("Revenge was a personal rule for me. For everything else, it was meaningless. Locked into my own existence, I lost my mind. Whatever you do, do not become like me. Heed my teachings, but do not strive for my essence, both of you. The last thing you should do is self-destruction. Often you do more harm to others than to yourself. Resent revenge and clear your minds. I dont want you two to lose yourselves.")
Two old friends stood before each other. One dedicated to the truth and the other bound by lies. Far away opposites who's encounter should decide over much more than just life or death.
"Have you forgotten how to fight during all this time? Master would be very disappointed, his oh-so-perfect student ended up being his demise."
"Whoever told you that was lying to you. I absolutely would never kill my own father."
"Now you dare to call him your father? Did you forget that he picked up your poor soul off the street? Since that day he changed, you became his favorite and I...I was just a mere disciple of his. Still, it was okay, I lived a decent life and even had a friend, my first companion, who I spent time with. Things were good, there were times when you didn't lack in anything. However, you became oblivious, blinded to the reality that I was experiencing. Over time you became privileged, your talent was simply more valuable to him than my existence. You stole away the world I used to live in. All the time I had to watch you enjoying the life I had with the awareness that there was nothing I could do to change it.
"You're spouting nonsense. You didn't even try, you didn't say a word, you just accepted everything. It was him who encouraged you to train, thanks to him we are both able to survive and struggle nowadays. If you didn't like it, you should have just become stronger. You had more than enough chances to do so!"
" Precisely those chances were in vain! Your ability was far above mine, I needed to train alone without his instruction or assistance and all because of your presence. So you could live your life while I had to build a new one."
"You became the one who slowly turned away from Master. Over time you ignored his main instructions and advice. You lost your discipline, that was the reason for your lack of progress. We shared the same practice, the same exercises, the same exams. Besides that, Master never gave any additional advice. You' re just looking for reasons to hate me!"
"Hmm, maybe I really do...not that it's unjustified. Any other would react much the same way in this situation. This world' virtues have long since disappeared. After all, that was what he taught us, wasn't it? He was never the one at fault or the one to blame. It is that without his help my future would surely have been different. Ever since I had left, I was searching for new challenges, for opportunities to improve myself so that one day I might be able to stand above his most beloved student. However, just as in the past, there was no one who was able to teach me a thing or two. You recognize it too, your eyes tell me the same thing. Up until now, there was no one who had the ability to beat us in a duel. It was boring and wasted effort, right? Is that why you let your training slide? Is that why I'm standing here before you with my sword surpassing yours? You' ve lost the focus I' ve been attaining for the past few years."
"Don't act like you know everything. You' re standing here in front of me pretending that I killed him. We both know, Hiyun, that I wouId never have murdered him let alone been able to. You're just fooling yourself into thinking that I did it to fuel your hatred for me."
"Tsk, you talk too much."
"Is this all there is to your nature? Does nothing but anger and hatred reside in you? Rather than getting to the bottom of the truth, you choose to remain oblivious! Would you rather not know what really happened to him?!"
"Does it matter any more? He's dead and nothing can change that! This is where I'm going to put his favorite to the test! Let me see what he taught you, how you've turned out! You' re only fighting at half strentgh Ryu, why don't you show me your full talent?!"
Ryu was pushed back further and further with Hiyun slashing him without rest. His sword lost its shine ending up in a small crack. So far this weapon had never been damaged like this, Hiyun was the first to accomplish it.
"Is this all that is left of you? If so then you are not worthy of this weapon!"
Blow after blow crashed into Ryu. He failed to counter and was forced to limit himself to parrying. He was able to lure Hiyun into a zone where there was enough space for him to dodge. For a short moment he was able to catch his breath.
"Do you need a break so early? We've only just started Ryu. Just come on, don't tell me you haven't memorized anything after my departure?"
Ryu couldn't give Hiyun the upper hand. He was sick of trying to exchange words with him. His former brother had no interest in the truth anymore.
"Tsk, make sure your words won't get stuck in your mouth!"
