Kayo was four years old when his family fled from the Kingdom of Lugunica because his older brother possessed the [Divine Protection of Mind-Changing]. His mother was able to escape the Kingdom. The family has been able to live safely in Banan, a city-state of Kararagi. His brother Saturo felt he was cursed for the Divine Protection he was born with. He questioned why the world would give him something that would cause him and his family to be forced to leave their home and live a life of isolation. He wished he was never born and decided after they fled to train to become strong enough to protect them if they were ever found. He loved his younger brother, but his fear and anxiety made him slowly isolate himself from him since he thought if something happened, it wouldn't hurt him as significantly.

Kayo stared in awe at his older brother as he trained with a wooden sword. He was tall and muscular with short hair. Kayo idolized his brother and wanted to be like him.

"Brother, when can you teach me?"

Satoru sighed, seeing Kayo with a bright smile and blue eyes as he considered letting him train with him. He felt guilty as he knew he idolized him, but if he knew the truth, he would think he was the reason for their family breaking apart. He didn't deny that was true, but he still wanted to enjoy his time with his little brother before he found out.

"You are ten now. I suppose we can train together today." Satoru turned to make eye contact, "We can start with the basics. Get a wooden sword, and we can start from there. Just don't try to overwork yourself or get hurt, alright?"

Kayo jumped up in surprise as he had been watching his older brother train all morning, "Really, big brother? I'll get one from our room. I'm so excited!"

Satoru watched as his younger brother ran into the home they were living in. He never told him why they left, as he felt he was to blame for everything. They used to be a middle-class family well respected by some noble families within the Kingdom, and even the current Sword Saint Theresia Van Astrea was friends with his father. But when his Divine Protection he regards as a curse, was discovered, his mother fled the Kingdom. He was only two years older than Kayo, but he trained daily, fearing that his curse would only endanger his family. Satoru was regarded as gifted and intelligent at a young age, and his younger brother always looked up to him.

"Brother ready?" Kayo asked, now holding a wooden sparring sword.

Satoru noticed Kayo's stance and teased, "Kayo, your stance and grin make me think you've been practicing already. Did you go behind my back and train yourself?"

Kayo scratched his head as he felt something strange, "Nope, this is my first time trying. When I picked it up, I felt something happen like I knew how to use it already."

Saturo walked up to his brother and put his hand on his shoulder, "Kayo, you– I'm sorry, but be sure not to tell anyone about that. How about we go back inside and eat dinner it's getting dark outside."

"But I thought I'd be able to train with you," Kayo said as he looked down.

Saturo could only feel guilty, but he wanted to keep his brother safe, "I'm sorry, but I can't train you. Let's go eat and not keep mother waiting."

Kayo sighed as the two went inside. He was used to this but thought he could train with his brother today. He didn't do much for most of his time as he couldn't leave the small area around their home. He hated being isolated from people and wanted a life where he wouldn't have to live secretly.

The two walked inside and sat down. Kayo's mother had black hair and blue eyes. She died both her son's hair black when escaping and abandoned their family name. She knew if someone found out, her son would be killed for something he never wished for or wanted.

"Mother, this soup is really good, thank you." Kayo smiled as he finished his bowl.

Yori smiled at her younger son being snapped out of her thoughts, "You're growing so fast, Kayo. You're almost taller than me."

Kayo blushed in embarrassment, "I guess, but I'm not that tall big brother is way taller than me."

"I'll get the dishes," Saturo said as he finished his bowl and stood up.

Kayo wanted to practice his magic, so he excused himself from his room. He only had a few books about magic but was slowly figuring out how to use it.

"Water." he read as he formed a small sphere of water on his finger.

"Fire, wind, and earth." he continued forming multiple spheres of the elements.

"Yin and yang?" he finished as he formed a dark sphere, but the white sphere faded quickly.

"I wonder why brother never learned magic," he said to himself as he looked out the window of his room, seeing a fire spirit.

A voice called out, "You're learning magic?"

Kayo quickly hid his books as he saw his brother returning, "No– just uh talking to myself."

Saturo sighed as he lay on his bed, "Get some rest tonight."

"Brother, how long will we have to stay inside always? I want to explore more. It's kind of lonely being in here always."

"I'm sorry," Saturo said as he reflected on how much trouble he's brought his family.

