"In this world, strength is not a gift... it is the price of staying alive."
"The Kara is the vital energy that flows through all things. Some shape it to create, others to destroy... but all depend on it to survive."
"When the breath of the Kara fades, the heart stops beating, and the soul vanishes into eternal shadow."
Duggy Low - Stellar Zenith (acquiescing)
"His body and mind have not yet been tested. If he is not compatible, he risks losing his memory, and you... you risk... being paralyzed for a whole day, we cannot afford that."
The man with the duck head - Stellar Zenith (serenely)
"You are absolutely right, but if he is ready, the Kara can become his ally, not his enemy."
Takashi Aomi - Stellar Zenith (in a grave tone)
"I agree with the duck. Certainly, it is a power that demands more than just strength. It requires the will to protect, the courage to suffer, and the discipline to know oneself. But do not forget that we all went through this."
A silence settled. Raizen, still standing, felt the weight of their gazes on him.
Kuro advanced a few steps, and his voice resonated in the room, calm but imposing:
Kuro
"You are perfectly right, Aomi. The Kara is the primordial vibration lurking in every living being. It is neither good nor evil. It reflects the intention of the one who wields it."
He slowly raised his hand, and a circle of soft light formed around Raizen.
Kuro
"If your heart is pure, the Kara will be luminous and orderly. If your mind is troubled, it will be dense and destructive. And if you fail to harmonize the two... your body and mind will pay the price."
Raizen lowered his head, aware of the risk but resolute.
Raizen (in a low, determined voice)
"I understand... and I accept it. I want this power. I want to become a Stellar Zenith. And help those in need."
Kuro (calm)
"I feel the purity in you, so make use of it."
Kuro approached, placing his hand on Raizen's shoulder. All the Stellar Zeniths present knelt, respecting the solemnity of the moment.
Raizen closed his eyes. A burning heat invaded his chest, surging through his veins like a river of fire and light. His breath caught, his thoughts blurred. For a moment, he thought he would disappear into the void.
But deep within, a new force surged. A pulsation, clear and pure, that bound his heart, his mind, and his body into a single rhythm.
His eyes opened, illuminated with a new brilliance. On his hand shone the mark, the symbol of the Stellar Zeniths.
Kuro (solemnly)
"Raizen... you have awakened your Kara. Protect it, master it, and always remember: every power has its price."
Raizen felt for the first time the link between his heart, his mind, and his body. He was no longer alone.
Silence fell again a few moments after the awakening, only disturbed by Raizen's still irregular breathing. Each of the Stellar Zeniths seemed absorbed by the new power emanating from him.
Suddenly...
The heavy doors of the hall burst open. An Astroforge rushed in, his face marked by panic.
Astroforge:
"Master Kuro..." he gasped. "The village... the Burnt Bloods... they attacked the village of Seiran."
The other Stellar Zeniths exchanged worried glances, some clenching their fists, but Kuro said nothing. His gaze lingered on Takashi, and in a calm but firm voice:
Kuro Takahashi:
"Allow me to remain alone with Takashi."
At these words, the other members present understood that they had to leave the hall. One after another, they bowed and slipped away in respectful silence, leaving Kuro and Takashi alone, in the heart of a strange tension, where gravity and anticipation mingled. Raizen, still dazzled by the awakening of his Kara, instinctively followed suit.
Once alone, Kuro turned to Takashi, his imposing stature and tranquil aura contrasting with the alarming news. His eyes reflected a paternal tenderness, as if he saw in each of his disciples his own children to protect.
Kuro:
"This mission..." Kuro said, his voice low but penetrating, "it is for you."
Takashi nodded. Kuro continued:
"You can take one person with you. Even though some Astroforges are already on their way, you have the right to choose."
Takashi Aomi (reflecting)
"I will take Raizen," he finally declared.
"Not to fight, but for quick on-the-job training. This will allow him to understand the gravity of our enemies and to see with his own eyes what the Stellar Zeniths truly face."
Kuro slowly nodded, a slight, imperceptible smile on his lips. In his eyes shone the pride of a father, mixed with the natural worry for a son he was sending into the heart of danger.
Kuro:
"Very well..." Kuro murmured. "Take care of him, Takashi. The Kara is a gift, but it is also a burden. He will have to quickly understand that light and shadow coexist in this world."
After this discussion, Takashi left the hall where he had spoken with Kuro, his face still calm and impassive. The other Stellar Zeniths, as well as Raizen, looked at him.
With measured steps, Takashi stopped in the center of the group, his dark eyes sweeping over each of them without a word more than necessary. His voice, when it was heard, was soft but firm, measured:
Takashi:
"The mission concerning the village of Seiran has been entrusted to me."
A respectful silence settled. The Stellar Zeniths nodded, understanding the gravity of the situation.
Takashi continued, still calm, his tone precise and detached:
"I will take Raizen with me."
Raizen flinched slightly, surprised by Takashi's choice.
Takashi:
"Not to fight," Takashi specified, his dark gaze fixed on him.
"You will accompany me for quick on-the-job training. You will see the gravity of what we face and discover what our enemies truly look like."
Raizen felt a tension mixed with pride and fear wash over him. He slightly raised his head, aware that this mission was not going to be a simple training exercise.
Takashi simply added:
"Get ready. We will leave immediately."
Without a superfluous gesture, he turned slightly away, leaving Raizen and the others, his icy calm contrasting with the inner turmoil of his companions.
Emma Moji:
"Always cold, our dear Aomi."
The man with the duck head (in a mocking tone):
"Yeah, such a discussion could only come from him." Then he smiled.
Duggy Low (serious tone)
"You'd better follow him. Know that he doesn't tolerate delays, and above all, try not to die. We have enough problems as it is," he said to Raizen.
Then he left with a displeased air.
The man with the duck head (more smiling and reassuring)
"Don't worry, Raizen, it's not that he hates you, he's just a little upset, that's all." Touching his shoulder.
Raizen (worried)
"Yes, I know," looking at him. "I just hope he'll eventually accept me."
The mission was launched, and the destiny of the young Stellar Zenith had just taken on a new dimension
end of chapter 4