The dojo was silent.
Every eye in the room was locked on Kori, his body still pulsing faintly with electricity. Sparks danced along his arms, illuminating the sharp smirk still carved into his face. Where Kawa once stood was only blood, static, and the fading echo of terror.
No one spoke. No one moved.
For the first time, the Vanguard did not look at Kori as their brother. They looked at him as something else—something dangerous.
Supira's voice shattered the silence, raw and trembling with rage. "Why would you do that!?"
His fists clenched. His voice was not of a warrior facing an enemy, but of a brother begging for an answer.
Shimo stepped forward, her usually calm eyes narrowing. Her stance was sharp, protective, her lips pressed in a thin line. Kaiyo's hands curled into fists, and even Doraibu lowered his gaze, conflicted. One by one, they stood with Supira, their bodies shifting into defensive stances.
Kori only laughed.
The sound was sharp, unnatural—less like the Kori they knew and more like a predator savoring its prey. His smirk widened, and in a single, thunderous step, he was in front of Supira.
His hand rose, electricity bending and twisting into jagged claws of lightning. The air itself seemed to shatter as he raised his arm.
"Stop me, then!" Kori roared, his claws inches from Supira's chest.
But before the strike could land—
"Kori."
The voice was low. Firm. Unshaken.
Kudo's arm wrapped around Kori's, his grip iron, his presence calm yet immovable. His eyes glowed faintly as his Nexus activated, threads of energy latching onto Kori's storm. Slowly, deliberately, he began to drain the wild surge of power.
The lightning faltered. The claws cracked and broke apart.
Kori's body trembled, his breath ragged. He fought it at first, snarling like a cornered beast, but Kudo's calm presence wrapped tighter around him. "Enough," Kudo said softly. "Rest."
Kori's eyes flickered, his storm dimming. In another moment, his body gave way, collapsing against Kudo's chest.
The dojo exhaled as one.
The storm had passed.
Kudo hoisted Kori onto his shoulder with ease. His gaze shifted to Kaosu, who stood tall, unreadable as always. "My king," Kudo said, bowing slightly, "allow me to take him. He has awakened a power he cannot yet control. I will train him, guide him, and make sure he does not lose himself to it."
Kaosu's sharp eyes narrowed, but after a long silence, he gave a single nod.
Kudo smiled faintly—something rare. He turned to the group. "Farewell, Vanguard. I leave you with each other. Kori is mine to guide now."
The air shimmered around him, a strange power humming through the room. And then—for the first time ever—Kudo vanished not alone, but carrying another with him. Both disappeared into the King's Domain, leaving only silence in their wake.
The Vanguard stared, still shaken.
Kurayami was the first to break the silence, his smirk returning as if nothing had happened. "Well," he muttered, scratching the back of his head, "that was fun. So… how old is Kori again?"
Doraibu blinked, caught off guard. "…Ten."
Kurayami let out a small laugh, the tension cracking like glass. "Ten years old and already terrifying. Fantastic."
The others didn't laugh, but the tension lightened.
Seishin finally stepped forward, his voice calm but commanding. "You all saw today. The dangers of power without control. Now, return to your training. Build upon your strengths. Confront your weaknesses. Only then will you stand against what's to come."
The group bowed their heads in acknowledgment. One by one, they dispersed, the weight of Seishin's words heavy in their chests.
Kaosu lingered. His crimson eyes swept over his brothers, his lips curving into the faintest of smiles. "Who shall I train with today?" he wondered aloud. Without another word, his body faded into the King's Domain, leaving the others behind.
In the corner of the dojo, Doraibu and Shimo remained. Doraibu stretched lazily, his confidence returning. "So, where do we even start?"
Shimo's brow furrowed, her expression sharp. "i can't deal with speed. And ranged attacks overwhelm me. If I don't learn to counter them, I'll fall before the battle even begins."
Doraibu laughed awkwardly, scratching his head. "Yeah… I've got no clue."
Shimo sighed, her shoulders sagging slightly. For once, she looked hopeless.
Kurayami stepped in casually, his smirk still lingering. "Simple. Track their Nexus energy if they're too fast. And for ranged fighters? Close the distance. Make their strength their weakness."
Shimo blinked, surprised. "…Thank you."
Kurayami waved it off. "Don't thank me. Just don't die."
Before Shimo could reply, she lunged at Doraibu, fists flying.
"WAIT—!" Doraibu's scream echoed across the dojo as the two clashed, their training resuming.
The storm had passed. But its shadow still lingered.
And the Vanguard's journey continued.