Kenji’s head throbbed with frustration born of confusion as the other him leaned back, studying him with that maddening smirk. All of the pain, the fear, and the blood to be sitting here being told he was what? Death and Shadow incarnate? The cave was silent, save for the faint dripping of water somewhere in the distance. The glowing plants seemed to pulse softly, their light reflecting Kenji’s unease. He clenched his fists on the table, leaning forward.
“I’m not sure why I’m connected to shadows and death,” Kenji snapped, his voice taut. “Void, sure, fine, whatever I still don’t understand but it came because of the Void Walker thing. But death? Shadows? How does any of this mean I’m connected to death or shadows? That’s not me. I’m not… whatever those things are supposed to be about.”
The other Kenji leaned back, his expression thoughtful rather than smug for once. He studied Kenji for a long moment before finally speaking. “Alright, farmer boy. Let’s try this a different way. What do you think shadows and death represent?”
Kenji hesitated, caught off guard by the question. “I don’t know. Shadows are… hiding, maybe? And death… death is just the end of things, isn’t it?” He looked at his double, frowning. “I don’t see how any of that has to do with me.”
The other Kenji tapped a finger against the table, his gaze steady. “Hiding and endings, huh?” He gave a small shake of his head. “That’s one way to look at it, sure. But here’s the thing about essences: they’re not one-size-fits-all. Fire can be destruction, but it can also be warmth, life, renewal. To one person, fire is the spark of hope that keeps them going. To another, it’s the chaos that tears everything apart. Same essence. Different connections.”
Kenji blinked, his irritation waning slightly as confusion took its place. “Okay… so what? You’re saying I see death and shadows differently?”
“Exactly,” the other Kenji said, his voice firmer now. “You don’t have to connect to death as some grim reaper figure, and shadows aren’t just about hiding or deceit. They’re broader than that—deeper. Let’s break it down.”
He leaned forward, his tone softening. “Death isn’t just the end. It’s sacrifice. It’s acceptance. It’s letting go of what was so that something else can take its place. When you stood between the villagers and those raiders, you weren’t embracing death as destruction—you were embracing it in acceptance as a result of protecting life. You were willing to face it, to use it, because you believed in something greater than yourself.”
Kenji stared at him, the memories of the trial flooding back. The fear. The blood. The choice to stand his ground when he could have run. “I wasn’t thinking about it like that,” he muttered. “I just… I didn’t want to regret not trying.”
“Exactly,” the other Kenji said, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You used your death as a tool to help others live.”
“And shadows? They’re not just about hiding. They’re the in-between, the places where light and dark meet. When you let that girl take the food, you didn’t do it because it was the ‘right’ thing to do by some rigid code. You did it because you saw the gray areas, the nuance. You acted in the shadows—not out of fear, but because it’s where the complicated, messy truths live.”
Kenji shook his head, his thoughts spinning. “That still doesn’t feel like me,” he said, his voice quieter now. “I’m just trying to help people. That’s all.”
“And that’s exactly why these connections exist,” the other Kenji said, leaning back with a satisfied nod. “You’re not connecting to death because you love destruction or to shadows because you want to hide. You connect because of how you use those concepts. You use death to protect. You use shadows to navigate the gray areas when there’s no clear answer that fits to your principles. It’s not about what they are—it’s about what they mean to you. Whether you consciously see the connections or not, they persist.”
Kenji sat back, letting the explanation sink in. It was a lot to take in, and he wasn’t sure he fully understood it. Some of what the other Kenji was saying made some sense and some of it was too much to grasp.
Kenji leaned forward on the table, his frustration giving way to a weary curiosity. He’d had enough of himself—his connections, his supposed place with death and shadows. There were bigger questions gnawing at him. He met the gaze of his shadowy doppelgänger, the glow of the plants around them casting faint light on the chabudai table.
“So… what about the bigger picture?” Kenji asked. “All this talk about essences, trials, and connections—what’s the point of it all? How does Earth even fit into all this? Why do we have to go through this whole tutorial? What’s out there beyond all this?”
The other Kenji paused, tapping a finger on the table in thought. His smirk returned, though it was softer this time, almost knowing. “The bigger picture, huh? Always the big questions with you, huh?”
Kenji frowned. “Yeah, well, I’m being dragged into something I don’t even understand. I think I have a right to ask.”
