Chapter 2: BAHANDFO
The dim light of dawn filtered through the window, casting long shadows across the room. Sakuchi stirred in his bed, blinking groggily as the warmth of sleep clung to him. Something was different today. The usual dissonance of his mother's shouts and the clinking of bottles was absent. The house, usually echoing with the harsh sounds of the night before, was unusually quiet.
Sakuchi sat up slowly, rubbing his eyes in confusion. The silence was… strange. After so many years of the same destructive pattern, it felt as if something had shifted overnight. He scanned the room, his gaze falling on the cracked mirror that hung on the wall, reflecting the dull light that crept into the room. His heart raced as he tried to pinpoint what was different. What had changed?
The stillness stretched on, and he pushed himself out of bed, the cold wooden floor biting at his bare feet. He glanced out the window, noticing that the sun had barely risen, its golden hue just beginning to seep through the cracks of the blinds. He wasn't sure what was making him feel uneasy—perhaps the sheer absence of the chaos he had come to expect. Or maybe it was that small spark of hope he didn't want to acknowledge.
Quietly, he opened the door to the living room, stepping into the hallway. The sound that greeted him wasn't the usual clang of a bottle or the deep, throaty voice of his mother shouting in frustration. No, this time, it was something entirely different. It was the sound of humming—a soft, lilting tune that filled the air with an unexpected sense of calm.
Sakuchi hesitated, his hand on the doorknob. He peeked around the corner and his breath caught in his throat.
There, in the kitchen, was his mother—standing by the stove, flipping pancakes. Her hair was tied back in a messy bun, her face unlined by the usual anger, and her movements were careful, deliberate. She hummed softly under her breath, almost as if she were at peace. The smells of freshly cooked food—pancakes and scrambled eggs—wafted through the room, a pleasant change from the stale air of alcohol and regret.
"Saku," she said, turning toward him, her eyes bright and her face soft. "I made breakfast."
Sakuchi froze for a moment, his heart beating faster in his chest. His mother, the woman who had spent so many years drunk and abusive, was standing there in front of him, smiling. She wasn't the person he remembered. She wasn't the person who had caused him so much pain.
"Mom?" His voice was small, uncertain. "What… What's going on?"
His mother gave a small, nervous laugh as she placed the last pancake on the stack, her hands shaking slightly. "I've been trying to be better, Saku. Trying to change. I know I haven't been the mother you needed, but… I'm trying."
Sakuchi blinked, trying to process what she was saying. Trying to change? After everything? The harsh words, the neglect, the pain—could she really be trying? He felt a twinge in his chest, a mixture of disbelief and something else—something he hadn't allowed himself to feel for so long: hope.
He approached the table, his eyes scanning the humble breakfast laid out before him. The pancakes were simple, no syrup or extravagant toppings, but the sight of them made his stomach tighten. The eggs were soft and fluffy, and the smell… it made him realize how hungry he really was.
For a long moment, neither of them spoke. Sakuchi hesitated before sitting down at the table. His mother carefully placed a plate in front of him, her smile tentative, as if she wasn't sure how he would react.
"I wasn't sure how you'd like it, but I tried. I really did," she said softly, watching him closely.
Sakuchi took a deep breath, feeling the weight of the moment. He hadn't expected this—hadn't expected her to make such an effort. But here she was, doing something that felt… genuine. He stared at the food for a moment, unsure of how to respond, but then his hunger overpowered his hesitation. Slowly, he picked up his fork and cut into the pancake, taking a small bite.
The warm sweetness of the pancake hit him unexpectedly, and for the first time in years, he felt a lump form in his throat. It wasn't just the food—it was the gesture. The thought behind it. His mother was trying. She was really trying.
Tears welled up in his eyes before he could stop them, and he quickly wiped them away. He couldn't let her see this side of him, not when he wasn't sure if it would last. Not when he wasn't sure if she was just pretending.
She didn't seem to notice. Or maybe she did, but she didn't say anything. Instead, she simply smiled softly, watching him. There was no judgment in her eyes—only warmth. The warmth of a mother who hadn't known how to love before, but was trying to learn.
"Thank you, Mom," he said quietly, his voice thick. "This means a lot."
Her eyes softened, and she nodded. "I know I've made mistakes. But I'm trying to be better—for you."
Sakuchi nodded slowly, trying to hold back the rush of emotions threatening to break free. He took another bite of his food, savoring it as if it was something rare. They ate in comfortable silence for a few moments after finishing there food Sakuchi shyly breaks the awkward silence
"Mom, I… I want to show you something," he said, standing up from the table.
His mother, still unsure of what he meant, nodded eagerly. "What is it, Saku?"
He walked outside, his heart pounding. This was the moment he'd been waiting for.
"Watch this," he said, focusing his energy. A flicker of heat built up inside him, and soon, a ball of orange flames appeared in his hand.
His flames flickered to life, their orange glow warm and steady. He held them up for his mother to see.
She gasped, her hands flying to her mouth in shock. "Saku… you… you did it! You really awakened!"
