Kenshin proceeded out of the pod as it seemed he was the first out of around 50 to wake. Above this modernized room, a one-way glass overlooked the testing site. Inside, Instructor Silva was positioned watching as Kenshin awoke.
" Heh, it looks like that rumbustious brat from back then has succeeded!"
Silva snickered aloud to himself. Turning away from the glass, he now focused back onto a group of nearby monitors. Having a bird's-eye view of these televised orange fledglings' mental warfare and what was happening inside their mind. Out of nowhere, the shut door swung open. Revealing an eccentrically silk polka dot-dressed man with long crimson hair tied in a bright red knot. Peering through tinted bifocals. Accompanied by a short young woman with black bangs and a red ninja uniform.
"Reaper, Ono! What brings you here?"
Silva was caught off guard, respectfully bowing even though he carried his usual boisterous tone.
" Need I explain myself to you?"
Ono frowned.
" No, not at all! I didn't expect to be honored by your presence here today! That's it!"
"Hmph, ease up on the boot licking. Your master is well aware of my current location, within his territory."
Ono mentioned, strolling towards the active screens as 711 followed behind. He couldn't help but be interested in the human condition, which was these fledgling individual traumas. All forming into different entities. Ono scanned various scenes being displayed as he stopped at a singular static feed that caught his eye, labeled "00".
" Why isn't the image being shown on this particular monitor?"
"That's a question I asked myself once trial two began, Reaper Ono! Honestly, it may be just a technical problem on our end! I can find out more once this test is fully completed!"
" See that you do."
Ono responded lightly as his growing intrigue for 00 increased. Being the main reason why he visited this facility. Ono withheld his initial curiosity, drawing his attention to another screen.
....
Liz slowly opened her eyes, met by a humongous, majestic plum blossom tree as she lay underneath on someone's lap like a pillow. Gazing high, mesmerized by the pink petals in full bloom, a familiar and dearly missed face soon bent into her line of sight.
"Mom?"
" My sweet baby girl, Liz."
The curly red-haired beauty with pink eyes gently smiled at Liz, looking like the adult version of her daughter. Liz immediately lifted her head and body. Hugging her mom tightly as tears ran down her cheeks.
"Momma! I missed you so much!"
" It's okay, sweety, I'm not going anywhere."
Elizabeth said while softly rubbing her back. Liz was reminded of something she would rather never experience.
"But..."
"But, what dear?"
Elizabeth asked as Liz couldn't bring herself to mention what was on her mind. She decided to enjoy their reunion to her heart's content, instead.
" Oh, nothing."
" Jeez, you've always been a scatterbrain."
Her mother said, giving Liz a playful noogie as she cutely pouted before smirking,
" Hmph, that's not nice, Mother."
They soon shared a laugh. Time seemed to be at a standstill as they continued happily conversing with one another.
" Anyways, this place is amazing! It reminds me of a story you used to read, Kenshin, Zeke, and me."
Liz remarked in awe at the vast green field with clear blue skies. The plum blossom tree they sat under was the lone landmark in this warm environment. Lying her head back onto Elizabeth's lap in a sideways position, now.
" Hmm, yes, I remember doing that for you, but who are Kenshin and Zeke?"
Elizabeth replied with a puzzled expression as Liz stared up dumbfounded at her, asking,
" You're joking, right?"
" I'm afraid not, sweetie. Are you coming down with a fever or something? You seem a little confused."
"Me! You're the one who's confused! How could you forget your two sons?"
She exclaimed, rising to her feet, facing her mother, who remained seated.
" Calm down, Liz. I assure you that you're the only child that I have and cherish dearly."
"No, that isn't true! Don't you remember all the wonderful times we shared as a family? Even in this hellhole, I wish those times could last forever, until..."
Liz lamented, stopping short on what she was about to utter, thinking back to her mother's death. Sparking Elizabeth to question,
"Until what?"
Hesitating for a moment, Liz finally meekly finished what she was trying to convey.
"... Until you were killed."
"Killed? Honey, don't be cruel, as you can see, I'm alive and well."
"I know... but unfortunately I'm not lying!"
Liz sulked before painfully regaining her firm stance on the matter of discussion. Seeing this, Elizabeth sighed,
" Okay, fine. Let's get to the bottom of this if it'll put your mind at ease."
