"Ancient Blade" (005)

- Desert, Tuesday, 10:00 am -

The shattered walls of the old ruins stood before our Hero within the Desert, further within Sangan yet still on its boundaries.

"These are the Ancient Catacombs? It's a run-down suburb."

- Ancient Catacombs, Tuesday, 10:03 am -

"I should and would want to warn you once again... This may be a tragedy and a terrible finish... If you don't plan or want to take such risks, I urge you to back off. We still have time to go on a retreat."

Despite Mathis' warning, Tim took a step closer and raised his head to investigate the massive ruins in front of him. "No... I'm alright... And if not, there will be no prosperity for me." The gust arrived, blowing the two guys' threads.

"If you insist, I'll oblige. Then let us leave, and I wish you luck and a successful outcome."

- Ancient Catacombs, Tuesday, 10:10 am -

For the time being, their journey was one of fortune. However, there was a chance that our Hero's risk would disappear into the depths of his thoughts.

"A Spiritual Blade that couldn't be used by another Duelist... What a distraction... But, on the bright side, I'm Bladeless, so there's a possibility, and if so, I'll be more than ready to solve this universal conundrum that's unfolding right now in our era. Once I get the blade, I'll look into finding the others..."

"So then, Tim. I appear to say but take note... You look to be extremely serious about this, even confident... But what if your story is a misery, and all you have to look forward to is death?"

"When I take chances on my own, I can't blame anybody else or regret it... Decisions I make are the amoral tale I tell myself, which means that no matter what happens, I'll insist on living, and if I can't, I'll find a way."

"I like your self-assurance... Many other Duelists died despite having nothing except dread."

"So, then... That might have been the reason for their failure... When a sword devotes itself to a human's body, it connects with their Soul, and if that Soul consists of brightness, confidence, and a proper cause... The blade will listen... 'It' is the major source of trust between a Blade and its user."

"I'm guessing you've come from a variety of backgrounds... That must imply you've been blessed with the fortune of a strong exception."

"What I sense is not 'exception,' but a dependable Blade that must be handled by the respectable wielder..."

"Then I might as well share some potentially useful information with you... The blade is made from a combination of our Kinetics. It is similar to devoting a sword between a person and Kineticism, and therefore it comes with fortune. The blade 'Yokubō Kaitai' has yet to be wielded, perhaps because it is stronger than a human or because of its wisdom. It doesn't appear to fit connecting with a natural human or a Spiritual Duelist... It has abilities that many swords lack..."

"How does that component fit together?"

"Its major feature is its ability... It is the first Blade with unusual potential for independence... Six of our Kinetics may be mixed together by the blade. As a result, you may require more than one Kineticism to wield it."

"A blade with a unique Spiritual Capacity? Then, of course, there's no surprise... A novice Duelist would struggle to handle such a strong weapon."

"A dubious way of thinking, yet one that is pleasant... After that, proceed through the bottom door... Its catacombs can be found there."

They both entered the lower catacombs, where a sword seemed to be lodged in the earth.

It seemed to be a claymore, measuring larger than a standard blade, and its hilt appeared to have a serpent representation, while the blade appeared to be near to fangs, otherwise known as a razor blade, and the diamond that functioned as two serpent eyes on the blade's hilt was deactivated.

"That would be the Blade... Because of its serpent fangs and head resemblance, many people refer to it as the Serpent Blade."

"However, rumor has it that once the Serpent Blade is handled by the proper possessor, it will morph to resemble the wielder."

"Speaking of 'owner,' a Blade that activates itself under the same impression as the owner... Who, after all, was the original owner?"

"We currently do not know anything about it, nor do we have an answer. That is, I have no idea."

"I understand... However, this sword looks to be quite rare..." But, eventually, our Hero moved forward and stood in the center, visioning the sword in front of him as it illuminated the two serpent eyes.

Then, as Tim stood in front of the blade, a black typhoon began to radiate itself from the sword, shadowing the room while tearing down the walls, producing a storm that couldn't be stopped just by standing motionless or naturally.

Tim's black jacket and the white hood on his neck, attached to his white hoodie, were waving wildly, and his practically ripped blue trousers made our Hero more serious, and suddenly the black wind began to create a ghostly figure, connected to the blade's hilt.

Summoning a Dark Spirit, which turned to face our Hero.

"What must you say to me, you who have ventured to enter these catacombs? Why are you here?" Tim's determination was fueled by the female's inquiry.

"I've come here to get my hands on that Blade... After the 'Black Storm,' my Spiritual Blade was removed from my Spiritual Symbolism..."

"You, a mere adolescent, imagine you can wield the Ancient Blade? Such effort is uncommon, or do my eyes detect my imagery?"

"They aren't... As I already stated, if that Blade is here to select my religion, then so be it... But I might let you down... This 'Ancient Blade,' which you dare to declare cannot be handled by someone like me, twists my thoughts and utters a fact... The blade will identify me as its potential wielder, but it does not need to be mighty."

"You are still a child, and you expect this Blade to listen to you, despite the fact that countless adults have perished as a result of its incredible strength?"

"I must be hearing things. A Spirit who spreads rumors but doesn't think a youngster could wield a sword like this... That is a blunder in which even a Spirit like you should not abide."

"I sense you, but I'm guessing you're not planning on leaving... If you are certain that you can handle this 'Ancient Blade,' Then give it a go... But I'm not going to be disappointed..."

