Awakening, the tree and the sword

In an underground cavern, there is a beautiful pond and a waterfall. The waterfall shone like a giant crystal and the pond beneath it like a rippling mirror. Even though the waterfall was 5 meters tall the water fell into the pond as if someone were slowly pouring water into a glass. So much water was pouring into the pond that one would think that the cavern would be filled with water and yet all of the water seems to disappear into the pond. It was a mystery scene. The pond was giving off a gentle glow. Being the only source of light in this cavern. There was darkness further into the cavern but what was back there could only wait to be discovered.

Not far from the pond was a small hill. At the top of this hill was a tree about 1.5 meters wide and only 3 meters tall. The leaves of this tree where a crystal jade color. It was a beautiful work of art. At the top of this tree was a fruit that hung heavily on its branch at the top of the tree as if it would fall at the slightest bit of force. This fruit was a fleshy pink color and was shaped like a peach. With droplets of water on it. It was a very tantalizing looking fruit.

Below the tree was a short sword and a sheath. The hilt of the sword was light-blue and red with white clouds here and there same with the sheath. The blade of the sword was covered in cracks as if it would break soon after it was swung. From hilt to tip of the blade the sword was only 2 feet long with the blade taking up 18 inches.

Only the soft trickling of the waterfall could be heard in the surroundings. That was until a soft grunt sounded. At the shore of the pond, a green wolf cub was growing in size. Within several seconds it went from the size of a hamster to a 5'6 green-haired human. Strangely enough, the fur that was on his body changed into a green set of clothing along with a pair of Goggles that came from almighty knows where. The human stayed still for several long moments before stiffly beginning to move. Along with a barrage of popping coming from his body that resembles fireworks. The human begins a slow stretch while opening his eyes, revealing a pair of golden eyes. Although he wasn't handsome his hair, eyes and the dark red whisker-like lines on his face would have anyone giving him a second look. Obviously, this human was Luke.

Looking around Luke was hoping he would see some signs of Kestrel. Other than the waterfall, pond, and tree. He only saw glass bits under his feet and a weird trail that went up the hill. Bending over to pick up one of the pieces of glass, his back and thighs issued several pops that made his body numb for a split second, making him fall forward. Before he could regain control of his body his hand fell on a relatively large piece of glass earning him a large gash on his finger. Although it stung a bit he had felt worst so he checked to see if any smaller pieces were stuck in there. Seeing none he dipped his hand into the pond to wash it. It might have been his imagination but the pond seemed to flash a bit brighter.

Still bleeding a little he figured his innate would give him a quick fix. Although he wanted to check his status, he really wants to know where he was first. Heading for the tree he didn't notice that the blood dripping from his finger would disappear into the hill as soon as it hit the ground and the pond behind him would flash every drop. He also didn't notice that his innate seemed to not be working at the moment. Some of the blood dropped onto roots of the tree and the fruit on top of it would dip more and more as if it would fall soon. At the moment his attention was on the wakizashi in front of him. Since it was the only item he could reach at the moment he paid it more mind.

The sword was leaning slightly against the tree. After staring at it for almost a minute to see if there were any tricks he shrugged his shoulders and reached for the hilt. As soon as he grabbed the hilt he also rubbed his finger against the tree when he finally noticed his hand was still bleeding. Before he could even question it his body froze in place and the sword in front of him started to glow slightly not only that but the tree started to shake as well. Cursing himself for his curiosity he started praying to the almighty that he wouldn't get himself killed.

Suddenly his chakra shroud activated on his hand and he could feel his chakra slowly leaving his body. The sword began to glow green and the cracks on it began to slowly mend. After 5 minutes the sword no long had cracks on it and Luke suddenly felt a connection with it. He started hearing a murmur in his ear but he couldn't make it out as if it was blocked by a wall. Try as he might he just couldn't hear what was being said. He was still frozen stiff and he kept staring at the sword in confusion. Even though it wasn't taking anymore chakra he could still hear the murmur. He felt like it was getting clearer by the second. After a few more minutes he suddenly heard a snap above him. He still couldn't move but he was sure something was about to happen. The snapping sound kept up for another minute before a pop was heard and the sound of something falling could be heard. To Luke's dismay, he could fell his neck and head moving by itself and he was suddenly facing upwards. He finally got a glimpse at what was falling and the first thing that came to mind was 'Ass cheeks?'

