The Reigetsu clan was busy with their daily chores. In the center, a massive cauldron brimmed with ingredients prepared for the midday meal. The fire beneath it slowly brought the contents to a simmer. Misaki Hoshigaki, the wife of Elder Sōta Hoshigaki, stirred the food delicately, while Elder Sōta sat by the riverbank, legs crossed in meditation as usual.
Suddenly, a thought struck him. He saw his clan in danger, envisioned their lifeless bodies. Panic surged within him, and he sprang to his feet.
He looked around. Everything seemed calm. His wife was preparing the meal, the children were playing with sticks. Yet something felt off.
Elder Sōta: "Yōtsuki! Come here. We need to talk."
At that time, Yōtsuki was twenty. Rising from his seat, he walked over to the elder with heavy, deliberate steps.
Elder Sōta: "Yōtsuki, my child, there is something important I must discuss with you."
Yōtsuki: "Yes, Elder. You look tense."
Elder Sōta: "Tension? What does that matter? You know the power of our clan, the origin of Reikyō, and its intended purpose, don't you?"
Yōtsuki: "Yes. No Reikyō user in the clan is uneducated. But… I don't understand what this has to do with anything now."
Elder Sōta: "If you know, then tell me what you know."
Yōtsuki: "Of course. Reikyō was discovered two years ago by the previous generation—your father—specifically to counter the Konkai attacks on our clan. It was highly effective. Of course, your father passed away from old age a year ago."
ElderSōta: "Do you know the color of my father's Reikyō?"
Yōtsuki: "No. I have no idea."
ElderSōta: "The Reikyō we call the Moon's color. Purple Reikyō. It was the first Reikyō to emerge against the cruelty of the Konkai. I once told you the strongest Reikyō is black—yours. But in truth, the most powerful is the purple one."
Yōtsuki: "Purple? But aren't there only five Reikyō colors? Black, white, red, blue, and green. Where does purple come from? And what is its power?"
ElderSōta: "Even I do not know, child. There were two ways to learn: one, from my father, but he passed before he could explain. The second, from another purple Reikyō user named Cleistois, who left the clan. But who knows where he is or what he is doing now."
Yōtsuki: "Okay, you've told me all this, but my Reikyō is black. I can't do anything about it."
ElderSōta: "No, Yōtsuki. You can. What you must do is uncover the secret of the purple Reikyō."
Yōtsuki: "How am I supposed to do that?"
ElderSōta: "By exploring the world. Seek out new Reikyō users, Yōtsuki. I trust you."
Yōtsuki: "And after I find them?"
ElderSōta: "Protect our clan. That is all I ask of you. But your own purpose… you must discover that yourself."
Yōtsuki: "Understood."
Afterwards, Yōtsuki returned, ate his meal, and slept. In his dreams, he saw himself walking far from his clan. As the sun rose, he got up and prepared. He took his katana, some food, and water, setting out. He planned to travel by day and return by night, keeping his journey routine. "I'm leaving," he told Elder Sōta, and departed.
He wandered deep into the forest, encountering various clans. He learned that these clans were connected to the Migonia Tribe and had heard of the threat they posed. People feared the Migonia Tribe, whose power extended over entire communities. Yōtsuki asked questions, investigated. Yet no one knew of Cleistois, let alone the Moon Reikyō, or even what Reikyō truly was. The first day ended in failure. Night fell, and he began his journey back to his clan.
Approaching his village, he saw smoke. Thick, black smoke blotted out the sky. A shiver ran through him. Driven by fear, he ran—and finally reached his clan. He looked around. Bodies lay strewn across the ground. The surroundings were ablaze; the shelters were consumed by fire. Yōtsuki was terrified, utterly shocked. He couldn't comprehend what had happened or why.
Then he saw Elder Sōta lying on the ground, drenched in blood.
Yōtsuki rushed to him, cupping the elder's head in his hands.
Yōtsuki: "You can't die! Elder Sōta! Not now. Don't leave me alone."
Elder Sōta opened his eyes and grasped Yōtsuki's arm, looking deeply into his eyes.
ElderSōta: "Yōtsuki, do not succumb to hatred or the desire for revenge against those who destroyed our clan. My final wish for you is to find your father… Cleistois."
Yōtsuki: "The legendary Cleistois… is my father?"
Elder Sōta smiled faintly.
Yōtsuki: "Wait! Don't leave me alone!"
ElderSōta: "You're never alone my child. You have your soul with you, every single time."
Then Elder Sōta closed his eyes. Yōtsuki broke down in tears. He would now have to live his life alone. He buried the unscathed bodies of his clan members, along with Elder Sōta and Misaki. Taking his katana, he walked onward, beginning the path to fulfill his purpose.
Morizuki was in tears.
Morizuki: "No…! I'm so sorry for your loss, sir. I will follow you forever."
Engetsu: "So… these are the colors of Reikyō…"
Morizuki: "Hey! What are you talking about? The man just told a tragic story! You're after power! You bastard."
Engetsu: "Huh? Bastard? That's you!"
The two lunged at each other.
Hyōgetsu: "Hmm…"
Yōtsuki forced them apart.
Yōtsuki: "Listen, children. If you wish to learn, you must first understand how to unite your soul and body."
Morizuki tilted his head, curious.
Morizuki: "…?"
Yōtsuki: "In your terms: meditation and exercise."
Engetsu: "Exercise is fine, but meditation? What does that have to do with anything?"
Yōtsuki: "How do you expect to connect with your soul otherwise?"
Engetsu: "Seems a bit silly to me."
Yōtsuki: "Then you cannot use Reikyō. Now, let's begin with exercise."
He led the students to a forest clearing, where they performed various exercises—push-ups, sit-ups, long runs. For one week, they trained using traditional methods.