" What is this place?"
Kenshin found himself in an empty, dark void, where only his body was illuminated by an unknown source of light. Suddenly, a voice addressed him from the darkness.
" Welcome to the furthest depth of your inner mind."
" Who's there?"
Kenshin asked calmly, trying to ascertain this situation.
"Don't act like a stranger, Kenshin, who else would it be?"
" You!"
Kenshin lost his composure as the doppelganger revealed himself. The only difference between them was their eyes, which usually appeared sharply closed. However, Kenshin's double had his wide open, having pure black sclera with dark red pupils.
" Yes, me, or it'll be more appropriate to say I'm the version of yourself that you always kept bottled inside. You can call me Ken."
" Fancy trick, but I won't be fooled. This is all just a part of trial two, you're not real."
Kenshin said, taking a step back, realizing the situation he was in.
"Hmm, you're half right, this uncanny situation is thanks to the mechanism that put you here. However, my existence is as real as yours because we're one."
Ken smirked, casually walking in place as Kenshin quickly became annoyed, turning in the opposite direction.
" Whatever, if you won't help me end this farce, then stay out of my way while I do."
"Tsk, I'm not surprised by your denial. We have always been stubborn in a way. However, if I'm a fake, would I know about us killing our birth mother?"
Ken mischievously grinned as Kenshin became enraged, immediately lashing out at him as Ken grabbed his wrist. Stopping the Kunai in Kenshin's hand, which was aimed at his throat. Ken peered dead into his grey eyes that were slightly open now with anger.
" The truth hurts, doesn't it? Oh, trust me, I know the pain all too well, festering in this cesspool of trauma for all these years! I wish we had died with them!"
Ken shouted, replacing his grin with an irate expression. His words triggered Kenshin's most haunting memory.
....
In a little village on the very outskirts of any established body of imperial, sect, family, or clan, territorial rule. In the dead of night, a group of warrior assassins from the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows could be seen terrorizing this small population of around 800 frightened residents. Snatching them from their homes, where they were dragged into the center of the village.
Gathering everybody, the heinous men cloaked in black decide to enact their sick sense of entertainment.
"Listen up, Maggots! Your lives are now in our hands!"
This masked, no-pupil assassin announced, causing the already frantic and confused captives to become more panicked.
Suddenly, a dagger pierced the village chief's skull, dropping him dead.
"Silence! The next one to make a peep dies without a chance of mercy! Now, form lines of three, divided by men, women, and children!"
He barked as they became frozen in terror. Clusters of people soon followed suit, whether they were alone or had a family. The parents had the toughest time getting their terrified young ones to comprehend the situation. This resulted in some of them and their kids being mowed down in cold blood for the cause of a delay. Once everyone was in position, muddied in their meager attire. He told them what to expect next,
" Kill or be Killed! The last 25 surviving from each separate group will live on to see another day!"
The main assassin continued to yell as his associates went around, roughly handing everyone a knife into their trembling hands. Some had thoughts of using the weapon against their captors. However, quickly backed out of any misconceived idea. Having enough examples showcasing how feeble they truly were compared to these trained killers. The distraught children, ranging from 3 to 13 years old, stared blankly with tears at the steel weapon. Each person was then ordered to spread apart from the other as everyone was now equipped to kill.
" Begin!"
The pupilless masked man commenced. Yet, the entire village hesitated as the extreme stress, fear, sadness, and pressure marked their faces. Going back several generations. Being a small, close-knit community, this was a place where everybody knew one another in some form or fashion. It was no wonder that they had difficulty attempting to murder each other, even if it came at saving their own lives. None of the adults was willing to make the first move. Soon, a blood-curdling yell could be heard from the group of kids. Drawing the attention of these men and women.
" I don't want to die!"
An older child declared with an unhinged look as his knife stabbed the screaming younger boy multiple times.
"Bono!"
The mother of the victim exclaimed, attempting to rush toward her son. However, she was stopped short by one of the assassins.
" If you want any chance of coming to his aid. I suggest you handle business here before I slit your throat, myself."
In a state of turmoil and shock. The woman stormed back into her group immediately, violently lashing out at the mom whose boy attacked hers.
" What kind of heartless monster did you raise!"
She screeched while swinging her knife wildly, as the other woman, defending herself, was left horrified by her son's actions. With these two, the only adults in mortal combat. It was the men's turn to make their descent into chaos as their husbands fought to the death. Beginning a domino effect that drove these once peaceful folk to commit acts of senseless violence. This obviously amused the assassins, who became spectators. Making bets on the side at their expense, they enjoy every moment of corruption.
" Are you sure we're in the clear to do this, senior brother Silva?"
One of the subordinates asked Silva who was in charge of this operation as madness ensued.
" Are you questioning my authority?"
" Never! Forget that I even brought it up..."
The lower assassin nervously gulped, slowly turning back to his rowdy betting constituents. Silva just gazed ahead, silently. Soaking in the smell of death, culminating in the thick night air. Their usual routine mission involved kidnapping all the children returning to base while eliminating those who became a hindrance. However, earlier, he received word from his Master Lee that the quota had already been filled. Near their target destination after weeks of travel. Silva decided to take it upon himself to have his own demented sense of fun.
After a couple of hours had passed, the screams of agony, whimpers, and desperation died down to an eerie hush. The chatter from happy and upset assailants alike continued. While the remaining 75 were left standing in anguish with the thousand-yard stare. Among a pool of crimson that came from the hundreds of deceased. Silva basked in delight at this horrid sight before regaining his focus.
"Alright, enough chit chat! Get the shackles, we're moving out!"
