The marble floor of the Heavenly Path Martial Arts School was stained with blood. Julian Cross knelt in the center of the grand hall, his body broken but his spirit unbroken. Around him, the finest martial artists in New York City lay scattered like fallen leaves, their pride shattered along with their bones.
I stood at the entrance, taking in the scene that made my blood run cold. The three men from Sakura Country dominated the space like predators surveying their kill. Haruto Yamamoto stood over Julian, his fist raised for what would surely be a killing blow. Beside him, Ren Ishikawa and Kenji Tanaka watched with cruel satisfaction.
"Senior Ethan!" Leo Cross's voice cracked as he spotted me. Relief flooded his young face, but I could see the fear still gripping him. His father was moments away from death.
