The streetlights flickered along the road, casting long, blurred shadows across the asphalt, within which my hunched figure was barely distinguishable.
The sound of my footsteps echoed faintly through the empty streets, my backpack hanging from one shoulder and my gaze fixed on the ground.
I felt as heavy as my thoughts. "I'm tired" I thought, though it wasn't physical exhaustion. It was something deeper, as if my soul itself were dragging along.
—I have to get home, and tomorrow… I have to go to class— As I spoke, I passed a dark alley near my house, and something caught my attention.
A strange sound half labored breathing, half the dripping of a faucet someone had failed to shut properly. I stopped and turned my head toward the shadowy alley.
I hesitated for a moment, but curiosity or perhaps the absence of anything better to do led me into the darkness.
As I moved deeper inside, the first thing I noticed was a strong metallic smell. I stepped further in, and in the middle of the alley an old man was slumped against the wall. He wore strange garments, almost as if he were some ancient Chinese emperor.
His figure, though battered, emanated an intensity that was impossible to ignore.
"Is he… injured?" I thought. As I drew closer, I noticed he was missing an arm, and there was also a wound that pierced straight through his abdomen.
Stunned and frozen in place, I tried to say something but before I could speak, the old man turned his head toward me. His eyes gleamed with a ferocity that did not belong to someone on the verge of death; it was as though fire itself burned within them.
—You!— the old man growled in a hoarse yet commanding voice. —Help me now, mortal!—
I blinked, startled. "A dying old man barking orders like that? "Mortal"? Did he think I was a Tengu or something?" It was so absurd I nearly laughed but something in the old man's gaze stopped me.
Without knowing why, I nodded and stepped closer.
—Wh-what happened to you?— I asked, somewhat clumsily. The old man merely shouted at me to hurry. Using several bandages and alcohol I already had in my backpack, I began treating his arm.
"I never thought I'd be bandaging anyone other than myself… It was worth carrying this around". —Sir, I live nearby—I can go call an ambulance— I managed to stop the bleeding.
The old man said nothing, so I stood up quickly to call for help.
Before I could get very far, a shout shattered the silence of the alley.
—Tenzin, bastard! I've finally found you!—
I turned my head sharply and caught sight of a tall man wearing the same kind of garments as the old man, though his seemed designed to go unnoticed he was dressed entirely in black, with a cruel smile and an oppressive aura that seemed to fill the space itself.
It was as if the very atmosphere around him shifted and became something tangible. I didn't fully understand what I was seeing, but I knew it was not normal. I froze.
—Well, Akira left you in worse shape than I expected. This will be easy. At last, I'll be able to teach you a lesson always so proud, always looking down on our people!— the newcomer continued, advancing slowly.
Tenzin sighed, a mixture of exhaustion and resignation.
—So this is how it ends…— he murmured, more to himself than to anyone else. —Sons of bitches… If it weren't for me, the sect wouldn't even be the rubble it is today. And just because my disciple says a few things, they betray me like this. They're nothing but cockroaches,— Tenzin said, his voice firm despite the obvious strain.
The man in black, visibly irritated, unleashed a blinding flash of light toward Tenzin. When the light faded, the wall beside Tenzin's head had been completely destroyed.
—Fucking old man even when you're about to die, that tongue of yours is still sharp. I was planning to call the others to come watch… but I'd rather kill you with my own hands and see you beg for mercy, you senile bastard.— The air around the man began to swirl, converging toward his fists.
Tenzin sighed. —It doesn't matter… There is no one worthy of me in this world… No one! They haven't even been born yet!— Tenzin lowered his head, seemingly accepting what was about to come.
Those words, though spoken with difficulty, were clear enough to me. A tight knot formed in my throat. Something about them reminded me of myself of that sense of resignation that had followed me for years.
—You sure do talk a lot, old man. Have you already accepted your death? That takes the fun out of it… but fine. Then I'll kill you right here— the man said as he leapt toward Tenzin, preparing a strike charged with that strange energy.
