{This Light Novel Story Is Set In The Japanese Shōwa Era.}
Author: GigaTOONZ
"XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE"
Chapter.03
[In Mira's cabin, Kazuki sits on the floor and stares at his father's white cloth in his hands. Kaya sways her legs up and down while sitting on a futon behind Kazuki. Just then, the door opens.]
Kazuki - Oh?
Kaya - Oh?
[Mira comes in and walks over to Kazuki and Kaya.]
Mira - ...Let's go.
[Kazuki places the cloth under his futon. He and Kaya then get up and follow Mira out of the cabin.]
________________________________________________________________________
[Outside Mira's cabin, Kazuki and Mira stand facing eachother while Kaya sits and sways her legs back and forth on a tree stump.]
Mira - Before we start, i
want you to put this
on.
Kazuki - Oh?
[Mira gives Kazuki a black blindfold with a large, white moon Kanji written on it.]
Kazuki - Heh...?
Mira - What is it?
Kazuki - Another blindfold?
You're not gonna hit
me again, are you?
Mira - Oh!
Jeez, what am i, a
monster?!
Kazuki - Maybe.
Mira - What did say?!
2.
Kazuki - Nothing!
[Mira sighs.]
Mira - I'm not gonna hit you
again.
Not yet at least.
Kazuki - Eh?!
Mira - This is different.
Just like mine, that
blindfold bares the
kanji of the moon.
It's meant to signify
that from now on,
you'll be a student
under MY training.
Kazuki - Oh, i see.
But...why a moon?
[Mira smugly smirks.]
Mira - Because the moon...
Is cool.
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
That was so lame.
Kaya - [Thoughts]
That was so lame
Mira - Besides, haven't you
two ever heard the
story of the moon
goddess.
Kazuki - Oh?
Mira - I say that legend
says...
Kazuki - Eh?!
Mira - That long ago, three
beautiful goddesses
born from the
almighty God himself
descended upon the
earth.
3.
There was the moon
goddess, Tsuki...
The sun goddess,
Suyumi...
And the youngest of
them all...
The beast goddess,
Megami.
At one point, these
three sisters got
into a horrible
arguement.
Megami, being
youngest and most
animalistic among
them, lashed out at
her sisters in anger,
severely hurting
them and making them
run away in fear.
Kazuki - Heh...?
Mira - Yes.
Much later on, the
injured and helpless
moon goddess, Tsuki
was found by an early
ancestor of the
Makoshima clan.
Kaya - Heh...?
Mira - Yes.
Not knowing Tsuki was
a goddess, he used
all the money and
resources he had to
help her recover
back to full health.
4.
The moon goddess was
so touched by the
man's kindness that
she rewarded him by
sacrificing her own
physical form and
and using it to bless
the man and all his
descendants.
After that, her
spirit returned to
the moon where it
would peacefully
watch over the land
and forever be at
rest.
That's why till
today, any person of
Makoshima clan, or
anyone closely
related to the
Makoshima clan who
proudly and
respectfully carries
the symbol of the
moon is blessed with
good fortune.
Kazuki - Ah...
Kaya - Ah...
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
She seriously made
that up?
There's no way
that's true.
Kaya - [Thoughts]
Liar.
Mira - Hmm?
Why are you two
staring at me like
that?
Kazuki - N-No reason.
By the way, i've been
meaning to ask...
5.
You said you were
gonna train me,
right?
Does that mean you're
some kind of Xeno
Hunter trainer?
Mira - ...Sure, let's go
with that.
Kazuki - What the-
You're not even
trying!
[Mira's cat walks over to Kaya and climbs on to her lap and lies down there. Kaya smiles and pets the cat.]
Kaya - So, what ever
happened to the sun
goddess?
Mira - ...I have no idea.
Kaya - [Thoughts]
Of course.
Kazuki - ...Was Megami that
much stronger than
her sisters?
I mean, to be able
chase them away like
that...
Mira - ...No.
Megami was actually
highly weak compared
to her sisters.
Kazuki - Oh!
Mira - Actually...
"Highly" might be a
bit of an
understatement.
Kazuki - Oh...
Mira - Well, that's enough
story time for now.
6.
You should know...
Uhhh...
Ummm...
...What was your name
again?
Kazuki - Eh?!
Mira - Whatever, i'll just
call you Kiboi.
Kazuki - "Kiboi"?!
[Kaya struggles to hold back her laughter.]
Mira - You should know,
Kiboi, that once you
put that blindfold
on...
You can only take it
off when you've
completed your
training.
Kaya - Ah!
kazuki - What?!
Kaya - What happens if he
takes it off before
he completes his
training?!
Mira - ...Then he would
permanently cease to
be my student.
Kazuki - Ah...!
Kaya - Ah...!
Mira - Training to become a
Xeno Hunter was YOUR
choice to make,
Kiboi.
Not mine.
But i can only train
you if you're truly
willing to commit.
7.
[Kazuki begins to look unsure of himself.]
Mira - Do you accept this
condition?
[Kazuki turns and looks to his side at Kaya. He then smiles and turns back to Mira with a reassured expression and nods a "Yes" to her.]
Kazuki - I do.
Mira - Good.
One more thing before
we start...
Kazuki - Oh?
What is it?
[Mira pulls out a piece of paper from her Yukata and hands it over to Kazuki.]
Kazuki - Oh...
[Kazuki opens the piece of paper.]
