"Everybody makes choices… right choices… and wrong ones…
But the most painful of them all… are the right choices we make knowing the consequences.
And even when the tragedy comes, we still wish we didn't know what was 'right'…"
Shinitshi leaps from tree to tree, moving like a shadow under the sun. On his back, Diana clings tightly, her purple hair whipping in the wind.
Diana: "ARE YOU INSANE?! We're going to d!e before reaching Aetheria!"
Shinitshi: "I didn't allow you to speak. And I'm trained to do this — perfectly."
Diana: "Okay, okay! What about a tiny break?"
Shinitshi: "No time for breaks."
Diana: "But… I have to do some… 'girl stuff'!"
Shinitshi (face turning red): "No. Talking."
Diana (thinking): "Ugh… he's smarter than he looks."
Meanwhile, in the Hidden Chamber of Shoryu
The Great Master, his deep voice echoing off stone walls, sits before the Four Legendary Guardians.
Great Master: "Still no word from the boy…"
Takemaru: "I'm sure he completed the mission, Master."
Hayato (tall, black hair swaying like shadow): "You're only saying that because he's your favorite. Let me handle the princess — and the traitor."
Reika (short black hair streaked with white, eyes cold): "Adorable. I love watching you two bark at each other."
Kaien (huge, silent, his head always lowered): (Slams his fist on the table, making it shake.)
Great Master: "SILENCE. I have a better idea. We'll send Jin and his unit — one hundred trained men. If this princess truly overpowered Takemaru's boy, then maybe she's worth fearing. And if Jin fails… each of you will go. One by one. I will not let that foolish Queen of Aetheria play games with me."
All Four Guardians (in unison): "As you command."
Back at the Training Arena
Lisa (spinning her chained blade overhead): "Let's begin!"
She charges forward, blade dancing like silver lightning.
Kenta sidesteps with practiced ease, sweat on his brow but calm in his eyes.
Kenta: "Not bad… for someone who still ties her boots wrong!"
Yozuriha, gripping her massive Shorikin, roars and swings toward Kenta's neck.
Kenta ducks low, rolls under, and kicks her back, the giant blade crashing into the ground.
Lisa strikes again, her chain flashing through the air.
Kenta catches the chain on one sword, twisting his wrist to redirect it, then lunges at Lisa with the other blade.
Tenma leaps in, kunai spread between his fingers, barely blocking the attack.
Tenma: "Hyaah!"
Yozuriha recovers and hurls the Shorikin like a cannonball.
Kenta pivots, catching it mid-flight with a powerful sword strike, stopping its deadly spin.
The shock distracts Tenma for a heartbeat — enough time for Kenta to punch him across the face. Tenma crumples, kunai scattering like fallen leaves.
Lisa gasps, tries one last desperate attack, but Kenta knocks her blade aside.
Silence falls. All three students are on the ground, breathless and stunned.
Kenta (smiling, catching his breath): "Wow… you three gave me a good workout."
They look up, confused but impressed.
Kenta: "Shinitshi usually beats the crap out of me. Jin's always on missions. The rest? Useless. But you three… you've got potential. This is just the beginning. With me as your Master, you can become as strong as me! Or, you know… maybe slightly weaker. Anyway… we'll work hard together from now on — for the future of our kingdom!"
All three (in unison, finally respectful): "Yes, Master!"
Kenta pauses, a faint, hopeful smile on his face.
In his mind: "The future of the kingdom…"
He thinks of Shinitshi, worry creeping into his heart.
Back in the forest
Diana (playful, trying to break the silence): "So… how old are you?"
Shinitshi: (Silent)
Diana: "Too old? Too young?"
Shinitshi: "What the—"
Diana: "I was joking! Lighten up!"
Shinitshi: (Covers her mouth to silence her, eyes narrowing.)
A figure steps out from the shadows — tall, scarred, mustached, and wearing the mark of the Shoryu: Jin.
Shinitshi: "Jin?! What are you doing here?"
Jin: "That's what I should ask. You're the one carrying a magical outsider."
Shinitshi: "It's not what it looks like."
Jin: "Tell that to the Great Master."
Shinitshi: "I'm not—"
Jin: "Surrender… or both of you pay the price."
Shinitshi glances back at Diana. Her eyes are wide, terrified.
In his mind: No. Not her.
Jin: "What did you just say?"
Shinitshi (voice rising): "NO! She didn't hurt anyone. I didn't betray anyone!"
Jin: "I expected better from you."
Shinitshi: "You can't defeat me, Jin."
Jin: "Maybe not alone. But I've got an entire squad on the way. Do you really think you can protect her and fight all of us?"
In his mind: No hesitation… no turning back… I finish what I started.
FLASHBACK
Young Shinitshi kneels before Master Takemaru.
Young Shinitshi: "One day… I'll be a Legendary Guardian too! Like you!"
Takemaru (soft smile fading): "Just remember, Shinitshi… don't let your emotions guide you. Our duty is above all else."
Back in the present
Shinitshi (low): "Stay behind me."
Diana (voice shaking): "Whatever you say…"
Jin lunges forward. Swords clash. The forest explodes with ringing steel and flying sparks.
Jin: "You're a disgrace!"
Shinitshi counters, moving faster than thought.
Jin: "What would Master Takemaru say now?!"
Shinitshi's eyes tremble. His heart clenches.
Jin: "You were his greatest failure!"
Rage burns through Shinitshi's chest. In one ruthless motion, his blade lands a fatal blow. Jin's head falls. Blood splashes across leaves and stone.
Diana stares, mouth open, unable to speak.
Another ninja leaps at her from behind — Shinitshi spins, blade flashing — another body drops.
More ninjas appear between the trees, eyes cold and merciless.
Shinitshi steps forward, face darkening. Blade in hand, he becomes a blur.
Steel, blood, and memories. One by one, familiar faces fall at his feet.
Breath ragged, he pauses — drenched in blood, shadows and guilt clinging to him like chains.
Then — a scream tears through the forest.
Shinitshi (thinking): "Too far… I'm not fast enough… I—"
He sprints, heart pounding. In the clearing, a final ninja swings his blade toward Diana.
Purple magic bursts from Diana's hands, blasting the attacker back.
Shinitshi arrives a second later, finishes him without mercy.
In his mind: "Why was I afraid? Why am I… still here?"
He turns to Diana, face twisting with rage and grief. His bloodstained hand wraps around her neck — squeezing, trembling.
The End of Chapter 3: "Lessons and Tragedies"
Next Chapter: "Past Sins… Future Sins"