Echoes of Kai

EXHAUSTION hung heavy on Rinda as she slammed her bedroom door shut. Collapsing onto the bed, she reached for the familiar comfort of her pillows. "Stupid Kazuo," she muttered, frustration clinging to her like sweat after a long journey.

Sleep beckoned, but her mind refused to settle. A gnawing unease had been growing ever since the banquet ended. Time seemed to stretch, amplifying the anxiety gnawing at her. Rolling onto her side, Rinda desperately sought rest.

Then, a shadow flickered behind her door. Tensed, she rose silently, fingers closing around the knives hidden in the headboard's secret compartment. With a practised fluidity, she moved towards the door, breath held tight. As she flung it open, a figure crumpled to the floor, revealing one of Shinji's assigned Kriegers. Three arrows protruded from his back, each a deadly herald. Blood stained the floor around his open mouth.

"What happened?" Rinda gasped, reaching out as the guard attempted to grip her hand.

"Ambush... His Lordship... Forest... Hurry..." His voice rasped before his hand went limp.

Grief battled with urgency as Rinda gently lowered the fallen Krieger. With a determined stride, she left her room and disappeared into the night.

Meanwhile, Shinji and Mika enjoyed a brief respite after their sparring session. As they prepared to retire to their chambers, the silence shattered. Kriegers assigned to guard them lay dead, victims of a sudden attack.

Chaos erupted. Shinji and Mika were forced to fight out of the Elders' Residence, fleeing deep into the forest under a hail of arrows.

The attackers had been thorough. While the bulk pursued Shinji and Mika, one assassin returned to the scene. He carelessly disposed of the wounded guard by dumping him at Rinda's door before rejoining the fray.

In the forest, Mika cried out as an arrow whistled past her ankle. Looking up, she saw a sky filled with deadly projectiles raining down.

"Look out!" Shinji reacted instantly, pulling her close and conjuring a barrier above them just as the last arrow clattered to the ground.

A deep, menacing voice boomed from the darkness. "Impressive as always, My Lord."

Emerging from the shadows, Ralph wore a chilling grin. His Kriegers formed a menacing circle around their prey.

Shinji protectively positioned Mika behind him as Ralph approached. "Lord Shinji Karou, my apologies for the less than welcoming arrival. Allow me to personally extend a warm welcome back to Islez." Ralph's gaze shifted to Mika, his grin widening.

"It seems our young Lord has finally matured into a man. Bringing a Spirit girl to introduce to the village? Two birds with one stone, indeed."

"Touch a hair on her and I will kill every single one of you," Shinji growled, his voice laced with lethal intent.

"Possessive, are we? It seems some things never change."

Shinji glared at his twisted former friend. A man consumed by a dark past, obsessed with seeking revenge against the Spirits for the Great War's casualties, including his family.

Ralph sneered at Shinji's silence. "Quite the nerve to return here, you murderous bastard!"

Mika gasped at the accusation. Whispering to Shinji, she demanded an explanation. "What is he talking about?"

Ralph revelled in the confusion. "A pity you kept this little secret from your woman," he smirked. "Your lover here is a murderer! Not just any murderer, but the one who killed a man he considered a brother! How pathetic."

Shinji levelled a gun at Ralph. "Don't waste your breath. The man who tried to kill me chose to let me live. Your words hold no power."

Ralph's grin twisted further. "Don't be so cocky, pretty boy. Why so sure he hasn't been waiting for the perfect moment to strike?"

A flicker of recognition played on Shinji's face as the firelight illuminated one of the figures among the Kriegers. A stoic, cold figure.

"Kazuo," Mika breathed in a shocked whisper.

A guttural groan echoed through the clearing as a hulking figure in black sprawled on the ground. His mask, split in two, lay discarded beside him. Hatred burned in his eyes as he spat at his attacker in defiance.

Rinda, her movements as graceful as a swan's, gilded closer. A small, gloved hand gripped the man's collar while the other held a dagger poised at his throat. Her usually bright eyes were steely and cold.

Despite their size difference, Rinda had gained the upper hand. "The easy way or the hard way," she demanded, her voice a chilling contrast to her youthful appearance. The dagger pricked his skin, drawing a bead of blood.

The man choked, a horrifying blue blooming around the wound. Panic clawed at him as he realised the dagger was laced with poison. "B-bitch… I'll… I'll never tell you anything!"