Kazuki - Ah!
Is this-
Mira - It's your mother's
note.
Kazuki - Oh!
Mira - I figured it'd be
best if you at least
knew what it said.
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
...Last time, the
words were so
smudged that i could
barely make it out.
[Thoughts]
She must've
re-written the note
so i'd be able to
read it.
[After reading the note, Kazuki smiles with tears in his eyes. Mira sighs.]
8.
Mira - Need some time
alone?
Kazuki - ...No.
I'm glad i got to
read this now.
If i had read this
note before, there
would've been a lot
i didn't understand.
I may not understand
everything yet.
But i understand
enough for now.
Thank you,
Makoshima-San.
You truly are a nice
person, aren't you?
Mira - No not really.
[Kazuki's expression becomes a little annoyed at Mira.]
Kazuki - A-Anyway...
[Kazuki bows his head to Mira.]
Kazuki - I'm honoured to be
under your training.
And i'll make sure to
give it my all from
now on.
[Kazuki lifts his head up and puts on his moon blindfold.]
Kazuki - ...I'm ready...
Sensei.
[Mira smiles.]
Mira - Good.
Because your training
to become a Xeno
Hunter...
Begins.
9.
[In the thick snowy forest, Kazuki trains.]
Mira - Focus!
Don't let your
thoughts waver!
If you truly are
determined to be a
Xeno Hunter, you'll
have to know
everything there is
about becoming one?
Kazuki - Ngh!
[Kazuki runs and swerves around many trees and obstacles, dodging them while being blindfolded.]
Kazuki - Hrgh!
[Kazuki quickly jumps and flips over a huge log and lands on the ground.]
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Kazuki - [Narration]
It's been five
months now since my
training with Sensei
started.
[Narration]
After many bumps and
bruises, i'm finally
getting used to
maneuvering my way
around the forest.
Ah!
[7 arrows fly at Kazuki's head but he senses it with his vibe detection technique and dodges it.]
Kazuki - Urgh!
[Kazuki runs and jumps over a huge pit of jagged spikes and lands safely on the ground.]
Kazuki - Ngh!
[Kazuki continues to run.]
10.
Kazuki - [Narration]
My progress is slow.
But at least i can
say i HAVE made
progress.
Hgh!
[Kazuki jumps, grabs a tree branch swings over a trip wire.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
I'm quite different
from the person i
was five months ago.
[Narration]
I'm much stronger
now.
[Narration]
And it's all thanks
to Sensei.
[Kazuki lands on the ground.]
Kazuki - Ngh!
Ah!
[Kazuki rapidly dodges as a large axe swings from the trees and nearly cuts him in half.]
Kazuki - Eeek...!
[Narration]
Sensei's training
style is quite...
unique, in its own
way.
[In the forest, Kazuki kneels and stares at a large deep pit full of jagged, rocks.]
Mira - Get in there!
[Mira kicks Kazuki's butt and sends him falling into the pit.]
Kazuki - Ahhhhh...!
11.
[Narration]
Sensei and i have
thesame ability of
sensing the vibes of
all living and
non-living things.
[Narration]
The only difference
is...
[Narration]
Sensei is actually
blind.
[In the forest, Kazuki continues to run and dodge more obstacles.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
It came as a
surprise to me at
first.
But now it doesn't
seem so strange.
[Narration]
According to Sensei,
even without her
eyes, she's capable
of seeing things
normal people could
only dream of.
She can see what a
person looks like.
She can see what a
person's wearing.
And it's through her
clairvoyance
technique and years
of practice that
she's capable of
something so
amazing.
[Narration]
Right now, i know
i'm nowhere near
Sensei's league in
anything.
[Narration]
Except in crop work
of course.
12.
[Narration]
Sensei stinks at
that.
Ah!
[While running, Kazuki senses another obstacle's vibe in front of him.]
Kazuki - Ngh...!
[Kazuki quickly knee slides under a garrotting wire. He barely dodges the wire and it slices a part of his forehead, making him bleed.]
Kazuki - Ngh!
[Narration]
Soon enough, i
learned that this
blindfold isn't just
meant to be a
uniform or make me
look cool, according
to Sensei of course.
But it's also meant
to completely cut
off my sense of
sight, making me
depend solely on my
clairvoyance and
instincts to avoid
danger.
[Kazuki continues to run and dodge more obstacles and traps.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
Right now, it feels
really strange and
uncomfortable.
But as time goes on,
i'm getting more and
more used to it
everyday.
[Narration]
According to Sensei,
she's been doing
this ever since she
was blinded by the
age of eight.
13.
[Narration]
"Blinded"...
[Narration]
She's never once
told me how that
happened.
[Narration]
I guess some
stories...
[Narration]
Are just too painful
to tell.
[Much later on, Kazuki crouches and breathes heavily after a hard day of training.]
Kazuki - Ngh...!
...I guess i better
head back.
[At night, Kazuki comes back to Mira's cabin. He looks over to his side and sits on a large tree stump. He crosses his legs together, deeply and slowly inhales then exhales and starts to meditate.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
Everyday...
After i finish
training...
[Narration]
I always try to find
a little time to
meditate.
[Narration]
Concentrate my
thoughts on the one
thing that i'm
aiming for.
[Thoughts]
Focus...
[Thoughts]
Focus...
[Kazuki gets a quick, painful flashback of his family's death.]
14.
Kazuki - Ngh!
