The Tale Of Xavier (PT 2)

“HEY!”

The voice echoed through the alley.

“Drop the boy!”

The group looked around immediately.

The leader loosened his grip slightly.

A small elderly man slowly stepped around the corner.

The leader blinked crazily.

“…An old man?”

He laughed.

“This your grandpa, kid?”

The others joined in.

“Aye, pops! Turn around and mind your business.”

The old man sighed.

“Unfortunately, I can’t do that.”

His eyes shifted toward Xavier.

“That boy can barely breathe.”

The alley begins to flood as the rain continues to fall.

“If you want to fight someone… At least choose someone who can fight back.”

The leader cracked his neck.

“You serious?”

He grinned.

“Alright then. If I win, you get to watch me kill this kid before I kill you too.”

The old man nodded calmly.

“…Deal.”

All five rushed him at once.

The old man simply sighed.

“The world never changes…”

Punches flew.

Kicks followed.

But the old man moved effortlessly, almost dancing through the rain, weaving through every attack with casual precision.

Then…In one smooth motion.

He took Xavier’s training sword from the leader’s hand.

The leader began to yell orders.

“GET THIS OLD BASTARD!”

The thugs grew furious.

“You old bitch!”

The old man widened his stance.

One by one, they fell.

Until only the leader remained.

“Aye, hold on!” the leader panicked. Slowly backing up, tripping in the deep puddles.

“We can work together! Run this side of the city fifty-fifty!”

The old man walked up slowly and patted him on the head.

“No thank you.”

He walked past him toward Xavier.

Lying deep within a puddle, almost drowning in his own ocean of blood.

Then the old man bent down and picked Xavier up.

He looked over his shoulder and gently spoke.

“Go join your friends…”

The rain starts to slow, and the sounds of the city grow a bit louder.

“You wasted your life causing pain for others… for what… A few laughs?”

The old man’s eyes darkened.

“I pity you.”

The leader collapsed.

Lifeless.

With the last bit of strength Xavier had, he said…

“…Thank you…”

Everything went black.

Xavier slowly opened his eyes.

Pain shot through his entire body the second he tried to move.

He stopped and looked around.

A clean room.

Furniture, Pictures on the wall. And resting on a nearby table… His sword.

The memories came flooding back.

Xavier lowered his head. Staring into the palms of his hands.

“…I still couldn’t do anything.”

His voice trembled.

“I accepted death.”

Tears fell onto his hands and blanket.

“…I’m pathetic.”

“Don’t say that.”

Xavier looked up.

A cracked door slowly creaked open, and the old man walked through

“I watched the whole thing,” he admitted quietly. “I was gathering materials nearby when I heard you screaming.”

He lowered his head slightly.

“I waited too long.”

His voice carried genuine regret.

“You needed help… And I hesitated.”

The room fell silent. The bustle of the city could be heard through a small window next to the bed.

“I’m sorry.”

Xavier wiped his face and slowly sat upright.

“…What’s your name, sir?”

“Manji.”

Xavier nodded weakly.

“Mr. Manji… The fact that you came at all means more than enough to me.”

His eyes lowered.

“My life has been hell.”

“But this…”

He looked out the window next to him. The sun shining down on the bed.

“This is the first good thing that’s happened to me in a long time.”

Manji smiled softly and walked over to the small table.

He picked up the training sword

“This sword means a lot to you.”

Xavier nodded.

“My mother gave it to me on my tenth birthday.”

Tears slowly fall down Xavier's face.

“She has good taste.”

Manji turned and smiled at the boy.

“She must be worried about…”

“She’s dead.”

People yelling and gunshots blare in the distance.

“She was murdered.”

Xavier clenched the blade tightly.

“Mr. Manji…”

His eyes sharpened as he looked into Xavier's eyes.

“Can I ask you something?”

“Go ahead.”

“Back there… You beat them so easily...”

Xavier’s voice grew steadier.

“No… Killed them. Along with dodging every attack. The way you used the sword…”

Silence.

“…Can you teach me?”

Manji sat on the edge of the bed quietly

He closed his eyes for a moment and thought.

Old memories surfaced.

Friends. Family. His master.

Then..

They fade away.

He opened his eyes.

“Why do you seek strength?”

Xavier frowned slightly.

“Is it revenge?”

Manji’s gaze sharpened.

“Is it hatred?”

Silence…

“If so… You’re no better than those men.”

Xavier’s frustration immediately rose.

“You don’t know anything about me!”

Tears filled his eyes again.

“My mother. Was murdered by the head of the Nara Clan!”

His fists clenched and trembled.

“The head is… My father… Jack Nara.”

The room fell silent.

Clouds started to roll in. Covering the city in an eerie overcast.

“He destroys lives because he can.”

Xavier gritted his teeth.

“I hate this cursed last name.”

His breathing became uneven again. Thunder can be heard faintly.

“If I don’t stop him… He’ll keep doing this to other families.”

His voice cracked. As he looked up at Manji, crying.

“There are probably kids suffering right now! All while he laughs about it.”

Xavier forced himself off the bed and tried to stand.

Pain shoots through his legs immediately.

He stumbled, but kept going.

“Even if I die…”

He fell to the floor, not in weakness. But to show respect and bow.

“…Please! Make me your student.”

Manji stared at him quietly.

Then. He smiled.

“Well said.”

He walked forward slowly and lifted Xavier's head.

“You do have a good heart.”

He placed a hand on Xavier’s shoulder next.

“My master once told me something long ago.”

“Self-control is strength.
Calmness is mastery.”

“Do not allow the insignificant actions of others to control your emotions.”

“Do not let anger decide the direction of your life.”

Xavier’s eyes sharpened.

“If you cannot control your emotions… Then your emotions will control you.”

Tears ran down his face.

“…I understand.”

He clenched his fists tightly as his head fell back down.

“That’s why I was no different than those thugs.”

“…No different than Jack.”

Xavier continues to cry, staining the floor with his tears

“I want to become stronger, but for the right reasons…”

A light rain falls upon the city as the thunder grows louder.

“But the right reasons don't feel right! When everyone around you is wrong. When everyone goes against morals, are they the right ones? Is what’s right truly what people want?”

Manji sadly laughed as he spoke.

“You remind me of my son.”

He patted Xavier on the head.

His expression hardened slightly.

“The greatest thing I can tell you is…”

The thunder quiets down. The rain turns into sprinkles.

“Have the courage to be disliked.”

“It doesn’t matter if people don't want the right thing, or who's right or wrong.”

Manji stands proud and says

“For the simple fact. If you believe in your heart, others will follow. Others will believe. You will attract others who may already believe. Because you're never truly the only one. There’s always one.”

The rain stops as Xavier raises his head.

Manji gives a warm smile as he speaks

“It will test you physically… And mentally.”

“There are no shortcuts in this world.”

Xavier nods slowly.

“I know.”

Manji smiles

“I can guide you.”

“But what you do with that strength…”

He points toward Xavier’s chest.

“…Is your responsibility.”

Xavier straightened himself despite the pain.

His voice was firm.

“Yes, Master.”