Clashing Blades - Arc 6

Arc 6 of Sword Art Online: Clashing Blades.

Chapter 27
I managed to make it back to Talmia later that night. I walked through the door to Adeline’s, and seeing nobody around, I quietly head upstairs and to my room, locking myself in and falling down on the bed, finally getting some real sleep after a month and a half.

---

The next morning I got up and quietly headed downstairs. Adeline was there, and she looked up to me, hearing my footsteps on the stairs.

“Ishi!” She said, rushing up to me. “When did you… God, I was so worried! I…”

I didn’t say anything as I walked over to the door, opening it.

“Ishi?” Adeline said. “Are you alright?”

“Yeah.” I say quietly. “I’ll be fine.”

I left her at that, closing the door and going to the nearest vendor for more teleport crystals, heading to Luciad after that. I didn’t know how everyone was going to take the news…

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I make it to Luciad and immediately head for Pendragon HQ. I step through into the building and head for the meeting room, seeing Knight, Trinity, and Avro there.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">All eyes were on me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Well shit…” Knight said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ishi!” Trinity rushed over to me and wrapped her arms around me, squeezing me tightly. “Oh my God! We… you’ve been gone for over a month! We thought something happened to you…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“About time you got back.” Avro said, receiving a blow to the head from a cup Knight threw at him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I’m glad you’re alright, Ishi…” Knight paused. “Where’s Misaki?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Yeah…” Trinity said, letting go of me. “Is she with you?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I say nothing. I walk up, taking Eternia off my belt and setting it down on the table.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Is… that’s Misaki’s sword…” Knight said, looking at me. “Ishi… where’s Misaki?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I don’t answer.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ishi… where is she?” He asked again.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Still, I don’t answer.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“ISHI!” He stands up and slams his fist onto the table. “Where is Misaki?!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I didn’t make it in time.” I say solemnly. “I’m sorry.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Trinity gasped behind me, putting her hands to her mouth.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Oh, shit…” Avro cursed under his breath.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Knight just slumped back down into his chair, leaning forward onto the table, interlacing his fingers together and looking down.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I see.” He said. “Why were you gone for so long?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Things came up.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I heard Trinity sniffle a bit behind me, trying to hold back tears.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“So now we’ve lost two…” Knight said. “I can only be glad we didn’t lose three.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I sit down in the nearest chair, my hand still on Eternia. Trinity rushes out of the room in a fit of tears and slams the door behind her.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I need to go after him.” I say plainly.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“No.” Knight said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“No?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Not right now. You should stay here for the time being.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Why?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Because… if you died as well, right after Gawain and Misaki… I’m afraid of what would happen.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I stand up, taking Eternia and fastening it to my side.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I won’t die.” I say. “But… you’re right. I should stay a little longer. Just to make sure everyone’s okay… Trinity didn’t look like she took it well…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I’ll check on her.” Knight said, standing up.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Alright.” I say. “I need to do something in the meantime.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I leave Knight to tend to Trinity while I leave the building. I needed to find him again. As much as I hated to admit it… I needed his help right now. I knew where to go to find him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">He was sat under the tree atop the tallest hill in Talmia plains, the one I usually visit as well. It looked like he was sleeping, but I knew he was fully aware of my presence.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Funny how nobody catches sight of you even when you hang around the same place all the time.” I tell him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">He opens one eye and looks up at me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I guess it is.” Yamato said, standing up. “What do you need?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Two things.” I say. “Information on Corbenik, and help in hunting down and killing Kamui.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Right… you recently picked Corbenik up.” He said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“But how?” I ask. “It just appeared out of nowhere… almost like I’ve had it before.