Chapter 7: Chapter 7: Cobra Kai Never Dies!
Miguel took his stance, his body relaxed yet ready to strike at any moment. Johnny leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching closely.
"Don't hold back, Miguel," Johnny called out. "Let's see what he's made of."
Miguel nodded and launched forward, throwing a quick jab aimed at Xander's face.
Xander froze for a split second, panic gripping him. He wasn't ready! His mind scrambled for a plan, but before he could even think, his body moved on its own. He swayed to the side, the punch grazing past him harmlessly.
"What the—?" Xander thought, his eyes wide. The movement had felt completely natural, effortless.
Miguel stepped back, resetting his stance. "Not bad," he said, a little surprised.
Xander's mind raced. What just happened? And then it hit him: the skills. Basic Combat Instincts and Quick Reflexes. He remembered seeing them in the holographic window the previous night. They were the reason he'd dodged so naturally.
Miguel didn't give him much time to think, rushing in with another strike, this time a feint with his left followed by a hook with his right.
Xander's body reacted again without hesitation. He ducked under the hook and stepped back, creating space between them.
"Nice reflexes," Miguel said, adjusting his approach. "But you're gonna have to do more than dodge."
Johnny grinned, clearly intrigued. "Kid's got some natural instincts. Let's see if he can hit back."
Xander took a shaky breath, his heart pounding. He knew he couldn't rely solely on dodging, but his mind was still catching up to what his body was doing. He stepped forward cautiously, trying to mimic what he'd seen in Miguel's earlier demonstrations.
Miguel came at him again, this time with a faster combo—jab, cross, low kick. Xander managed to block the jab awkwardly, sway just out of reach of the cross, and lift his leg slightly to absorb the kick with his shin. It wasn't pretty, but it worked.
Johnny's smirk widened. "All right, not bad. You're not just standing there like a punching bag. Keep going!"
Miguel nodded, now taking Xander a bit more seriously. "Let's see what you've got!"
Xander tightened his fists, determination setting in. If his body could dodge instinctively, then maybe—just maybe—it could attack too. He stepped forward, throwing a tentative jab toward Miguel's chest. It was slower and less precise than Miguel's strikes, but it connected lightly, forcing Miguel to step back.
"Okay!" Miguel said, grinning. "You're learning!"
Xander felt a flicker of confidence. His skills were working, but he still had a long way to go.
"All right, break it up," Johnny called, stepping forward. "That's enough for now. Xander, not bad for your first go. You didn't get your ass handed to you, so that's a start."
Miguel chuckled, wiping his brow. "Yeah, you've got some raw talent. Keep at it, and you'll be throwing real punches in no time."
Xander nodded, feeling a mix of relief and excitement. His instincts had saved him, but now it was time to refine them into something real.
"Good work," Johnny said, his voice gruff but approving. "But don't let it go to your head. You've got potential, but potential doesn't mean jack if you don't put in the effort. You ready to work for it?"
Xander clenched his fists, a determined smile on his face. "Yes, Sensei."
"Good," Johnny said, walking back to his spot. "Miguel, get him practice more the basics. We've got a lot of work to do."
As Xander followed Miguel, he couldn't help but feel a spark of excitement. This was just the beginning, and he was ready for whatever came next.
...
The sun was starting to set, casting a warm orange glow through the windows of the Cobra Kai dojo. Xander stood near the punching bag, drenched in sweat, his muscles burning from the intense training session. Miguel handed him a water bottle, grinning.
"Not bad, man," Miguel said. "For your first day, you really held your own."
Xander took the bottle, gulping down the water gratefully. He still felt a little shaky, but the sense of accomplishment was undeniable.
Johnny clapped his hands, drawing their attention. "All right, that's enough for today. Xander, you did good. You're rough around the edges—real rough—but you've got something in you. Keep showing up, and we'll make something out of you."
Xander straightened, feeling a swell of pride. "Thank you, Sensei."
Johnny nodded, his smirk returning. "Just don't let it go to your head. Miguel, make sure he knows the basic drills by next week. You're gonna need to work twice as hard to catch up."
"Got it, Sensei," Miguel replied with a nod.
As Xander slung his bag over his shoulder and made his way to the door, Johnny called out, stopping him.
"Hey, Xander," Johnny said, his tone serious yet teasing.
Xander turned back. "Yeah, Sensei?"
Johnny pointed at him. "Don't forget that..."
Xander blinked, confused for a second, before Miguel chimed in with a grin.
"Cobra Kai never dies!"
Xander caught on immediately, a smile spreading across his face as he joined in. "Cobra Kai never dies!"
Johnny smirked approvingly, watching the two as they left the dojo. "Damn right."
As Xander stepped into the cool evening air, he felt a fire inside him, something he hadn't felt in years—or perhaps in lifetimes. Cobra Kai wasn't just a dojo. It was the start of something new, something that might change everything.
...
Xander strolled down the dimly lit streets of Reseda, the day's events still swirling in his mind. His body ached, but it was a good kind of ache—a sign that he'd pushed himself. Feeling a sudden urge to check his progress, he muttered under his breath, "Status!"
As expected, the pink holographic window appeared before him, glowing faintly in the dark.
[Name: Xander Wolfe]
[Strength: 6]
[Agility: 7]
[Stamina: 6]
[Vitality: 6]
[Intelligence: 5]
[Charm: 50]
Xander raised an eyebrow. "So my stats went up just from one training, huh—"
But before he could finish, another notification interrupted him, its text flashing brightly.
[The host has previously leveled up and still has 6 Attribute Points left. Would he like to use them?]
"Leveled up? When did I level up?" Xander thought aloud, the gears in his brain turning. It didn't take long for the realization to hit him. "Yeah, when I completed that mission!"
He smirked, feeling a sense of accomplishment. "I'll save them for no—"
But again, the system wasn't done.
[The host has gained the skills, 'Karate' and 'Cobra Kai Style.' Would he like to check them?]
Xander's eyes lit up. "Really? Then—"
His excitement was cut short by a sharp, scalding sensation. A hot liquid splashed onto his chest, soaking through his shirt.
"Ah, damn!" he yelped, looking down at the dark stain spreading across his clothes.
"Oh my God, I'm so sorry!" a voice exclaimed.
Xander looked up, his irritation fading the moment he saw the person responsible.
Samantha Larusso.
[Image Here]
To be continued...
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