[Round Two] Simple Life

[Zorolo]

Whoosh!

The loud sound of running water filled the island's river basin as the waterfall continued to pour down from the high plateau. The water running over the high cliff face rushed down with all speed, setting apart the rocky wall and the small lake and forest below. The high trees and green leaves, existing in a spring climate, set this island as a good place for a person to get away. And the beaches at the edges of the island were empty.

The Highland wasn't inhabited by anyone; more of a small a small island in the middle of nowhere, but a good place for someone to run away from their problems. The warm climate, source of fresh water, lumber and food made this island ideal for a traveler. Although, no traveler would willing come here.

Only one person came to this abandoned island: warriors, who set off for this land to train. Even so, this island had become pretty much a private resort for those warriors who came there, since the rumor was that any warriors that were together there went mad and fought until one could fight on no longer. That doesn't mean they always fought to the death, since some returned with stories of the cursed island, but still, there were those who set off to find it; determined to get stronger, those people would find the island, even at the cost of sanity and possible death.

Still, the rumors far and wide still spread to the ears of those who listened. All who were actively trying to become stronger came to this island, and all who left were stronger then when they came. Even so, the island made its decision long ago: one warrior, one champion.

Swish!

Leaves swept through the air, followed by what seemed to be a breeze. There was silence as the strange, low set current continued to rush through the trees. The breeze, in reality, was moving the other direction, so what was it that seemed to move fast like the wind through the forest. The only sign was the heavy sound of feet thumping against the ground as a figure rushed through the forest.

Crunch!

Chips of bark and splinters flew into the air as a fist crushed into a very large tree. A massive indent in the tree showed the extreme training of the man that had come out here. Sweat dripped down his chin and onto the ground; blood trailed down his fist that had crushed the tree; still, a content smile formed over his lips.

The dark haired man pulled back his fist, looking at the damaged knuckles. The enhanced human shook his hand out quickly and roundhouse kicked the tree he had just punched, creating a massive indent in it. The modern fencer's leg shattered the tree about halfway around his leg. His calf was fully covered by the broken tree, and the dark clad man pulled his leg back. His smile faded as he looked at the great tree.

"I'm not strong enough," he stated, recalling his battle with Heishuro and Harvy. If he couldn't beat a pair of weaklings like that, how could he defeat mightier foes. Namely, the green haired "hero" Zorlo. The only way it could be done is if the bounty hunter got stronger, and at least he could now create good sized dents in the tree. He'd need to get stronger to hope to do real damage though.

The former assassin wore not but tattered pants, his kevlar vest, and the bandages that bound his arms. Torn, scraped, cut, slashed and ripped flesh littered his arms, but no scars and barely any wounds remained the morning after each of his intense training days. His body's enhanced system made it hard for him to be hurt with minor things for too long, but he had yet to push his body to its limit. He didn't need training; he needed a real fight.

Monroe walked back towards his camp, or what he called a camp. His jacket had provided a good blanket; his gun and bullets proved a useful tool for hunting, although he had used up them all already; the fencer's sword lay against a tree, waiting to be used. Aside from that, he kept only his knife on him during his training, to help with his more savage hunting style now. Actually having to capture his food had proved to be tricky, but it was a good work out. Now all he needed was a real challenge... at least until his food finished cooking.