Eclipsed

Chapter 2

Chapter 2: The Forbidden Path of Hiraigen

After a year of relentless training, Ren had transformed. His once-slender frame was now lean and muscular, defined by the strength and agility he'd gained through his devotion to The Way of the Eight Limbs. But despite his abilities, he remained quiet, polite, and respectful, going about his days in the monastery with the same calm humility that had always defined him. The nuns and monks saw him as the boy who loved books, rarely suspecting the strength and discipline he had developed.

One afternoon, while exploring the library as he often did, Ren stumbled upon an unusual, weathered book tucked away on a high shelf. Its cover bore the word Hiraigen, etched in faded characters. He had never seen it before, but something about the book’s presence intrigued him. Just as he reached for it, a voice sounded behind him.

“Young man!” came a firm, warm voice.

Ren turned to find Master Jiro, the old monk who’d always watched over him with an almost fatherly eye. Jiro, though shorter than Ren now, had an air of wisdom and strength that made him seem much taller. Ren gave a respectful bow and greeted him.

“Oh, hi, Master Jiro,” he said, bowing low.

Jiro laughed, shaking his head. “Hey, kid, don’t bow. Look at you, growing all big and strong,” he teased, a twinkle in his eye. “I remember when you were just a little thing, cradled in Miyako’s arms.”

Ren chuckled nervously. “Haha… guess I grew up fast,” he said, scratching the back of his neck.

Then Jiro’s gaze turned to the book in Ren’s hands. “That book you’re holding—it’s Hiraigen,” he said, a trace of gravity in his voice. “Forbidden knowledge for commoners like us. Only soldiers and those of high status are allowed to learn it.”

Ren’s curiosity was sparked. “May I ask… what is Hiraigen, Master Jiro?”

Jiro’s eyes softened with a faraway look. “Hiraigen is more than just a fighting technique,” he explained. “It’s a system that combines advanced combat techniques with a philosophy of mental focus, spirit control, and even healing. Warriors who master it can control their own energy, making them faster, stronger… even able to push their bodies beyond normal limits. Only the royal guard and high-ranking soldiers are taught Hiraigen, as it’s said to make a man a warrior beyond ordinary strength.”

Ren looked at the book in awe. “Then… why is it here in the library?”

Jiro sighed, looking down at the book with an expression of regret mixed with pride. “Well… I put it here. You see, before I came to this monastery, I was a soldier. I trained in Hiraigen myself and saw what it could do. When I left the battlefield, I wrote down all the tactics and exercises I used, hoping I might pass it down to someone someday. I had thought of Miyako, but… she’s gone to the kingdom of Tsuroha now, training as a soldier herself.”

Ren’s eyes lit up with determination. “Then let me learn, Master Jiro,” he said, clutching the book tighter. “I want to know what you know.”

Jiro looked at him with a small frown. “No, Ren, you’re just a child. Not even sixteen yet! Hiraigen isn’t just about strength—it’s discipline and endurance, a grueling test of mind and body. You’re not ready.”

“But what are the requirements?” Ren insisted.

With a resigned sigh, Jiro listed them, his tone almost challenging. “Fine. First, you must be able to run 10 miles without tiring. Then, you need to hold a full-body plank for half an hour, practice 500 kicks without faltering, and carry double your own weight in a controlled lift.”