The other Kenji nodded, his expression turning more serious. “Fair. Let me give you a glimpse then. Earth—your world—is one of countless others. Planets, realms, dimensions… The cosmos isn’t just a bunch of stars in a galaxy. It’s infinite layers of existence, all interconnected through the System and the Omnirealm. Every world, every person, plays a role in that vast tapestry.”
Kenji raised an eyebrow. “So… we’re all just tiny cogs in a big machine?”
“Not exactly,” the other Kenji said, leaning forward. “Earth, like many young planets, has always been isolated, protected from the greater cosmos until now. But isolation has its limits. The universe is expanding, always changing, and Earth can’t stay separate forever. The System created the Tutorial to bridge the separation—it’s a way to help Earth’s people adapt to the greater universe and its ways. To prepare you for what’s out there.”
“Prepare us for what?” Kenji asked, his voice tinged with skepticism. “More trials? More death? Because that’s all I’ve seen so far.”
The other Kenji smiled a bit sadly at Kenji. “Honestly, I wish I could promise you that you wouldn’t face any more danger but it’d be a lie. I recognize you’ve been given a tougher start than some of the others from you’re planet, but one thing you’ll need to adapt to is that death and conflict have its place.”
“Life is full of opportunities. Flowing of new experiences and challenges to grow from, some dangerous and others not. The cosmos is full of vast beauty and diversity, and in this diversity lies many dangers. Earth will either have to join in this greater flow of things or be swept aside by it. That’s just how it works.”
Kenji shook his head, still trying to wrap his mind around it. “And what about me? My place in all this?”
The other Kenji smiled again, a flicker of pride in his expression. “That’s what we’ve been talking about, isn’t it? Your place isn’t something anyone can hand to you. You’ve been carving it out yourself through every choice, every action, starting with your essence connections. Are you able to understand your connections now? To death and shadows?”
Kenji hesitated, his thoughts circling back to their earlier conversation. “I still don’t get it all,” he admitted, his voice low. “I think I kinda understand what you meant. Death and shadows aren’t just… what they seem on the surface. It’s not about destruction or hiding. It’s about what I do with them. How I use them. I guess… it’s about perspectives.”
The other Kenji nodded, satisfied. “Exactly. Your perspective is what makes your connection real. It’s not about fitting into someone else’s definition. It’s about finding your own.”
Kenji let out a slow breath, some of the tension in his shoulders easing. “Alright. That does make some sense.”
“Good,” the other Kenji said, his smirk widening. “Because it’s time for the next step.”
Kenji straightened, his curiosity piqued. “Next step?”
The other Kenji gestured at him with a hand. “Now that you’ve uncovered your connections, it’s time to truly unlock them. You’ve already gotten a taste of what the Void essence can do, but you’ll unlock at an ability in each of your essences. This is where things really start to get interesting.”
Kenji swallowed, a mixture of anticipation and anxiety bubbling up in his chest. “What do you mean by things get interesting?”
The other Kenji leaned back, his shadowy form shifting slightly. “That’s for you to decide. But for now, focus on what’s in front of you. Are you ready?”
Kenji clenched his fists, the memories of all of his trials flashing through his mind—the fear, the pain, the choices he had to make. He nodded, determination hardening his expression. “Yeah. I’m ready.”
The other Kenji’s grin grew, the glow of the strange plants around them intensifying. “Good. Let’s begin.”
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Kenji sat cross-legged on the glowing floor of the shrine chamber, his hands resting on his knees, his breathing shallow and uneven. The eerie tranquility of the place, illuminated by the strange, perpetually blooming and withering plants, felt simultaneously peaceful and suffocating. Across from him, the other Kenji sat in an identical posture, his expression calm but expectant.
“Focus,” the shadowy doppelgänger said, his voice softer than before. “You’ve got this, but you’re fighting it too much. Don’t force it.”
Kenji frowned, squeezing his eyes shut. “I’m trying, okay? It’s not like I’ve done this before.”
The other Kenji chuckled lightly. “Relax. Connecting to an essence isn’t about brute forcing your way into it. It’s about feeling. You’re overthinking it. Stop trying to forcibly pull it out and just… listen to it.”
Kenji’s shoulders dropped slightly, but his mind remained restless. “How am I supposed to ‘listen’ to something I don’t even know is there?”
“By thinking less and feeling more,” the other Kenji said simply. “Let’s try this—think of a memory. Something that instantly brings death to mind. Something that has always resonated with the concept of death since you could remember.”
Kenji hesitated, his fingers curling slightly against his knees. “A memory?”
