Finally, they arrived at a serene oasis, a beautiful park nestled in the heart of the academy. The park was a tranquil haven, with lush green grass that felt like silk beneath their feet. Towering trees, their branches adorned with vibrant flowers, stretched towards the sky, casting dappled shadows across the ground.
Under each tree, a weathered wooden bench beckoned, inviting visitors to sit and bask in the peaceful atmosphere. A soft breeze rustled the leaves, creating a soothing melody that seemed to wash away the worries of the world.
Kinski led them to a bench beneath a majestic oak tree, its branches heavy with fragrant roses. As they sat down, Kinski let out a deep sigh, his eyes closing in appreciation of the serene surroundings.
"This is the Flower Garden," he whispered, his voice barely audible over the rustling of the leaves. "I come here often to relax and clear my mind."
Crinix turned to him, his eyes narrowing in impatience. "We didn't come here to pick flowers, Kinski. Now, talk."
Kinski's eyes snapped open, a hint of a smile playing on his lips. "You kids are so impatient," he chuckled, his voice low and soothing.
As he began to speak, his words dripped with a sense of sadness, like autumn leaves falling from the trees. "Niski's childhood wasn't what most people would call interesting," he started, his voice barely above a whisper.
Takahishi leaned forward, his eyes fixed intently on Kinski's face. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice laced with curiosity.
Kinski's gaze dropped, his eyes fixed on the grass beneath their feet. "Niski's life has been rough since the day he was born," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
Crinix's eyes widened in shock, his face pale. "What happened?" he asked, his voice barely audible.
Kinski's eyes seemed to cloud over, like a stormy sky. "The day Niski was born... was the day our parents died," he whispered, his voice trembling with emotion.
Takahishi's eyes went wide, his face frozen in shock. "How is that even possible?" he asked, his voice laced with horror.
Kinski's gaze snapped back to theirs, his eyes burning with a deep sadness. "Niski isn't like any normal human being," he explained, his voice cracking with emotion. "His body is different from the rest of us Grim Hunters... his body is a weapon."
Crinix's eyes seemed to bore into Kinski's, his face pale. "A weapon?" he repeated, his voice barely audible.
Kinski nodded, his eyes dropping once more. "Yes... his body can generate and produce lightning. He has the power of the gods flowing in his veins."
Takahishi's face was a mask of shock, his eyes fixed on Kinski's face. "That lightning he created back then... that's how he was able to use it," he whispered, his voice laced with awe.
Kinski's gaze snapped back to theirs, his eyes burning with a deep sadness. "Yes... that's correct. But there's more to the story," he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.
As Kinski continued to speak, his words painted a vivid picture of Niski's tragic past. The park around them seemed to fade away, leaving only the three of them, suspended in a world of sorrow and regret.
Kinski's voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes fixed on the grass beneath their feet. "The day Niski was born... he released a shock wave that blew up and exploded the entire hospital, killing hundred people inside... including our parents."
The words hung in the air, like a challenge, daring them to comprehend the magnitude of Niski's tragedy. Crinix and Takahishi sat in stunned silence, their faces pale, their eyes fixed on Kinski's face.
As the truth sank in, the park around them seemed to grow darker, the shadows deepening, like the wounds in Niski's heart. The flowers, once so vibrant and full of life, now seemed to wilt, their petals drooping, like the hopes and dreams of a shattered childhood.
Takahishi's voice was barely above a whisper as he asked, "Huh, a hundred people died?"
Kinski's eyes seemed to cloud over, his gaze drifting away from them. "The energy that Niski released from his body blew up the entire hospital, making it collapse and fall... but it wasn't his fault. Niski has no idea he ever did something like that. I mean, he was just a baby back then when it all happened."
Crinix's brow furrowed in confusion. "You mean Niski doesn't know how his parents died?"
Kinski's gaze snapped back to theirs, his eyes burning with a deep intensity. "Yes, he has no clue what happened twenty-two years ago... and I plan to keep it that way."
Takahishi's eyes widened in horror, his face pale. "Man, that's scary," he whined, his voice trembling.
Kinski's gaze dropped, his eyes fixed on the grass beneath their feet. He took a deep breath, his chest rising and falling with the effort. "After the incident... that's when it all started. That's when Niski became the person he is now."
Crinix leaned forward, his eyes fixed intently on Kinski's face. "Huh? What do you mean? I don't understand."
Kinski's gaze lifted, his eyes locking onto Crinix's. "As Niski grew up, people in the Shadow Realm began to fear him because of his power. Even the other children were told not to play with him... and some people called him names."
Kinski's voice dropped to a whisper, his eyes clouding over with memories. "They called him the Cursed Child."