Isaiah sat alone in the training ground, his thoughts consumed by memories of Joshua Egoshin's destruction of his family. The weight of those thoughts was so heavy that he didn't notice Ervin approaching until he stood behind him.
Ervin: Didn't I tell you to stop carrying hate and revenge in your heart?
Isaiah: I don't need to hear how you understand what I'm feeling right now. Not from you.
Ervin: Well, it sucks to be you, because I'm still gonna say it anyway.
Isaiah: HUH!? Just go away!!
Ervin then sat down beside him and looked at his annoyed face.
Ervin: Let me ask you something. Why did you want to kill Joshua Egoshin?
Isaiah hissed.
Isaiah: Why do you feel the need to ask that?! You already know the answer!
Ervin: Yeah I know the reason. But I want to hear it from YOU.
Isaiah's mind flashed with the image of his family, slaughtered, their faces forever seared into his memory.
Isaiah: I wanted to kill Joshua because he took everything from me. He slaughtered my family like they were nothing. I trained every day, pushing myself so I could be strong enough to make him pay for what he did. But now… he's already dead.
He then slammed his fist into the ground next to him.
Isaiah: DAMN IT!
Ervin thought back for a moment and when the unpleasant memories began to creep up, he sighed.
Ervin: I know this is hard. But I've been there, Isaiah. I lost my brother, Kenji's father, back in 2003. Eldon Snyder attacked the Shadow Society, wiped out so many people, including Kenji's dad. You probably know the story. But even with all the power I have, I didn't go after him or kill him when I had the chance. Do you know why?
Isaiah: How should I know?
Ervin: Because revenge doesn't solve anything. I didn't let hatred consume me. I could've used my strength to get revenge, but instead, I worked to break the cycle of hate that's been going on for centuries. I used my position as the head of the Hashido clan to end the bloodshed, not contribute to it. If you think killing Joshua would bring you peace, you're dead wrong.
Isaiah: (clenches his fists) What are you trying to say to me right now?
Ervin: Isaiah, you've trained for years to kill Joshua, building all that strength, pouring all your hate into it. But now that he's dead… what do you do with all that power and anger? You've been running toward a goal that no longer exists.
Isaiah fell silent, his fists trembling. The frustration bubbled up, but Ervin's words cut deeper than he wanted to admit. He had worked so hard, every day, thinking that revenge would be his salvation. And now that Joshua was gone, the purpose he had built his life around felt… meaningless.
Ervin: You have potential, Isaiah. Massive potential. But if you continue channeling it toward hatred, it'll destroy you. What will you do with all that strength now that the reason for it is gone?
Isaiah: (to himself) What do I intend to do? I've spent so long building myself up to reach his level, filled with hatred and a desire for revenge. Now that Joshua Egoshin is gone, that hatred has nowhere to go. It's like I've been running towards a finish line that no longer exists.
Ervin stood up, preparing to leave.
Ervin: I'll leave that for you to decide on. I don't need to hear your answer. But I'll tell you this, whatever answer you come up with, don't let it hinder you from growing because it can come back and bite you in the worst way possible.
Ervin walked away, leaving Isaiah alone with the storm of emotions twisting inside him. The silence pressed down on Isaiah as he struggled to steady himself.
A moment later, Ervin noticed Kato, Mira, and Kenji heading his way. Their faces were tight with concern, every one of them clearly worried about Isaiah.
Ervin: Oh it's you guys.
Mira: How is he, Dad?
Ervin: Frustrated.
Kato: Is he going to be okay?
Ervin: He'll be fine once he works through it. But for now, let's give him space.
Kenji nods his head.
Ervin: Besides, I have to tell you something important, Kato.
Kato: (points at himself) Me?
Ervin: Remember when I said the Kaimi Daja were after you because of the God eye? Well, it turns out my working theory was correct. They're targeting all the Heirs, including me and you. From what we saw on the news, that's what happened to Joshua. If we cross paths with them, we could be next.
Kato: (shocked) Oh… I see…
Ervin: So now we have targets on our backs.
Kato: What should I do?
Ervin: Stay vigilant. Watch your back, Kato. They could come after anyone. I won't stop you from visiting your mom in the hospital, but just… be careful.
Kato nodded, but the worry on his face remained. Ervin then turned to his daughter.
Ervin: Also Mira, I need you to keep an eye on him, okay?
Mira: Got it! You can count on me!
Kato: You seem a little too excited about this.
Kenji: (muttering) You still don't get it, do you?