The sun had begun to dip towards the horizon as the Hexarith carriage moved slowly along a quiet mountain path, surrounded by thick trees. Ken was at the reins, while the others sat in silence, still thinking about the oath they had sworn. But that silence didn't last long…
Ann (glancing at Akio curiously):
"By the way… we know a lot about Ken-san and Nyoro, but Akio… we barely know anything about you. Where are you from?"
Koto (raising an eyebrow):
"That's true… You just popped up one day with a dream to become the Shogun, but we never heard anything about your real family."
Steve (looking at him half-lidded while lying down):
"And why hasn't anyone come looking for you all this time? You're not just some random kid…"
Akio (smiling faintly as he looks out the window):
"Because I never knew them in the first place."
Everyone turned to look at him.
Akio:
"I never knew who my real parents were. When I was a baby, I was left on the doorstep of a small home in the Zetara Empire. It belonged to a man named Vanco and his wife Akane. They lived a simple life and had a daughter three years older than me named Murasaki. They took me in and raised me like their own… I never once felt like an outsider. When I was six, my mother passed away from illness, but we got through it together."
Ann (softly):
"So, you have a sister?"
Akio (smiling nostalgically):
"Yeah, Murasaki is my adoptive sister, but she's closer to me than anything else. She always scolded me… and protected me at the same time. The strange thing is, my dad Vanco used to say… that ever since I came into the house, lightning had become more frequent in the village."
Nyoro (raising an eyebrow):
"Lightning?"
Akio (his gaze becoming more serious):
"Yeah… thunder never left the sky. Even on clear nights, there would be sudden flashes like something was searching for me. I always felt something moving inside me… a power I didn't understand."
Ken (quietly):
"When did it all really start?"
Akio (his voice deepening):
"When I turned nine… I was running alone through the forest on a rainy day, and suddenly… a bolt of lightning struck me directly."
Koto (in shock):
"So your Vakin awakened from a real lightning strike?! By pure chance too!"
Akio (looking at his palm):
"Yeah. It was like the lightning was drawn to me out of everything around. I thought I was going to burn… or die. But instead of pain… I felt a strange warmth, like my body absorbed it all. When I opened my eyes… I was in the hospital. But strangely, there were no burn marks. Instead… the Vakin had awakened."
⸻
[Flashback – Location: Zetara Empire – Akio, Age 8]
In a small village surrounded by mountains, inside a traditional Japanese-style home, loud yelling filled the space—not from fighting, but from pure excitement and joy.
Vanco (a man in his 30s with purple hair and brown eyes, shouting joyfully):
"Akiooo! The soufflé is ready!! Come quickly before it gets cold!!"
Akio (his eyes sparkling):
"Aaaaaaaah!!! The love of my life has arrived!!!"
Akio pounced onto the table like he was about to seize a treasure. He sat beside Vanco, both of them holding spoons and eating greedily.
Vanco (talking with his mouth full):
"Remember, my boy! A real man is measured by how many soufflés he can devour without crying!"
Akio (proudly):
"I ate seven yesterday! And today I'll break the record and reach eight!"
Murasaki (entering the kitchen — an eleven-year-old girl with long tied pink hair and violet eyes, her face full of rage):
"You idiots… Did you eat my food again?! And who spilled cocoa on the cat?!"
Akio + Vanco (raising their hands in unison):
"The cat started it!"
Murasaki sighed, then grabbed a broom and chased them as they ran through the house laughing and screaming like children.
Akio (voiceover during the flashback):
"Back then… I didn't have a dream. I didn't want to be a Shogun, or a hero. I just… wanted to live forever with them. Eating soufflé and running from Murasaki's broom…"
⸻
[Back to the present]
Akio (his gaze softens, a nostalgic smile on his lips):
"But life didn't allow that."
Ann (gently):
"They were your real family… even if not by blood."
Akio (nodding lightly):
"Exactly… and I owe them everything I am. Anyway, I left home more than two months ago… My dad Vanco said it was time for my own journey. Said he was tired of cleaning up all the messes I cause."
Steve (light sarcasm):
"Sounds like he got rid of you before you destroyed the house completely."