Ryu's sword lit up again. At that very moment, Hiyun's sword got the same glow. Ryu launched into the attack. His strikes were precise and fast but Hiyun had little trouble parrying them. Taking a chance, he managed to counterattack and dealt Ryu a wound next to his eye.
"Now you look more like him. Now let me model you after him even more!"
This time Hiyun used a different approach. He charged with his sword however, his true weapon was not the blade but his arms. Thus, after parrying, he managed to hit Ryu in the face with his elbow. The dark elf spat blood and staggered backwards.
"Just look at you, a shadow of your self. Even in training you showed more of your skills. Why aren't you using them? I'm sure your life stealing might hurt me."
"No! I will never use it against the likes of you. There is no reason to place me on that level. This is a duel between two swordsmen and it will be kept to the weapons."
"Tch, even in the eye of death, your honour is more important to you.Your face is stained with blood and your arms covered with gashes. It' a wreck that is on the verge of decay. Truly, I am disappointed in you Ryu, I expected so much more. No mighty warrior stands before me but a shell devoid of fighting spirit. Master would be utterly disillusioned with you, perhaps you indeed didn't kill him given your state."
Ryu was truly on the verge of losing. Hiyun was correct in saying that he was no longer the same. Due to the encounters and the new things he experienced, his nature and focus started to change as well. His wounds began to surface on his body, causing Ryu to fall to his knees.
"I would never have killed him even if he asked for it. If not for him, I would have died a long time ago. After you left, he became bitter, carrying a pain in his heart. If you do hate me, at least know that he has never forgotten you. The truth is that I used to hate you for a long time. After all, you were responsible for me seeing him suffer like this. Tell me Hiyun, give me the truth: Was it out of envy, hatred, or... out of frustration that you left us?"
His opponent took a deep breath before putting his sword down.
"...I thought of him as a kind of father. Just like you, he saved me...however, from my own people. Despite being human, he never tried to impose the principles of his people on me. He was my idol in every way, a role model whose recognition I long sought. I relentlessly trained every day, doing everything I could in all aspects. Then one day you came along, a being like me, whom he took in. All the things I had worked for over the years were put in your hands by him. You were the me that I was striving for. I can' t tell you how great my pain was when I saw him smile at the sight of you. During all the years he was my strict teacher, I never once heard him laugh or saw him smile. But your face made him shine without any effort. It was then at the latest that I realized the distance that had built up between my teacher, no my father. Whatever I did, in the end, it was impossible for me to earn his recognition. Regardless of how long I would have stayed there, it would not have changed.At that time, your talent was greater than mine, you were a quick teacher of sword arts... much quicker than I could have ever been. So I made a decision... which, despite its severity, I do not regret to this day. My mind would have been trapped in that wasteland forever if I didn't leave. Ultimately, my farewell was a partial relief from all those obstacles. But you...you would never be able to understand such a thing. So if you want an answer then it's all these three reasons combined."
Hiyun was right, Ryu was not experienced in those words. It made sense and yet it did not justify his decision to leave.
"You're right, I do not understand your entire feelings. However, If he really still means something to you, then you should know that he always considered you his son...even if he never told you. The day you disappeared he immediately knew that his son would never return. However much time passed he was no longer the same, a part of him died along with you. He never forgot you up until his death."
Hiyun closed his eyes and gritted his teeth for a moment.
"It's too late for such words now...now that he's gone from this world. It's not finished Ryu, I'm a man of my word. Even if he would not have wanted it, I will eliminate this inner restlessness by your death. Raise your sword and stand up, we will end this as real warriors as he taught us."
The brief pause helped Ryu recover. Looking up at the sky, he took a deep breath and drew his sword.
"You know that you are wrong Hiyun, it is never too late for such words. They can cleanse the soul if only one will allow it but you...you refuse to accept it. You chose to go your own path.He showed me mine by leading me into his home holding my hand. This path is not over yet, it has just begun."
Closing his eyes, Ryu traced his fingers along the blade. Marks flared up, turning the blade a silvery color. Upon taking a deep breath, Ryu's eyes took on a silver color as well. Even though he stood still for a moment, Hiyun was not really startled.
