Prologue - Brotherly Love

A patient lies far from home in a lab littered with old books. Waking up from an assumed coma, a man struggles but successfully lifts himself. Slowly checking his body and bandages, he notices the lunar calendar and realizes it's been three weeks since he fell asleep. He thinks to himself, "I hope the surgery went well. That fight took a lot out of me." Suddenly he notices a loud ringing in his ears, and as it dies down, a faint clacking gets louder and louder. Snapping back to reality, he gets startled by the machine going off next to him—beep, Beep. Turning over and locking eyes with a purple-haired woman, he asks.

"How bad is it, Cindy?"

Cindy sadly replies, picking up the clipboard at the end of the bed.

"Not good you've lost some of your small intestines, half of your right lung, and 80% of your liver."

"Ha ha ha, he did a number on me. How long do I have to recover? I can't let my little brother see me like this."

Frustrated with his response, Cindy Adjusts her circle glasses and reiterates.

"Zero, this isn't funny; there's no recovering from this. Without at least 25% of your liver, it will slowly fail. Since most of your small intestines are gone, you need to take in most of your nutrients through an iv, but I only have enough to last you about three months. Don't even get me started on your lung. Channeling nature energy will exhaust you faster, increase your blood pressure, and worsen things."

"I'll just go find some more iv thingies. Shouldn't be a prob-."

Interrupting Zero with tears in her eyes, Cindy yells.

"This isn't some joke you can laugh off. You're dying! It's time to go home and say your goodbyes. Spend your last three months with your family and brother. Don't you have a promise to keep too?" The wavering of Cindy's voice stuns Zero. As his expression flattens, he sighs in agreement.

"Your right. I'm sorry. I'll go home."

Getting out of bed, Zero puts on his compress vest and clothes. While tying his boots, Cindy chimes in with a worried expression.

"Remember, no channeling nature energy; it'll only worsen your condition and speed up your death."

Standing up, turning, and walking towards Cindy, Zero groans.

"Got it, doc."

Reaching in for a farewell hug, Zero catches Cindy off guard, making her blush. As he grabs his belongings before leaving with the biggest grin on his face, Zero says.

"For a witch, you're not that bad at all."

Winter blows over a valley six weeks later, and Zero's home sanctuary is at the bottom. Early one morning, the sanctuary starts bustling to life. Although it may be cold, the people are used to it. With vigor and excitement, the people start preparing for a Festival. In a stone-tiled neighborhood on the south side of town, an old man in a puffy jacket and scarf gives instructions to a young boy at the top of a ladder.

"Jugo, could you tie the lantern a bit more to the right?"

With a smile on his face and red-hued cheeks, a misty cloud leaves Jugo's nose as he blurts out.

"Sure, here you go!"

Intrigued by Jugo's enthusiastic reply, the old man chuckles.

"You must be excited about this year's Mochizuki festival; you've helped half the sanctuary by now."

Turning over to look down at the old man Jugo squints his eyes as the cold wind blows in his face. With a stiff expression, he elaborates.

"Yeah, my brother promised to take me to the festival this year, so I want it to look the best." Looking around in a confused manner, the old man asks.

"The festival is tomorrow; where is your brother now?"

Holding back his nervous expression, Jugo explains.

"I don't know; he's traveling somewhere but should return soon."

Realizing what the boy means, the old man adjusts his glasses and questions Jugo. "Your brother is an Ophis, isn't he? Hopefully, the 8 Bells haven't gotten to him." Slightly offended, Jugo stops what he's doing and passionately justifies.

"Zero would never get caught; he's the strongest! he could punch someone outside the valley if he wanted to!"

The old man's eyebrows rise and wrinkle his forehead. Surprised by that claim, the old man states.

"Oh, Zero, that young fellow has always been a tough cookie."

Down the road, a man shoveling snow looks up to see a tall man with green hair combed back in sections walking by. Inside another house, a woman notices the man waking by and says.

" Why is he wearing all-black tactical clothes in the winter?"

heavily breathing through his mask, Zero looks up and notices the bakery lady who used to sell him butter balls. After sweeping the front of her house, the lady sees the man, too, and squints her eyes in confusion. A sense of nostalgia rushes over her, and as the gears turn and click, the lady yells.

"Zero, is that you! Have a butter ball. I have some fresh out of the oven!"

Zero pulls down his mask, and as his face fills with relief, he smiles and thinks. "Im finally home."

"Sure, id love one. Can I get an extra one for my brother, too," asked Zero.

