Kai sat up in bed, gasping for air. His heart pounded as if he'd run for miles, his skin slick with sweat. Images from a dark dream clung to his mind, shadowy figures and a voice—his voice, but not his voice—whispering strange things he couldn't quite make out.But when he tried to remember, the details slipped through his fingers like sand. All he could recall was a surge of power and a feeling that someone—or something—had taken over."Kai!" Master Senju's voice echoed from outside. "Get up. Training doesn't wait for your beauty sleep."Kai groaned and flopped back onto his pillow. Beauty sleep? He needed recovery sleep after the craziness at that temple. But no chance of that when Master Senju was around.Dragging himself up, he shuffled outside, only to find Senju staring at him with a look of... was it suspicion? Concern? Maybe both?Senju crossed his arms, his gaze sharp. "You've been acting strange since the fight. Anything you want to tell me?"Kai blinked, caught off guard. "Uh... strange how?""You don't remember what happened at the temple?" Senju raised an eyebrow.Kai scratched his head, genuinely confused. "Not really. Last thing I remember is being in a lot of trouble. Then... nothing. I guess I blacked out?"Senju's stare felt like he was dissecting Kai's soul. "Blacked out, huh?""Yes," Kai replied, shrugging. "Unless you know something I don't?""Maybe." Senju's lips twitched slightly, but he didn't press further. "Just remember—control over yourself is crucial. There are powers in this world that prey on those who let their emotions run wild."Kai squinted at him. "That was... oddly specific."Senju just patted him on the shoulder, muttering, "You'll figure it out in due time," before walking away.Kai sighed. Why did every conversation with Master Senju feel like a puzzle?Later that day, as Kai was nursing his bruises (from training, obviously), Rio strolled in like he owned the place, a mischievous grin on his face."Kai! I heard you went all berserker on some bad guys!" Rio smirked, waggling his eyebrows. "What, finally had enough of being a delicate little prince?"Kai rolled his eyes. "It's not like that. I... don't actually remember what happened.""Oh, amnesia! Classic plot twist," Rio chuckled. "Let me guess, you transformed into some dark avenger and took down everyone while muttering something edgy."Kai snorted. "I don't know about edgy. But Master Senju's been acting all cryptic, so maybe something did happen."Rio leaned in, whispering like he was sharing a big conspiracy. "Maybe you're secretly the Chosen One. You know, the one who'll save the world... or destroy it. Depends on the mood."Kai laughed. "Well, if I'm the Chosen One, someone really messed up in their selection process."Rio shrugged. "Hey, better you than me. I'd probably just use my powers to conjure endless food and annoy people." He leaned back, hands behind his head, completely relaxed. "Speaking of which, can you imagine if I had powers? They'd be lining up to ban me."Kai smirked. "Not much different from now, honestly."They shared a laugh, but as it faded, Kai's mind drifted back to the strange dreams. Shadows, voices, a flicker of something he couldn't quite grasp. It was like a piece of himself he didn't recognize.That night, Kai had another dream, but this time it felt clearer. In the dream, he was standing in the middle of an empty battlefield, his hands coated in darkness. A voice echoed in his head, cold and detached."This is just the beginning. You'll understand soon enough."He woke up with a start, heart racing again. The feeling that someone—or something—was watching him lingered long after the dream faded.The next day, as Kai was gathering supplies, he overheard two villagers chatting near the market."Did you hear about those strange folks with the black cloaks causing trouble nearby?" one whispered."Yeah, they're up to no good, if you ask me. I heard they're part of some... cult or something," the other replied in a hushed tone.Kai's ears perked up. Cult? Black cloaks? He flashed back to the strange attackers at the temple. Was it possible they were connected?He looked over at Rio, who was busy trying to haggle with a shopkeeper over some food. Kai debated for a moment, then nudged his friend. "Hey, Rio, those guys we fought... they might be part of something bigger."Rio shrugged, a smirk creeping onto his face. "Bigger than you going all 'dark prince'? Doubt it."Kai chuckled, but inside, a chill crept up his spine. He felt like he was standing on the edge of something massive, a mystery far beyond anything he could handle.And somewhere, deep inside, he felt that voice—just waiting for the right moment to come out again.To Be Continued...Stay tuned as Kai tries to figure out if he's the Chosen One... or just the Chosen Goofball!