XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE

Chapter 3: BREAKING ALL BARRIERS

Background

Font

Font size

22px

Width

100%

LINE-HEIGHT

180%

← Prev Chapter Next Chapter →

Chapter 2: THE BLIND MAIDEN

Chapter 4: BREAKING BARRIERS

{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?!

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

[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.]

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.

[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.]

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!

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

You are reading story XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE at novel35.com

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...

Kazuki - Kuh!

Whoever you are, stop

hiding and wasting my

time!

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

You can find story with these keywords: XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE, Read XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE, XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE novel, XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE book, XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE story, XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE full, XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE Latest Chapter

← Prev Chapter Next Chapter →

Chapter 2: THE BLIND MAIDEN

Chapter 4: BREAKING BARRIERS

Chapter 3 BREAKING ALL BARRIERS. {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?!

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.

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.

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...

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.

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.

[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.]

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.

[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.]

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...

[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.

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!

[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

. Bạn vừa nghe xong Chapter 3 BREAKING ALL BARRIERS tại website novel35.com vui lòng chuyển sang chương sau để có thể nghe tiếp.

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.