"In this world, strength is not a gift… it is the price you pay to stay alive."
"Kara is the vital energy that flows through everything. Some shape it to create, others to destroy… but all depend on it to survive."
"When the breath of Kara fades, the heart stops beating, and the soul disappears into the eternal shadow."
The night was clear and cold over the city of Goma. The moonlight cast sharp shadows across the alleys, turning the city into a labyrinth of black and silver.
Cornered against a brick wall, a young couple trembled, their faces pale with terror. Before them, two massive silhouettes delighted in their fear. Kageyami. Their Black Kara pulsed faintly, an aura of death beginning to thicken.
Woman (pleading):
— Please… leave us… we have nothing…
One of the Kageyami let out a hoarse laugh, his fingers stretching into black claws.
— We don't want your belongings. We want your screams.
Just as he was about to strike, a calm and sharp voice echoed from the rooftops.
— Celestial Kara… Thousand-Blade Whirlwind.
A figure plunged from the sky, a silver flash enveloped in a cyclone of pure Kara blades. The movement was so fast, so precise, that it was merely a flash of light and steel. The two Kageyami were sliced instantly, their bodies collapsing heavily onto the pavement without even a cry.
The assailant landed softly, the sound of his boots barely audible. He approached the body of one of the Kageyami, grabbed his hair, and lifted his lifeless head. The harsh moonlight finally revealed his face.
It was Raizen.
His gaze was hard, cold, devoid of the old fear. He let the head drop, which hit the ground with a dull thud. He turned to the couple, still paralyzed with fear.
Raizen (in a neutral voice):
— Go home. Don't tell anyone.
Without a backward glance, he took off. With a powerful push, he leapt onto the wall, then onto the roof, beginning his long run toward Kazemori. The city of Goma passed beneath him, a checkerboard of lights and shadows.
(Raizen's inner narration begins, paced with his run.)
One year. It's already been a year since that night. A year since Ashley's blood spilled on this ground. A year since everything changed.
He jumped from roof to roof, his movements fluid, almost instinctive. Every step, every leap was the result of endless repetition.
We stopped counting the days. We just trained. Until we vomited. Until our bones screamed. Adams pushed us beyond our limits, and we demanded more. The pain of training was softer than the pain of memories.
He left the last rooftops of Goma, plunging into the dark forest separating the cities. His speed did not falter, his feet finding footing on thick branches with feline agility.
We are no longer Luminaires. We passed the test. We are Astroforges now. Danky, Diana, and I. We carry out missions. "Cleanups," as they call them. Killing Kageyami before they do more damage. It has become our routine. Our new normal.
The silhouette of the Zenith sanctuary, hidden deep in the mountains near Kazemori, finally appeared on the horizon. We are stronger. Faster. But I sometimes wonder… have we become better? Or just… more efficient at killing?
He arrived at the sanctuary's outskirts, his run stopping as abruptly as it had begun. The question lingered, floating in the cool night air.
Raizen crossed the sanctuary's invisible barrier and headed toward the common hall. The large room, usually lively, was quiet at this late hour. Only a few lanterns lit the space. He was not the first to return.
Seated at a table, Diana Kurogami meticulously cleaned a small ice dagger, which did not melt despite the room's relative warmth. She looked up as he arrived. Her face, still gentle, had gained a new confidence.
Diana Kurogami:
— Goma?
Raizen:
— Two Kageyami. Weak. And you?
Diana Kurogami:
— The pass of the northern mountain. Three. Nothing serious.
Their exchange was brief, factual. The camaraderie was still there, but deeper, more silent. They no longer needed many words.
The door opened again, letting in Danky Norland. He yawned loudly, stretching his arms.
Danky Norland:
— Done for tonight. I chased one of those pests to the outskirts of Seiran. He was fast, that one.
He sat heavily next to Diana, grabbing an apple from a basket. His impulsiveness was still there, but it was channeled, less explosive.
They remained silent for a moment, savoring this brief moment of calm. Three survivors. Three Astroforges. A family forged in blood and tragedy.
The door of the common hall opened again, but this time, it was not a hurried Zenith, but Hana. She paused at the threshold, a steaming tray of tea in her hands, and gave them a warm smile, one of those capable of pushing back the shadows.
Hana:
— I saw you come back. I thought you might need this.
She set the tray on the table. The soothing scent of tea filled the room. She sat with them, her gaze passing from one to the other with undisguised pride.
Hana:
— So, it's over. Your basic training with Adams is officially finished. You survived.
Danky let out a small laugh.
Danky Norland:
— "Survived" is the right word. I thought he was going to kill us a good hundred times.
Diana Kurogami:
— He was tough, but… he was fair. We owe him a lot.
Raizen simply nodded, taking a cup of tea. Silence returned, but it was different. Less serene. Heavier. Hana sensed it immediately.
Hana:
— However…
The three heads turned to her.
Hana (her smile fading slightly):
— Given the increasingly frequent attacks, and… everything that has happened, your mentors have made a decision. They believe your training as a unit is complete. It is time for you to return to them, to complete your training individually and in a specialized way.
A freezing silence fell over the table. The idea of separating, after spending a year rebuilding together, was like a cold shower. Danky's gaze lost its spark, Diana's clouded with sadness, and Raizen gripped his cup tighter, his face closing.
They had become a unit. A family. And now, they were being asked to separate.
Seeing their reaction, Hana placed her hand on Diana's, her voice softening.
Hana:
— Hey, this isn't goodbye. You will always be a team. But Takashi has to teach you strategy, Raizen. Duck must help Danky channel that incredible power. And Emma will guide Diana so she can master both her Kara without exhausting herself. This is the next step. It's necessary.
