Enemy, Outsider then Friend

"My family's Elemental Harmony fighting style will show you the taste of defeat. You made a mistake in not allowing the use of Qi. You could have had a slight chance with it." Said Li Tian as he stood firm in his stance, unmoving, reminding Isaac of a large boulder. Wukong said nothing as the crowd cheered loudly, anxious for the fight to start.

In a blurring moment, Li Tian lunged forward, switching from his rigid and strong stance as his fist extended from his waist. He threw a punch that burned with power as he neared Wukong.

Wukong, with his unmatched agility, dodged the attack with nimble footwork, his movements resembling a dance. His monkey-like reflexes allowed him to evade the powerful blows with ease.

"Wow, the footwork is similar to Galestep." Said Isaac as he watched the mesmerising display of skill and dexterity. Despite the footwork being similar to Galestep, Isaac saw the large differences between the two. Galestep used unpredictable movements and precision to throw the enemy off, allowing you to find an opening to attack. However, Wukong's footwork primarily relied on his advanced agility and nimbleness to dodge everything. One had to have a high level of dexterity to pull it off.

Wukong countered with a series of quick jabs and kicks, his attacks fueled by his innate strength. Though lacking the finesse of Li Tian's techniques, his strikes carried raw power.

Li Tian, recognizing Wukong's strength advantage, adjusted his stance, returning to the rigid and stone-like posture. He countered Wukong's punch head-on, blocking the attacks with his elbows and knees. With each punch and kick, it was swiftly countered by Li Tian. Wukong smiled as he welcomed this challenge, refusing to back down. He increased his speed as his attacks started to become harder and harder to follow.

Li Tian could barely keep up, wincing in pain as his knees and elbows throbbed. As the seconds passed, it was becoming harder and harder for him to counter, until an attack landed on his gut, causing him to heave specs of blood as he went flying through the air, skidding across the ground before finally coming to a stop. The crowd roared as their insatiable hunger for violence was finally being fed.

"I've heard of your family's technique. In their punches, they carry the literal embodiment of the roaring flames. None can pass their impenetrable defence as they become a daring mountain. Their movement, brisk and unpredictable, is said to embody the entity of wind beneath their feet. All while they bombard you with an endless flowing barrage that gives the illusion of one being trapped in a merciless river."

"However, you have yet to show such feats. Instead, you modify your fighting style to replicate such results on a much smaller scale. Blocking with the hardest bones and striking my vital points." Said Wukong as Li Tian struggled to stand. He stood on his feet as he slightly wobbled. He took a deep breath as a tranquil demeanour showed on his face.

In the next second, Li Tian lunged back to Wukong, his face calm and concentrated. Wukong stood as he prepared for the incoming attack. Li Tian, inches away from Wukong, took a step with Wukong preparing to attack. In a moment of confusion, Li Tian completely disappeared into the wind as Wukong widened his eyes in surprise. Feeling an ominous feeling, he darted his eyes behind him, barely dodging a punch from the quick Li Tian.

His moment of respite was cut short as another punch came at him. Wukong moved his body, dodging the attack as he failed to find his footing. Li Tian unleashed a bombardment of punches onto the unbalanced Wukong, resembling an endless violent river. Li Tian refused to back down as he drove every inch of strength into his pursuit, noticing the unstable footing of Wukong.

It wasn't long until Wukong fell backwards as his feet were lifted off the ground. Li Tian greedily leapt at the chance of victory, letting his guard down and throwing his final punch. Amy, the red-haired girl who was close to Wukong, gasped as she clasped her hands together, squinting her eyes unknowingly after seeing Wukong fall.

"Hey, watch out!" Yelled Isaac as he prepared himself for the possibility of Wukong being hurt. However, they all failed to notice his grin as he placed both his hands on the ground, shooting his two legs at Li Tian and striking him in the chest. Li Tian was hurled into the air as he failed to cling to his breath. The sound of breaking bones filled the loud arena as a sudden silence enveloped the stadium.

Li Tian's unconscious body hitting the stone floor echoed through the arena as Wukong jumped to his feet with a chuckle. In the next second, the crowd erupted with roars of satisfaction as they pinched themselves, struggling to believe what had happened.

"Did he purposefully act as if he was being pushed back? This guy… he's a genius." Whispered Isaac in disbelief, as he too joined the crowd in their cheers.

