Kai the Great adventure: EPO4

**(Three Months Later)**

Kai sat in meditation, the soothing sounds of flowing water surrounding him. The fragrance of roses filled the air, grounding him in the moment. *When the power of love overcomes the love of power, the world will know peace.* He inhaled deeply, then exhaled slowly, feeling the warmth of the steam enveloping him. As he opened his eyes, he rose, a mix of determination and longing surging within him. "It's been three months. Can I finally use Sapient Mode? Where did everyone go? I feel so lonely, Master…"

Gordon's voice broke through his thoughts. "Zetsu is still recovering in the hospital after his fight with Ashira. He's doing his own thing now. I asked a friend to train Kira; magic isn't my strong suit. But you're still not ready for Sapient Mode." 

Kai's expression fell. "Well, that's great… I guess I'll just head out then!" 

"Not so fast," Gordon interrupted, a serious look on his face. "As my squire, you need discipline. I don't want to lead a quest and have people die because I wasn't responsible. Now, give me a lap around the forest—50 miles."

Kai's jaw dropped. "Y-y-you're kidding, right?" He glanced at Gordon's serious demeanor and sighed. "Okay, I guess…" 

**(Two Hours and Fifty Minutes Later)**

Panting heavily, Kai had only managed 25 miles. "Ah… ah… I'm tired!" His thoughts raced. *Maybe I can use Sapient Mode; that would show him!*

Gordon leaned casually against a tree. "Keep going; I didn't tell you to stop."

"How the hell do you know I was here? Are you a wizard or something?" 

"Keep moving!" Gordon barked.

"Yes, sir." Kai jogged on, pushing himself. He ran 80 miles nonstop, his body drenched in sweat and gasping for air. 

"G-G-Gordon! A-A-Am I done?" He collapsed, flat on his back.

"Oh, you've been done," Gordon replied, chuckling. "But now that I know 80 miles is your limit, I want you to run that every day. Now get up; I have something to tell you." 

"Yes…?" 

"I've noticed you have no magical abilities. Why is that?" 

Kai shrugged, his face flushing. "Well, I kind of… can't use magic because I'm human. Humans don't have magical ki." 

"Really? I didn't know that," Gordon said, surprised. "But enough chit-chat; we have training to do. You have 10 minutes to rest." 

As Kai lay there, he thought, *Oh God, what did I get myself into?* 

Gordon returned, a serious expression on his face. "Let's start with the first rule: Training equals discipline. If you lack discipline, I can't trust you on quests. Speaking of which, we have eight months to train before our Class A+ search and rescue quest."

**(Eight Months Later, in the Forest)**

Kai leaned against a tree, panting. "Phew… I'm exhausted. I could go for some goblin legs." He rubbed his stomach, then decided to meditate. *Water, peace, the smell of roses…* 

After a moment, he stood up, feeling refreshed. "I should check on Zetsu. It's been too long since we talked." He made his way through the beautiful town, inhaling the fresh bakery scents and watching children play. As he approached the hospital, he noticed knights patrolling outside.

"Hey, kid! Be careful going in; there's a demon inside," one knight warned.

"Is that why you're here?" Kai asked, concerned.

"Yeah, under kingdom law. Just be careful."

As Kai entered the hospital and approached Zetsu's room, he found Gordon already there, looking concerned. Zetsu's left eye was heavily bandaged.

"Whoa, buddy, is your eye okay?" Kai asked.

"I don't know! What does it look like? I can barely SEE!" Zetsu growled, his frustration evident. "The doctor says I can leave tomorrow, but I feel fine. Can't I just leave today?"

"I think you're healed enough to fight," Gordon replied. "Meet us at the quest tavern."

Zetsu slammed his fist on the dresser. "That damn jerk! He thinks I'm a sick dog… that I'm weak. I'll show him."

**(At the Quest Tavern)**

"What are we doing here?" Kai asked, confused. "I thought we were going on a mission."

"I'm waiting for a friend," Gordon replied just as a purple and black portal opened, and Melissa and Kira stepped through.

