A dozen kilometers away from Akatsuki, main village of the Kitsurai clan, was located a medium sized village, spanning an area of two hundred square meters.
The buildings had the same architecture as the main city, the only difference being the material. Unlike the main city, this village was mostly made up of wooden buildings. With only the main buildings being made of stone, like the great hall, chief's house and the elder's houses.
Inside the great hall at this very moment, a young man stood in front of a group of about twenty children. Their ages varied from as young as seven to as old as eighteen. One thing to note was that the older children all had swords somewhere on their bodies, and the younger ones, had wooden swords instead.
"To finish up we are going to have a little game. I know some of you riddle with curiosity, and you would like to question me, so i will ask you something first, then who ever answers correctly will then asks me something". The man smiled.
He was had fair blue skin and shining black hair. His facial features were almost identical to Kaito, just that he had a neat goatee on his face and three bumps on his forehead.
"Here is the first question; Who can name every clan in the world?" he said. All of the students in the room shot their hands into the air, with the younger ones standing on their feet to be seen.
"Yes you!" the man pointed at a little girl of about eight years old.
"The world is made of five clans Prince Kenzo!", the girl enthusiastically raised her hand to show five fingers. "There is our Kitsurai, and Veltori and Kragnir and Soravyn and Vallwyn!" she said.
"Correct!, you are a smart girl aren't you?" Kenzo smiled, and the girl nodded rapidly. "Now you can ask me anything you want to know".
"Why do we only get our swords when we get old?" the girl asked.
"Well, you only get your swords when you get older because your mind and soul are not strong enough yet. Only when you turn ten sun-cycles old will they get strong, then you get your true sword". Kenzo answered. The girl nodded in understanding.
"Next question, this one is a little harder; which is the most troublesome skill or ability of the Kragnir clan, and how best to counter it?" Kenzo asked. Most of the younger kids just stared at Kenzo like he was speaking another language, while the older ones seemed to be deep in thought.
Eventually, one of the few teenagers raised his hand, and Kenzo nodded for him to speak.
"I am not completely sure because i have never fought an Kragnir warrior myself, but i hear they can throw their weapons then bring them back into their hands at will".
"This is troublesome because they can fight both long range and short, they are like a mixture of our own Kitsurai clan and Veltori clan. The best counter would be to get close before they throw their weapons".
"Kragnir is also good in close range, but at that point, our Katanas have better reach compared to their....their", the boy stopped as he looked at his desk in thought.
"Axes", another student to his side said.
"Yes, compared to their short axes", the boy finished.
Kenzo nodded with a hand on his chin, "Good, but Kragnir carry two axes, how do we get around that?".
"Prince Kenzo it does not matter even if they have double the amount of blade. Our Katanas are faster, have the range advantage and are sharper", the boy replied.
Kenzo smiled "You remind me of my brother, Prince Kaito. What is your name?"
"I am Kenji, my prince, Kenji Kitsurai".
"You have a brilliant future Kenji", Kenzo nodded "What is your question?".
Kenji took a deep breath "Todawn is the Noesis ritual, and i am taking part, i have to say i am a little scared".
Kenzo smiled, "Don't be, when it is over, you will realise it was all worth it. I was also scared during my time, but i was not alone, we are never alone no matter what we go through", he said, and Kenji's hand slightly touched the hilt of the sword on his waist.
"The bond which ties us to our blades is un-breaking and eternal, like the vast waters of the Kaltos. It's what makes us strong as a clan, and is what defines our people". Kenzo said.
"Thank you", Kenji slightly bowed before taking his seat.
"I am sorry to interrupt Prince Kenzo", an old man said from the open door. He had a long white beard and a bald head. Above the cloth covering his eyes was a line of three bumps, just like the prince.
"No problem elder Jert, how can my class and i help you?" Kenzo smiled, something he did a lot.
"As Kenji said, this year's Noesis is todawn, and the participants have to leave for the main city immediately for the ritual". Elder Jert said.
"Oh, i guess this is where our lesson ends", he said to the students. "You may leave".
The older students all left, but the younger ones did not, "But Prince Kenzo, we are not going to Noesis, can we keep learning?". A young boy, of about twelve said. A sword was firmly fastened to his back.
"Now now children, Prince Kenzo has other things to do as well, so run along okay, he will teach you next time". Elder Jert said.
Although begrudgingly, the kids all left, and Kenzo was now alone with the elder.
"Thank you again, prince Kenzo". Elder Jert said.
"It was no trouble at all. It is my duty to take care of my people, and the young ones hold the future of the Kitsurai in their callouses". Kenzo smiled.
"Astute words, as expected of our next partriarch, but I meant for helping with our Korvix problem". Jert said.
"Same answer", Kenzo replied. "Now if you would excuse me Elder Jert, i have to make my way to the main city as well. I have to be there for my brother and my clan during the Noesis".
Kenzo patted Elder Jert's shoulder, walking past him before exiting the room. It did not take long for him to leave the borders of the village, and he took off running into the forest.
His sword was sheathed on his left hip, and his left hand clasped the hilt tightly as he ran. Not a single sound was heard from his footsteps, and one step propelled him five meters forwards.
Eventually, he arrived at a certain tree, and after digging at it's base for a bit, he pulled out a something covered in a white cloth. Then he opened the cloth revealing a large grey robe, which after wearing, covered his head and half of his face.
His blue robes and sword were both completely concealed.
Kenzo then continued his run, the grey robe flapping like a cape in the wind. He soon arrived at a peaceful lake, the only sound coming from the birds flying above, and a little boy throwing stones into the lake, disturbing it's serenity.