[Thoughts]
Focus...
[Kazuki gets another painful flashback of his family's death.]
Kazuki - Kuh...!
[Thoughts]
Focus...!
[Kazuki has one last painful flashback of his family's death, making him jolt up and begin to breathe heavily.]
Kazuki - ...Maybe that's
enough training for
today.
[Kazuki gets up and heads into Mira's cabin.]
[In Mira's cabin, Kazuki gently closes the entrance door.]
Kaya - Welcome back, Kazuki.
Kazuki - Oh?
[Kazuki turns around and finds Kaya and Mira kneeling down at a table, drinking tea.]
Kazuki - Kaya...
[Kazuki smiles. He then walks over to Kaya and Mira and kneels at the table with them.]
Kaya - How was training?
Kazuki - Fine.
Or it would've been
if Sensei didn't
secretly ditch me
mid-training.
Kaya - Eh!
Mira - I didn't secretly
ditch you.
I just left.
Kazuki - Umm, i don't really
see the difference.
15.
And why did you leave
anyway?!
Kaya - Was there some
important matter you
needed to attend to?
Mira - ...I was hungry.
Kazuki - So blunt!
Kaya - So blunt!
Mira - What, i get hungry
too you know!
Kazuki - Umm, r-right.
[Kaya pours some tea in a cup for Kazuki.]
Kazuki - So, what have you two
been up to anyway?
Kaya - Nothing much.
Mira and i have just
been chatting.
Mira - Mhm.
Kazuki - Chatting?
Kaya - You sound a little
surprised.
We ARE girls.
So it's only natural
we get along.
Besides, you're not
the only one Mira's
been teaching things
you know.
Mira - Mhm.
Kazuki - Oh...
R-Right.
Oh!
[Kazuki notices a bandaged cut on Kaya's arm.]
Kazuki - Kaya, your arm!
16.
Kaya - Oh?
Oh, this?
Ahaha.
I...might've
accidentally cut
myself with a knife
earlier.
B-But don't worry!
I'll learn from the
pain and be more
careful next time.
[Kazuki holds Kaya's arm pulls her closer to him.]
Kaya - H-Hey!
Kazuki - Stay still, will
you?!
[Kazuki gently places his palm on Kaya's injury and slowly inhales and exhales. The strange, purple, glowing patterns appear around his hand and spread to Kaya's arm.]
Mira - Ah!
Kaya - Oh...
[After a while, the patterns slowly disappear from Kazuki's hand and Kaya's arm.]
Kazuki - Does it still hurt?
Kaya - Only a little now.
Thanks, Kazuki.
[Kazuki smiles.]
Mira - You really ARE full
of surprises, aren't
you?
Kazuki - Oh?
Mira - I never thought i'd
see someone else in
this era capable of
performing Magecraft
like that.
Kazuki - Magecraft?
Mira - Oh!
17.
You really don't even
know what that is?
Kazuki - Well, not on a
professional level.
[Mira sighs.]
Mira - ...Baka.
Kazuki - Hah!
Mira - Well, i guess it
can't be helped.
It IS a bit of
a long story, so
let's leave it for
another time.
Kazuki - Hai...
[Kazuki gets up and clears the table.]
Mira - So what's for dinner?
Kazuki - What the...?!
Kaya - Come to think of it,
i'm kinda hungry too.
Kazuki - Wha-
O-Oi!
Didn't you two just
eat a few minutes
ago?!
Mira - Well, we're hungry
again.
Kaya - Jeez, Kazuki.
You're really gonna
deprive two
beautiful, innocent
girls of food?
Kazuki - Heh?
Mira - How cruel.
Kazuki - Heh?!
18.
Kaya - You know Kazuki, you
really ought to start
pulling your weight
around here if you're
ever gonna be a true
man.
Mira - I agree.
[Kaya and Mira nod to eachother.]
Mira - Mhm.
Kaya - Mhm.
Mira - Mhm.
Kaya - Mhm.
Kazuki - Ah...
Why are you two so
much in sync?
Kaya - C'mon Kazuki, me
hungry!
Kazuki - Ugh...
Mira - Besides...
Kazuki - Oh?
[Mira softly smiles.]
Mira - I like your cooking.
Kazuki - Oh!
[Kazuki blushes.]
Kaya - [Whispers]
...Oi Mira, he's
blushing again,
isn't he?
Kazuki - Kaya!
Kaya - Sorry, sorry.
[Kazuki sighs.]
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
These two are all
but innocent.
19.
Fine, what do you two
wanna eat?
Mira - Yahoo! Ahahaha...
Kaya - Yahoo! Ahahaha...
Mira - In that case, since
you're feeling so
generous, let's have
Yakitori.
Kaya - Ooh!
Or how about Sashimi?
Mira - Or maybe Onigiri.
Kaya - Tempura Udon would be
nice.
Mira - Let's just eat them
all.
Kaya - That's genius!
[Mira and Kaya continue to happily decide, making Kazuki smile.]
[7 months later, a well-built Kazuki trains with a Katana in the forest.]
Kazuki - Harghhh!
Hahh!
[Kazuki practices his sword swings, parrying and slicing multiple traps, shot and thrown at him.]
Kazuki - Hgh! Hrgh!
Ngh! Hahh!
[Narration]
It's been exactly a
year now since my
training with Sensei
started.
[Narration]
Now with a sword in
my hands, i train to
near death on a
daily basis.
