The rain was pelting down hard in the narrow alleyways of Kichirou's home or what used to be his home. He was cast out at the young age of 10 for he had no affinity for Photon arts. Photon arts are what help ARK's and their operatives fulfill their duty to wipe out the Falspawn. Without this simple affinity Kichirou was at a staggering disadvantage.
"Get out!" Kichirou's father bellowed as he threw his son out onto the hard asphalt of the unforgiving road. "You're no son of mine."
"Kichi!" Kichirou's mother tried to get her son but was stopped. "What are you doing Hanzo? That's our son!" Hanzo glared at his wife and scoffed.
"Himari…This boy cannot be my son." Hanzo turned his attention to the young boy getting up with what little strength he had. "He can't use photon arts…he's worthless." Hanzo half spit and whispered that last part out as a final remark.
It seemed like such a short time ago but in fact 8 years had passed since that day. We find Kichirou with his head pressed against the window watching the rain wash the ground as if trying to drown a memory. Suddenly someone spoke up from behind him.
"Heya Kichi! You excited to graduate? We're finally gonna get the opportunity to be ARK's Ops!" Kichirou turned his head to face the ball of energy staring him down.
"I'm not sure Kenzo." Kichi replied, almost bored, prompting Kenzo to grab his friend and shake him.
"What's wrong with you?! This is a big deal!" Kenzo continued. "Your dad is a big deal right? Don't you want to be like him?" Suddenly Kichi grabbed Kenzo's arm and held it in a firm grip.
"I don't ever want to be like that man." Kichi was staring daggers at his friend causing him to let go of his grip on Kichi.
"Whoa man, w-what the hell was that?" Kenzo said a little scared of the stare down he was getting. "Intence man."
"Nothing, don't worry about it." Kichi sighed and went back to his usual listless stare and started walking out of the school, Kenzo slightly trailing behind.
As they walked in Silence Kichi suddenly heard a voice seemingly out of nowhere. "The divergence of today will lead to a brighter tomorrow, you are where you need to be." The voice was feminine but Kichi couldn't place where it was coming from.
"Hey Kenzo did you-" Kichi turned around to address his friend but found him frozen in fear and pointing at something. Following Kenzo's finger Kichi spotted it, an ugly creature made of what looked like corrupted flesh bubbling and writhing.
"Fa-Falspawn!" Kenzo yelled out attracting the attention of everyone around them and the Falspawn.
"You idiot" Kichi barely had time to react before one of the creatures lunged at him and he had to jump and roll out of the way. Kenzo on the other hand wasn't so lucky he failed to dodge and the spider-like creature ripped off his leg with one swipe of its tiny claw.
Kichi stared in horror as blood poured out from Kenzo's gaping wound forming a puddle on the ground and flowing into a gutter on the side of the road. Kenzo screamed out as more Falspawn surrounded him and began to tear into his flesh.
"Out of my way!" a voice called out from behind Kichi. Before he could react an ARK's operative sliced through the Falspawn with ease causing them to disintegrate into dust. The operative kneeled down and tried to determine if Kenzo was okay. "This Get me Healing support stat! He's barely hanging on!' Those words shot through Kichi like thunder and with a start he scrambled to his feet.
Walking over and looking down Kichi looked down in mortification Kenzo his friend he so casually dismissed and thought of a nuisance was now on the ground in a bloody heap missing an arm and a leg. "Ki-kichi" Kenzo weakly and pitifully tried to speak as he coughed up some blood. "D-don't think this will stop m-me from joining arks." Kichi was speechless. Here was a boy with a talent to use photons on the ground bleeding to death and still resolved to live his dream.
"Dont talk!" Kichi yelled out startling the ARK's Operative beside him.
"Hey kid uhh when did you get here?" The Operative questioned then realized he hadn't introduced himself. "Ah im Regis Pleasure to meet you." The now identified Regis stood up and towered over Kichi as he was a Cast an organic robot. "This here is why we fight the Falspawn" Regis paused and looked down at the poor lad dying at his feet. "I admire his resolve though, if he pulls through i would personally welcome him to ARK's."
"He will and I'll join too, I refuse to be weak" Kichi clenched his fist and thought back to his father. "However I won't be your lap dog, I'll make my own decisions" Regis was surprised he could sense no photons in the boy nay man before him yet he wants to fight.
"Tell me Boy, what is your name?" Regis questioned as the healers arrived and stabilized Kenzo.
"My name is of no concern, all you need to know is I'm gonna kill every Falspawn I come across" Kichi promised, his conviction evident.
With those words the course of history was changed in ARK's. Kichi's first stop on his long timeless journey starts at ARK's academy where they learn Photon arts, history, politics, everyday survival, and combat training.
"A new path is set before you, you must take it and be who you're meant to be" The same ominous voice whispered in the wind.
"Did you hear that?" Kichi asked Regis who just looked at him puzzled.
"Hear what? Your friend groaning in pain?" Regis questioned like it made sense.
"No that…nevermind" Kichi just sighed and knew deep in his heart there was a long road ahead of him.