Involuntarily his mouth opened wide and the pair of 'Ass cheeks' fell straight into his mouth and seemed melt. Wide-eyed Luke fell backward just in time to dodge a branch of the tree fall to the ground and lay on top of the sheath there. It quickly withered up before turning into dust and flying into the sheath. Though Luke didn't notice this since he was stunned. There was a sweetness in his mouth that he couldn't help but swallow. As if he just drunk the sweetest nectar before realizing he swallowed something hard too. He could feel it traveling down his throat at a slow pace and just as it got to the base of his neck he felt it shrink. A warm current flashed across his chest before settling in his heart.

He then got several 'Ding!' Prompts and wanted to check them but suddenly the sheath that was on the ground flew up and slide onto the sword. As soon as that happened the murmur became clear.

"Why does one pick up a sword?"

"Why does one pick up a ssword?

He heard two voices in his head. Although the sounded similar there were slight differences. Since he didn't say anything the voice was heard again.

"Why does one pick up a sword/ssword?"

This time the voice almost sounded as one but the ending was still different. Luke began to rack his brain and suddenly he could remember all the novels, manga and anime he read or watched about people who fault with swords. After a moment they began to come together about the reasons the picked up a sword. Those who were evil or considered evil. Those who had no choice. Those who consider themselves good or righteous. They picked them up for several reasons. Revenge? Bloodthirst? Lunacy? Hated? Survival? To protect? To guide? To forge a path? To grow stronger? For fun? To rule over? ect...

Why do they pick up the sword?

As if they read my mind the asked another question.

"Why do you pick up a sword/Ssword?"

Why do I pick up a sword? Memories of my life flashed before my eyes. When I was rich and wanted attention I use to hand out my money to anyone and everyone. I wanted to be surrounded by people who relied on me or rather relied on my wealth. When I started up my gaming business. I wanted to show my parents I didn't need their money to make my own. Funny thing I was never even able to get off the ground before the pasted away. The time when they died was horrible everything happened so quickly. In the blink of an eye, I had lost everything and ended up living in a cage to lock myself away from those outside.

When I was transferred to the lobby zone and heard about the fight I was forced to take part in how did I feel? Hopeless right? At the time I didn't care about the war that was going to happen. Was I given a choice? Did my opinion matter? Would I be able to turn the fight around alone? I was just a normal person. I've never fought before. Nor have I even hated anyone enough to attack them out of spite. I never used my money to bully anyone. Did I consider myself a saint? No! Did I consider myself a devil? No! Could I have used my money to give others a good life? Save a starving child? Save a dying man or woman? I could have but why should I? Does it make me evil if I didn't save these people I didn't know? Would I get false satisfaction from doing 'good' deeds? I feel like I would have just drawn more starving people to me. More dying people to me. Could I save them all? No!

So what reason do I need a sword? Isn't it obvious? FOR MYSELF! Yes! I would use it for myself! If I need it for revenge, then I will use it for revenge! If I need it for survival, then I will use it for survival! If I need it to protect someone I love then I will slaughter the threat. Does that make me evil!? Does it make me good!? No! It makes me MYSELF! If a God is the threat then kill God! If the buddha is the threat then kill Buddha! If the devil is the threat then kill the devil! I'm doing it for my sake! Not for others! I don't care what expectations they have of me. It's their fault for having them. If I need my sword to grow stronger then let it pierce the heavens. If there's someone I want to kill then even if they hide in hell! My sword will find them! If someone wants to hurt me then I will hurt them if they target my loved ones I will target theirs! So what do I need a sword for!? I need it for MYSELF! To live how I want!

After a few moments of silence, the sword asked another question.

"What is a ssword to you?" This time it was one voice. I took a breath and though one sentence. 'It can be anything!'

After thinking this Luke suddenly had a burst of exhaustion. Once again his eyes became heavy and he slumped against the tree. Before falling asleep he heard the voice again.

"If that' sss how you feel about the sword then so be it! My name is Shinso! I hope I live up to your expectations as much as you live up to mine. I will become your Anything!"

These were the last word he heard before falling to sleep for the nth time. The sword in his hand flashed once before falling to his side. The pond also flashed multiple times before flashing one last time and going silent.