The Earth After Rebirth

The pathways were larger and stronger than before. He didn't think it possible that, it would feel this refreshing. Storing Kaos in his bones made him feel bloated and his bones creaky, of course he didn't realise all this until he emptied out his bones.

The monkey King didn't kick them out as he pretended he would. They stayed at his space with him, training. Kiro wanted more than anything to get used to the new pathways. It didn't take him long before he was using them like a third limb.

This coupled with vibrations, he felt really unstoppable. Though he still felt inadequate, as vibrations outside the temple didn't quite exist the way he was used to. So he asked the monkey King about it.

"Everything vibrates at its own frequency, this rings more true when you enter another world. You just need to listen more attentively, when the world you come from is more loud. But I expect you'll be able to detect them soon, you've subdued Kaos and created pathways."

He told him this and at the same time, toned down vibrations in his tower to match the world around it, in order for Kiro to train at a safe and secure location. Since then, he hadn't been able to feel or hear anything through vibrational sense. That didn't stop him from listening more closely than he usually did.

Hubris was not slacking either, he wanted to surpass his father immediately. It was a wonder to him that he evolved into a higher creature, yet when he used his eyes to discern his father's strength, he wouldn't have stood a chance against him at his prime. Absolute strength meant nothing if one had no idea how to use it.

Hubris was still just an empty vessel with all these skills. He needed to sort through them and learn how to use them effectively. But it wasn't easy painting his very blank canvas, but he knew that, if he couldn't get it done he'd lose against his uncle.

Kiro was walking around the room barefoot. He figured shoes would slow down the process. Not to mention, the monkey King promised to spar with them when they reach their mini goals.

Being given the chance to go at it with a god, pumped them up. It was a great motivator. Days turned into weeks, which in turn, stretched into months. Their rigorous training hadn't stopped, not even a little bit.

"I got it, I got it..." He was flailing his arms in the air when a replica of Ryu came zooming for his head.

He touched off the ground with his toes and made an unbelievable jump from the ground and into the air, he then landed on the staff that resembled his own. They were both still midair, as he used vibrations to keep himself suspended in the air.

He effortlessly was able to detect the attack and most importantly, was fast enough to avoid and render it useless. He was still in the air, when he kicked the staff back whence it came. Although he was barefoot, kicking it back didn't hurt him one bit.

"Not bad kid," he said with a little smirk, impressed. "I'm obviously not going to use my power but do your worst." He beckoned him to attack.

He wasn't up for taking a break either after training for months. He took downward strides, running for the god in front of him. The air acted like solid ground wherever he would step, but he could feel a chunk of energy being drained because he was condensing air in his little domain.

Which is why he ran downward, descending faster to reach the solid tower ground while at the same time gunning to connect a palm strike on a god.

He hadn't reached him but he was close enough, his palm was extended, ready to strike when space seemed to warp right before him, twisting his arm and throwing him on the floor at the same time.

He was jerked back to reality sooner than he'd have liked. He was sparring with someone who was leagues above him, even without power, he was powerful.

"Are you sure you didn't use any power there?"

"This is purely martial arts kid."

"Well, that's not very fair is it."

The monkey King saw claws brush through his being. Though he was faster, as Hubris' attack connected with an afterimage, he'd already reached the other side of the room.

'Dammit.' Kiro complained internally.

He had hoped distracting him with a conversation would work and Hubris could actually land a finishing blow but alas, his cunning plan didn't work.

"That was a good plan, but you're far from landing any kind of attack on me."

Kiro had already used blink to close the gap, if he couldn't take him by surprise, his best bet was a barrage of attacks and hope one actually lands.

All else failed, even his bending kick was no match for gods. He didn't feel like he was fighting a harbinger, at least with them it felt like he had a chance. The chasm between him and the monkey King was unbelievably immeasurable.

That didn't dampen either of their moods, as they continued to attack. Kiro even had Ryu out now, but every one of his attacks were parried beautifully.

Hubris attacked with his fire balls, multiple of them went straight for his nemesis. The monkey King smiled, as this reminded him of his friend. Though, as reminiscent as the moment was, he didn't let a single fire ball slip through.

It was as if they were being swallowed by an invisible black hole. Nothing seemed to go through to touch his skin, his defense seemed ironclad and he wasn't even trying hard to protect himself from the barrage of attacks he was receiving.

Kiro could feel that he was almost at his wits end. He decided to act while the monkey King was busy with Hubris' fire balls. He summoned lightning and coated Ryu with it and disappeared where he was, appearing right behind him, pushing Ryu through the invisible defense and into his neck.

A golden like liquid dripped from it.