"..."
Liz stood quietly as her mother went on,
" Now then, little missy, if I'm so-called dead. Who killed me?"
"Zeke..."
Liz answered in a whisper, struggling to relive that harsh reality.
"Who? I couldn't hear you."
"Zeke."
Speaking up this time, Elizabeth responded with skepticism,
" Zeke? Isn't he the one who is supposed to be my son and your brother?"
"Yah..."
Unable to wholeheartedly face the truth. Liz could only sadly confirm, putting her head down. However, her mother wasn't buying it.
" Alright, it's obvious to me now that you're going through something. How could a child murder his own mother?"
"... It's not like that, Mom."
" Then what is it like? What could I have done to deserve being killed by my supposed son?"
Elizabeth, question with a depressed look. Standing to her feet as well, Liz rushed into her arms.
" You did absolutely nothing to deserve what happened, but it's not Zeke's fault, either!"
" Oh, if not his, then who?"
" This damned Hidden Cave of Untold Shadows and those in power!"
" I see. So, if you were told to kill me, would you?"
Liz froze at her words, not wanting to throw Zeke under the bus before she admitted,
" No, I couldn't."
" My point exactly, and that's because you're my one and only child. Those kids, Kenshin and especially Zeke, aren't fit to be part of our family."
Elizabeth remarked with a concerned smile, placing her hands firmly on Liz's shoulders.
"Don't say that, Mother."
"Why? It's the truth."
"No! There are my brothers!"
Liz shouted as she took a step away from Elizabeth. Refusing to listen any longer. Unsatisfied, her supposed mother's face warped into a crazed expression that she had never witnessed before. The previous clear sky became littered with dark clouds. With the petals above wilting. Elizabeth's once soothing voice turned ghastly.
" And what am I? I thought you cared about me?"
Seeing this unfamiliar woman, whom she thought was her mother, reveal their true colors. Liz was finally ready to accept the cold, hard truth.
"I do... However, no matter how much I wish it were so, you're not my mother. The woman I knew and loved could never despairingly talk down or forget any of her children!"
"Tsk, you disappoint me, my dear Liz. How could you turn on your own mother! You're no better than that filthy murderer, Zeke!"
Incensed, the fake Elizabeth began to transform into an abomination. Tearing the skin from her face, creeping forward, many tentacles sprouted, replacing her legs. Horrified, Liz moved backwards.
"Stay back, you monster!"
" How mean, but all is forgiven, daughter. Now come to Momma, and I'll take care of everything!"
The imposter cackled, unnaturally extending her bony arms several meters towards Liz. Feeling helpless, all of a sudden, a shining object pierced through the dark clouds. Landing by Liz's side, enticed by this glowing weapon, she grabbed hold of the silver and gold blade. Making contact, the image of Zeke briefly appeared before disappearing.
"Little brother!"
Liz exclaimed, somewhat befuddled. She soon realized that this blade was related to him and the barrier he had placed inside her and Kenshin's mind beforehand. Receiving a new surge of confidence and power, Liz took up a fighting stance.
" Sweety, put the blade down and let's talk this out!"
The imposter menacingly spoke, inching closer to her like a zombie. Liz went on the offensive, charging straight ahead while avoiding her outstretched arms. She then slashed her body straight in half as the imposter disintegrated, thereafter.
"I'm sorry, but I must move on with my brothers like my actual mother would've wanted."
Liz declared that as her surroundings started to fade away, she heard a faint voice resembling Elizabeth,
" I'm proud of you, my little firecracker."
Those were the last words she heard, awaking inside the pod with dried tears.
"Liz!"
Kenshin greeted her with relief as she stepped out of the pod. Liz returned the enthusiasm, glad that he made it as well. She then looked around the spacious room as several others had already passed.
"Where's Zeke?"
Liz asked, while Kenshin silently pointed towards a pod still in use.
....
" Unleashing his final beam, the hero slayed the foul demon lord, bringing peace to the seven kingdoms. He later became an Immortal, ruling for the greater good of mankind. The man who came from humble beginnings eventually transcended into the Heavens as a hero.... The end."
Akari finished reading to the boy while rocking in a chair by his bedside.
" Could you please read another story, Mom?"
The tan-skinned boy, who was no older than 5 with light blue hair and gold eyes, exclaimed, bouncing up and down on his bed.
