Chapter 3: The Bullying Spiral

Despite Sofia's supportive words, Alon couldn't help but feel the sting of Marco's mockery. It wasn't so much the insult itself that bothered him; rather, it was the glaring reminder of his current powerlessness. Despite his knowledge of arnis, Alon couldn't quite defend himself or others from these bullies, and it was this perceived weakness that truly gnawed at him.

One day, after class, as Alon headed to his locker to retrieve his arnis sticks, he found Marco and his group waiting for him. Their laughter echoed through the hallway, a clear sign of their malicious intent.

"Well, look who it is," Marco taunted, leaning against Alon's locker with a smirk. "Stick boy."

Alon swallowed, clenching his fists at his sides. "Get away from my locker, Marco."

Marco laughed, stepping away from the locker and pulling out Alon's arnis sticks. "What are you going to do if I don't, Dela Cruz? Hit me with your toys?"

Alon gritted his teeth, anger surging within him. He could imagine it: the swift, precise strike of his arnis stick against Marco's smug face. He could end this humiliation, but it would only invite more trouble. His father's words echoed in his mind, "Power comes with responsibility, Alon. Never misuse it."

"Give them back, Marco," Sofia's voice rang out, commanding and firm.

The group turned to find her standing at the end of the hallway, her eyes blazing with determination. Marco's gaze darted between Alon and Sofia before he tossed the arnis sticks back to Alon. "Fine, take your toys," he grumbled.

Once the bullies had cleared off, Sofia walked up to Alon, her gaze sympathetic. "Alon, you can't keep letting them walk all over you."

"I know, Sofia," Alon replied, his voice quiet. He looked at the arnis sticks in his hands, a renewed determination burning in his eyes. "And I won't. Not anymore."

That night, Alon trained with an intensity he'd never displayed before. Each strike of his arnis sticks echoed his resolve. He was tired of being the target, tired of holding back. It was time for change, and Alon Dela Cruz was ready to make it happen. Little did he know, the world itself was on the verge of an even more drastic transformation.