I've killed.
I've died.
And yet I'm still standing.
Jin stands in front of the castle, His father, Sanzou, standing beside him. A crowd in front of them.
His grandfather, Moritan, is giving a speech talking about the rebirth of Jin and Sanzou to rehabilitate and serve the people once again.
Moritan steps off the stand and looks at Jin.
"Well, Jin, would you like to say something for you and your dad?"
Jin steps up to the podium; he is completely calm. Memories of his gang and many other delinquents standing before him.
The screaming, the blood, the gore, the terror that rained through those nights, flooded through him.
"I am Kuroryu Jin. I may not have been seen as one of you. I may not be seen as a royal, but I have a mission. I will succeed in it. This world will change for the better."
Jin turns from the podium, walking away towards the castle.
Jin doesn't flinch. He walks forward, not toward cheers, not away from jeers, but into the silence only the future can offer.
Moritan walks up to Jin in the castle.
"I plan to send you to the school in about a day since school starts in two days."
"Wouldn't you want me there sooner, not to miss school? You know, because of travel time."
"Who said anything about travel time?" Moritan smirked, already halfway down the corridor. "We don't use roads in the Dragon Empire."
Moritan walks away towards his study.
Jin turns and walks up the stairs, running into a woman.
The two stare at each other for a moment.
Suddenly, the woman screams.
"My demons are coming for me!"
"I'M NOT A DAMN DEMON," Jin yells angrily, his mind reverting to when the Knight Theon accused him.
The woman stopped, her mouth dropped in awe.
"Does that mean you're the real Jin?"
Jin stares at her, unsure of how to assess the situation.
"I am Kuroryu Jin."
The woman's eyes widen in fear as he says his name.
"N-no! First, that wretched man returns! Now you're here!"
Suddenly, a hand lands on Jin's shoulder.
Jin looks over, seeing his dad, Sanzou.
"Let her scream," Sanzou says quietly. "She screamed the same when they banished you."
"I see you've finally met our son, Mrs Annya," Sanzou says with a small smirk.
Jin walks forward to Annya.
"My mother. How disappointing. Seems like I haunt your dreams," Jin says in a monotone, disappointed voice.
"You only say that because I had you banished!"
"That's exactly right. You abandoned your son. You are truly vile. Worse than any criminal I have faced."
Jin walks away towards his temporary room on the third floor.
My mother?
How could that woman be my mother?
That pathetic excuse of a woman was the one my father chose before banishment. Disgusting!
Jin grabs the handle of his. He pushes the door open.
Inside his room is a lousy bed and a dresser. On his bed is a suitcase of Dragon Spirit clothing Moritan brought to Jin for the upcoming trip and school he is to attend.
Jin walks into the room, closing the door behind him.
Jin folds a few shirts, placing them in his suitcase. He then moves the suitcase across the room into a small wooden chair in the corner.
How did you do it, Mori?
How were you so good while being around me?
How did I make a hero?
Jin grabs the lighter he found in his old shirt that he took off Mori.
"I can't believe I remembered to grab this."
Jin ignites the end, showing flames before putting it out.
"I'll make a better world, Mori. A world you would love."