"Of course, sweetie. Just promise to tell Ibu I said hello we haven't played mahjong in a few weeks."

The lady hands Zero two smoking balls of glossy bread the size of apples and smiles gleefully. Zero begins to walk away.

"I promise."

Hovering the ball close to his face, Zero feels the heat coming from it. A euphoric scent of butter and sweetness flows through his nose, putting a child-like smile on his face. Zero bites into the lightly crusted bread, only strong enough to hold its form. As he bites, a big cloud of smoke leaves the ball. Unable to maintain his composure, Zero giggles to himself gleefully. After walking a bit longer, he notices an old man standing beside a boy on a ladder. After seeing who the boy is, Zero's expression turns playful.

"Hey, kid, I'll give you this butter ball if you can guess what I'm thinking, " said Zero, smiling ear to ear. Jugo turns around, and as his face is struck with awe, he jumps to the bottom of the ladder. With tears in his eyes, Jugo sprints to give his brother a long-awaited hug.

"You're back; you kept your promise!" Jugo exclaimed. Caught off guard Zero plays off the sharp pain in his stomach.

"Of course, I would. What kind of brother would I be if I didn't keep my promises? Look at how big you've grown. It's only been a year and a half. Mother must have put something in your food. I almost didn't recognize you, Jugo." loudly stated Zero as he began to laugh boisterously.

"Let's go home. I want to see mother and father." Waving goodbye to the old man, the brothers walked the rest of the way home. At the same time, Zero told Jugo stories of the places he visited a city of stars that shined throughout the night, a land of wooden and paper homes ruled by cranes, a festival city that watches whales fly by, and an underground fighting arena that rained toki from the sky.

"mother, father, I've returned home!" shouted Zero with Jugo at his side—a loud pan crashed, followed by patters getting closer and closer on the wooden floors. A pale-skinned woman with long jade green hair and big golden eyes comes around the corner. The short woman runs down the hall.

"Zero~" cried their mother as she hugged him tightly.

"It's good to see you, mother," said Zero as the air began to drain from his lungs.

"MOTHER, I CAN'T BREATHE!" Another slower and softer patter comes from around the corner. A straight-faced man with red wavy hair combed back Looks away from his book.

"Ibu, you're going to kill our boy before he can even eat a proper home-cooked meal." calmly said the father. Putting Zero back down on his feet and releasing her grip, she tries to look up at her son in a profound way but fails.

"Sorry, sweetie, it's just been so long; hahaha!" Zero sets a serious tone while walking around his mother and towards his father.

"It's good to see you, father. How have you been," stated Zero as he reached for a handshake. Closing his book and putting it in his off-hand, the father Shakes Zero's hand.

"It's been quite peaceful. Jugo always talks about you to the other kids," declared the father. Realizing what she was doing before the commotion, Ibu turns to her husband.

"Hachi, take the boys to set the table for lunch." Later that night, Zero tells everyone about his adventures. After a couple of stories, Jugo begins to doze off. Noticing his son asleep, Hachi (Full name: Shijuhachi) picks up Jugo and takes him to bed. He looks through 3 books on the shelf.

"The Crocodile's Treason," "The Book Of Genesis," and "The Two Frogs." Hachi pulls two books from the shelf.

"which will it be "The crocodile's treason" or "The two frogs"?"

"The Crocodile!" Excitedly said Jugo without a second thought. After setting the other book on the nightstand, Hachi began to read to Jugo, and as he read, Jugo became sleepier and sleepier until he passed out. Hachi whispered to himself.

"I just started; we didn't even get to the good part yet." As Hachi begins to leave the room, he places the book on top of the other one. Leaning over Jugo's head Hachi Kisses Jugo on the forehead and says.

"goodnight, little salamander." The next day as Jugo wakes up with the light shining through the blinds, he springs up with excitement and yells.

"Today's the Mochizuki festival!" He rushes downstairs and hops like he's running on air to greet his family and ask Zero to take him to the festival. Zero responded.

"It's About time you woke up. It's 2:47 pm, but can we deliver a letter first?" "yeah, but to who?" asked Jugo.

"He's an old friend and owns a toy store if you want to get something too." Glimmering with excitement, Jugo squeals.

"Really!"

"Sure, let's go!" exclaimed Zero. A little while after leaving the house, Zero and Jugo walk past a group of kids playing by the willow tree. Distracted by the kids playing, Zero gets an idea and turns to Jugo with a devious grin.

