His features weathered by time yet possessing a keenness that belied his age. His eyes, sharp and penetrating, bore into mine with an intensity that made my blood run cold.
With each word that tumbled from his lips, the weight of his presence seemed to press down upon me, filling the air with an almost palpable sense of authority.
Who was I, indeed, to intrude upon his domain and lay claim to that which was not mine?
Gathering my wits about me, I summoned the courage to speak, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and humility.
"Forgive me, sir," I began, my words faltering in the face of his imposing gaze. "I meant no disrespect. I am but a traveler, lost in this strange land, seeking only shelter and guidance."
The old man regarded me with a steely gaze, his expression unreadable. For a moment, the silence hung heavy between us, broken only by the faint rustle of the wind outside.
Then, with a solemn nod, the old man spoke again, his voice softened by a hint of understanding. "You are not the first to find yourself adrift in these realms, nor will you be the last," he said, his tone measured and deliberate.
"But know this, young man: the path you tread is fraught with peril, and not all who wander here are as benevolent as I."
I did not understand what he meant..
But i managed to Summon every ounce of courage within me, I took a tentative step forward, my heart pounding in my chest. "Who are you?" I called out, my voice trembling with a mixture of fear and defiance.
The old man remained silent for a moment longer, his expression inscrutable. Then, with a voice like the rustle of autumn leaves, he spoke.
"I am but a humble guardian of these lands," he said, his words carrying with them a weight that seemed to hang heavy in the air.
As the old man stepped out of the shadow, he disappeared and reappeared in front of me with such blinding speed that it felt like my heart had stopped and my mind had short-circuited. My entire being was engulfed in a whirlwind of terror, rendering me utterly paralyzed and unable to make sense of the impossible feat I had just witnessed.
It was as if the fabric of reality itself had been torn asunder, leaving me stranded in a realm of unfathomable fear and confusion.
His sudden appearance, coupled with his towering stature and the intimidating presence of the massive sword on his back, sent shivers down my spine and turned my blood to ice.
I trembled uncontrollably, my breath caught in my throat, as I struggled to comprehend the sheer magnitude of the situation.
In that moment, I felt as though I had been thrust into a nightmare from which there was no escape, my mind consumed by a primal terror unlike anything I had ever experienced. The very air seemed to crackle with an electric intensity, as if the world itself recoiled in fear at the sight of this enigmatic figure before me
And then, in a voice that seemed to echo from the depths of eternity, he posed the unthinkable question: do you want to learn how i moved so quickly?
Did I dare to learn the technique that had just shattered my perception of reality? The mere thought sent a chill down my spine, yet beneath the layers of fear and uncertainty, a spark of curiosity flickered to life—a tiny ember of defiance amidst the overwhelming darkness.
With a voice trembling with fear, yet brimming with newfound determination and excitement, I mustered all the courage within me to address the enigmatic figure before me.
"I... I will do my best to learn from you, master," I stammered, my words punctuated by the quiver in my voice. Despite the lingering traces of terror that still gripped me, I felt a surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins, propelling me forward into the unknown.
With each word spoken, I could sense a shift within me—a transformation from a trembling bystander to a willing apprentice, ready to embrace the challenges that lay ahead, I was determined to seize this opportunity to unlock the secrets of the extraordinary technique master had offered to teach me.