Chapter 7: HAVING NO REGRETS

{This Light Novel Story Is Set In The Japanese Shōwa Era.}

Author: GigaTOONZ

   "XENO HUNTER: BLOOD OF FATE"

             VOLUME.05

         Title - HAVING NO REGRETS

[At Mira's cabin, Kaya walks out and stands, staring at the moon. After a while, Mira walks over and stands beside her.]

        Mira - ...It'll be sunrise

               pretty soon.

        Kaya - ...Yeah.

               Thanks for telling

               me.

        Mira - Oh?

        Kaya - ...I haven't been

               able to see through

               my own eyes for ten

               years now.

               I barely remember

               what the sky even

               looks like.

               I barely remember...

               What anything looks

               like.

[Kaya smiles.]

        Kaya - Funny, isn't it?

        Mira - ...You seem a lot

               more at ease than

               before.

        Kaya - ...I AM still worried

               about Kazuki.

               But it's true that i

               AM a little more at

               ease now.

        Mira - Why?

2.

[Kaya looks at Mira.]

        Kaya - Because i know

               Kazuki will survive.

               And i know he'll win.

        Mira - Oh!

        Kaya - Over the years of

               Kazuki's training,

               i'm sure you've

               noticed this about

               him.

               ...Kazuki MAY always

               see himself as

               inferior to the

               people around him.

               And he MAY always

               doubt his own

               capabilities from

               time to time.

               But the one thing

               he's never done...

               Is call himself weak.

        Mira - Oh!

[Kaya looks up at the moon.]

        Kaya - ...It's very clear

               how Kazuki will

               always be infinitely

               distant from

               perfection.

               It's only natural.

               He IS just human.

               And every human has

               their own limits.

               But being able to

               acknowledge those

               limits, and still

               push on with his head

               held high...

               Is what makes Kazuki

               a true man.

3.

[Mira smiles.]

        Mira - Right.

               ...I've seen many

               different students,

               trained by varieties

               of masters.

               And out of every

               single one, only a

               handful of them are

               truly LIKE Kazuki.

               It pains me to say

               that those are the

               only ones bound to

               survive.

               The rest shall fall.

               I can't say Kazuki's

               exceptional among the

               rest, because that

               wouldn't be true.

               But i CAN say this.

        Kaya - Oh?

        Mira - ...He'll win.

               He'll survive, and

               he'll win.

               Not just because of

               the way he fights...

               But because of the

               way he thinks.

[In the Sumiwaru forest, Kazuki battles the flesh xeno. A giant, spike-shrouded flesh tentacle tries to slam him.]

      Kazuki - Ngh!

[Kazuki quickly jumps out of the way. Three more tentacles flail at him.]

      Kazuki - Ngh!

[Kazuki sharply bends backward, dodging the first tentacle. He then jumps over the second one and flips out of the way, dodging the third one.]

4.

 Second Face - This is getting

               annoying!

               Just die already!!

  Flesh Xeno - Erghhh...!

[The flesh xeno sends more giant, serrated tentacles at Kazuki but he skillfully evades and dodges all of them.]

      Kazuki - Ngh! Hgh!

 Second Face - Harghhh!

[The flesh xeno materializes an even more gigantic, serrated tentacle from its body and sends it rapidly flailng at Kazuki.]

      Kazuki - Hrgh!

[Kazuki vertically slices the tentacle with his sword and completely splits it in half. He falls on one knee and begins to breathe heavily.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                ...Dammit!

                I can't go for its

                heart if those

                tentacles keep

                getting in my way!

               [Thoughts]

                No...

               [Thoughts]

                It's not just the

                tentacles...

               [Thoughts]

                It's my sword!

               [Thoughts]

                Why is my sword so

                heavy?!

               [Thoughts]

                Everytime i swing,

                it feels like the

                sword's moving in

                the exact opposite

                direction!

5.

 Second Face - Hehehehehehehe.

               You realize how

               futile your efforts

               are now, don't you?

               Even if you did find

               a way to get past all

               these tentacles...

[The second face's expression darkens.]

 Second Face - There's no way in

               hell you could sever

               our heart.

      Kazuki - Ah!

 Second Face - This giant mass of

               flesh of a body is

               nothing but a

               powerful dome,

               protecting our heart.

               Every Xeno Hunter who

               ever tried is always

               unable to break

               through the meat fast

               enough before they

               die.

      Kazuki - ...Tsk!

[The second face menacingly smiles.]

 Second Face - Do you really think

               YOU'RE any different?

               You may be slightly

               skilled for a child,

               but in the end...

               You're just a child.

      Kazuki - Kuh...!

[Kazuki worriedly looks at Hinawa, sleeping behind a tree.]

 Second Face - Hmmm?

[The second face notices Kazuki's concern for Hinawa.]

 Second Face - Hooohh?

6.

               It seems to me that

               the only reason you

               still challenge us is

               because you feel

               obliged to save that

               girl, yes?

      Kazuki - What does that matter

               to YOU?

