The morning sun barely broke through the dense canopy as Seijuro stepped into the clearing. The air was crisp, and the stream gurgled, its clear water catching the sunlight in scattered reflections. In the shadows ahead, a faint shimmer caught his eye. Slowly, Frank rolled into view. Seijuro gritted his teeth and adjusted his grip on the sword in his hands.
He pressed his palms against the hilt. Memories of Ren's terrified voice, the hopelessness in his eyes surged through him. His heart raced. He tried to summon calm, to center himself, but the raw surge of grief and anger threatened to spill over. His breath quickened. For a moment, he hesitated, letting the anger flare, but then he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and focused. He let the forest around him settle into his mind: the babble of the stream, the rustling of leaves, the soft whisper of wind.
He imagined those sensations flowing into him, weaving with his own Tenebris energy. Slowly, he pulled. The sword shivered. A jolt of energy ran up his arms and into his chest. Seijuro staggered backward, sweat slicking his brow, muscles trembling. He steadied himself. And with one final surge, the blade slid free. Seijuro staggered, breathing hard. His brown eyes widened.
The raw hum of Tenebris vibrated in his chest. He had done it. Frank's eyes sparkled. "Well done, young Seijuro. You have control, but only barely."
He dropped the weapon to the ground, kneeling down to catch his breath. Before Seijuro could respond, Frank lifted his massive sword and swung it in a wide arc. The air split with a low, thunderous roar. Trees splintered under the shockwave, petals and leaves swirling violently in its wake.
Seijuro instinctively leapt back, feeling the raw force of Tenebris surge across the ground,
"Never forget," Frank said calmly, lowering the blade, "Tenebris can amplify your strength beyond what you imagine, but only when your mind and body are in harmony."
Seijuro's pulse raced, awe and fear warring within him. The forest seemed smaller now, fragile under the sheer scale of controlled power. Before he could gather his thoughts, the air shimmered nearby. Dark purple energy condensed into a portal, and Kenji stepped through. His white cloak trailed behind him, and his expression was as unreadable,
"Walk through here," Kenji said, voice cold but measured. "This will take you to the Fear Foundation. Frank, bring him to the training grounds once we arrive."
Seijuro nodded, swallowing hard, and stepped forward. The world blurred into shadows, collapsing around him, before reforming into a vast expanse. The Fear Foundation's massive grounds stretched out in every direction. Open fields, streams winding past stone paths, and clusters of cherry blossom trees filled the landscape. In the distance, massive training halls and living quarters rose toward the sky, and the faint sounds of students training reached his ears, shouts, the clash of weapons, the hum of Tenebris energy.
Frank wheeled himself forward, gesturing toward a clearing filled with sparring students. "Here, you begin your life in the Fear Foundation. You will learn to control Tenebris, hone combat skills, and test the limits of your own strength. Every inch of this place is designed to push you beyond what you think is possible."
Seijuro's gaze swept across the grounds. Students of various ages practiced, some levitating objects with precision, others engaging in combat. Shadows of purple and black energy flickered around their bodies as they moved. Streams reflected the pink petals falling from the cherry blossoms above, and the faint scent of incense spread from distant buildings,
"This is where you will train, and grow," Frank continued. "Your control over Tenebris will determine how far you go. Discipline, patience, and focus, these are your true weapons. Everything else comes after."
Seijuro touched the hilt of the sword once more, feeling the hum of energy radiate through him. Memories of Ren, the injustice done, his mother's grief, they all converged into a single point of resolve,
I will become stronger. I will kill them.
Frank's dark eyes met his. "Tomorrow, endurance drills and controlled combat exercises begin. Rest tonight, young Seijuro. You'll need your body and mind fully prepared."
Kenji observed silently from the shadows, arms crossed. He spoke, voice low. "Anger will drive you, but only discipline will keep you alive."
Seijuro swallowed and nodded, gripping the sword tightly. As he scanned the training grounds, he felt a strange mixture of fear and exhilaration. This was not a place for idle thoughts, this was where he would become stronger, where he would prepare for what lay ahead.
Seijuro stepped to the edge of the training grounds, resting the sword across his shoulder. The wind lifted stray strands of his dark hair, and he inhaled deeply. Around him, the students moved in perfect coordination with their Tenebris, each one a living testament to the power of control and focus. He closed his eyes, letting the sounds of the forest, the distant clash of weapons, and the soft rustle of the cherry blossoms fill his mind.
In that moment, he felt the faint stirrings of calm. His anger, though still present, was no longer consuming. It was a source of energy he could wield, not a master that would control him.
Frank's voice broke the silence, "Remember, young Seijuro: Tenebris does not lie. It responds to what is within you. If your mind is chaotic, your power will be chaotic. Control your emotions, and the rest will follow."
Seijuro opened his eyes, brown and focused. He glanced at the sword, then at the distant training grounds, then back at Frank. "I understand," he said quietly,
He smiled, "Your theory work will be taught by Captain Lisa, I will handle your combat training. Hopefully in a year, you'll become an effective dreamcatcher." Seijuro raised his eyebrow,
Dreamcatcher?
Before he could open his mouth to question, Frank spoke abruptly, "A dreamcatcher is the lowest rank. You have to challenge one of our Kuroi to reach it."
Seijuro sighed, his fists clenched, turning his knuckles white. Frank turned around, sensing his frustration, "No one said this will be easy or short, anger will only blind you."
Seijuro sighed and nodded, pulling the sword from his back. His fingers ran across Rens toy on the edge of the grip, a wave of confidence flooding over him, his brown eyes glistened with tears,
"I'll do whatever it takes, Captain. I won't let you down."
Frank smiled faintly. "Good. Tomorrow, we begin in earnest. Tonight, rest."
The sun dipped lower in the sky as Seijuro sat beneath a cherry blossom tree, tracing the petals that fell from its branches. The scent of the forest, the distant laughter of trainees, and the hum of Tenebris energy filled his senses. He thought of Ren, of his mother, and of the figures who had caused so much pain. He rested his hands on the hilt of the sword, the hum vibrating gently beneath his palms. The training had only begun, but for the first time since that day in the tomb, Seijuro felt a spark of hope.