Destined Bond

[Sam perspective]

The dojo is the worst place in this village of Yokomoto. It's farthest south directly facing a large full iron gate. It's hard to open the gate but the berserkers take care of it.

I'd say the walls are impressive and can't be burned by fire. Fine cut stone helped fortify our small village as the world of Errd is home to strong creatures.

I remember a few big creatures from my history book and they'd wipe out the five kingdoms.

The Yokomoto village does not belong to any kingdom but it is at the heart of the forest.

Father is right that I should have travelled to the kingdoms and challenged the best.

Now...I don't have a single piece of knowledge about upcoming enemies for the Regionals here in Rend.

Rend is the Lord of the region though most people say "Demon Lord" because of the tyrannical nature of Lord Rend.

Regions can change names if another Lord wishes so but I hope it doesn't because I hate history. The worst historical event was arguing with Father.

I'll head to the diner then for some sushi. At least that was the plan...

"Old geezer!"

The old man was walking towards the diner opposite of my direction.

He seemed like he was floating. His feet don't really move step by step so I shouldn't call it walking. Ominous winds gushed in from the east.

"Fate was kind to your tongue and cruel to your swordsmanship"

"I'm still better than most...and you!"

"The weakest squire in any of the kingdoms have the upper hand over you. Well, Prove it."

The old man took out a typical cheap shortsword and so I took out our family katana. The old man taunted me to initiate

Surprisingly, the old man was fast. None of my attacks landed.

"That warmed up my arms, young duelist. My turn, don't call it cheating."

The old man swung one large slash which should be slow but...

I used the secret technique Shadow Step to evade safely but the old man was still right in front me continuing the charge.

I had no choice but to block. The katana flew far high into the night sky and far past the village walls.

The old man advanced and was about to slash me but that's absurd!

I dodged while thinking that this was cowardly to fight someone without a weapon.

"Hey, that's not wise. You poltroon!"

"I'm not supposed to be, I'd rather be practical. I might as well finish you off now since you'll want another battle if I let you live."

"Let me live! I beg you. I have to prove myself to Father in the Regionals...Wait. Why do you want to avoid another battle?"

The old man fell silent and suddenly I felt the family katana in my hand.

Before I could thank him the whole village was gone just like how a strong storm removes all the leaves from a tree...Every villager had been cut open or in half but no blood...

"Foolish boys can't handle the sight of bloodshed."

That's right...instead of blood, some sort of shapeless black essence covered the villagers' bodies but later...even the villagers themselves were gone. The black essence returned to the silky black hair of the old man. It returned also to somewhere below his sleeves.

"Challenge me again and this is the fate of Errd. Release."

Release? Was that a spell? A chant? Dark Magic? I should have studied more.

The first thing I saw was blood and the guts of many villagers.

Then I saw it clearly. The black essence resembled ashes but pure black in appearance. The ashes flow so smoothly around me even though I could not feel the wind.

The same ashes rebuilt the whole village again as if nothing was destroyed.

Then after I blinked the whole village returned.

"Give me your name, old man. You killed the entire village...then it's back"

"Nope I'd like to think of it instead as your imagination. Figure it out or reach the World Finals. I will be seated among those who will decide the winner."

I found myself standing inside the deep forest that surrounds our village and protects it from the five kingdoms . All I remember now is just...reaching the World Finals and that an old man is waiting.

I feel fired up to meet the old man again though I think should be more of scared...Nope I don't feel scared he hasn't done anything yet.

[Yami]

"There. I took out the memories. Shouting the spell is unwise."

But really though who even says 'I beg you' these days??