 Second Face - More than you think,

               boy.

               The fertility of a

               human greatly

               determines the amount

               of energy their body

               grants a Xeno once

               devoured.

      Kazuki - What?

[One of the flesh xeno's limbs points at Hinawa.]

 Second Face - The womb of that

               young girl is

               bountifully fruitful.

               Her body is

               practically

               overflowing with

               fertility.

               Devouring her would

               exponentially

               increase our

               strength.

               At this point, she'd

               be of far more use to

               us than you could

               ever be.

      Kazuki - What are you getting

               at?

[The flesh xeno places one of its palms out to Kazuki.]

 Second Face - Surrender the girl...

               And you may walk

               free.

      Kazuki - Ah!

7.

[Kazuki and the second face stare at each other for a while.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                ...Their vibe tells

                me their not lying!

               [Thoughts]

                They really ARE

                prepared to let me

                live if i hand over

                Hinawa!

               ...Kuh!

               [Thoughts]

                Why am i even still

                thinking?!

                The choice is

                obvious!

[Kazuki slowly stands up.]

      Kazuki - Sorry to disappoint

               you, but even if i

               AM "Just A Child"...

[Kazuki takes his stance.]

      Kazuki - I won't let that girl

               die.

 Second Face - ...So be it.

[Kazuki gets ready to charge forward.]

   Student 1 - Oi, Oi.

      Kazuki - Ah!

[A group of the male and female entrance exam students walk to Kazuki.]

   Student 1 - What piece of shit do

               we have here?

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                More students!

[Kazuki relievingly smiles.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Thank God.

8.

               [Thoughts]

                With this many,

                we're bound to win

                for sure.

   Student 1 - Oi!

      Kazuki - Oh?

   Student 1 - You're in our way!

               Piss off, shrimp!

      Kazuki - ...Heh?

   Student 2 - I mean, come on!

               If you're having this

               much problems against

               just one Xeno, you're

               basically dead

               already.

   Student 3 - Ahahaha.

               Maybe his master only

               taught him the art of

               running away?

[All the students laugh at Kazuki.]

      Kazuki - That Xeno is faster

               than it looks!

   Student 4 - Oh?

   Student 1 - Hah?!

      Kazuki - You would all

               underestimate your

               opponent by just a

               single glance?!

               It's mistakes like

               that, that gets

               idiots like you all

               killed!

   Student 1 - ...You know...

[The first student walks over to Kazuki.]

   Student 1 - Earlier, when i said

               "Piece Of Shit"...

               I wasn't talking

               about the Xeno.

9.

      Kazuki - Kuh!

[Kazuki menacingly stares at the student. The student then smirks.]

   Student 1 - Just shut up and stay

               the hell out of our

               way!

   Student 5 - Got it, shrimp?!

      Kazuki - ...Fine.

[Kazuki scabbards his katana.]

      Kazuki - Have it YOUR way.

[Kazuki walks away and goes to Hinawa behind one of the trees.]

   Student 1 - Heh.

               Pay attention losers!

[The student walks closer to the flesh xeno.]

   Student 1 - This is what a real

               Xeno Hunter looks

               like.

 Second Face - Grrr...!

  Flesh Xeno - Grrr...!

[Kazuki kneels in front of Hinawa and gently places his palm on her cheeks.]

      Hinawa - Mmmm...

[Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Her condition is a

                little more stable

                now.

                That's good.

[Kazuki expression becomes concerned as he looks at the other students.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                I really hope they

                all know know what

                they're doing.

10.

               [Thoughts]

                Compared to mine,

                their chances of

                hunting that Xeno

                ARE far greater.

[Kazuki worriedly looks at Hinawa.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Maybe i should use

                this chance to get

                Hinawa to some place

                safe.

               [Thoughts]

                That DOES seem like

                the smartest choice

                for now.

[The group of students all draw their blades and take their stances.]

      Kazuki - Alright.

               It's settled.

               I'll-

[Kazuki senses a horrible vibe.]

      Kazuki - Ah!

               Oh no!

[The group of students prepare to attack the flesh xeno.]

   Student 1 - Alright!

               Time to put this ugly

               meat bag out of

               sight!

               On my command-

      Kazuki - Don't!

   Student 1 - Hah?!

[All the students turn to Kazuki.]

   Student 1 - You again?!

      Kazuki - He's luring in!

               Get out of there now!

   Student 6 - The hell is that

               shrimp blabbering

               about?

11.

   Student 7 - I..think he's

               telling us to-

      Kazuki - Ruuuuuun!

[Several gigantic, spike-shrouded tentacles rapidly emerge from the ground and begin to gruesomely murder and massacre all the students as they scream in horror.]

      Kazuki - Oh my God!

 Second Face - Insolent fools!

[The remaining male and female students begin running away and screaming in horror but the flesh xeno's tentacles begin grabbing all of them and horrifically ripping them to pieces as they scream in agony.]

      Kazuki - Ngh!

[Kazuki quickly carries Hinawa and runs away in horror. He trips and falls on the ground with her.]