[Kazuki runs through the forest with a scabbarded Katana in his hand and maneuvers his way through several obstacles.]
20.
Kazuki - [Narration]
At first, the
feeling of
constantly carrying
a sword around
severely hindered my
overall movements.
[Kazuki runs and tries to maneuver his way through several vines hanging from the trees but his katana gets caught in them.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
Ah! Wahhh!
[Kazuki tries to free himself but ends up getting horribly tangled in the vines.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
Despite Sensei's
wisdom, she wasn't
much of any help
when these kind of
things happened.
[Mira runs and tries to untangle Kazuki but ends up horribly tangling herself with him.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
However, after a
while, Sensei WAS
able to help me
correct all the
flaws in my
movements, making it
easier to maneuver
my way around any
obstacle while
holding a sword.
...Nine hundred and
ninety!
[Kazuki does one-handed push ups with Kaya and Mira sitting on his back.]
Kazuki - Kuh...!
Nine hundred and
ninety one!
Nine hundred and
ninety two!
21.
Kaya - You can do it,
Kazuki!
I believe in you!
Don't give up!
Don't give up!
Boom! Boom!
Kazuki - Kuh...!
[Thoughts]
Sensei's a little
too heavy if you ask
me?!
Kaya - Just one more,
Kazuki!
Just one more!
Kazuki - Kuh!
Harghhh...!!!
One thousaaand!
[Kazuki falls to the ground in fatigue.]
Kazuki - Ughhh...
Kaya - Ahh!
Kazuki!
Stay with me, Kazuki!
Stay with me!
Kazuki - Kill me.
Just kill me, Kaya.
Mira - Oi.
I never told you to
stop.
Get up.
[Mira Karate chops Kazuki's head.]
Kazuki - Ugh...
[Much later on, Kazuki and Mira stand and face eachother while Kaya sits on a boulder, eating a rice ball.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
This one of the most
difficult parts of
my training.
22.
[Narration]
Normally, Xeno
Hunters mainly use
swords in battling
Xenos.
[Narration]
However, it's
essential for all
Xeno Hunters to know
how to defend
themselves without a
sword, should the
need ever arise.
[Narration]
Which is why Sensei
is also training me
in the arts of
hand-to-hand combat.
[Narration]
Apparently, Sensei
created her own
form of martial
arts.
A fighting she calls
the GURASSIGAMA,
which involves moves
that are mainly
based on deflection,
submission and
grappling.
As well as straight
up striking attacks.
[Narration]
However, the thing
with the GURASSIGAMA
is that it
specializes in
nearly all striking
attacks being
performed using the
legs while still
maintaining balance
when subduing your
opponent.
[Narration]
Which makes it a
whole lot more
difficult.
23.
[Mira takes a fighting stance.]
Mira - ...Come at me.
[Kazuki takes his fighting stance but suddenly finds himself being flipped.]
Kazuki - Eh?
Gahh!
[Kazuki gets slammed to the ground by Mira.]
Kazuki - Ngh...!
[Narration]
Sometimes i forget
just how strong and
fast really Sensei
is.
Damn it!
[Narration]
It really pisses me
off the way she ends
our fights using
zero effort, though.
[Narration]
Sometimes, i think i
really do wanna kill
her.
[Kazuki gets up and charges at Mira.]
Kazuki - Ahhh...!
[Kazuki throws several, powerful punches at Mira but she easily deflects them.]
Kazuki - Ngh!
Hrgh! Hargh!
Mira - Hgh!
[Mira throws a rapid blow at Kazuki but he flips backward and dodges it.]
Kazuki - Ngh!
[Kazuki does a hand stand and spins in different directions, using his legs to deliver several, powerful kicks to Mira.]
24.
Kazuki - Ngh!
Hrgh! Urgh!
Hahh!
[Mira effortlessly deflects and dodges all of Kazuki's attacks.]
Kazuki - Kuh!
Harghhh!
[Kazuki delivers a devastating kick to Mira but she easily grabs his leg before it hits her.]
Kazuki - Eh?
[Mira punches Kazuki and sends him flying high up into the air.]
Kazuki - Yahhh...!
[After a long while, Kazuki falls back to the ground next to Mira, sitting down and drinking a cup tea.]
Kazuki - Ugh!
Mira - Hmm?
[At night, Kazuki and Mira return to the cabin.]
Kazuki - Ugh...
Mira - Quit moaning already.
It's making me
uncomfortable.
Kazuki - It's your fault for
not knowing a thing
about restraint!
Mira - "Restraint"?
Do you really think i
haven't been holding
back against you all
this time?
Kazuki - Heh?!
Wait, you're telling
me you've been
holding back?!
25.
Mira - Well, of course i've
been holding back.
I mean, if i didn't,
you would've been
dead a long time ago.
Kazuki - I don't think that's
something you should
be telling your
student.
Mira - Ahahahahahahaha.
Fine.
Then i'll leave you
with this.
[Mira lifts up her index finger.]
Mira - Lesson one, Kiboi.
Kazuki - Oh?
Mira - Your biggest problem
is that you've been
focusing too much
building your muscles
and strength and not
enough Strengthening
force you generate
with each strike.
Kazuki - I'm not quite sure i
follow.
Mira - Striking speed,
Kazuki.
In simple terms, what
you lack...is
acceleration.
Kazuki - "Acceleration"?
Mira - Tell me, Kiboi.
