"In a world full of shadows, even the smallest light can become a threat. But maybe you aren't a shadow, Aki. Maybe you're the light we need." – Kichiro Hiraoka
A faint beeping sound echoed. Aki opened his eyes. Everything was bright. The boy was lying in a white hospital bed. As he slowly sat up, a voice spoke next to him. "Ah, you're awake. The fight against Tatsuo was quite exhausting, wasn't it?" When the boy turned, he saw Yamato, looking at him with a slight smile. "Tatsuo? Oh, right..." In his fight against Tatsuo in the final round of the entrance exam, Aki and Tatsuo had knocked each other out simultaneously. Now, he was waking up for the first time since then. "Wait a minute... Which one of us passed?" Yamato grinned. He had expected that question. "To answer that, I'll have to elaborate a bit. Let's talk about your module."
Moonfang Arc
Lockpick
Chapter 8 – Key and Lock
Aki sat across from Yamato on a chair. He was eager to find out what was behind his module. "So... I'll keep it brief. Your module is a demon." There was a moment of silence. Aki couldn't believe what he had just heard. "Normally, a module is made up of its user's soul. But in your case, that's not true. Your module is one of the few cases of a demonic module. Demonic modules are filled with dark and malicious energy. They often have their own will as well. These modules are created when demons of immense power are weakened by humans and then sealed. The most effective way is to seal a demon in a module, which then awakens in the soul of a random person instead of the actual module. Don't worry, the demon in your module is harmless and cannot escape. You can control the module normally, like any other. The problem is that people with evil intentions may target you."
Aki paused for a moment, thinking about what Yamato had just told him. "A demon…?" But it triggered his memory of the darkness, the throne, and the shadow he had seen when he awakened his module, Akuma. Yamato continued: "Now let's talk about how the exam went. According to standard Kenkai rules, it would have counted as a loss for both of you." The boy lowered his gaze. Had he really failed? But the man wasn't finished. "The problem is that with your demonic module, you need to be protected. If we let you fail, we'd be handing you over to those with dark intentions. We obviously can't do that. However, it would be unfair to let only you pass, so both of you passed this time. This decision comes directly from the leader of Kenkai." Tears welled up in Aki's eyes. Without thinking, he hugged Yamato. "You can't imagine how grateful I am!" After all, it was Aki's greatest dream to be accepted into the Sentinels. If he hadn't made it, he would have been left with an uncertain future. Yamato put his arm around the boy's back. "Speaking of the leader of Kenkai – he's giving a speech to the new Sentinels right now. You should hurry so you can still be there."
Yamato led the boy to Kenkai's main hall, where the successful Sentinels stood on stage. The man with the eyepatch nudged Aki's shoulder, showing him that he should also step onto the stage. Aki stood beside Shiroi, eager to see what was coming next. With the two boys were Miho, Maki, Ryoko, Kichiro, Aimi, and Tatsuo, all ready for what lay ahead. Shortly after, a man appeared. He wore a dark blue, almost violet robe that obscured his face. Despite his small stature, it was clear that he wasn't an insignificant figure. Even though he was slightly shorter than Shiroi, who stood at 170 centimeters, his body radiated power. It felt as if his presence alone could cause mountains to crumble. The hooded man stood before the Sentinels, who were lined up, and took the microphone that was already there. But before the mysterious man spoke, a familiar voice called out. "Good, before I hand things over to our leader, I'll say a few words to you. After all, you'll be under my command for the next year."
Aki was relieved to hear Yamato speak. Yamato was already familiar to him, and he had formed almost a fatherly bond with the man. "Let me introduce myself again: My name is Yamato Orochi. I am the leader of the Sentinels and a member of the Hidden Union. If you have any questions or concerns, I'm here for you. I'm also your go-to person if you have any problems, even if they don't involve your work with the Sentinels. Whether it's a disagreement with a comrade, an issue with your module, self-discovery problems, or even heartbreak, I'm here for it all. Now, I'll hand things over to our leader – head of the Hidden Union and master of Kenkai – Kei Hoshizora." With that, Yamato lowered the microphone and smiled at the Sentinels. The man in the hood raised the microphone to his mouth and began to speak: "Dear team of Kenkai and dear new Sentinels, I stand before you today, filled with pride and admiration for each one of you. You've gone through trials, overcome challenges, and surpassed yourselves. Your determination, your skills, and your courage have brought you here today."
Kei's voice was relatively high, suggesting he was around twenty years old. "You are the best and most promising talents we've had the honor of welcoming into our organization. The trials you passed were tough and ruthless, but they served a purpose: to prepare you for the responsibility and honor of being part of Kenkai. Each of you has proven in your own way that you have the qualities and potential to strengthen and protect Kenkai. You've shown that not only are you capable, but you're also ready to carry on our organization's legacy and protect the world from threats. Remember, your journey doesn't end here. It's only just beginning. You will continue to train, to grow, and to learn. As leader of Kenkai, I promise you that we will support, nurture, and challenge you to ensure you reach your full potential. In the coming days, you will meet your new teams and assignments. You will go on missions that will further test your abilities and spirit. But you won't do it alone. You will stand side by side with the best fighters and thinkers in the world – as part of the Kenkai family. Let us ensure that Kenkai remains a beacon of protection and hope. Let's work together to overcome every challenge and defeat every enemy. Welcome, new recruits. Welcome to Kenkai. May your journey be glorious and your deeds heroic."
