Yura's face twists into rage. Before Himiko can react, she punches her with all her strength so fast Himiko can't even respond.
Yura appears in front of her again and slams another punch, sending Himiko crashing into a deeper hole. Without stopping, Yura dives down faster and keeps punching her again and again, each hit echoing through the ground.
"How dare you mention them?! You don't know everything about me!"
Himiko's eyes widen for a second, then she smirks. "I know… everything about people's past, and that's their weakness. And you realize something?"
"…That your family killed your friend Doro, who was cursed."
Yura pauses. Tears stream down her cheeks.
"You don't know everything about me and Doro! I'm gonna kill you-"
Himiko suddenly appears behind her and stabs her.
Yura coughs out blood, her body freezing as she looks down at the blood spilling onto the ground.
Everyone rushes toward the deep hole and sees Himiko stabbed their eyes widen in shock.
Seiyan looks stunned. "She got stabbed..?"
Reji stares down, confused. "The hell…"
Shougo calls out, "Kairo!" Kairo turns to him. "Take this."
Kairo rushes toward Shougo and sees the Black Spartan sword. He remembers it from the Warrior PvP.
"I trust you… now do it and save Yura."
Kairo nods and takes the Black Spartan sword.
10 years ago, in Reishin, a small village where warriors help others.
Yura is in the forest, younger, with short hair, punching a tree again and again. She wants to join Reikosha Academy and become the highest level. She jumps from one tree to another with inhuman speed she was born like this.
Then she sees a small boy, nervous and scared.
She rushes toward him and raises an eyebrow. "Hey, what are you doing here? Do you have friends or family?"
The boy shakes his head. "N-no… I don't have anyone…"
Yura's expression softens. "And why is that? Why are you sitting here in the woods like a lost puppy?"
"Uhmm… I'm scared… people are scared of me… they push me away… I don't know why. My family left me when I was a kid… they left me in the trash… and when I grew up… I tried to make friends, but no one… they were scared…"
Yura looks at him, concerned. "How cruel are they?" She stands up. "People are cruel now… do they even have feelings? Are they even human?"
The boy looks at her. "You're not scared of me?"
Yura pauses. "I'm not. Besides, I want to be a Divine Warrior when I grow up… but it's kinda useless since I'm just a girl. You know, there are many boys who look weak, but when they grow up, they become stronger."
The boy nods, feeling more comfortable. He slowly smiles. "It's my first time talking to someone like you… I've never talked to anyone before… I just live in a small house."
Yura nods and steps closer, noticing him flinch. "Hey, don't be scared. I'm not going to hurt you I'm just worried." She smiles brightly and reaches out her hand. "Let's be friends."
Afternoon comes. They walk through the forest, talking and joking.
"Doro, do you have any special powers? I was born with crazy speed," Yura says with a smile.
Doro's eyes widen. "R-really? Well… I don't know. I think I don't have any… I'm just normal."
"Really? I'd love to introduce you to my family!"
"D-don't… they might be scared of me and push me away."
"Doro, they won't. Trust me. They're kind. My mom cooks my favorite food, and she lets me do whatever I want. My dad is kind and funny. So yeah, no need to be scared."
"Is that so…? I would like to…"
Back to reality.
Yura stares at the blood on the ground.
"You don't know… he's my friend...my first friend… and you want me to remember him like that?!"
Yura clenches her fist. "You're right… maybe the world is fake. But at least there are still people I trust people who believe in me!"
Himiko stares at her. "Tell me more then…"
Back to yura past,
That night, Yura walks to her small house and knocks. Her mother opens the door with a sweet smile.
"Oh dear, I'm glad you're back safe."
"Oh, by the way, Mom, I made a new friend! He's a boy, but don't worry he's shy and scared. I'll introduce him tomorrow," she says, smiling.
"Oh dear, congratulations! You have a friend now? We're so proud of you. Now eat your dinner, and tomorrow I'll make food for both of you."
Yura smiles and hugs her. "I love you, Mom."
"Love you too."
Yura goes to the kitchen and eats happily, excited like the kid she is.
Morning comes.
She waits in the forest for Doro, punching the air as she trains. Someday, she wants to save her village, her family, and the world.
"I can't help it… he's cute. I hope he comes back. I feel bad for him… he's just a kid… people are overreacting… do they even have hearts?"
She suddenly hears a sound in the bushes.
"Doro?"
She looks carefully then Doro jumps out clumsily.
"Uh… sorry I'm late… I was running away. Some guys were chasing me."
Yura pauses, surprised, then smiles and grabs his hand. "It's okay. If I see them chasing you again, I'm gonna beat them up."
Doro laughs softly, blushing. "Uhmm… so what now?"
Yura pauses, the world feeling quiet. "I want to invite you to my house. Let's play and talk more."
Doro hesitates. "But Yura…"
"No, it's okay. My mom agreed. We're going to have fun."
Doro can't help but smile. "Thank you… for everything, Yura. Without you, I couldn't live like this. I hope we're still friends when we grow up. I want to protect you like you did for me."
"You idiot, I didn't protect you, I just comforted you."
"Yeah… I guess. But still, thank you. I promise, Yura, we'll go to Reikosha Academy and learn energies there."
Yura smiles. "Sure, Doro. I promise!"
Back in reality, Yura stands frozen.
"I would…"
She pauses, overwhelmed by pain. The memory of Doro smiling hurts too much.
"They saw him as a curse… but you saw me as a warrior. That was enough…" she says through the pain.
"You may be right… but now… it means nothing. I wanted to chase my dream… but everything ended up like this…"
"If he was a curse… then what does that make you?"
Himiko tilts her head. "You should know… and realize the truth."
"That's not the truth."
When Yura arrives at her house, Doro stands behind her, nervous but excited.
She knocks. Her mother opens the door.
"Oh dear-" her eyes widen. "Yura, get inside now!"
"But Mom, I'm going to introduce you to my frien-"
"No! Get inside now!"
Yura steps inside, looking back at Doro, hurt. He stands there, hearing her mother shout.
"You don't know him! Stay away from him! If you don't, I swear to God, Yura-"
"But Mom, he's not like the others! He's kind! Without him, I wouldn't be this happy! I made a promise to him!"
"What kind of promise is that?! You don't know him! That's why his family left him he's cursed! He has a demon inside him! If he turns, you're dead!"
Yura stares at her mother, tears forming. "Did he kill someone? If he didn't, then I'm safe! Even if he's like that, I want to stay with him! He's my only friend and I can handle myself!"
Her mother suddenly slaps her. The sound echoes.
Yura freezes.
It's the first time her mother has ever hit her.
Her mother steps closer. "Go to your room! Stop being stubborn and don't talk back to me!"
Yura runs to her room, crying, slamming the door shut.
Back in reality, Yura feels dizzy, too tired, too much pain from remembering everything.
"You see that?" Himiko says calmly. "Your mother doesn't care about people's feelings. They don't trust you… but you were right back then. Now admit it, the world is fake."
Yura clenches her fist, weak and shaking.
"No…"