"Hey, Jugo tag, you're it!" playfully stated Zero. Channeling nature energy Zero Runs away from his brother and taunts Jugo to chase him. Slowly leading Jugo towards the toy shop, Jugo struggles to tag Zero back.

"How can you move so fast normal people can't do that?" asked Jugo with a frustrated expression.

"Simply, I am one with nature; I breathe through it, and it breathes through me." Calmly stated Zero with a playful grin.

"That didn't make any sense at all!"

"Hahaha, you'll understand when you're older."

"That's what mom and dad always say, but I never do."

"Jugo, you're only ten. Take your time growing up. If you grow up too fast, you'll regret it. Learn to live in the moment and appreciate the little things."

"If you say so," groaned Jugo. As Zero and Jugo continued to play tag across the sanctuary, Jugo never touched his brother once. Giving his brother false hope of a tag, Zero would step within arms reach of Jugo just to disappear and reappear behind him and then farther away.

Thirty minutes later, the brothers make it to the toy shop, and as they walk through the door, a bell goes off.

"Welcome to Takumi Toy store." said the old man.

"Go look at the toys. I'll come to find you when it's time to leave," explained Zero. While Jugo looks at all the wind-up wooden toys and the fish tank, Zero goes to the counter to talk to Takumi.

"How may I help you, young man," Asked Takumi with a wrinkly smile. Approaching the counter, Zero Switches to a serious expression.

"I'm here to give you a letter. Getsurin says hello." Eyes widening open with fear, Takumi whispers loudly.

"how do you know that name?"

"Read it and find out." Stated Zero with a blank expression. Takumi quickly opens the letter and begins to read; as he continues and finishes, he gets teary-eyed.

"he's done some unspeakable things. All I can say is thank you for removing a stain like him." "Not without leaving me with a parting gift." Zero lifts his shirt to reveal a still-healing scar. "He took half of my lung and some intestines with him."

"I'm sorry you had to go through such trouble. Can I do anything to repay you?" "Just look after my brother when my time comes."

"How much longer do you have?"

"4 months if I'm lucky."

"I'm sorry there isn't anything I could've done." Jugo interrupts, tugging at Zero's shirt sleeve with excitement.

"Zero, can I get an axolotl from the fish tank!"

"Go ahead and take it; it's free," interjected Takami.

"It's ok, I can pay for it." said zero.

"No, this is the least I can do to show my gratitude for bringing me this letter." As Zero and Jugo begin to leave, Jugo says thank you with the biggest grin on his face prancing around like he's weightless. Outside the shop, Jugo asks Zero what they where talking about.

"Oh, we were talking about a mutual friend."

"Can I meet them? You always make friends with nice people!"

"Sorry, but this friend wasn't so nice, and he's passed through the torii of death already." Jugo stares awkwardly at his axolotl, unable to find the words to respond to Zero.

"We're almost at the festival grounds. Let's play a game or two!" The brothers stop by to play a few games at the festival before it starts later that night.

"Step right up and throw a shot put farther than me to win a prize! You there, the young man with the scars on his arms. You look strong; wanna give it a shot? It's only two New Moon Toki."

"What do I get if I win?" asked Zero.

"You get a one-of-a-kind jade pendant made in the Sequoia sanctuary; the craftsmen there know how to make fine jewelry."

"Do you want the pendant Jugo or could you give it to mom as a gift."

"I'm not sure, but ill figure it out," replied Jugo. The game vendor wound back and threw the shot put as far as he could; It was recorded at 72.9 feet after it landed.

"Ok, Jugo, watch this." As zero gets ready to throw the shotput, Jugo's eyes glisten with excitement, tightly gripping the fish bag and almost popping it. Zero breathes and begins collecting invisible red energy into his body. After a few seconds of drawing energy, his nose begins to bleed. Before noticing the blood, Zero chucks the Shotput with all his strength. Flying through the air, it felt like an eternity, but when the shot put landed, it was recorded at 103.42 feet. Completely stunned by the feat, the vendor gives Zero the pendant without speaking.

"Here, Jugo, you hold on to this for me."

"Zero, your nose is bleeding!"

"Oh, maybe it's too hot out here; let's go home for a bit."

"But we just got here. Let's play one more game!"

"the festival goes on till 1 am. We still have plenty of time; let's go home." Wiping away the blood, Zero coughs. Jugo notices but doesn't stress his concern and thinks to himself.

