It was time for the usual show of strength in the land of Vandoc. All the young men in the village gathered at the arena, and fought until one was standing. He would then be crowned strongest fighter of the month. It was a monthly combat.
The arena was built in a circular form - and there were sits, one higher than the other, like in a stadium. Women and children, and elderly men gathered to watch the young men fight to show off their strength - it was very entertaining for the villagers.
The best fighter was prized with gold, silver and delicious foods by the king, for the month until the next month fight.
Brad had won the prize for the last four months. He was heavily bearded, huge, had broad shoulders, big arms, 6 pack abs, with strong legs that looked like the pillars of the gods. Brad was hoping to break the record set by Ronald's father - who won the monthly battle for 9 straight months during his youth.
Ronald wasn't like his father, he had the potential to defeat Brad, but his inner fears always were more powerful than his drive. His mother was seriously sick. There was no money to get treatment for her. His little sister Becky always cried at night, when she heard their mom crying because of the pain she was going through in the middle of the night.
His father had little sleep at night, and seemed frustrated at day. The entire family knew that if only Ronald could win the monthly fight for one month - the gold and silver he'd win, when sold will help them get treatment for his mother.
Ronald knew this too, nobody ever said it aloud, but the family was waiting for Ronald to become who he truly was. His father was the greatest fighter of his time, hence it was thought that Ronald should have at least inherited the genes.
On a Saturday morning, Ronald's girlfriend Hadeza came visiting, she was the only one who could make Ronald's mom smile even with all the pain she was in. Hadeza had a green sparkling in her eyes, and her soft voice was music to the soul. Ronald's mom said to Hadeza, "You're the best thing that has happened to my son."
Tears rolled down her eyes as she said, "I don't think I'd be here when you get married to my son." Hadeza replied, "Mama please don't say that. You'd be here." She shock her head, "My daughter, this pain is killing me. I'm dying every single day. I won't be able to take this for much longer." Hadeza started crying.
Hadeza stood up and walked out. Ronald was breaking fire wood at the front of the house. In tears, Hadeza came outside, she looked at Ronald with a very angry eyes; and said, "Is it until mama is dead, that you'll become the person you have to become?" Before Ronald could say a word, she walked away crying.
Ronald was angry and sad and confused. He ran into the forest behind their house, and cried. He could feel the fire in his chest, he knew that he had the potential, but something was blocking him from being himself - it was overwhelming.
He sat under a tree and cried. Then he heard a noise from behind him. He turned around, and it was his father. He quickly turned away his face, to hide his tears. His father came close to him, and said, "Son, why are you crying?" Ronald paused for a moment, and wiped his tears and replied, "Father, I'm letting this family down - by not winning the month fight."
His father smiled and said, "Then win it." Ronald replied, "I don't feel that I can beat Brad. He is huge and an extremely aggressive fighter." Ronald continued, "Father what do I do?" His father smiled again, "I've been waiting for the day that you'd ask. And the answer you seek is simple - get angry."
Ronald replied, "But father I am angry. I am very angry."
"Yes, you're just an angry person. You need to become an angry warrior - and that's who you truly are. You are my son, you carry the warrior spirit of our bloodline." His father turned around, and started walking back towards their home.
The next morning, Becky ran home after going to play with her friends. She rushed into the house, and told her dad, mom, and Ronald that - Hadeza had agreed to get married to Brad. Ronald's heart felt like it was struck by a thousand lightning bolts. He heart froze for a minute.
He stood up angrily, kicked the table in their living room, and left for Hadeza's house. His father smiled. On arriving at Hadeza's house, he shouted at Hadeza for betraying him. She stood in front of the door, and said, "I will marry Brad, a week after this coming monthly fight." Hadeza looked at him right into his eyes as she spoke.
Ronald went back home, and was furious. He couldn't wait for the next monthly fight - which was 6 days away. He needed to let out some steam. His breath became hot, he barely slept.
The day of the monthly fight came. And when the fight began, Ronald's eyes turned dark - as he brought men down with just one strike. It was remaining himself and Brad standing. As the two men faced each other, Ronald's eyes turned red - and he felt himself stealing all the energies he needed from his ancestral bloodline.
As Brad charged towards him, Ronald held steady. Just when Brad threw a punch, Ronald moved like flash, as he dodged it - and he landed a thunderous blow on Brad's right ear. Brad fell to the ground instantly and fainted.
The villagers clapped and hailed the new champion. The king gave Ronald the prize of gold, silver and lots of foods stuffs and delicious foods. But Ronald wasn't still happy, because he felt betrayed by Hadeza.
On the evening of that day, Hadeza came to his family house. Ronald wasn't still happy to see her, until he discovered that - his mother, and little sister Becky, had made a plan with Hadeza, faking that she was going to get married to Brad. This was all done to bring out the beast in him.
On hearing this, a sudden smile took over Ronald's face. And he hugged Hadeza and kissed her.
Three weeks later, Ronald got married to Hadeza; and his mom had fully recovered from her sickness - and she danced happily around the newly married couple with endless joy.
