Zenjin Chapter 3 : Kurai Neza

We Now Begin An Third Protagonist In The Country Outskirts Of Aether.

The Beginning Of Kurai Neza

Kurai Neza was different from the day she was born. With vibrant green hair and piercing green eyes, she stood out among the other children at the orphanage. But it wasn't just her appearance that set her apart—it was the way she was, how she saw the world without the emotions that others seemed to feel so naturally. From as far back as she could remember, the other kids avoided her, whispering behind her back, mocking her indifference. They found her strange, and her abnormal strength only added to the fear they had of her. No one wanted to play with Kurai, and the sadness and loneliness she felt grew with each passing day.

Ma'am Lang, the caretaker of the orphanage, was the only one who saw beyond Kurai's differences. She would often find Kurai sitting alone, staring out the window with a distant look in her eyes. Ma'am Lang would sit beside her, offering gentle words of comfort, and though Kurai's face remained emotionless, inside, those moments brought her a small flicker of happiness.

As the years went by, Ma'am Lang is about to retire as a caretaker. The children of the orphanage all found homes, one by one, until only Kurai was left. Ma'am Lang, seeing the loneliness in Kurai's eyes, made a decision that changed both of their lives forever. She adopted Kurai, taking her in as her own daughter. For the first time in her life, Kurai felt a sense of belonging, and the joy she experienced in being loved by Ma'am Lang filled the emptiness inside her.

As she cried in Ma'am Lang's arms, she spoke with gentle joy. "Thank you, thank you so much." Ma'am Lang smiled, knowing that she would nurture her with love.

Zenjin and Kurai Friendly Rivals

The rivalry between Kurai Neza and Zenjin began in the most unexpected way—a chance meeting on a bus headed to a martial arts summer camp when they were just six years old. Both were eager to prove themselves, not only to their peers but to each other, and neither knew that this summer would mark the beginning of a lifelong bond.

Zenjin, full of quiet excitement, had been preparing for the camp all year. As the day finally arrived, he stood with Bravely, Bravely's parents, and his mother at the bus stop, his mother embracing him tightly. "Be brave out there, Zenjin," she said, her voice filled with pride. "We'll be there to watch you in the tournament in two weeks."

With a final wave, Zenjin boarded the bus, scanning for a seat. Almost every spot was taken except for one next to a girl with striking emerald-green hair. He approached her cautiously. "Is this seat taken?" he asked politely.

Kurai, who was lost in thought, snapped out of her reverie and quickly responded, "No, no, no you don't—" But before she could finish, Zenjin sat down, oblivious to her initial hesitation.

He turned to her, his eyes wide with surprise and admiration. "Wow, you look really, really awesome," he said with a calm demeanor that caught Kurai off guard.

Kurai, used to being avoided because of her unusual appearance, was surprised by his response. "You don't find me weird?" she asked cautiously.

Zenjin shook his head, a smile spreading across his face. "No way. I think you could be a really cool person to be around. I just have this feeling that you're special."

Kurai blushed, a rare occurrence for her. "Thank you," she murmured, then introduced herself. "I'm Kurai."

"I'm Zenjin," he replied, and just like that, the two became fast friends.

On the way to the camp, they talked about everything under the sun, but the one topic that excited them both the most was fighting. They discovered a shared passion for martial arts and a mutual love for the thrill of combat. Fighting, they agreed, was fun as hell.

Over the next two weeks, they became the camp's star sparring partners, challenging each other every chance they got. While others at the camp kept their distance from Kurai, intimidated by her strength and mysterious aura, Zenjin remained by her side, unbothered by what others thought. Together, they pushed each other to their limits, growing stronger with each match.

Then, the day of the tournament arrived. The camp buzzed with excitement as the two best fighters, Kurai and Zenjin, faced off in the finals. The match was intense, their skills evenly matched, each blow landing with precision and force. The crowd watched in awe as the two six-year-olds fought with the prowess of seasoned warriors.

In the end, it was Kurai who emerged victorious. Her strength was on a whole new level, and though the battle had been close, she managed to claim the win. Zenjin, ever the good sport, shook her hand with a grin. "You were amazing," he said. "But next time, I'm going to beat you."

Kurai smiled back, a rare warmth in her eyes. "I'm looking forward to it."

From that summer on, Kurai and Zenjin met at the camp every year (3 years) , their rivalry growing stronger with each encounter. They shared stories, laughed about their lives, and most importantly, they fought—each time, Kurai coming out on top. Zenjin, though, was undeterred. He vowed to himself that one day, he would surpass her, and Kurai, in turn, eagerly awaited that day.

But when Kurai turned nine, things changed. She arrived at camp, her heart racing with excitement to see Zenjin again. She had gotten more training from Ma'am Lang over the years. She looked for Zenjin only to find that he wasn't here. Disappointed but hopeful, she waited for the next summer, convinced he would return. But once again, Zenjin didn't show.

It was a strange feeling for Kurai, who had grown so used to having him by her side. Zenjin was the second person in her life, after Ma'am Lang, to truly see her for who she was, to treat her with kindness and respect. Now, with him gone, she felt a familiar loneliness creep back into her heart.