After his short speech, Kei quietly stepped down from the stage and crouched in a corner next to Viktor. Then he muttered, "Too many people..." while Viktor patted the young leader on the head. Aki smiled briefly. Despite his high position, Kei was just human after all. Yamato took over again. "So, let's move on to the dormitory assignments. During the week, you'll sleep in the dorms, and on weekends, you can return to Kyoto if you want. Now, let me hand out the keys to your rooms." Aki was eager. He hoped he would be rooming with Shiroi or Kichiro. The one person he didn't want as a roommate was Tatsuo. Yamato pulled eight keys from his pocket – one for each of them – and began explaining the assignments: "Ryoko and Miho, you're in dorm 201. Maki and Aimi, you have number 378. Shiroi and Tatsuo, you're 117, and Aki and Kichiro, you'll be together in dorm 450. Now, please get your keys and head to your dorms. There are signs everywhere, so you'll know where to go."
The Sentinels left the hall, which was in a separate building, and went in all directions. Apparently, each pair lived in a completely different dorm. Aki and Kichiro followed the path leading to the dorms starting with number 4. Along the way, they passed a lake. "Pretty remote, huh?" Aki wanted to start a conversation with his new roommate. But Kichiro simply stopped. "Yes, on purpose." Aki also stopped and looked at the lake. "What do you mean by that?" Kichiro took off his cardigan and laid it on the ground. "You're Aki, the bearer of a demonic module and a potential threat to humanity. I, Kichiro Hiraoka, will personally judge you." Shocked, Aki turned to face Kichiro. "You can't be serious, right? I would never harm innocent people!" Kichiro didn't flinch. The man stretched out his right arm and called, "Come forth, Lockpick!" A large chain wrapped around the young man's body, ending in a large blade resembling the tip of a nail. As the young man stepped toward Aki, he shouted, "That's exactly what a mass murderer would say. Now die!"
Kichiro swung his spike. Aki quickly dodged to the side but was grazed on his left leg. As he got back up, the young Sentinel noticed something. Chains were wrapping around his left foot. Aki felt the cold chains coil tightly around his leg, rooting him to the spot. Every attempt to move his leg was thwarted by the metallic clinking and the iron grip of the chains. Kichiro stood a few meters away, his eyes glinting with determination. "You're a threat, Aki. I can't let you run free!" Kichiro shouted firmly, clutching his module, Lockpick, tightly. Aki stared in despair at his bound leg and tried to stay calm. He gripped the hilt of his sword and focused. A faint humming filled the air as he activated the "Red" attack. The blade of his sword began dissolving into a red, shimmering gas that surrounded him like a mist.
With a swift motion, Aki directed the gaseous sword toward his bound leg. The red, glowing gas enveloped the chains, corroding and weakening the metal. A hissing sound filled the air as the gas dissolved the chains, eventually breaking them apart. The shattered metal pieces clattered to the ground, and Aki quickly leaped back, creating distance between himself and Kichiro. Kichiro's expression briefly twisted in surprise at how fast Aki freed himself, but he wasn't deterred. With a smooth motion, he sent more chains shooting from his module, snaking through the air like metallic serpents, heading straight for Aki. Aki raised his sword again and called forth the "Blue" attack. An intense blue beam shot from the tip of his sword, striking the incoming chains head-on. The beam shattered some of the chains mid-air, but not all of them. Two chains wrapped around Aki's right hand and his left leg, pulling tight and binding him once more.
"You can't resist forever!" Kichiro shouted, yanking the chains, causing Aki to lose his balance and fall to the ground. Gritting his teeth, Aki focused on his sword again. Despite the restraints around his limbs, he gathered his remaining strength and reactivated the "Red" attack. The red, glowing gas poured from his sword, wrapping around the chains on his arm and leg. Under the corrosive effect of the gas, the chains dissolved once more, and Aki gracefully jumped to his feet. Without hesitation, Aki charged at Kichiro, holding his sword firmly in both hands. But Kichiro was prepared. With a swift motion, he swung his module, and a massive wall of interwoven chains rose before him, blocking the attack. Aki crashed against the chain barrier and was pushed back several steps. Kichiro seized the opportunity, spreading his arms as he activated a new technique from his module. The air around him began to shimmer as invisible barriers formed, creating a protective shield around him.