Rinda shrugged, her expression unreadable. She produced a small, herb-filled pouch, kicked the man in the chest, and forced its contents down his throat. He sputtered, the powder clinging to his beard.

"Between watching you die slowly from poison or more… active demise, I know which I prefer." A wicked grin spread across Rinda's face as she tightened the strings held in her fingers. The man screamed as his limbs contorted, joints popping and tendons snapping.

"Where's Kazuo?" she demanded through gritted teeth.

The interrogation yielded results but at a gruesome cost. As the man breathed his last, Rinda was consumed by self-loathing. How could she have let an assassination attempt happen under her nose?

Fury warred with betrayal in her heart. Kazuo, the one she respected and cared for, had turned traitor. She knew, more than anyone, the tangled history between him and Shinji.

Leaping from tree to tree, Rinda traversed the dense forest. A flicker of light in the distance – torches. Cautiously, she crept closer, the sounds of a struggle reaching her ears. A gasp escaped her lips as she recognised the figures locked in a deadly dance.

Shinji and Kazuo faced each other, weapons drawn. A modified handgun met a wickedly curved sickle, both aimed for a fatal blow.

For years, the people of Islez had witnessed the bond between these two men – fierce rivals yet unwavering companions. They had always had each other's backs through gruelling missions and countless battles.

Then, the unthinkable happened. A fifteen-year-old Kazuo, consumed by rage, stormed into the White Wolf estate, his sole target being the younger Shinji. The ensuing chaos left scars, forcing them apart for years. Only time had healed the wounds, allowing them to reconcile.

But now, the past seems to have risen from its grave. Rinda, desperate for answers, had pleaded with Shion, the sole witness to Kazuo's outburst. The Elder had offered only a cryptic silence, relieved the bond had been mended.

"What is the meaning of this?" Shinji's calm voice had a dangerous edge.

Kazuo's response was a chilling grin, his fangs glinting in the firelight. His sickle sang a deadly song as he threatened Shinji's throat.

Mika's mind raced. Her agility would allow her to intervene, create a diversion and give Shinji the chance to escape. But a single gesture from Shinji halted her. His hand raised, a silent plea for her not to interfere.

Left with no choice, Mika remained hidden, her eyes glued to the unfolding scene.

"Isn't this just fascinating?" Ralph's voice, laced with sinister glee, echoed through the forest. "Who would've thought the one you entrusted with your life would become your ultimate betrayal? You brought this on yourself, Shinji! Remember Kai? The man closest to your own heart!"

Ignoring Ralph's taunts, Shinji focused his gaze solely on Kazuo. A flicker of understanding dawned on him, followed by a slight smile that grew into a wide grin. He tilted his head back in a relaxed manner.

"Don't take this personally, Milord," Kazuo said, his voice strained.

A heavy silence descended once more before Shinji spoke, a low murmur escaping his lips.

"I see. In that case..."

Mika watched with bated breath as Shinji tossed his gun aside, disarming himself.

"Shinji?!" she gasped, her voice barely a whisper.

Even Ralph seemed surprised by the unexpected move.

With deep violet eyes locked on Kazuo, Shinji spoke. "I made a vow a long time ago that if I were to die, it would be by your hands. If revenge is what you seek tonight, I won't stop you. However, I plead that you spare Mika. She has nothing to do with any of this. Her mission has been set – she must reach the Red Line, no matter the cost."

Kazuo's reply was immediate and fierce. "What?! You must be crazier than I thought if you believe I'd let her go after having the pleasure of killing you!"

Shinji remained undeterred. "You and I both know Fulaina is in grave danger. If nothing is done to prevent the Spirits from crossing over, humanity itself will perish." He turned his body, locking eyes with Mika.

"No matter what happens to me, you must complete the mission, Mika. That's why you were chosen as my Apprentice."

"Shinji..." Mika's voice trembled.

"That's an order," he commanded, his voice firm despite the danger they faced. "Promise me."

"B-But Shinji, I—"

"Promise me!" Shinji yelled, his voice laced with desperation.

"Well, well, well," Ralph interjected, relishing the drama. "Had I known he'd give up his life so easily, I would've asked you to do it sooner, Kazuo. What are you waiting for? Off with his head!"

Twin screams pierced the night - Mika's and Rinda's. They watched in horror as Kazuo raised his sickle, the blade a hair's breadth from severing Shinji's life. Just then, a strangled cry erupted from one of Ralph's henchmen. His face contorted in agony, he fell to the ground, followed by another and another.