      Kazuki - Ugh! Ngh!

[Kazuki quickly gets up drags Hinawa behind a large rock. He then falls on his knees.]

      Kazuki - Blarhhh...!

[Kazuki begins to gruesomely vomit and breathe heavily from the horrific sight he just witnessed.]

      Kazuki - Ngh...!

[Kazuki looks back and sees the flesh xeno and the second face continuously murdering and devouring the entrance exam students as they scream in horror and crying agony.]

      Kazuki - Kuh...!

[The ground is horrifically littered with ripped out limbs, innards and massacred bodies of dead students lying in pools of blood. A few of the partially dead students, some with smashed heads and ripped out limbs, try to drag their mutilated bodies away but are horribly devoured by the flesh xeno.]

   Student 7 - This can't be

               happening!

               This can't be

               happening!

12.

[The flesh xeno approaches ten surviving students in the group.]

   Student 8 - No!

               Please!

[The flesh xeno materializes a gigantic, serrated tentacle.]

   Student 9 - Stay back!

               Stay away!

  Student 10 - Somebody heeelp!

[The flesh xeno's serrated tentacle violently flails at the students but is suddenly slashed apart at blinding speed right before it makes impact.]

 Second Face - Ah!

    Students - Ah...!

        1-10

[The students see Kazuki positioned in his fighting stance in front of them. The flesh xeno and the second face look at their severed tentacle in annoyance.]

 Second Face - So you finally

               decided to die.

               Very well.

[The flesh xeno regenerates its severed tentacle.]

      Kazuki - Everyone, listen up!

               I'm not gonna say

               this again, so pay

               attention!

               Out of the ten of you

               alive right now, how

               many of you still

               have full arms and

               legs?!

   Student 6 - Heh?!

               Umm! Uhh!

               A-About th-three of

               us, i-i think!

      Kazuki - Damn it!

               Three just isn't

               enough!

      Hinawa - Then make that four!

13.

      Kazuki - Oh!

[Hinawa staggers to Kazuki and the other students.]

 Second Face - Hooohh?

      Hinawa - Urgh!

[Hinawa almost falls down.]

      Kazuki - Hinawa!

      Hinawa - Ngh!

               I'm fine!

               I can still walk!

               Let me help!

      Kazuki - Hinawa...

[Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - Alright!

               Everyone, get as

               many students as you

               can as far away from

               here as possible!

Students 1-3 - Hai!

      Hinawa - Hai!

[The students begin to help eachother.]

 Second Face - And just where do you

               think YOU'RE all

               going?

      Kazuki - Ah!

[The second face and the flesh xeno become infuriated.]

 Second Face - I don't remember

               giving anyone

               permission to leave!

      Kazuki - What?!

               Look at them!

               They can barely even

               protect themselves!

               They have no part in

               this fight!

 Second Face - I disagree.

               Their presence is

               greatly needed.

14.

      Kazuki - Huh?

[The second face psychotically smiles.]

 Second Face - After all, what good

               is a performance

               without a captive

               audience?

      Kazuki - Kuh!

[The entrance exam students tremble in fear as Kazuki menacingly stares at the second face and the flesh xeno. He looks around at the bloody murder ground, making his expression greatly sadden.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Such a horrible

                sight!

               [Thoughts]

                How could anyone do

                such a thing?!

               [Thoughts]

                I can't just let

                this one go!

               [Thoughts]

                If i do, many more

                innocent people will

                die!

               Kuh!

               I have to end this...

               Once and for all!

 Second Face - Bring it on!

[Several giant tentacles emerge from the ground, surrounding Kazuki and the students.]

      Kazuki - Ah!

[The tentacles all merge together and form a giant, airtight meat dome, trapping Kazuki and the students inside.]

   Student 4 - Wh-Where are we?!

   Student 7 - It's so dark!

   Student 5 - What's going on?!

15.

      Kazuki - Ngh!

               What are they doing

               NOW?!

[Inside the meat dome, several serrated tentacles begin to emerge from every side.]

      Kazuki - What the-

               Ah!

[A serrated tentacle violently flails at Hinawa.]

      Kazuki - Hinawa, look out!

      Hinawa - Ah!

[Kazuki rapidly dashes and slices the tentacle before it reaches Hinawa.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Of course!

                They're trying to

                out all at once!

[More serrated tentacles emerge in the dome and prepare to attack.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts] 

                If we don't get out

                of here now, we'll

                all be killed.

               [Thoughts]

                These students don't

                even know how much

                danger they're in.

                It's so dark in here

                they can barely see

                anything!

[Spikes rapidly protrude from all the tentacles in the meat dome.]

      Kazuki - Unfortunately for

               you, Flesh Xeno, i

               don't my eyes to see,

               at least not much.

               So, bring it on!!

[Every serrated, spike-shrouded tentacle in the meat dome violently flails at the Kazuki and the students.]

      Kazuki - Harghhh!

16.