"I see you did master his technique then. Didn't you want to show it to me or did it take those couple of words to trigger you? Well, whichever it is it's not going to save you. You're not the only one with special skills anymore."
Suddenly Hiyun's eyes glowed orange while his sword distorted. The blade was now much bigger having an orange glow. From a regular sword, it changed into a broadsword.
"It took years but I too was able to awaken a part of me. It was extremely difficult without his guidance and yet I succeeded in the end. Now, show me what you actually can do with this thing!"
Ryu disregarded his wounds as he went on the attack. His speed was now on par with Hiyun as he regained his focus. Hiyun's sword emitted sparks while Ryu's sword generated windslashes. Hiyun was puzzled by the power of Ryu's abilities. Before long, he too was suffering from lacerations that caused him to back away.
" So this is it, the hidden potential that Master saw in you. In spite of the fact that I've been training every day for the last few years, you're still on the same level regardless of your lower efforts. It' s a really unfair world...it always has been... sadly never in my favor. Hiyun observed his wounds. The dark elf targeted places that made the fight much harder for Hiyun, while he himself only paid attention to somehow injuring his opponent. Sighing, he drew in a deep breath. Out of nowhere, he was now the one who was pushed back.
"It's really...tragic. In that case, it shall be a different story... then none of us can get out of here alive...His two blades will be destroyed today."
Hiyun cut his finger and dripped his blood on the blade. All of a sudden, his eyes turned orange. His senses sharpened and his strength restored and increased. Ryu knew this sight, it was a method doomed to failure.
"This is your decision? Hiyun, is your hatred really that deep in your heart old friend?"
"None of that matters now. Farewell Ryu, that we may never meet again."
Hiyun made use of a technique that was considered a "last resort" just now. This was a deadly risk hardly anyone could survive at this level:Soul Drain. Life Stealing. These two swords only allow so much power to the wielder as they offered up their life energy. While Ryu was in control of the limits, Hiyun was surrendering himself to the blade. This meant that he would be able to use the full power of the sword at an incredibly high consumption of his energy. From the look in his eyes, Ryu could tell that Hiyun was no longer interested in his own life. His ultimate goal was clear: to bury his old partner with himself. Hiyun in this state was far superior to Ryu in every way. The dark elf was only able to focus on dodging or parrying to stay alive. He was reluctant to surrender to his weapon and thus break away from control. However, as time passed, he was left with little choice. Hiyun was continuously adding more wounds to his body as his own continued to grow. It was a competition to see who would die first. Hiyun's injuries got more severe and his body was barely able to hold itself together. He needed to kill Ryu first before he himself would die. With one last attack, he managed to ram his sword into Ryu's chest. The man staggered backwards and smashed against one of the houses. Leaning against the wall, blood ran out of his mouth as Hiyun collapsed to the ground in front of him. Both fighters stared their deaths in the eye. A pool of blood soon formed under Hiyun, his body completely shattered. In the time of dying, both of them were seeing their savior, their father, again. The past memories light up before their very eyes.
("This is all way too hard. How am I supposed to deal with this?"
"Hahaha, all of life is hard Hiyun. No one can change that except yourself."
"Then I want it to be easier."
"Hiyun, that's not how it works in this world. Rather than wishing for it to get easier, decide to get stronger. Only by doing so have I gotten this far and only because of that have I gotten the chance to meet you. In the future you will explore this world by yourself, the goal is to see it with your own eyes and not to be bound by it. I am sure you will get the chance.")
The next moment Hiyun was back in his body.
"Tsk, the old man and his wisdom...in the end, I failed him after all..."
Next to him, he heard the sound of Ryu pulling the sword straight out of his chest. With his body pierced, his breathing grew fainter and fainter. He too witnessed past memories.
"Master, I have a question: why are you nice to me? Everybody always said that I was a mistake and a disgrace. No one has ever treated me as kindly as you have."