The boy could not be older than five years old, with black hair and bright blue skin, while a small, single bump was on his forehead. He wore a loose shirt and pants, both of an earthen yellow colour.
As soon as Kenzo stepped out of the treeline, the boy looked over and smiled widely, then he began running in Kenzo's direction.
"Father!" He screamed as he raised his arms for Kenzo to lift him up, which he did.
"Wow you are so heavy!" Kenzo spun the boy around, holding him by his hands as he giggled uncontrollably.
"Yes i am mommy said i am growing fast to become a warrior!" the boy shouted. His voice scaring a group of nearby birds.
"Yes she is right, you are....." Kenzo then noticed something on the boy's forearms, they were burn marks. Two of them per hand, forming complete rings, one near his wrists and the other near the elbow.
"Zik, what is this?", he asked as he began walking towards a figure sitting on a nearby rock, watching the calm lake.
"It was painful, but i did not cry a lot, just a little. I was brave, mommy said it will help me get strong like uncle Bor". The boy, Zik, replied, showing off his forearms and flexing his no-existent bicep.
"Yes, she is right...". Kenzo faked a smile, "Go play near the water okay, i need to talk to your mother", he placed Zik on the ground, and he began running towards the lake. "But don't go inside the water!" Kenzo shouted.
"It's not a problem, he can swim quite well", the woman Kenzo was walking towards said.
She was a young woman with very short black hair, it was gelled and combed upwards, making small spikes. She had very dark blue skin, which was the complete opposite of delicate, and a long scar ran from her chin to right under her eye. On her forehead, three bumps could be seen.
Her body was as muscular as Kenzo himself, which said a lot since she was a 'woman'. Covering her were dull yellow, tight robes, which had iron protectors on her shoulders, forearms, chest, upper back, thighs, and shins.
The most striking feature was the large rectangular shield on her back. It as long as she was tall, and a little less that one meter wide. The edges of the shield curved slightly, giving the impression that it was trying to wrap around her.
"Oh i see, was he taught by 'Uncle Bor' by any chance?" Kenzo did not care to hide his annoyance as he made air quotes with his fingers.
"Kenzo Kitsurai, Prince of the Kitsurai clan and future Patriarch, are you jealous?" The woman chuckled.
Kenzo, however, was not amused.
"Let's table the fact that you are introducing my son to your boyfriends, but what the fuck happened to his arms?" Kenzo crossed his own arms imposingly. His signature smile but a mere memory. The woman pulled back the robe covering her own forearms, revealing the six rings burnt into them, starting from the wrist to the elbow.
"Everyone in the clan has them, just like whatever that cloth on your face is hiding, they have something to do with our power". she said.
"Zik is my son, he is not Vallwyn, but Kitsurai". Kenzo quipped.
"What did you want me to do Kenzo?, just keep him locked up when everyone his age was getting the bands?. The fact of the matter is that i am raising Zik, alone, in the Vallwyn clan, MY clan. And i am going to raise him, like how we raise all our children".
"He is not Vallwyn!, MY blood runs through his veins, not yours".
"Yes, i know that pretty well. Also not only is he Kitsurai, but he is Kitsurai royalty. However in my clan, he is nothing but the farther-less son of a squad leader. So either you take him to his rightful clan, or he becomes Vallwyn". the woman stated calmly.
Kenzo faced the ground, then he turned to Zik in the distance, who was currently chasing around a small black rabbit. Kenzo clenched his fist; "Ghia you know there is nothing i want more than to introduce him to my family, but i cannot".
Ghia faced away an snorted, "Coward".
Kenzo's brows furrowed, then his fists loosened and he released a breath. "I have to go, there is something happening back home todawn".
"Oh?, is it some kind of event?" Ghia turned, looking straight into where Kenzo's eyes were supposed to be.
Kenzo shook his head slightly, "Would you really do that?. What would you tell Zik?"
"I would tell him that his father died in war". Ghia shrugged.
"No it's just a special family gathering, dozens of samurai still surround the main Akatsuki, and after this, i will increase security just for you. Or launch an attack on Vallwyn right now". For every word he said, Kenzo took a step closer, at the end, he was so close to Ghia that their noses touched.
Ghia did not back down, and the shield on her back began glowing in a soft golden hue, while a yellow scale like pattern appeared on her face.
"Tell my son i will see him next time", After those words, Kenzo disappeared, he had moved so fast that Ghia only saw a blue blur dash into the woods.
"Kenzo, we could have at least said farewell to our son". Kenzo heard a voice in his head, it came from the sword.
"I can't, it's..."
"You do not need to explain to me, i just wanted to probe your feelings", the sword said.
"One dawn, i will bring him home". Kenzo vowed as he weaved through the trees. He eventually arrived at the spot he had taken the robe from, and he removed it from his body and reburied it, leaving with his blue robes.
"Let's go support our broth....."
"Did you hear that?" Kenzo asked.
"Yes, sounded like something heavy hitting the ground, we should check it out it might be a hostile beast, and this close to a Kitsurai village". The sword said, and Kenzo was already on it, dashing towards the noise.
He did not even get far before he came to an abrupt stop. Four figures stood before him, ranging from 1.7 to 2 meters in height. Their bodies were covered in black fabric and strange helmets hid their heads. All four of them where pointing some strange contraptions at Kenzo, who towered over them, standing at 2.5 meters tall.
"Such small Nexiri, might they be from that group?" the sword said.
"Who are you?, i am Prince Kenzo of the Kitsurai clan, and you are on our lands". Kenzo said. The four figures shuddered a bit and their heads moved around, the helmet covered everything, but Kenzo was sure they were looking at each other.
"You have five beats to tell me which clan you originate and leave before i have to kill you all". Kenzo unsheathed his sword.