Panic replaced Ralph's amusement. "What's going on here?" he bellowed, grabbing one of his remaining men and examining his face, now a sickly green with froth bubbling from his lips. His pulse was faint, then stilled.

A figure blurred from the trees, landing gracefully amongst them. Before Ralph could react, another group of Kriegers, clad in white, surrounded them.

One Krieger stepped forward, holding a golden scroll aloft. His voice boomed through the clearing.

"It has come to the attention of the Great Elders that you, Ralph, have not only committed multiple crimes against Islez, sullying the name of the Kriegers, but you have also attempted to assassinate Lord Shinji Karou and his Chosen Apprentice, Lady Mika. By the order of the Grand Elders, you are under arrest and stripped of your rank as Krieger!"

Now bound and defeated, Ralph could only stare at Kazuo, his face a mask of shock and disbelief.

SHAMEDFACED, Kazuo lowered his gaze, avoiding the stares of the onlookers. The weapon in his hand felt strangely heavy. He replayed the scene in his mind - the tremor in his hands as he swung the sickle, then the forced stillness as its tip met Shinji's neck.

Even if it had been an act, the raw emotion had been confirmed, leaving sweat clinging to his shirt and a tremor shaking him to his core.

He finally lifted his head, meeting Shinji's blank stare. Kazuo could see the other man's knees trembling slightly.

Instead of anger, Kazuo adopted a playful tone. "Making these lovely ladies worry about you... honestly! Didn't Suzumi teach you anything about making girls cry?"

His crimson eyes flickered towards the thick tree branch where Rinda remained hidden. She had buried her face in her arm, unable to bear witness to a potential beheading. Her weight must have been resting solely on her tiptoes because, with a soft whimper, her knees gave way.

The sudden arrival of the Kriegers had been a shock, and relief flooded Rinda as she saw Shinji unharmed. Unable to contain her joy, she hid her tear-streaked face as a vibration on the branch alerted her to Kazuo's presence.

He landed with practised grace, a sheepish grin on his face. "Rinda," he called softly.

Slowly, Rinda peeked around her arm. Anger boiled over, and she lunged, a tiny fist aimed squarely at Kazuo's stomach.

"You! You jerk!" she shrieked, pummeling him with surprising force.

Kazuo yelped, throwing his arms up in defence. "Ow! It was an act! All an act! I never meant to hurt him! Why would I want to kill Shinji anyway?"

Rinda halted, her fists clenched. Sniffling, she turned away. "I don't know what to believe anymore. The Elders wouldn't tell me what happened between you two, but it was obviously something deep and personal. You obviously used to hate Shinji, enough to want to hurt him. I just..." Her voice trailed off, choked with unshed tears.

Kazuo placed a gentle hand on her head, pulling her into a comforting hug. "I wouldn't hurt him, Rinda. Not anymore," he murmured. "Never again. You don't have to worry about anything, okay?"

Rinda blinked rapidly, her anger melting away in the warmth of his embrace. After a moment, she pushed him away playfully, earning a laugh from Kazuo.

Wiping her tears, she descended the tree, her heart light with relief, and approached Shinji.

The commotion had settled, Ralph and his men trudging back towards the village under the watchful eyes of the White Wolf Kriegers. But the silence that followed was heavy, each character lost in their thoughts.

Mika replayed Ralph's words, the accusation clinging to her like a shroud. "He killed a man closest to his own heart!" She couldn't reconcile this image of the kind, gentle Shinji with a cold-blooded murderer. She recalled asking Suzumi why Shinji needed an apprentice when he had the entire clan behind him.

Suzumi's answer echoed in her mind: "Because of his position. Leading the clan means putting his life on the line. Being a powerful clan attracts enemies, both outside and within. You, Mika, as his Chosen Apprentice, are his bodyguard, entrusted with his life. Closer than any captain or clan member, except for family."

A sudden roar shattered the contemplative silence. Ralph, his face contorted in rage, had disarmed one of the warriors and sent the rest sprawling with lightning-fast kicks. His martial arts were savage and deadly. He lunged at Kazuo, a dagger glinting in his hand.

"You traitor! You betrayed me after all these years! After everything he did to you, taking everything away! You forgot about Kai, your dead brother?!"