"Haha, that's my best friend! All of you better watch your mouths with him! Sun Wukong, The Monkey King! Remember that name!" Yelled Amy as she laughed loudly. Wukong raced around the stage as he waved at the crowd, blowing kisses at them and laughing loudly.

As Wukong was distracted by his fantasy coming true, a large man with a scruffy beard, bald head and bandages wrapped around his fists stomped toward the arena. He stood above Li Tian as the young man was waking up.

"Uncle?"

"How long are you planning to embarrass me? Your weakness has caused our family's reputation to plummet. The Li family's talents were not passed onto my failure of a third Nephew. You aren't even able to use our fighting style. No wonder your father wants nothing to do with you." The man's heavy voice caused the ground to tremble as he scowled at the downed boy. Li Tian's heart sank as he heard these words.

"I'm sorry, Uncle." He said, to which his uncle gritted his teeth. Veins popped from his head as his overwhelming presence suffocated Li Tian.

"'Sorry, sorry' that's all you ever say! A Li should never be uttering those pathetic words! You're a failure!" Yelled the man while raising his fist, ready to strike his defenceless relative as Li Tian prepared himself. However, the strike he braced himself for never came. He looked up, only to be greeted with a furry tail.

"You've got some guts, Monkey." Said the uncle as Wukong held his fist with one hand, his face absent of his usual cheerful smile, instead glaring at the barbarian. The uncle tried not to show his surprise at Wukong's strength, hiding his shock with a stoic expression. Meanwhile, the crowd became silent as they noticed the confrontation. A worrying feeling quickly made its way to Amy as she left her seat to help her friend.

"And you're a coward. What kind of man hits his Nephew?" Despite Wukong growing up without parents, he still understood the value of friends and family. From his Monkey pals back home to Amy and Master Subhuti, Wukong had learned plenty of the sacred bonds that were shared between families.

"Holy crap! Show him who's boss, Wukong!" Cheered Isaac as if he were watching a film.

"What did you say to me? You should be grateful I didn't use any Qi in that attack. You better get on the ground and beg for your life." He said, to which Wukong stood his ground, still glaring at the man with sharp eyes.

The man gritted his teeth as Isaac started to feel an ominous presence bubbling from the man. Wukong's Qi sense was advanced enough for him to tell the man was activating his Qi. Isaac shared the same senses with Wukong, despite them being vague, and this also happened to include Qi sense, contrary to his last visit here. Despite his shared senses being bare, he could still feel the immense power coming from the man, making him sweat and stop breathing.

"Pay attention, boy. This is the true power of the Li's which you will never reach."

The man launched a punch, resembling a burning blaze, its raw power exuding off of it causing slight ripples in the air as any normal person would pass out from the atmosphere. Wukong yelled at himself to move as the attack inched closer to him, embers flying off the barbarian's fist. In an instant, the powerful attack was brought to a stop, its dark and violent pressure being overwhelmed by the pure light that opposed it.

Isaac looked at the sudden interference, only to notice a familiar man. Despite not having the best memory, Isaac would never forget those white, clear and bright eyes.

"Master Subhuti?" Said Wukong after finally regaining the ability to move, sweating as he huffed. Before him stood a man dressed in a white robe with golden trimmings, matching his long white hair and long beard. It was clear from his attire that he was a high-status man. Wukong looked at the attack that was about to hit him, only for him to witness Subhuti block the onslaught with an open palm, effortless as his face was unfazed.

"M-master Subhuti. It's bad manners to interfere in family matters." Said the Uncle, trying his best not to seem intimidated. However, his expression seemed to betray him as he sweated buckets and contorted his face due to anxiety.

"I have no intention of that, Li Wang. However, I must advise you to think twice before striking a student of mine." Despite his words being peaceful and innocent, his expression was different from the kind and welcoming aura he would exude. Instead, his squinted eyes and slight scowl spoke volumes to the man. After a few seconds of silence, the man continued under great pressure.

"Be that as it may, I've been assigned a task today from my brother. I was told to observe the battle that ensued today. If my Nephew were to lose, he should be punished." Hearing this, the quiet Li Tian who had been observing the event before him lowered his head as his heart started to race.

"Li Tian, from this day forward, you are exiled from the Li family. You shall not carry our name and we shall have nothing to do with you. If you are to tell anyone of our secrets or teach them our techniques, you will be hunted down. Farewell, outsider." Saying this, Li Wang smirked as he turned, walking away.

