ZENJIN

Zenjin Chapter 2 : Trouble Within The Chevalier

Focusing on Bravely’s Side and Thoughts

Bravely was a girl of contrasts, a blend of two rich cultures—British and French—woven together through her heritage. She carried this unique fusion not only in her name but in the very essence of who she was. At just six years old, she was already showing signs of her complex nature. Introverted yet always willing to support and stand by her best friend, Zenjin, she became a quiet source of strength in his life.

After being saved by Zenjin in a terrifying encounter, their bond deepened. Bravely was the first to draw Zenjin out of his shell, her quiet persistence warming his guarded heart. Though both were introverts, she often invited Zenjin to her home, where her parents, Gabriel and Maria, welcomed him as though he were their own son. They offered him support in any way possible, understanding the shadows of loss he carried. Thanks to Bravely, Zenjin began to open up more, though he still sometimes lingered in his dark thoughts.

Bravely started supporting Zenjin at his martial arts tournaments, always cheering him on. Even when he earned second place, she continued to encourage him to keep trying and to believe in his potential.

Faith, Zenjin’s mother, saw Bravely as a second daughter, someone who shared her home, care, and time with Zenjin. Bravely, ever gentle, began to help Faith around the house, learning how to bake and care for the household. Her small hands worked with quiet precision, and Faith would often watch her with a fond smile, marveling at the kindness Bravely showed toward those around her. Sometimes, Faith called her "little princess," a nickname Bravely didn’t particularly like, though she didn’t mind it much either.

Bravely and Zenjin spent much of their time together, their friendship an unspoken comfort amidst the turmoil the country of Aether was enduring. The unrest and growing darkness in the streets might have overshadowed their world, but to Bravely, life felt brighter with Zenjin by her side. Despite the looming threats, she found peace in the moments they shared. She also sensed that Zenjin was hiding something—a secret about newfound powers he was training with. Although she already knew about it on that faithful day. Whatever it is, Bravely was determined to support him, no matter what.

As they grew closer, Bravely noticed something else stirring inside her—a feeling she hadn’t recognized before. Her heart would race when she was around Zenjin, and she found herself lost in thought, wondering why these emotions were surfacing. These were the first flickers of deeper feelings, ones she didn’t yet understand. But before she could explore them further, her calm world was shattered.

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The Night of Betrayal

One cold night, the house was eerily silent. Bravely’s usually warm home felt tense, the air heavy with unspoken worries. Behind the closed doors of her parents’ room, she overheard low voices—her father’s tense tone and her mother’s anxious whispers. Though the words were muffled, she caught fragments about a betrayal within the family, a dark threat that had come too close for comfort.

The very next morning, everything changed. Her parents were frantic, packing their belongings with an urgency Bravely had never seen before. Her world was slipping away before her eyes, and no one would tell her why. Despite her pleas, Gabriel and Maria offered only vague reassurances, insisting that leaving was for her safety.

She couldn’t understand. How could her life fall apart so quickly? Why couldn’t they stay? Why couldn’t she see Zenjin and Faith—the two people she cherished most? The uncertainty weighed heavily on her young heart, and the helplessness gnawed at her as they moved far from the only home she had ever known.

Their new destination was a city in New England, far from the high crime that had crept into Aether City. But more painfully, it was far from Zenjin—the person who had been her constant companion through everything. Bravely cried for days after the move, her sadness an open wound that refused to heal. She missed the quiet moments spent with Zenjin, the shared routines that had become part of her identity. Now, she was uprooted, cut off from her best friend, and left with only questions that no one seemed willing to answer.

Her new life was quieter, but in the worst possible way. She was homeschooled, her parents too afraid to send her to public school after what had happened. The atmosphere at home had become awkward, and Gabriel and Maria, who had once been so open, now seemed distant. They were trying to protect her, but in doing so, they were also isolating her.

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The Attic’s Secret

Months passed, and though Bravely’s tears dried, the fire within her grew stronger. She needed answers, and more than that, she needed control over her life again. One afternoon, while cleaning the dusty attic to distract herself from the loneliness, she stumbled upon something that would change her forever—a locked chest. Driven by curiosity and a desire for clarity, she used her hairpins to open it. Inside, she found five slots labeled water, earth, lightning, air, and fire. However, only two ancient books remained, their covers worn and pages yellowed with age.

The titles alone sent a jolt through her. They spoke of magic—specifically, lightning, and water magic. She felt an inexplicable connection to these elements, as if the power hidden within the texts was meant for her. As her fingers traced the flowing script, she felt a strange energy hum beneath her skin, as though the magic itself was calling to her.

She kept the books hidden, knowing her parents would never approve. They were too focused on shielding her from danger to recognize the strength she could gain from it. Every day, in secret, Bravely practiced. At first, the incantations were difficult to grasp, the words foreign to her young mind. But with determination, she slowly began to master the spells. Lightning crackled at her fingertips, and water bent to her will.

Each spark, each drop of water she controlled, made her feel alive again. With every success, her confidence grew. Though she missed Zenjin terribly, Bravely found new purpose in her training. She was no longer a helpless little girl at the mercy of her parents’ decisions. She was someone with power, someone who could fight back against the darkness looming over her life.

By the time she turned twelve, Bravely had gained control over her abilities, though they were still far from perfect. Her once-hidden talents were now hers to command. She didn’t yet know what the future held, but she was ready—ready to face whatever dangers her parents had feared. Unbeknownst to her, this was only the beginning of the trials that would define her destiny.