1 THUNDER AND FIST

'There was no such thing as saving the world nor protecting everyone I love. Everything ends in blissful lies and tragedy. I don't know what made you think that my purpose is to carry the world's fate and bring an end to everything because what I want is to have my own self and decide how I could change things right while I breathe in fear.'

*

Hundred years ago, the Ikazuchi clan was sent into an expedition to venture into the unknown dungeon beneath the vast ocean. It was when—out of their knowledge and a vile of curiosity, their ship had been struck by an engulfing force. They've been met by a blinding light as thunder roared through the heavens causing the skies to cry out of tears blaring the might of the lightning's glow. A spear had pierced through their vessel; almost losing its balance sinking slowly into the water. They battled with the might of the thunder god using every ounce of their energy. Yet, their strength was never enough to compare as if the spear itself has its own life; emitting flashes and bolts of lightning and continuously striking everyone even on the verge of death.

Just as then, master Foudiere, founder and head of the Ikazuchi clan had not desired to hear his people's cry, to see their lives perish one by one. He held onto his chest, sending himself into the verge of oblivion and feeling the rippling power of their clan's regalia with nothing but courage and empathy to his men. He raised his hands holding the forbidden regalia forceful enough to seal every power it desired to captivate. Only someone worthy would be able to wield its immense strength. His tenacity was one to be recognized, he had successfully ceased an end to its merciless onslaught. The man dropped onto his knees; his hands trembled holding the regalia—now sealed inside it was enormous power of the lightning spear.

Survivors from the tragedy had come back to their homes. There was no one on the clan who did not hold their heads high in honor of Foudiere. Tales of their expedition had reached every Ikazuchi. They had come for the man even if it's shameful for the pride of Ikazuchi to have power from the other gods as an Anshiantiae, they swallowed their pride and has convinced the clan's head in a distribution of the sealed power. But others were not qualified enough to wield it resulting in the outburst of their body's system that caused death. Master Foudiere blamed himself for this, therefore, he had sealed the remaining energy within him for the sake of his beloved people. It is said that the might of the thunder resides in his heart...

"Pops!" the young man called. His hands carried two wooden pails filled with water that he had gathered on the well. Hurrying on his way to the hut, he placed them down wiping the sweat on his forehead.

"Raijin, come here" the old man ruffled his grandson's hair as he stood near to him. Putting his arms around the boy's shoulder, the two of them watched the sunset that slowly engulfed the whole sky's orange. "Hundred years ago..." he started.

"You've also told me that story a hundred times, pops" without glancing at the old man, he continued to watch the light as it went down. "It's about our clan's history, right?"

As a response, the man nodded. "This" he spoke, shocks of lightning are seen around the object placed on his palm, on its center there resides a small shone of a bluish light surrounded by dark strands of what seemed like roots curving around its edges.

"An amulet? Geez, pops were you trying to give me your old-fashioned accessory?" Raijin said, showing distaste. Without any words, his grandfather hit him on the head causing him to almost stumble to where he was standing. "That hurts! You old man"

"Idiot! This is the regalia" he clarified, giving him a look of disbelief and disappointment.

The young man observed the bluish amulet as if it was drawing him closer and speaking his name in whispers. Without a second thought he raised his hand, the ends of his fingers trying to reach for the object as it reacted to him in a sudden shock of lightning between them. It slipped from the hands of the old man as they stood alert staring at it on the ground.

"Pops! What happened? Are your hands, okay?" Raijin's expressions were full of concern, he thought that if something might've happened to the old man, he may not be able to forgive himself.

"It reacted..." his grandfather paused abruptly, his face was filled with surprise and delight. "It reacted!" Picking up the amulet Hideo went to his grandson, embracing him and almost shaking his whole because of the entire excitement he had felt.

Perplexed, the young man glanced at the amulet again. "What are you saying, pops?"

"This is called the chushin. Our clan's regalia after the incident a hundred years ago. Every head of our clan was also a keeper of this regalia but not every one of them was chosen by it and was rendered useless for a couple of years, even though it has a potential that can surpass even of those eight Generals" Hideo explained, exchanging his glance from him and back to the regalia on his hand.

Instead of clearance confusion still managed to run over Raijin. "But you didn't become our clan's head" his eyebrows creased, anticipating the man's reply.