"He could have thrown that way farther. Is he ok?" To avoid another awkward topic, Jugo follows him home without question.

Later that night, after Jugo puts his new axolotl in its bowl, he says.

"Now, what should I name you?" From downstairs, Zero yells.

"Jugo, It's 9 pm. Let's go to the festival; the fireworks start in 30 minutes, and mother and father have already left!"

"Coming! I'll name you when I get back."

After getting to the festival, the brothers eat to their heart's content Stopping by the yakisoba, smoked sausage, and takoyaki stalls. The brothers find their parents at the fireworks grounds after overeating. While catching up on lost time, the family was interrupted by a loud whistling

and Boom! The fireworks had begun, some of them exploding into the form of crescent moons and rabbits. As the fireworks continue, a minute guard whispers to another and rushes off somewhere. Sometime after the fireworks had ended, Jugo began to doze off next to Zero and their parents.

"All that excitement for the festival, and you're already falling asleep; it's only 10:48." Said Hachi. "I ran him around the town playing tag; that's probably why. I'll take him home." proposed Zero. "It's fine; he can sleep here till we leave." Demanded Hachi.

"Honey, it's too cold outside. He'll get sick! Let Zero take Jugo home," Insisted Ibu. Hachi said nothing and turned his head toward the dancers performing.

Zero picks up Jugo, puts him on his back, and starts walking home. About halfway back to their home, a house catches fire, and smoke begins to rise from the direction of the festival. Seconds later, a group of people cloaked in black with red spears jumps from building to building, with one landing in front of Zero.

"Who the hell are you? Did you start the fires? What do you want?" The assassin remained silent without reaction and took a stance with his spear readied. Charging forward with blinding speed, Zero barely dodges and falls into an emptied stand waking up Jugo.

"Zero, what's going on? Who is that?"

"I don't know, but we're under attack; stay behind me." Zero begins to charge the red energy again and causes another nosebleed. Both Zero and the assassin have a stare-off and rush toward each other. The assassin thrusts his spear forward but Zero dodges and counters with an uppercut. The assassin leans back to dodge the uppercut and forces him away with a kick hitting Zero directly in his wound, causing him to cough up blood. Before Zero could even wipe the blood from his face, the assassin beings to channel energy into the blade of his spear. Realizing what's about to happen, Zero rushes to grab Jugo and run away, but as he picks up his little brother, the assassin slashes at the air causing an energy blade to fly toward them. Zero dodged the slash but didn't expect another, getting cut across the back. Zero falls to his hand and knees with Jugo under him, saying.

"Everything is gonna be ok; ill protect you." Standing and turning to his enemy, he stated dramatically.

"What kind of brother would I be if I didn't." Zero coats his fists with red energy and rushes toward the assassin. They begin to trade blow for blow, with Zero blocking with nothing but his

fists. The building behind Jugo starts to crumble, and he struggles to pick himself up and run away. The assassin sees his opportunity to strike and charges up another slash. As the slash is fired off, Zero struggles to deflect away, and the slash cuts off his right hand, continuing to cut off Jugo's left arm. Jugo screams out in pain on the ground as roof pieces fall. Zero gets angry and channels all this strength into his right palm, pushing the assassin into the building across the street. He rushes over to tend to Jugo's wound, but just before Zero can tie off his arm, another slash comes through the smoke from where he sent the assassin. Zero ducks to dodge the slash. And begins to charge his fist again, but before he could finish, the building tips over. Zero catches the building with every fiber of his being and coughs up more blood.

"Even after I killed you, you're still a pain in my ass Getsurin! Did he send you here as his dying wish?" The assassin just shook his head no.

"Then who sent you!" He gave no response and charged up his spear, thrusting a beam of red energy through Zero's chest. The assassin stands and waits for the building to fall and the brothers to die. As Zero falls to his knees, he weeps.

"I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough to protect you!" laid out, covered in blood and dust, Jugo spaces out from blood loss and blankly stares at the building about to fall on him.

"What did you say" mutters Jugo. After losing all of his strength and the building falling over, the brothers zero's last words were.

"the ground we walk on loves us all; listen to her." After entirely crumbling, a broken piece of wood stabs through the pendant and into Jugo's heart. A mysterious figure approaches the assassin. The assassin instinctively kneels after noticing the figure. With Jugo's consciousness fading, he hears talking from outside the rubble.

"Sir, the boys have been exterminated, and the second and third divisions are dealing with the rest."

"Good. Now let's return home and prepare to take back what's ours."