Ren knelt beside Kaito's still body, his heart pounding in his chest. The Silver Tide warriors had vanished, retreating into the night like the ghosts they were, leaving him alone in the clearing. His entire body trembled with rage, his fists crackling with lightning, aching to tear those warriors apart, to make them feel the same pain he was drowning in.
But he couldn't. Not yet.
As much as he wanted to charge after them, Ren knew the truth. He wasn't strong enough-not yet. They would kill him just like they had killed Kaito, and then there would be no one left to avenge his master or his clan.
His fingers clenched into the dirt, and he forced himself to breathe, to calm the storm raging inside him. His vision blurred with hot tears, but he wiped them away with the back of his hand. He couldn't afford to be weak.
With a heavy heart, Ren gently lifted Kaito's body, his muscles straining under the weight. He carried his master into the forest, deeper into the Thunder Plains where they had once trained. The sky rumbled overhead, dark clouds gathering, as if the heavens themselves mourned the old man's death. Ren's throat tightened, but he refused to let himself cry again.
He found a quiet spot beneath a large oak tree, its roots twisted and ancient. There, he dug a grave, his hands blistering and raw as he shoveled earth and rock. When it was deep enough, he laid Kaito down, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Kaito..." Ren whispered, his voice breaking. "I swear... I'll make them pay. I'll become stronger. I'll carry on your teachings. I won't stop until the Silver Tide is nothing but dust."
He covered the grave, each handful of dirt heavy with sorrow. When the task was done, Ren stood in silence for a long moment, staring at the mound of earth. The only sound was the distant roll of thunder, the storm echoing his grief.
The next morning, Ren stood before the cabin for the last time. He had packed what little he had-a few days' worth of food, a water flask, and his master's katana. His fingers brushed the hilt, and he felt a surge of energy pulse through it. This sword, like Kaito's teachings, was now his responsibility.
Ren tied the blade to his back and took a deep breath, his eyes hard with determination.
He had no home, no family, and no allies. But he had a mission. He had a goal. He would find strength, and with it, he would bring death to the Silver Tide.
With one last glance at the cabin, Ren turned and walked away. The world stretched out before him, vast and unforgiving. But he wasn't afraid. His path was set, and he would carve his way through it.
Hours passed as Ren traveled through the wilderness. His senses were sharp, every sound of the forest amplified in his mind. He hadn't encountered anyone since leaving, and part of him welcomed the solitude. It gave him time to think, to plan. He needed to find a place to train, to grow stronger without being hunted down.
As he crossed a narrow river, the sound of frantic footsteps caught his attention. Ren paused, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the area. A figure darted out from behind the trees, crashing through the undergrowth in a panic. It was a boy, no older than Ren, his face pale with fear as he stumbled and fell, glancing over his shoulder as if someone-or something- was chasing him.
Ren's instincts kicked in, and he dashed forward, crouching behind a thick tree. He watched as the boy struggled to his feet, panting heavily. A shadow loomed behind him, and Ren's breath caught in his throat.
A man emerged from the forest, his large frame towering over the boy. He carried a massive axe in one hand, the blade caked in mud and blood. His eyes were wild, filled with murderous intent, and his lips curled into a twisted grin as he closed in on the boy.
The air grew thick with tension, and Ren's fingers twitched toward his sword. He could feel the raw bloodlust radiating from the man, the sick pleasure he took in hunting his prey.
"Please!" the boy cried, stumbling backward, his eyes wide with terror. "I didn't do anything!"
The man laughed, a low, guttural sound. "Doesn't matter. You're in my way, boy. Now stand still while I crush your skull."
Ren's heart pounded in his chest as he watched the man raise his axe, preparing to strike. The boy was defenseless-he would be dead in seconds if Ren did nothing.
Without another thought, Ren sprang from his hiding spot, drawing his katana in one swift motion. Lightning crackled along the blade's edge as he summoned his Lightning Aura, the familiar surge of energy coursing through him.
In an instant, Ren was upon the man, his sword flashing with deadly precision. The man's eyes widened in shock as Ren's blade sliced clean through his wrist, severing his hand and sending the axe clattering to the ground.
"Ahhh!" the man screamed, clutching the bloody stump where his hand had been moments before. He staggered back, his face contorted with pain and fury. "You- who the hell are you?!"
Ren's eyes burned with cold determination as he stepped forward, his katana still crackling with electricity. "The last person you'll ever see if you don't get out of here."
The man growled, his one good hand reaching for the knife at his belt, but Ren moved faster. In a flash of lightning, he swung his blade taking off his other hand, and the man fell to the ground, unconscious from the shock.
Breathing heavily, Ren wiped the sweat from his brow, the tension leaving his body as the Lightning Aura faded from his sword. He turned to the boy, who was staring at him with wide, grateful eyes.
"You... you saved me," the boy stammered, his voice trembling.
Ren sheathed his katana, his gaze hard. "You're lucky I was nearby. Be more careful who you run into next time."
The boy nodded quickly, his face pale with lingering fear. Ren could see that he was shaken, but alive. He had done what he could for now. There was no point in staying any longer.
Without another word, Ren turned and continued down the path, his mind already drifting back to his own journey. He had a long road ahead of him, and there would be many more battles to come. This was only the beginning.
Hey wait!! Ren heard