Part-1: The Past and the Present
Chapter 1: The Introduction
In the quiet moments between night and dawn, when the world is still and the heart speaks its truths, Ethan Nakamura stood alone in his garden. The scent of jasmine filled the air, mingling with the cool morning breeze, a tranquil contrast to the turmoil within him. Here, amid the delicate blossoms, he found a semblance of peace, a fragile illusion that masked the scars of a violent past.
From an early age, Ethan was trained in various fighting skills by his father. His father, Lars, a Danish man, had married Ethan's Japanese mother, Hana. Ethan never knew the purpose of his rigorous training. Whenever he asked, his father would only say, "This training will help you save the weak and the people you love," never giving a straight answer.
Born in Japan, Ethan moved to America when he was six. He had no siblings and found it difficult to make friends. Ethan was a quiet child, rarely speaking up or asking questions, always careful not to upset his mother. For Ethan, his mother was everything. She was the one who tended to his wounds after training, offering comfort and care. While his father made him stronger, his mother made him human.
Ethan never knew about his parents' past. It was a secret kept by both adults, a mystery that shrouded his childhood. Yet, he never questioned them, accepting the life they led without complaint or curiosity.
When he turned 15, Ethan and his family moved to India. For all of them, India was very different; at every corner, there was a new way of living, completely unlike what they were used to. They had to adapt because of Ethan's father's job transfer, but Ethan's father wasted no time and enrolled him in a local martial arts school. As time went on, Ethan grew older, became stronger, and slowly became more social too.
Even in India, the family never settled in one state for long; they were always on the move, journeying from one region to another. His father explained that India's diversity in martial arts was unparalleled and that Ethan needed to learn various forms to defend himself. His goal was for Ethan to become proficient in each discipline, at least to an amateur level.
Despite the constant relocations, Ethan managed to work on his social skills and make numerous friends. He bonded easily with his peers, who were curious about his background. They would often ask him about his homeland, how to say certain phrases in his native language, his training regimen, and how he managed his studies while constantly moving. Unlike in other countries where students were intimidated by his quiet demeanor and intense presence—often labeling him as weird or monstrous—Ethan found a different reception in India. Here, although some students were initially scared of him, most admired his strength and dedication. They looked up to him, aspiring to be as strong and disciplined as he was.
On his 18th birthday, Ethan's parents sat him down to reveal the truth about their past. His father spoke with a somber tone, "Ethan, it's time you knew where we come from. Both your mother and I come from gangster backgrounds. Our families were rivals, hating each other to the core. Yet, despite the animosity, our gangs would meet during underworld gatherings to prevent revolts and betrayal.
"In one of those gatherings, your mother and I met. I was supposed to inherit everything from my father, the most powerful man in our world. But as your mother and I grew closer, we realized that our love couldn't survive in that life. So, we ran away together, leaving behind our old identities to live a new life under different names.
"Ethan, I need you to understand something very important. My father, your grandfather, will come for you. He'll try to pull you back into that world. But you must promise me, no matter what, you won't go with them. You have to stay away from that life. You deserve better."
Ethan sat in stunned silence, the weight of his parents' words sinking in. His father's eyes bore into his, filled with a mix of determination and fear. Ethan nodded slowly, the promise forming on his lips as the gravity of their past and the uncertainty of his future settled heavily on his shoulders. As he looked at his parents, he realized that his life would never be the same again.