Tatsuya returned to the village of blacksmiths with a heavy heart, the discovery in the ancient temple leaving him with more questions than answers. The Blood Sword's journal still held many mysteries, and he felt that the road ahead would be fraught with dangers and trials. Yet, he was determined not to let himself fall into the spiral of madness that had consumed the Blood Sword.
Upon arriving back in the village, Tatsuya sought out the old blacksmith, the one he had met before, hoping to ask about any memories connected to the Blood Sword. The blacksmith looked at Tatsuya with a thoughtful gaze, as if he had already foreseen what would happen to Tatsuya in the temple but had chosen not to reveal it, allowing Tatsuya to experience it himself.
"How was your trip? Enjoy yourself? What did you find in that temple?" he asked, his deep voice full of wisdom.
Tatsuya recounted everything: the carvings of crazed warriors on the walls, the blood-soaked rituals, and the brutal power of the Blood Sword. The old man listened silently, not interrupting until Tatsuya finished. After a pause, Tatsuya expressed his frustration.
"Why did you tell me those glasses would save my life? I nearly died."
"That temple… tests not only the body but also the soul of the warrior. It's no place for using such tools to cheat through," the blacksmith said, his words a reminder to Tatsuya. He realized that his journey wasn't just about seeking power to confront enemies, but also about mastering himself. He needed to grow strong not only physically but also mentally, relying on his own strength rather than outside aids.
After their conversation, Tatsuya felt a sense of clarity wash over him, though it was mingled with a renewed resolve. The blacksmith's words stirred a sense of self-reliance and resilience that Tatsuya had never considered before. He knew the path ahead would be grueling, but he was ready to face the trials, no longer intent on depending on any external tools.
Tatsuya began to focus on training his body and mind. He sought out methods that the warriors of the small village had once used to enhance their physical abilities. Days passed, each one spent in the solitude of the forest, training for hours on end. He honed his endurance, speed, and sharpness. Then one day, while practicing deep within the mountains, he stumbled upon an ancient manual, hidden within the rocky crevices. It bore only two words: "Physical Techniques." The exercises inside were grueling, pushing his body and spirit to the limit. The manual not only sharpened his combat skills but also helped him gain control over his emotions, strengthening his resolve in the face of adversity.
One morning, while training in the forest, Tatsuya unexpectedly crossed paths with an old friend from his childhood in the village. It was Yui, a girl who had grown up alongside him but had left the village to pursue her own path. Yui had also become a warrior, but instead of seeking power, she had chosen the path of protecting and caring for the weak.
"It's a surprise to see you here, Tatsuya," Yui said with a bright smile. "I've heard about what you've been through. It seems you've changed a lot."
Tatsuya felt a warmth from Yui, a peace he hadn't felt in a long time. They reminisced about old memories, but the conversation soon turned to the challenges Tatsuya was facing. Yui listened as Tatsuya recounted his journey, his struggles, and the goals he was striving to achieve.
"I know you're trying to find the strength to face what's coming," Yui said thoughtfully after hearing Tatsuya's story. "But remember, true strength isn't just about physical power or combat. Sometimes, the greatest strength is the ability to understand and forgive yourself and others."
Her words struck a chord in Tatsuya's heart. He realized that in his journey, he needed not only the power to fight but also the strength to understand, love, and protect what was most important to him.
Tatsuya decided to stay in the village longer to learn from Yui and the others. He began to participate in community activities, helping the villagers and learning to use his strength not just in battle but also to protect and support others. He realized that sometimes the greatest strength wasn't in fighting but in maintaining peace and staying true to oneself amidst chaos.
Just as Tatsuya was beginning to find peace and reintegrate into the life of the village, disaster struck. One quiet afternoon, as the sun was setting, a band of vicious raiders appeared outside the village gates. These weren't ordinary bandits; they were elite warriors from distant lands, wielding formidable powers.
Tatsuya was training with Yui at the village's edge when he heard the screams and the clash of weapons echoing from the village center. He immediately recognized the danger and sprinted toward the sounds, with Yui close behind, sensing the looming threat as well. When they arrived, they were greeted by chaos: villagers fleeing in terror as a group of ruthless raiders laid waste to everything in their path.
