Solar Year 180 – Asakusa
Within a small, wooden house tucked into the narrow lanes of Asakusa, a soft warmth lingered in the air. A boy with hair as white as freshly fallen snow slept peacefully, swaddled in old-style Japanese blankets. His eyes, one bearing a zero mark on the left and a triangle on the right, gave him a gaze that seemed to hold both innocence and mystery.
An older woman, experienced hands weathered with time, looked down at him with a gentle smile. "He is very beautiful, isn't he, Setsu-chan?" she asked softly, voice carrying a reverence born of many births.
Setsu, eyes glistening with tears, cradled the infant carefully. "He truly is," she whispered, voice thick with emotion. She shifted slightly, peeking toward the doorway where a small head emerged cautiously.
With a soft smile, she called, "Benimaru. Come and see your little brother."
The boy's face lit up immediately. His feet barely seemed to touch the floor as he ran inside. When he laid eyes on the sleeping baby, his grin widened, an uncontrollable joy bursting from him. "This is my little brother!" he exclaimed.
Setsu, holding the baby securely with one arm, reached out with her free hand to rub Benimaru's head gently. "Yes," she said. "And now, as the older brother, you're going to have to protect him, right?"
Benimaru's gaze hardened for a moment, determination burning in his young eyes. "I promise. I will always keep my little brother safe."
The elder woman watched them fondly, a soft chuckle escaping her lips. "Setsu-chan… have you decided on a name for him yet?"
Setsu looked down at her son, brushing a stray lock of hair from his forehead. "Yes. His name is going to be Kidan. Because he is… me, and Benimaru's Joyboy."
The elder's eyes softened as she leaned closer to the child. "Looking at him… he really does bring joy, doesn't he? What a fitting name."
Benimaru crouched lower, eyes shining with curiosity and excitement. "Hello, Kidan," he said carefully, voice trembling slightly with awe. "My name is Benimaru, and I'm your older brother."
The infant's blue eyes fluttered open slowly. His gaze met Benimaru's, and a smile spread across his tiny face. He extended his small palm toward his brother, reaching for him as if understanding instinctively.
Benimaru's own lips curved into a wider smile, leaning forward gently so Kidan could touch him with ease. The soft brush of the baby's hand sent an unexpected warmth through him, a fleeting shiver of connection that made him stiffen slightly in surprise.
The elder woman watched the scene, her face alight with joy. "What a beautiful family. May they remain happy for all eternity… Oh, Great Sol."
"Latom," Setsu whispered in response, her hands resting protectively on Kidan's swaddled body.
Benimaru tilted his head, curiosity bubbling from within. "Mother… why do you pray when nobody else in Asakusa does?"
Setsu's lips curved into a gentle smile, her gaze distant as if remembering her own past. "That's because I'm not originally from Asakusa. I grew up praying, and I have full belief in Sol."
Benimaru's eyes dropped to Kidan, resting on the small, serene face of his brother. 'I see,' he thought quietly, a subtle understanding settling in his heart.
---
5 Years Later
Solar Year 185 – Asakusa
The setting sun cast Asakusa in a warm, golden glow, painting long shadows across the narrow streets. In the yard of their small house, two brothers stood facing each other, wooden swords gripped tightly in their hands. The air between them was tense, alive with a sibling rivalry that had grown over five years of training, laughter, and relentless challenges.
Benimaru's expression was calm, eyes steady as he observed his younger brother. "It's pointless, Kidan. You cannot beat me," he said, voice low, almost teasing.
Kidan, hair disheveled, cheeks flushed from a day of being bested repeatedly, smiled through the weariness. "Big brother… indeed, you might be stronger than me. But I will land a strike," he declared, eyes blazing with determination.
Without hesitation, Kidan launched himself forward, wooden sword held high. Dust kicked up beneath his bare feet as he sprinted at Benimaru, who remained relaxed, almost languid.
"Show me, then… little brother," Benimaru replied, a playful grin tugging at his lips.
The clash was sudden, explosive. Kidan swung his sword upward, aiming for Benimaru's side, but the older boy sidestepped effortlessly, the wooden blades clashing with a sharp crack!
