Hikari no Hiro Part 2
God stood silently, peering into the endless void where Earth once existed. The stars shimmered in mourning. Beside Him, Titanus, draped in golden armor forged from celestial flame, stood with his divine wolves—Vanta, Umbra, and Sol—watching with unblinking eyes.
God's voice echoed through the hollow cosmos.
"Xzavier has failed, Titanus."
Titanus lowered his head solemnly.
"I know, my Lord. But I anticipated his failure. We now know where his path ends… so we can ensure it never ends that way again."
God narrowed His gaze at the war god. "So you wish for Me to rewind the life of a mortal?"
"I know it's a stretch," Titanus said, "but I guarantee… this time, he'll defeat Gimori."
A silence as vast as galaxies stretched between them. Then God raised His divine hand, spinning the threads of reality backward. Time unraveled until it stopped—on the night of Xzavier's birth.
Lowering His hand, God spoke softly, "I hope you know what you're doing, Titanus."
Titanus summoned Jiyū, the heavenly beast of liberation, who held the mighty Titan Blade between his teeth. Titanus knelt before the divine wolf.
"Seal yourself and the Titan Blade… inside Xzavier."
With a howl that shook the stars, Jiyū vanished in a flash of celestial fire.
---
Elsewhere in the Mortal Realm…
In the shadows of retirement, Aizashi Shishiroma had settled into a quieter life. Once a Warden of unmatched power, he'd abandoned duty for peace. He married Katherine Kunehane, a wielder of the Shadow Blade—weakest of the 11 Legendary Blades, but still revered. Her bloodline, the Kunehane Clan, stood on the brink of extinction, and Aizashi sought to protect what remained.
Fearing the growing might of Gimori, who had reclaimed his demonic palace and created a terrifying cult known as the Shadows of the Night, Aizashi left the capital and moved to a small village near the borders of the Nation of Akira. There, he lived with his wife, their first son Levine, and soon… their second child.
One peaceful night, Katherine gave birth.
"So beautiful…" she whispered, holding the baby.
"He really is," Aizashi said, smiling.
"What should we name him?"
Before he could answer, a young voice rang out.
"I have a name, Mommy!" said Levine.
Aizashi chuckled. "Go ahead, son."
"Let's name him… Xzavier."
Katherine beamed. "Xzavier Shishiroma… It's perfect."
But their joy was short-lived.
Screams. Fire. Explosions.
Aizashi rushed outside, flame blade in hand. Above the village, Gimori levitated—his demon blade glowing, his Aku no Eye flaring with malice. Flames engulfed the village behind him as he hovered toward their home.
Aizashi turned to his son. "Stay back, Levine."
Levine grabbed the Shadow Blade. "I want to help."
"No! He'll kill you without hesitation."
"I'd rather die protecting Mom and Xzavier than watch you fall!"
Aizashi stared, then nodded in grim pride. "Then fight with honor."
Father and son charged at Gimori. The skies cracked open as they clashed. Gimori's laughter echoed like thunder.
"I'll take those two blades whether you like it or not!"
Despite their strength, the demon lord's power was overwhelming. Meanwhile, Katherine limped away through the smoke, cradling baby Xzavier in a basket, making her way toward the Great Valley of Eidolon.
Gimori slashed down at Levine—but Aizashi intercepted it, blood spraying across the burning ground.
"Go!" he shouted, coughing. "Join your mother. Protect your brother!"
With hesitation and sorrow, Levine obeyed. Aizashi, on his last legs, threw the Flame Blade to his son as a final gift.
But it wasn't enough.
Gimori tore through Aizashi with a single strike.
Not long after, he caught up to Katherine, now weak and bleeding. Her final scream echoed into the night before she, too, was struck down.
Gimori reached for both sons.
But as his claws neared the basket, Xzavier screamed. A flash of divine fire burst forth.
Jiyū appeared, slamming Gimori back with a roar.
The beast grabbed the basket in its jaws and took flight, vanishing into the sky as Gimori's hand reached in vain.
"I'll find you…" Gimori growled. "I'll find you both."
---
The Great Lake of Eidolon
The wind was still. The moon hung low.
At the lake's edge, Sensei Gara sat meditating in solitude. Suddenly, a warm wind passed. The basket landed before him gently.
He opened it—and found the baby, glowing softly, comforted by the presence of Jiyū.
A letter rested atop the cloth inside the basket.
Sensei Gara read it.
By the time he finished, his expression had softened.
"So it begins again…" he whispered, lifting the child into his arms.
"Rest easy, Katherine. I will raise him well."
He rose, with Xzavier in his arms, and walked toward Sarutobi Academy—where destiny awaited.