Vico, Akio, and Ken moved slowly through the narrowing stone walls of the Black Ghost Cave. In that heavy silence, Ken began telling his story… a tale of a past that could never be forgotten. And when he finished, the two boys stared at him, stunned by what they'd just heard.
Vico (with a sad tone): "Ken-senpai… I can't believe you went through all that. You're really strong… but… have you ever met Cirrus before?"
Ken lit a cigarette, took a long drag, then said as he exhaled the smoke:
Ken: "Yeah. It was a few months after the war, when I was living with old man Laud on Urakano Island… that's when Cirrus suddenly appeared there."
(Urakano Island – 8 years ago)
In one of Urakano Island's quiet parks near the sea, Cirrus strolled alone without any guards. He looked like he was in his early thirties, with thick red hair blowing in the wind and gray eyes identical to Ken's. A distinct X-shaped scar marked his left cheek. Cirrus didn't hide his arrogance—he walked proudly in regal attire, as if the entire world belonged to him.
Suddenly, voices began to rise:
"It's Cirrus!"
"The tyrant! The murderer!"
But he ignored them completely. His stride was calm, elevated, indifferent. At that moment, Ken was walking nearby with Grandpa Laud. When he heard the commotion, he stopped.
Ken: "Grandpa… I heard them say Cirrus's name!"
Laud (nervously): "That's… strange."
Moments later, they saw Cirrus right in front of them. People began throwing stones at him and trying to attack, but he dodged them with effortless grace and mocking smiles. He didn't look tense at all.
Ken stood among the crowd in shock, staring at the face that resembled his own more than his father's. He didn't need proof—it was him… Cirrus.
Without hesitation, Ken broke through the crowd and stood in front of Cirrus. His face shifted from shock to burning rage.
Ken (voice trembling with hatred): "You bastard… You ruined my life! You killed my mom, my dad, Dan… Emily! Even the siblings who weren't born yet! I'll never forgive you!"
Ken launched a fireball from his hand—but Cirrus batted it away easily, as if swatting away air, then smirked coldly.
Laud (shouting from afar): "Ken! Stop this instantly!"
Cirrus (examining Ken with interest): "What a surprise… I didn't expect to see one of Akako's sons face-to-face."
The crowd began whispering:
"Who is that kid? How does he have fire Vakin?"
"He's confronting Cirrus!"
"That's impossible!"
Ken (eyes blazing): "Don't speak my father's name with your filthy mouth! I'll kill you right here!"
Cirrus (laughing with mockery): "An eight-year-old threatening the greatest man alive? Funniest thing I've heard today. Don't you realize I could crush you in a second?"
Ken (crying from rage): "I will… I will kill you!!"
Despite the tears streaming down his face, he didn't back down. He lunged toward Cirrus in fury—but Cirrus grabbed him by the neck and lifted him effortlessly into the air. Ken thrashed in his grip.
Cirrus (coldly): "I like you, nephew. That's why I won't kill you. Tell me… what's your name?"
Ken (voice shaking, pretending to be brave): "My name is… Yukaji Ken. And I'm the one who will chop off your head someday!"
Cirrus punched him hard in the face, sending him crashing to the ground.
Cirrus (mockingly): "I'll be waiting then, Yukaji Ken. If you survive long enough to grow up… try again. No one's ever scarred me except one man…"
Ken barely lifted his head and caught sight of Cirrus's scar. Just then, Laud pushed through the crowd and rushed to Ken.
Laud (desperately): "Ken! We have to leave now!"
[Present – Black Ghost Cave]
Ken finished his story, and silence fell. Before Akio and Vico could even process what they had heard, the sound of crumbling rock echoed from the corridor ahead. A new dark opening revealed itself, and faint blue engravings began glowing along the cave walls—ancient symbols, unintelligible, warning that what awaited ahead… wasn't just darkness.
Vico (staring in awe): "What is this…? I've never seen anything like it!"
Ken stepped toward one of the glowing walls and crouched to examine it closely.
Ken (touching the carvings): "These symbols… they aren't random. They look like they're guiding us. Maybe there's a puzzle to solve."
On the other side, Akio noticed a circular symbol etched in the center of an intricate network of lines. He slowly reached out and touched it. Instantly, a warm sensation spread across his palm. Then suddenly, a brilliant light burst from the symbol, sending a wave of energy through the cave, as if the walls themselves had come alive.
Akio (in a stunned whisper): "Is this… some kind of ancient magic?"
As the light intensified, a holographic image formed in the air—a warrior, in tattered armor with a partially disfigured face, his eyes glowing an eerie blue, filled with power and mystery. This was the Black Ghost, disguised.
Black Ghost: "Who are you…? And how dare you enter my cave?"
Akio (angrily): "Give us Ann back! We're not playing games here!"
Black Ghost (with a bitter laugh): "This isn't a playground for reckless teenagers. You're walking toward your doom."
Ken: "I've already lived through every kind of hell… I've lost everything. If you think threats will scare me—you know nothing about me."
Silence fell for a moment—then the ghost's laughter rose again, more like acknowledgment than mockery.
Black Ghost (voice deeper): "Then… prepare yourselves for a true test of will. The path ahead won't open with power alone, but only to those whose spirit cannot be broken."
The carvings reignited with glowing light, and suddenly a new passage opened deep within the cave. It was narrow, and at its far end… a faint light.
Vico (swallowing nervously): "Looks like we have no choice… We have to keep going."
Akio (determined): "Let's show this ghost who we really are."
The three of them moved forward into the new passage—behind them, the shadows of the past. Ahead… a new trial awaited them.
To be continued…