SICARII

Taizen had always known that his family's house in the forest was his safe haven, a place to escape to when things got too overwhelming. And today, that's exactly what he needed. He had been feeling an intense mix of pain and anger lately, and he couldn't seem to shake it off. It was like a dark cloud was hovering over him, following him everywhere he went.

As soon as he arrived at the house, Taizen knew he had to let it all out. He couldn't keep bottling up his emotions any longer. He walked outside and started destroying everything in sight. He screamed and cried, feeling the weight of his despair heavy on his chest. He couldn't believe that his whole life had been a lie. All the years of hard work and dedication, leading up to his dream of becoming a Sicarii, now seemed like a cruel joke.

Days went by, and Taizen remained secluded in the forest. He didn't want to face his family or anyone else for that matter. He felt lost and directionless, unsure of what to do with his life now that his dream had been shattered. The forest became his sanctuary, the only place where he felt he could truly be himself.

As he wandered through the forest, lost in his thoughts, Taizen began to realize that maybe his dream of becoming a Sicarii wasn't really what he wanted. It had been his only goal for so long that he hadn't stopped to consider if it was truly what he was passionate about.

He started to think about other things he enjoyed, like hiking and exploring the wilderness. Maybe there was a different path for him, one that didn't involve violence and death. Taizen began to feel a glimmer of hope that he could still find his purpose in life.

As Taizen sat in the forest, lost in his thoughts, he heard a rustling in the bushes. He looked up to see his brother Kaito walking towards him. Taizen's first reaction was to push him away, to continue being angry at him for not telling him the truth about their heritage. But as Kaito approached, Taizen saw the genuine concern and confusion in his eyes.

"Taizen, I had no idea," Kaito said, his voice shaking with emotion. "I didn't know that you weren't a pure blood Zenero. Dad kept it a secret from all of us. I'm sorry that you had to find out like this."

Taizen felt a wave of shock and disbelief wash over him. His whole life he had been told that he was a pure blood Zenero, that he was destined for greatness. And now, everything he thought he knew about himself had been turned upside down.

"But why would Dad keep it a secret?" Taizen asked, his voice trembling. "Why would he lie to us?"

Kaito sighed and sat down next to Taizen. "I don't know, Taizen. Maybe he thought it was for the best. Maybe he didn't want you to feel like you weren't good enough. But I do know that he loved you, and he only wanted the best for you."

Taizen didn't know what to think. He felt like his whole life had been a lie, like he didn't even know who he was anymore. But as he looked into Kaito's eyes, he saw the love and support there. He realized that he didn't have to go through this alone.

"Thank you, Kaito," Taizen said, his voice choked with emotion. "I don't know what I would do without you."

Kaito put his arm around Taizen's shoulder, pulling him close. "You don't have to go through this alone, Taizen. We're brothers, and we'll get through this together."

As Kaito sat next to Taizen, he took a deep breath and spoke softly. "Taizen, over the last few days, I've been in contact with a couple of my friends over in the Agency Organisation in the country of Labre. We discussed your situation, and they're willing to give you a recommendation to join the agency if you're up for it."

Taizen's eyes widened in surprise. He had never considered the possibility of joining the Agency, but the thought of starting anew intrigued him. "Join the Agency? But I don't know anything about them," he said, his voice laced with uncertainty.

Kaito smiled and patted Taizen's shoulder. "I know it's a big decision, Taizen. But the Agency is one of the best training grounds for Sicarii. They have developed some of the greatest Sicarii, and with your potential, you could become even stronger than any Sicarius in the Assassin Organisation."

Taizen pondered over Kaito's words. He didn't know if he was ready to start a new chapter in his life, but the thought of becoming stronger and better than he ever was before was tempting. "I don't know, Kaito. What if I fail? What if I'm not cut out for it?"

Kaito took a deep breath and looked Taizen straight in the eye. "Taizen, you've always been one of the strongest and most determined people I know. I have no doubt that you can do this. And even if you do fail, at least you tried. You don't want to spend the rest of your life wondering 'what if?'"

Taizen nodded slowly, his mind made up. "You're right, Kaito. I can't keep living in the past. I need to move on and start anew."

Kaito smiled and stood up. "That's the spirit, Taizen. I'll book you a plane ticket so you can leave this morning, and my friend will pick you up at the airport. You're going to do great things, Taizen. I can feel it."

As Taizen watched his brother walk away, he felt a glimmer of hope in his heart. He didn't know what the future held, but he was excited to find out.

A few hours had gone by, and Taizen sat around waiting for his brother to return with his belongings.

Kaito had finally arrived.

As Kaito placed his suitcase down, Taizen noticed the look of sadness and hesitation on his face. He wondered if Kaito was having second thoughts about leaving. However, before he could say anything, Kaito spoke up.

"Would you like to say goodbye to the rest of your family?" Kaito asked, trying to sound casual.

Taizen shook his head. "There's no need. The only person I would have liked to say goodbye to is Secro, but he's away at a training camp."

Kaito nodded, understandingly. "I see. Well, I'm sure he'll be happy to hear from you when he gets back."

Taizen forced a smile, but inside he was feeling a pang of sadness. Secro was the youngest of his siblings, and he had always been very close to him. They would spend hours playing video games or watching movies together, and Taizen had always looked out for him.

He wished he could have said goodbye to Secro in person, but he knew it was impossible. The training camp was in a remote area, and there was no way he could reach him in time.

"I'll make sure to call him as soon as I can," Taizen said, trying to push away his feelings of sadness.