The other Kenji nodded. “A moment, a thought, a person—anything that makes you feel the weight of what death really is. Not just the end, but the transition. The impact it leaves behind.”
Kenji’s brow furrowed as he searched his mind. At first, it was a blur of recent chaos—the trials, the battles, the raiders—but then, a faint, quiet memory surfaced. A smile. Warm and fleeting, like a summer breeze that disappeared too soon but lingered on in his memory.
“My grandparents,” Kenji said softly, the words almost catching in his throat. “The Thompsons. I only have one real memory of them. Just… their smiles. That’s all.”
The other Kenji tilted his head, his eyes glinting with interest. “And what does that memory mean to you?”
Kenji swallowed, his chest tightening. “It makes me sad, I guess. Because every time I think about them, I remember they’re gone. That I’ll never get more than that one faint memory.”
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“And yet,” the other Kenji said gently, “they left you with something, didn’t they? Something that lingers, even after death.”
Kenji nodded slowly, his father’s voice echoing in his mind. “All things have a season. Death isn’t just the end—it’s a new beginning. For those left behind, and for those who go.”
“It’s not just sad,” Kenji murmured, his voice steadier now. “It’s… it’s like they were always still there, in a way. My parents liked to share stories of who they were and what they stood for. They helped me, let me think about who I wanted to be. And sometimes I hoped I could live up to those stories.”
The other Kenji smiled faintly, gesturing with a hand. “That’s it. That’s your connection. Death isn’t just about endings—it’s about transformation. The way it changes everything, the way it lingers in spite of time or distance. Feel that, Kenji. Let it flow through you.”
Kenji closed his eyes again, this time letting the memory of his grandparents’ smile wash over him. The sorrow, the warmth, the quiet finality of it all. It wasn’t just an absence—it was a presence, a weight that had always been with him, shaping his choices, his thoughts, his very being.
And then, he felt it—a faint, pulsing energy deep within his chest. It was cold but not harsh, like a winter wind that carried the promise of spring. It spread slowly, winding its way through his veins, wrapping around his heart, his soul.
“That’s it,” the other Kenji whispered. “Now let it flow. Let it out.”
Kenji exhaled shakily, his hands trembling as he extended them forward. The energy within him surged, gathering at his fingertips, and then spilled outward in a soft, dark mist all around his hand. It shimmered faintly, like the glow of the plants around him, and coalesced into a small, ghostly flame that hovered above his palm.
It was strange, his mind felt like it should be ice cold with the way the air turned to a fog reminiscent of a cold chill spilling of an ice cold drink. Yet it felt like so warm.
A notification blinked into view.
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New Ability Unlocked: Necrotic Touch
The user channels death essence through physical contact, draining vitality and leaving a lingering decay. This ability can weaken enemies or disrupt magical constructs reliant on life energy.
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Kenji stared at the flame, a mix of awe and trepidation flickering across his face. The other Kenji leaned back, a satisfied smirk on his lips.
“See? Told you it was there,” the shadowy figure said. “Death isn’t just about endings. It’s about the mark left behind.”
Kenji stared at the small ghostly flame hovering above his palm, its faint light casting strange, eerie shadows across his face. His expression was a mix of awe and hesitation. He clenched his fist, extinguishing the flame, and looked to his doppelgänger, who was watching him with a knowing smile.
“I don’t know about this,” Kenji admitted, his voice quiet. “I mean… Necrotic Touch? It sounds wrong… or evil I guess.”
The other Kenji tilted his head, his smirk softening into something more thoughtful. “Death is always going to feel wrong, Kenji. It’s heavy. Uncomfortable. But it’s also necessary. There are times when death is the only answer, no matter how much we wish it weren’t.”
Kenji frowned, his hands curling into fists at his sides. “I don’t know that I want to use it. I don’t want to be the person who… drains life out of people. That’s not me.”
The other Kenji leaned forward slightly, his shadowy form rippling with motion. “Your ability is certainly an offensive one focused on bringing someone closer to death. And sure maybe it never has to be you. That’s the thing about your essence, Kenji—it’s a part of you, but it doesn’t define you. Whether you choose to wield Necrotic Touch or not is entirely up to you. But whether you like it or not, as long as you live, that essence is with you.”
Kenji sighed, the weight of the words settling heavily on his shoulders. “So… I can’t get rid of it or swap it out for another one?”