Li Tian's face paled as his heart sank. He struggled to breathe and lacked the strength to move. His family was all he had. Without the name, he was nothing.

"Are you hurt, Wukong?" Asked Master Subhuti as he walked to the Monkey, tapping him on the head. However, he was given no answer. Instead, Wukong stared at the devastated Li Tian who found the strength to rise and staggered to leave the arena. Wukong said nothing as he darted his head to Subhuti, staring at the master with a determined gaze. Subhuti was taken aback as he looked at Li Tian, then back to Wukong. After a few seconds, Subhuti smiled as he gave a slight nod.

In the next second, Wukong revealed a bright smile as he leapt at the master, hugging him tightly. He grabbed Subhuti's hand and raced to Li Tian as the old man yelled at the boy to slow down.

"Li Tian!" Yelled Wukong, prompting the heartbroken kid to turn his head, only to be met with a monkey and master.

"Come back with us. Master Subhuti has agreed for you to train beside me." Saying this, Li Tian's hollowed eyes couldn't help but dart back and forth between the monkey and the old man. Subhuti, noticing the boy's reluctance, gave a slight nod with a bright smile. It wasn't something he would usually accept, however, he was wise enough to look beyond that. Seconds passed as Li Tian tried his best to comprehend what was happening. Tears started to form in his eyes as he bowed deeply before the two.

"Thank you! Thank you so much! I promise I'll do my best to repay both of you for the kindness you've shown me today!" He yelled as his voice cracked with sorrow, tears pouring down his face.

"We're friends now, don't sweat it. This calls for a celebration. Let's feast!" Said Wukong as he tapped Li Tian on the shoulder, soon remembering the hunger he had been enduring.

"Wukong. The more days that go by, the more you prove to me how wrong I was in my first assumption about you." Thought Subhuti as he smiled.

Before they could leave, Wukong noticed the female with red hair who was sprinting toward him, calling his name as she wore a face of concern.

"Oh, Amy!" Said Wukong as the female breathed heavily.

"Wukong, are you hurt?" She asked, checking his body for injuries. As she said this, Wukong looked as if he had remembered something. He raised the hand he had blocked Li Wang's attack with, only for them to be met with a limp piece of flesh that was once a working hand.

"Oh, now that you mention it. My hand is broken."

***

"Wow, Master Subhuti is something else. He was able to heal Wukong's hand instantly." Said Amy as she sat at a long fashionable white and gold table beside Li Tian and countless other people. They both watched Wukong devour a banquet of food as Subhuti slapped him on the head for his poor manners.

"Yes, indeed." Said Li Tian. Amy looked over at him, glaring as Li Tian started to feel uncomfortable.

"I still haven't forgiven you for trying to hurt Wukong. Just know if you try to do something like that again, I'll rip your tongue out, Li Tian." Despite the beads of sweat pouring down the nervous newcomer's face, he answered her calmly.

"Please, it's just Tian now. I'm no longer a Li." He said disheartedly.

"Good. The Li's suck anyway. You're better off with us." Said Amy as Tian soon smiled at her words.

Isaac observed all of this with a smile as he hovered over the banquet.

"What a day." He said, however, little did he know it was far from over.

"The booze is here!" Yelled a man amongst the countless people indulging in the banquet. Wukong's ears perked as he stood on his chair.

"Bring it here!" He yelled, to which Subhuti punched the monkey's head. Wukong rolled around in pain as he gripped his head, all while Isaac laughed at the misfortune of the host. Despite the pain, Wukong quickly jumped to his feet, hearing the cups clank against the table. As he grabbed the large cup filled with alcohol, Isaac shot his eyes open in shock.

He darted his head to Wukong, who chugged the amber liquid as it dripped down his cheek. With the linked senses Isaac shared with the monkey, he was able to not only smell the beverage but also slightly taste it. It was a unique array of tastes that danced on your tongue, greeting the drinker with a burn after ingestion. Not to mention the fragrant aroma that was enough to make anyone drool. It was also an aroma and taste Isaac would never forget. How could he? It marked an important part of his life he shared with his Grandpa.

"That drink! It's Aurora Hops!"

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Last day of the week guys, it's the final stretch. Let's get them POWERSTONESSSSSSSSSSS!

Also, what are you waiting for? Join the discord!!

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