Chapter 2: — “The Iron Lotus: (1)"

The next morning, Kael walked toward the training grounds, rubbing sleep from his eyes. Sota was already there, leaning against a tree with a massive grin.

“You’re late,” Sota called out, loud enough to make Kael wince. “Or maybe you just like making me worry.”

Kael rolled his eyes and tightened the strap on his bag. “Not everyone wants to be up at dawn for nothing.”

Sota pushed off the tree and walked toward him, swinging a folded paper in one hand. “Maybe, but this isn’t nothing. Check this out.” He handed it over.

Kael frowned as he unfolded the paper. A simple emblem of a black lotus with a thin silver outline stared back at him. “The Iron Lotus?” he read aloud. “Sounds… ominous.”

Sota shrugged, grinning. “Don’t let the name fool you. It’s a new training group. Free for anyone who wants to join. Strength, endurance, speed… the works.”

Kael’s frown deepened. “Free, huh? That usually means there’s a catch. Like some weird cult. I don’t do cults.”

Sota laughed. “Good instincts. But seriously, it’s not a cult. Just people who train hard. Really hard. You’d learn things you can’t get anywhere else. Think of it like… leveling up, fast.”

Kael looked down at the paper. The black and silver flower on it seemed to move when he glanced at it. Something about it made his stomach tighten, but he shook his head. “I don’t need extra training. I can handle myself.”

Sota’s smile softened slightly. “Maybe. But how do you know? You won’t see it from where you are now. You’ll just keep pushing yourself until one day… you can’t.”

Kael clenched his fists. He hated being lectured, but Sota’s words dug under his skin. He had tried to protect his sisters so many times, and still felt powerless.

“Fine,” he muttered, folding the paper and tucking it into his pocket. “I’ll think about it… maybe.”

Sota’s grin widened, triumphant. “That’s all I ask. Just think about it.”

As Kael walked away, the sun hitting his back, he felt the paper pressing against his leg. He tried to ignore it, but a small, nagging thought refused to leave, maybe Sota was right. Maybe he did need help.

At home, Kael sat on the edge of his bed, staring at the floor. Sota’s words kept running through his head: “Free training… protection…” He didn’t want to admit it, but a small part of him felt curious. The idea of learning how to defend himself, and his sisters... it stayed in his mind.

Suddenly, a sharp cry broke the quiet.

“Kael!”

His heart jumped. Yui.

He ran toward the sound. The living room door was open, and what he saw made his stomach twist.

His parents were yelling. Yui’s small body shook as she tried to cover herself. His father’s hand was raised again, and his mother shouted,

“KAEL WON’T BE ABLE TO SAVE YOU NOW, YOU BRAT!”

Something inside Kael broke. His hands clenched into fists. His heart pounded with fear and anger. No. I won’t let this happen again.

He thought of Sakura and Hina, his other sisters. What if they were next? He remembered all the times he had done nothing. He would never be helpless again.

Kael thought about Sota’s words and the Iron Lotus. Maybe it wasn’t just a strange training place. Maybe it was his only chance, to protect his family, to finally fight back.

He stood there, watching his little sister tremble. Then he grabbed his bag. The choice felt heavy, but he knew it was the right one.

Tomorrow, he would go.

Tomorrow, he would fight to change everything.

Kael woke up the next morning, rubbing his sleepy eyes. He got up, and grabbed his back ready to leave. He tightened the straps on his bag for the third time, just to make sure nothing would fall out. His hands were trembling slightly, but it wasn’t fear, at least, not completely. It was the kind of nervous energy that came from finally deciding to do something important for himself, and for his sisters.

He remembered Yui’s voice, small and desperate, echoing in his head.

“Kael!”

And his mother’s sharp, cruel reply: “KAEL WON’T BE ABLE TO SAVE YOU NOW, YOU BRAT!”

The words burned in his chest, and Kael gritted his teeth. He wouldn’t let that happen again. He couldn’t. Not to Yui, not to Hina or Sakura. They needed him. And for the first time, he realized he needed himself to be stronger.

He glanced back at the small apartment one last time. Sakura and Hina was still fast asleep, bruises visible on their face, and poor Yui was probably trying to stay quiet. Kael swallowed hard and stepped outside.

The streets were quiet, almost too quiet. It felt like the city was holding its breath with him. He spotted Sota waiting a few blocks away, leaning casually against a lamppost. The older boy gave him a nod, a small smile on his face.

“You ready?” Sota asked.

Kael’s throat was tight, but he straightened his shoulders. “Yeah,” he said. “I’m ready.”

Together, they walked toward the Iron Lotus. With every step, Kael’s heart beat faster, not from fear, but from a strange excitement. This wasn’t running away. This was stepping toward something that could make him stronger, something that could help him protect the people he cared about most.

The moment Kael entered the Iron Lotus, he was hit with the energy of the place. People moved in all directions, practicing stances, lifting weights, flipping through the air. It was strange, unfamiliar, and thrilling all at once.