Akio (laughing softly):
"Maybe. But truth is… I wanted to find myself. To find something that makes me worthy. I joined a combat school… but honestly? It was boring. No one fought with spirit. No one even dreamed of becoming the Shogun like I did."
A moment of silence fell before Akira's distinct voice rang out.
Akira (resting his arms behind his head):
"I just had a brilliant idea… Why don't we go to the Zetara Empire? Isn't that the old empire untouched by technology? Its borders are just southwest of Darkova."
Ann (eyes widening):
"You're saying this just to meet Akio's family?"
Akira (winking with a sly laugh):
"Of course! We're a team—we should know each other's roots, right?"
Steve (raising a brow):
"Oh, Akira… don't lie to yourself. We all know the real reason."
Akira (raising a finger):
"I have a strong feeling Murasaki… has grown into a beautiful young lady. She's what, 17 now? That's the prime of beauty! Maybe she has friends? Maybe… a whole village of girls with Akio's genes?"
Koto (facepalming):
"Oh my god… We're seriously traveling with a teenage pervert."
Akio (suddenly frowning and leaning forward):
"Huh?! Did you just say… Murasaki?!"
Akira (with a fake innocent grin):
"Yeah, yeah. Just imagine! A 17-year-old girl—what kind of beauty must she have?"
Akio (suddenly standing, flailing his arms):
"She's my sister, you moron!!! Don't talk about her like that!"
Akira (mockingly raising his brows):
"Oh, so you're the possessive type? Does that mean no one's even allowed to look at her?"
Akio (climbing onto the seat to reach him):
"Exactly! And if you so much as glance at her, I'll zap you to ashes! Got that?!"
Koto (teasingly):
"Akira, brace yourself… I think the lightning's starting to crackle around Akio."
Akira (pointing at Akio):
"Whoa, whoa, calm down! No need for lightning, I was just kidding! Murasaki's your sister, and I'm a man who respects family."
Akio (shouting stubbornly):
"You don't even respect yourself!"
Akira (raising his hands in surrender):
"Alright, alright, I swear I won't talk about your sister again… at least not in front of you."
Akio (lunging at him):
"Get over here, you bastard!!"
Ken (from the front seat, sounding exhausted):
"If you two don't sit down in three seconds… I'm throwing you both off the carriage."
Ann (laughing while holding Koto's hand):
"Oh, I love these dumb moments… they make us feel like a crazy family."
Koto (smiling):
"A weird family… but a real one."
Akio finally calmed down and sat, glaring at Akira with mock anger, while Akira just chuckled and winked. Amid all the laughter and noise, Nyoro noticed that Ken hadn't joined the conversation. He was still staring ahead at the road, his grey eyes heavy with fatigue. His hands were still on the Azurite crystal, but his breathing had slowed.
Nyoro (quietly, moving closer):
"Ken… are you okay?"
Ken (without looking at him):
"I'm fine."
Nyoro (with a serious look):
"You haven't rested since the attack… You fought, then drove like a machine. That's enough. Let me take over."
Akio (turning after hearing them):
"Nyoro's right. Take a break, Ken. We all burned out back there, but you haven't stopped for a second."
Koto (supportively):
"And I'll keep an eye on Nyoro. Don't worry—he won't crash us into a mountain."
Nyoro (firmly looking at Ken):
"I'm not asking for a favor. I just want to take responsibility… this time."
Ken paused for a moment, then sighed and slowly lifted his hand from the Azurite. The blue glow dimmed. He silently stood and moved toward the back seats, where he leaned against the wooden wall of the carriage and slowly closed his eyes.
Ken (glancing at Nyoro with one eye before drifting off): "Don't do anything reckless, Nyoro."
Nyoro (with a faint smile as he takes his seat): "I'll try not to burn the wheel."
The Hexarith carriage began moving again, powered by Nyoro's Vakin. It was weaker than Ken's fiery energy, but still enough to carry them smoothly. Everyone fell silent for a moment, as if they had just realized how Ken had silently endured exhaustion the whole way—for their sake.
Steve (watching the road): "Our next destination… Zetara, right?"