His men quickly whipped into shape, cuffing the survivors, eventually organizing them into a chain gang. Ready to make their leave, Silva sensed something amiss at a stable, overlooking the entire massacre.
" You incompetent fools!"
Silva shouted at his people while kicking over a large bale of hay. The aftermath revealed a frightened mother holding three of her children.
" Apologize for the oversight, senior brother Silva!"
The assassins spoke in unison, fearing the repercussions as an individual stepped forth, drawing his short sword.
" Allow me to rectify our mistake."
However, he was fiercely pushed back by Silva, crashing into a flimsy hut.
" Tsk, all of you comb through the village again while I'll clean up your mess!"
He ordered as his many subordinates scattered, doing as told. Silva was left alone with the captives, who appeared soulless. Eventually, the woman who was previously hidden knelt in front of him, pleading,
" Please, spare my children! I'll gladly die for their sake!"
" Hmph, why should I, maggot!"
Silva questioned while she struggled to find the right words to appease this psychopath. Before she knew it, the oldest son broke free from her grasp, stepping between them.
" Leave my mother and siblings alone!"
The boy, who was no older than seven, spread his small arms wide. He proceeded to shield his family from the looming threat that was Silva. His mom tried to pull him back to her and his younger siblings, but the brave child wouldn't budge. Not to be denied, as his usually seemingly shut eyes showed a grey resolve beyond his years. Surprisingly, the stern Silva started to chuckle at this kid, instead of striking him down instantly.
"Heh, I like this one! Okay, I'll allow your children to live!"
" Thank ..."
She began to speak, but was interrupted by Silva reiterating his stance, coming up with a vile idea, while throwing a knife near the boy's feet.
" I'll allow your children to live... only if this rumbustious brat is the one who ultimately kills you!"
He laughed some more as the mother became speechless. Her son picked up the weapon, gripping it tightly, scowling, ready to pounce.
" I'll kill you, instead!"
About to strike, Silva, in a fit of rage. The boy was yanked abruptly, twisted back around by his mother into her warm embrace.
" My fearless little man, what am I to do with you, Kenshin? Oh, how I wanted to be there to watch all of you grow into fine adults. To one day have a healthy family of your own, but I'm afraid this is where my journey ends. So, please don't forget, no matter how tough the time gets, that your mother loved you three dearly and always..."
Weeping while coughing up a splatter of blood throughout her heartfelt words, fighting through the pain. Hugging him, Kenshin's mother's heartbeat slowed, eventually coming to a full halt as her arms dropped lifelessly to her side. Stunned and heartbroken, Kenshin let go of the hilt. Falling to his knees without a word. The knife he once had protruded from her bloodied chest as she purposely used his momentum to deliver the killing blow. His brother and sister, who were 4 and 3, cried, clinging to their dead mother.
" I guess that would do!"
Silva said afterwards. Forcefully, chaining them with the rest. Finding nobody else hiding, they burned the village down before leaving.
....
"I know the torment well..."
Kenshin mournfully uttered after taking a hellish trip down memory lane as he and Ken still grappled. Ken kneed him in the solar plex, loosening his grip as he took the opportunity to create some space.
" You know nothing! I'm the one who constantly had to relive this nightmare! Left buried alive with the dead, while you choose to forget about us with your newfound family! Well, no more, it's my time to escape the darkness into the light!"
Ken bellowed with pure hate and resentment for his counterpart. Referring to a loved mother who died because of their actions. Later, on the arduous weeks of travel to the Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows, his younger brother and sister ended up starving to death. This tragically left him as the family's sole survivor. Living with the guilt of being unable to protect them.
Listening to his outburst, Kenshin couldn't help but have the image of Zeke, Liz, and their Den Mother flash in his mind. Along with the word of advice Elizabeth once left him with,
'It's okay to remove that lid of yours sometimes. The greatest pain usually comes with the most valuable of lessons learned, once faced and overcome.'
Her message raced across his conflicting thoughts while Ken prepared to attack. He formed his hands into a set sequence of shapes and symbols.
" Juggling Act!"
Finishing up, eight steel levitating orbs appeared imbued with Qi, rapidly circling in front of him. With a flick of the finger, one orb was sent flying towards Kenshin, having the force of a launched torpedo. Kenshin swiftly dodged as it heavily crashed behind him into the floor of this dark void. However, as Ken twirled his finger, the orb that missed began to take flight once more in pursuit of Kenshin like a heat seeker. He soon added five more into the mix, leaving two at his ready for defense. Overwhelmed, Kenshin resembled an expert gymnast as he constantly flipped, spun, and jumped, trying to avoid this bombardment.
" Stop running away like a coward and face me!"
Ken reacted in frustration as Kenshin's mind became clearer the longer this went on, despite his precarious situation.
" Alright."
Kenshin spoke while being attacked in mid-air, activating the same technique as Ken. He unleashed these six orbs, canceling out his. He directed two more towards his counterpart. This resulted in the same outcome. Seizing an opening, Kenshin rocketed to Ken, grabbing hold of him in one motion.
" Wait, what are you doing?"
Ken, questioned in disbelief, struggling to break loose while Kenshin held on tightly. Deciding to take this opportunity to speak, he turned his strong grasp into a comforting and understanding hug.
" I'm sorry for denying this side of myself for this long. I was wrong. Leaving the daunting weight of their deaths solely on your shoulders. However, I won't run away from my past any longer. I'll embrace everything that I am and have been through."
Taking a second for Kenshin's words to hit home. Ken changed his grimace into relief.
" Heh, it's about time."
"Yah, thank you for holding down the fort."
Finally seeing eye to eye, they fused as the darkness around them disappeared, replaced by a bright light.
....
Soon Kenshin awoke inside the pod, covered in a bead of sweat.