[Kazuki begins to skillfully slice every flailing tentacle.]

      Kazuki - Ngh! Hrgh!

               Hargh!

[Kazuki continues to rapidly sever every flailing, serrated tentacle and protect the students.]

      Kazuki - Hargh!

[As kazuki slices the last tentacle, more begin to emerge inside the meat dome once again.]

      Kazuki - Ah!

[The serrated tentacles position themselves for another attack.]

      Kazuki - Kuh!

[Kazuki takes a strange fighting stance.]

      Kazuki - MOON KINETIC ARTS.

[Kazuki tightens his grip around his sword hilt.]

      Kazuki - SIXTH STYLE.

[Kazuki swings his sword as it gets shrouded in the moon kinetic arts.]

      Kazuki - BURSTING CRESCENTS!

[As kazuki swings his blade and slices the meat dome, the crescents in his moon kinetic arts violently explode and blow up the dome to pieces.]

      Kazuki - Ngh!

[Kazuki falls to his knees and breathes heavily.]

      Hinawa - Hey!

[Hinawa runs over to Kazuki.]

      Hinawa - A-Are you alright?!

      Kazuki - Yeah...

               Ngh!

               I'm fine.

[Hinawa helps Kazuki to stand up.]

17.

      Kazuki - Ugh!

 Second Face - You're quite

               persistent, aren't

               you?

      Kazuki - Oh!

      Hinawa - Oh!

 Second Face - ...This has gone on

               long enough!

               This time...

[The flesh xeno positions all its spiked tentacles for its final assault.]

 Second Face - You die!

      Kazuki - Kuh!

               [Thoughts]

                I can't keep this up

                anymore!

               [Thoughts]

                These students are

                all highly injured!

                Without medical

                help, soon enough,

                the haemorrhage is

                bound to kill them

                for sure!

               [Thoughts]

                I can't take anymore

                chances.

[Kazuki tightens his grip around his sword hilt.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                I have to sever that

                Xeno's heart.

[Kazuki takes his fighting stance.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                And i have to do it

                now!

                No matter what!

 Second Face - ...Come at me!

[Kazuki rapidly charges at the flesh xeno.]

18.

      Kazuki - Ahhhhh!!

[Kazuki slices the flesh xeno's flailing, serrated, tentacles. He then senses a horrible vibe.]

      Kazuki - Ah!

[Kazuki quickly jumps high into the air and dodges as multiple spike-shrouded tentacles burst from the ground and behind several trees.]

      Kazuki - Hgh!

[Kazuki grabs a spike on one of the tentacles, using it to swing and fling himself higher into the air over the flesh xeno.]

 Second Face - Ah!

               [Thoughts]

                H-He actually used

                our own attack to

                gain more altitude?!

                Dammit!

                We let him get too

                close!

               [Thoughts]

                No matter.

[The flesh xeno materializes a serrated tentacles from its body.]

 Second Face - [Thoughts]

                His entire body is

                wide open now.

                Even HE can't dodge

                an attack in

                mid-air!

[The flesh xeno violently flails its serrated tentacle at Kazuki's head.]

      Kazuki - Ngh!

               Hargh!

[Kazuki bites the serrated tentacle and uses his teeth to grab on to it.]

 Second Face - What the?!!

[The serrated tentacle violently flails around, wounding Kazuki mouth and making it copiously bleed.]

19.

      Kazuki - Ngh...!

[The flailing tentacle accidentally flings Kazuki on top of one of the flesh xeno's limb.]

      Kazuki - Ngh! Hahhhhh!

[Kazuki rapidly charges at flesh xeno on its limb. As he does, multiple tentacles grow from the limb and violently flail at him.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Focus!

[Kazuki instantly senses the vibes of all the flailing tentacles.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Strike!

                MOON KINETIC ARTS!

[Kazuki slices down all of the flailing tentacles.]

      Kazuki - Hgh!

[Kazuki jumps in the air as he makes his way to the flesh xeno and the second face.]

 Second Face - Who-Who is this kid?!

               How did he get so

               close?!

               N-No matter!

               With this much flesh

               around our heart,

               there's no way in

               hell he could sever

               it!

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                FIFTH STYLE!

 Second Face - Masses of trained

               Xeno Hunters have all

               tried and paid with

               their lives!

               You think you can

               walk in here and

               simply wreck

               everything we've

               worked our whole

               lives to achieve?!

               Don't make me laugh!!

20.

[The flesh xeno flails a horrid looking, serrated tentacle at Kazuki.]

      Kazuki - LUNAR...

[Kazuki tightly grips his sword hilt with both hands lifted into the air.]

      Kazuki - CALIBEEEER!!!

[As Kazuki falls, he unleashes a powerful, downward slash in form of the moon kinetic arts spiralling around his blade, splitting the flesh xeno in half.]

 Second Face - Arghhh...!!!

  Flesh Xeno - Erghhh...!!!

      Kazuki - Harghhhhh...!!!

[Kazuki's attack causes massive gusts of wind, violently blowing all the students back.]