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“That’s because you have.” He says. “I’ll explain. It was back when Majora had Skeith. Originally, the two were separate, that’s true. I happened about Corbenik while I was trying to fight back Majora… the two are equal in every way, yet also opposite in those same qualities. They both hold the exact same amount of power.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Why’s that?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“That I don’t know.” Yamato shrugs. “It’s always seemed strange to me why that just so happens to be. But I can tell you why you’ve awakened Corbenik out of the blue. There are a few things you need to know about both first, however.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“And what’s that?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Firstly, that not just anyone can wield either. The two are picky about who can wield them, not just on account that they’re damn hard to get without getting killed. Majora was able to wield Skeith, but he wouldn’t have a chance at using Corbenik. I was able to use Corbenik, but I couldn’t use Skeith. Only certain players are compatible with either. After I killed Majora, I managed to combine the two into one perfectly balanced weapon.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“But why did you let it go, then? Why release it back into Aincrad?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I couldn’t wield it.” He said. “I had no other choice. Over time, Skeith became the dominant of the two, while Corbenik went dormant inside. That’s why only Skeith was seen. But in truth, you were looking at both.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“So… that means…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You’re compatible with both Skeith and Corbenik, yes.” Yamato says. “Nobody else can wield both, which is why I combined the two. I didn’t want either to fall into the wrong hands again, so I made the chances of containing either practically zero.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“And you let it go to keep destroying things.” I note.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Better to destroy smaller things alone than the entire game when wielded by a player.” He said. “Corbenik has also been protecting you this entire time. By this time Majora had completely lost his sanity, but you haven’t. That’s attributed to Corbenik shielding your mind as well as your extreme mental fortitude.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I can still hear it.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“But it’s not infecting your mind to such a degree.” He told me. “However, Corbenik can only protect you for so long. You’ll have to gain complete mastery over both in order to stay alive with them. Mastery of just one will allow the other to spin out of control… that little killing spree you had almost killed you? Skeith could’ve taken control of you right there, but Corbenik managed to bring you back, and even Corbenik out of control can be dangerous to you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“So I’ll have to… master both at once?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Yes, you will.” He said. “You’re the only player in SAO capable of doing so.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“But why me? Why does it have to be me?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Fate is a strange thing, Ishi.” Yamato said. “Nobody can ever predict what will happen. The only thing we can do is deal with what we’re given.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Great…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“About dealing with Kamui.” Yamato said. “That I can’t help you with.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Why not?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“It’s your battle, Ishi.” Yamato says. “I won’t help you fight it.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Something tells me it’s not just my fight.” I say, receiving slightly surprised response from him. “You want Kamui dead too, don’t you?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Yamato looks away, a somber expression on his face.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Could say that…” He says quietly.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Then why won’t you help?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Revenge is pointless.” He says, turning to me. “I’d hope you want to kill him out of more than a desire for revenge.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I don’t need any other reason…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“But you stand for so much more, do you not?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Nothing else matters now.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Yamato gives me a long and thoughtful stare, before turning around.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You still don’t fully understand.” He says. “You have the skills but have not yet grasped the principles.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“What are you talking about?” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You’ve gotten far enough without me answering that. I think you can manage on your own.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">With that, he teleports out, leaving me alone.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Son of a bitch…” I mumble under my breath, staring up at the sky.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">There was still yet more for me to learn, then… how much stronger was I supposed to get?