Ann (excitedly): "Yes! We're finally going somewhere completely new!"
Akio (leaning on the front seat's rail): "Zetara… where my story began…"
Akira (with a mischievous grin): "And where I'll find some cute girls."
Nyoro (calmly): "Let's hope Zetara is worth the trip."
And so, the Hexarith carriage rolled southward, leaving behind the ashes of battle…
In the back, Ken was fast asleep, his chest rising and falling gently, his face tilted slightly to the side, peaceful and striking in his slumber. Ann sat across from him, resting her chin on her hand, silently gazing at him.
Ann (internally, her cheeks flushing): "Ugh… even asleep he looks like a prince out of a novel! Those lashes… that mysterious aura, even now! Damn it, why is my heart racing like this? I'm just… just watching him!"
Her heart beat faster and faster, her eyes gleaming with the wild obsession of a teenage crush.
Ann (murmuring softly): "No way… How can he be this handsome? Oh my god, what if he wakes up and smiles at me?! I'd die!"
Her mind wandered into a ridiculous daydream—Ken slowly opening his eyes, smiling gently, and whispering, "I was dreaming about you." Then he'd take her hand and kiss it!
Ann (shaking her head violently, whispering): "Stop!! This is insane! Just breathe, just breathe!"
But instead of calming down, her body grew more anxious… then suddenly, strangely, as she stared at him in awe—she slowly leaned forward.
"Fllooop!"
She fell right on top of him!
Her head landed on his shoulder, and her arm sprawled across his chest, as if her body had surrendered completely to Ken's aura.
Ann (frozen, whispering): "Noooooooooooo!!!"
But Ken didn't move. He was too exhausted to stir.
Ann remained frozen against him, her body trembling as every cell in her brain screamed "GET UP!!!"
But she just… couldn't.
Ann (screaming inside): "Is this real?! I'm lying on top of Ken?! Ken-saaaaaaan?!!"
Across from them, Koto watched the scene with quiet amusement before covering her mouth to hold back a laugh.
Koto (whispering): "She's officially dead."
Ann slowly lifted her trembling hand and touched Ken's fiery red hair—it was unexpectedly soft.
Ann (whispering, running her fingers through it): "I can't believe this… even your hair is perfect, Ken-san."
She smiled faintly, then gently lowered her hand and placed it on top of his relaxed left hand.
Ann (softly, her eyes tearing up): "Your hand is warm… just like your heart, even if you try to hide it all the time… Ken-san…"
She remained still, holding his hand in silence… her gaze fixed on his sleeping face.
But her smile faded. Her expression changed—sorrow took over her features, her lips trembling. Without resistance… a single tear fell down her cheek.
Ann (whispering in a broken voice): "Ken-san… you're not okay, are you?"
Another tear followed.
Ann (continuing, voice shaking): "We all laugh, fight, dream… but you just stay quiet… like you're fighting a thousand battles alone, without asking anyone for help."
She tried to wipe her tears quickly, but her trembling hand couldn't hide them fast enough.
Ann: "I see you, Ken-san… even if you don't look at me, I see the pain you carry in silence…"
She gripped his hand tighter, then closed her eyes as she cried quietly.
Ann (barely audible): "If only you knew… how much I wish I could be part of your world, even just a little…"
Koto, sitting across from her, was the only one who noticed everything.
She looked at Ann crying silently on Ken's shoulder, her eyes filled with quiet sorrow.
She said nothing for several seconds… then finally sighed softly, lowering her gaze before speaking with a calm but firm voice.
Koto (low but clear): "You're not the only one who sees what's inside him, Ann."
Ann lifted her head quickly, flustered and red-faced, but said nothing.
Koto (looking at her deeply): "I know that kind of pain… because I've been there. Yoko and I… we lost everything in the same war that stole his family. But he doesn't need pity, or someone to fix him…
He needs someone who accepts him, who truly sees him."
She paused… then leaned forward and opened her arms without hesitation.
Koto (calm but resolute): "Come here."
Ann hesitated for a moment… then lunged into Koto's embrace like she had finally found shelter after a storm.
Koto hugged her tightly and tenderly—something rare for her tough personality.