      Hinawa - Ngh...!

    Students - Ahhh...!

        1-10

      Kazuki - Arghhhh...!!!

[Kazuki's attack completely splits the flesh xeno in half, severing its heart once and for all.]

________________________________________________________________________

      Kazuki - Wahhh! Ugh!

[Kazuki falls from the air, hard on the ground.]

      Kazuki - ...Urgh...

               Ngh!

[Kazuki slowly stands up and struggles to keep his balance while breathing heavily.]

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

      Kazuki - Oh!

[Kazuki walks over to the dying flesh xeno and the second face, lying on the ground in a large pool of blood.]

 Second Face - Have you come to

               gloat?

[Kazuki nods "No".]

21.

 Second Face - Have you come to

               preach?

[Kazuki nods "No" once again. He then kneels down in the blood pool next to them.]

 Second Face - ...Why are you here

               then?

      Kazuki - ...Because this is

               you're last chance to

               talk to someone

               before you die.

               And that's sad.

 Second Face - ...What kind of a

               reason is that?

      Kazuki - Even though you've

               had eachother your

               whole lives, the two

               of you have always

               been alone, haven't

               you?

               That really IS sad,

               isn't it?

 Second Face - Tch!

               What are you-

      Kazuki - Don't even try to lie

               to me.

[Kazuki warmly smiles.]

      Kazuki - Because that's

               literally impossible.

 Second Face - ...Tsk!

               So, what are you

               saying?!

      Kazuki - That if being alone

               your whole lives is

               something sad.

               Don't you think dying

               alone would be even

               sadder?

 Second Face - Ah!

22.

[Kazuki's warm smile grows wider.]

 Second Face - ...Kuh!

               You're wasting your

               time!

               Just say your gripes

               and leave us be!

               Isn't that what you

               want?!

      Kazuki - No.

 Second Face - Ah!

[Kazuki unrolls his blindfold and takes it off, revealing his purple, crystal-like eyes.]

 Second Face - Ah...

[Rather than anger or hatred, the flesh xeno and the second face see Kazuki's face baring the look of sympathy and pity.]

 Second Face - [Thoughts]

                Those eyes...

[Tears begins to flow from the second face's eyes.]

 Second Face - [Thoughts]

                What is it with

                those eyes?

      Kazuki - There's no prescribed

               etiquette that goes

               against feeling sad

               for anyone.

               Even a Xeno.

 Second Face - Ah...

      Kazuki - After all...

[Kazuki's warm smile widens.]

      Kazuki - You WERE both humans

               too.

 Second Face - Ah!

               Kuh...!

               Aren't you angry?

               Don't you despise us?

23.

[Kazuki nods "No".]

      Kazuki - No.

 Second Face - ...Why?

[Kazuki looks to the stars.]

      Kazuki - ...I don't know.

               Maybe it's because i

               feel sad for you two.

               Maybe it's because i

               feel that it's not

               our place to mourn

               the death of those we

               have no connection

               to.

               ...Or maybe i'm just

               too tired to feel

               angry anymore.

[Kazuki slowly places his palm on the flesh xeno's body and his soul appears in a dark abyss, standing face to face with the second face's depressed human self: Hayato, a little boy.]

      Kazuki - No doubt, you two

               have been cursed many

               times throughout your

               lives.

               Maybe by those

               connected to the

               people you've killed.

               Or maybe by the

               people you've killed

               themselves.

               And no doubt, the

               chains of those

               curses will bind you

               to the pits of hell

               for all eternity.

               That's just the

               punishment you'll

               have to face for your

               sins.

24.

               We all have no choice

               but to face the

               unwavering truth.

               Still...

      Hayato - Oh!

      Kazuki - The time you can be

               truly happy...

               Is when you don't

               have to face that

               truth alone.

       Unmei - Hayato...!

      Hayato - Ah!

[Hayato turns around and sees the flesh xeno's human self, his little sister, Unmei running to him.]

      Hayato - Unmei...

[Unmei jumps and joyfully hugs Hayato.]

       Unmei - Hayato!

               I think i found a way

               out!

               We can finally go

               out!

      Hayato - Ah!

       Unmei - We can finally see

               the light again.

               Come on, let's go!

               Hurry!

[Unmei excitedly begins to run away but then stops and turns around.]

       Unmei - Oh?

[Unmei sees Hayato looking depressed and deep in thought.]

       Unmei - ...Hayato?

[Hayato sorrowfully looks at Unmei.]

      Hayato - We're dead, Unmei.

       Unmei - Oh...

25.

[Unmei smiles.]

       Unmei - I know.

      Hayato - ...We're not going to

               a good place.

[Unmei walks over to Hayato and gently places her palm on his cheek.]

       Unmei - I know.

               Still...

      Hayato - Oh!

       Unmei - ...For the first in

               my life...

               I actually feel free.

               And it's all thanks

               to him.

[Hayato turns around and looks at Kazuki.]

       Unmei - Plus...

      Hayato - Oh?

