"You Can't Stop Me," the Black Belt Sneered — Then the Dojo Doors Locked

Master Kaelen did not shout, nor did he rush forward in a panic. He simply locked eyes with his senior student, Kenji, who was standing quietly near the entrance. Kaelen gave a single, almost imperceptible nod. Kenji reached out and pulled a hidden, heavy iron lever on the wall. A loud, mechanical groan echoed through the building, vibrating in the floorboards. The massive, reinforced oak doors of the dojo slid shut with a thunderous SLAM. Immediately after, heavy iron deadbolts clicked into place with a sickening finality. The only exit was now completely sealed. The sudden shift in the atmosphere was palpable. The ambient street noise from outside vanished, leaving a heavy, suffocating silence. Marcus paused, his hand still resting on the katana, suddenly realizing that the dynamic of the room had just shifted completely.