The sun crested the horizon, its light falling lightly across Cosmo’s cheek. He opened his eyes with a start. The open-air jungle dormitory was empty. He had slept in again. Dreading the cane on the palms of his hands or souls of his feet, he leapt out of bed and bolted toward the wild banana grove where the master often taught.

Across an open field, he saw the rest of the students kicking the trunks of banana trees. As he neared, he realized his master was sitting cross-legged high up in a tree—supported by nothing more than a banana leaf and thin air. Cosmo slowed his approach.

Temporarily forgetting the potential punishment for sleeping in, he stared up at his master. “How are you doing that?”

The master responded without shifting his gaze. “Obey every word of my teaching, and I will open up to you all the powers of the black arts.”

A shiver ran down Cosmo’s spine. Risking further punishment, he spoke again. “If you please, I prefer only to learn techniques for combat.”

“Very well. Beneath the big banana tree, in deep horse stance, begin with 1,000 repetitions of Yin and Yang circular waves.”

Obediently, Cosmo trotted off and began the work. The clean air strengthened him with every breath. Eyes closed, he progressed through the repetitions.

Always synchronized with the earth, he never rushed his movements. He allowed his body to flow at its own pace. The stronger he became, the quicker that pace. The quicker the pace, the more power he delivered without sacrificing balance.

Immune to the heat and separate from fatigue, he repeated the Yin and Yang motions for half an hour. Only the count remained in his thoughts—the single reminder his mind and body remained connected. One Thousand.

He lowered his arms and held them at his waist, elbows bent, fingers loose. He straightened his knees and opened his eyes.

“Now a lesson in combat, as you wish.” His master handed him a bamboo stick. “Attack me at full speed.”

Cosmo whipped the stick at his master’s head.

Before Cosmo could register the movements, his master had dodged to the side, stepped forward and knocked Cosmo to the ground. “Again.”

Cosmo rose to his feet. Gripping the stick, he repeated the same motion more quickly.

Not even bothering to dodge, the master extended both hands into Cosmo’s solar plexus. The power of the blow lifted Cosmo off the ground and stole his breath. He hadn’t come close to landing a blow.

“Now that you know how not to strike, practice how to strike correctly.”

For the next hour, Cosmo practiced by himself. At noon, the master requested Cosmo kick down the banana trunk and carry it to the dorm for the midday meal. Cut up and mixed with Naga spices and steamed rice, the trunk provided food enough for everyone.

Days later, Cosmo accompanied his master into the city for medicine and cooking oil. From across the street, a rival gang recognized Cosmo. Of course the gang failed to recognize the strength of the old man, and the depth of the training he had imparted to his student.

The gang leader closed in on Cosmo. Swinging a chain with lethal force, his initial attack nicked Cosmo’s ear.

Outnumbered and unarmed, Cosmo eliminated the gang leader with a double strike to his groin and throat.

As the second attacker bore down on Cosmo with an arm-length section of pipe, his master cried out, “Take the bar!”

Without a second thought, Cosmo struck the attacker in the eyes and seized the pipe. Gripping it in both hands, Cosmo spun into the attacker, elbowed him in the face and wrenched the pipe out of his hands.

He checked on his master, only to discover he had snatched a bar himself. Together, the two of them used the sections of pipe like swords—applying a basic Thaing offense. After they dropped a half-dozen attackers, the remainder turned and fled.

Cosmo scanned the gang members lying on the ground to ensure none of them were a threat. In the distance he spotted several police. Ignoring the cries and groans of the fallen thugs, Cosmo and his teacher ducked behind the nearest store and disappeared into the jungle.

They would have to return the next day for medicine and oil.