       Unmei - ...If YOU'LL be there

               with me...

               That bad place can't

               be all bad.

[Unmei's smile grows wider.]

       Unmei - Right?

      Hayato - Ah...!

[Hayato smiles.]

      Hayato - Right.

               That's right.

[Unmei slowly gives her hand out to Hayato which he then gently holds with his own.]

       Unmei - ...Time to go.

      Hayato - Ahh.

26.

[Kazuki's smile grows wider. He then turns around and begins to walk away.]

      Hayato - Wait!

       Unmei - Wait!

      Kazuki - Oh?

[Kazuki looks back at the siblings.]

      Hayato - Before you go, we

               need you to tell

               us...

               What's your name?!

[Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - ...It's Kayne!

               Kazuki Kayne!

[Hayato and Unmei smile.]

      Hayato - I see.

               There's hope yet.

      Kazuki - Oh?

[Tears flow out of Hayato and Unmei's eye and roll down their faces.]

      Hayato - Thank you Kazuki.

               Truly...

       Unmei - Thank you.

      Hayato - Thank you.

 Second Face - Thank you.

  Flesh Xeno - Thank you.

 Second Face - Thank you...

  Flesh Xeno - Thank you...

[The second face and the flesh xeno close their eyes and finally die.]

      Kazuki - ...It's finally over.

[Kazuki looks to the stars and sighs in relief.]

      Kazuki - Thank God.

27.

               ...Man i'm hungry.

[After a few moments, Kazuki slowly gets up and walks over to Hinawa and the remaining students.]

    Students - Ah...

        1-10

[Rain begins to heavily pour down. All the students stare at Kazuki in awe as he walks over to Them.]

      Hinawa - Oh...

      Kazuki - ...Is everyone

               alright?

      Hinawa - ...H...Hai.

      Kazuki - Good.

      Hinawa - ...Umm, are YOU

               alright?

[Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - I'm fine.

[Kazuki wraps his blindfold around his eyes and puts it on.]

      Kazuki - I'm getting you all

               out of here!

[Kazuki carries Hinawa, making her heavily blush.]

      Hinawa - Ahh!

               H-Hey!

      Kazuki - For those of you who

               can still walk, grab

               the injured and

               follow me!

               If you're falling

               behind, don't

               hesitate to call out!

[Kazuki begins to walk away with Hinawa. The injured students capable of walking carry the more injured students and follow Kazuki, behind.]

      Hinawa - Oh...

[Kazuki sighs in frustration and looks annoyed.]

28.

      Kazuki - This is not gonna be

               easy.

[Kazuki continues to protect the students from attacking xenos as they walk through the forest. After a long time, Kazuki and the students breathe heavily as they keep walking. Kazuki and the students stop and look around.]

      Kazuki - Oh...?

[Kazuki and the students see a bright light, shining from a pathway in front of them.]

      Kazuki - The exit...

[Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - We did it.

[Kazuki and the students walk into the bright light and make their way through the exit of the forest.]

[In the morning, 5 candidates stand at the gathering area in the shrine. HINAWA, a young black haired girl, clad in black, looks curious. OBIMARU, a young silver haired boy, clad in blue, looks exhausted. KIRA, a young pink haired girl, clad in pink, looks angry and impatient. AYOMA, a young white and blue haired boy, looks calm. And Kazuki, a young blonde and blue haired boy, clad in purple, looks surprised.]

      Kazuki - Ah...

[Kazuki looks around at the other candidates.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Only five of us

                left?!

               [Thoughts]

                That can't be right!

                There were at least

                seventy students

                here!

[Kazuki's expression saddens.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                I guess they just

                weren't so lucky.

               [Thoughts]

                I wish i could've

                saved them all.

29.

[Kazuki's fists tighten.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                If only...

      Omitsu - Welcome back, young

               candidates.

      Kazuki - Oh!

[Omitsu walks over to the five candidates with a warm smile on her face. A group of 5 strange, uniformed men and women stand behind Omitsu.]

      Omitsu - I greatly commend you

               all on your safe

               return.

               Today, you five have

               not only survived but

               successfully

               conquered the

               nightmares you faced

               in the Sumiwaru

               Forest.

               Well done.

        Kira - So, what now?

      Omitsu - "Now", is the time

               to give you these...

[Omitsu claps her hands twice. The group of men and women all walk towards the students, each standing in front of one student each, startling Obimaru.]

      Kazuki - Oh...

[The people give the candidates strange looking cards. A young man hands Kazuki his own card.]

      Kazuki - Oh!

[The candidates collect their cards.]

      Hinawa - What are these?

[Obimaru tries to collect his card but the large man holding it growls at him.]

     Obimaru - Eek!

               And, w-who ARE these

               p-people?!

30.

      Omitsu - These people are

               called "Kaizoes".

               Their job is to

               attend to the needs

               of distressed or

               injured Xeno Hunters

               at all times.

               And what you've been

               given...

               Is your Xeno Hunter

               identification card,

               baring your specific

               rank engraved upon

               it.

