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Japan, Ozunu Orphanage

December 11 2004

The children were already in their rooms, settling down on their tatami mats. They lay down, their minds adrift with thoughts of their future.

One of the children trying to bridge the gap between them asked.

"How old are you guys? I'm 7." He hoped that their age might bring them closer, as they all knew they'd be spending much more time together.

"I'm 7 too." another child replied.

Violet and Garrett looked at each other, and Violet answered, "We're both 6."

Then, Lucian's sleepy voice sounded,

"5" he yawned after saying his age.

The three children, even the older ones, turned their attention to Lucian, who was already asleep. They were quite shocked. He was the youngest, yet they knew he was the best among them.

One of the kids muttered, "Monster."

The others nodded in agreement.

Lucian smirked turning over in his sleep, and whispered. "Maybe."

•-----•-----•-----•-----•

March 12 , 2006

Lucian stood in front of Takeshi, the man he'd first seen when he arrived at the orphanage.

He was Lucian's next sparring partner. Kids his age, or even older, couldn't keep up with Lucian's mastery of weapons.

He wielded a katana with the grace of a seasoned warrior and even the tricky kusarigama felt like an extension of his own body.

The air in the training hall crackled with anticipation. Sweat slicked the wooden floor, reflecting the flickering oil lamps that cast long shadows across the room.

Takeshi, clad in black, stood poised, his eyes like twin embers in the dim light. He was a statue of stillness, a coiled spring ready to unleash its deadly force.

Across from him, Lucian held his katana, but even though he was promising, he knew he couldn't defeat Takeshi. Even with Lucian's abnormal strength and agility, he was still just a kid, and Takeshi was a fully trained ninja, at the peak of human potential.

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"Why are you even here?" Lucian asked Takeshi, feeling a knot of unease in his stomach.

In his mind, he heard Cortana's voice.

'Told you he's gonna do something bad.'

'I thought it was nothing. He didn't do anything for a whole year.' Lucian replied in his mind.

Who would have thought that a "normal" ninja would suffice as his sparring partner? But Takeshi was the leader of the group.

'I'm gonna get beaten up this time, for sure.'

Lucian sighed.

'Pretty much it, you're gonna cry so hard this time.' Cortana said, letting out a small laugh.

It had been a year since they arrived at the orphanage. Cortana had already accepted that Lucian would get hurt as he improved in order to survive in the Ozuru clan.

So, instead of getting sad, they sometimes just shared jokes and teased each other to pass the time. It was a way for them to stay connected while going through horrible days.

Takeshi smiled, a cruel, twisted smile.

"I heard you still hesitate. As your older brother, I need to teach you a lesson, don't you think?" As Takeshi said that,

his expression turned serious, his body tense and ready to fight.

"You still hesitate." Takeshi's voice was a low growl, devoid of emotion.

"Hesitation is death."

Lucian swallowed, his throat dry. He knew Takeshi's reputation. The man was a whirlwind of steel and fury, a living embodiment of the Ozuru clan's brutal training.

"Begin." Lord Ozunu's voice boomed from the shadows. It was a single word, but it carried the weight of a thousand commands.

The air crackled with anticipation as Lucian lunged, his sword a blur of silver. Takeshi, however, was a phantom, a whisper of wind. He danced around Lucian's attacks, his movements fluid and effortless.

The clang of steel against steel echoed through the chamber, a rhythmic counterpoint to the pounding of Lucian's heart.

Lucian, desperate unleashed a flurry of blows, each strike aimed with deadly precision. But Takeshi, with a flick of his wrist deflected every assault. His katana, a silent predator seemed to anticipate Lucian's every move.

Suddenly, a flicker of movement caught Lucian's eye. Takeshi his face a mask of calm had vanished. A cold dread gripped Lucian's chest. He spun, his sword held high, but it was too late.

The katana, a sliver of moonlight in the dim chamber, was already at his throat.

"You are strong, Lucian," Takeshi's voice, a low rumble, broke the silence.

"But strength alone is not enough."

Lucian defeated, lowered his sword. He knew he was no match for Takeshi.

Then Takeshi kicked Lucian in the abdomen, sending him reeling backward.

Lucian vomited up what he had eaten earlier.

Ozuru stood in front of Lucian, without looking back at Takeshi.

"You can go." Ozuru said, his voice cold and flat.

"Yes, Lord Ozunu," Takeshi said, bowing. He glanced at Lucian for a brief moment. 'Do your best, little brother.' he thought to himself, then disappeared into the shadows.

Ozuru circled Lucian, his eyes sharp and observant.

"Do you think you are strong, Asura?"

he asked.

Lucian looked at Ozuru, his heart pounding. 'I didn't want to fight that fanatic.' he thought, but he bowed his head and said,

"I don't think I am strong, Lord Ozunu."

Ozuru observed him carefully, studying his face for any sign of falsehood. When he found none, he nodded.

"It's good. You might be stronger than the other children because you are special, but you are still growing, Asura. You have the best potential."

He then glanced at the training room door. "Let's go. Your brothers and sisters are waiting."

He then walked out of the training room.

"Yes, Lord Ozunu," Lucian said, his mind racing. 'When will Raizo destroy this place?'

A miniature version of Cortana,

Mini soul form, appeared in front of him,

her voice tinged with frustration.

"Your memories are so unreliable until we figure out what changed and how many shows are in this world. One simple thing can change everything."

'It's hard to find information in this place.' Lucian said, shaking his head slightly.

They didn't have a chance to know more until later.

They joined the other children who were waiting in a room with a large bath.

Lord Ozuru looked at the children, his eyes landing on Lucian, who was already in line.

"Go." he said, his voice a low growl.

The children started to enter the bath, which was full of evergreen branches and leaves. They started to scrub their bodies with the evergreen, the scent of pine filling the room.

Ozuru walked among them, observing them closely.

"You must move without a trace or a footprint. You must become the shadow, and your scent nothing more than the wind through trees." Ozuru said. "As our enemies are everywhere, you must become as invisible as the night itself."

The children, their bodies aching, their minds filled with the day's grueling training, listened intently, taking in his words.

They were being taught to become more than just warriors. They were being taught to become shadows, to blend seamlessly with the darkness.