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I head back to Adeline’s, walking slowly through the door, the bells chimed over me to signal my arrival. Adeline and Asuka were there, talking to each other at the bar. They both look to me, and Asuka immediately jumps from her chair and runs over to me, slamming into me and putting her arms around my chest.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I was so worried…” She said, digging her face into my chest. “Wha… what happened? Where have you been?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Misaki’s dead.” I say plainly.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Misaki’s… what?” She says.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I don’t answer.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Oh no… Ishi I’m… I’m so sorry…” Asuka says.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“So that’s what’s gotten into you…” Adeline added.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Asuka held both my hands in hers, looking up at me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Is there anything we can do?” She asks, genuine worry in her voice.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“No.” I say plainly, walking by her and going upstairs, locking myself in my room and lying down on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling, the back of my left hand resting on my forehead, thinking about everything. I lose track of time while just lying there, barely moving.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I’m not sure how much time had passed, but it was raining by the time a few knocks came on my door.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ishi?” I hear Asuka say. “It’s me, Asuka… can I come in?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I don’t answer. I stay fixed in my position, unmoving.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ishi.” She says, trying the doorknob. “C’mon, unlock the door.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Still, I do nothing. I barely even registered her wanting to get in. My mind was on other things.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Motherfucking…” I hear Asuka mutter. “Alright…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I open the door and see her reared up for a kick to bring the door down. She quickly stood up straight with her hands behind her back.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Hi!” She said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I walk past her and back to the stairs.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Where are you going?” She asks.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Going for a walk.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“It’s raining, though…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I ignore that fact and step outside. I couldn’t tell what time of day it was, but it really didn’t matter in this weather. I walk through the empty streets and out of town. I didn’t know where I was going… I really didn’t care. I was just planning on walking straight, and that was it… wherever that would take me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">---

