Kenzo: Never Give Up
Volume 2 –
Chapter 13
The streets were in chaos. Ayame rushed from person to person, healing those she could. Her hands glowed with a soft light as she knelt beside another injured person. Sweat dripped down her forehead, but she didn't stop. Not yet.
Suddenly, her eyes widened. Among the wounded, she spotted Kiyomi lying unconscious on the ground. Panic shot through her.
"Kiyomi!" Ayame dashed to her side, placing her hands on Kiyomi's chest. Her healing magic flowed steadily, and color returned to Kiyomi's face. Slowly, Kiyomi opened her eyes.
"Ayame…" she whispered weakly. "Someone attacked me… from behind."
"Who?" Ayame's gaze darted around.
A faint rustling came from the trees nearby. A shadowy figure stood among the branches, watching them with a sinister smile.
Meanwhile…
High above in a UFO, the air buzzed with tension. Yuto stood opposite Voidron, lightning crackling around him.
"So, Iron Ball," Yuto taunted, wiping blood from his lip. "You ready to go to hell?"
Voidron chuckled darkly. "Big words for a kid. You should be worrying about yourself."
In a flash, they clashed. Fists flew, kicks connected, but neither gave an inch. Voidron fired a laser, but Yuto dodged, lightning sparking at his feet.
"Not bad," Voidron said with a smirk. "But that won't save you."
Yuto paused, confused. Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through his chest. Blood trickled from his mouth.
"What…? But I dodged it!" Yuto gasped.
Voidron grinned. "Oh, you dodged the first shot. But my special laser has two beams. One is invisible."
Yuto stumbled but caught himself. His eyes burned with determination.
"So what? This isn't over," Yuto said, his voice steady despite the pain. "I never give up!"
Voidron's expression hardened. "Overconfidence will be your downfall."
"No, it won't," Yuto replied firmly. "Because I trust my brother… and I trust myself."
Flashback – Xenon's Planet
A young Voidron, without his helmet, walked along a crowded street toward his school. His eyes lit up with excitement—today was the school trip.
"Voidron! Over here!"
Voidron smiled and jogged over. "Can I join you guys?"
"Of course," one of the boys said with a grin that didn't quite reach his eyes.
They climbed into a high-tech vehicle and headed into the forest.
"Let's go down to the river," one of the boys suggested.
"But shouldn't we ask the teacher?" Voidron asked hesitantly.
"Don't worry about it. We've got your back," the boy reassured him.
Voidron followed, trusting them. But once they reached the river, everything changed. The boys surrounded him, their grins turning cruel.
"Hey, Voidron," one said mockingly. "Think fast!"
They pushed him into the river.
"Help! I don't know how to swim!" Voidron cried, thrashing in the water.
The boys just laughed.
"Did you really think we'd save you?" one of them sneered.
"Why…?" Voidron's voice trembled. "I trusted you… because you're my friends."
"Friends?" The boy smirked. "We're not your friends."
They turned and walked away, leaving Voidron struggling in the water.
But Voidron wasn't ready to die. Grabbing a piece of driftwood, he managed to stay afloat and pull himself to shore. Soaked and shivering, his eyes burned with anger and pain.
"Everyone… everyone will regret this. I'll change. From now on…"
He put on his helmet, his voice cold and resolute.
"I am Voidron."
Back to the Present
Voidron's voice cracked as he spoke. "You know nothing, kid. Nothing about the pain I've been through."
But Yuto wasn't listening. His body surged with lightning magic.
"I'm full of surprises too," Yuto said, his eyes glowing with power.
His speed increased dramatically as he activated Thunder Surge. Voidron struggled to keep up.
"Ether Zone – Lightning Magic: Bolt Manipulation!" Yuto shouted, releasing a barrage of lightning bolts.
Voidron tried to dodge, but the magic was too fast. He took several direct hits, stumbling backward, badly injured.
Desperate, Voidron fired another laser.
"Storm Shield!" Yuto countered, surrounding himself with a protective barrier of electricity.
Breathing heavily, Yuto wiped his forehead. His magic was almost drained. Across from him, Voidron was equally exhausted.
"I hope you're doing okay too, Kenzo…" Yuto whispered.
Flashback – Zephyros Kingdom
A 5-year-old Yuto ran through the streets, clutching a stolen loaf of bread. His tiny legs couldn't outrun the angry shopkeepers. He tripped and fell, and they surrounded him, beating him mercilessly before leaving him bruised and broken.
No one stopped to help.
Until Kenzo appeared.
"Why did you help me?" Yuto asked, looking up at the older boy.
Kenzo shrugged. "You seem like me. I don't know… I just wanted to."
Yuto followed Kenzo, watching him train relentlessly.
"What's your name?" Kenzo asked.
"Yuto. And yours?"
"Kenzo. Never Give Up."
"Is Never Give Up your surname?" Yuto asked, confused.
Kenzo chuckled. "You could say that."
"Then I'm Yuto Never Give Up too!" Yuto said, extending his hand. "Best friends?"
Kenzo smiled. "Not just best friends. We're brothers. And remember—never betray your brother."
They fist-bumped.