The inn stood alone at the edge of a sleepy village, after days of relentless travel and training, we were finally able to rest in its humble quarters. The worn tatami mats and thin walls offered little in the way of comfort, but for warriors accustomed to hardship, it was more than enough.
Jin and Li were already asleep, their breathing steady in the darkness. But no matter how much I tried, sleep wouldn't come. My thoughts kept circling back to the recent training and the vision of my father that haunted my dreams. His stern gaze, his unspoken expectations—they weighed heavily on my heart. I couldn't let him down. Not again.
The ceiling felt like it was closing in, and before I knew it, I found myself slipping out of the room. I needed the night air to clear my head.
Outside, the moon sat high in the sky overlapped with stars, casting a pale light over the village. The silence was calming, and for a moment, I felt a rare sense of peace. But that moment was shattered by the sound of harsh laughter and panicked cries coming from an alley.
I followed the noise, heart pounding as I crept closer to a small clearing, illuminated by moonlight, I saw them—a gang of five thugs surrounding two terrified villagers. One of the thugs, a burly man with a scar lining down his eye , held a rusted sword against the neck of an elderly man, who was shielding a young woman behind him.
"Hand over your daughter and anything of value," the scarred man said, his voice leaking with malice. "Do it quick, and we might show some mercy."
Rage surged through me. My father had taught me that the strong protect the weak, and I wasn't about to stand by and watch these people suffer. I stepped out from the shadows, hand resting on the hilt of my blade.
"Enough, Fools." I yelled out, voice calm and demanding.
The thugs turned to face me, their expressions shifting from surprise to amusement. The leader sneered, eyes staring over my build. "Another wannabe hero. I've seen plenty like you—think you're some kind of samurai, huh? You're outnumbered, boy. Walk away before I change my mind, brat."
I didn't respond. Instead, I let the Spirit Kenki rise within me, focusing on the energy that had become more familiar over these weeks of training. The air grew heavier as I drew my sword, and the world around me seemed to narrow until all I could see were those who stood before me. I called forth the Kenki with all my intent, feeling the familiar hum of power… but this time, something felt different.
A red and black aura exploded from me, swirling like a dark flame. It wasn't the usual pure energy Jin had taught me to channel—it was wild, fierce, and tinged with something darker, something that felt like it had always been there, lurking beneath the surface. The thugs faltered, eyes wide with shock and fear as they feel my Spirit Kenki piercing their bodies.
"What the hell…?" one of them muttered, stepping back.
I moved in a blur, my blade slicing through the air with precision. The first bandit was disarmed in a single stroke, his weapon clattering uselessly to the ground. The second one barely had time to raise his sword before I struck, slicing his hands with a precise swift motion.
The remaining thugs hesitated, clearly unnerved by the aura that now surrounded me. The leader's confidence evaporated, and he took a shaky step back. "Wait! Please, don't—"
I pointed my blade at his throat, my eyes cold and unyielding. "Leave. Now. Before I change my mind."
He didn't need to be told twice. The leader stumbled back, fear twisting his features as he turned and fled, the others following close behind. I watched them disappear into the night, my heart still pounding with the rush of battle. The red and black aura flickered and slowly faded as I sheathed my sword, but the sensation it left behind lingered—an unsettling mixture of power and something else, something almost… corruptive.
The villagers, still trembling, bowed deeply in gratitude. "Thank you… thank you, samurai."
I merely nodded, saying nothing as I turned to leave. The weight of what had just happened pressed heavily on my mind. This new manifestation of Kenki—it wasn't normal. It felt like a dangerous blend of destruction and chaos. I walked back towards the inn, lost in thought, unaware that I had been watched the entire time.
Jin stood in the shadows of a nearby tree, his sharp eyes taking in everything with quiet intensity. His expression was grim, tinged with concern. As I approached the inn, he silently slipped inside ahead of me, hiding his presence with the ease of a seasoned warrior.
When I returned to our room, I was met by Jin's calm but unwavering gaze. He was sitting cross-legged, waiting for me. "You're back later than I expected."
I stiffened, not having realized he was awake. "I needed some air."
Jin's eyes never left mine. "I know what you did out there, Hatori. I watched you fight."
My heart skipped a beat. "You… saw?"
He nodded slowly, his expression unreadable. "That aura—red and black. That's not something I've seen before in any Spirit Kenki technique. It's powerful, but it's dangerous."
I felt a knot tighten in my chest. "I didn't intend for it to happen. It just… came out."
Jin studied me for a long moment before speaking again. "The manifestation of Kenki is tied to your spirit—your emotions, your will, your purpose. That red and black energy… it's raw, fierce, but it's also unstable. It felt like it was fueled by more than just your desire to protect. There was something darker in it, something you need to control, or it will consume you."
I clenched my fists, frustration boiling me beneath the surface. "I want to master Kenki, to honor my father's legacy and bring justice to our clan. But if this power is part of me, I have to learn to wield it."
Jin's expression softened slightly. "And you will. But you need to be careful, Hatori. Power without control leads only to ruin. This journey isn't just about getting stronger—it's about mastering your own spirit. That darkness you felt—it could be the same force that corrupted the Reapers' leader. If you're not careful, you could end up just like him."
His words hit hard, but I knew he was right. The power I'd unlocked was both a blessing and a curse. It could be the key to avenging my family, or it could be the very thing that drags me down into the depths of hell. I nodded slowly, the flames of determination burning within me. "I understand. I won't let it control me."
Jin stood up, placing a firm hand on my shoulder. "Good. We'll keep training, but from now on, we'll focus more on discipline and restraint. Strength is nothing without purpose, and purpose is nothing without control. The road ahead is dangerous, Hatori. You'll be tested, not just by enemies, but by your own spirit."
I felt the tension ease slightly as I met his gaze. "Thank you, Jin. I won't let you down."
He gave me a nod of approval, smiling with a proud smirk. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we're going to start working on channeling that power properly. You've got potential, but potential can either be realized or destroyed. It's up to you which path you take."
With that, he turned and laid back down, returning to his composed state. As I lay there, staring up at the ceiling once more, I knew that my journey had just become even more complicated. But I was ready to face it. With Jin's guidance and my unwavering resolve, I would master this power—on my own terms.
The road ahead was steep and treacherous, but I was prepared to face whatever came next. For my family, for my clan, and for the honor of the samurai way.
The manifestation of Kenki was no longer just a tool; it was the fire that would forge my destiny.