You could swear that the roaring crowds could be heard form miles away. As everyone gathered to watch the final bouts of this years Tenkaichi Budokai Tournament. The most popular spectator event in the world. As for myself and the other fighters who managed to battle our way through all of the qualifying matches we were inside the main building waiting for our time to walk out and take our place in the ring. The anxiety started to build a bit as my eyes scanned over the remaining fighters. All of them looking far more challenging than most of the men and women I had already fought to be here. Well, they should I suppose because after all they each had to fight through the qualifiers as well. I started to wonder what drove each of them to train so hard to be here? Was it the prize money? Fame? Or simply being known as the greatest fighter on the planet? It could have been any one of those things. Yet it was none of those for me.
Twenty five years ago my father stood in the same place I am right now. He had dedicated his life to his art. But in the finals he faced a man who seemed to have no remorse. No goal but the fight itself. The man he faced was on the verge of being disqualified for inflicting severe or crippling injuries on opponent after opponent. But he had not killed anyone. And so they let him continue. I had only heard the story a single time from my father. How he faced the man who counted most every move he made against him. But in one final attempt to win, my father made a bold feint which resulted in landing a single and precise blow to his opponent. Wounded as he was, the man who had been fighting with lifeless and bored eyes then seemed to come alive. He hit my father with blow after devastating blow refusing to allow him to fall out of bounds. As the referee called the match and declared him the victor the mysterious fighter seemed to have no reaction at all. Seeing my father in no condition to continue fighting. He simply turned and without a single word. Left the Tournament, never speaking in an interview or claiming his prize.
To my father's knowledge the man never participated in the Tenkaichi Budokai again. He had heard rumors of a powerful warrior who would seek out worthy foes and challenge them to a duels to the death. But beyond the rumors and whispers he thought little of it. My father himself, even after recovering could no longer practice martial arts. The man had not only defeated him in the tournament, but in my opinion. Defeated his spirit. Unable to practice what was once a passion to him he settled down in his old village and took up farming, meeting my mother and marrying. Then having me. If asked he would not say that he regrets how his life has turned out. He tells me he has found a new meaning in the work he does. He is a respected member of our village and an important member of the community. But he has warned me since I was young that a passion for battle only brings pain. My entire life I had believed the pain he had warned me about was physical. Like what had happened to him. Or the pain of being forced to give up something you love. But being here now. The more I think I about it.
I think he was referring to the man he had fought that day.
To dedicate your life so much to the art of fighting that it is all you live for. Finding pleasure in nothing of the world besides trading fists with worthy opponents. To live an empty existence as you do nothing but seek battle after battle before eventually being defeated yourself. I believe that he saw what he could have become if he had continued down the path of a warrior. But I also believe that my father is wrong. That such a fate does not have to be the final result of a life of fighting. There has to be more to it than either becoming a blood lusted warrior or being crippled. I mean, martial arts gives meaning to many and brings joy and entertainment to many more. People take pride in their work and skills. So by winning this tournament I hope to be able to not only fulfill my father's old dream of being recognized as the best. But show him that martial arts can be a positive force for both a person and the world. And of course convince him that I am strong enough to live my own life.
"Now, the moment you have all been waiting for! The start of the Tenkaichi Budokai Tournament! Would all of the fighters now present themselves in the ring for all to see!"
And with that, I walked out in confidence alongside the other fighters. Waving and smiling at the crowd, hoping to see my parents somewhere in the sea of faces. Standing in the ring shoulder to shoulder with everyone else as our eyes peered over at the sharply dressed announcer. The crowd roared and a few rounds of applause were had before they finally started to settle down and the announcer gave his next instructions.
"The first round is about to commence ladies and gentlemen! Would everyone aside from Tong Ao Shen and Naitofaia Akane please exit the ring and take positions around the arena! You may watch the bout but obviously no interfering in anyway and thank all of you for coming out!"
I then walked back outside the ring and stood with the other fighters on the grass just outside of it. As I watched the two fighters face each other. Shen seemed to be a veteran fighter. I noticed that his gi was torn and worn and that his body was covered in scars. The dark haired man had a sharp look in his eyes. His opponent was a woman who was small in stature but had an eager look of anticipation in her eyes.She too had two notable scars crossing her face.Her spiky hair tied back in a pony tail. I had no idea as to who would emerge from this fight the victor. The conditions of the battle was either win by K.O, an opponent forfeiting or getting your opponent out of bounds.
Shifting my attention from the fighters in the ring to those standing around me I spotted one with spiky black hair with a large sword on his back. There is no harm in having a conversation while we watch the fight after all. Walking over to him I spoke up.
"I didn't know we could use weapons in the tournament. I know of a special staff I would love to use." I then offered a friendly hand shake in greeting.
"I am Mei Lin by the way. What's your name?" I asked, finally introducing myself as the battle began in the ring.