How exactly is force
determined?
Kazuki - Ah!
By simply multiplying
a moving mass by it's
acceleration.
Mira - Correct.
26.
[Mira clenches her fist and throws a light punch at Kazuki.]
Mira - Imagine if a person
with a muscle mass
of EIGHTY kilogrammes
threw a punch at an
accelerating speed of
about TWENTY metres
per second.
How much force do you
think that person
would generate?
Kazuki - About one thousand,
six hundred newtons
of force.
Mira - Exactly.
Now imagine if a
person with a muscle
mass of only FIFTY
kilogrammes threw a
punch at an
accelerating speed of
about SIXTY meters
per second.
How much do you think
THAT person would
generate?
Kazuki - That would be...
Ah!
Three thousand
newtons of force!
[Mira smiles.]
Mira - Do you follow NOW?
Muscles ARE useful,
but too much of it
CAN be a hindrance
from time to time.
27.
Right now, i'd say
your body still has
room to put on a few
more pounds.
But while you're
doing that, try to
also focus on
increasing the amount
of force you're
capable of generating
when you strike.
That'll give you a
way bigger edge over
any opponent multiple
times your own size
and strength.
Kazuki - That sounds easier
said than done.
[Mira smiles.]
Mira - ...Everything is
easier said than
done.
[Kazuki's expression becomes concerned.]
Mira - Don't worry, Kiboi.
Kazuki - Oh?
Mira - I know that Soon
enough, you'll be way
stronger than i could
ever be.
Kazuki - Ah!
Really?!
Mira - No.
[Mira shatters Kazuki's hopes.]
Mira - C'mon, lets go
inside.
Kazuki - H-Hai...
[Kazuki and Mira head into the cabin.]
Kazuki - We're back, Kaya!
28.
Oh!
[Kazuki and Mira find Kaya sleeping on a futon. Mira smiles.]
Mira - She probably tried to
stay up all night.
[Kazuki smiles.]
Kazuki - ...I should take her
inside.
Mira - I think that would be
best.
Be sure to clean
yourself up after
you're done.
Kazuki - Right.
[Kazuki carries Kaya into a small bedroom and lays her down on a bed. He then smiles and gently strokes her cheek.]
Kazuki - Good night, Kaya.
Sleep well.
From now on, i'll
work even harder...
So i can always be
there to protect you.
I promise.
[Kazuki goes to his room and begins to take off his dirty clothes. His expression becomes concerned.]
[FLASHBACK]
Mother - [Thoughts]
Hiroto, Teruko,
me...
[Thoughts]
Our deaths were
inevitable.
There was nothing
you could've done.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
Kazuki - ...How did she know?
29.
[Kazuki looks over at his father's white cloth on his futon for a while. He then puts on a towel and leaves the room.]
[In a small corridor, Kazuki walks to the bathroom to take a bath. He sighs in exhaustion.]
Kazuki - Man, i'm tired.
Guess it just means i
worked up a good
sweat today.
Well, nothing better
than a hot bath after
a good workout, i
guess.
[Kazuki opens the bathroom door and heads inside.]
Kazuki - Ah!
[Kazuki accidentally walks in on Mira towel-drying her hair.]
Mira - Hmm?
Kazuki - Ah...
[Kazuki looks down and notices Mira only wearing a dark blue bra and panties as well as her blindfold.]
Mira - Hmm?
Kazuki - Heh...?
[Kazuki blushes and becomes flustered.]
Kazuki - S-S-S-S-Sens...sei...
Mira - Kiboi?
Kazuki - Uhh, i, umm...
[Kazuki tries to step backwards but trips.]
Kazuki - Wahh!
Mira - Kiboi, look out!
[Mira quickly grabs Kazuki's hand to stop him from falling but he accidentally pulls her down with him.]
Kazuki - Wahhh!
Mira - Wahhh!
30.
[Kazuki and Mira fall and slam the ground.]
Kazuki - Ugh...
Mira - Ugh...
Kiboi, are you
alright?
Kazuki - Ahh, i...think so.
What about you-
Deh!
[Kazuki realizes that face is dangerously close to Mira's large, bust.]
Mira - Oh!
Kazuki - F-F...
[Kazuki quickly gets up and runs out of the bathroom.]
Kazuki - Forgive me,
Senseeei...!
Mira - ...Oh...
[Mira gets up and walks over to a large mirror. She stands and stares at her highly voluptuous figure, making her blush and begin to look self-conscious.]
Mira - Mmm...
[The next day, early in the morning outside Mira's cabin, Mira inspects Kazuki practicing his sword swings.]
Mira - Your swings are a
little stiff.
[Mira walks over to Kazuki.]
Mira - Try relaxing your
shoulders a little.
[Mira places her hand on Kazuki's shoulders.]
Mira - Like this.
Kazuki - Ah!
[Mira gently massages Kazuki's shoulders and eases them up, making Kazuki blush.]
Mira - There.
31.
Kazuki - Th-Thank you, Sensei.
Mira - Umm, hey, Kazuki.
About last night...
Kazuki - Heh?!
I-I really am sorry
about what happened!
I'll accept any
punishment-
Mira - N-No!
I-It's okay, really!
I just...
Well i...
Umm...
[Mira begins to blush.]
Kazuki - Oh...
Sensei?
[Mira smiles.]
Mira - Forget it.
Kazuki - H-Hai...
[Mira's smile widens.]