As she wandered through the camp alone, she couldn't help but wonder if she would ever see him again. She missed their battles, their conversations, the way he made her feel like she wasn't so different after all. But most of all, she missed having someone who understood her, someone who wasn't afraid of her strength or her strange appearance.

Kurai continued to train, her determination unwavering, but a part of her always looked back, hoping that one day, Zenjin would return, and they could pick up where they left off. Until then, she would carry on, stronger than ever, but with a small, aching hope that the next summer would bring her old rival back into her life.

The Awakening of Kurai The Semiental

One day, when Kurai was eight, Ma'am Lang, and she decided to take a walk on a quiet forest trail. The day was peaceful, and Kurai felt content. But as they walked, two men suddenly appeared, their intentions dark and dangerous. Without warning, they attacked, beating and stabbing Ma'am Lang as Kurai watched in horror. Something inside her snapped. The overwhelming rage she had never known surged through her, and in that moment, a green fire erupted from within her, engulfing the attackers. The flames were fierce, but by some twist of fate, the men survived, though badly burned, and were soon caught by the police.

Ma'am Lang eventually recovered, but the incident had revealed a truth that could no longer be hidden. Sitting with Kurai, she spoke of her secret past and the mysterious power that lay dormant within Kurai all these years. As Kurai listened, she felt a strange sense of readiness. This was the day she had unknowingly waited for, the day she would finally understand who she truly was and the power she possessed. 

The journey to discover her true self had only just begun, and Kurai Neza was ready to face whatever came next.

Kurai Neza had always felt different, but she never imagined just how extraordinary her origins truly were. On a quiet evening, Ma'am Lang finally revealed the truth that she had kept hidden for so long.

"Kurai," Ma'am Lang began, her voice trembling with emotion, "you are not from this planet."

Kurai's green eyes widened, confusion and curiosity swirling within them. She listened intently as Ma'am Lang explained that she had found her as an infant, abandoned in the woods, cradled in the arms of a dying woman—her mother. Ma'am Lang recalled the shock she felt upon discovering the scene: a woman with emerald-green hair, much like Kurai's, severely wounded, struggling to breathe. Despite her injuries, the woman had a fierce, otherworldly presence that struck Ma'am Lang to her core.

As she knelt beside the woman, ready to call for help, the mother of Kurai spoke, her voice weak but urgent. "Please… don't waste your time. Help won't come in time. The shadows of the Syndicate… they are still after us."

Ma'am Lang's heart raced. She had encountered the Syndicate before, a ruthless group of crime lords who would stop at nothing to achieve their sinister goals. But now, with an orphanage full of children depending on her, she knew she couldn't afford to get entangled with them again.

The woman continued, her voice growing softer. "My daughter… she possesses great power within her. I am not from this world… I am a Semiental. You must protect her, no matter what. The Syndicate must never get their hands on her. Once she grows up and discovers her power… she must be trained. And when the time is right, tell her to find Lady Aura. She will be the key to unlocking her true potential."

Ma'am Lang was bewildered, torn between disbelief and the fierce determination to do the right thing. Her life had been dedicated to caring for children, and she knew in that moment that she had to protect Kurai. "I will protect her," Ma'am Lang promised, her voice filled with resolve.

The dying woman, her strength fading, whispered her final words into her infant daughter's ear. Then, with her last breath, she looked into Ma'am Lang's eyes. "Her name is Kurai. Protect her… Now, run. Run as fast as you can!"

Without hesitation, Ma'am Lang scooped up Kurai and fled. She ran through the forest, her heart pounding, knowing that every second counted. Behind her, the woman unleashed a final explosion, sacrificing herself to create a distraction for the crime lords who pursued them. The explosion lit up the night sky, a blaze of green fire that marked the end of Kurai's mother and the beginning of Kurai's journey.

As Ma'am Lang finished telling the story, Kurai broke down in tears. The weight of her mother's sacrifice, the burden of her unknown origins, and the overwhelming sense of loss all came crashing down on her. Ma'am Lang wrapped her arms around Kurai, holding her close. "I will take care of you, Kurai. I promise," she whispered, her voice gentle yet firm.

After the tears subsided, Kurai looked up at Ma'am Lang, her eyes now filled with determination. Kurai had a small training session before with Ma'am Lang, but she felt that she was hiding something. "Train me," she said, her voice steady. "I want to be ready. I need to be strong, for real, this time."

Ma'am Lang nodded, seeing the fire in Kurai's eyes. She led Kurai to a hidden basement beneath the orphanage, a place she had kept secret for years. Unlocking the door, she revealed a room lined with an impressive collection of katana swords, each one gleaming with the promise of power.

Kurai was stunned. She had no idea Ma'am Lang had such a past, but now it all made sense. "Are you ready, Kurai?" Ma'am Lang asked, her voice filled with both love and resolve.

Kurai, now more determined than ever, nodded. The training would be grueling, but with the knowledge of who she was and the love she had for the only mother she had ever known, Kurai was ready to embrace her destiny. The journey to uncover her true power and fulfill her mother's final wish was about to begin.