Blaze Of Shadows [A World In Embers]

Embers Of The Past III

The two warriors clashed, their movements lightning-fast. Kenshi landed a series of swift kicks, but Kenji countered with deadly precision.

Kenji unleashed a flurry of punches, sending Kenshi crashing into a nearby wall. As Kenshi struggled to regain footing, Kenji seized the opening. "Finish him," Yami no le's voice echoed in Kenji's earpiece.

But Kenshi refused to yield.With a desperate burst, Kenshi launched himself at Kenji.Their blows collided, each strike shaking the ground.

In the chaos, Kenshi grasped Kenji's arm. "Remember Akane, Kenji!" Kenshi pleaded. "Remember Hikari! Your family needs you!"

Kenji's gaze faltered. For an instant, the assassin's mask slipped.A glimmer of recognition sparked.But Yami no le's grip was relentless.

"Obey," the voice commanded. Kenji's expression hardened, He shook off Kenshi's grip. Their battle raged on, Through alleys and rooftops.

Their speed increased and soon their movements became a blur, in the heat of battle Kenshi discovered that if tide didn't turn around quick it would only be one of them standing. He decided to try another tactic.

"Your son's birthday is next week, Kenji! Does he even know his father is doing right now?"

Kenji's eyes flickered.

A hint of doubt crept in.But the Yami no le programming held strong. "Silence!" Kenji snarled.

The fight intensified. Kenshi's determination fueled his strength. But Kenji's skills were unmatched, As the battle reached its climax. Kenshi made one final plea.

"Kenji, stop!Come back to your family! Redeem yourself!" Kenji's gaze locked onto Kenshi. A moment of hesitation brought forth A glimmer of hope.

Kenshi's words struck Kenji's core. "Come back to your family, Kenji. Redeem yourself!" Kenshi pleaded.

Kenji's expression hardened, but doubt flickered in his eyes. "You don't understand, Kenshi. Yami no le owns me."

"No, Kenji! You have a choice!" Kenshi insisted. Kenji lunged at Kenshi. Their blades clashed. Kenji's movements seemed off, uncharacteristically clumsy.

"Kenji, stop! Don't make me do this!" Kenshi shouted. "I'm sorry, Kenshi," Kenji whispered, his eyes locked on Kenshi's. "I'm sorry for everything."

Kenshi's counterattack sliced through the air. Kenji's defense was slow, deliberately slow.

"Kenji, no!" Kenshi screamed as his blade bit deep into Kenji's chest.Kenji's eyes locked onto Kenshi, a hint of a smile. "I'm free." "Forgive me, Kenji!" Kenshi begged, cradling Kenji's head. "You're forgiven, Kenshi," Kenji replied. "Take care of Akane and Hikari."

"Why did you...?" Kenshi trailed. "I had to protect them," Kenji whispered. "Yami no le would've used me to hurt them.". "Where are they?" Kenshi asked.

"Safe...hidden...Yami no le won't find them," Kenji's voice trailed. "Kenji, don't leave me!" Kenshi pleaded."I'll always be with you, Kenshi," Kenji's voice faded. "Tell Akane...I love her."

Kenji's eyes glazed. Kenshi held his lifeless body, soon he gave a long exhale and scanned his surroundings, he had achieved his objective but with the blood of a brother in his conscience.

He took a sudden burst of rapid breaths and stepped back repeatedly, distancing himself from the corpse. He had just killed the Yami no les tool, the thought should have elated him but instead it brought forth resentment which surged through his veins like a bad dose of adrenaline.

***

Hikari strode into the room some minutes after his father's funeral, he was still in an emotionally broken and gazed round the room, his mother was still receiving condolences in the sitting room. Suddenly the lights went out and Hikari cursed silently.

The fuses had become increasingly pathetic since his father's death, he was about to exit the room and navigate his way to the basement when the light came on, casting their brilliant radiance on Hikari who knew he was not alone.

" Who are you " he stammered running his gaze over the intruder dressed in a ninja suit. " Some one your father used to know, I came to tell you to stop trying to find out the cause of your father's death you are but a child, too young to be consumed by vengeance" Kenshi said.

" Yeah right" Hikari sniffed " You are the one behind his death right? Then you'll have to kill me because if you think for a minute that this changes anything...". " If you still wish to take revenge at the age of twenty then I will have no objections, I will be waiting for you" Kenshi said.

With that the light blinked off and Hikari knew within the split second it took for the light to turn on, that the intruder had left but something else remained in the room, it was some kind of file for a report, Hikari took a deep breath and approched the file.

He knew from his rapidly pulsating heart, that he might not like the contents of the file, he was right...