Mira - I'm impressed by how
much effort you've
put into your
training.
You've come a long
way.
But there ARE a few
more steps left for
you to climb before
you're ready.
Kazuki - Ready for what?
Mira - ...To learn one of
the most crucial
parts of becoming a
Xeno Hunter.
Kazuki - Oh!
32.
Mira - Think you can do it?
[Kazuki smiles.]
Kazuki - Hai!
[After an, epic training montage, Kazuki and Mira stand in the forest while Kaya sits and sways her legs back and forth on a tree stump.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
Today, Sensei
introduced me to one
of the most crucial
parts of becoming a
Xeno Hunter.
[Narration]
A part that i never
knew of.
Kinetic...Arts?
Mira - Yes.
The Xeno Hunters
utilize a sacred
sword fighting
technique known as
the Kinetic Arts.
It basically helps
increase their
overall physical and
mental abilities when
battling a Xeno.
Kazuki - Ah!
Really?!
[Mira points her index and middle finger to her blindfolded eyes.]
Mira - See, the Kinetic Arts
is a special psychic
technique.
It was first derived
from the ancient
Shinto religion
practiced in the
early eras of Japan.
33.
When you use the
Kinetic Arts, your
heart beat
drastically speeds
up.
But at the same time,
your entire body and
mind goes into a
complete Zen state.
Because of this Zen
state, your brain and
heart release two
special serums
into your
bloodstream.
When these two
serums merge
together, they form a
catalyst which seeps
into your muscle
fibres, causing them
to densify.
This gives you enough
strength, speed and
stamina to hold your
own against any Xeno
you encounter.
Kazuki - Wow!
[Narration]
Sensei really speaks
in such a strange,
captivating way.
[Narration]
She always makes
everything so easy
to understand.
Mira - By the way, Kiboi...
Kazuki - Oh?
Mira - The powers of the
Kinetic Arts are
mainly based on the
elements of nature.
Kazuki - Elements?
34.
Mira - ...Water...
Earth...
Fire...
Thunder...
The appearance AND
mode of performance
of the Kinetic Arts
greatly follows these
certain elements.
However, some Kinetic
Arts HAVE been
created as branches
derived from other
Kinetic Arts.
Some even bearing no
relation to natural
elements, what so
ever.
By utilizing the
Kinetic Arts
technique, the user
is validly capable of
manifesting a
physical, psychic
projection of their
own fighting spirit,
using their swords.
This makes their
slashes more powerful
and precise, thereby
more effective.
Kazuki - I see.
Mira - The Kinetic Arts i'll
be teaching you isn't
a branch, but a
highly augmented
version of the Water
Kinetic Arts.
My own personal
creation.
Kazuki - Ah!
Woah!
Really?
What's it called?!
35.
[Mira smiles.]
Mira - You should already
know that by now.
It's called...
The Moon Kinetic
Arts.
[At the top of a huge waterfall, Mira, Kazuki and Kaya stand together.]
Mira - Every Kinetic Arts
has a specific number
of styles that can be
performed.
Some styles are more
powerful than others,
but in the end, they
all serve for
different uses,
having their own
benefits, as well as
drawbacks.
The Moon Kinetic Arts
has a total of nine
styles, and you'll be
learning each and
every single one of
them.
The human heart beats
at a normal resting
rate of about sixty
seven beats per
minute.
To use the Kinetic
Arts, your heart has
to reach a rate of at
least seven hundred
beats per minute.
Kazuki - What?!
That's impossible!
W-What if can't?!
Mira - ...Let's begins.
[Kaya places her hand on Kazuki's shoulder to reassure him.]
36.
Mira - Now...
Draw your blade.
[Kazuki slowly unscabbards his katana and holds it upright.]
Mira - Breathe...
Focus...
Clear your mind of
Unnecessary thoughts.
[Kazuki slowly inhales then exhales. As he focuses, suddenly, his heart nearly bursts.]
Kazuki - Gah!
[Kazuki drops his sword and falls to his knees.]
Kazuki - Agh...!
Kaya - Kazuki!
[Kazuki violently coughs and gasps for air as blood pours out of his mouth and seeps out of his eyes through his blindfold.]
Kaya - Kazuki!
Kazuki, are you
alright?!
[Kaya gently holds Kazuki and supports him from falling.]
Mira - Pathetic.
Kazuki - Oh!
Kaya - Oh!
Mira - ...How could i have
wasted my time with
someone so pathetic?!
Kazuki - Ah!
Kaya - Tsk!
What did you just
say?
Mira - It's just as i
suspected...
[Mira walks over to Kazuki and Kaya.]
37.
Mira - I specifically told
you that your body,
mind AND spirit were
all equally involved
in performing the
Kinetic Arts.
But you didn't
listen, did you?
You failed to realize
that memorizing the
concept of the
Kinetic Arts is
completely different
from actually being
able to perform it.
Admittedly, your
mental capabilities
DID grow undisputably
massive over the
course of your
training...
But your body and
spirit still have
absolutely no idea on
what their supposed
to do.
Kazuki - Kuh!
Mira - ...Just what the hell
have you been doing
all this while?!
I'LL tell you!
You've done nothing
but wasted my time!
Kaya - Kuh!
Back off, Mira!
Kazuki's been doing
nothing but working
himself to death for
a whole year all
because of YOUR
training!
[Kaya stands up.]
38.