        Kira - Rank?

      Omitsu - The Xeno Hunter Corps

               adopts a simple

               hierarchy system.

               All in all, there are

               seven ranks.

               All the way down from

               "Rank F"...

               To "Rank S" being

               the highest.

               Right now, you're all

               at the lowest rank.

               So naturally, you're

               all ranked F, as you

               you can see on ID's.

[Kazuki looks at his ID card and sees his F rank, along with his picture and personal information.]

      Kazuki - What about the other

               ten survivors?

      Hinawa - Oh!

     Obimaru - Oh!

        Kira - Hah?

[Omitsu smiles.]

31.

      Omitsu - Worry not.

               The other ten

               survivors have been

               safely taken away for

               further medical

               treatment.

               They'll be alright.

               But i doubt they'll

               ever fully recover.

      Kazuki - Ah!

      Omitsu - The injuries and

               trauma they

               sustained in the

               forest were too

               sever.

               They've been forever

               scared.

               Physically...AND

               mentally.

               They can never be

               Xeno Hunters.

               Not anymore.

               And i think that's

               what's best for

               them now.

[Kazuki's expression saddens.]

      Kazuki - Hai.

      Omitsu - Keep your head up.

      Kazuki - Oh!

[Omitsu's smiles grows wider.]

      Omitsu - You did something

               incredible.

               You didn't just fight

               for your own

               well-being, but also

               for those who

               couldn't fight for

               themselves.

32.

               You saved eleven

               lives.

               That's a feat nearly

               no one has ever

               accomplished.

     Obimaru - Ah!

      Hinawa - Ah!

        Kira - Tsk!

      Omitsu - The surviving

               students, AND

               myself, are truly

               grateful.

               So be proud.

[Kazuki brightly smiles.]

      Kazuki - Hai!

               I'll-

[Kira punches the back of Kazuki's head.]

     Obimaru - Ah!

      Hinawa - Ah!

        Kira - Oi!

               Don't get all high

               and mighty just

               because you managed

               to pull that off!

               No way in hell am i

               gonna let some shrimp

               downplay me again!

[Kazuki holds the back of his head in pain.]

      Kazuki - I wasn't trying to

               downplay anyone.

               Honest.

        Kira - Why you-

[Kira attempts to beat up Kazuki.]

      Omitsu - Ahem!

     Obimaru - Eek!

      Kazuki - Eek!

        Kira - Eek!

      Hinawa - Eek!

33.

[The students all quickly stand at attention. Ayoma continues to keep his calm composure.]

      Omitsu - If you're all done

               interrupting me, i'd

               like to finish.

[The candidates faces get childish, guilt expressions, making Omitsu smile.]

      Omitsu - As i was saying, any

               further information

               you may need will be

               passed on to you by

               your trainers.

               After your

               measurements have

               been taken, your

               uniforms and other

               items you'll need 

               will be sent to you

               in four weeks.

[Omitsu smugly smirks.]

      Omitsu - And now for the part

               i've been waiting

               for...

[Omitsu lifts her hands out at both sides.]

      Omitsu - Young candidates!

               You five are the last

               standing survivors of

               the Xeno Hunter Corps

               Basic Conclusion

               Entrance Exams, and

               therefore are the

               new set of Xeno

               Hunters of the 

               Japanese Shōwa Era!

               And so...

[Omitsu's smile grows wider.]

      Omitsu - I congratulate you

               all.

               Mizuki Hinawa.

               Ayoma.

34.

               Shikimaru Kira.

               Sato Obimaru.

               Kayne Kazuki.

               Go forth with your

               heads held high!

               Live, while having no

               regrets!

               Be proud of what

               you've accomplished

               today.

      Kazuki - Oh...

     Obimaru - Oh...

        Kira - Oh...

      Hinawa - Oh...

       Ayoma - .....

      Omitsu - And lastly...

               Goodbye...

               And good luck to you

               all.

[A while later the five candidates make their way through a flowery pathway leading out of the Sumiwaru forest. Hinawa runs over to Kazuki.]

      Hinawa - Hey!

               Wait up!

      Kazuki - Oh?

[Hinawa begins to walk side by side with Kazuki.]

      Hinawa - Thank God you're

               still here.

               I never really did

               get a chance to thank

               you for saving me.

[Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - It really WAS

               nothing.

35.

      Hinawa - D-Don't say that!

               Everyone knows that's

               not true.

[Hinawa bashfully smiles.]

      Hinawa - I owe you my life.

               Literally.

               ...Eh?

      Kazuki - What is it?

      Hinawa - C-Come to think of

               it, that Omitsu lady

               said your name is

               Kazuki?

      Kazuki - Oh?

               I..guess i forgot to

               tell you.

               Sorry about that.

               I'm Kayne.

               Kazuki Kayne.

[Hinawa smiles.]

      Hinawa - Nice to officially

               meet you, Kazuki-San.

      Kazuki - There's no need for

               the "San".

               Just call me Kazuki.

