Four years had passed since he first entered this cave with Kaison. At the time, he was just a boy, full of anger and vengeance. Now, at 15, he was no longer that same boy. He was stronger, faster, more focused—but the path ahead seemed even more daunting than before.
Kaison, in his massive dragon form, sat nearby, his eyes fixed on Hiro with an intensity that never wavered. "It's only been four years since you came here," Kaison rumbled, his deep voice resonating through the cave. "But your growth is superb. Now that you're 15, you've learned more than most would in twice the time. However—" Kaison's tone shifted, becoming stern. "—you only have five more years before you turn into an adult. And the last four techniques of your clan are not easy to master."
Hiro remained silent, his mind already swirling with thoughts of what lay ahead. The five techniques he had already mastered had pushed him to his limits, but these final four were rumored to be the most difficult, the ones his ancestors struggled with for years. He felt the pressure building in his chest. But with the power within him awaken, he's growth is faster and efficient.
Kaison stood up, the ground trembling beneath his massive claws. "You cannot become easy going now. The remaining techniques demand not only strength but perfect control over your mind and body. If you are too relaxed in your thoughts, you'll never master them. Complacency has killed many who thought they were ready."
Hiro clenched his fists, the weight of Kaison's words settling in. He had come so far, but he knew the danger wasn't over. If anything, it had just begun. He took a deep breath, his body tensing as the memories of his father began to resurface.
---
His father, Harkin Amadeus, had been a towering figure in Hiro's life. A man who, despite his strength, carried a heavy burden. Hiro remembered watching his father train late into the night, his movements sharp and calculated, each swing of his sword filled with purpose. Back then, Hiro didn't understand the weight behind his father's actions. But now, he could feel it.
'So that's why my father couldn't master all the techniques,' Hiro thought, recalling the lessons Kaison had shared about the dangers of inner training. Harkin had pushed himself relentlessly.
---
Hiro shook his head, clearing his mind of the memories. Now wasn't the time to dwell on the past. He had inherited this power, and he would surpass his father. There was no other choice.
Kaison observed him quietly before speaking again. "We will begin with the Amadeus 6th Sword Style: Heavenbreaker. It is a technique that embodies divine wrath, a strike so powerful that it destroys any form of protection in its path."
Kaison raised a claw, drawing a line in the air as if mimicking the strike. "But do not think it's as simple as swinging your sword hard enough. The true challenge is in the timing. You must strike at the exact moment when all the energy converges, or you'll destroy not just your target, but everything around you—including yourself."
Hiro nodded. He had grown accustomed to Kaison's warnings. Every technique came with its own set of dangers, and this one was no different. He unsheathed his sword, feeling its familiar weight in his hand.
"Let's begin."
---
The first few attempts were disastrous. Hiro focused all his strength into the vertical slash, but the power was uncontrolled. One strike sent a shockwave through the cave, cracking the stone walls and nearly collapsing the ceiling. Another ripped through the ground beneath him, causing the ground to tremble violently.
"Focus, Hiro!" Kaison roared, his voice cutting through the chaos. "You're not harnessing the power at the right moment!"
Hiro gritted his teeth, frustration building inside him. The technique was more difficult than he had expected. Each time he attempted the strike, it felt as though the power was slipping away from him just before impact. His body ached, his muscles sore from the repeated failures.
"You're letting your frustration cloud your mind," Kaison said, his tone softer this time. "Remember, this technique isn't about strength alone. It's about control."
Hiro closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. He tried to center himself, blocking out the distractions. He had to remember why he was doing this. The pain, the sacrifice—everything was leading up to this moment.
Slowly, he lifted his sword again. This time, he waited. He could feel the power building inside him, the celestial energy that flowed through his veins. He waited for the exact moment when it all aligned, then brought the sword down with a controlled, yet devastating force.
The air around him seemed to ripple, and with a deafening crack, the ground beneath his blade split cleanly in two. The strike had been perfect, destroying everything in its path, but leaving the surrounding area untouched.
Hiro let out a breath he didn't realize he had been holding.
Kaison's voice rumbled with approval. "Well done. You've grasped the essence of Heavenbreaker."
But there was no time to celebrate. Hiro wiped the sweat from his brow, already preparing for the next technique.
The Amadeus 7th Sword Style: Stormstride was entirely different from the brute force of Heavenbreaker. It was a technique that required speed and precision, channeling lightning through the body and into the blade. Each strike had to be swift and perfectly timed to paralyze the opponent, shattering their defenses with electric-charged blows.
Hiro had seen his father attempt this technique only once. Harkin's body had been surrounded by crackling electricity, but Hiro remembered the aftermath—his father collapsing to the ground, his body convulsing as the lightning turned against him.
"You need to control the flow of electricity through your body," Kaison instructed as Hiro prepared himself. "But be careful. If you lose focus, it will backfire."
Hiro nodded, his hands tightening around the hilt of his sword. He had never worked with electricity before, but he knew that this technique was crucial. Without it, he wouldn't stand a chance against the enemies he would face.
The first attempt was painful. As soon as Hiro tried to summon the electricity, it surged through his body uncontrollably. His muscles tensed, and his movements became jerky. He barely managed to lift his sword before the lightning scattered, sending painful shocks through his arms.
"Again," Kaison said, unfazed by the failure. "You need to calm your mind. The lightning is like a wild beast—it will obey you, but only if you show it respect."
Hiro grimaced, his arms still tingling from the backlash. But he didn't complain. He had endured worse pain during his time in the inner world. Compared to that, this was nothing.
He tried again. This time, he focused on controlling the flow of energy, guiding it through his body like water running through a stream. The lightning crackled around him, but it didn't lash out wildly. It was contained, waiting for his command.
With a swift movement, Hiro swung his sword, and the lightning followed, sparking along the blade and striking the target in front of him. The force of the blow sent a shockwave through the air, and the target exploded into pieces, shattered by the electric charge.
But it wasn't perfect. Hiro's body stiffened as the remaining electricity surged back through him, sending painful jolts down his spine.
Kaison stepped forward, his eyes narrowing. "Better, but you're still losing control at the end. You need to release the energy completely before it rebounds."
Hiro nodded, his body still tingling from the aftermath. He took a deep breath, steadying himself. He couldn't afford to let the pain distract him. Not now. Not when he was so close.
He tried again and again, each attempt better than the last. Slowly, he learned to control the flow of lightning, guiding it through his sword and releasing it at the exact moment of impact. His movements became faster, more precise, as he struck down target after target with lightning-charged blows.
By the end of the day, Hiro's body was exhausted, his muscles aching from the intense training. But there was a fire in his eyes, a determination that burned brighter with each passing moment.
Kaison watched him silently for a moment before speaking. "You've done well today, Hiro. But remember, these techniques are not just about strength or speed. They're about control. You need to master your mind as much as your body."
Hiro nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow. "I understand."
But deep down, he knew that understanding wasn't enough. He had to master these techniques, no matter how long it took. He had promised himself that he would surpass his father, that he would carry the legacy of the Amadeus clan to its fullest potential.
As night fell, Hiro prepared for more training the next day. He knew that the 8th Sword Style awaited him, but for now, his focus was on mastering Stormstride.