"Sorry for what? It's not your fault we're like this mother already explained it to me."

"Nevermind, goodnight Kayo," he replied, feeling worse now, making his mother lie for him.

The following day came, and Kayo opened his eyes and got up to do his usual routine. He walked into the kitchen where Saturo and his mother were talking.

"That smells so good. What'd you make, mom?" Kayo asked.

Kayo watched as his brother hid a book or diary away, "Just rice balls, Kayo. You get so excited over nothing sometimes."

He sat down next to his brother, planning to steal the diary. He dipped a rice ball in the soy sauce, "Mom, thanks for the food."

Yori commented, "You have a scheming look on your face. Are you pulling another prank on us again?"

"No, no, that was only once. It was just water balloons, not that big of a deal," he replied, waving his hands.

"You shouldn't have gone to the city to get them. I told you to avoid Halibel…." Saturo sighed.

"Sweetheart, you don't have to be so overprotective."

"Yeah, big brother and Halibel were super nice. He even paid for the balloons for me." Kayo said sneakily, taking the diary and placing it under his waist.

Saturo got up, "I'm going to go train. I'll see you two at lunch."

"... the same thing he says every day," Kayo mumbled.

Yori held his hand, "He's doing the best he can, just like me. Try not to be too harsh on him, alright? He loves you and has a reason to train."

"But why don't I? Why can't I go anywhere? It's so lonely."

Yori stops herself from shedding tears, "I'm sorry, Kayo things will get better for you, I promise."

"Mom, don't cry. I didn't want to hurt your feelings," he said, standing up and hugging her.

Yori wiped the tears off her face, "It– wasn't you just some old memories. Tomorrow maybe we can go walk around the city together, alright?"

Kayo jumped up and held out his pinky, "Promise? Pinky promise?"

"I promise, Pinky promise.." she replied, connecting their fingers.

Kayo returned to his room, eager to see what might be in his brother's diary. He sat down on his sofa bed and opened the diary, reading it to himself lightly.

"Entry 1: why did I cause all of this? Dad left us, and now we're on the run from the Kingdom. This would be all my fault if I weren't born or given that curse Divine Protection of Mind-Changing. None of this would've happened. I hope things can change one day."

Kayo was confused by what that meant as he continued reading.

"Entry 2: I feel terrible for everything. My mother is going through so much to protect me that I wonder if I'd be better off dead so Kayo and her could live peacefully…

Kayo stared in shock and confusion as he feared continuing to read.

…but I couldn't do that to my mother since she knew the truth. I can't believe our father left us like that. I need to get stronger so I can defend them and help somehow, or else I'm nothing more than a burden since I was born."

Father? I barely remember his face.

"Entry 3: Kayo seems to be depressed now because of me. I have no idea what to do about this. Maybe if I just leave, it'll work out. I'm so tired of this, and it's all my fault. I want to change the system of this world so people can't be born with blessings that make their lives curses, but nothing I can do will change anything. I'm living for no reason, aren't I?"

A voice echoed, "Kayo did you—"

Kayo looked and saw his mother as he was shedding tears now, "Why– didn't anyone tell me?"

"Kayo, you shouldn't read someone's personal diary," Tori said, taking it from his hands.

"But it's about me too. I don't want him to feel that way or think he's a burden. I just want to help him—"

His mother cut him off, "He's doing the best he can. Please don't tell him you know it'll only hurt him more."

Kayo held back his tears, "Alright, mom."

Tori left for her room. She felt like a failed mother and has two sons that blame themselves for the situation there in. She knew the real cause but couldn't bare to tell either of them it. Who she loved, and their father was the one who ruined everything. All for his own gain in the Kingdom, and she failed to stop him or help at all. She looked in her mirror and saw her dyed black hair and blue eyes with a white dress. She wondered how long she could handle her children being in this situation.

Kayo left to go find Halibel. He was the only person he's talked to since he came here, and he was tired of it all. If he couldn't speak to his family, maybe he could talk to him. He raced down the road until he bumped into someone.

"Kayo, it's been a while. How you've been?"

Kayo looked up to see the wolf-man exhaling smoke, calming him, "Halibel, do you have time to train me? Or maybe talk too…."

Halibel wasn't doing anything too important that day, "Sure, kid. But training, aren't you a little young?"

