Doraibu's breathing was ragged, his body trembling as he stood at the edge of a wide, rippling lake. Sweat dripped down his face, his eyes narrowed in concentration.
For the past hour, he had tried again and again — to run across the water's surface, to balance himself as the waves shifted. Each time he fell short. Each time he sank.
"Damn it…" Doraibu muttered, dragging himself out of the shallows, clothes soaked and heavy. His Nexus energy felt drained, his mind cluttered with frustration.
"Head too heavy," he whispered to himself. "I need air…"
He decided to take a walk, letting the quiet of the forest calm his restless spirit. That's when he heard it — the sound of splashing, not like someone falling, but like feet gliding over the surface of water.
Doraibu froze, his eyes darting toward the lake once more.
There, in the middle of the water, stood a boy.
His hair glistened with the sun's reflection, and his movements were fluid, almost serene. He wasn't just walking across the water. He was standing there as if the lake itself was his ground.
Doraibu's jaw dropped. "H-How…?"
The boy turned, noticing Doraibu at the shore. His expression was calm, but a faint grin tugged at his lips. "Name's Kori. And you must be struggling."
Doraibu stepped forward, still dripping wet. "You… you can walk on water? Can you teach me?"
Kori tilted his head, eyes sharp like he was measuring Doraibu's will. After a pause, he nodded. "Clear your mind. Stop thinking about falling. Stop thinking about control. Just run." He pointed at him with quiet confidence. "Your turn."
Doraibu clenched his fists, nodding. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. His mind went blank, his heartbeat steady. Then, with a sudden burst of speed, he sprinted forward.
His feet slapped against the lake's surface. The water rippled violently, but he didn't sink. For the first time, he was running on water — moving with lightning speed across the lake.
"YES!" Doraibu shouted, his heart racing with exhilaration.
But before the pride could settle, Kori appeared beside him, dashing across the water effortlessly. With a sudden surge, he overtook Doraibu, leaving him behind in a spray of waves.
Doraibu skidded to a stop, panting, barely managing to stay upright on the water. His eyes widened at Kori, who stood calmly several feet ahead, not even winded.
"You're fast," Kori admitted with a faint smile. "But not fast enough."
Doraibu growled, determination flaring in his chest. "Tch… then what do I have to do?"
Kori's grin widened, his eyes gleaming with challenge. "Beat me."
He turned, walking back across the water with casual ease. "If you want to get faster… if you want to master yourself… then race me. Every day, until you can surpass me."
The waves rippled between them, but Doraibu's resolve burned hotter than ever.
"Fine," Doraibu said through clenched teeth, a smirk tugging at his lips. "You're on."
The chapter closed with the two boys standing on the water, the sun setting behind them, as the first of many races was about to begin.
To be continued…
Doraibu's Training
Meanwhile, at the lake, Doraibu raced across the water again and again. Kori's figure was always ahead of him — calm, untouchable, unshaken.
"Faster, Doraibu!" Kori shouted. "Don't think about the waves! Don't think about me! Think about outrunning yourself!"
Each race left Doraibu gasping, collapsing at the shore with sore muscles and burning lungs. But each time, he got just a little bit further before Kori passed him.
One evening, as the sun dipped low, Doraibu finally caught himself keeping pace with Kori for more than a few breaths. His heart soared, his Nexus sparking at his feet like lightning over the water.
Kori smirked. "Not bad. But until you cross the finish line ahead of me… you're still too slow."
Doraibu clenched his fists, determination blazing in his eyes. I'll beat you. No matter how long it takes.
Kaosu sat quietly, Kudo's final words echoing in his mind: "You are not the King… you are the Guard."
But there was no time to dwell on riddles. His Nexus core pulsed, a call pulling him toward the ruins of a long-forgotten village. His brothers were waiting.
"Another time, Kudo," Kaosu muttered.
The child of chaos gave a faint smile, then vanished into the void.