"Because you deserve it Ryu...because you have always been deserving. Until now, your world has been cruel, lonely and evil. The moment I saw you, you reminded me a little of myself. You have one hand to help yourself and the other to help others. Helping someone does not change the whole world but at least the world of this person or in my case both. I have lived a very long life of which I was not proud until I came across the two of you. You may think that I saved you but in some part you saved me too. As you showed me a way, so I will try to provide one for you. This may sound confusing to you but with time you will understand what I am talking about. No matter what you do Ryu, do not adjust to this world. It is cold, dark and ugly place. Look not through its eyes but through your own. One day you will gain the insight that has been hidden from me."
Hearing these words in his head, Ryus breathing calmed down. He grabbed his sword and Hiyun's and placed them in a cross in front of him.
"I still am not complete but at last I have understood part of it master. Thanks to you, I can be saved once again.
The two weapons dissolved into a light blue glow. Emerging from the shine were small blue butterflies that flew to Ryu's wounds. After a couple of seconds, he was completely covered with them.The little animals healed the swordsman's wounds in time. During this process, he spat blood as he was on the verge of passing out.
Taking his last breaths, Hiyun witnessed the miracle that was taking place before his eyes as the beautiful blue insects surrounded Ryu. They were giving him the life energy to survive.
("Why couldn't things just get easier? I guess I wasn't strong enough...shit...")
The two weapons dissolved into a light blue glow. Emerging from the shine were small blue butterflies that flew to Ryu's wounds. After a couple of seconds, he was completely covered with them.The little animals healed the swordsman's wounds in time. During this process, he spat blood as he was on the verge of passing out.
Taking his last breaths, Hiyun witnessed the miracle that was taking place before his eyes as the beautiful blue insects surrounded Ryu. They were giving him the life energy to survive.
("Why couldn't things just get easier? I guess I wasn't strong enough...shit...")
(Living in the dark) ("Why couldn't it just get easier...I guess I wasn't strong enough...damn it...").
Upon closing his eyes, he heard soft fluttering next to him that faded away. After a couple of seconds he felt his legs again, then his arms. Opening his eyes, he realized that it was now him the butterflies were enveloping. He looked at Ryu in surprise. Ryu still bore wounds, though the hole in his body was healed. He was not in critical condition but in no way was fit to fight.
"What are you doing, you moron? Why don't you just leave me alone? I've had enough of all this, really, what is there for me to get stronger for?"
"I don't have the slightest idea though, you can figure that out for yourself. To live solely for revenge or self-gratification is not a life. The two swords...that's what he meant by our path and his salvation. Consider it a second rather third chance but it's time for you to figure out a different path."
"Tsk, stop trying to sound like him. You even have enough energy left to stand up? Are you really going to sacrifice a piece of it for someone who tried to kill you? Who''s to say that I won't try it again?"
"Go ahead and you'll fail again. Hiyun, you heard him too didn't you? You' ve never disappointed him. And if you really still feel that way, this is your chance to show him that you can do it differently."
Both of them were still motionless on the spot as a raging war was happening nearby.
"So, how did the old man really die?"
"That's a long story, we can talk about that another time. For now, you should stop lying around and get up. All of this has just gotten started."
"First you should get your ass off the wall."
" The loser gets to start."
Both of them had buried this fight for the meantime as they helped each other up. Each was still badly injured. So they carried themselves into one of the houses in search of bandages.
"The battle screams are echoing through the alleys quite loudly. It barely stops."
"It doesn't matter to us anyway. We ain't got no weapons or energy."
"Don't tell me you don't remember how to fight with fists?"
"Right now, I couldn't care less. The main thing is that this mess dies down soon, it' s hard to get any rest. Say, how did you get that huge scar on your back?"
"And how did you practice the sword art?"
"Tsk, just like the old days, you always have the last word huh....well, there's a lot to talk about."
"Indeed but now is not the right time. Such conversations should not be done in mortal danger."
"As you wish special student."
Old friends and partners, both with differing paths and goals had now united within the eye of death. Once again, their master had saved them by his abilities. This time it was to be different with their paths about to merge.