"Even a Spirit, I suppose, may reason with a human... But I won't be let down, and you might be... After all, I've already managed to wield a Holy Light-created Blade." Our Hero observed that the mysterious Spirit had become stressed and smiled at her.

Finally, Tim, who had been recognized for his amazing history and past, climbed up to the blade, grabbing for the blade's hilt.

And the black wind pushed out, beyond Tim's body, the moment his skin made contact with the hilt of the 'Ancient Blade.' In a matter of seconds, the connection between the blade and the user had become much stronger, and the blade was drawn out of the earth, impressing both Mathis and the Unknown Spirit, as the sword curled out a significant black aura that began to form itself differently.

When the hilt changed considerably, the blade changed size as well, becoming shorter, thinner, and curving up.

Tim rapidly swung the sword from the front to the side from his right arm and behind his back, while a black aura continued to emanate from the blade, and soon a black tempest rose around his body and blasted by.

The Unknown Spirit that was hovering in front of Tim looked to be amusedly astonished and couldn't believe what her eyes beheld. "How do you feel about me now? Whatever weapon is in my way, it will not deter me from wielding or dueling..."

"I'm blown away... A Spiritual Duelist who appeared at random and had not quite reached maturity ascended to the sword and called its strength, joining one by one and even altering its shape... I had not anticipated being exposed to such insight... When a fine guy admits that he carries a sword, the trust grows... Amazing, absolutely wonderful... I'm sorry if my statements were misconstrued... You, young guy, are capable of wielding the 'Yokubō Kaitai'."

"However, there is one more thing you must do to prove to me that you are the desired Wielder of 'Yokubō Kaitai.' As a result, you will be put to the test in a duel..."

"You want me, to have a duel?" And who should be my opponent?"

When the Unknown Spirit received an actual physical body, it began to swirl about, becoming a feminine body. She took a step forward and held the transparency of 'Yokubō Kaitai.'"

"I... Dear Guest will be your foe."

"That's fine with me... If simply holding the blade isn't enough to convince you that I'm the proper Wielder... Then I'll think about accepting your Duel..."

"Magnificent... But try not to speak too loudly... I am not an easy opponent to persuade to be wrong."

"As I already stated... good by me."

The Duel started quickly, with the Spirit scattering her soles on the floor and sprinting for the opening attack.

Stepping ahead, she landed her right sole forward, cutting sideways and sending an unaware cut that had summoned an immediate wind distortion.

However, our Hero's previous training had reduced his opponent's triumph and he instantly hovered back onto his soles, recognizing that the black distortion had begun to shower about his body.

But, once again, years of training had resulted in Tim being born for battling, so with a twist of his right foot, he stomped, heavier than expected, and quickly vanished in the darkness, startling his opponent while reappearing at the back of the Spirit.

In the middle of a jump, he lifted his sword and stretched it in front of his neck, adjacent to his left arm, which was held over the blade, and shortly, the Hero who was unraveling the history of the 'Black Storm' devoted an oblique cutting stroke.

But his assailant, the Unknown Spirit, spun on the spot, quickly crossing over her front right leg while cutting back at the same time, making both blades clash in a metal sound, and by the strength, both of them received a knockback, and our Hero demonstrated his skill by hurling his body back toward the wall and attaching himself to it.

"I appear to have misjudged your talent," the Spirit said, but when our Hero stood on the back wall of the tombs, he sliced his sword to the side and bounced onto his soles, landing by twirling his blade.

A received smile cursed our Hero's front adversary, and soon, his body vanished into the ascent of one's speed limit, when utilizing his newfound talent to his advantage that increased to the unknown, and soon, a cut was heard on the Spirit's own sword, getting another knockback of an arm.

But that wasn't all; instead of completing his assault, our noble Hero emerged in a flash, just behind the Spirit, before slipping back and, not long after, hurling forward by swinging his blade.

But the Spirit's fate was on its side, and by turning around on the spot, she handed him a blockage, only to find him in midair, then landing.

Tim vanished into pure air again a few seconds later, as he began to construct a translucent barrier of electricity, which boosted his speed even further.

A move he hadn't expected, and the Kineticism he'd never fully welded, came up to his intelligence, and soon, the electrical slashes started to cut from every conceivable direction, bouncing and flattening his opponent about, as it couldn't outperform his years of preparation.

While the final slice of lightning flickered about, our Hero emerged to the side of the Spirit's hip, bent on his right knee and soon sliding the blade behind his back, while the orange flames surged behind him.

"Electricity and Fire? I've never seen anyone who can manipulate two of our world's kinetics!" The Spirit spoke up after noticing the fogginess of the heat in front of Tim's body, who quickly lifted his left arm and grasped the sword's hilt.

Hardening increased the strength of his left leg and kneeled one, and he swung to the front, chasing out a spinning inferno all around his body, which had blasted out in disastrous size and strength.

The unexpected turn of events, as well as the beaming flames he had mastered over the years, spread throughout the room, even scorching his adversary, declared and proved to the Spirit that Tim was relatively the right wielder of the legendary blade...

Despite this, our Hero was lost in the mist... Unsure how his body managed to release the 'Electro Kineticism,' he lost ideas and his body remained silent.

What exactly has our Hero discovered?

To be continued...