Chapter 2
Kazuma stands staring at the sky, full of determination.
Kazuma (shouting):
I'll get stronger... to kill you, brother Jin!
He clenches his fists tightly.
Kazuma:
Brother, if you kill me, it's better than living in this pain.
Trainer Ten sits on a rock, eyes fixed on Kazuma, who looks broken.
Ten's eyes are brown, wearing a green hat, green hair, black shirt with a light blue cloak, and white pants.
Ten (loudly):
Revenge won't help you... you must be better than him. Don't let him change who you are.
Kazuma turns his head to Ten.
Kazuma:
I need power... I'm nothing compared to my brother.
Ten nods, tipping his hat.
Ten:
Don't use power to destroy yourself.
Kazuma:
Just give me the power... I'll handle the rest.
Ten sighs and stands up.
Ten (muttering):
I have no way to convince him...
Ten (loudly):
Do you know what inner energy is?
Kazuma:
No... please explain.
Ten:
We living beings have energy called Shin.
Kazuma:
Sh... Shin?!
Ten:
Yes. Shin strengthens your body beyond normal strength. It has levels I don't fully understand.
Kazuma:
How do I find Shin?
Ten laughs.
Ten:
That's the big question no one can answer. It's mysterious.
Ten:
My uncle once told me Shin has four gates. The first is normal, but the others are double-edged swords.
Kazuma:
So, Shin is both a blessing and a curse?
Ten (serious):
Exactly. Open those gates only when necessary.
Kazuma:
Train me to use it.
Ten:
To open it, you must meditate. Shin's center is in the brain. When opened, it spreads energy through your body.
Kazuma sits cross-legged, slowly closing his eyes, focusing intensely.
Kazuma:
My journey starts here.
His eyes tremble but he loses focus and opens them, angry.
Ten:
You failed to open it.
Kazuma:
Anger controls me.
Ten:
Clear your mind. Empty it.
Kazuma (softly):
Okay, I'll try.
He closes his eyes again, concentrating.
Kazuma (to himself):
Forget everything. Focus. Focus.
A voice echoes behind him:
Impossible to win... A weak boy in a cruel world can't survive.
Kazuma (angrily muttering):
Shut up! Don't speak as if you know me.
Suddenly, a flashback four years ago.
Night, dark and frightening. Inside Kazuma's house.
Nine-year-old Kazuma stands by the stairs, eyes wide in shock, wearing blue pajamas.
Facing him is eleven-year-old Jin, with a grim face, wearing dark clothes and a black mask.
Blood covers the room like water. Kazuma's father's mangled corpse lies on the floor, unbearable to look at.
Kazuma:
W-who are you?!
Jin stays silent.
Kazuma (shouting):
Speak! When my brother sees you, he'll put you in your place!
Jin slowly removes his mask, revealing his face.
Kazuma feels an emotional shock.
Kazuma (stepping back, terrified):
B-brother, why did you do this?!
Jin (calm, sharp):
How long will you stay weak... brother?
Kazuma is stunned.
Tears flood down Jin's face like a storm.
Jin:
Hate me... hate me... I'm sorry.
Kazuma's lips tremble, face pale.
Kazuma:
How could your heart let you?
Jin lowers his head.
Jin:
I'm just a normal man... no need for explanation... I walk a dark path.
Kazuma closes his eyes, tears streaming.
Jin:
Kill me... life's no longer for me.
Jin, with cold charisma, says:
I'll let you live... you're still young.
Kazuma:
Even if you leave me... my soul has withered.
If you kill me... I don't want to fight... don't want to be your enemy.
Jin walks away.
Jin (thinking):
Forgive me... I walk a path fat
e chose.
Kazuma clutches his chest, lips shaking, eyes trembling, and lets out a scream shaking earth and stone:
Kazuma:
Brotherrrrrr! I'll show you!