She looked at each of them in turn, a mischievous smile returning to her lips.
Hana:
— And then, despite the distance, you can still meet here from time to time… for healing.
She paused, her gaze turning mockingly stern.
Hana:
— But no serious cases, alright? I've done enough with you three to last me the next ten years.
A small smile finally broke through on Diana's face. Danky let out an amused growl, and even Raizen gave a nearly imperceptible smirk.
The bond that united them was stronger than just a training team. And even separated, they knew they would meet again. The Way of Kara was long, but they would never walk it alone again.
Next scene…
The soft glow of the moon reflected on the surface of the hot spring, whose steam rose in lazy swirls into the cool air.
Hana was already immersed in the water, eyes closed, savoring this rare moment of calm. The sound of light footsteps made her smile before she even opened her eyes.
Diana Kurogami appeared, a simple towel wrapped around her. She untied it silently and placed it on a rock before slipping into the hot water with a sigh of relief.
Diana Kurogami:
— You're already here.
Hana:
— Yeah. And it took you a while to join me.
Diana didn't reply, simply letting the warmth envelop her. But her silence was heavy.
(Flashback)
The scene shifts. We are in Diana's room, just after Hana told them about their separation. The room is simple, decorated with care. Diana sits on her bed, holding a small wooden frame in her hands.
The photo inside is slightly yellowed with time. It shows a much younger Diana, perhaps ten or eleven, a bright smile on her face, her eyes sparkling with joy. Next to her stands a tall, protective young man.
His face is hidden by backlighting or the angle of the photo, but his posture exudes a calm strength. His hand rests on little Diana's head, a gesture full of tender affection.
(Return to the hot spring)
A single tear rolls down Diana's cheek and falls into the hot water, creating a tiny ripple. Hana, watching her, gently placed a hand on her shoulder.
Hana:
— Hey… why are you crying?
Diana quickly wiped her cheek, slightly embarrassed.
— No, it's nothing… just…
Hana (soft but firm voice):
— Come on, follow me. I thought I'd give it to you tomorrow before your departure, but… come, follow me.
Hana stepped out of the water without further explanation. Surprised, Diana followed, wrapping herself quickly in her towel. They crossed the silent corridors of the sanctuary to Hana's room.
The room was filled with scrolls, medical books, and dried plants. Hana went to a small wooden dresser and took out a lacquered box. She opened it and took out a carefully sealed letter.
Hana:
— Here. It's from your brother.
Diana's eyes widened. She took the letter with slightly trembling hands, as if holding a fragile treasure. She broke the seal and began to read.
Hi, my little Diana,
What am I saying, you've surely grown into a strong woman. I hope you're doing well… I heard that you became an Astroforge. I just wanted to say I'm super happy for you, you did amazing… and I sincerely apologize for not being able to be there for your promotion ceremony. I'm really sorry, but from what I heard, you're handling everything really well.
I promise to come back soon, and we can make up for the time we missed these past three years.
Signed,
Ryo Kurogami, your brother who loves you dearly.
The words were simple, almost awkward, but full of sincere affection. Reading the last line, Diana couldn't hold back her tears. They flowed freely down her cheeks—not tears of sadness, but a mix of joy, longing, and relief. Hana stayed by her side silently, offering comforting presence.
Final scene…
The night was deep. Far from the sanctuary's bustle, in an isolated clearing in the bamboo forest, silence reigned. The full moon cast silver light over the large rock at the center, its many scars bearing witness to past battles.
Danky Norland stood before it, motionless. He wasn't training. He was just observing the stone, lost in thought, his breath forming faint clouds in the cold air.
The crack of a branch broke the silence. Danky didn't even flinch.
A figure appeared at the edge of the clearing, slightly out of breath.
Raizen Vithar:
— I knew you'd be here.
Danky didn't turn. His gaze stayed fixed on the rock.
Danky Norland:
— Remember our first meeting? At the hot spring.
Raizen approached, a slight embarrassed smile on his lips.
Raizen Vithar:
— Yeah. How could I forget a day like that? I thought I was going to die of shame.
Danky Norland (letting out a small laugh):
— I was the one who almost died. I thought I'd be alone, and then I stumble on a naked guy and a screaming girl. I thought I'd fallen into some weird ambush.
They fell silent for a moment, the amusing memory floating between them. Then Danky finally turned, his expression more serious.
Danky Norland:
— We're going to be separated.
Raizen Vithar:
— Yeah.
Danky Norland:
— It's going to feel weird. No one around to tell me I snore.
Raizen Vithar:
— And no one to eat all the skewers.
They smiled at each other. It was no longer the arrogant smile from the beginning, nor the forced smirk of a survivor. It was a sincere smile, that of two brothers-in-arms who had walked through hell together.
Raizen stepped forward, his face turning serious.
Raizen Vithar:
— I made you a promise, Danky. That night, in the warehouse. I promised I would become stronger. But it's more than that now. Know that you can always count on me. No matter where we are.
He extended his hand.
Danky looked at the outstretched hand, then at Raizen's face. He saw the same determination reflected in his own. He nodded slowly.
Danky Norland:
— I know. Me too, Raizen.
He shook Raizen's hand. A firm, solid handshake. A silent promise. They were no longer just teammates, nor even friends. They were brothers.
Under the moonlight, amidst the silent bamboo, they sealed a pact. No matter what the Way of Kara had in store for them, they would never be alone again.
END OF CHAPTER 11
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