<p class="MsoNormal">''<span style="font-size:12.0pt;line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">3 Days Later ''

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I lost track of the amount of days I had been walking… 3? Maybe more? I really didn’t care. I had been just walking non-stop for however long I’ve been out. I’ve gotten tons of messages, probably from Asuka, but I never bothered to look at them.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">My legs start to give out on me when I’m partway through a grassy field in the middle of nowhere, midday. My legs completely stop working soon after that, and I fail to keep my balance as I hit the ground, completely exhausted.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I pass out shortly after.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">---

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“He’s starting to wake up…” I hear a young boy’s voice say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ah… that’s good…” Another older girl’s voice said. “Go and tell Kirei.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Okay.” I hear the young boy say as he gets up on his feet and runs out of the room.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ngh…” I groan as I open my eyes. My vision is blurry at first, but it quickly comes back to me. I see a young girl watching over me. Bright, almost white blonde hair and pale yellow eyes. She wore a pink kimono with a magenta bottom piece.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Hey, there.” She said gently. “Are you alright?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Where am I?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Just a little house in the middle of nowhere.” She answered with a little laugh. “My little brother and I found you in the fields outside our house and we took you inside.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ah… okay, then…” I sit up and roll my shoulders a bit, looking around the room. This place looked to be a traditional Japanese house, like the ones of the Feudal era.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“My name is Sakura, by the way.” She said, smiling.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ishi.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Oh, the Blade Master, huh?” She said. “Your name reaches pretty far, even out here.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Well, that sucks for me.” I note. “I’d rather not be famous.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Well with the things they’re saying you’ve done it’d be hard not to be.” She says.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“And what are they saying I’ve done?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Well…” She thinks. “They say you’ve killed a lot of people…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Well… they wouldn’t be wrong about that.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“B-but a lot of people actually look up to you!” She quickly said to try to brighten the mood. “I mean… everyone says your skills are incredible, and a lot believe you’re a good person.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I don’t know about that, but they can think however they want.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Hey, sis.” The young boy came back into the room, sliding the door open. “Kirei wants to see him.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Thank you, Kenji.” Sakura says, standing up. “C’mon, then, Ishi. We shouldn’t keep the master waiting.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“The master?” I ask, standing up. “Who’s he?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You’ll see.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Sakura led me outside, where a small Japanese garden was placed in the middle of the house, with many plants and a small pond. The place was bigger than I had thought. She led me around the area and into another section of the house. She led me back inside and through another hallway before coming up on another room. She slid the door back open for me and I stepped through, the door quietly shutting behind me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">It was a pretty large room; multiple blades lines the walls and a few training dummies could be seen. It was evident this was a dojo of some sort. In the middle, I see a well aged man kneeling at a table, drinking a small cup of tea. He wore a black kimono with a gray bottom piece.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Uh…” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ishi.” He says to me, setting his cup down. “My name is Kirei Kyosho.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Okay…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I have heard many things about you, Blade Master.” He said. “I’ve heard you can rival even Yamato.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“In some ways…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I see…” He takes another sip of his tea, finishing the cup and pouring himself another.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Arondight was going ballistic at this point. There was something about this guy… I don’t know what.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You… you trained Yamato…” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">He is surprised when I say this, looking to me before looking back at his cup of tea, setting it down.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Yes… I did.” He said. “Both in this world and in our own. He was a student of mine in my school of kenjutsu. He was my greatest accomplishment. He surpassed me quite quickly… ah… it seems like our time together was so short.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I need you to train me.” I suddenly blurt out.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Kirei takes a sip of his tea.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“And why is that?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I need to beat Yamato.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You understand what you are asking, Blade Master?” He said. “You are asking me to train you so you can kill a former student of mine.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I… tch…” I look away. “It’s not just him… I failed to protect someone precious to me because I wasn’t strong enough…” I grasp Eternia on my belt. “She died… and I couldn’t do anything… I need to get stronger so nothing like that will happen ever again!”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Death is unavoidable, Blade Master.” He said. “Surely you know this. You’ve spilled the blood of many with your blades… how many lives have you taken? How many lives have you ruined? How many families have you destroyed? And now you speak of saving people?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I have no response to this. I only stand there, taking his words.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You do not know what you fight for…” He said, finishing off his second cup. “Which is why I will train you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“What?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Stand up straight!” He said assertively, causing me to instinctively stand up straight. “You have potential, I can see…”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">He stands up and drags the table over to a corner of the room to clear out the center.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Well, then.” He said, grabbing a katana off a nearby rack. “Let us begin, then, shall we?”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“What? I just fight you?” I ask.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I need to know what you are currently capable of.” He said. “So don’t hold back.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Ah… I don’t know…” I scratch the back of my head.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Suddenly, the old man was right in front of me, hand on his blade. I Shift out of the way and bring out my own sword, swinging it downwards and locking blades with him.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">We spin around each other and break off, striking twice more before I spin around and swing my blade at him with momentum. He ducks under the strike, however, and sweeps his leg under me, making me fall onto my back. I roll out of the way of a downward stab and plant my hand on the ground and push myself back up onto my feet.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I sweep from low, cutting upwards and striking his blade again before spinning up into the air and cutting at him again. He moves in quicker than I’d expect a man of his age to, and cuts to my side. I brace up Gilgamesh and his blade strikes my armguard, opening up his guard and allowing me to swing my blade down and nick his chest as he backs up, and comes down again, slamming his blade into mine, locking me there.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Self-taught…” He says. “And not half-bad.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">We slide our blades off each other and back up a distance.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I think I have a good understanding of what you’re capable of.” Kyosho says, sheathing his blade as I did the same. “You have skill, I’ll give you that.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“You’re not too bad yourself, old man.” I say. “I can see where Yamato gets his skills.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Yes, well, he has youth on his side. I can’t keep up with him, anymore.” He laughs. “I could barely keep up with you.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Don’t count yourself out just yet.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Oh, I’m long retired from the field of battle, I’m afraid. I find much more peace staying here with my family.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Hm.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">The door slid open, and I see Sakura there, holding a tray of tea and rice cakes.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I brought some food and tea, if you want some.” She said.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Thank you, Sakura.” Kyosho said as he got the small table from the corner of the room and brought it back into the center.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">Sakura placed the tray down onto the table.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Please, sit.” Kyosho said to me.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">I did so, taking a rice cake and biting into it. It was good… really good… it was almost as good as Adeline’s ramen.

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I must tell you, though.” Kyosho said. “This won’t be easy. I can see that you have been through much, but in order to get to where you wish to go, it will require more effort… and more sacrifice.”

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“I’ll do whatever I need to do.” I say.

<p class="MsoNormal">

<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="font-size:12.0pt; line-height:115%;font-family:"TimesNewRoman","serif"">“Very well.” He said, taking a sip of tea. “We will begin tomorrow.”

<p class="MsoNormal">