eating dinner while having a conversation. Liam had yet to fully trust Kreese due to obvious reasons.

"your good at running because otherwise you'd have the shit kicked out of you."

Kreese stated casually as though this is normal for every person, man, women or child indiscriminately.

"Yeah, that's why I ran, because the air around you was really red I really tried to escape as fast as I could." The boy stated while enjoying his meal but also taking glances at Kreese in front of him occasionally to watch his actions.

"What do you mean red air." Kreese asked as he leaned back in his chair while looking at Liam. He was curious as to what he meant by 'red air' as this is a term he has never heard before.

"Hmm? Red air shows when and how something can be dangerous, but currently your air is a little lighter than it was in the alley." The boy stated naïvely intriguing Kreese.

"What do you mean by 'how'?" Kreese asked wanting more details on the kid's abilities, already accepting the when because many people have good instincts and this can occur naturally or through training.

"Like where punches go and stuff, the darker the air more dangerous red means through violence." Liam answered earnestly as though he was bragging, he raised his nose, puffed his chest and crossed his arms all while giving Kreese a cheeky grin."So you can't hit me easily."

Kreese smirked at the little brat in front of him. He leaned forward."You wanna test that punk?"

He used his thumb to point down a hallway to the martial arts room, Liam's eyes followed and looked to wear he was pointing. His grin became more tense and he lowered his head.

"I-I don't think I can fight" Liam answered humbly.

"Then I'll teach you kid, but you will have to train hard." Kreese answered in response."with that ability of yours you will be able to become an amazing fighter." Liam looked up at Kreese and after seeing his confidence he felt an admiration for Kreese not as a nice stranger but now something more akin to a father figure.

"Y-yes, I'll try" Liam said.

"Say it with your chest" Kreese said in a louder more commanding tone while looking down at the boy.

"Yes" Liam said in a loud and confident tone almost shouting but was able to have restraint.

"Good" Kreese side as he stood up and started walking to the room, Liam quickly getting up and following him. Kreese opened the door and entered the room with Liam coming in almost immediately after. Kreese went to the center of the room on a mat that, while still firm, distorted due to him. Liam quickly went to stand in front of him. Krease stood with great composure and little to no movement perfectly showing his discipline and dedication, but contrary to him Liam stood while fidgeting and with bad posture.

"STAND STRAIGHT, AND STOP FIDGETING!"

Kreese shouted, Liam flinched but then quickly straightened his back and moving his hands close to his side. "Good" the man said now satisfied with the way Liam was standing even though he was really tense.

"Now get ready" Kreese said as he got into a relaxed stance.

"W-what do you mean, Kreese?" Liam said not really sure what to do in response to Kreese's words and actions.

"Isn't it obvious? I'm gonna test you. Now, get ready."

Liam got into a stance trying to imitate Kreese, he was shaky and did his stance very poorly causing him to stand off balance. When Liam's trembling lessened Kreese almost immediately closed the meter between them and went to strike Liam not putting a lot of power behind the punch he threw opting instead for speed and precision for now to test the boy's ability and other qualities.

The boy foresaw this and moved his hands to block while backing away from Kreese. Kreese was preparing to go for a leg sweep but just as he was following through with through with the kick Liam jumped back while staring at him.

"Seems you saw I was gonna sweep your leg" Kreese stated while thinking of his next move. Kreese then lowered his stance and prepared his fist. He lunged forward and extended his arm. Liam moved but he did it awkwardly. Kreese suddenly stopped his hand before it could fully extend and pivoted on his foot as he feinted the punch and instead was going for a turning kick, but to his surprise his kick didn't land. Krease quickly regained balance and returned to his stance."Well that was, special" Kreese said a little confused as to what just happened as he was sure he would hit Liam as he fell for the faint.

"You expected to hit me with such a simple trick" Liam announced with confidence, he grew a huge grin. Kreese was ticked of by how he was acting so he went for another strike to get Liam to shut up. Liam was shocked but still dodged, the room became quiet."WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Liam shouted with confusion and a little rage. Kreese stood straight going out of his stance.

"Okay, I've observed your actions and you are certainly abnormal in terms of intuition and awareness" Kreese stated then smirked "we can start training properly but before that we would need to deal with a lot of legal crap." Kreese went to the door and turned to Liam "from now on, I'm going to be your sensei" and turned and left with Liam following behind him in awe.

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About seven months later Krease has become Liam's new legal guardian, Liam is now Liam Kreese. Liam has grown to trust Kreese greatly over these months, they have bonded over activities fathers and sons would do. Liam was well into his karate training, and Kreese was not a very mellow sensei though out of the dojo he was more relaxed but he never became an easygoing person.

Right now the two are in an office with another man sitting behind a desk, the man seemed to be looking over several documents as the Liam and Kreese sat in chairs in front of the desk. The man put the papers down and organised them, he looked up looking at Liam and Kreese with a gentle smile."Our school is happy to welcome you Liam I hope you enjoy your time with us."

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Some time later Liam and Kreese can be seen in a car driving back to their home.

"Do I really have to go to school? Urgh" Liam said dramatically with a groan to emphasise his displeasure.

"First, you have to go to school because it's illegal not too, and secondly you would be very dumb." Kreese stated calmly keeping his eyes on the road.

"F-fine, but I still don't want too" Liam mumbled while pouting and turned away from Kreese too instead stare out the window.

'I guess this is my life now' Liam thought as his pout became a soft smile.