"I haven't forgotten," Kazuo replied, his gaze unwavering.

"Then why betray me?! Why side with the bastard who killed him? Weren't you the one who swore revenge? Tell me!"

Kazuo met Ralph's furious glare head-on, his friends watching with bated breath. Rinda, fueled by anger, lunged forward, but Kazuo gently restrained her. His eyes held a silent plea: Stay back.

"I've been thinking a lot about Kai's death," he said, his voice heavy. "It's become a burden. All of it. It's not worth it. Kai wouldn't want this. He'd want us to move on, carry on his legacy. Shinji didn't kill him intentionally. He had to."

"Lies! The boy who swore revenge that night – he had no soul in his eyes! He was determined to kill his best friend for murdering his brother! Admit it, Kazuo! Deep down, you still hate him!"

"Enough!" Kazuo roared, surprising everyone. He had always found Ralph insufferable, but now, the man's rage mirrored his past.

"You're the one clinging to the past, Ralph. I've let go." His voice softened. "I know what I said back then... about avenging Kai. But that was years ago, when I was raw with grief. Kai was my only family. I couldn't accept Shinji killing him. No matter what Suzumi or the Elders said, I refused the truth. But time heals. I've been in Kai's shoes, you see."

Rinda's curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?" she asked.

Kazuo turned to her, a small smile playing on his lips. "Remember those times I'd disappear for months? Each time I returned with a hefty sum. You'd pester me for a job, but the truth is, the White Wolf Clan hired me as Shinji's bodyguard for his dangerous missions. I told them not to pay me, just let me see Shinji, but they'd sneak money into my bag. You always said I needed a job anyway."

Rinda's jaw dropped, her disbelief mirrored in her wide eyes. Kazuo chuckled before turning back to Ralph.

"There were tough times, near-death experiences. But it dawned on me – this is what Kai went through. Protecting Shinji, no matter the cost. Except for that one fateful night."

Shinji, a silent observer, was stunned by Kazuo's revelation. He attempted to speak, but the words wouldn't form. All these years, he believed Kazuo harboured a grudge. Even though Kazuo claimed otherwise, Shinji knew some wounds never fully healed.

Kai's passing wasn't Shinji's fault. He died with honour, a warrior defending his charge to the last. We should remember him for his bravery, not the tragedy. That's how I choose to honour his memory." 

THE wind howled through the trees, a mournful symphony accompanying the heavy grey clouds gathering overhead. Rain lashed down, fat drops pounding the earth like a thousand fists.

Ralph stood shivering, his teeth gritted, and the stolen dagger was a tremoring extension of his rage. It wasn't the cold that sent shivers down his spine, nor the harsh words from his deceased best friend's brother. It was the sheer impossibility of letting go.

Kai was dead. The only person who had ever seen him, the one who had befriended him despite his gruff exterior, who had pushed him to open up – gone.

A horrifying stillness descended upon Ralph's mind. If only the White Wolf Prince hadn't come seeking Kai's protection, his friend would still be alive.

He tightened his grip on the dagger, his eyes hardening.

Kazuo, soaked to the bone, knew a decision had to be made. Talk Ralph down or face a fight to the death. He much preferred to avoid bloodshed. Ralph might be a pain, but even a jerk like him wasn't worth dying for in a pointless battle.

"Give it up, Ralph," Kazuo pleaded. "This is a losing battle. You've lost. Accept it."

Ralph sneered but remained rooted to the spot.

Rinda, seeking warmth from the relentless rain, had moved behind Shinji, her arm wrapped around his bicep. Though his face remained calm, a flicker of terror danced in his eyes. Rinda could sense the gears turning in his mind, calculating every possible outcome.

Her grip on Shinji's arm went unnoticed as he continued to stare down the two men.

"Shinji," Mika murmured beside him. Her soft yet firm voice broke his concentration. 

Shinji blinked, meeting his Apprentice's concerned gaze. Her intuition, as always, had been spot on. Shinji might be bold, but he would never take a life unless absolutely forced to.

Ralph remained silent, face obscured by a hand. Neither man dared to move. Kazuo gripped his chained sickle tightly, his gaze fixed on the older man. Though the downpour made it difficult, he knew he couldn't blink for fear of missing a move. A sly old snake, that's what Ralph was.

A sound shattered the tense silence – soft chuckles that morphed into chilling laughter.

