Chapter 20 - Shadow Lords part 1

Asher, his inexplicable fascination with the katana as mysterious as the blade itself, responded with a nonchalant shrug, "I can't put my finger on it, but the moment I laid eyes on it, I felt an undeniable pull."

As they returned to their guest house, Asher set about cleaning his newly acquired katana with meticulous care. Every stroke of the cloth seemed to breathe new life into the weapon. The black and red hilt, once obscured by layers of dust, now shone brilliantly, and the intricate dragon etching on the cover had become a work of art, its details vividly discernible.

With dusk settling in, exhaustion from their long and arduous journey had begun to creep in. They gathered for a simple dinner, their appetites whetted by the day's adventures.

Throughout the meal, Alexia couldn't help but voice her growing impatience. "The old man still hasn't told us what we came here for."

Henry, responded reassuringly, "He did promise that he would share the information soon. Let's give him some time."

After dinner, they retired to their respective beds. The room was enveloped in the warm, flickering embrace of the fireplace, casting a comforting glow that added to the cosiness of the setting. Asher, however, couldn't seem to detach himself from his newfound katana. He sat beside the fireplace, the weapon cradled in his hands, as if under a spell.

Observing his inexplicable attachment, Alexia finally addressed him, her tone a blend of amusement and concern. "Aren't you planning to sleep, Asher?"

Asher reluctantly tore his gaze away from the katana and replied, "I will, but I just can't seem to take my eyes off this katana. It's like there's something about it that's drawing me in."

Alexia chuckled softly. "You've become obsessed with it. Set it down and get some rest immediately. You'll need your energy for tomorrow."

Complying with her suggestion, Asher carefully placed the katana beside the fireplace and finally settled in for the night, the allure of the blade still lingering in his thoughts.

Morning came with its gentle light, and after a modest breakfast, they made their way to the old man's residence. As they approached, they found him meticulously tending to the blooming flowers in his garden, each one a testament to his dedication.

Asher greeted the old man with a warm, "Good morning, Mr. Balinor."

The old man returned the greeting with a nod, his eyes harbouring a sense of purpose. "Good morning. Please, have a seat."

They settled into their seats, ready to embark on whatever journey the old man had in store for them. Without hesitation, the old man delved into his plans for the next two days. "I will train you for two days, and if I believe you've reached the level I'm aiming for, then I'll reveal the secrets of Neverland. Do you agree to these terms?"

Henry and Asher exchanged a thoughtful glance, weighing the gravity of the decision. Finally, they both nodded in unison. "We agree."

The old man's keen eyes couldn't help but be drawn to Asher's new katana, and he inquired about it with interest. "That's a new acquisition, isn't it?"

Asher's pride was evident as he confirmed, "Yes, I bought it yesterday. How do you find it?"

Curiosity now fully engaged, Asher handed the katana to the old man for closer inspection. Yet, as soon as the elderly scholar held the weapon, an eerie sensation washed over him, and he sensed an immense loss of his magical energy.

Startled by this experience, he quickly deduced the nature of the katana. "Where did you get that? It's a cursed sword. Don't you see the word 'devil' on it? It drains your magic."

Asher, puzzled by this revelation, responded, "But I didn't feel anything. Henry, you try holding it."

Henry, exercising caution, accepted the katana and immediately shared Asher's strange sensation. "Mr. Balinor is right; it's as if your magic is being drained."

Asher, still at a loss, countered, "But I didn't feel anything at all."

The old man, deeply concerned, questioned, "How is that possible? The word 'devil' on it signifies that it was used by a devil."

Intrigued by this revelation, Asher posed a burning question, "What do you mean by 'the devil'?"

The old man embarked on an elaborate explanation, casting light on a hidden realm few had ever heard of. "A devil is a species akin to humans but residing in another dimension, much like Neverland. Devils possess an infinite reserve of magic, granting them the ability to craft cursed objects, such as this katana."

Asher, contemplating the weight of his secret and the enigmatic katana, decided to confide in the old man. Seeking permission, he asked with a hint of solemnity, "May I share something with you?"

The old man, ever the patient listener, granted his request with a simple nod. "Go ahead."

With unwavering resolve, Asher confessed, "I have a devil inside me."

The old man, initially taken aback, questioned with disbelief, "You're joking, right?"

Asher's response was firm and sincere. "No, I'm not joking. Why would I? And this black hand of mine, I made a pact with the devil, and in return, he lends me his strength."

The old man, grappling with the enormity of this revelation, found himself at a loss for words. In his eighty years of life, he had never encountered a tale quite like this, where a human and a devil were intertwined in such a peculiar bond.

Asher nodded in understanding, his sense of curiosity mingling with uncertainty. "I appreciate your help, but this whole situation is still quite baffling."

The old man, resolute in his commitment, offered further assurance. "You have my word. I will scour through every book in the library, leaving no stone unturned. If there's any information to be found, I will uncover it for you."

Grateful for the old man's dedication, Asher sincerely expressed his thanks. "Thank you so much for your assistance."

Henry, ever the practical one, interjected with a note of urgency. "As valuable as this information might be, we mustn't forget our primary goal. Time is of the essence, and we should commence our training."

Transitioning smoothly back into his role as their instructor, the old man outlined their training schedule and the overarching purpose behind their intensive exercises. With two days passing in what felt like the blink of an eye, Asher and Henry threw themselves into their training, dedicating their energy to honing their newfound skills...

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