Among the raiders, Tatsuya identified four who stood out. Two of them were B-rank fighters, wielding powers called "Fire Burst" and "Shadow Drift." Another was an A-rank warrior with the ability "Gale Force," and the last, an S-rank, bore the ominous title "Dark Lord."
Under the crimson sky of dusk, with the gray smoke thickening in the air, the blacksmith village turned into a fierce battleground. Screams, the clang of weapons, and the roar of flames mingled into a haunting symphony of destruction. Tatsuya and Yui rushed toward the village center, where the raiders were wreaking havoc.
The raiders stood amidst the chaos, their faces cold and confident. They weren't ordinary criminals but highly trained warriors, armed with powerful abilities and carefully planned tactics.
The B-rank raider, "Fire Burst," hurled blazing fireballs into the houses and shops, reducing them to ashes within moments. The flames spread rapidly, causing panic as villagers scrambled to escape.
The A-rank raider, "Gale Force," stood in the midst of the fray, his hands summoning razor-sharp winds that sliced through the air, striking down the village warriors. He used the wind to fan the flames created by Fire Burst, amplifying the devastation.
The B-rank raider, "Shadow Drift," vanished in the breeze, reappearing and disappearing at will, using his superior speed to strike at the village's mages. He moved like a ghost, untouchable, steadily weakening the village's defenses.
Meanwhile, the S-rank raider, "Dark Lord," stood silently observing the battle, his face expressionless. He seemed to be the mastermind, his mere presence commanding his companions to act with precision and coordination.
Yui wasted no time and threw herself into the fight, using her abilities to create a protective barrier around the helpless villagers. She moved swiftly, shielding each person from the raiders' attacks. Tatsuya fought alongside her, employing all the skills he had honed, but he knew these raiders wouldn't fall easily.
The battle raged on with relentless intensity. Tatsuya, Yui, and the remaining village warriors fought with every ounce of strength they had. Yet the raiders, with their superior power and cunning strategies, gradually gained the upper hand.
Amidst the desperation, the old blacksmith emerged from his forge, a large sword in hand. His eyes gleamed with determination, knowing that this moment wasn't just about defending the village—it was about safeguarding the memories and values he had built over a lifetime.
The blacksmith joined the fray, wielding his sword with surprising strength for someone of his age. He fought alongside Tatsuya and Yui, forming a solid line of defense.
But then the Dark Lord struck. He moved quietly, slipping into the shadows until the moment was right. With a subtle gesture, he enveloped the old blacksmith in a shroud of darkness, trapping him in an invisible bind. The blacksmith struggled to break free, but the power of the shadows was too great. With a pained cry, he collapsed, his sword falling from his grasp.
Tatsuya saw the blacksmith fall, his heart tearing apart. He rushed to save him, but Gale Force blocked his way. Fierce winds assaulted Tatsuya from all directions, preventing him from advancing.
Yui also saw the blacksmith go down, and she knew the situation had reached a critical point. She made a split-second decision to sacrifice herself to protect Tatsuya and the remaining villagers. Gathering all her remaining strength, she unleashed a brilliant light, weakening the Dark Lord's power.
In that brief moment, Yui charged into the thick of the battle, pushing back the raiders just enough to create a gap for the villagers to escape. But she was attacked by both Fire Burst and Gale Force simultaneously. Flames and slicing winds tore into her, but she stood firm, enduring the pain.
Finally, with a heart-wrenching scream, Yui fell, her body charred and gravely wounded. But her sacrifice had bought Tatsuya enough time to break free from Gale Force's attack and rescue the remaining villagers.
Seeing their comrades fall and realizing the unfavorable turn of events, the raiders decided to retreat. They quickly regrouped and withdrew from the village, leaving behind destruction and sorrow. Tatsuya, his heart shattered and filled with regret, could only watch as his enemies escaped, powerless to stop them.
When the battle was over, Tatsuya knelt beside Yui, clutching her hand. Tears streamed down his face as he whispered words of gratitude and farewell to the friend who had given everything to protect him and the village.
"You were right, Yui," he murmured through his tears. "True strength isn't just about fighting... It's about understanding and protecting those you care about."
With Yui's sacrifice weighing heavily on his heart, Tatsuya vowed to continue his journey, not just as a warrior seeking power, but as someone who would honor Yui's legacy by protecting others and striving for a better world.