Chapter 14: Revelation's Blade

Ezio's grip tightened on his dagger as he led Bane through the winding alleys towards Lady Morgana's quarters. The air was thick with tension, each step echoing the unspoken distrust between them. Bane followed closely, his mind racing with possibilities and doubts.

The village was bustling despite the late hour, with children—adults in child-sized bodies—going about their tasks with a grim determination. Bane caught glimpses of wary glances and heard snippets of hushed conversations. The villagers' mistrust was palpable, a constant reminder of the uphill battle he faced.

They finally reached a modest stone building, its windows aglow with a warm light. Ezio pushed open the door without ceremony, and the two stepped inside. The interior was cluttered with shelves of ancient tomes, bubbling potions, and strange artifacts. At the center of the room, seated at a wooden table, was Lady Morgana.

While Morgana was a child, it was easy to see from her cute features and formidable presence she would grow into an unrivaled beauty. Her long silver hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her piercing blue eyes seemed to see right through Bane. She looked up from the book she was reading, her gaze sharp and inquisitive.

"Ezio," she said, her voice smooth and commanding, "what brings you here at this hour? And who is this with you?"

Ezio bowed slightly. "Lady Morgana, this is Bane. He claims to be a Heaven's Blessed but insists he lacks the abilities typical of one. He challenges us to prove it through your magic."

Morgana arched an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "Interesting. Step forward, Bane."

Bane obeyed, stepping into the center of the room. Morgana rose gracefully, her eyes never leaving his. She made a series of intricate hand movements, chanting softly under her breath. A soft glow surrounded her hands, growing brighter as she approached Bane.

"This spell will reveal the truth," she said, her voice echoing with power. "If you are lying, there will be no escape."

Bane nodded, his heart pounding. "Do it."

Morgana placed her glowing hands on Bane's shoulders. He felt a warm sensation spread through his body, followed by a tingling that made his skin prickle. The light intensified, enveloping them both in a radiant aura.

Morgana's eyes widened, and a gasp escaped her lips. She stepped back, her expression a mix of awe and confusion. "This... This is unprecedented."

Ezio stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "What do you see, Lady Morgana?"

Morgana took a deep breath, composing herself. "He speaks the truth. He is not a typical Heaven's Blessed. There is no class, no system, no party capability. But there is something else... Ahh!"

Morgana suddenly screamed, and then stumbled back from Bane, but with his quick reactions, he caught her hand. Ezio was the next second, sending a kick to Bane's stomach to send him flying as he caught Morgana before she could fall again. Bane hit the wall, and then the ground to roll around as he tried to catch his breath.

"What have you done?!" Ezio roared as he glared at Bane, but Morgana opened her eyes, and put a finger to his lip to silence him.

"He did nothing. There is something inside of him that doesn't take lightly to people probing inside his mind. I am sure that whatever is inside him could have killed me if it wanted, but let me off with a warning this time," Morgana explained, and then looked at Bane. "He is not from this world, but he is also nothing like any of the Heaven's Blessed I have interrogated."

Bane struggled to his feet, the pain from Ezio's kick still radiating through his body. He wiped the dirt from his face and tried to steady his breathing. Morgana's revelation hung heavily in the air, the implications vast and uncertain.

Morgana motioned for Ezio to help her stand, then looked back at Bane, her expression unreadable. "You carry within you something powerful, something ancient. It reacts to magic probing, but it didn't harm me—only warned me. This is... intriguing."

Ezio's eyes flicked between Morgana and Bane, the suspicion still evident but tempered by curiosity. "What does this mean for us? For him?"

Morgana took a moment to gather her thoughts. "It means that Bane is an anomaly. He doesn't fit into the established rules of our world, and yet he possesses a potential that we cannot ignore. He is a wild card, but one that could be invaluable if guided correctly."

Bane felt a mix of relief and trepidation. "So, what now? How do we proceed?"

Morgana approached Bane, her demeanor softer but still cautious. "You need to understand and harness whatever it is inside you. This won't be easy, and it won't be without risks, but it could be the key to everything."

