"In this world, strength is not a gift… it is the price one pays to stay 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 disappears into eternal shadow."
The fresh morning air swept through the Zenith Stellaire base, brushing over the wooden rooftops and stones worn smooth by generations of training. The morning mist enveloped the hill of Kazemori as Adams stood straight before the three apprentices, his piercing gaze examining each of them.
Adams:
— Today, you will learn a simple truth: before mastering the Kara, you must master your body.
A slight wind stirred a cloud of dust under his boots.
— Three trials. Push-ups. Pull-ups. Hill run. Timed and observed. No Kara. Only your will and your muscles. Show me what you're made of.
Danky snickered, tapping his biceps as if to psych himself up.
— Easy! We'll get this done, I'll see you at the top.
Diana, eyes lowered, inhaled deeply.
— I… I'll do my best.
Raizen clenched his fists. His heart raced, not from fear, but from restrained excitement. A flame burned behind his tired eyes.
— I'll endure… no matter the cost.
Adams nodded.
— Very well. Let's begin.
They lay down on the stone terrace, hands anchored to the ground. Adams positioned himself a few meters away, observing them closely.
Adams:
— Push-ups. Back straight, arms extended, steady rhythm. No cheating. Focus.
Adams commanded:
— Begin.
The ground vibrated under Danky, his push-ups striking like hammer blows. Diana followed with precise, almost elegant rhythm. Raizen started slowly… too slowly. His breath became ragged, his arms trembled. Yet his movements remained perfect: no curved back, no cheating. Even exhausted, he maintained flawless technique, forcing Adams to narrow his eyes, intrigued.
When Adams signaled to stop after several sets, he noted the ranking:
— Danky, first. Diana, second. Raizen… last.
Danky raised his arms to the sky, exhaling a "Perfect."
Raizen blinked, slightly shocked.
— I'm last… but I maintained my form. Diana is far more resilient than she appears.
He thought.
Diana lowered her eyes with a pleased smile.
Adams, arms crossed, remained silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Raizen. He pushes his body beyond its limits. This boy has raw endurance… but he doesn't yet know when to strike.
Next Stage
They headed toward the massive wooden bar fixed to the central structure of the base.
Adams:
— Pull-ups. Until your arms scream. Whoever falls starts over.
— Bar. Each pull-up must be complete. Those who fall start over. Breathing and control. No impulsiveness.
Danky leapt onto the bar, muscles tense and powerful. Adams noted: He learns quickly, but his excess strength could burn him out.
Diana climbed carefully, regular and precise. Adams thought: She's shy, but her body obeys perfectly. A silent but formidable student.
Raizen strained, gasping, gripping the wood tightly. Why can't I do it faster… I must do better…
Ranking after 1 hour: Danky first, Diana second, Raizen last.
Raizen felt a mix of admiration and frustration toward Diana and Danky.
Adams, silently observing: Raizen has heart, but he must learn to channel his frustration instead of letting it slow him down.
Adams stopped in front of them, arms crossed.
— Do you think I learned Kara on my first day? His voice grew grave. — My master left me in the mountains for three nights, with no fire or water. I thought I'd die twice before understanding: strength is surviving yourself first.
Adams had them line up at the starting point, Kazemori hill rising before them, slightly wet with dew.
— Hill. Climb to the summit. Endurance and rhythm. No Kara. Listen to your body.
Adams watched carefully from a slight plateau.
Danky launched forward, powerful, each stride a thunderclap.
Diana followed, measured and steady, her legs seeming to speak for themselves. Adams noted: Her consistency is impressive for her age and stature.
Raizen:
— The final trial… my whole life has been a chase… I cannot afford to lose this race.
He surged forward, even sweating, pushing his body beyond exhaustion. His ragged breath echoed in the mist. With every step, he seemed ready to collapse… but his gaze never wavered.
Danky:
— He's doing pretty well in the run compared to the other two trials, but I'm still ahead.
Raizen (determined look):
— Not time to give up… I can win.
The race grew intense. Raizen and Danky ran side by side, trying to outdo each other despite natural obstacles. Diana seemed unconcerned but stayed almost as close as a shadow.
Adams:
— Interesting… they are navigating and dodging the natural hazards of the hill's forest, and most surprisingly, they do it almost unconsciously.
After a long moment of tension, the final verdict came: Danky first, followed by Raizen, then Diana.
Raizen, red-faced and breathless, smiled nonetheless at Diana.
— I… I didn't think a girl… could be this enduring.
Diana smiled shyly:
— I didn't think you were so fast.
Danky burst out laughing sincerely.
— Seriously! I'm exhausted… you handled that really well. Even you, Raizen… tough legs, my friend.
Raizen (smiling):
— You took all the victories… next time, they'll be mine, Danky.
Danky:
— Yeah, right… keep dreaming, Raizen. He grinned widely.
Adams, voice deep and firm:
— I congratulate you for holding on. Today, you understood this: power comes from the body and the will. Kara comes afterward. But without a solid body, even the greatest Zenith Stellaire will collapse.
