Yu couldn't continue his training for a long time due to his decayed, battered body. He was filled with scars and injuries that surpassed even the master's abilities. The master tended to him diligently every day. While Yu lay lifeless in his bed, Tadashi would narrate to him what he had achieved; the voice wouldn't release him: 'failure, weak Yu, Yu who can't match Tadashi's level.' Yu didn't have the strength to speak; he just lay there lifelessly. He was a failure, the voice was right, he was weak; he cried inside. With his hand, which he struggled to raise, he reached out for the moon he imagined, but the moon was moving away from him, and his arm fell back onto the bed.
---
Years passed by. The master entered the room; Yu was sitting in bed, still covered in bandages, marks of wounds. The voice that once lingered in Yu's mind had faded away; he couldn't remember it. "Yu, you're awake, TADASHI, YU'S AWAKE!" Tadashi rushed into the room, his matured physique distinct even beneath the traditional attire. He sat next to his brother, "brother," he hugged him tightly. Yu was expressionless; his mind was filled with thoughts of Tadashi's progress, while he himself remained far behind. "You finally got up, Yu, you've been through something truly unfortunate." Yu could remember some of what had happened, lifting the water, but how did he end up hurting himself like that? His mind easily found an answer to that question: he was a failure. "Yu, I know you've just recovered, but it's almost time for you to inherit the legacy; you need to continue your training." Yu stood up, nodded without looking at Tadashi, and left the room. Tadashi felt sorry for him.
---
Yu was working alongside the master, while on the other side, Tadashi worked alone. He had perfected the art by now, surpassing even the master's talents. When Yu looked at him, he felt his own inadequacy more. Was it envy, self-hatred, or anger? He had silently witnessed Tadashi's every success. Tadashi would say to him, "My brother, I'm starting to do perfect work like you," and finally, "My brother, I've reached the level of our master." These sentences never left Yu's mind.
---
The day to pass on the legacy had arrived; Yu had improved, his wounds gradually fading away. Yu didn't know how he felt about Tadashi. "Yes, the protectors of the sacred balance, that day has finally arrived," the master smiled tearfully. "Yes, master." Tadashi kneeled and stood in a sign of respect; seeing this, Yu, with a lifeless spirit, also kneeled and said, "Yes, master." "Before the ceremony, Yu, I need to talk to you," said the master. Yu turned to the master, waited for a moment, pondered on what he was going to say, then stopped thinking about it, and nodded in agreement. Tadashi understood that it was a private matter and left the room. "Yu, you know you'll become the harbinger of death, the owner of Shi, cleansing the darkness." "Yes, master." "There is another difficulty in cleansing this darkness, which is the reason why Shi-sama doesn't trust humans. The swords carry and store the emotions of each owner; your sword annihilated the darkness to cleanse it, to kill evil. Annihilation, killing, these are the works of darkness, but Shi-sama used this power for the darkness and is our ancestors' legacy. I'm telling you this now so that you mature enough and understand what I mean. Do you understand what I mean, Yu?" "Yes, master." These words meant nothing to Yu; he left through the door and made his way to the ceremonial area.
The surroundings were festive; the festival was in the grand stadium. The stadium was filled with statues of Shi and Katsu. People cheered for the two inheritors in the stadium, waving small figures. Tadashi was enthusiastic, but Yu felt nothing. He hadn't imagined the moment of reaching the former dream of grandeur like this.
"YES, GIVE A WELCOME TO OUR TWO NEW GUARDIANS: TADASHI, THE OWNER OF KATSU; YU, THE OWNER OF SHI!" Everyone began to shout. "YU AND TADASHI ARE OUR GUARDIANS!" Tadashi was proud of himself. "Now, come, children, and take over the swords from the previous chosen ones." On both sides of the master, chosen ones appeared; both knelt down and offered the swords to their new owners. Both were aged; it was time for them to pass on this duty to the new generation. "Come, children, and take them." Tadashi proudly started walking towards his sword, while Yu slowly started to move his feet. 'It's time for rising,' Yu felt fully alive; his emotions had never soared like this. 'Go and take that sword, my friend.' Friend? Yu pondered but had no time to think about it; he had to take the sword. The two brothers walked and took the sword into their hands, raising it high in the air.
"YES, HONORABLE CHOSEN ONES, DO YOU SWEAR TO CARRY OUT YOUR DUTIES FAITHFULLY?" "WE DO!" they shouted, both radiating joy to the people, but Yu heard nothing; as he made the oath, his mind reset, the film strip came back. This time, the strip was filled with many deaths, the villains killed by their ancestors, there was blood, the blood of villains, and the film strip started showing the future, more blood, the blood of his brother, Tadashi's blood. 'Tadashi cannot surpass you, Yu, you can't allow that,' Yu clearly understood the feeling he had towards his brother at that moment: envy. 'Claim the power, be the pride of your father, Yu, you don't have to be miserable anymore,' the flow of his inner spirit was falling into darkness. 'Be the lofty god you desire.' Yu understood what he had to do, 'ASCEND.' Tadashi noticed his brother's state, "YU, ARE YOU OKAY?" He placed his hand on his brother's shoulder; Yu's eyes opened, "I am the owner of Shi." His brother noticed the sword coming from the side towards his abdomen but didn't stop his brother, "SHI." The sword cut half of Tadashi's abdomen, leaving him hanging on the blade covered in blood. Yu grabbed the sword from Tadashi's weakening hand with his other hand and slashed his brother's abdomen from the remaining side, "KATSU." As Tadashi's upper body fell to the ground, the last expression on his face was a smile directed at his brother...