As Kaito drove Taizen to the airport, he could sense the nervousness and excitement in Taizen's voice. He knew how important this journey was for Taizen, and he wanted to give him some last-minute words of advice.

Kaito's voice took on a more ominous tone, and Taizen felt a chill run down his spine.

"But you have to understand, Taizen, that the world is a dark and unforgiving place. You can't trust anyone, not even your own family. People will do anything to get ahead, even if it means betraying those closest to them."

Taizen felt his stomach tighten as Kaito's words sunk in. He had always known that the world could be cruel, but he had never heard Kaito talk like this before.

"What do you mean, Kaito?" Taizen asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kaito let out a deep sigh. "I mean that there are people out there who will do anything to get what they want. They'll lie, cheat, and even kill to get ahead. You have to be careful who you trust, Taizen. You can't let your guard down, even for a second."

Taizen nodded, feeling a sense of dread wash over him. He had always been a trusting person, but Kaito's words made him realize just how dangerous the world could be.

"I'll be careful, Kaito," Taizen said, his voice shaking slightly. "I'll do whatever it takes to succeed."

Kaito looked over at Taizen, his eyes filled with a mixture of concern and sadness. "I know you will, Taizen. Just promise me that you'll never forget what I've told you. The world is a dark place, and you need to be prepared for whatever comes your way."

Taizen nodded again, feeling a sense of unease as he thought about the journey ahead of him. He knew that Kaito was right, but he also knew that he couldn't let his fear hold him back. He had to be strong, and he had to believe in himself, no matter what.

Kaito dropped Taizen off at the airport and hugged his brother goodbye.

"Good luck, Taizen. Find your inner strength, and you'll do great."

"Thanks, bro," Taizen said as he walked into the airport, getting ready to board his flight.

It was a journey to the country of Labre, roughly about a fifteen-hour flight. Taizen finally arrived and walked towards the exit. Outside, he saw a lady holding a sign with his name on it and approached her.

She was a young woman, probably in her early twenties, with long blonde hair and a bright smile on her face.

She waved at him excitedly, and Taizen walked over to her, feeling a bit unsure of himself.

"Hi," he said, his voice barely above a whisper.

The woman didn't seem to notice his nervousness, however. She gave him a big hug, and Taizen was taken aback by how friendly she was. He barely knew her, yet she was acting like they were old friends.

"You must be Taizen," she said, her eyes sparkling. "I'm Emma. It's so nice to finally meet you."

Taizen nodded, feeling a bit overwhelmed. He had been expecting someone a bit more reserved, but Emma was anything but.

"You look just like your brother," she continued, her smile widening. "He's one of the best Sicarii I've seen. I have a feeling you'll be just as good."

Emma led Taizen outside to a waiting car, and they drove to the agency school campus. As they pulled up to the dorms, Taizen felt a mix of excitement and nervousness. He was starting a new chapter in his life, and he had no idea what to expect.

As they entered the campus, Emma explained how things worked. "You'll be undergoing rigorous training, both physically and mentally. The agency prepares you for everything, from combat techniques to psychological resilience."

Taizen listened intently, absorbing her words. He could feel his heart racing at the thought of all the challenges ahead. It was a far cry from the quiet life he had led in the forest, but he was ready to embrace it.

After a brief tour, Emma showed him to his dorm room. "This will be your home for the next few months. You'll be sharing it with another trainee, but I think you'll get along just fine."

Taizen looked around the small room, taking in the bare walls and two twin beds. It felt both unfamiliar and exciting. He was eager to start this new journey, to learn and grow.

"Your training officially starts tomorrow," Emma said, giving him a warm smile. "Get some rest tonight. You're going to need it."

After Emma left, Taizen sat on the edge of his bed, feeling a mix of anticipation and fear. He knew that he was stepping into a world filled with danger and uncertainty, but it also felt like a fresh start. He thought about Kaito's warnings, about trust and betrayal. Those words echoed in his mind as he closed his eyes, trying to quell the storm of thoughts swirling within him.

Sleep eventually found him, and Taizen drifted off with a sense of resolve. No matter what challenges awaited him, he was determined to forge his own path and find out who he truly was.

The next morning, Taizen awoke to the sound of an alarm blaring. He quickly got ready, donning the training gear Emma had given him. As he stepped out of his dorm, he was met with the bustling energy of other trainees preparing for their day.

The training grounds were vast, filled with various obstacles and equipment. Taizen felt a rush of adrenaline as he surveyed the area, excitement coursing through his veins.

"Welcome to your first day of training!" a voice boomed from the front. Taizen turned to see a tall man with a commanding presence standing before them. "I'm Agent Thorn, and I'll be your instructor. Here, you will learn to become the best. There will be no room for weakness."

Taizen felt his heart race. This was it—the moment he had been waiting for. He was ready to prove himself and to uncover the potential that lay dormant within him.

As the training began, Taizen pushed himself harder than he ever had before. Every exercise, every lesson, every drop of sweat was a testament to his commitment to change. He embraced the challenges, knowing that each one was a step closer to discovering his true self.

With each passing day, Taizen began to feel a transformation within him. The anger and despair that had once clouded his mind started to dissipate, replaced by a sense of purpose and determination. He was no longer just the boy who had lost his way; he was becoming a Sicarius—stronger, sharper, and more focused than ever.

As he lay in bed at night, exhausted but fulfilled, Taizen thought of Kaito and the conversations they had shared. He remembered the bond they had, the trust they held for each other, and the promise he had made to himself to rise above the darkness.

And in that moment, he knew he was on the right path. No matter what the future held, he would face it head-on, ready to carve out his destiny in a world that was often cruel but also full of possibilities.