"Please, I really want to."

Halibel agreed, "Follow me. We can go to where I usually train. It won't be easy, so if you don't want to get hurt—"

Kayo cut him off, "I can handle it. I've heard that so many times. I just want to get stronger so my brother doesn't have to think he has to do it himself."

Hailbel walks with him to his training area, where he has kunai, swords shaped like katanas, and a sword he finds that he can't use.

Kayo picked up the sword with a crimson handle and red, white, brown, and blue colors on the short blade.

"It didn't burn you. You can have that sword as a keepsake since I think it chooses its wielder like other legendary swords." Hailbel commented, noticing Kayo being able to hold it.

Kayo was surprised but felt that the sword belonged to someone else, almost like an instinct, or he had to return it to someone. It was a strange sensation, "Thank you, this sword looks nice, but if it's a legendary sword shouldn't I start with the basics like a katana?"

"You catch on quickly. That was the correct response." Hailbel said, seeing that the young boy had passed his test. He handed him a katana, "Keep that sword for later when you can use it effectively but for now, train with a basic sword or kunai."

Kayo asked, "Halibel do you know what the Divine Protection of Mind-Changing is?"

"That's an odd question. Ever since I met you, I could tell you weren't from Kararagi, but now it makes more sense. The Mind-Changing ability is one that, throughout history, has been able to topple nations, but it is effectively useless against me. Not to mention I doubt you'd use it, to begin with." Halibel said, picking up a Kutana ready to spar the young boy.

Kayo was confused, "It's not my power. It's my brother's. We've been hiding for so long because he thought that if anyone found out here, we'd have to leave or worse…."

"Your family is from the Kingdom of Lugunica. In terms of history, they've had the most conflicts and internal struggles in recent years. Kararagi is safe, and not much happens only threat is Zarestia. So your family doesn't have to worry about hiding. We can talk about that later. You came to train, right?"

Kayo's eyes lit up, "Alright, yeah let's spar."

Halibel noticed the stance and was confused by how familiar he seemed with using a katana. He planned to go extremely easy on him, and the two took their stances, being a decent distance away. Halibel dropped a pebble, and they began where Kayo rushed in, being able to deflect and dodge some of Halibel's strikes. He attempted to prairie one of his strikes but failed to leave him on the ground with a sword pointed at his neck.

"Not bad at all. If I were to guess, you probably have Divine Protection too."

Kayo sighed, "That feels like cheating."

"Kayo, in this world, some are born strong, and some are born weak. Those born weak live normal lives; those born strong have roles and responsibilities regardless of what benefits they gain. In other words, don't get the idea it'll make your life easier."

Kayo thought about the feeling he had when he used the weapon. It was strange, almost like he knew exactly how to use it. He pointed at a circle-shaped target with kunai marks, "Haliblel, toss me a kunai. I want to see how good I can aim at that target."

Halibel tossed him one, and he caught it and aimed at the target, landing right directly in the center, "What Divine Protection lets you master any weapon? This is what it feels like."

"[Divine Protection of the War God] is probably what you got. Haven't met anyone before that had had it but a shinobi before I was alive had the ability. But it doesn't help with speed or reflexes, so you still have much to learn." Halibel reminded.

Kayo smiled, "I'm glad if I could do everything because of these powers, it wouldn't feel right. Halibel, you've always been nice to me. Thank you."

"Don't mention it. You got great potential. I'll be glad to be a mentor for you."

As the two finished training, Halibel walked back with him to his home so he could inform his brother and mom that there welcomed in Kararagi. Kayo was excited as now he could finally be able to leave the house and train, and his brother and mom won't be sad. He wished he had done this sooner, but at least he did it. The two arrived at his home, where Halibel explained that his power was now an issue and they didn't have to hide. He left quickly as the night was getting late but left the sword with Kayo as he thought it would be him if anyone could befriend Zarestia.

Two years passed, Kayo and Saturo trained frequently, and both became stronger as a process. Saturo was naturally more gifted than Kayo, but Kayo had a Divine Protection that allowed him to keep an equal amount of strength, making them friendly rivals and improving their performance with the competition.

"Kayo, what technique is that?" Saturo asked, dumbfounded, as Kayo had a kunai in his mouth, a katana in his hand, and another sheafed.