— This is how a Zenith Stellaire begins. You fall? You rise. You refuse to yield. Today, your body learns. Tomorrow, your Kara will do the rest.
Meanwhile, Hana stepped out of the house, looking toward the sky with a worried expression.
Hana (thoughtful, worried):
— It's already past noon… and the sun will set soon. I hope everything went well for them.
As she prepared to return inside, a female voice called from afar. She immediately recognized Diana.
Hana turned… but what first caught her attention was a face distorted with pressure rushing toward her: it was Danky, closely followed by Raizen. A little further behind, Diana and Adams advanced calmly, as if nothing had happened.
Bien sûr ! Voici la traduction complète en anglais de ton Chapitre 6 : Le Souffle du Kara, y compris toutes les scènes que tu viens de fournir :
Before Hana could react, the two boys sped past her.
Hana (flustered)
— Uh… okay?
Diana
— Hey, Hana, are you alright?
Hana
— Hello, Diana. I see you've finally finished.
Adams
— Yes, they did pretty well… even the newcomer.
Hana
— Oh, glad to hear that! But… can you explain why they looked in such a hurry?
Diana (slightly embarrassed, teasing)
— Well… let's just say they probably had a date with… the restroom.
Hana (sighing, amused)
— Ah… that makes more sense.
Adams
— Anyway, I'll leave you now. Ah, and Diana, don't forget to inform the others: tomorrow we start at dawn. No late arrivals.
With that, Adams calmly resumed his duties.
Next Scene: Night at the Camp
Night wrapped the camp in a veil of silence. Under the starry sky, steam from the hot springs rose lazily, illuminated by the silver glow of the moon.
Diana arrived first. She slowly removed her towel, revealing her silhouette in the pale light, and placed it on a nearby stone. With a calm step, she entered the steaming water, letting out a sigh of relief as the warmth enveloped her.
Moments later, Hana entered, also draped in a towel. She approached, untied it without hesitation, and joined Diana in the pool.
The hot water surrounded them both, relaxing their tired muscles. A quiet moment fell, broken only by the gentle splashing and the subtle chorus of nocturnal insects.
Diana (smiling, tinged with nostalgia)
— It's been a while since we had a moment like this… Hana… it's been a long time since I last saw my brother. Do you know how he's doing?
Hana (calm, kind)
— Your brother is well. As always, he's absorbed in his missions… but he's holding on. I'm sure he'll find a moment to return to us soon.
Diana (relieved)
— Ah, alright.
Diana slightly averted her gaze, her eyes drifting into the steam. A soft, almost melancholic smile appeared on her face.
Despite Hana's higher rank, the two girls shared more than hierarchy: they were the same age, and in these suspended moments, they were nothing more than two friends enjoying a rare respite.
Transition: Danky and Raizen in the Forest
The camera shifted from the peaceful steam to the darkness of the surrounding forest.
Danky quietly left his room, careful not to wake anyone. Silent, he moved toward an isolated clearing. What he didn't realize was that Raizen was following him from a distance, watching without making a sound.
The clearing basked in the soft moonlight. Bamboo encircled the area, and at its center stood a massive rock, scarred by ancient battles, its marks carved into the stone.
Danky stopped in front of it. Without turning, in a cold, impassive voice—so different from his usual tone—he said:
Danky
— I know you're following me, Raizen. You can come out.
Raizen stepped from the shadows, intrigued by this change in tone.
Raizen
— …Why train in secret?
A silence fell. Danky removed the top of his outfit. In the pale moonlight, his back was revealed, striped with deep, old scars.
Danky (low, restrained)
— These marks… weren't left by an enemy. They were from my brother. The person I loved most in the world.
Raizen frowned, surprised.
Danky (lost in thought)
— That day, he survived… just like me… from an attack by the Sang Brûlé. But his legs were crushed, he could no longer walk. The pain… the rage… tore him apart from within. And in a moment of madness, he marked me with his own despair. Shortly after… he died.
He placed his hand on the rock, fingers trembling slightly.
Danky (voice broken but determined)
— Since that day, I swore… to train, to become stronger, no matter the cost. Not just to avenge my brother… but so that no one else would have to live through what we went through.
Raizen remained silent. Danky's usually impassive demeanor had cracked, revealing raw, human pain.
Under the moonlight, the clearing resonated with an invisible weight: a promise born of suffering.
Meanwhile: Duck Bum Darly and Takashi Aomi at the Tempio Zénith
Night enveloped the Tempio Zénith. Suspended lanterns cast a soft light over the white columns and astral frescoes, while the silence of the temple was broken only by the gentle clinking of tea.
In a spacious room, Takashi Aomi and Duck Bum Darly sat cross-legged. An Astroforge bowed, serving them tea in delicate porcelain cups.
Astroforge (softly)
— Here is tea for you. Thank you for answering the summons.
Aomi and Duck inclined their heads and took a sip, savoring the warm aroma.