      Hinawa - I'm not addressing

               the boy who saved my

               life so informally!

      Kazuki - Umm...

               I-If you..say so?

      Hinawa - Anyway...

[Hinawa smiles and walks in front of Kazuki and faces him as she walks backwards.]

      Hinawa - Thank you,

               Kazuki-San.

               For everything.

[Kazuki smiles and nods to Hinawa.]

36.

      Kazuki - Well, i should be

               heading back.

               I hope we all meet

               again someday.

        Kira - I don't.

     Obimaru - Would it kill you to

               be nice just once?!

[Kira tries to bite Obimaru's finger pointing at her.]

     Obimaru - Wah!

[The five candidates finally come out of the Sumiwaru forest and all begin to head their separate ways.]

        Kira - Well, see ya another

               time losers.

               If you don't die

               before then at least.

               Ahahahahahahahaha...

[Obimaru smiles and waves goodbye to Kazuki. Kazuki does thesame.]

      Hinawa - Well, see ya.

[The other candidates all head their different ways. Kazuki's smile grows wider. He then turns around and tries to head his own way.]

      Kazuki - Oh!

[Kazuki sees the silent Ayoma, standing in front of him and staring at him.]

      Kazuki - Ummm, can i help you?

[Kazuki begins to walk over to Ayoma.]

      Kazuki - Is there something

               you need?

               And why were you

               acting strange around

               me in the-

[Ayoma warmly hugs Kazuki.]

      Kazuki - Ah!

37.

[After a while, Ayoma lets go of Kazuki and warmly smiles at him. He then gently pats Kazuki's head and walks away. Kazuki watches as Ayoma heads his own separate way.]

      Kazuki - ...Who IS that boy?

[After a while, Kazuki looks up at the blue sky and remembers Omitsu's words from earlier.]

      Kazuki - ..."Having No

               Regrets", huh?

[Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - Yeah...

               I like the sound of

               that.

[Kazuki walks off and heads his own way.]

[At night, in a manor somewhere far away, a mysterious man, Kisame, kneels on a futon, gently petting a white fox sitting on his lap.]

      Omitsu - My Lord...

      Kisame - Oh!

[Kisame looks to his side and sees Omitsu.]

      Omitsu - I've returned.

[Omitsu walks to Kisame and kneels down right besides him on the futon. She then begins to talk to him for a while.]

      Kisame - Ah!

[Kisame smiles.]

      Kisame - I see.

[Kisame look to the stars.]

      Kisame - ...It seems five

               blessings have fallen

               upon us then.

[Late at night, Kazuki slowly walks up a hill while breathing heavily.]

      Kazuki - [Thoughts]

                Come on.

38.

               [Thoughts]

                Don't stop now.

               [Thoughts]

                Just..a little

                further.

               [Thoughts]

                Mira...

               [Thoughts]

                Kaya...

               [Thoughts]

                I kept my promise.

               [Thoughts]

                I'm coming back.

               [Thoughts]

                I'm coming home.

[Kazuki reaches the top of the hill and looks down.]

      Kazuki - Oh!

[Kazuki sees Mira's cabin at the bottom of the other side of the hill. Kazuki smiles.]

      Kazuki - Mira's cabin...

               I made it.

               Oh?

[Kazuki looks to the side and sees Kaya and Mira outside the cabin washing clothes.]

      Kazuki - Ah!

               Hahhh!

               Kaya!

               Mira!

        Kaya - Ah!

        Mira - Ah!

[Kaya and Mira both look and at Kazuki standing on the top of the hill. They both gasp in surprise.]

        Kaya - K...Kazuki?

        Mira - He did it.

39.

[Kazuki takes off his blindfold and begins to quickly run down the hill.]

      Kazuki - Kaya!

        Kaya - Ngh!

[Kaya gets up and begins to run to Kazuki.]

        Kaya - Kazuki!

      Kazuki - Kaya!

               Mir-

               Ugh!

[Kazuki trips and falls flat on his face.]

      Kazuki - Urk!

[As Kazuki gets up his knees, Kaya reaches him and tightly pulls him into a warm hug. They both begin to cry.]

      Kazuki - Uahhh...!

        Kaya - It's okay.

               It's okay.

               I'm here.

               Don't cry.

               I'm here now.

               We were so worried.

[Mira walks over and reaches Kazuki and Kaya. She then kneels down and warmly hugs the siblings.]

        Mira - Welcome back, Kiboi.

[Streams of tears flow down Mira's face and she begins to cry.]

        Mira - Thank God.

               Thank God you're

               alive.

               I'm so glad you're

               okay.

      Kazuki - It was horrible.

40.

               I was so scared.

[Kazuki buries his face in Mira's chest and continues to cry. Mira and Kaya smile and pet his head.]

        Mira - It's alright.

               Everything's alright.

[Kazuki, Kaya and Mira all continue to lay in eachother's arms as they cry. For Kazuki, has finally become a Xeno Hunter.]

                             THE END

TO BE CONTINUED

    

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