Sakuchi hesitated. His flames were powerful, but not fully awakened. They were still only the orange flames, nothing like the purple ones he knew he could unlock. But even with that, his mother's eyes were wide with disbelief.
"No one in our family has ever passed the trial," she said, voice trembling. "I… I thought it was impossible. But you… you're incredible."
Sakuchi's chest tightened. He had always dreamed of this moment, but now that it was happening, he didn't know how to feel. His mother rushed forward, wrapping him in a tight embrace.
"I'm so proud of you, Saku!" she said, her voice cracking with emotion.
Sakuchi froze, unsure of how to react. He hadn't been hugged by her in so long, and the warmth of the moment was overwhelming. He stood stiff, his arms hanging awkwardly at his sides.
She pulled back, noticing his discomfort. "Oh, sorry. I got carried away."
"No, it's… it's okay," Sakuchi muttered, forcing a smile. But the tension still lingered. He wasn't ready for this. Not yet.
After a beat, his mother's smile softened. "I think we should register you for the exams."
Sakuchi blinked. "Exams? What exams?"
"The exams to become a member of the Awakened Society," she explained, her voice steady now. "They're… they're a big deal. Only people who pass the trial can join. You'll be tested on your abilities and whether you're fit to become an Ascended One."
Sakuchi felt a rush of excitement. "So… I get to be part of the Awakened Society? That's… cool."
His mother smiled at his enthusiasm. "We'll head to the registry office now. It's a long walk, so we should get going."
The walk to the registry office wasn't as smooth as they had hoped. As they walked down the crowded streets, Sakuchi's sense of unease grew. Nobles and other members of high society passed by, casting them disdainful glances. Sakuchi could feel the weight of their gaze on him, but he refused to let it faze him. He had power now. He wasn't the weak, powerless boy they once looked down on.
Still, his mother's shoulders slumped, and her eyes flickered nervously as they passed. Sakuchi noticed how she avoided eye contact with anyone who looked their way.
One nobleman, dressed in extravagant robes, caught sight of Sakuchi's mother and slowed down, his eyes lingering on her figure. He smirked, his gaze dripping with arrogance. "You there," he called, his voice dripping with condescension. "You're quite a sight. How about a drink sometime?"
Sakuchi felt the heat rise within him before he even thought about it. His fists clenched, his body going rigid as his anger surged to the surface. Without thinking, he lifted his hand, flames beginning to lick at his skin. The orange flames were strong, but as his emotions boiled over, the edges of the fire turned a brilliant purple.
The nobleman paused, sensing the shift in the air. Sakuchi's voice was low, almost a growl. "Leave her alone."
The nobleman sneered and took a step forward, unafraid. "What's this? A little peasant thinks he can stand up to me? Even I haven't awakened yet, brat. You're nothing."
Sakuchi's flames flared higher, the temperature soaring. "I said—leave her alone."
The nobleman faltered, his smirk fading as he took a step back, clearly unnerved by the intensity of Sakuchi's power. "Freak," he muttered under his breath, before turning on his heel and walking away, clearly rattled.
Sakuchi stood tall, the flames still burning brightly in his hands. His mother looked at him, wide-eyed and speechless, but there was a new respect in her gaze.
By the time they reached the registry office, Sakuchi's nerves were starting to settle. The building was grand, a stark contrast to the rundown streets they had walked through. Inside, the atmosphere was thick with tension, the air buzzing with the quiet murmurs of applicants and officials.
A man behind the desk looked them over with a raised eyebrow. "You've come to register, have you?" he asked, his voice skeptical. "Are you sure you've awakened?"
Sakuchi stepped forward, his heart pounding. "I have. Watch."
Without a second thought, he extended his hand, flames erupting from his palm. The intense heat filled the air, and the mans eyes widened in surprise.
"Well, it seems you have," the man said quickly, adjusting his glasses. "Alright, follow me."
The next part of the process was intense. Sakuchi was put through a series of tests—first, he had to fight against dummies that were designed to withstand high temperatures. His flames scorched through them with ease, and the examiners seemed impressed.
But the final test was the hardest. Sakuchi was pitted against an experienced awakened fighter. The fight was intense, both of them moving with precision and power. Sakuchi struggled at first, unsure of how to fully harness his flames in combat. But as the battle continued, something shifted. His instincts kicked in, and the heat in his body surged.
He didn't win the fight, but he held his ground. That was enough.
The examiner nodded with approval. "You've passed. Welcome to the Awakened Society, Sakuchi. You're an Ascended One now."
Sakuchi stood tall, the weight of the words settling in. He had done it. He had passed. And now, for the first time in his life, he had a future. A future he could control.
His mother smiled at him, her eyes shining with pride. "I knew you could do it," she said softly, her voice full of emotion.
And for the first time, Sakuchi didn't feel alone. He felt like he had just taken the first step toward something new, something better. A new chapter in his life had begun.
Note From Author: Sorry For the Shorter Chapter Next Chapter Will Be Longer Hopefully