Chapter 45: Love
Johan went to Lanna Muay Boran to get his letter to find out who he would be fighting. Upon entering, he found Kru Bu lighting incense near the door.
"Johan!," said Kru Bu looking up smiling, "I got your letter for the fight tournament! Are you attending the fight training camp?"
"Of course," said Johan smiling.
"Where are your honorary swords?," asked Kru Bu.
"They were taken by some soldiers during registration for the fight, I never got them back."
Kru Bu frowned. "Not good, we will have you get new swords before camp. I got something special prepared, get your bags, my students in sects will be joining us to help in training. I will take you to a secret training location I stumbled upon several years ago."
Kru Bu smiled mysteriously.
"For today," said Kru Bu, "all classes are cancelled. Meet here tomorrow at 4:10 am pack supplies, say bye to your loved ones. You'll be going away for training to a secret location. But with this training you won't just stand out, you will dominate. It is exclusively for my students who have earned swords and ex-students who have joint sects."
Kru Bu stood up and took from his pocket a letter and handed it to Johan.
Eagerly, Johan opened the letter, "Congratulations on qualifying for Looking Glass Kingdom's most prestigious yearly fight tournament. Your first match will be against Gin Yun of Dragon Kick Gym in 32 days, 5 hours, 23 minutes and 10 seconds. The fight will be held at High Flight arena, please arrive at least two hours early for pre-fight testing."
The numbers on the letter were decrementing sequentially. This was clearly not any normal letter.
Johan realised that this was it. This was the tournament he had been training hard all year for. It was a milestone in his quest for strength. A sense of excitement began to stir within his belly. With Kru Bu's fight camp, he would get much stronger. Kru Bu was known among the gyms for his student's high success rate for getting his students noticed by sects. Training with high level fighters and people who had made it would definitely help him get stronger.
"See you tomorrow," said Kru Bu.
"I can't wait," said Johan.
Johan immediately went to tell Luisa about the training camp. She was working at the Mama's Earth Pizzeria on her shift. His revenge against Armyka was getting closer with every fight he won and training experience he embarked on.
-- Ø --
Johan sat next to Luisa at a table at Mama's Earth Pizzeria.
"I just got you back and you are leaving already?," asked Luisa as her tears watered up.
"If I am going to win," said Johan, "every minute counts, you know I love you, right?"
"Of course," said Luisa smiling, "and I love you. I understand. Go. Pack. Train. Win. Just don't get hurt. Come to my place tonight. I'll make you dinner."
"Alright," said Johan smiling.
Johan held Luisa close and kissed her.
"I'll see you later today," said Johan.
"Bring your stuff over," said Luisa, "Guang Chong might try something since you had a disagreement. In fact he probably will."
"Are you asking me to move in?," asked Johan smiling.
"You don't want to now?," said Luisa.
"Of course!," said Johan, "every minute with you is special. I just wish it was under better circumstances."
"This isn't a good time," said Luisa leaning against Johan and pinching his cheek, "but when is it ever? I know the perfect time and baby that's never."
"You totally stole that from K'naan," laughed Johan.
"Go," said Luisa smiling, "I'll finish my shift and meet you. I have something I want to give to you tonight."
"A surprise!?," said Johan, "I can't wait. I'll see you later babe."
"Bye," whispered Luisa kissing Johan again on the lips, "you still have my apartment keys, right?"
"Yep," said Johan.
Johan was a minimalist and consequently, all he had to take to Luisa's place was the labyrinth food, cleaning items, clothes and the weights he borrowed from Tommy. Everything else, he left behind. Within a few hours he finished moving. Johan kept the labyrinth food packed for his training camp and set the timer his alarm clock before nodding off in Luisa's bed.
-- Ø --
Johan awoke to the feeling of soft skin pressed against him and warm kisses. Luisa was massaging his chest underneath his shirt.
"Hey sleepy head," said Luisa, "you fell asleep without even eating."
Johan groggily opened his eyes to see Luisa naked and pressed against him. She looked beautiful, in the lighting of the room. He was instantly one hundred percent awake.
Luisa kissed Johan passionately and he kissed her back.
"I want you," whispered Luisa breathing heavily.
"Are you sure you want to do this?," whispered Johan, "we were waiting right? I don't want you to do anything that makes you uncomfortable."
"I know you are the one for me," whispered Luisa, "I love you and know I want to spend the rest of my life with you."
"Same," said Johan kissing her back, "you look beautiful. I love you so much."
That night, Johan made love to Luisa for the first time.
Johan never felt such a deep spiritual connection and deep level of intimacy with another creature he cared for so deeply before. It was different from his experience with Gadra, that had been fueled by spellbound lust, while this was fueled by love and passion. Their feelings for each other deepened as the night progressed solidifying their bond. Each kiss, breath, moan and pleasurable shiver was driven by love. Their worries and fears for the future, the furthest thing from their minds.
They drifted off to sleep in each others arms, staring lovingly into each others eyes. At that moment, Johan knew he wanted to marry Luisa as soon as possible.
All his previous suffering seem trivial.
[Is revenge worth it?], pondered Johan.
Maybe, he could start a family with Luisa and they could live happily ever after. He could leave past pains and grudges behind and start life anew. This woman, who brought color to his life was his salvation and everything he ever wanted. He didn't need nothing else but her ...
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AUTHOR'S NOTE:
Will Johan get to live happily ever after with Luisa?
Will Johan put his anger against Armyka to rest?
You will find out in the next chapter! Till next time!
But for now! Happy Holidays and Have a Merry Christmas if you celebrate this day!
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
RatTurtle
RatTurtle When small groups have too much power, you encounter cases of power abuse. They target minorities because they can be ignored unless they rise up violently. Next time you hear of a terrorist group recruiting seemingly rational people, ask yourself whether you are seeing the reality of the situation.
“If you're not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing.”
― Malcolm X
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