" Now, Zeus, you know it's getting late, and we have a special day ahead of us for tomorrow. Remember?"
She reminded him as he eventually made a compromise, looking forward to the next morning. Akari then tucked Zeus into bed, blowing him a kiss as she left his room, which looked like a mini playground. Out in the hall, she bumped into her husband of over 20 years, who was listening in.
"Man, that little hyper gremlin sure has all the energy in the world and then some."
Zeke said with a grin, kissing Akari on the lips.
" Ugh, why do you insist on calling our cute little boy such a vile creature?"
" Tsk, that's just the way males naturally bond through joking around, roughhousing, and showing tough love, as his father, I can't afford to coddle the boy too much. That's your job."
He chuckled as Akari pointed out their son and his similarities.
" If you say so, besides, who do you think he inherits that from?"
"Hey, I didn't say it was a bad thing. Anyway, are you really sure about tomorrow coming with Zeus, no less?"
Zeke asked while changing into a more serious tone, while Akari looked up at him.
" Why wouldn't we be there to celebrate you becoming an elder of the Elemental Sect?"
"Isn't it obvious, I don't want anything bad to happen that puts you guys at risk! You should know better than anyone that danger can sometimes lurk in the shadow of happiness!"
His voice began to rise as a daunting mental image flashed of Akari being gutted, before reverting to the present. Instantly, she noticed something was wrong as Zeke placed his hand over his temple in discomfort.
"Whoa, you don't look too well..."
"It's alright, just a nagging migraine. More importantly, I think it would be best if you two sit this one out. We can celebrate as a family when I return."
He suggested trying to shake the horrid snapshot. His mind treated him too. Soon, she relented, seeing the rare stress that Zeke was exhibiting.
"Fine, if it'll put your worries at ease. After all, it's your special moment. I couldn't be prouder, either way."
His wife cheered happily as he felt thankful for her understanding and praise.
"Thanks, I wouldn't know what to do without both of you."
Afterwards, hitting Zeke like a ton of bricks, he was reminded of a world-shattering realization as his entire past life depicted a rude awakening.
"This isn't real..."
Beyond rattled, he stormed into Zeus's room. Dubious about what her husband meant, she quickly followed him. Inside, Zeke gazed meaningfully at his son, who was now asleep.
" We never got the chance to see our child born."
He sorrowfully spoke, alarming Akari even more.
" I don't understand. What has gotten into you?"
"... It's nothing."
Zeke deflected, having a hunch she wouldn't believe him if he told her the truth.
"But..."
Akari began to dispute before their son overheard their raised voices, opening his eyes.
"Dad? Is it morning already?"
"Hey. My bad, little guy, for waking you. I only wanted to wish you a good night, that's all."
Zeke attempted to force a smile through his roller coaster of emotions. Unaware of his father's troubles, his son wholeheartedly smiled back, saying,
" Oh, okay, goodnight, Dad, I love you!"
"Heh, I love you too, son. More than you'll ever know..."
Zeke responded, fighting back tears, cherishing this moment while dreading what he had to do. Leaving Zeus room, husband and wife eventually settled down in their bed. Zeke eventually convinced her that all he needed was some rest.
" Akari, do you remember when we first met?"
" Hmph, how could I forget. When we initially encountered each other, I thought you were the cockiest person, ever."
Akari sneered as her husband laughed. They continued to stroll down memory lane until Akari drifted off to sleep. Wide awake, he savored her presence until he built up the resolve that he needed. Giving her a peck on the cheek and his love before leaving their house, positioned on top of a small mountain overlooking an unassuming village. Zeke floated in the dark above their home, which held many fond memories.
" Even though this isn't reality, I'm sorry, but I must erase something that was sadly never written in the stars."
Shedding a tear. Zeke switched gears. Unsheathing his unnaturally white steel sword in his left hand, extended it at his side. The divine sword circled counterclockwise, stopping at the position of 7 o'clock. At Stage 4 Grandmaster, he unleashed his strongest technique at this moment.
"6th cycle, Waning Moon."
A barely visible light tore through the air, obliterating in an instant his family's home along with half the mountain. With the sound of its destructive impact traveling far and wide. Space and time started to crumble in kind around Zeke as he hovered above, feeling dead inside.