Sota led him through the training halls. “Don’t get distracted,” he said quietly. “You’ll learn more if you pay attention to the basics first.”

Kael’s eyes roamed everywhere. One trainee flipped through the air, landing softly on his feet with a grin. Another lifted a huge wooden beam, carrying it across the room like it weighed nothing. Kael’s stomach twisted at the sight, doubt creeping in, against his body. Could he ever do that?

Sota leaned closer. “You’ll get there. You just have to train.”

Kael nodded, watching Sota speak with a calm confidence that he wished he could feel. “I… I’ll try,” he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

Sota gave him a small grin. “Good. And don’t worry. I’ll train with you. We’ll figure it out together.”

For the first time that day, Kael felt a spark of hope. This was more than just a place to get stronger, it was a place that could teach him how to protect the people he loved. And when the day was over, he could go back home, back to Yui, Hina, and Sakura, knowing he was doing something to keep them safe.

A trainee with a sharp, confident look appeared as if from nowhere. He wore the same uniform as the others, a black tunic with the silver lotus emblem stitched on the chest.

“You two?” he asked, glancing at Kael and Sota. “I’ll take you to your first class. Follow me.”

Kael hesitated, feeling nervous again. This was the real beginning. Not just walking into the Iron Lotus, not just looking around—this was the point where training actually started.

The trainee led them through a series of narrow hallways, past rooms filled with people practicing strikes, kicks, and strange exercises Kael couldn’t name. Each room seemed louder and more intense than the last. He could feel the sweat in the air, the hard work and focus of everyone around him.

“Where are we going?” Kael asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

“1.G,” the trainee replied, not slowing down. “It’s the starter class. Everyone begins here. Once you prove you’ve learned enough, you move up. Classes get harder, and… well, more dangerous. But you’ll get there if you stick with it.”

Kael swallowed hard. The thought of something “more dangerous” made his chest tighten, but he reminded himself why he was here. He was training to protect his sisters. That thought alone kept him moving forward.

When they arrived at a large room, the doors slid open to reveal the class in session. Beginners like him were practicing under the guidance of an instructor who moved with sharp precision. Each student’s movements were careful, methodical, and focused.

“Take a seat,” the trainee said. “The instructor will get you started soon. Don’t worry, just follow instructions and keep up.”

Kael nodded and sat down, feeling a mixture of excitement and nervousness. Sota sat beside him, giving him a reassuring smile.

“You’ll do fine,” Sota said quietly. “We’ll learn together.”

For the first time since he had left home, Kael felt like he had a purpose, a path to follow. And as the instructor clapped his hands and called the class to attention, Kael felt a rush of determination. This was only the beginning, and he was ready to take the first step.

The trainee who had led Kael and Sota clapped his hands, making everyone jump slightly. “Alright, everyone! 1.G class starts now. Pay attention and move when I tell you.”

Kael glanced around the room. The walls were lined with mirrors, and the floor was polished wood. Other students, some younger, some older, were stretching or practicing basic moves. Kael felt his stomach twist with nervousness. Sota gave him a small nod, a silent encouragement.

“First, stance,” the trainee called, stepping into the center. He spread his legs wide, bent his knees just enough, and held his arms in a ready position. “Feet shoulder-width apart. Balance is everything. If you fall, you can’t fight. Watch closely.”

Kael tried to copy him. His legs shook. He kept leaning too far forward or backward. Sota moved beside him, adjusting Kael’s arms. “Relax your shoulders. Don’t think too hard. Just feel the floor under your feet.”

For the next twenty minutes, they repeated stances, learning how to move smoothly while staying balanced. Kael stumbled more than once, but each time Sota stayed by his side, repeating instructions and making small corrections. The mirrors reflected Kael’s frustration as much as his determination.

Then came strikes and blocks. The trainee demonstrated a simple punch, slow and controlled. “Hit the target without losing balance. Protect yourself first.” Kael swung and missed repeatedly, sometimes hitting the air or stumbling. Sweat dripped from his forehead. Sota grinned. “Not bad. You’re learning.”

They paired up to practice defense and attack. Kael tried to block Sota’s strikes, but his timing was off. Sota adjusted his speed to Kael’s level, showing patience. “Keep your eyes on me. Move your feet first, hands second.”

After an hour, they were exhausted. Muscles ached, lungs burned, and yet something inside Kael was awake, alive. He realized he had never felt so focused. Every hit he took and every step he learned reminded him why he needed this.

The trainee gathered them in a circle. “Good work today. 1.G is only the beginning. If you train every day, you’ll improve. Remember, control comes before power.”

As Kael wiped the sweat from his brow, he looked at Sota. “We’re really doing this,” he whispered.

Sota smiled. “Yeah. And we’ll get stronger. Together.”

Kael clenched his fists. He thought about home. This training wasn’t just about fighting, it was about protecting the people he loved. A surge of determination filled him. He would not fail.

The class ended, but Kael lingered, practicing the moves over and over, repeating stances and strikes until his arms ached. He glanced at Sota, who was doing the same. They didn’t need words. Both of them knew this was only the beginning.