Giving his grandson a short glance Hideo stared at the vast and endless skies, letting go of a deep breath. "Yes, I didn't become one and we're also not part of the main family. But I managed to steal it" the once solemn expressions of him were replaced by a smug and proud look on his face.

"Huh?" it had almost come out as a scream of confusion on Raijin.

Still not brushing the smirk on the old man's face, Raijin faced him. "Wait. Wait. Pops. Let me have this clear. This is the regalia the chushin exactly, right?" asked him pointing at the amulet with a questioning and puzzled expression.

"Yes. You're right my boy" the man answered, hand on his chin and the other still holding the amulet.

"And this is the thing you've been going on about our clan's story that master Foudiere who sealed the power there which is also his literal heart that's been preserved on this amulet. And how did they even fit a heart inside?! Also. Pops. It's an artifact that holds importance to our clan and you can just easily say that you stole it?!"

"Heh"

"Don't heh me!"

"Well, they did a spell or some sort of thing to fit a heart inside. I guess..." Hideo answered. Looking at his grandson whose face had been staring at him in suspicion. He spoke "Well, we are the only ones left in the clan so it's no big deal to have it. It's our job to protect the honor of master Foudiere as an Ikazuchi"

As if it were some sparks that sent fuel to his memory, flashes of scenes run through his mind. The death of everyone else in their clan by an unknown disease—it was by then the tragedy of the expedition had been brought to their history. Rumors have it that the soldiers of wisdom have caused the outbreak of illness to end their bloodline because of having power from the other gods. And yet, his grandfather had always reminded him to not blame anyone, unless it was proven. Growing up, he never had any hatred for the soldiers of wisdom only curiosity on the truth. The two were the only Ikazuchi who survived.

"After obtaining the chushin, the Ikazuchi clan lived far from the mainlands that we once served" Hideo continued.

"The mainlands..." Raijin had known that their bloodline had suffered countless mishaps and that made him be submerged in deep thought. Hideo glanced at him as if knowing what his next words would be. "Did they cause the death of our clan?"

"They did not. Do not make assumptions, Raijin" The man's tone was full of seriousness that seemed to give a lecture to his student.

"But what if-" he trailed off. Unable to continue his phrase.

"The soldiers of wisdom are an army of knowledge and strength. Never doubt them for they wouldn't waste their time and effort on people like us" Hideo's eyes ventured on the vast skies watching it as night had started to fall.

Raijin would always wonder if the military held something special to his grandfather that he didn't have any second thoughts in doubting them. Knowing the man beside him, he had always known that he wouldn't give him direct answers.

"Ah!" Raijin exclaimed suddenly and was gleaming in excitement. "Pops, I will join the military" There was silence after, he did not hear any response or a complaint he expected from his grandpa. Approaching closer to his side, he called him again. "Pops?"

Hideo did not move to where he was standing, he was staring from afar being lost to his own pace that he did not hear his grandson's inquiry—nor he had not wanted to hear it from him sooner.

Raijin saw his grandfather's lost-mindedness and in an act to catch his attention, he cast a ball of lightning on his palms charging it directly towards him.

"The military would never accept someone who could only create a petty attack like this" before he knew it, the ball of lightning he sent to the man disappeared without a trace. And as soon as he could react to his next movements, at a speed of light he was already on the ground breathing heavily.

"What happened, pops?" he asked, unable to move because of the sudden impact.

"Lightning users like us aren't supposed to be slow, Raijin" Hideo uttered, there was a hint of mockery in his tone. "Join the military like that and you'll end up being a laughing stock"

Raijin did not let those words get through him. With smeared dirt on his clothes, he stood up facing his grandfather. "But even so, I need to. That's why pops, help me get stronger for the upcoming selection!"

Hideo's lips curved into a small smile as he run his hands through the boy's unusual crimson hair. "You're strong Raijin," the latter looked up to him not anticipating the remark. "But you don't know where to put that strength yet" his hand went down, pointing onto his chest. "Why do you want to be a soldier of wisdom?"

Even if he was surprised by the sudden question, Raijin answered without hesitation. "I don't know." for a moment there was a hint of disappointment seen on Hideo. "That's why I want to join to know the answer to why I suddenly wanted to become a soldier"

"You really are an idiot," Hideo said in a faint laugh. "Come with me, the selection starts after three months let's start training you to death"

"Yes sir!" he exclaimed as delight-filled him.

But what awaits him on the said land?