Kaya - Despite the horrible
harshness and
coldness you showed
towards him, he still
followed YOUR
teachings to the core
without question!
Is this what he
deserves after
everything he's been
through?!
Mira - "Everything He's Been
Through"?
Ahahahahahahahahahaha
hahahahahahaha!
You two really think
you're special, don't
you?
Alright...
Let me tell YOU
something, Kaya...
For millennia,
hundreds of millions
of people of this
vast country have
been through the
exact same thing you
have and even worse.
Kaya - Oh!
Mira - Don't think your
different just
because you survived!
All you are is just
another victim who
joined the fray!
Kaya - Ah
Mira - ...I won't lie to
you, Kiboi...
Kazuki - Oh!
Mira - Performing the
Kinetic Arts is no
easy feat.
39.
A significantly high
amount of people HAVE
died from trying to
learn it time and
time again.
Kazuki - Ah!
Kaya - What?!
Mira - Sometimes, your heart
Could end up blowing
right out of your own
chest.
Other times, your
brain could melt away
and liquify itself
under pressure.
...I'll say what i
said before...
Training to become a
Xeno Hunter was YOUR
choice to make.
Not mine.
But i can only train
you if you're truly
willing to commit.
So tell me, Kiboi...
What will it be?
[Kazuki ponders for a while. He then picks up his sword and stands back up.]
Kazuki - Ngh!
I won't back down!
Mira - Oh!
Kazuki - Not now!
Not when i've gotten
this far!
For Kaya's sake...
And for the sake of
every innocent person
out there...
40.
I won't back down!
Kaya - Oh...
[Kazuki wields his blade. Mira's head droops and her expression saddens.]
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
Father...
[Thoughts]
Mother...
[Kazuki's heart begins to beat faster and faster.]
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
Hiroto...
[Thoughts]
Teruko...
[Kazuki strengthens his grip around his sword hilt.]
Kazuki - Give me strength!
________________________________________________________________________
[In the forest, Kazuki falls to the ground and catches his breath. His entire lower arms are covered in numerous scars from his training.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
It's been three
whole years since my
Sensei first
started.
[Narration]
After three whole
years...
[Narration]
Finally...
[Narration]
I had done it...
[Narration]
I learned the
Kinetic Arts.
Ugh!
41.
Kaya - Kazuki!
[Kaya runs over to Kazuki and helps him stand. As she supports him, Mira walks over to them.]
Kazuki - [Narration]
...It was there and
then that Sensei
said to me...
Mira - There are two more
things you need to
do.
Follow me.
[Kazuki picks up his katana and holds Kaya's hand. Together, they follow Mira deeper into the forest heavily covered in fog. Mira then stops.]
Mira - Kiboi...
This is the time to
decide whether you're
truly ready for this
or not.
If you choose to go
further...
There's no turning
back.
[Kazuki's head droops in self doubt. Kaya gently holds Kazuki's hand.]
Kazuki - Oh!
[Kaya smiles.]
Kaya - It's okay, Kazuki.
It's okay to say no.
Kazuki - Ah!
Kaya - There's no shame in
knowing when to give
up.
Knowing your own
limits and accepting
them is truly what
makes you brave.
42.
So, whatever your
decision is...
In these eyes...
No brother could ever
compare to you.
Kazuki - Kaya...
Kaya - You've been working
so hard and giving
everything your all
since the beginning.
Saying no once
wouldn't hurt you,
would it.
[Kazuki smiles.]
Kazuki - I guess not.
But it would hurt
you.
Kaya - Oh!
Kazuki - In more ways than you
know.
Thank you, Kaya.
Kaya - Oh...
[Kaya smiles.]
Kaya - Right!
[Kazuki turns to Mira.]
Kazuki - I'm ready, Sensei.
[Mira's expression saddens.]
Mira - Very well.
Kazuki - Oh!
Mira - ...Every five years,
an entrance exam is
held in the Sumiwaru
Forest far from here.
43.
It's meant to recruit
new members into the
Xeno Hunter Corps.
If you can pass my
final test, you'll be
eligible to
participate in the
entrance exam.
Kazuki - So, what's the final
test?
Mira - ...Right now, we're
standing in a very
sacred part of this
forest.
Kazuki - Ah!
Mira - Soon enough, it'll
grant you a
challenge: A barrier.
What you have to do
is break that barrier
before the sun rises.
Right now, it's still
dark.
But i'm not sure how
much time you have
left.
Kaya - What happens if he
doesn't break the
barrier before sun
rise?
Mira - ...Supposing he
doesn't die before
then, he would lose
his way out of the
forest, being trapped
in this fog for life.
Kaya - Ah...!
What?!
You're just saying
this now?!
How could you let
him-
44.
Kazuki - Kaya!
Kaya - Ah!
Kazuki - I said i'd do it,
didn't i?
[Kaya expression greatly saddens. Kazuki then smiles and pets her head.]
Kazuki - ...I have one
question before i
start.
What did you mean
when you said
"Supposing I Don't
Die Before Then"?
Mira - The barrier you'll
face will only be
based on what YOUR
mind projects.
If it's a burden you
carry that keeps
weighing you down,
it'll manifest itself
into an entity with
the sole aim of
ending your life.
Kazuki - Ah!
I see.
[Kazuki turns around and walks alone, deeper into the forest to face his barrier.]
Kaya - We'll be waiting
right here for you
when you get out!
So be careful, okay?!