"Too slow," Benimaru murmured, shifting his stance to block a follow-up swing. "Incorrect angle. Predictable."
Kidan's eyes widened at the critique, but he did not falter. Another swing, faster this time, met Benimaru's blade with a loud clang. The echo bounced off the wooden walls, carrying the intensity of their duel.
Benimaru countered with a rapid series of strikes, each one precise, pointing out errors as he moved. "Your stance is off here! Watch your guard! You telegraph your movements too much!" His voice was calm, almost clinical, yet each word was laced with the weight of experience.
Kidan gritted his teeth, swinging wildly, weaving, and ducking under Benimaru's strikes. Beads of sweat formed along his temple. Come on… I can do this… I have to…
Then, as if the moment had been predestined, Kidan found an opening. With a quick twist of his wrist and a burst of momentum from his legs, his wooden sword grazed Benimaru's side.
For a brief, suspended moment, time seemed to freeze. Benimaru staggered slightly, the impact registering against his composure. His eyes widened in surprise, a rare flicker of genuine astonishment.
"You… you actually hit me," he said, voice carrying both admiration and disbelief.
Kidan's grin stretched from ear to ear, eyes shining with triumph. "I did! I told you I would!"
Benimaru knelt slightly, reaching out to rub Kidan's head affectionately. "Indeed… you did, little brother," he said, pride and warmth lacing his words.
From the doorway, Setsu's voice rang out, gentle yet commanding. "Benimaru, Kidan! Come back in, it's time for dinner."
Benimaru turned to Kidan, offering a hand. "Let's go, Kidan."
Kidan nodded, still smiling from his small victory, and together the brothers walked back toward the house.
Inside, Setsu's eyes widened as she took in Kidan's scraped arms and dusty clothes. She rushed forward. "Kidan! Are you okay?"
Blushing at the fuss, Kidan squirmed in her arms. "Mom… I'm okay."
Setsu's gaze fell on Benimaru. "Beni… I keep telling you not to be too rough with him. He's still just a child."
Benimaru shrugged nonchalantly. "I have to go hard on him, or else he'll never get strong."
Setsu's lips curved into a soft smile. "Is that… not fine? He has you to protect him, and you are strong."
Benimaru glanced at Kidan, still beaming from the duel. "Kidan is strong as well… he managed to even land a blow on me today."
Setsu looked at Kidan, eyes narrowing in mock severity. "Seriously?"
Kidan puffed out his chest, pride shining through every movement. "I did it!"
Setsu chuckled softly. "Alright then. It's time for this warrior to take a bath before eating, right?"
Kidan groaned. "Do I have to?"
"You cannot be a great warrior if you are dirty now, can you?" Setsu said firmly, picking him up. She turned to Benimaru. "Beni… you can start without us."
Benimaru shook his head, smiling. "No, I'll wait."
"Okay," Setsu replied, carrying the still-arguing Kidan away.
---
After the bath, the family gathered around a modest meal. The table held steaming bowls of rice, miso soup with small cubes of tofu, grilled fish, pickled vegetables, and a small portion of simmered daikon.
Kidan's eyes sparkled as he looked at his mother. "Mother… I'm going to get stronger. And when I do, I'll protect you."
Benimaru laughed, shaking his head. "Idiot. I shall be the one to protect mother. You… must stand there at the back and watch."
The two began a playful argument, voices overlapping, each claiming superiority.
Setsu chuckled softly, placing her hands on the table. "How about… you both protect me? My two little heroes."
The boys froze for a brief moment, exchanging a look, and then bright smiles erupted on both their faces.
But the warmth shattered in an instant.
Flames erupted from Setsu's mouth, roaring violently. Before anyone could react, her body combusted into an inferno.
Benimaru leapt instinctively, shielding Kidan with his own body as fiery tongues of flame licked outward. Heat pressed against their skin, searing the wooden floor, smoke curling thickly toward the ceiling.
Benimaru's heart pounded, panic flooding his chest. 'Mother… what is happening?'
Kidan, eyes wide with terror, began to cry. "Mother!"
Benimaru's own throat tightened, his arms stiff with the need to hold back tears. 'Mother… has she… turned into an Infernal?'