The world around Sam faded to black as Jordan's final blow struck him down. He felt the sharp pain in his belly, the sensation of his life slipping away, but before everything could go dark, there was a sudden, overwhelming sense of peace.
When Sam opened his eyes, he found himself in a place that defied explanation. It was as if he were floating in a vast, infinite space, but instead of the usual darkness, everything around him was pure white. The ground, the sky—if there even was a sky—everything was the same, blinding white, with no discernible edges or corners.
Sam's body felt weightless, almost as if he were dreaming, but there was a clarity to this place that made it feel more real than anything he had ever experienced. He looked down at himself, noticing that the wound on his belly was gone. There was no pain, no blood, just an eerie calm that filled him with both unease and curiosity.
"Where… where am I?" Sam muttered, his voice echoing slightly in the empty space.
"Finally, you've made it here," a voice called out from the void, startling Sam. It was a voice that carried the weight of ages, deep and resonant, yet strangely familiar.
Sam spun around, trying to locate the source of the voice, but there was nothing—just the endless white. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
A moment later, a figure began to materialize before him. At first, it was just a faint outline, but as it grew more defined, Sam realized he was looking at an old man. The man had long, flowing white hair and a beard to match, his eyes sharp and wise, filled with a power that Sam could almost feel in the air around him. He wore robes that seemed to flow and shimmer like the very fabric of this strange place.
The old man smiled gently, his presence both comforting and commanding. "It's been a long time, Sam."
Sam stared at him, his mind racing to make sense of what was happening. "Who… who are you?"
The old man's smile deepened, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "You don't recognize me? I suppose that's understandable. After all, this is the first time we've truly met face to face."
Sam's confusion only grew, but something about the old man's presence felt oddly familiar, like a memory he couldn't quite grasp. "I don't… I don't understand."
The old man chuckled softly, stepping closer. "I am your Arcon, Sam. I am Valkor."
Sam's eyes widened in shock, his breath catching in his throat. "Valkor? But… but you're just a sword!"
Valkor shook his head, his expression patient. "I am so much more than that, Sam. I am the embodiment of your power, your will, and your spirit. The sword you wield is merely a vessel—a way for you to channel my strength. But as you've seen, there is much about me that you do not yet understand."
Sam felt his heart pounding in his chest, his mind struggling to process what he was hearing. "But… I called you the weakest Arcon. I didn't even realize you could… talk."
Valkor's smile faded slightly, replaced by a look of quiet intensity. "Yes, you did call me weak. But that's only because you haven't yet tapped into my true potential. You have only scratched the surface of what I am capable of, Sam. And what you are capable of."
Sam swallowed hard, his earlier doubts resurfacing. "Then… how powerful are you, really?"
Valkor's eyes glinted with something that might have been pride, or perhaps something more ancient and unfathomable. "Powerful enough to defeat any foe you face, if you have the will to wield me. But you're not ready to control all of my power yet. Your journey has only just begun."
Sam took a deep breath, feeling a mixture of fear and exhilaration. "Then… show me. Show me what you can do."
Valkor's smile returned, this time filled with a warmth that seemed to radiate through the entire white expanse. "Very well. I will show you a fraction of my power, enough to turn the tide in your current battle. But remember, Sam, this is only the beginning."
Sam nodded, his resolve hardening. "I understand. I'm ready."
Valkor raised a hand, and suddenly, the white space around them began to shift. The light grew more intense, and Sam felt a surge of energy rushing through his body, filling him with a strength unlike anything he had ever known. It was as if every fiber of his being was being supercharged, his senses heightened, his mind sharpened.
The old man's voice echoed in Sam's mind as he spoke. "Let me teach you a simple technique, one of the weakest abilities I possess. Channel some of your mana into your sword, and then slash the air."
Sam gripped Valkor's hilt tightly, feeling the sword respond to his touch with a pulse of energy. Taking a deep breath, he did as Valkor instructed, pouring his mana into the blade. The sword began to glow with a brilliant crimson light, the energy within it crackling like lightning.
With a powerful swing, Sam slashed the air before him. The effect was immediate and awe-inspiring. The ground in front of him shattered into pieces, the force of the slash sending a shockwave through the white space that reverberated like a thunderclap.
Sam stared at the destruction he had caused, his heart pounding with adrenaline. "That… that was incredible!"
Valkor's voice was calm, almost serene, as he continued. "For now, I have increased your mana tenfold. This is just a glimpse of what you can do when you fully unlock my power."
Sam could hardly believe what he was hearing. "Ten times? You mean… I'm ten times stronger than before?"
"Indeed," Valkor confirmed, his tone matter-of-fact. "But remember, Sam, this is only a fraction of what I am capable of. Use this power wisely. You will need it for the battle ahead."
Sam felt a surge of confidence, his doubts and fears melting away in the face of this newfound strength. "Thank you, Valkor. I won't let you down."
Valkor's form began to fade, the white space around them starting to dissolve. "I know you won't, Sam. Now go, and show them what you're truly made of."
With those words, the white space vanished, and Sam suddenly found himself back on the battlefield. His body was covered in a crimson aura, his injuries completely healed. He felt revitalized, reborn, and more powerful than ever before.
As he looked up, he saw Jordan's golem towering over him, preparing to strike. But this time, Sam wasn't afraid. He was ready.
With a determined grin, Sam raised Valkor high, feeling the immense power coursing through his veins. "Alright, Jordan," he called out, his voice filled with newfound strength. "Let's finish this."