Judgement...

"So, your training with the old man is finished. Now you are starting the academic studies? I had forgotten how it feels. It's been looooong time ago since I had my training and education. Mind you, it was a crude one. Whatever knowledge I have today is gained by the experience I accumulated over eo...., I mean years." The vast, black creature or a person which Pheonix was yet to conclude, spoke.

The god of death, still refused to reveal his identity to the boy. But over these past few years it had developed a liking, a kind of fondness towards the boy. Even though the boy was stubborn, fearless and defiant . He was the most obedient and humble boy when it comes to listening to the death god's words, stories, about his vast knowledge. He was the best listener that the god of death had ever came across. Not that, he had, had anyone to listen to him in the first place. But it was a new feeling for the god of death. It was like having a friend with whom you can talk freely and not being judged for it.

There were few cult and individuals in almost every world who worshiped the god of death. But it was nothing like what he felt when he was with this kid.

"Yes. Master Bulan had left for a journey and he had promised to meet me after the completion of my academic studies. The academy will start tomorrow and I have to study for three years."

"By the way, who was your teacher/Master?"

The god of death was slightly taken aback by this question. But it was a logical one. The vast creature's lips slightly curled up. "Kid, can you believe if I say that the god of creation himself had taught me the basics and instructed me to learn about everything else out of my own experience?"

Pheonix sat silent for a minute then shrugged. " Why not? You are so knowledgeable, so powerful and by the looks of it very..... Very old. I definitely would agree if you are serious about your claims."

The god laughed heartily for a looong time. Then he looked at Pheonix still a warm smile on his face. " You are one unbelievable Kid, you know that. I am serious when I said that I was guided by the god of creation. As you know, I won't lie to you. And thank you child. I had never been so happy and laughing so hard in centuries."

Then the being drew out a black sword from its body. "Here take this. This is 'Judgement'. A sword I used to wield when I was a boy. I think you might be a worthy one to wield it."

"Remember this, the sword will decide if your are worthy or not. If it feels you are not one ment to wield it, then you will not be able to even touch it."

The god of death placed one of the most powerful sword in existence infront of the boy

Curious, the boy picked it us and unsheathed it. The aura that was released was simply unimaginable. Pheonix summised that it's aura alone could kill many weak creature or person.

The god was surprised to see the kid wield the sword with such ease and even stand unwavering holding it in his hand and inspecting it curiously.

"I believe the sword likes you kid. Just put a drop of your blood on the gem embeded on the bottom of the hilt and it will be soul bounded to you. No one expect you can wield or draw it from it's sheath. Once you die, it will come back to me."

Curious & exited, Pheonix bit his finger and smeared the blood on the ruby embedded at the bottom of the hilt. As soon as his blood touched the ruby, he felt a kind of tugging inside his heart and the sword vanished from his hand. Simultaneously he felt a new presence inside his heart. The presence was palpable and he had a feeling that, if he want to get the sword, he just have to stretch his hand. And as expected, when he stretched his left hand forward thinking of the sword, it materialized.

Excellent kid. I don't think you need any guidance to summon the sword. Now try to restore it, inside your soul again?

Pheonix, closed his eyes and unclenched his left hand. Instead of falling down, the sword vanished again, appearing inside his soul.

"Now, remember this kid. It's better for now to keep this a secret, even from your family. I don't see any situations where you might have to use the sword infront of anyone in the near future. Do not draw the sword unnecessarily. Use only when in dire situation or when you feel you have to pass a Judgement."

"Remember it well....."

After saying that, the vast being disappeared. When Pheonix opened his eyes, it was almost time for sunrise. He still had the feeling of the sword inside his soul. And when he saw his right thumb, he still had the bite mark and dried blood. Shocked, he tried to summon it.....

BAM..... the sword appeared in his hand.

In utter shock and awe, Pheonix inspected the sword carefully. It had a simple Black hilt with a small red ruby embedded on its bottom. The sheath was also black, soft to touch, unmarked and felt sturdy. It looked like it was made up of an unknown beasts hide.

He drew the blade slightly to inspect and felt the air around his suddenly shift and the temperature fell by a few degrees. The blade was around 3 inches wide with extremely sharpe edges on both sides. He sheathed the sword back and restored it inside his soul, when the door of the room opened and Simon and Wesley burst into the room looking slightly panicked.

What happened father, grandfather? Pheonix looked innocent and looked as if he had gotten up from their sudden entrance.

Both of them looked around and were puzzled. "Son what was that aura we just felt?" Simon looked towards his son.

"Aura!? I didn't felt anything father. Infact I was just waking up when both of you entered the room."

Both his father and grandfather left his room after looking around for a few more seconds and then out of the window also.Both were wearing confused looks when they left the room.

Pheonix sighed in relief and chided himself for not being careful. I will never take it out unless the situation is dire. And I hope that situation will not come for next couple of decades. Then he got up, did his exercises, took a bath and got ready for his first day at the academy.

After an early breakfast, all the family members got into their carriages and started towards the academy. They wanted to be at the academy before others started to arrive and avoid people crowding around them. After travelling for almost a thirty minutes, they reached infront of a huge gate.

Everyone got down from their carriage and decided to walk from there. When Pheonix looked at the wall, he found it to be taller than the one built around the town. There were no visible guards on top of the wall, but he felt the mana fluctuations in the air.

Curious, he walked forward and touched the stone wall. Cool to the touch, it felt soft and slippery. He felt like he was trying to hold the Wrigley and slippery fish in his bare hand. Which he had held thousands of times previously during his training.

Suddenly, Pheonix grabbed the air, tightened his first and pulled hard. The shimmer on the rock wall and the aura in the air suddenly vanished. And immediately an alarm started to ring inside the academy.