Ann remained in her arms, crying silently…
Ken continued sleeping in the adjacent seat, unaware, but the corner of his brow twitched slightly…
⸻
[Flashback – Years ago, one week after Ken's family died]
On the outskirts of Orakano Island, in a quiet house surrounded by trees, the sky heavy with dark clouds, rain began to fall heavily.
There, old man Laud stood beside one of the bedroom doors, staring at the new child in his life.
Ken—fiery red hair, somber gray eyes—was still only eight years old. Small, but his gaze carried a weight far beyond his years.
Since he had arrived at Laud's home a week ago, he had barely spoken… he didn't smile, didn't laugh, not even cry.
He just sat quietly in his new room, staring at the wall.
The house was modern and cozy, with warm cream-colored walls and neatly arranged furniture.
But in Ken's room… nothing felt alive—except silence.
He sat on the bed, legs dangling, shoulders slouched, his eyes blank as if staring into a past he couldn't escape.
Laud (from behind the door, in a gentle voice): "Dinner's ready, son… you shouldn't leave your stomach empty, even if you're not hungry."
There was no reply. Laud sighed and walked away slowly, not wanting to pressure the boy.
Ken remained alone in the room, haunted by memories…
The blood, the fire, the scream of his brother, the sight of their bodies—
His mother, his sister.
His father's final whisper: "Avenge…"
Laud returned to the kitchen and carefully placed a bowl of warm soup on the table.
He stood there for a while, watching the steam rise slowly… but the worry gnawed at his heart.
He turned quietly and made his way back to Ken's room. The door was slightly ajar.
He stood behind it silently, watching without making a sound.
Inside… Ken was holding a photograph—its edges torn, but clearly precious.
A picture of his family.
Though the technology wasn't advanced enough, a craftsman with a Vakin that froze moments in time had taken that photo months ago.
His mother was smiling, his little sister Emily stood beside her… Dan stood proudly next to him, and his father was in the back, hand resting on Ken's shoulder.
They were all there…
Ken (whispering so quietly it could barely be heard): "Why…? Why did you leave me alone? Where did you go? How am I supposed to live now? I don't even know how to breathe… without you…"
Tears began falling slowly from his eyes, but he didn't sob.
He clutched the photo tightly, his fingers trembling, his eyes locked on the frozen faces.
Ken (voice cracking further): "I don't want anything from this world anymore…
Nothing in it… looks like you."
His breathing became unsteady, trying not to break…
But the pain was too much.
Suddenly—
Ken (shouting with a trembling voice): "I wish I had died instead!!!"
His cry echoed through the room.
It wasn't just words—it was his soul bleeding out.
Laud, who had been standing behind the door, froze in place…
Ken (screaming, his eyes flooding with tears):
"If only that bullet had entered my head… instead of Dan's…! If only… I hadn't gone outside that day, I would've died with them! I should've died!!!"
He collapsed to his knees, tears still pouring from his eyes.
Ken (in a tearful voice):
"I hate myself… I hate being alive… I hate this world…"
Laud couldn't take it anymore. He opened the door and stepped in with heavy steps. He approached Ken, knelt beside him, and opened his arms—
as if the old man's heart had shattered too.
Laud (crying as he embraced him):
"Don't say that… don't do this to yourself, my boy…"
He held him tightly to his chest, as if his embrace alone could keep the child from breaking further. And Laud wept—the strong, wise old man with a mysterious past… cried for the first time in many years, because he saw a small boy dying from within without a single visible wound.
He knew… Ken was just another victim of this cruel world.
Laud (whispering in a broken voice):
"If I could… I would've taken that bullet instead… Just don't hate yourself, Ken… please…"
In that moment, the hug spoke louder than any language could.
And Ken knew Laud wasn't just a man who saved him…
He had become his family.
Laud's embrace was warm… but not enough to calm the fire beginning to burn in Ken's chest.
He cried hard… but little by little… his expression began to change.
The sound of his weeping shifted from broken pain…
to furious rage.
And from between his ragged sobs… came a voice filled with anger.
Ken (whispering through clenched teeth):
"Cirrus…"
Laud (looking at him, in a quiet voice):
"Ken…?"