The heavy sliding doors opened, and Kuro entered. His white traditional Japanese attire fit his imposing stature perfectly. Without a word, he greeted them naturally, as he had always done with his protégés.
Aomi and Duck rose and knelt, foreheads lowered, respectful but accustomed to this paternal attention.
Kuro (calm, fatherly)
— Is everything alright with you? Ready for the journey?
Takashi Aomi
— Yes, Master. We are ready.
Duck Bum Darly
— Everything is in order.
Kuro nodded, satisfied. His voice returned to its natural firmness.
Kuro
— Very well. We leave for the village of Seiran. Be vigilant and stay discreet.
Without delay, he moved toward the exit. Aomi and Duck followed immediately, sliding their cups on the table. The Astroforge watched silently, respectful, as the three Zenith departed into the night, already focused on the mission ahead.
Route to Seiran – Night
The carriage glided silently along the winding road, rocked by the steady motion of the wheels. The moon faintly lit the path, casting dancing shadows on the trees. Inside, Kuro sat upright, his face impassive, while Takashi Aomi and Duck Bum Darly observed the landscape through the window.
After a moment of silence, Duck broke the stillness.
Duck Bum Darly (curious)
— Master… why choose to travel by carriage? We could have simply appeared directly at the Zenith Seiran base.
Kuro glanced slightly at him, a faint smile on his lips, carrying his usual warmth.
Kuro (calm, fatherly)
— Sometimes, one must take the time to admire the scenery… and feel the road beneath one's feet, even if it is long. It helps prepare the mind for what awaits.
Duck nodded, understanding without fully understanding, while Aomi remained silent, absorbed by the relative serenity of the journey.
The trees slowly passed, and after a while, the first lights of Seiran appeared on the horizon. The carriage stopped, and the three Zenith disembarked. The devastated streets stretched before them, collapsed buildings, traces of battles still visible; the city seemed frozen in silent agony.
Kuro stopped, observing, heart heavy.
Kuro (low, grave)
— The city has suffered… too much suffering…
He lowered his eyes to the ground and extended his hand. Instantly, he sensed a strange, corrosive presence: the Black Kara had infiltrated the air and the earth.
Kuro (determined, standing tall)
— If I asked you to escort me here… it is to purify this corrupted place.
He placed his hands on the ground. A soft but powerful green light emanated from his body and formed around him. The light shaped ghostly silhouettes, reproducing the fight that had occurred between Takashi Aomi and Mag Dog. Every movement, every clash of Kara seemed frozen in this luminous projection, silently recounting the story of the past battle.
Aomi and Duck froze, impressed by Kuro's power and precision. The silence of the city became almost tangible, as if the light itself paid homage to what was lost and prepared the stage for what was to come.
Kuro looked around, his dark eyes scanning the corrupted expanse, then turned to his disciples.
Kuro (calm but firm)
— My brother has caused much suffering to this village, and especially to these poor towns.
The green light exploded, projecting a purifying wave that swept through the air and earth. The Black Kara dissipated under this surge, leaving behind cleansed ground and an almost surreal silence. Kuro remained still for a moment, palm on the soil, then straightened, eyes scanning the devastated city.
He took a step to move on, but suddenly stopped, gaze fixed on… nothing. A strange sensation, as if something—or someone—had just brushed against his mind.
Aomi and Duck, not understanding their master's abrupt halt, immediately went on guard, scanning the alleys and rooftops. Nothing. No visible danger.
Yet, in the heavy silence, a voice emerged directly in Kuro's mind. Clear, icy, tinged with cruel amusement: Shiro, his white-haired brother and leader of the Sang Brûlé.
Shiro (mental voice)
— You've finally stepped out of your hiding place, brother.
Kuro remained impassive, as if expecting this situation, his inner voice resonating with determination.
Kuro (mental response)
— Shiro, my brother, the destruction you sow will lead nowhere. You must stop.
A cruel laugh filled Kuro's mind, without spreading outward. Shiro stood in a bustling street, lit by lanterns, surrounded by uneasy passersby. His elegant black suit contrasted with the warm light, his face showing anger and hatred, but only Kuro could hear his words.
Shiro (mental voice)
— You know exactly what I seek, Kuro, you who have always been so good to others, so protective. Give me half of the seed you hold, and I promise to stop.
Kuro remained impassive, cold, his mind impermeable to the mental confrontation.
Kuro (mental response)
— Your words inspire no trust. But I will end your reign, my brother.
Shiro's laughter echoed once more, distant, as if coming from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Shiro (mental voice)
— I'd like to see that, brother.
Aomi and Duck continued scanning the surroundings, unable to perceive the source of the tension. Only Kuro's frozen posture betrayed that something—or someone—was present, invisible.
Kuro closed his eyes for a fraction of a second, took a deep breath, and murmured to himself:
— Life will be reborn in its original form and we… we will vanish, leaving this world as we found it, my brother.
And thus ends Chapter 6.