The Forsaken Arts

Chapter 13: Father Figure

Lord Kashif was in the Tactics Rooms patiently awaiting Mikhail's report, as he reviewed the files in front of him from the previous brief, a knock broke his concentration.

"Enter." he commanded.

From the steel door Mikhail walked in, saluted and began his report, "Sir, I've met with Naitosai and seen him in combat with my own eyes and I must say that it saddens me greatly to inform you that..."

Before he could finish, the doors burst open as a loud voice exclaimed, "Hey hey. Yo Lord Kashif how's it going? Figured I'd just come on over to hang out here and catch up till it was time to head out."

Chuckling, he replied, "Ah son of Cecilee, Naitosai how are you on this day?"

"Great actually, I'm very excited about my first mission. Can't wait to get out there and show off my training." he replied, plopping into one of the seats.

Mikhail stood faced with a dilemma. Rat out his brother with him present, or let him leave with blind faith.

While Lord Kashif and Naitosai continued to chat among themselves, he quickly decided that despite not possessing the strength he would've liked. Dai and Osyrus needed all the help they could get, even if it was sub-par.

"Agreed, the Legion needs you now more than ever." Mikhail chimed in.

"Huh, the Legion needs me? I wouldn't go as far as to say that. I mean c'mon they have the strongest fighter in the resistance." his brother said humbly.

Lord Kashif and Mikhail both looked at one another then back to Naitosai.

"What, I say something wrong? Why are you two staring at me like that?"

In that moment Mikhail looked at his brother realizing he didn't know about JinX.

"I'm sorry you must find out this way but when the Legion returned from their last assignment, JinX did not return with them." Lord Kashif responded.

Oblivious to what his majesty meant, he continued, "Hmm ... I see, so the next move is a rescue mission. Let's get going then, time is wasting. Where are Dai and Osyrus?"

"Please Naitosai hear me out. JinX was murdered by Krinx and the others barely escaped with their lives." The king clarified.

Stunned, Naitosai stared blankly as he remembered the last time he saw JinX alive.

--2 Weeks Ago--

The Kingdom was alive and bustling with subjects going about their everyday lives. The sun was high and warm, a light breeze from the east had the trees moving as if they were waltzing through the forests that surrounded Rendarg. Children laughed, ran and played in the background mimicking fights with sticks and wooden swords.

"Ugh, you're just too strong!" a voice cried out, kicking up dust as he fell face first onto the gravel.

Pulling him off the ground by his arm, JinX dusted off his young pupil's shoulder and with a stern voice replied, "Nonsense you're stronger than you think, you remind me of myself long ago when Krinx was training me."

His expression of defeat and embarrassment quickly molded itself to a wide smile.

"Really?" Naitosai asked as he rubbed his leg - I really gotta learn to guard against low attacks, man that hurt!

With a supportive smile, JinX folded his arms, "Absolutely, I would be too afraid to attack him because I could just feel how strong he was. I'll let you in on a lesser known secret." he said chuckling, remembering himself as a trainee. "I would actually run from him even though we were just sparring."

Naitosai gave a hearty laugh as he limped his way over to a bench shaded by a tree. "No way, you running from a fight? I just can't see it."

Following behind Naitosai, he replied while having a seat next to him, "I wasn't always this way, the time spent training with Krinx is something I'll never forget. He truly saved me from myself, which is why I must do the same for him."

Looking to the sky above, JinX's expression seemed to sadden at the thought of his childhood friend.

"Yeah... I'm sorry about that." He said in an attempt to console his mentor.

"Don't be, everyone chooses their own path and we have chosen ours." he said while still gazing at the clouds.

He looked at Naitosai and smiled as he slapped him on the back. Having underestimated the amount of strength he used, Naitosai jerked forward coughing.

"Oh man, Sorry are you okay?" JinX quickly asked.

To brush off the pain that was in his leg and now also his back, Naitosai nodded while changing the subject.

"So when do you leave on your next assignment?"

Starring back into the sky above, "We're heading out in the morning and should be back in a week's time should everything go well."

"Remember, you promised." he said while intently looking at JinX.

"Hey I know and I'm a man of my word. You will become a full member of the Legion upon our return and venture out on your first mission with our next assignment. I look forward to seeing you in actual combat." he said while placing a hand on his shoulder, this time making sure to control his strength.

"I can't wait, thanks a lot JinX. I really do appreciate everything." He said with a smile.

-- Present Day--

"Naitosai.... Naitosai are you alright?" Lord Kashif asked, giving him a light shake with both hands on shoulders.

"Huh, what? Yeah I'm fine, what's the objective of the assignment?" he said with a serious demeanor.

Kashif pacing himself replied, "I will brief the Legion as a whole in an hour."

"Very well sir, I'll take my leave till then." he said while rising from his seat.

Having surprisingly handling the situation better than Lord Kashif and Mikhail expected. The king looked at Mikhail then back to Naitosai and inquired where he was going.

Pushing open the doors on his way out, "To the Recovery Center."