In The Ring

Early in the morning John had prepared himself. He used his hoe to dig a large hole. Until he had enough, he began to switch to carrying his bucket and sack near the old well. He put the boulder into his sack, not forgetting to fill his bucket with water that he had drawn from the well.

Using a long, medium-sized block of wood, he put it on his shoulder and lifted the buckets he was carrying. He also tied the sacks containing the boulder to his feet, hips and hands. His steps were very heavy, his face looked much paler than before.

He filled the empty pool with bucket water. He did this several times, from morning to evening, until at last the pool was filled with abundant water. Immediately a lot of children came and bathed. They all took off their clothes and put them on the pile of stones that John had previously arranged.

They were still small enough to draw water from the well, it was only natural that they would be overjoyed at the existence of the pool. John smiled a little. Without realizing it, the old man continued to stare at him. Then he sent a little boy to call John. The two of them met in a very large empty room. The sun's rays directly penetrated through the glass that was deliberately installed on the ceiling of the room.

"When you want to fight, then remember what you're doing it for. If you are fighting aimlessly, I suggest that you return home immediately. Don't tarnish the battle ring with something without a single purpose," said the old man.

John looked straight into the old man's eyes. "O old man, I wouldn't have gone this far if I didn't have a strong goal and desire."

"I'm just warning you not to do anything useless."

"Actually who are you? I've been training here for a few days, but I don't know your name."

Instead of answering, the old man rose from his place and walked away leaving John. Not staying silent, John walked after him. It turned out that the old man had entered John's bedroom. Even the room did not deserve to be called a room, because from its stature alone it very much resembled a cowshed.

"Hey, old man!" called John as the old man took out all of John's clean clothes. "What are you doing?!"

The old man did not answer. He still continues to do his activities. All of John's clothes were completely removed, so that not a single garment was stored in the closet. Not only that, the old man also gave a square cloth with a size large enough.

"Get your clothes on, then get out of here!" expel the old man.

"Are you kicking me out?" asked John to be sure.

"Was my speech not clear?"

John glared at the old man. He quickly packed his clothes and tied them with a square cloth. He also took a stick which was then used to carry his clothes. Now he looks like someone ready to wander off.

"Go and defeat whoever is your next opponent!" The old man smiled broadly.

Hearing that, John turned and looked at the old man. He returned the smile, then he put his clothes back under his feet.

"I'm not leaving," said John.

John's words managed to stop the old man's smile. Like a jolt, the old man looked at John in disbelief.

"I will stay here and serve the children in this village," continued John.

"Don't forget your ultimate goal, John!"

"I do not forget. However, now I understand very well that the children in this village need me."

"Not! You will never be accepted as part of the community in this village."

"Why not? They need someone like me, of course they will easily accept me."

"Don't care about the people of this village, care about your family. You don't know your boy friend's struggles for you to get training here."

"You mean Az?"

"According to you?" The old man asked back, then explained, "He is very stubborn. Begging me to be your coach. Previously he also did the same as you, but apparently he is not as strong as you. But I admit, that he is a very persistent figure. He tells about your little family, go! You must return to Indonesia with the knowledge you have gained so far. Come home with a life, not just a name. I'm sure you can do it, Alex."

John suddenly remembered everything. His initial intention was to hunt again and make him excited again to carry out his original goal.

John smiled, then he picked up his clothes again and was about to leave. Before he got too far from the place, the old man shouted at him, "Jack."

John's steps stopped. His lips curved into a faint smile. He turned around, then shouted, "Thanks, Jack!"

His shout was answered by a nod. John turned back and quickly left. With a passionate spirit, he jogged to get to his apartment. Please note, that the return journey is about five hours by car. However, at this time he chose to take it only on foot. There is no public transportation there, nor can he contact Azz because his cell phone had been damaged by Jack before.

*

"Defeat him, John!" Azz asked, patting John on the shoulder before the man stepped into the ring.

Two burly people stood opposite each other. Max looked at John with a row of teeth showing, brow furrowed, ready to beat his opponent. In contrast to John, he looked at Max with flat eyes.

Until the referee started signaling that the match had started, the two men had settled into their positions. John mounted a stance, while Max kept trying to attack. A few minutes after the fight started, John still showed no resistance. He continued to defend himself.

"Such a loser! What's the point of you fighting if you can't put up a fight?" Max tried to provoke John's emotional turmoil, but John remained calm.

John glanced at the audience seats, he gave a short smile, then said, "Oh yeah?"

From that moment John began to fight back. The steps are no longer backwards. Step by step he started to approach Max. blow after blow he threw. Because Max had previously dealt an attack, therefore he was less than optimal in providing resistance. His energy is drained. The situation turned around. John was getting more and more powerful.

He hit his opponent's face very hard. A thick red liquid dripped from Max's nose and smudges his lips. John began to give Max time to gather his strength again. Until they really pit power.

John picked up Max, then he slammed him down. He gave a constant punch. However, it didn't last long. When Max manages to paralyze John by attacking his leg. John fell. Just as he was about to stand up, Max kicked him in the stomach. He sat right on his stomach. Blow after blow was given to John.

When John had slumped limply, Max stood up and walked to the corner of the ring. He took a folding chair and stomped on John's stomach. The crowd cheered hysterically, Azz tried to get into the ring, but he was restrained by several people on guard. The referee didn't stop them, he kept buying time so the game wasn't stopped.

"Wake up, John, wake up!" Aziz shouted. "Eliminate him!"