I'm roaring to end him right here, but I'd be wrong for that. My fingertips twitch with the urge to grab him by the throat, to snap something, anything, just to quiet the pressure building in my chest. Why am I so bloodthirsty now? It's got to be the stress... the constant vigilance, the weight of leadership, the way every problem is a blade pressed against my spine.

  Hematite adjusted his suit tie, slow and precise, like the smallest wrinkle might insult him. "Now that everyone's here, can we start the training?"

  I covered my face with my palm, dragging it down hard enough to stretch the skin, grounding myself as my pulse thunders. I slid it down, calming myself down, "That's why you're here, isn't it? To get stronger."

  He nodded once, eyes gleaming with a strange mixture of ambition and resignation. "I'm fine with the age of martial artists ending, as long as my name is remembered, and that name considered one of the strongest in history."

  It wasn't a noble reason, but it was a solid reason nonetheless. A reason forged from ego, not righteousness—but ego was unavoidable in a man like him.

  Borschmack placed his luggage down next to Zero's shack. The suitcase looked comically small in his massive hands, like a child’s toy. He couldn't fit inside any of the shacks—his shoulders alone would widen the doorway—so he'd have to sleep outside. The air around him almost vibrated from the heat his body radiated. I'll make sure he's comfortable.

  I said, "Borschmack, come here."

  He stood in front of me, towering and casting a shadow over my whole upper body. "Yes, sir?"

  I tapped my jaw. "Break my jaw, and avenge Toda."

  His eyes hardened instantly. I angered him for this moment. He immediately launched a reinforced haymaker at me, his knuckles roaring through the air before impact. The hit landed with a crack that echoed like a snapped tree branch, and I flew into the tree behind me. Bark splintered against my back, and the shock rattled up my spine. It hurt a lot. His power is one to admire.

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  I adjusted my jaw, pushing the bone back into place with a wet pop as I drooped down. Pain shot across my skull, but I forced myself upright. I ran in front of him again, legs wobbling slightly. "Break my body."

  He didn’t hesitate. He hit me in my stomach—my diaphragm spasmed violently—then the temple of my face, then my nose, then my right arm, left arm, left leg, right leg, pelvis, thigh, everything. Each strike was like being hit by a slab of iron. Each one tore microfractures through bone and sent nerves screaming. Each strike I let down my guard and didn't use aikido, taking the full force. Basically, I was defenseless. My body fell down, and my vision turned hazy around the edges.

  Zero stood still, his expression tense, jaw tight. "You're using that method... I wasn't strong enough to use it against you." He would have if he could, and that just shows his commitment to the mission.

  Jane ran over, her steps light but frantic, and caressed me, lifting my head off the dirt. "Are you alright?" Her fingers were trembling.

  I shook my head, coughed some blood to the grass, watching it soak into the soil like ink. "I'm alright."

  I stared everyone in the eyes—Hematite, Zhen, Ewan, Borschmack, Zero, Kaguya, Kaiguya, Odina, Jane. I said, "This is what power will cost you. You can force someone to transcend, and reach their limits by beating them to near death. We will do this to ourselves, recover, and repeat. Five repetitions shall be enough for everyone, no matter genius, to reach their limit."

  Jane took my body, arms slipping under mine with familiar care, and laid me on the log next to the fire. The heat warmed my skin but couldn’t touch the deeper ache. I could move in the worst-case scenario, but I was at her mercy.

  I said, "Zhen, you're up next."

  He waved dismissively, almost offended by the idea of such a grueling task. "No, no, no. Hematite said he'd go next."

  I yelled, voice cracking from blood and frustration, "Zhen! I saved your people. Now, I need you to save me. Please."

  He yawned—slow, exaggerated—and stood in front of Borschmack. Despite his nobility, he would lower himself for me. That is what I bought by freeing Trivoko. He stared Borschmack down.

  "You heard him. Bring it."