Rain fell in thin, silent strands, as if the sky itself were mourning. The air smelled of wet earth and incense, thick and clinging, mixing with the faint scent of decaying leaves. Black umbrellas crowded the graveyard, forming a sea of shadows over freshly turned earth, their silence broken only by the soft crunch of boots on soaked soil. Mist rose from the wet ground, curling around the gravestones like ghostly fingers.
At the center of it all stood a boy.
His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles had gone pale. Silver eyes stared unblinking at the gravestone before him—unyielding, cold, and filled with a grief too large for one so small.
Kaizen Ryujin.
He was seven years old.
Seven years old when the world taught him how heavy loss could be.
Footsteps crunched softly behind him, barely audible over the rain. Another boy—of similar age—approached hesitantly, shivering from the cold, damp air.
"Was she… your mother?"
Kaizen didn't turn.
"What if she was?" His voice was sharp, venomous, laced with a pain far older than his years. "And who the hell are you? Mind your own business."
The boy flinched. "I… I'm sorry…"
Kaizen finally met his gaze, silver eyes burning.
"Now why the hell are you apologizing?"
"I… I don't understand your situation," the boy whispered, voice trembling. "But I know forcing you to talk is wrong. I'm sorry."
Kaizen scoffed. "What the hell are you?"
That moment should have ended there—in anger, in silence.
But fate didn't allow it.
---
Paths Crossed
From that day onward, their lives intertwined—training grounds, empty halls, forest trails, and rain-drenched courtyards. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months, nearly a year passed.
Despite Kaizen's sharp tongue and volatile temper, the two boys trained together, argued endlessly, and learned side by side. Somewhere along the way, hostility softened into familiarity. Familiarity transformed into something dangerously close to trust.
Kaizen never admitted it.
But Taro Ito had become the closest thing he had to a friend.
---
The Celestial Forest
One year later, the Celestial Forest shimmered with spiritual light. Ancient trees towered overhead, their leaves glowing faintly as if responding to those who trained beneath them. A soft wind stirred, carrying the scent of pine and wet moss.
"Hey, Kaizen!"
The voice was bright, familiar.
Kaizen turned. A girl stood there—dark hair tied loosely, eyes alive with warmth, cheeks flushed from the cool night air.
Before Kaizen could respond, Taro froze.
"…Rin? Is that you?"
Kaizen glanced between them. "You know her?"
Taro nodded. "Yes… of course. She's my childhood friend."
Kaizen's expression hardened.
"Childhood?" he asked slowly. "Is that true… Rin?"
Rin smiled. "Yes. But what a coincidence—you two were already friends?"
"Yes!" Taro answered without hesitation.
Kaizen stepped closer to Taro, lowering his voice until only he could hear.
"Keep a certain distance from her," he whispered coldly. "She's mine. She belongs only to me."
Taro stiffened. "Sorry… but I can't. She isn't a tool that belongs to you."
Kaizen's eyes darkened.
"Then try getting close to her," he said quietly. "I'll kill you."
Taro didn't back away. "Try it."
Rin tilted her head, confused. "What are you two whispering about?"
Kaizen drew his blade.
"Samurai—Second Stage: Stillness."
Taro answered instantly.
"Kenshi Phase One—First Stage: Heavy Strike."
Steel met steel. Sparks danced in the filtered sunlight.
"Stop! Both of you—stop!" Rin screamed.
Miki rushed in, forcing them apart. Moments later, Master Akira appeared, his presence crushing the air around them.
"Why are you fighting?" Akira demanded.
Kaizen spoke first. "He picked the fight."
Taro bowed. "Yes, Master. It was my fault."
Akira frowned. "Then you'll receive extra punishment."
"No," Kaizen snapped. "I was lying. I started it."
Taro glared. "You idiot—I said it was me."
"Damn you, Taro," Kaizen hissed. "I said I was the one."
"Enough," Akira said sharply. "Both of you. Come with me."
---
Destiny Decided
Another year passed. Disciples gathered as Kaze Ryujin stepped forward.
"Today," he announced, voice echoing across the Celestial Grounds, "is the day your destiny shall be decided. Taro Ito will be your examiner."
Kaizen glanced at Taro. "Ito… is she related to you?"
Taro nodded. "Yes. She's my mother."
Kaizen frowned. "But… she looks injured."
"She always risks her life to save children," Taro replied quietly.
They entered the Celestial Battleground—Kaizen Ryujin, Taro Ito, Rin Kurogane, and more than fifty others.
Tara Ito stood before them, her presence calm yet powerful.
"You must defeat a demon," she declared. "Those who succeed will become Celestials. Those who fail will become Guardians."
Rin swallowed. "We're supposed to defeat that?"
The ground trembled. A massive figure emerged: Demon Rayquazel.
"You children think you can defeat me?" it roared. "Prepare for death. Shadow Wave!"
A surge of darkness tore through the battlefield.
"Holy shit…" Kaizen muttered. "It's huge."
"Move aside!" Taro shouted.
"No," Kaizen snarled. "I'll cut it apart myself!"
"Samurai's First Stage—!"
He rushed forward. The wave struck him head-on.
"Aaahhh!" Kaizen screamed.
"Kaizen!" Rin cried.
---
The Ultimate Sacrifice
In that instant, Tara Ito stepped forward, shielding Kaizen with her body. Darkness consumed her, yet she turned her head slightly.
"Live a long life… my son."
The explosion shattered the battlefield.
When the dust settled, she did not rise again.
Two weeks later, the three children stood before Zyle Ito.
"You were the ones Tara protected," he said coldly.
"She died protecting that fool Kaizen Ryujin," Kaze added. "Taro Ito and Rin Kurogane are innocent. Allow them to become Celestials."
Zyle's gaze locked onto Taro. "Who was Tara Ito to you?"
"My mother," Taro answered. "My one and only love."
"Were you able to protect her?"
"…No."
Zyle's voice sharpened. "Then how can you call that love?"
Silence.
"You will become a Guardian," Zyle declared. "You too, Kaizen Ryujin. And both of you are forbidden from the Celestial order."
As Rin was taken away, she whispered, "I'll come back. Just wait."
Later, Taro whispered softly, "I really loved my mother… I wanted to become a Celestial Knight… but everything is gone."
Kaizen fell to his knees, tears streaming.
"I'm sorry… I'm sorry… it's all my fault… I want to die… why am I alive… why…?"
That was the day they changed.
That was the day Kaizen Ryujin's greatest regret was born.