"Time and again, you manage to fool these fools, Lord Shinji, evading responsibility," Ralph taunted. "But not this time!"

In a blink, he vanished.

"What?!" Rinda screamed, lunging forward in defence.

Mika, too, had blades drawn and scanned the area. "To your left, Kazuo!" she cried.

Reacting instantly, Kazuo swung his weapon, meeting a flying dagger head-on. The impact sent a jolt of pain through his abdomen, followed by a brutal kick to the chest that sent him sprawling.

"Kazuo!" Mika yelled, rushing to his side but halting abruptly. Ralph's target wasn't him; it was Shinji!

True to Mika's words, Ralph appeared a few metres from Shinji. He lunged but, in a sudden shift of target, grabbed Mika instead, coiling his arm around her waist like a serpent constricting its prey.

"If I can't have you," he roared, "then I'll take her instead!" He dragged her towards the cliff's edge.

"Mika!" Shinji's voice boomed as he sprinted after them. Three perfectly aimed shots rang out, two or three hitting Ralph's leg, slowing him down.

Mika struggled against his grip, her blades lost on the ground. Panic surged through her – she wouldn't die like this!

Five.

With a final, desperate yell, she slammed her elbow into the back of Ralph's head. 

Four.

It worked! Ralph's grip faltered, eyes rolling back as he lost consciousness.

Three.

Mika was falling. She fought against gravity, clawing at the air.

Two.

Just as she felt the ground rushing towards her, a metallic clang echoed in her ears.

One.

A chained weapon, Kazuo's sickle, wrapped around her wrist, arresting her fall.

By the time Kazuo pulled her to safety, the rain had stopped. Mika looked at him with overflowing gratitude. Without a word, she threw her arms around him, clinging tightly.

"Kazuo... You saved me. Thank you. Thank you!"

Kazuo chuckled, hugging her back.

"How could I let a beauty like you fall, eh?" He winked, then pulled away, a sigh escaping his lips. He glanced down at Ralph's lifeless body floating in the river and bit his lip.

He hadn't liked the man, but Ralph had taught him how to use the chained sickle.

THE first rays of dawn painted the sky a hopeful orange as Mika and her companions finally limped back into Islez. News of Ralph's betrayal - his attempted assassination of the young White Wolf Lord and his chosen Apprentice, culminating in his own demise - had spread like wildfire.

Before they even reached the village gates, they were swarmed by a sea of curious villagers. Shinji, for once, felt the weight of nobility pressing heavily on him. He couldn't muster the energy to put on a facade, groaning at the barrage of questions about their well-being. To his right, Mika politely requested the crowd to part, allowing them passage. Rinda, on his left, took a less diplomatic approach, barking orders for them to step aside.

Two squads of White Wolf Kriegers alerted to their approach, cut through the throng, clearing a path for Shinji and his company from the village entrance to the Elder's Residence.

Upon arrival, the Elders greeted them with concern and relief. Kazuo, ever dutiful, stepped forward and bowed respectfully before the Grand Elders.

"Elders," he began, his voice heavy with exhaustion, "I—"

Elder Dauz, the white-bearded leader, cut him off with a gentle wave. "Your report can wait, child. Right now, all of you need rest. Rest assured, Milord, I've informed the Clan Councils of the situation and postponed the meeting until you've all had a chance to recover."

Shinji, drained but grateful, nodded. "Thank you. My sincerest apologies for the inconvenience, Elders."

"No apologies necessary, Milord," Elder Dauz replied. "It is we who should apologise for this unfortunate event during your visit. Now come, let us show you to your living quarters so you can get some well-deserved rest."

Exhausted but glad to be alive, Mika and her companions limped back into Islez. News of Ralph's betrayal echoed through the village, a stark reminder of the darkness that lurked beneath the surface. The ordeal had left its mark. Mika dreamt of plummeting into the abyss, the chilling wind whistling in her ears. Though outwardly stoic, Shinji couldn't shake the image of Ralph's crazed face.

Rinda, her initial anger replaced by a cautious understanding, watched Kazuo from afar. Forgiveness wouldn't come quickly, but she knew the path to healing had begun. A silent nod from Shinji acknowledged Kazuo's sacrifice, a promise of a future built on trust.

As the Elders ushered them to their quarters, Mika glanced at Shinji. The weight of responsibility on his shoulders grew heavier. Yet, a flicker of determination burned in his eyes.