Josuke knelt on the cracked, desolate ground, his body battered and his breaths labored. The oppressive weight of the twisted realm pressed down on him, mirroring the heavy doubts clouding his mind. His katana lay just out of reach, gleaming faintly under the eerie light of Chaos's domain.
Chaos stood over him, a dark, imposing figure. His Fullbringer rested lazily on his shoulder, its jagged edge dripping with residual energy. "Look at you," Chaos sneered. "Pathetic. A would-be hero who can't even stand on his own. You talk about saving your friends, yet you crumble at the slightest resistance. You're nothing but a waste of talent."
Josuke gritted his teeth, but the words cut deep. Each syllable was a reminder of his own lingering doubts, the same doubts that had followed him for years. He had always tried to push through, to pretend they didn't exist, but now, facing Chaos, they felt overwhelming.
Chaos took a step forward, his voice like venom. "You claim to fight for others, yet you can't even protect yourself. You're weak, and worse you lack conviction."
With a sudden, brutal kick, Chaos sent Josuke sprawling to the ground. He pressed his foot down on Josuke's back, forcing him into the dirt. "Tell me," Chaos said coldly, leaning in. "What did he see in you? What could anyone possibly see in someone as worthless as this?"
Chaos's words echoed in Josuke's mind, intertwining with his own insecurities. What did he see in me? he wondered. His thoughts spiraled, dragging him back to his lowest moments.
Maybe Arthur was right, Josuke thought. Maybe I don't deserve to be a ranger. Maybe I've been fooling myself this whole time.
The weight of those thoughts threatened to crush him more than Chaos's foot ever could. He closed his eyes, and a memories surfaced ones he had long buried.
He was a child again, sitting in a dimly lit classroom at the orphanage. The air smelled of old wood and chalk. In front of him, a math test lay on the desk, marked with red ink. A glaring "F" sat at the top of the page.
His heart sank as he looked around. The other kids whispered and giggled, their laughter like needles. He felt small, insignificant.
Old Man Shiro walked in, his presence commanding but kind. He picked up the test and glanced at it, then knelt beside Josuke.
"You look like the world just ended," Shiro said with a chuckle, his voice warm.
Josuke couldn't meet his eyes. "I failed," he mumbled, his voice barely audible.
Shiro tilted his head, studying him. "Failed, huh? So what?"
Josuke blinked, confused. "But… it means I'm not good enough. I'll never be good enough."
Shiro smiled, placing a hand on his shoulder. "Josuke, listen to me. Failing at something doesn't make you a failure. You only become a failure when you stop trying. As long as you get back up, as long as you keep pushing forward, you'll always have a chance to succeed."
Josuke stared at Shiro, the man's words sinking in. Shiro's unwavering belief in him was like a small light in the darkness.
"Remember this," Shiro continued, his tone serious. "Every great person you've ever admired? They've all failed at some point. What made them great was their refusal to give up. And you, Josuke, have that same strength. You just need to find it.
The scene shifted. Now Josuke was older, standing in the middle of a dense forest. His body was drenched in sweat, his arms trembling as he tried and failed once again to summon his Fullbringer. The air was thick with the scent of pine and earth, but Josuke could only feel the frustration boiling inside him.
Kyle, his commander, stood a few feet away, watching silently. His expression was unreadable, his arms crossed over his chest.
Josuke clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "Why can't I do this?" he shouted, his voice raw with frustration. "I've been training for months, and I'm still useless!"
Kyle finally stepped forward, his boots crunching softly on the forest floor. "You done throwing your tantrum?" he asked, his voice calm but firm.
Josuke looked up, his anger flickering into shame. "I'm trying my best, but it's not enough. What kind of ranger can't even summon his weapon? What's the point of all this?"
Kyle knelt in front of him, meeting his gaze. "Josuke, let me tell you something important. A Fullbringer is just a tool. It doesn't define who you are as a ranger. What defines you is your will your determination to stand and fight, no matter the odds."
"But "
"No buts," Kyle interrupted. "You think I became a commander because I was the strongest? Well technically I did but doesn't I gave up, even when I felt like a failure. You've got that same fire inside you, Josuke. I've seen it. You just need to trust yourself and keep pushing."
He stood, extending a hand to Josuke. "So, what's it gonna be? You giving up, or are you gonna get back up and fight?"
Josuke hesitated for only a moment before taking Kyle's hand, pulling himself to his feet.
The memories hit Josuke like a wave, and something inside him shifted. The despair that had weighed him down began to lift, replaced by a quiet, burning resolve.
"No," he muttered, his voice barely audible at first.
Chaos tilted his head. "What was that?"
Josuke gritted his teeth, then shouted, "I said no!" He grabbed Chaos's leg, his grip firm and unyielding. "You're wrong about me. I'm not a failure."
Chaos's eyes narrowed, his amusement fading. "Bold words for someone who can barely stand."
Summoning every ounce of strength he had left, Josuke pushed Chaos back, forcing him to stumble. Slowly, he rose to his feet, his legs shaking but steady. He picked up his katana, the blade feeling heavier but more familiar in his hands.
"I've failed before," Josuke said, his voice steady. "And I'll probably fail again. But that doesn't make me weak. It makes me stronger, because I'll always get back up."
For the first time, Chaos seemed genuinely intrigued. "Interesting," he muttered, his Fullbringer shifting slightly in his grip. "Let's see how long that resolve lasts."
The battle wasn't over, but Josuke's spirit had been reignited. No matter what came next, he was ready to face it head-on.