That night, sleep refused to come.
Not because of nightmares.
Because my mind wouldn't stop.
Every time I closed my eyes, I saw Katsuo.
His tattoo-covered face.
His calm expression.
That strange voice.
Katsuo.
His name kept repeating in my head.
I tried to push it away.
It didn't work.
Instead, memories of my village came rushing back.
Mom.
Dad.
The people I'd known my entire life.
The streets where I'd played as a kid.
The houses that were once filled with laughter.
All gone.
My chest tightened.
I sat up and tried to breathe normally.
It didn't help.
I got out of bed and started pacing around the small room.
Wing Corp.
Nature Breathing.
Demons.
Katsuo.
Revenge.
There were too many questions.
Too many things I didn't understand.
Then—
Knock. Knock.
I stopped.
The knocking was quiet.
Careful.
"Come in."
The door opened.
Shivansh stepped inside.
He looked at me for a moment.
"Can't sleep, I suppose?"
"Umm..."
I looked away.
"I guess not."
He didn't laugh.
He didn't tell me to stop thinking about it.
He simply walked into the room and sat down.
"I know it's difficult."
I stared at my hands.
"They're gone."
My voice became quieter.
"Everyone."
Shivansh nodded.
"Loss like that doesn't disappear just because someone tells you to move on."
I looked at him.
"Then what am I supposed to do?"
He was silent for a moment.
Then he placed a hand over his chest.
"Start with your breathing."
I frowned.
"My breathing?"
"I've read about a simple technique called rhythmic breathing."
He took a slow breath.
"It's not one of the combat styles. It simply helps you calm your mind."
I wasn't convinced.
"How?"
"Try it with me."
He demonstrated.
"Slowly."
I took a breath.
"In for four."
I inhaled.
"Hold for four."
I held it.
"Out for four."
I slowly exhaled.
Again.
And again.
At first, it felt strange.
My thoughts were still racing.
But after several breaths, something changed.
My shoulders relaxed.
My breathing became steadier.
The tight feeling in my chest began to fade.
The memories were still there.
But they weren't crushing me anymore.
Shivansh noticed.
"Better?"
I nodded.
"Y... yes."
For the first time that night, the room felt quiet.
Not the frightening kind of quiet.
A peaceful one.
I looked at him.
"What's your name?"
He smiled.
"I suppose I forgot to introduce myself properly."
He stood.
"My name is Shivansh."
He walked toward the door.
"And tomorrow..."
He paused.
"...your training begins."
I sat up.
"Already?"
He nodded.
"We'll start with the basics."
He counted them off on his fingers.
"Sword forms. Movement. Awareness. Control."
Then he looked at me seriously.
"Nature Breathing will come later."
"Why?"
"Because learning a powerful technique before learning control is dangerous."
He opened the door.
"Remember this, Fogo."
I looked at him.
"Power without balance is just another form of destruction."
Then he left.
I lay back down.
My breathing was finally steady.
For the first time since the attack, I felt like I could actually sleep.
But before I closed my eyes, one thought remained.
Katsuo.
I didn't know how strong he was.
I didn't know where he was.
I didn't even fully understand what demons were.
But I knew something.
Someday, I would face him.
Not tonight.
Not tomorrow.
But someday.
And before that day came...
I had a lot to learn.