The morning after Silas's lessons, Rael felt a renewed sense of purpose as he practiced the techniques his mentor had introduced. His connection to the Forsaken Blade was growing stronger, and with each passing day, he could feel the sword becoming more responsive, as if it were beginning to accept him as its true wielder.
Rael stood in the clearing, the Forsaken Blade humming softly in his grip. He closed his eyes, focusing on the energy that pulsed through the weapon. It was like a dark river, powerful and untamed, but not as wild as before. He had started to tap into it, just as Silas had taught him.
He moved into the first form, his body flowing through the motions with newfound grace. The sword felt lighter, more natural in his hands. As he completed the sequence, he opened his eyes, the world around him coming back into focus.
"Well done," Silas said, stepping forward. He had been observing Rael from a distance, his keen eyes missing nothing. "Your control is improving. The Forsaken Blade is responding to you, but remember, this is only the beginning. The path ahead is still long."
Rael nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. He could feel the truth in Silas's words. Every step he took on the Sword's Path revealed just how much he still had to learn. But he was determined to keep going, no matter the challenges.
Silas motioned for Rael to sit, and they both settled on the grass. "There's more to the Sword's Path than just physical mastery," Silas began. "You must also learn to attune yourself to the blade's energy, to feel its emotions as if they were your own."
Rael looked at the Forsaken Blade, its dark surface gleaming in the morning light. "The sword has emotions?" he asked, curious.
"In a way, yes," Silas replied. "The Forsaken Blade, like all legendary swords, carries with it the echoes of its past. The battles it has fought, the hands that have wielded it, all leave an imprint on its essence. These emotions can be a powerful source of strength—or a dangerous burden if you don't understand them."
Silas placed a hand on his own sword, the Valkyrie Sword, which seemed to glow faintly in response. "This is where Sword Meditation comes in. By meditating with your sword, you can connect with its past, learn from those who came before you, and understand the true nature of the blade."
Rael listened intently. He had heard of meditation before, but this was something entirely different. It wasn't just about clearing the mind; it was about forging a deeper connection with the sword itself.
"Close your eyes," Silas instructed, "and hold the Forsaken Blade steady. Let your mind sink into its energy, and don't resist what you find."
Rael obeyed, his grip tightening on the sword's hilt as he closed his eyes. The world around him faded away, and all that remained was the dark pulse of the Forsaken Blade's energy. He let himself drift, following the current of that energy as it pulled him deeper into the sword's essence.
At first, there was only darkness—an abyss that seemed to stretch on forever. But gradually, images began to form in Rael's mind. He saw flashes of battles long past, warriors clashing in the heat of combat, their swords striking with deadly precision. He felt their fear, their anger, and their desperation as they fought for their lives. But there was something more, something deeper—a sense of sorrow that permeated every moment, as if the blade itself mourned for the blood it had spilled.
Rael's heart pounded in his chest as the emotions washed over him, overwhelming in their intensity. He could feel the weight of the sword's past, the burden of its dark history. It was almost too much to bear.
But then, in the midst of the chaos, a single voice emerged. It was faint, barely more than a whisper, but it was clear and steady.
"Do not fear the darkness, Rael. Embrace it, and you will find the light within."
The voice was calming, reassuring. Rael clung to it, using it as a lifeline to pull himself back from the brink. The darkness began to recede, the images fading until all that remained was the steady pulse of the sword's energy.
When Rael opened his eyes, he was back in the clearing, the Forsaken Blade still in his hands. He was breathing heavily, his body drenched in sweat, but he felt different—stronger, more grounded.
Silas was watching him closely, his expression thoughtful. "What did you see?" he asked.
Rael hesitated, trying to put the experience into words. "I saw… battles. Warriors fighting. But there was so much sorrow, so much pain. It felt like the sword was mourning."
Silas nodded, as if this was what he had expected. "The Forsaken Blade has seen many battles, and it has been wielded by many who were consumed by their own darkness. That sorrow you felt is the sword's burden—a burden you must learn to carry if you are to master it."
Rael looked down at the sword, feeling a newfound respect for the weapon. It was more than just a tool of war; it was a relic of a tragic past, one that had shaped it into the blade it was today.
"But you also heard the voice," Silas continued, his tone encouraging. "That voice is your guide. It will help you navigate the darkness and find your way to the light."
Rael nodded, feeling a sense of determination welling up inside him. He had come this far, and he wasn't about to turn back now. The Sword's Path was challenging, but it was also leading him to the truth—about the Forsaken Blade, about his past, and about the destiny that awaited him.
For the next few days, Rael continued his training under Silas's watchful eye. He practiced the forms, honed his skills in Sword Sense and Energy Channeling, and meditated with the Forsaken Blade every night. Each session brought him closer to understanding the sword's true nature, and with each passing day, he could feel the bond between them growing stronger.
But even as he progressed, Rael knew that this was only the beginning. The Sword's Will and Sword's Bond awaited him, stages that would test him in ways he couldn't yet imagine. And beyond that, the Sword Academy loomed on the horizon, filled with the secrets and answers he sought.
As the sun set on another day of training, Rael sheathed the Forsaken Blade and turned to Silas. "What's next?" he asked, his voice filled with resolve.
Silas smiled, a glint of pride in his eyes. "We continue to walk the path, Rael. And with each step, we bring you closer to mastering the Forsaken Blade—and uncovering the truth that has been hidden from you for so long."
Rael nodded, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. The journey was far from over, but he was no longer the same boy who had been overlooked by the Divine Sword Tree. He was a warrior in training, a swordsman on the rise.
And with the Forsaken Blade at his side, he would carve his own path to the future—one step at a time. But what keeps bothering him is why isn't him going through the trails...