Cobra Kai: Under the Cobra Emblem

"Come on, Max! Hit his nose, go for the nose!"

"Max, you're about to win. Keep it up!"

"Max, get up, damn it! If you win, we'll be champions. We'll be champions!"

"Max!"

Max abruptly opened his eyes and sat up on the couch, taking a series of deep breaths to steady the pounding of his heart in his chest. For a moment, he felt disoriented.

He had dreamed again.

This time, he was reliving a cage fight, facing one of the men who had killed his parents. In the dream, he was battling to the death, desperate to end his tragic story with his own hands, driving his fists into the murderer's face until the man begged for mercy.

Ever since he'd confirmed the death of one of the killers, this recurring dream had haunted him—a vision of a fight he yearned to have, one that consumed his every waking thought.

To help him cope, Chozen had taught Max various methods to find calm. Among these were techniques involving deep breathing, clenched teeth, and embracing silence to shape tranquility.

Chozen had once shared his wisdom, saying that many people find ways to forgive and move on. Max, however, wasn't there yet. He knew he needed to forge a new path among his friends, but for now, he was here—preparing to attend a party where he might end up fighting.

He wasn't satisfied with his current life. There was more to achieve, more to commit to.

While he'd met incredible people along the way, he believed he had an obligation he couldn't abandon.

Deciding to clear his mind, Max walked along the beach. After some time, he reached a busier area teeming with tourists.

His presence didn't go unnoticed. His strong build, scattered tattoos, distinctive hairstyle, and completely blind left eye drew curious glances from the crowd.

Some women seemed interested in talking to him, but the air of seriousness surrounding Max extinguished any potential interactions before they began.

It was a little past six in the evening. While many beachgoers were heading home, others continued their celebrations.

Max, who had covered about five kilometers, found himself running at some point without realizing when he'd started.

As he passed the public pier, he heard the sound of something slicing through the wind, followed by excited shouts. These weren't cries of alarm but of someone training.

Running along the pier, Max spotted a young woman in athletic shorts wielding a long wooden staff. Her movements were precise and impressive, reminiscent of martial arts katas performed by someone well-trained.

She wasn't an amateur—Max could feel it.

Her chocolate-brown hair, with hints of a warm chestnut hue, added personality to her striking appearance. Noticing Max watching her, she smiled and called out.

"Impressed?"

"Quite. Are you practicing your kata?" Max slowed his pace, waving casually. "I feel like I've seen you somewhere before, but I can't remember where."

"That depends. I'm Zara Malik."

"I'm Max Jones."

Zara's smile grew wider. "You're the one they call The Cyclops. I've heard a lot about you, but I never got the chance to face your martial arts school."

Max's expression turned thoughtful. "Do you live in China?"

"Where else would I have seen you? Although most of the time, whenever my martial arts school coincided with yours, you ended up being expelled for excessive violence." Zara clearly knew Max, even if he couldn't recall her.

Regardless, Max shifted the topic. "Are you here just for vacation?"

"No, some of the brands that sponsor me required my presence here for a few collaborations," Zara said, fixing her gaze on Max, who couldn't tell if there was something on his face or if this girl was after something else.

Before parting, Zara asked for a photo. Unsure how to refuse, Max agreed.

"Guys, look who I bumped into, the famous Cyclops!" Zara recorded a video for her social media. "We're in the U.S. for some collaborations, and, surprisingly, I ran into a renowned fighter known for winning major tournaments."

Feeling awkward, Max forced a smile and waved at the camera.

"Sorry about that," Zara said, putting away her phone. "I had to document it since we might not cross paths again. By the way, are you attending tonight's party?"

"Yeah, I wouldn't miss it," Max replied.

Zara grinned. "Then I'll see you there."

As Zara walked away, Max murmured to himself, "Do I really have fans?"