I couldn't find any more map fragments, and I was at a dead end in my research. After searching for months, I was disappointed. Sometimes, life throws a curve ball that you can't hit.
I sparred daily with Ryo, yet he still overcame my own swordsmanship. I was angry that I couldn't progress as fast as he did. I pushed these feelings deep down, trying to calm the raging tides within my soul. I only made it worse. I was like a black hole emitting a gamma burst, after taking in too much matter.
I could only remember the man who threw me into the harbour, and the smug face he had after doing so. I couldn't be weak after all my training, could I? I couldn't let some low life get away with treating me like that, and making me fear the days where my mother leaves me with him. During those particular days, I never went to his home. I would pretend as if I was, only to turn around and meet up with Ryo.
Ever since Ryo started his apprenticeship, I've had no company during the long hours he was working. Trying to keep myself entertained, I found areas of nature that seemed serene.
One day, I was exploring east of the slums that Ryo and I lived in. After climbing a steep cliff trail, for what seemed like a long time, I stopped.
The trail led to a cave, darkened by shadow. The mouth of the cave was near ten feet high, and seemed geometric, as if man-made. I paused, making the decision of wether or not to enter. I then decided that I would only enter, if I had a substantial light source to see clearly.
The next day, I returned with a torch that I had constructed, much like the 'bokken' I made previously. In the cave entrance, runes non-recognizable to me appeared. They weren't there the previous night I had come. What was the difference? I wondered.
Still pondering this, I stepped into the cave, which filled with runes akin to the ones I've seen before. I stepped closer to the wall to look at runes in detail, but they got blindingly bright, close to the flame of my torch. The runes reacted to my flames, I realized quickly. Was this magic?
I followed the hall-like cave, leading to a massive gate, that I have laid eyes upon. The great gateway was as black as obsidian, yet made of magical material that has never been made public. The gate reminded me of the gemstone that the Wizard had brought into town one day. She said she had slain a Dragon to get the stone. How was it that this gate was made of the same material?
My torch suddenly went out, without a breeze to blame. Darkness flowed around me, like the river Styx, ready to swallow me entirely. The silence was bothersome, there was no wind from outside the cave, nor was there light emitting from the entrance. I couldn't help but feel as if I had died, and I was alone in an endless void.
I quickly became used to this silence and began to shuffle around until I felt a smooth sphere, cold as stone. I picked the light object up, trying to see it, but it was too dark.
I became agitated after a while of trying to find the exit to no avail. It was only a hallway I had walked down, so how could I be lost? I screamed a curse word, throwing the spherical object away from myself.
A rush ran through me, familiar in feeling. I couldn't describe the sensation, but something inside of me came forth, lighting the sphere on fire for a split second, causing runes on the sphere to glow astoundingly bright. The red lighting resonated within the cave. Out of the dim light, I quickly realized that the cave entrance was gone, yet the black gate remained.
The gate was now glowing, and had a half of a sphere missing in the middle. I looked down at the sphere on the ground, realizing it was the same size as the hole in the gate. Picking up the glowing sphere, I got another rush. The rush in my own being set the sphere ablaze once more, yet it no longer hurt.
I brought the sphere hesitantly to the hole in the gates, only to have it ripped from my hands with a mighty force, to settle in the hole. With a soft tremble, the gates parted to a slightly smaller hall. I began walking further into the ruins, with a gut feeling that I would never be the same.
As I walked past the gate, I suddenly collapsed, feeling a war within my mind, raging with fury, and bloodlust. Was this my truest self? Was my life meaningless until this moment? Has everything been a lie?
No. It couldn't be! Ryo would be there with me forever, until our last dying breath. Having this thought, a chill ran down my spine as knowledge poured into my very soul. Magic wasn't just some force to be controlled, but it was much more than that. Magic was everything. The world ran on magic, and even gravity was a magical presence.
All religions proved false in one one blink of an eye. I was astounded. Knowledge continued to flow into my mind like a river from a collapsed dam. It was magnificent! I couldn't help but laugh at how weak I was, until this very moment. I would be a great force that no mortal may overcome, for I knew my own destiny that day. My own nation huh?
"Ash", a hallowed voice came from further, "walk with me my child." I looked up swiftly, still not having knowledge of this ruin, even after I knew everything in this mortal plane. Magic still continued to surprise me.
I did as commanded without hesitation. Whatever force resides here has freely offered it's knowledge unto me. I shall follow his command. Walking deeper into the void, I summoned a flame orb to hover around me for light, and in doing so, made the runes around me burn brightly.
"Have you come searching for power?" The voice questioned. "If so, follow the light." Suddenly, my orb of flame flew deeply within the crypt, resonating within the runes that I still could not read. I followed swiftly.
Deeper in the crypt, the long hall opened into a vast room adorned with riches beyond measure. Seeing the gilded room, I was disgusted that the world found such value in trivial things. I looked around until I realized my own flame had extinguished, and in It's place a mighty being of flame stood, staring at me with large ruby-like eyes. I walked to the beast slowly only to find that I was stuck in place a few paces from it.
"Yes, for you are worthy of my gift!" It spoke to me within my own mind. "I have awaited this day for many mortal years. Come my child" It spoke, bringing me with it's reach. Deep down I sensed that there was no need to panic, that this being was an ally.
"Ash, son of Blemish, you are my next disciple. What say you?" It spoke, already knowing my answer.
I knew that disciples learn from their masters, to eventually become a master themselves. 'I say teach me master" A rush of contentment flooded the atmosphere, the moment I spoke the words aloud.
"Excellent, none will stand against you for if they do, they will feel my power upon their mortal flesh." It proceeded, "I was once a mortal, as you are now. My anguish in life far greater than that of my brethren. Soon your anguish will be a rival to my own, and your power even greater. Is this what you wish?"
I spoke quickly, surprised by my own words. "Yes, master" I bowed down to the greater being in front of me.
"Then I shall walk with you in life, to grant you the power you seek. I am a bond that cannot be severed, for I am your maker" I knew what it meant, oddly enough. It was making a pact to shape my soul into withstanding it's own power. I didn't mind the deal, however, I was moreso pleased by it. "Very well, I shall remain by your side for the rest of eternity, guiding you on the path to retribution."
The world went black, a warm feeling, akin to a deep hibernation. The moment played back in my thoughts for what seemed like hours.