Kayo smiled, "Ready?"

As usual, the two started their stances, and Kayo dropped a pebble on the ground, starting their spar. Saturo gained the upper hand briefly but was countered, ending the spar with a blade aimed at his stomach. Saturo was faster and aimed to win with a single prairie, but Kayo's sheafed sword blocked his sword as it flew into the air and landed on his shoulder. Kayo then kicked Saturo, who was knocked back a bit before continuing his assault with his new technique. Bombarding Saturo with two blades and a kunai while having a rhyme that wasn't predictable nor easy to counter.

Kayo was panting, "Tha-t was a go-od spa-r."

"Catch," Saturo said, throwing him a water bottle as the two emptied the bottles in a few seconds.

Kayo's breathing relaxed, "That was a good spar. I'm surprised my technique worked as it did."

"That technique, if you improve your speed and recovery, will be almost impossible to counter. Using multiple swords while moving unpredictably is impressive. I'm surprised you're not using the legendary sword Halibel gave you." Saturo said, impressed and happy with how the last two years have gone.

"That sword isn't a sword. It's the limbs of a spirit crafted into a weapon. I plan to return it to her soon." Kayo laughed, "I can't believe your sixteen and didn't grow since you were fourteen."

"Yet I'm still taller than you, Kayo." Saturo laughed.

Kayo sheafed his two katanas and kunai in his chest pocket, "Let's go eat dinner with mother. We've been training all day. I'm starving."

Saturo agreed, and the two entered inside, where Yori made a feast, "Kayo, that's new. You're becoming a handsome young man."

Kayo's face turned light pink, "Becoming a swordsman sounds better."

"Right, or maybe you're just scared to talk to girls. I've seen how you act in the markets around the town." Saturo teased, pointing a fork at Kayo.

Kayo remarked, "Mhm, well, what about the guy who's sixteen and has a line of people wanting to date him and refuses?"

Yori crossed her arms, "I created a feast of curry, rice balls, and all your favorite dishes, and you're arguing?"

They both saw the look on her face and said simultaneously, "Sorry, mother."

As the two dug into the meal, Yori felt a sense of a family she thought prior she would never have again. Halibel did so much to help her; she offered to pay him, but he always said it was his duty to help the community. She saw Kayo grow into a much more confident and happy young man, and Saturo grew intelligent and cunning.

Kayo noticed his mom spacing out, "Mom, you alright?"

Tori smiled, "I'm happy for both of you. I love you two. I'm proud and blessed to be your mother."

Kayo returned the gesture, "Couldn't have done it without you, mom. I love you too."

"Kayo took the words right out of my mouth. I love you too, mother." Saturo replied.

As the two finished their meals, Tori wanted to talk to both of them privately as she started with Kayo. The two sat down in the home's living area as Yori admired his son, who sported Halibel-inspired shinobi clothing. He no longer needed to have his hair dyed with brown bangs covering his forehead in a messy but good luck to him.

"Kayo, you're getting older now. What do you want to do with your life?"

"A few things. One, I want to save Zarestia, who I think she's pretty close to me. I just have to convenience her that humans aren't bad in general. Then I want to become a swordsman that represents Kararagi." Kayo blushed slightly, "Maybe find a strong, beautiful woman but yeah."

Tori giggled, "That is a good plan. I'm proud of you."

"Well, achieving it and saying it are two different things. A lot of strong swordsmen in each nation."

"Honey, it isn't about that. I'm proud of you because of your conviction. You have a clear path ahead of you, and I believe you'll accomplish what you desire."

"You're right. I guess I do have a clear path now."

"I'm glad you know that. Soon you'll be leaving to accomplish your goals and dreams, and I'll support you wherever you may be."

"I'll support you, mom. If there's ever anything you need, I'll be sure to help you," Kayo said as he got up from his seat, as the two hugged.

"I'm going to talk to your brother now, alright?"

"Yup, I'll be in my room."

Kayo returned to his room, which was now his own, as they got a better home thanks to the two helping Banan with various tasks to earn money. He sat down where he picked up the sword that was Zarestia's power.

He concentrated. Tia, we've been talking for two years now, and now I'm making a decision.

'What?'

We form a contract where if anyone betrays you again, I die as I failed my role of promising you that humanity still has good people. You talk to me every night, and I don't want you to be lonely anymore.