Ken (trembling, wiping his tears with his arm):
"Cirrus did this… He's the one who destroyed everything…"
Ken punched the bed with his small fist, then raised his head,
tears blending with the fire burning in his gray eyes.
Ken (screaming so loud it shook the walls):
"I'LL KILL YOU!!!"
He jumped from Laud's arms and stood violently beside the bed,
his fists clenched, breath ragged, his small body trembling but firm.
It was the first time he had screamed since losing his family—
but it wasn't just a scream of pain…
It was a scream of a vow.
Ken (shouting from his very core):
"I'll make Cirrus pay!! I'll tear down his throne, burn his kingdom, make him feel everything I felt!! I'll never forgive him… EVER!!!"
It wasn't just a child's anger…
It was the birth of something else—
A deadly purpose born from the ruins.
Laud (in pain, rising slowly):
"Ken… I know that anger… I know it well… Just don't let it control you."
But Ken didn't respond.
He stood in the shadows, eyes staring into nothing—
But inside, he saw a clear image:
Those other gray eyes…
That wild red hair…
And the smile of a man who killed an entire family—
No, hundreds of families.
Then without thinking, Ken raised his left hand forward—
"Fsshhhhhh…"
A strange heat gathered in his palm.
His skin began to glow with a fiery orange light.
Then, in a single moment…
A small spark burst into the air…
And a tiny fireball formed between his fingers—
spinning slowly, flaring and fading.
Ken (whispering as he stared at the fire):
"I… won't be weak anymore."
Laud froze in place, his eyes slowly widening.
Laud (shocked):
"What is that…? Fire?! Ken… do you have Vakin?!"
Laud stepped forward slowly, sweat dripping from his forehead—
not from fear… but from sheer surprise.
Laud (studying Ken's features):
"Your red hair… I thought it was just a color…
But now… now I understand."
He moved closer, staring at the fire still glowing in Ken's palm.
Laud (gazing at the flame, eyes narrowing):
"This… isn't just fire…
This is Yukaji fire."
Ken slowly turned his face, looking at Laud with eyes emptied of all innocence.
Ken (in a low voice):
"My father told me before he died… He said I carry their blood… and that my uncle, Cirrus…
He's the one who killed them all."
Ken stared at his flaming palm, then looked up toward the ceiling.
Ken (trying to stop crying):
"I'll train every day…
I'll become stronger than I've ever been…
I won't cry again…
I won't be a burden to anyone…
And I'll stand against him…
Even if the world burns around me."
He suddenly clenched his fist—
and the fireball vanished,
as if obeying an internal command.
Laud was silent for a moment, then exhaled deeply as if releasing the weight of a hundred mountains.
He walked slowly to Ken, sat on the ground in front of him, and looked up into his eyes.
Laud (in a deep, calm voice):
"I've seen many things in my life, Ken…
Friends who died, families torn apart…
And fires no different from yours—
fires that burned villages… and hearts."
He paused briefly, then pointed a finger at Ken.
Laud:
"But strength alone doesn't make a boy a man…
What truly makes you…
is what you do with that strength…
and how you control it—
not the other way around."
Ken remained silent,
but his eyes watched Laud with focus.
Laud (with a sad smile):
"I was a samurai in my youth…
Fought in many battles…
Made more mistakes than I can count…
But I survived.
And maybe I was meant to live to this day…
to teach you what I never taught anyone else."
Suddenly, his voice changed in tone, and he stood up.
Laud (firmly):
"Starting tomorrow, your training begins…
Here in the garden, at sunrise.
I'll teach you how to use a sword,
how to control your fire,
and how to become a real samurai—
not just an angry child seeking revenge."
Ken looked at him slowly,
and in his eyes… there was something like hope.
He nodded quietly.
Ken (whispering):
"I want to learn…
I want to be strong enough…
to protect myself…
and to burn his name from this world."
Laud (walking away with a smile):
"Then be ready…
The life of a samurai spares no one who's lazy."
The flames faded from the room…
But what ignited that night—
was the first spark in Ken's heart…
a spark that would not die
until he faced his destiny.
To be continued…