The Kurai were an order that had long burdened themselves with the responsibility of shielding humanity from the unknown. What began as a small organization had grown over centuries into a hidden community, veiled from mortal eyes and guarding against Dreknars and demons alike.
They resided at the very center of the Fourteen Kingdoms, concealed behind layers of ancient wards, yet even beyond their cloaked sanctuary, whispers of their existence spread. Among nobles and high officials there were those who knew of the Kurai and could reach out when shadows stirred, but in villages severed from civilization, far from the reach of crowns and armies, tragedy was a familiar companion. Just like what happened to your village.
"That," Raizen said evenly, "is one of the reasons I'm always far from home. I walk close to the forgotten places, bringing relief where no one else can, against human cruelty, Dreknar claws, and above all, the schemes of demons."
His gaze fixed on Nox. "Your journey from here to the center of the kingdoms will take you about twenty days. You'll face trials, and when you do, remember these three things.
First, Dreknars are little more than tools. Wherever you see one, expect a demon lurking nearby.
Second, demons may look human, but they are anything but. Before using Iora they're no different from men, but once they draw upon it their presence reeks of foulness, you'll feel it. Some demons have evolved so far that even other demons kneel to them. They are called Demon Lords. All demons have a true form, nothing like human at all. And should one reach the level of something similar to God Mode…" Raizen's voice grew hard, "you run. That's why I'm giving you these, fourth generation silver binding rings. If you encounter something far beyond you, use the Iora you've honed these last two weeks, trigger the ring, and escape. They'll drain you afterward, but it's better than dying."
"Third," Raizen continued, "there are… remarkable people scattered across the world. Iora wielders who grew on their own, never found by the Kurai. Eight out of ten are worse than demons in cruelty. If you meet them, avoid them."
Nox's throat tightened as he listened, the weight of every word pressing down.
"The only way to kill a demon is by destroying its heart," Raizen said at last. "They'll recover from anything else."
He reached into his cloak and produced a folded map. "Follow this route. It will take you directly through the Blitz Kingdom, the most advanced of the Fourteen. When you reach a fig tree standing alone in a clearing, you'll meet a man with black hair mixed with white. His name is Ren. He's reckless, an idiot, but also the strongest Kurai I've ever trained. He will be your teacher, and he will lead you to Eden."
It was the longest Raizen had spoken without pause since Nox had known him. His voice carried no fatigue, only resolve.
The last two weeks replayed in Nox's mind, endless training, blood, sweat, and bruises. Raizen had pushed them five times harder after the Dreknar's surprise attack. Their "indestructible" clothes were in tatters, worn thin from absorbing blow after blow, but with each day Nox had grown stronger. The three binding rings he carried now thrummed faintly with Iora, proof of his progress.
And yet, the hardest part was not the training. It was the farewell.
Nox turned to Juro. Words failed him. Instead, he stepped forward and pulled Raizen into a tight embrace. The man stiffened at first, caught off guard, but then returned the gesture. For Nox, who had grown without a father, Raizen was the closest thing he had ever known.
He then extended his hand toward Juro. Their palms met in a firm shake, but the dam broke. Tears streamed as they collapsed into each other's arms. They had promised no tears, but they were only sixteen,boys forced into a world of chaos before they were ready.
Finally, they pulled apart.
The sun was rising, spilling gold across the trees. Nox turned his back on everything he had known and walked toward the light.
The road to Eden had begun, and every path before him, just as Raizen said,would only lead deeper into destruction.