“No,” the other Kenji said simply. “But it’s not a curse, Kenji. It’s a tool. Like any other ability, it’s only as good or as bad as the person wielding it. Just because you have access to something doesn’t mean you have to use it. And before you say you’ll never use it, consider this. You seem against using it in the living, but let’s say one day you encounter a village of zombies. Corpse forced to a dreaded existence of undeath. Your ability could end that existence bringing them peace. Would you deny its use then?”
“I don’t know…. I just don’t like the idea of being some guy who drains the life out of someone like a vampire.” Kenji said even more uncertain now
“Then don’t be, choose to use it to save people or end conflict. It’s not an insta-kill, maybe you could use it to strike fear into an enemy rather than to end an enemy. I’m certain most people wouldn’t like the idea of someone draining their life from their soul.” Other Kenji smirked at the end of his statement.
Kenji nodded slowly, though the uncertainty didn’t leave his face. Choosing to move on for now “Alright… what’s next?”
The other Kenji grinned, leaning back. “Shadow. You’ve got one more connection waiting for you. Let’s see if you can find it.”
Kenji closed his eyes again, trying to focus. This time, though, it felt different. Where the connection to death had been heavy but familiar, like the weight of a long-forgotten memory, this felt elusive. Shadows danced at the edge of his mind, just out of reach, flickering like candlelight in the dark.
“I still don’t fully get it,” Kenji muttered, frustration creeping into his voice. “What does all that stuff about darkness and light, and gray areas even have to do with me? How am I supposed to connect to something I don’t really understand?”
The other Kenji hummed thoughtfully. “Darkness isn’t just about the absence of light, you know. It’s about choices. Circumstances. Perspective.” He leaned forward again, his voice quiet and steady. “Think back to what you’ve done, Kenji. You’ve inflicted death and pain. You’ve made dark choices. But were they evil? Or were they necessary?”
Kenji flinched slightly, his stomach twisting. “I already told you I didn’t have a choice. I had to—”
“That’s the point,” the other Kenji interrupted, his tone sharp but not unkind. “Darkness isn’t inherently evil. It’s a part of everything, just like light. A person can do a dark thing and still be good. Just like something good can have dark consequences. It’s all perspective.”
”Stars only shine bright when surrounded by the night sky. Shadows are a beautiful expression of when dark meets the light. Let it be that for you, a place where your darkness can meet the light.
Kenji frowned, his mind turning over the words. He thought of the raiders, the blood on his hands, the lives he had taken. It still sickened him, but he couldn’t deny the truth in the other Kenji’s words. He had made those choices, and despite the darkness of those actions, they had been necessary. Justified, even.
He closed his eyes again, this time not fighting the memories or the emotions. Instead, he let them flow through him—the fear, the anger, the regret. And beneath it all, a quiet understanding began to take shape. The shadows weren’t malevolent or cruel. They were calm, neutral, waiting to be used for whatever purpose he chose.
And then he felt it. A presence, cool and steady, like the stillness of night. The shadows didn’t judge or demand. They simply were.
Kenji exhaled slowly, raising his hands and letting the energy flow through him like a conduit. The air around him shifted, dark tendrils of shadow curling and coiling around his body. They wrapped around him like a cloak, and his form grew hazy and indistinct, blending with the dim light of the chamber.
Two notifications blinked into view.
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New Ability Unlocked: Shadow Step
The user can teleport short distances through shadows, emerging silently and without warning. Effective for quick escapes or surprise attacks.
New Ability Unlocked: Umbral Cloak
The user surrounds themselves with shadows, making their form harder to see and track. Enemies find it difficult to focus on or predict the user’s movements.
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Kenji opened his eyes, watching as the shadows danced and flickered around him. He flexed his fingers, the shadows responding to his movements like an extension of himself.
The other Kenji smiled, leaning back with a satisfied expression. “See? Not so bad, is it?”
Kenji looked at his hands, then back at the other Kenji. “It feels… different. It’s not like death. It’s just… there.”
“Exactly,” the other Kenji said. “Shadow as an essence is about what you make of it. It’s a tool, Kenji. Like death, like the void. What you do with it is what matters. Heroes and Villians alike use the shadows, the difference is what they use it for.”
Kenji nodded slowly, the shadows dissipating around him as he let out a long breath. “Okay, so I unlocked abilities and found my connections… wait…. What about my void essence?”
The Other Kenji grimaced, looking up at the ceiling for a second before sighing. “Well, now we have the pleasant task of feeling for a connection to the void. Truthfully I wasn’t looking forward to this since it isn’t easy or pleasant.”
