"No, Kyoya! No! Hold your sword correctly. And strike…but with more intensity. Do it again."
"Yes, Father." Sweat drips from Kyoya's face as he struggles to take a deep breathe. He adjusts his small hands around the hilt of the wooden sword. Raising it above his head, he whispers to himself, "More intensity, Kyoya… more intensity." His muscles tense. His spirit elevates. And using all his strength, he drives the sword through the mirage of his enemy.
"No, Kyoya! You're not doing it like I told you to! Pay attention!" Gennishiro closes his eyes and takes his own sword in both hands. With each deep breath, a blue aura slowly enlarges around his body. Its illumination becomes too magnificent for young Kyoya, who shields his eyes with his arm. Gennishiro's voice resonates throughout the barren dojo. "It requires strength, power—and most of all—emotion, Kyoya." Little by little, he lifts his sword above his head. At the exact moment Gennishiro's power reaches its zenith, his eyes shoot open as he bellows a thundering outcry. The sword swiftly soars, but with such force that a blue ray burst forward, dividing the wall and street in front of him. A blasts sounds as the energy from the attack demolishes an empty house two blocks from the dojo.
Kyoya gasps at the power before him.
"Okay, Kyoya. Your turn. And do it correctly."
Kyoya turns to his father, searching the usually gentle eyes for a reason behind the sudden hard-heartedness. He replies, "I don't wanna try anymore."
Gennishiro's gaze narrows on his son as his hand cups Kyoya's face. "It is not about what you want, Kyoya Isayo." He pauses, exploring his own words. "Or maybe, it is about what you want. I am trying to prepare you physically for something you may never be ready to handle mentally. You and I have a fate in which we must risk our lives to save this world." His heart calms as he searches his son's questioning eyes. "Those things you want do exist. But you'll never see them if you don't do what needs to be done. Long-life, marriage, children—anything you hope your future will bring—will only be possible through the decisions you make and the determination you possess."
A chill runs through Gennishiro's body as he senses a sudden terror. A flash appears before his eyes of a demon invading the heart of his closest friend. He embraces his son with all the tenderness of a loving father, saying, "I pray that you'll remember me; but if not, please promise that you will remember this… You must succeed where I am unable to." Kyoya falls silent, confused at the promise he is asked to keep. "Promise me, Kyoya," Gennishiro orders.
"I promise, Father." he answers.
With this promise, Gennishiro turns and walks out of the dojo, letting his son and his fears become his past while making his present determine the world's future.