'A contract? But what if something happens to you? Then I get betrayed again.'

I'll have you to protect me, Tia. No more being alone and obsessing over a past that was so long ago. I want you to be happy and enjoy living.

'So you'll agree that if I get betrayed or used by humans again, you'll die?'

Yes, if I promise you it won't happen, and it does, then I'd be ashamed of myself. The contract will be a guarantee for both of us.

'But… I don't want you to die even if humans betrayed me.'

Tia, I'm so tired of talking to a sword. How about we meet in person tonight and make a contract? Your bed isn't that far away.

'Ok, I'll come to you.'

I'll meet you halfway.

'Hmm, alright.'

Kayo jumped out his window as the sword could direct him towards her. He spent the last two years talking to her. At first, she was set on murdering him, then slowly changed to not murdering him, and as time progressed, she wanted to feel a connection with someone again. She thought Kayo proved himself and offered a contract where he would die if something happened to her was something she didn't want. She wanted to love and enjoy being around him, and others again and not be alone anymore. As he could sense she was very close, he got excited.

"Tia?" he yelled.

He looked around and then at his sword before feeling arms around his chest as Tia hugged him, shedding tears, "I finally get to meet you."

Turning around, he saw her appearance as being a beautiful woman with white skin. She has milky-white shaggy hair with a lime strand, white eyebrows, and sharp almond-shaped eyes with a bright yellow color. She wears a perfectly pure white kimono with a lime sphere and the right side over the left, giving the impression of burial clothes, but with the skirt shortened to the mid-thigh and freely exposing her long, slender legs.

He handed her the sword and watched as four colors began to radiate as the sword dissolved, and she regained her four elements. She smiled, hugging him again, "No dying in your contract. I trust you. I'll be by your side, and that's the contract, alright?"

Kayo could sense the despair and sadness before, and now she seemed hopeful, "That sounds good to me, Tia. I'm surprised I didn't think you'd look like a beautiful woman."

Tia tilted her head, "Meh? But thank you, if you think I'm beautiful, what do you want to do? I'm still regaining my power, but I'll have four elements again!"

"Hmm, how about I introduce you to my brother? Halibel will be happy to see that I was able to save you."

They started to walk back, "What do you mean save me?"

"Save you from isolation and bloodlust. You have emotions, and you're a good person driven to vengeance and then despair. That's why I wanted to save you this whole time… I know what it feels like to be alone, and it's hell."

Tia drew closer to him, "I forget what this feels like. Trusting someone or enjoying being around someone it's nice."

The two continued to walk back to Banan. When they got close to the home, Tia sensed something wrong. Tia's appearance, once absorbing the power of the sword that was created with her elements and limbs, now had a more colorful look as her hair, clothing, and general appearance changed from only white to a multi-color display that was more eye-catching than before.

"Kayo, something is wrong."

Kayo started to worry as it was dark, "What's wrong?"

A scream was heard, "Argh."

The two dashed into the home, where a masked man was in front of them with a sword, but before either of them could react, a magical circle appeared on his chest he began to burn into ashes.

"What is going on?" Kaya said as he ran towards the room to see his mother and brother unconscious.

"There's four more," Tia warned as four masked men appeared behind them.

One man had a flask of alcohol and through it at Tia, which Kayo deflected as his clothing was now covered in alcohol. Tia was about to attack when the four men fell to the ground. Kayo saw kunai on each of their backs. All four had magical emblems that appeared on their chest as they turned into ash. Kayo ran back to his mother and brother as they were still breathing but not responding. Halibel and Tia quickly followed, unsure of what had happened.

Hailbel examined the situation and spoke, "Alcohol for Tia. Both of them are unconscious but alive. They knew that Kagaragi would have a powerful spirit and attempted to sabotage that while attempting to use some poison or magic on Kayo's brother and mother but failing."

Kayo asked, "Failing? Magic or poison for what?"

"I'm unsure. I can't explain why else they'd be in that state."

"What happened?" Kayo asked frantically as he went on his knees, tapping his brother and mother to no response.

"Mom, Brother—" he said as he tried to restrain himself from shedding tears but couldn't hold them back. He was glad they were alive but scared of their state, not understanding why or who would've done this.