"Hey, Gordon! I see you've got a handsome man beside you," Melissa teased.

Kai stumbled over his words. "Well, I—um…"

"Wait a second! Aren't you the witch who got banished for practicing dark magic?" 

"Relax, she's a good friend of mine," Gordon reassured him. "So, Kira, what did you learn?"

"I can read power levels and cast spells without incantation! Melissa taught me a lot!" Kira beamed.

"Enough chit-chat; we have to get to the quest," Gordon said. "Time is ticking."

"I'll be off then," Melissa said, stepping back into the portal.

**(Returning to the Quest Tavern)**

"I'm pumped up! I can't wait to put my training to use!" Kai declared, a proud smile on his face.

"Maddie, what's up?" Gordon asked as she approached.

"I need to talk to you privately…" 

After a quick conversation, Gordon's face turned serious. "Your squire was reported missing. The king ruled it a kidnapping. We're getting another squire to fill in." 

"Hi, I'm Sarah. I hope I won't be a burden," she said nervously.

"Well, hello there, pretty lady," Kai grinned. "As long as you're with me—"

"Very funny! No time for flirting, pervert!" Kira snapped.

Zetsu stumbled in. "So I'm guessing the king is dead, right? Pfft, I knew he was too weak anyway." He stood by the door, looking disinterested.

"Hey, don't say that…" Kira replied, frowning.

"No more talking! We have a quest to do," Gordon interrupted. "People have been going missing, and one was caught, tied to a cult. Let's roll out!"

**(Deeper into the Forest)**

"Man, we've been walking for at least four hours! My feet are killing me!" Kai complained.

"Stop complaining and keep walking," Zetsu replied, his tone flat.

Suddenly, a giant hawk swooped down, grabbing Gordon by the arm and piercing through his skin.

"Everyone, formation C!" Zetsu ordered, positioning them back to back.

"W-what do I do? I don't want to die!" Sarah whimpered.

"It's okay, Sarah! I'm here. Nobody's going to get hurt," Kai reassured her.

"Just focus and stop talking!" Zetsu snapped.

**(Four Minutes Later)**

"I think they're gone—" Zetsu began, but suddenly, rustling in the grass interrupted him. 

"Stay focused!" he commanded.

A deer emerged from the trees, innocently walking toward the group. 

"Haha, it's just a deer!" Kira laughed. "We were scared of a deer!"

But the deer opened its mouth, unhinging its jaw, and unleashed a massive fireball. Everyone dodged except Kai, who was engulfed in flames, suffering third-degree burns.

"Kai! Goddammit, Sarah, heal him! I'll—"

Before Zetsu could finish, the deer bolted into the forest.

"Dammit! Someone is after us! We have to retreat to the kingdom!" Zetsu yelled.

"We can't just leave Sir Gordon!" Kira protested.

"I don't like it either, but we have no clue where he is! We have an injured member—we have to go back!" Zetsu insisted.

Suddenly, a giant hawk swooped down, grabbing Kai and lifting him into the air.

**(In a Dark Cave)**

Kai awoke, bound and surrounded by cult members, tied to a stick. 

"We are here for him to come out, the great one. It's been 400 years, and we need you," one member chanted, tears streaming down their faces.

"Let me go!" Kai shouted, struggling against his restraints.

A voice echoed in the darkness. "They slaughtered your friends. They killed your teacher, beheading them like peasants."

"Who the hell is talking?" Kai demanded.

Suddenly, the door burst open, and a man in a black cult robe strode in. 

"Hello there, my friend. I see you ran into my friends in the forest," Sozen chuckled. "I didn't intend for it to go this far."

"Don't listen to him! He's a demon! He killed your friends!" another member screamed. "You need to show him!"

"That's lies! I know they're still alive!" Kai shouted defiantly.

"Look over there in that basket," the voice urged, and Kai turned slowly, dread pooling in his stomach. 

Four decapitated heads—Sarah, Zetsu, Gordon, and Kira