Kenji looked at his hands, the remnants of shadows still dissipating as he tried to focus. A thought struck him, and he hesitated before voicing it. “I’ve got a void connection,” he said slowly, glancing at the other Kenji. “And Void Bolt, too. Should I… do something with it? I mean, I’ve been using it without thinking, but now that I know about all this connection stuff, does that mean I should… I don’t know, try to unlock another ability? Feel the connection or something?”
The other Kenji’s expression twisted into a grimace, his usual smirk replaced with a look of reluctance. He ran a hand through his hair and sighed. “Yeah… about that. I was hoping to avoid this conversation, but it looks like we’re diving in. Buckle up, because the void essence isn’t like the others. Not by a long shot.”
Kenji raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued despite the ominous tone. “What do you mean?”
“Void isn’t just another essence,” the other Kenji began, his tone unusually serious. “It’s… complicated. And by complicated, I mean nearly impossible to fully understand. You’ve got elements like fire or water, and you’ve got concepts like death or time. Those all make sense in their own ways, even if they’re abstract. But void? Void is infinite. Omnipresent. It’s not just a concept or an element—it’s the absence of everything, and yet it’s also the origin of everything. It’s the canvas that existence was painted on, and it’s the thing that erases that canvas when it’s done.”
Kenji blinked, his head already spinning. “So… it’s nothing and yet everything comes from it at the same time?”
“Exactly,” the other Kenji said, pointing at him. “Which is why it’s so tricky. It’s a living force rather than a concept or element. Not like a person, but it has its own… agenda, I guess you could say. And here’s the kicker—it’s anathema to living things. By its very nature, it’s about annihilation. The end of all things. Which means it doesn’t exactly play nice with beings like us who are, you know, alive. Its presence always corrupts and decays until there’s nothing left. Unless you’re the Void Walker since it means you have an inherent connection.”
“Well that’s good then, it means I don’t have to do anything then right?” Kenji breathing a sigh of relief.
“Umm…. yeah, so…. You’re kinda in a unique situation I guess you could say.” Other Kenji rubbing the back of his head, making a face.
“What do you mean unique situation?” Kenji asked, panic rising in his chest
“Kenji, I only know so much as a System Created being who is essential a living library of specific information. What I do know is that another Void Walker is unprecedented since the original Void Walker was supposed to be the only one to ever exist hence him being immortal. Now he’s missing and you’re here. He was the only one who understood and connected with the Void. So I’m not sure what to tell you…” Other Kenji looked down looking guilty or maybe ashamed.
Kenji frowned, crossing his arms. “Then how am I supposed to connect to it? I mean, I already have Void Bolt, so doesn’t that mean I’ve kind of already connected to it?”
The other Kenji sighed again, his shoulders slumping. “I don’t really know since it appears the void gave you at least enough of a connection to wield its power because you’re the Void Walker, but I can sense you’re far from building a true connection to it.”
Kenji swallowed hard, his curiosity now laced with apprehension. “So what do I do? Just ignore it?”
The other Kenji shook his head. “No. You’re the Void Walker, Kenji. You have to try and connect to it at some point. You will need to unlock its true powers and fill in the rest of the connection. It’s part of your role, whether you like it or not. But I’m going to be honest with you—it’s not going to be like connecting to death or shadows.”
Kenji hesitated, then nodded. “How do I start to try then? ”
The other Kenji gave him a long, searching look before finally nodding. “I’ll do my best but no promises. Close your eyes and clear your mind. I’ll guide you as best I can, but don’t be surprised if this… doesn’t work.”
Kenji took a deep breath and closed his eyes, bracing himself for whatever was to come.
He closed his eyes, focusing on his breathing as the other Kenji spoke in calm, measured tones.
“The void isn’t something you connect to the same way you might with death or shadow,” the other Kenji explained. “It’s not a concept that fits neatly into the human mind. It’s infinite, omnipresent, and utterly alien. Most who glimpse it go mad, and those who make a connection often pay the price. But, you’re a Void Walker—it’s different for you. Still, tread carefully.”
Kenji felt a faint shiver crawl up his spine. He wasn’t entirely sure what he was doing, but he tried anyway, reaching out mentally for that strange thread of connection he’d felt in his earlier battles. At first, there was nothing but emptiness, a vast, hollow silence that felt like standing alone in the middle of a vast, starless abyss. Then, faintly, he sensed it—a cold, whispering presence.
