The Martial Unity

Rui understood the frustrations that Kane was sharing. Kane’s life hadn’t been easy. And Rui knew how much he had gone through when he was chasing Rui to keep up with him. His life had gotten a lot easier and more fulfilling when he started a family.

He was clearly alarmed to see the trajectory that Runark’s life was taking, and didn’t want for his son to go through what he did.

”If Ria had been a normal girl, that would be one thing, but she isn’t,” Kane remarked. ”She’s a Martial Sage at eighteen. Eighteen. It’s just absurd. I don’t know what cheat code you gave her, but she’s untouchable.”

Kane had figured out that Rui had done something to Ria to make her as extraordinary as she was. He wasn’t even surprised; it was exactly what he expected of Rui. He didn’t necessarily approve, of course, but he couldn’t deny the results.

”She’s probably the most talented Martial Artist in history.”

Rui nodded. ”That’s true.”

”Point being… since I don’t see Runark ever catching up to her under ordinary circumstances, I don’t like what the rest of his life is shaping up to be,” Kane continued with a serious tone of voice.

”He does have the manifold,” Rui pointed out. ”Use it enough, and anybody can be caught up to.”

”I don’t want my son spending a century in a training chamber, Rui. That’s not life. That’s madness,” Kane spoke with a stronger tone. ”I want my son to live a decently balanced life. Not be consumed with some obsession to the point he never even sees daylight in the pursuit of his goal.”

”He might give up, as normal people often do,” Rui suggested.

”I know my son, and I know that he isn’t giving up on this. His infatuation with Ria survived even though he went through a lot and changed a lot.” Kane shook his head.

”Hmm… then what do you think would be the best outcome?” Rui raised an eyebrow.

”That he achieves his goal,” Kane replied. ’That he reaches Ria.”

”That doesn’t necessarily mean that she would return his feelings.”

”I know, and in that case, he would be much likelier to get over it. Seeing that it isn’t just a matter of power,” Kane replied. ”But until he reaches that point. He’s not giving up.”

”One advantage he has is that Ria is not the most driven person in the world,” Rui replied. ”But her talent is so overwhelming that even a moderately strong drive would produce untouchable results.”

”And she seems motivated after the recent tragedy too,” Kane pointed out. ”Which makes Runark’s stubbornness a pain in the ass for me as a father.”

”…And how do you want me to help with that?” Rui raised an eyebrow.

”You know what I want; I am asking you as a friend to do to him whatever you did to Ria,” Kane straightforwardly told Rui. ”Otherwise, I think his life is going to be miserable.”

Rui heaved a deep breath, shaking his head. ”It’s not possible, Kane. What I did to Ria was something that can only be done from the day a baby is born and up until the discovery of the Martial Path. He’s too old for that now.”

”…You did that when you were a Martial Sage, or a Martial Corporeal, in modern terminology,” Kane remarked with thought. ”You’re a Transcendent now; couldn’t you help him in other ways?”

Rui remained silent as he considered the question. Frankly, he had never even considered that.

”He told you that I accepted his request for me to train him, didn’t he?” Rui remarked while in thought. ”That’s what spurred this on.”

Kane nodded. ”You’re the only one who can help him, and I’m pleading with you as a friend to do what you can. He is your godson, after all. I named him after you.”

Rui turned towards him with a serious expression. ”Kane, you never have to plead with me. You’re my best friend. A brother. I wasn’t planning on doing so before, but since you asked, I will do my best. I can’t promise that he will ever catch up to Ria, but I can give him the best shot he could possibly ever have.”

Kane’s expression softened at those words as he smiled. ”Thanks. I knew I could count on you. He’s lucky to have you. As am I.”

”No, I’m fortunate to have you,” Rui replied sincerely. ”Having people I care about fills an otherwise cold life with human connection.”

”Speaking of care, you should probably take the day off and spend it with Ria,” Kane remarked with furrowed eyebrows. ”I spoke to her earlier today, and she bawled her eyes out and begged me for forgiveness. Your daughter needs you.”

Rui heaved a deep breath. ”…I know. I intend to speak with her tonight. Unfortunately, this was the worst possible time. Humanity is about to undergo a profound shift. And if I’m not there, it could lead to disaster.”

Kane’s expression tightened. ”I heard. The arakai discovered us? War is inevitable?”

”It is, and most likely will break out soon,” Rui replied with a serious expression. ”When that happens, you will have to be on the front lines. Martial Corporeals will be needed to take on their strongest combat assets, as the debacle of Amadeus III showed us.”

Kane nodded with a determined expression. ”I’m willing to serve. I will fight to protect humanity and my family with it. Is Ria going to go to war too?”

Rui shook his head. ”She has charted her own path. A path that will bring great benefit to human civilization. But the pressure that she will sustain from this point forth will be much greater than if there hadn’t been war. She intends to shoulder that burden by herself. Unfortunately, I don’t think anything I say will convince her otherwise.”

”…Well, she has been greatly hurt by what has happened, so it’s understandable,” Kane heaved a deep breath. ”Kids, huh? Their pain is your pain.”

Rui smiled bittersweetly. ”Indeed, it is.”

The friends continued discussing several more matters, including but not limited to family, but also the future.