Ezio folded his arms, his posture still defensive. "And how do we know he won't turn on us once he gains power?"

Bane met Ezio's gaze, determination burning in his eyes. "I didn't come here to be your enemy. I want to help, to understand this world and my place in it. But I need your trust and your guidance."

Morgana nodded slowly. "Then we shall start with the basics. You need to immerse yourself in the study of magic, of our world, and its history. The books Lysia provided are a good start, but I will also teach you. There are nuances and secrets that books alone cannot convey."

At the mention of Morgana Teaching Bane magic, his eyes widened in excitement as he rushed over to push Ezio out of the way, and take Morgana's hands in his. "Are you serious?! You mean I don't have to learn from Lysia?!"

Before Bane could get his answer, Ezio intervened, pulling Bane away from Morgana. "Show some respect, Bane," he growled, his eyes flashing with anger. Bane stumbled back, his excitement tempered by Ezio's reaction.

Morgana gently placed a hand on Ezio's arm, her touch calming him. "It's alright, Ezio," she said softly. She then turned her attention back to Bane, a small smile playing on her lips. "Yes, I will teach you. But understand this: my lessons will be rigorous, and I will not tolerate any disrespect."

Bane nodded eagerly, trying to hide his elation. "I understand. I won't let you down."

Ezio watched the interaction with a tight jaw, his emotions swirling. His unspoken feelings for Morgana made it difficult to accept this arrangement, but he knew she was right. Bane's potential was too significant to ignore.

Morgana released Ezio's arm and addressed Bane with a serious tone. "Your training will start tomorrow at dawn. We have much to cover, and time is of the essence."

Bane nodded, determination shining in his eyes. "I'll be ready."

Ezio stepped closer to Morgana, his voice low and strained. "Are you sure about this, Morgana? He's still an unknown."

Morgana met Ezio's gaze, her expression resolute. "I am, Ezio. Bane's potential is unprecedented, and if we're to survive what's coming, we need every advantage we can get. Besides," she added, her eyes flickering to Bane, "he's shown he's willing to learn and adapt. That counts for something."

Bane felt a surge of gratitude toward Morgana. He was finally beginning to see a path forward, a way to make a difference in this world and perhaps even bridge the gap between the two worlds he straddled.

Ezio sighed, his shoulders relaxing slightly. "Fine. But I'll be keeping an eye on him. One wrong move, and I'll be there."

Morgana nodded. "I wouldn't expect anything less." She turned to Bane, her expression softening. "Rest for now. Tomorrow will be a long day."

Bane nodded, feeling a strange sense of hope. "Thank you, Lady Morgana. I won't disappoint you."

As Bane left the building, he could feel Ezio's eyes boring into his back. He knew earning Ezio's trust would be a long and difficult process, but it was a challenge he was willing to face. For now, he needed to focus on the tasks ahead.

He made his way back to the small room he had been given, thoughts swirling in his mind. The future was uncertain, and the road ahead was fraught with danger and uncertainty. But for the first time in a long while, Bane felt like he had a purpose.

Before he could fall asleep, Eve's voice made his eyes snap open. 'You have been really pushing people today... Aren't you worried one of them might kill you?'

Bane nodded to himself. 'I am, and If I am being honest, I don't know why I am acting so rashly. Though, I didn't really feel like I was in danger. Before, I felt like if I breathed wrong they would kill me, and I am sure that some people still wouldn't hesitate.'

'Yes, it's a dangerous line you're walking, but sometimes risks have to be taken to achieve something greater,' Eve replied thoughtfully. 'You're starting to make connections and push boundaries. It's a delicate balance, but it's necessary.'

Bane sighed, running a hand through his hair as he lay on the thin mattress. 'I get that, but it's still nerve-wracking. Especially with Ezio. That guy's just waiting for me to slip up.'

'Use that to your advantage. His suspicion means he's watching you closely. Show him your intentions are genuine. Actions speak louder than words, Bane.'

With a nod, Bane closed his eyes, letting the exhaustion of the day finally pull him into a restless sleep.