The very next day, Kiana and Zyqnax resumed their training, this time focusing on close combat techniques. They moved with practiced finesse, their bodies flowing through the familiar motions of martial arts.
Kanji, observing their dedication to training, decided to strike a conversation. He asked them a question that would allow them to reflect on their aspirations.
"Have you both ever thought about what you want to be when you grow up?"
Kiana and Zyqnax both paused, their movements momentarily stilled as they considered the question. They exchanged glances, then Kiana spoke up first, her eyes filled with determination.
"I want to become stronger," she said firmly. "Stronger, so I can protect those I care about."
Zyqnax nodded in agreement, her own conviction evident in her voice. "I want the same," she said. "I want to become strong enough to defend our home the Mountain and everyone on it, including you, Master"
Kanji chuckled, a twinkle in his eye as he responded, "One day, perhaps one of my students might even surpass myself. It would be a testament to the quality of my teachings and the potential within those who are determined enough."
Kiana and Zyqnax looked at each other, both inspired by Kanji's words. They knew the journey towards surpassing their master would be arduous, but they were determined to push themselves to their limits.
In the realm of hell, a child was born to a noble demon, a child of both noble demon and divine origin. This child, a unique blend of the two worlds, could sense the presence of both bloodlines coursing through its veins.
The demoness mother of the child was terrified at the sight of her son, a boy born with both demonic and angelic powers coursing through his being. She had heard tales of such children in the past, beings with the potential to bring either great destruction or salvation.
The demoness' heart was torn. She knew that if she didn't kill her own son, the child's potential for destruction could be catastrophic. But at the same time, even contemplating killing an innocent child filled her with a mixture of fear and guilt, for if she were caught, it could mean her own execution.
The child, feeling his mother's distress, could sense the turmoil in her thoughts. His small, innocent eyes met hers, filled with a mixture of confusion and fear. Even at such a young age, he seemed to understand the gravity of the situation, the weight of the decision that lay before his mother.
For four long years, the child was abandoned, left to wander the demon realm alone after witnessing his own mother's demise by his own hands. Scarred by the event, left with a physical mark on his chest, he had no one to turn to and began to explore the realm of hell on his own.
As the child stumbled into Kanji while traversing the realm of hell, the nearby demons froze in their tracks, fear evident in their eyes as they gazed upon the human. The child, oblivious to who Kanji was, felt puzzled by the reactions of the demons around them.
The child, now face to face with Kanji, studied the human before him. His small frame, a testament to his early years, exuded a mixture of curiosity and caution. After a moment of silence, he finally spoke up, his voice quiet yet inquisitive.
"Who are you?"
As Kanji laid his gaze upon the child, he could distinctly discern a unique energy emanating from him. It was a potent mix of both sinner and saint. In response to the child's question, Kanji answered, "My name is Kanji."
Then, turning the question back to the child, he asked curiously, "And what might be your name, young one?"
The child looked up at Kanji, his eyes filled with a mixture of intrigue and caution. "I.. I don't have a name," he replied, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability. "No one ever gave me one. I'm just... me."
The child shook his head, a hint of sadness in his eyes. "No, I have no one," he confessed, his voice laced with a tinge of loneliness. "I've been on my own for as long as I can remember."
Kanji spoke with conviction, his tone reflecting his belief in the child's potential. "I can see a great potential within you," he said, his gaze fixed firmly on the child. "It would be a shame to let it go to waste. If you agree, I can take you to the human world and train you."
The child's eyes widened with a mixture of surprise and curiosity. The offer Kanji presented suddenly piqued his interest. "Human world?" he echoed, the words sounding foreign yet hopeful to his ears. "And you want to train me?"
The child's eyes shimmered with a mixture of hope and uncertainty. He looked at Kanji, considering the offer being presented to him.
After a moment of internal contemplation, he finally spoke up, his voice filled with determination. "I... I accept your offer," he said, his small frame tensing with anticipation.
Kanji, hearing the child's acceptance, smiled warmly, his eyes holding a hint of affection as he gave him a name.
"Then I shall call you 'Zero'," Kanji said, the name rolling off his tongue with a sense of destiny.
Zero, hearing his new name, repeated it softly, feeling a sense of identity he hadn't experienced before. He nodded, accepting the name Kanji had given him.
Over the course of ten long years, Zero immersed himself in rigorous training under Kanji's guidance. Under his tutelage, he honed his martial arts skills through guidance from both Kiana and Zyqnax. His innate supernatural abilities, too, underwent refinement and control, with Kanji guiding him in mastering his magic powers. The once-frail boy who had stumbled through the realms of hell now stood tall, a paragon of strength and resilience.
As a token of gratitude and respect, Zero gifted his master a remarkable gift: one hundred new disciples from the nearby villages. These chosen individuals were to work and train within the confines of the temple, an offering of dedication and loyalty. Kanji was touched by this gesture of appreciation from his student, the number of new disciples symbolizing the bond and trust that had grown between them.
Kanji stood there, a fond smile gracing his features as he gazed at the trio before him—Kiana, Zyqnax, and Zero. The years had witnessed their growth under his guidance, each one of them transforming into exceptional individuals in their own right.
"Look at you all," Kanji said, a hint of pride in his voice. "You've come a long way."
Next chapter "Embodiment of darkness and the ruler of death"