The world of the stash house faded like smoke.
Muzi stood once again beneath the black sun, the sky heavy with whispering winds. The Inner Domain stretched endlessly around him — dry earth cracked beneath his feet, and the scent of iron lingered in the air.
Across from him, Jobe slammed his knobkerrie into the ground. "You move like a man who thinks pain is temporary."
"It isn't?" Muzi asked, wiping blood from his lip.
Jobe's eyes narrowed. "Pain is memory. Let me give you some."
Without warning, Jobe lunged.
Muzi barely ducked under the first swing — the knobkerrie sliced the air like thunder. He rolled left, planted his feet, and struck back. Jobe caught his wrist mid-swing and twisted hard. Muzi hit the ground with a bone-jarring thud.
> [Minor Injury: Left Shoulder Dislocated]
[Reflex Adaptation Triggered – +2%]
[Training XP: 17% → 23%]
"Up," Jobe barked.
Muzi groaned, using his good arm to push himself up. Every breath tasted like dust and blood. But he stood.
From the shadows, Manana's voice floated in.
"Boy's getting better. Too bad better still ain't good enough."
He stepped forward, barefoot and grinning, calabash in hand. "Time for the test."
"Test?" Muzi asked, panting.
Manana raised a hand — and the ground shifted.
The wind screamed, and from the plains around them, a dozen shadowy figures rose. Silent. Faceless. Each one held a blade.
> [Ancestral Combat Trial Initiated]
[Rule: No System Boosts Active – Raw Skill Only]
[Goal: Survive 3 Minutes]
[Progress Unlock: Physical Echo Memory]
Muzi gritted his teeth. "Let's dance."
---
The first shadow struck — a feint left, blade right. Muzi sidestepped, slammed a boot into its knee, then elbowed its temple. It dropped, dissolved like ash.
The next two came together. Muzi blocked with his forearm, pivoted low, and lashed out with a sweep-kick.
Pain laced through his dislocated shoulder with every motion — but he moved.
Again.
And again.
And again.
> [Reflex +3%]
[Combat Flow Recognition Initiated – 38% Sync]
[Endurance Below 40% – Caution Advised]
Blood blurred his vision, sweat poured into his mouth. But he didn't fall.
---
When the timer ended, he stood in a ring of fading enemies, chest heaving, knees trembling.
Jobe approached.
"You survived. Barely."
Manana grinned. "Not bad for a half-dead city boy."
> [Trial Passed – Physical Echo Memory Unlocked]
[Muzi can now recall key opponent movements mid-fight – No active system boost required]
No flash of light. No fancy new technique. Just instinct. Earned.
Muzi collapsed to his knees.
"I need water."
"You need war," Jobe said.
And the wind blew again.
---
Back in the real world, Muzi blinked his eyes open. Night had fallen again.
Sphilile sat beside him, silent. She didn't ask questions.
She saw the bruises. The blood. The pain.
But most of all — she saw the fire in his eyes.
He was changing.
Slowly. Sharply. Honestly.
---
What should Muzi learn next from his ancestors? Leave your ideas in the comments below.