It wasn’t like any other essence he had tried to connect to. It wasn’t warm or grounding. The void felt like absence. It was a lack of everything—light, sound, touch, even thought itself. It felt like falling into an infinite pit with no bottom, and yet, there was a paradoxical sense of fullness within that emptiness. It pressed against his mind with a weight that wasn’t heavy but instead vast, stretching out infinitely in all directions.
The void was silence that roared, hunger that devoured not for sustenance but for the sheer inevitability of annihilation. It was patient, eternal, and uncaring. And yet, amidst this overwhelming presence, there was a faint sense of stillness, of peace that came not from comfort but from the utter absence of chaos.
Kenji shuddered, instinctively pulling back. “I… I think I feel it,” he whispered. “It’s… huge. Empty. It’s like it’s everything and nothing at the same time. It’s so… cold.”
“Good,” the other Kenji said, nodding. “That must be the void. But be careful not to dive too deep. The void isn’t something you control—it’s something you endure.”
As Kenji focused, the faint thread of connection to the void became clearer. He noticed something strange—the broken katana at his side seemed to hum faintly in resonance. It wasn’t loud or obvious, but it was there, a subtle echo of the void’s presence.
Curious, Kenji let his awareness brush against the blade. The thread of connection between him, the blade, and the void pulsed faintly, almost like a heartbeat. As he focused, he felt a tiny shift, like the faintest breeze passing through a closed room. A notification appeared in his vision:
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New Passive Ability Unlocked: Void Corruption
• Effect: All void-infused attacks now leave a lingering decaying effect, causing gradual damage over time.
• Additional Effect: Kenji can infuse objects with void energy, imbuing them with the same decaying properties. However, objects infused with void energy will deteriorate over time until they disintegrate entirely.
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Kenji opened his eyes, his breathing ragged but steady. “I… I think I did something,” he said. “The blade… it’s linked to the void somehow. And I unlocked something called Void Corruption.”
The other Kenji’s expression shifted, a flicker of unease crossing his features. “The blade? Let me see it.”
Kenji handed over the broken katana. The other Kenji inspected it, his gaze narrowing as the shadows around him seemed to ripple faintly. He placed the blade on the table between them and stared at it for a long moment before exhaling slowly. “This… this isn’t just any blade. This is the Annihilation Blade. Or at least, what’s left of it. You shouldn’t have this, since the original Void Walker should have this.”
“The Annihilation Blade?” Kenji asked, confused.
The other Kenji nodded, his tone serious. “It’s a weapon tied directly to the void, capable of cutting through anything—matter, magic, even concepts themselves. But it’s shattered. I don’t know how or why, but if you’re carrying this… well it could mean many things that I’d rather not get into.”
Kenji frowned. “I got it after… well, after I connected to the void. It was in this strange space with all theses portals.”
The other Kenji’s expression darkened, and his voice lowered. “Kenji, listen to me. Don’t talk about this blade to anyone. Don’t talk about the void, either. People fear the void for a reason. Anyone who’s connected to it outside of the Void Walker role… they don’t last long. The void corrupts them—drives them mad. They either die from the decay or are killed because they lose themselves completely. I’m not sure why this is happening but your existence is not supposed to be.”
Kenji felt a chill run through him. “But I’m a Void Walker, right? Doesn’t that make it… safe for me?”
The other Kenji sighed. “You should be, but the Void Walker is or well the other one is a god. You’re a mortal so I’m not entirely sure but I’d imagine it’s safer for you, yes. Yet void is still dangerous. The connection you have with the void and this blade… it’s a gift, but it’s also a curse. Use it wisely, or I fear it could actually consume you.”
Kenji looked down at the katana, its broken form now carrying a weight he hadn’t fully understood before. He clenched his fists, determination flaring in his chest. “I can’t let that happen,” he said firmly. “I have a family to get back to, I can’t let this corrupt me.”
The other Kenji smiled faintly. “Good. That’s a good attitude. Look Kenji, I know this has all been confusing and my time is about up. I wish I could’ve told you more but for some reason the system is restricting me. I even glossed over the fact that you were a second Void Walker but I can feel it trying to keep me from thinking it weird. Find *#^*+ and he can tell you what you need to know about “-@&:&!” Other Kenji appeared to glitch in and out of existence all the sudden.
“What’s happening?!” Kenji suddenly stood up confused and startled.
Ke*\i, you nee* t0 fin-“ Other Kenji was cut off as a roar and flash of white light exploded everywhere at once.