Mira - [Thoughts]
Good luck.
[Thoughts]
Please be safe.
[Kazuki completely disappears into the thick fog.]
[In the heart of the forest, Kazuki stands, surrounding by thick fog. He slowly inhales then exhales.]
45.
Kazuki - I can do this.
[Suddenly, the thick fog increases and begins to slowly swirl everywhere.]
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
What the...?
Mother - Kaaazukiii...
Spirit
Kazuki - Ah!
[Kazuki begins to breathe heavily and look around frantically.]
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
What was that?!
[Thoughts]
That voice...
[Thoughts]
Why did it sound so
familiar?!
Mother - Kaaazukiii...
Spirit
Kaaazukiii...
Kaaazukiii...
Kazuki - Kuh!
Whoever you are, stop
hiding and wasting my
time!
Show yourself!
Show yourself!
[Kazuki breathes heavily. He then unscabbards his blade and takes a fighting stance.]
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
...Focus.
[Thoughts]
Focus...
[Thoughts]
Don't waver.
46.
[Thoughts]
Remember what Sensei
taught you.
[Kazuki gently touches the moon kanji on his blindfold.]
Mother - Kaaazukiii...
Spirit
Kaaazukiii...
Kazuki - Ngh!
[Kazuki watches and concentrates on a suspicious looking part of the fog.]
Mother - Arhhhh...!
Spirit
[A forest spirit rapidly leaps out of the fog and tries to kill Kazuki but he quickly deflects it with his sword.]
Kazuki - Urk! Ngh!
[The forest spirit lands on the ground behind Kazuki. He then quickly turns around.]
Kazuki - Ah!
[Kazuki slowly lowers his sword as tears flow down his cheeks from his blindfold. He sees a forest spirit, greatly resembling a hideous, mangled, deformed version of his own mother.]
Mother - Ehehehe.
Spirit Hehehe.
[Kazuki watches in horror as two more hideously, deformed spirits, resembling Hiroto and Teruko emerge from the fog.]
Mother - Kaaazukiii...
Spirit
Hiroto - You...not...save...
Spirit us...
Teruko - Only...save...your...
Spirit self...
Mother - Kaaazukiii...
Spirit
Hiroto - Hate...you...
Teruko - Hate...you...
Spirit
47.
Hiroto - Hate...you...
Teruko - Hate...you...
Spirit
[Kazuki stands lost in thought.]
Kazuki - [Thoughts]
How long has it been
now?
[Thoughts]
Right.
[Thoughts]
It's been three
whole years since
they died, hasn't
it?
[Thoughts]
It's funny how at
first, i thought i
lost everything.
[Thoughts]
I thought i was all
alone.
[Thoughts]
But after we ran
away that day...
[Thoughts]
I could feel a warm,
soft hand holding
mine.
[Thoughts]
And when i looked...
[Thoughts]
I saw Kaya...
[Thoughts]
My little twin
sister.
[Thoughts]
I saw the look on
her face.
[Thoughts]
Even though she was
badly hurt...
48.
[Thoughts]
Even though her
heart felt so much
pain...
[Thoughts]
She only ever showed
concern for others.
[Thoughts]
Never herself.
[Thoughts]
It was then i knew
that i didn't lose
everything.
[Thoughts]
I still had a
beautiful treasure
that i had to
protect.
[Thoughts]
Three years is a lot
of time.
[Thoughts]
Kaya and i HAVE
grown a lot since
then.
[Thoughts]
If it were back
then, i would've
instantly been
broken by those
words.
[Thoughts]
But i'm not thesame
person i was before.
[Thoughts]
I'm not a helpless
kid anymore!
[Kazuki wipes the tears from his cheeks.]
Kazuki - I...
[Kazuki lifts his katana and takes his stance.]
Kazuki - Am a Samurai!
49.
Mother - Kuh...!
Hiroto - Kuh...!
Teruko - Kuh...!
Spirit
Kazuki - You're not my family!
By befouling their
beautiful faces,
you've insulted the
Kayne family name!
For that...
I'll end you all!
[The three forest spirits let out a horrifying shriek and rapidly charge at Kazuki. They try to kill him from all directions but he parries all their attacks with his sword.]
Kazuki - Ngh! Hah!
Urk! Kuh!
[The three spirits land on the ground and all merge together, forming a gigantic, hideous, womanlike creature.]
Kazuki - Ah!
Kuh!
[The gigantic spirit creature lets out a horrific shriek and charges at Kazuki.]
Kazuki - ...I've had enough.
[Kazuki takes a strange stance with his blade and focuses. He slowly inhales then exhales.]
Kazuki - MOON KINETIC ARTS!
[Thick veins protrude from Kazuki's face and lower arms. His heart then begins to beat faster as the gigantic spirit creature closes in.]
Kazuki - SIXTH STYLE!
[The gigantic spirit creature's stomach opens up a huge mouth, shrouded in numerous jagged teeth and tries to devour Kazuki.]
Kazuki - BURSTING...
[Kazuki lifts his blade up in the air.]
Kazuki - CRESCEEENTS...!!!
50.
[Kazuki violently swings his sword down, unleashing a powerful, vertical, slash in the form of purple water containing smaller, exploding, yellow crescents, shrouding his blade.]
Kazuki - Arghhhhh...!
[Kazuki's attack blows the gigantic spirit creature to pieces, ending it once and for all.]
THE END
TO BE CONTINUED
