Ice Realm

Location: Ice Realm

Slayer made himself comfortable in the cave. Meditating for a while and working on the enchantments on other blades to keep his Mind Palace expanding. When he found some free time he removed the golden hilt katana on his belt. He stared at the sheathed blade pouring chi into it with his Mind Palace to speak with the weapon's soul, 'What do you want now?' a male metallic voice said. The blade trembled in irritation in Slayer's hands. "Will you obey me now? I have proven myself to you Sun Shard. You are mine and mine alone" Slayer stated. The voice of the sword laughed, 'I believe I'm the one who chooses the wielder not the other way around. Yes, you killed my previous owner, the Light King. As I have already stated to you I will choose my wielder when I have seen a worthy warrior. You have to earn my respect. Yes, you have done well proving yourself a great warrior in a combat sense. Why not show some creativity to your swordsmanship and combat?' The sword suggested. The Slayer was silent, "My creativity?" He asked. "You're an artist right? I've seen you sketch on this journey. Your forge ability as well shows the same. So I know you're creative, why not add something else to your fighting style. Your elemental powers are growing nicely, but you lack refinement' the sword spoke with an insulting tone.

Slayer shook his head, "If I do that I take it you will submit?" Slayer asked. The sword said nothing and the conversation ended there. Slayer put the sword back on his belt and stood up ready to leave the cave. He produced a flame on his palm to give some semblance of warmth while walking through the snowstorm.

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Hours passed and he was staring at a compass in his hand. As he scanned the landscape he could see a bright blue star hovering above the sky. It was so massive it was visible even through the veil of snow. 'What does that lead to?' He thought. He felt a presence of chi somewhere behind him.

His chi sense was telling him that he is being stalked from a distance. He then found a boulder in some rock formations and made a run for it hiding behind it. He then manifested the bow and Stag Mask. He was ready and stayed out of sight. The group of warriors appeared in sight. The young girl bent down looking at his tracks and the other two kept their eyes open looking around. Stopping at the rock formation. A light arrow then pierced the snow by the girl creating a ball of light to erupt. This then blinded the warriors who then became disoriented. Slayer then sprang into action grabbing the girl putting a red blade to her neck.

Slayer holding the girl hostage. The other two warriors stood in dismay with their weapons drawn. "Why are you following me?" He asked. They then spoke to him in a different language. He didn't understand them. The male warrior pointed at him sheathing his weapons. He then beckoned for him to follow. With hesitation he released the girl. She panicked and ran away from him immediately. Slayer dismissed his red blade and then followed behind, still cautious keeping his distance from the group as they trudged through the snow. He kept his senses on high alert as they walked. 'If this is a trap?' He thought.

They came to a village of ice huts like igloos with rock roofs. In the center of the village of huts stood a giant one in the middle where they were headed. Other Blue Skin warriors and civilians were working on their tasks. But they all stopped to stare at the stranger in their village. They entered the giant hut where a shaman sat with twenty warriors all circling around a blue fire. The three warriors dispersed taking positions in the corners of the hut. In front of Slayer was a cloth. The shaman gestured for him to sit. He obliged by sitting down. "So you are the one traveling worlds and disrupting order? Heard you have a nickname now. They call you the Red Demon right?" The shaman said, speaking his language. "Call me what you want," Slayer stated. "Is that the Demon King's crown you wear?" He asked, pointing at the Oni mask upon Slayer's face. "No, this mask was made for me by my master," he answered. Shaman nodded at it, "Seems terrifying to look at" he said with a hint of sarcasm.

"So the World's test has come. What might be your personal endgame to all this be?" He asked. "Not your concern," Slayer replied. "Oh! But it is! Your actions will impact us all. Who takes over during a time of transcension of a monarch is tense. There will be more bloodshed from this. Others will think they're worthy over the one chosen by the World. If it be this realm, or the many others. You are a pebble in an ocean making ripples into waves. People are connected to their king and what happens to their king will bring them torment, or joy depending on the realm. We are ruled by the World as well and they are using you to clean the house as it were? Wouldn't you agree?" The shaman says. "I have a task. I swore an oath there is no negotiating with me" Slayer replies.

"Ah so honor drives you?" Shaman asked. "Don't recall saying honor had anything to do with my task" Slayer said with a bitter tone. "Still you're taking down those who have reigned for centuries. These Kings are on the Celestial Step do you know what that means?" the shaman waited for his answer, "They will transcend into Godhood and one step closer to being on par with the World?" Shaman looked taken aback.

"And you're still willing to assist the World in basically snuffing out the competition?" Slayer shook his head at this. "Your views are clearly clouded. The World has never disrupted anyone from being on par with it. Transcending in the cultivation journey is part of the balance put in place by the World" , 'It's my goal too and the World has given steps to make that happen' he thought. It was true the World didn't mind having fellow associates in the pantheon of the universe. There were already thousands of them roaming the universe. The last rank being Primordial is what all in the realms wanted. To make changes to make a stroke on the universal painting. Free from death, free from hunger, free from everything that ties mortals to the ground. Transcending wasn't something the World was hindering. What they hindered was disruption to order. If given power of a Primordial the current regimes would plunge the universe into chaos. Slayer saw the bigger picture, and if that meant suffering was to happen. It could pave the way to peace and balance once again.

Shaman sighed at this statement. "A to be young." he stood being helped by a beautiful tall blue female warrior. The shaman then approached standing over Slayer who was seated "You are a child playing war. If you ask me, your very reason is a camouflage for what you're really doing here. I'll let you have your secrets. You want the Winter King, yes?" The shaman replied. Slayer nodded.

He then walked past him staring at the fire. "You will find the king atop the mountain in the center of the valley. Go north by following the blue star and only north otherwise you won't find it. I'll allow you to rest here and I'll give you supplies out of charity. Make no mistake though you are not welcome here Red Demon. Personally I hope the king kills you. My task in this land was appointed by him to let whoever wants to fight him pass. He likes a good sport and must be bored being as old as he is. So I do my duty to my king" he pointed to a warrior he began to talk in his language saying, "Show him to a hut give him supplies" the warrior nodded. He then turned to look at the Slayer, "Slayer after you've rested for a night be on your way and never come here again" Shaman had an adamant tone to this command.

"Stay away from my people and be polite. If you so much as touch our women or fight my warriors. Cause any problems at all and I'll have you executed! Give the king all your gains as tribute. That all understood Slayer?" Shaman said glaring at him with glowing blue eyes. Slayer nodded, stood and headed out of the hut. "That sword?" Slayer stops. "Is that what I think it is?" The shaman asked. Slayer looked over his shoulder, "It's not important. Just a sword" he said walking out of the hut. Shaman smiled 'Sun Shard the treasure of Heaven. That aura is unmistakably from the Heavenly Realm?' The shaman thought.