"You won't get through, no matter what you try," Kichiro said with icy calm. Aki was breathing heavily, but he didn't give up. He raised his sword again and activated the "Green" attack. A swirling green gas wrapped around the blade, pulsating with energy and producing a low hum in the air. With a powerful lunge, Aki thrust forward, aiming directly at Kichiro's shield. The mighty strike hit the invisible barrier, and for a moment, nothing seemed to happen. But then, the barrier began to crackle and flicker before shattering with a loud bang. Kichiro was thrown backward by the force of the attack, landing hard on the ground. A brief moment of silence followed before Kichiro groaned and pushed himself back up. A deep gash ran across his chest, oozing blood. But before the blood could flow further, Kichiro raised his module and passed it over the wound. Chains wrapped around the injury, sealing it temporarily and stopping the bleeding.
"Not bad, Aki. But it's not enough," Kichiro muttered as he stood fully upright again, his eyes now shining with even more resolve. Suddenly, his module began to glow intensely. The chains changed form and color, becoming thinner and sharper, while an additional component appeared: a massive silver key, adorned with intricate patterns, materialized in Kichiro's hand. "This is the true form of Lockpick – KEY!" Kichiro declared as he raised the key high. With a fluid motion, he sliced through the chains he had previously created, reshaping them into sharp projectiles, which he launched directly at Aki. Aki tried to dodge the attacks, but the speed and precision of the chain projectiles were overwhelming. One particularly strong strike hit the ground in front of Aki, sending chunks of concrete flying in all directions. The explosion hurled Aki several meters through the air before he landed hard on the surface of the lake. The water rippled beneath him, but surprisingly, Aki remained standing on the surface, sustained by the energy of his module. Kichiro followed, landing gracefully on the water, now facing Aki in the calm expanse of the lake.
The battle on the water began. Both fighters moved with impressive speed and grace across the water's surface, exchanging attacks. Aki used the "Blue" attack again, firing a powerful sword beam at Kichiro, who deflected it with his key and countered by shooting a series of chains from the water, trying to bind Aki from below. Aki leaped into the air to avoid the chains, activating the "Green" attack mid-flight. His blade, wrapped in swirling green energy, aimed directly at Kichiro from above. Kichiro crossed his key and chain to block the blow. The impact created a massive shockwave that split the water beneath them, sending waves crashing in every direction. Both were thrown back by the force but quickly regained their footing, preparing for the next strike. The fight was intense, and both fighters were beginning to show signs of exhaustion. In a final clash, both charged at each other. Aki activated both the "Red" and "Green" attacks simultaneously, causing his sword to be enveloped in a swirling mixture of red and green gas, dancing wildly around the blade. Kichiro channeled all his remaining energy into Lockpick-KEY, ready to put everything into this final strike.
When they collided, Aki's sword met Kichiro's key with such intensity that a blinding light erupted, engulfing both fighters in a shockwave that spread the water beneath them far apart. As the light faded, both stood panting, facing each other. Kichiro noticed that, despite the opportunity, Aki had deliberately avoided vital points. His strikes were precise but not lethal. A deep cut marked Kichiro's arm, but it was far from life-threatening. Aki slowly lowered his sword and looked at Kichiro with serious eyes. "I don't want to hurt you. I don't want to hurt anyone. Why are you so determined to fight me?" Kichiro breathed heavily and lowered his key. He looked into Aki's eyes and saw no malice, only sincerity and determination. Doubt gnawed at him, and he began to question his own motives. "Maybe... I was wrong," Kichiro murmured softly. "I thought you were a threat. But you had multiple chances to seriously injure or even kill me, and you didn't."
Aki nodded slowly. "Because I'm not a monster. I just want to find my own path and my place here." A moment of silence passed, interrupted only by the gentle splashing of the water around them. Finally, Kichiro extended his hand. "I'm sorry, Aki. Maybe we can start over." A relieved smile spread across Aki's face, and he took Kichiro's hand. "Sure. Let's bury the hatchet." The tension between them dissolved, and both let their modules disappear. Together, they made their way back to the shore, soaked and exhausted but with a newfound understanding of each other. As they continued on the path to their dorm, Kichiro broke the silence. "You know, that wasn't so bad after all. At least now we know each other's abilities." Aki chuckled softly. "True. Maybe next time we can train together instead of fighting each other." Kichiro smirked. "That sounds like a plan."
Finally, they reached dorm number 450. The building was simple yet inviting, surrounded by tall trees and overlooking the peaceful lake where they had just fought. When they opened the door to their room, they were greeted by a cozy space, furnished with two beds, desks, and a shared living area. Aki collapsed tiredly onto one of the beds and let out a deep sigh. "What a day," he remarked with an exhausted smile. Kichiro nodded in agreement and began taking off his wet clothes. "Tomorrow our training officially begins. We should rest and prepare for what's to come." Aki closed his eyes and reflected on the day's events. Despite the rocky start, he felt optimistic about the future. With new friends and challenges ahead, he couldn't wait to see what life as a Sentinel had in store for him. Kichiro cast one last glance out the window at the now peaceful lake and smiled slightly before turning off the light. "Goodnight, Aki." "Goodnight, Kichiro," Aki murmured back before falling into a deep sleep, ready for the adventures that the next day would bring.
Hey, everyone! The Sentinels have finally been accepted! In the next chapter, you'll get to see the daily life of the Sentinels before they head out on their first mission. Now the story truly begins!
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