Kumite: Darkness

At the very moment he’s overwhelmed by grief and guilt, 14-year-old Chris Kelly finds himself mysteriously thrust into the virtual world of his martial arts video game Kumite. Pain is quickly replaced by confusion when Power, the game controller, forces him to compete.

Although Chris excels at playing Kumite on his computer, it’s entirely different when the challenges are real. He has no idea how to fight, plus Laster, his favorite game fighter and teammate, turns out to be arrogant and impatient. To make them a stronger team, a skeptical Laster reluctantly agrees to train the boy. The game resumes, but doesn’t go well. And it’s only at Laster’s encouragement that Chris uses some unique non-fighting moves of his own that allow them to win the competition.

Chris and Laster form an unlikely friendship, and the virtual fighter decides to help the human boy return home. They escape the game realm, prompting Power to send his army of cyberninjas and a deadly terminator after them. Suddenly, the challenges they face are not about scoring game points but instead staying alive — even as they enter the human world.

This immersive odyssey of self-discovery, set in fantastical realms with incredible adventures, follows a troubled boy on an unexpected journey that allows him to find his courage, forgiveness, and a much-needed brother.