Before I could even process what was happening, my body moved on its own. I ran—not away from the situation, but straight toward the attack. "Why am I doing this?!" When the attacker threw his punch, I stepped in front of it.
The impact was immediate and brutal. Pain surged through me like an electric current, nearly knocking me unconscious. I was slammed into the ground beside Tenzin; my vision began to fade as I heard Tenzin's shocked cry, and the attacker falling momentarily silent.
—You stupid brat! Why did you do that?!— the old man shouted, staring at me in disbelief.
Unable to move and overwhelmed by pain, I managed to give a useless answer. —I don't know…— Tenzin was left speechless.
—I liked being able to do something meaningful with my life… even if it was just once…— As I said this, I saw Tenzin's eyes widen even further, as if memories were being stirred within him.
Tenzin clenched his teeth. The surprise in his eyes ignited into something alive, and he forced himself to stand.
—What an idiot kid. I was planning to deal with him afterward. Well, he saved me the trouble. Now you'll accompany him too, Tenzin— the man said, preparing to attack once more but he was interrupted.
—You're pathetic. You don't even compare to Akira's trash, yet you dare try to kill me— The very environment around Tenzin began to gather, slowly converging into his body. Though his frame trembled, his eyes burned with determination.
The man grew agitated, recognizing what Tenzin was doing, and rushed to attack.
—You'll be trouble until the very end, you bastard old man!— He leapt toward Tenzin, just centimeters away from landing the blow.
—Burn— Tenzin said simply.
A blue flame of such intensity erupted that it engulfed the enemy in a matter of seconds, flooding the dark alley with light.
—GUAAAAARGHH!— The man screamed in horrific agony as every part of his body turned into black ash.
When the alley fell silent once more, my vision nearly gone, I saw Tenzin panting approaching me.
—Brat… how are you still breathing?— he asked, kneeling beside me.
With half-lidded eyes and a weak voice, I answered:
—I think this is the best outcome for me. Dying like this is much better anyway… I was planning to do it regardless. Dying for someone… is more heroic and exciting than… doing it alone in my room… right— By the time I finished speaking, I no longer felt pain only numbness spreading throughout my body. "So this is what dying feels like…"
Those words struck Tenzin like a war hammer. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. Then a hoarse laugh escaped his throat.
—You're an idiot, brat but… I agree with you. You don't have much time left. Tell me, do you want to live? If you don't, I'll let you die like this.— He stared at me intently, as if he could see straight through me.
I could barely hear the old man, lost in my own thoughts, but I understood the question. "What kind of question is that in a situation like this? I don't understand anything. I'm sure I'm dead, but… do I want to live? I don't know. Why? I don't know." Images of my life began to race through my mind.
"Oh, I remember now… the beatings every day for years, the indifferent looks from my teachers and classmates. My family only hoped I wouldn't cause trouble. I felt less than human… Before I realized it, I no longer felt anything at all. I resigned myself to living this way… but now I can't even remember why I ever wanted to live." Tears streamed from my eyes without stopping.
—I want to live…— I suddenly murmured, tears running down my battered face. —I want to live! I want to devote myself to something! I want to be looked at like any other human being!… I WANT TO LIVE!— With all the strength I had left, those were the only words I could force out, even though I wanted to scream louder than I ever had in my life.
Tenzin looked at me with a mixture of surprise and something else something I couldn't quite identify.
—Hahahaha! Very well. I'll give you a reason more than sufficient to live… You will be my disciple!— Tenzin raised a trembling hand, and from his palm burst a blue flame tinged with deep violet hues. The flames enveloped me. The heat was overwhelming, but… not painful. Slowly, I felt relief something I had never felt before.
As I slipped into unconsciousness, I heard Tenzin's final words.
—You will have much to do from now on, boy. Prepare yourself.—