Zoro watched as Luck sprinted off to support the others, and with a steady gaze, he turned his attention to Lotus, who had been calculating his escape route from the chaos. Lotus's face betrayed a mix of fear and surprise, unsure why this powerful swordsman hadn't already struck him down.
Zoro's voice, low and chilling, broke the silence. "Why are you still here? Go away—or do you want to die?" The question sent a shiver down Lotus's spine. He couldn't believe what he was hearing. A demon like this, letting him go? It had to be a trick. He hesitated, thoughts racing, his heart pounding with fear and disbelief. But Zoro's gaze was as sharp as his blade, and after a moment of frozen shock, Lotus snapped back to reality. Not wasting another second, he dissolved into smoke, retreating through a hidden tunnel, hoping to escape with his life.
Zoro watched him go, knowing full well what he was doing. This wasn't mercy—it was strategy. Lotus could be dealt with later, after the younger mages gained some valuable experience facing the Diamond Kingdom's forces. Zoro knew the time for eliminating these enemies would come; he was simply biding his time, ready to strike them down at the perfect moment. In his mind, the end result was inevitable. For now, the kids needed a chance to grow stronger through battle.
With Lotus gone, Zoro turned and walked down a side corridor, his senses keenly attuned to his surroundings. As he moved deeper into the dungeon, a faint but distinct feeling tugged at him, something he hadn't noticed upon his initial entrance. It was a peculiar energy, almost hidden, yet now it stood out to him, like a presence waiting to be uncovered. Curiosity sparked in him, and he picked up his pace, eager to find out what—or who—might be lurking in these depths.
As Zoro descended into the depths of the dungeon, the air grew thicker, the silence almost tangible. The sensation he'd felt earlier pulsed stronger with each step, like an unseen force drawing him in. Finally, he rounded a corner and came upon a half-broken wooden door, its edges worn and splintered with age, hanging precariously on rusted hinges. He pushed it open and entered.
Inside was an ancient chamber, its stone walls lined with fading runes and moss creeping along every crack. The air was damp and filled with the scent of centuries-old dust. Cobwebs hung in thick layers across the ceiling, swaying gently in the cold draft that seeped through the walls. Broken relics and overturned stone benches littered the floor, remnants of rituals or battles long forgotten. Flickering torches, barely alight, cast an eerie glow over the room, casting shadows that seemed to move of their own accord.
At the heart of the chamber was a stone platform, and resting atop it was a sword unlike any Zoro had ever seen. The blade was a sleek, jet black, absorbing light rather than reflecting it. The hilt was a striking crimson, engraved with lifelike symbols of lightning that seemed to crackle with a latent energy. Zoro's eyes lit up with excitement. He had a nearly unmatched love for swords, and this one had an aura that spoke of ancient power and untold secrets. He knew that any sword hidden in such a place must be a legendary artifact, and he could barely contain his eagerness to claim it.
Just as he took a step forward, a chilling whisper filled the air, echoing in his mind like a ghostly presence. "So, you're the one who came here this time." The voice was calm but carried a weight that made Zoro pause. "The sword you see before you, etched into this stone, is no ordinary weapon. It is a cursed blade, a sword that twists the minds of those who wield it, driving them into madness. I am the spirit of this blade, bound to it as long as it remains undrawn."
The voice paused, then resumed, softer yet more intense. "To wield this sword, a heart must be pure—untainted by malice, free from the lust for power. Only one with such a heart can hope to draw it from its resting place. So, stranger, I ask you: do you believe yourself worthy? Do you think you can remove this cursed blade from its stone?"
Zoro's eyes narrowed as he took in the words. His fingers twitched, itching to touch the hilt, but he stood still, assessing.
Zoro paid no mind to the ominous voice, his singular focus fixed on the sword itself. Ignoring any warnings or curses, he strode forward, his eyes sharp with a fierce determination. As his fingers closed around the red hilt, an intense pressure struck his mind, like claws digging into his consciousness, trying to claw through his thoughts and shatter his will. But Zoro was no ordinary man; his resolve was like steel, honed from countless battles and forged through sheer, unbreakable willpower. Without hesitation, he unleashed a surge of Conqueror's Haki, the force radiating from him like a shockwave. His arm, cloaked in Armament Haki, gripped the hilt firmly, and with one swift, powerful pull, he wrenched the sword free from the stone as though it weighed nothing.
The voice gasped, its surprise palpable. "What… you really did it?" It hadn't expected Zoro to succeed, let alone to break free from the curse so effortlessly. The spirit seemed stunned, as if witnessing something truly unprecedented.
"Hmph," Zoro grunted, holding the sword up to inspect it. "I don't see what's so special about this sword." He swung it through the air, testing its weight and balance. The blade cut cleanly, but he felt no particular thrill from it. Growing more curious, he focused his Armament Haki, letting the dark energy flow into the blade, hoping to push it to its limits. But just as his Haki began to infuse, the sword trembled violently. A web of cracks splintered across its surface, and, with a sharp shattering sound, the blade crumbled to pieces in his hand.
Zoro looked down, his face twisted in irritation. "Cursed sword, my foot. What a load of crap." He tossed the broken hilt aside, clearly disappointed, and turned to head back toward where the others were. But before he could take a step, a soft, melodic laughter filled the air, like a bell ringing through the ancient chamber. It was both playful and warm, filling the room with a peculiar sense of joy.
"Hehehe… The sword was merely a test, to see the purity of your heart," the voice chimed, almost teasing. "Only one with a good heart could have pulled it free. You passed, stranger."
Zoro's eyes narrowed as a glowing, red orb floated in front of him, illuminating the dark room. He took a closer look, realizing that it wasn't just an orb of light—it was a tiny, delicate figure. She had blood-red hair cascading down her back with streaks of pink, and her petite wings sparkled like they held miniature storms within them, flickering with tiny arcs of lightning. Her entire form radiated a quiet, electric energy, and she looked at Zoro with a mischievous glint in her eyes, hovering before him with an air of curiosity and amusement.
Zoro blinked, his confusion only growing as the small, lightning-infused figure floated before him. "Huh? Who are you?" he asked, tilting his head. He couldn't deny that he was both intrigued and bewildered by the sudden appearance of this strange being, who looked no older than a child yet radiated an undeniable power.
The spirit's laughter, sweet yet tinged with pride, rang through the room as she spun around mid-air, her wings sparkling. "I'm Vermithra, a lightning spirit who's been sealed inside that sword for centuries," she replied, her voice a mixture of playful and haughty. "But you see, I'm special—my lightning is stronger than ordinary lightning."
Zoro raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Stronger than normal lightning, huh? How's that?"
Vermithra grinned, the sparkles of red energy crackling around her as she explained, "Red lightning, my dear swordsman, is far more powerful than the usual blue or white lightning. It's a rare, violent form of energy that can burn through nearly anything it touches. Unlike regular lightning, which is caused by ionization in the air, red lightning is a manifestation of pure destructive force, drawing from the most chaotic and unstable aspects of nature. It's the kind of energy that's born in the heart of storms, and it carries the fury of the heavens themselves. That's why I, Vermithra, am much stronger than the average lightning spirit—my power comes from a deeper, more primal source." Her eyes glinted with pride as she explained, her voice as sharp as a crack of thunder.
Zoro studied her, still processing her words, but his natural curiosity began to pique. "So, you're offering a contract?" He tilted his head slightly, sensing that there was more to this than just a simple partnership.
Vermithra's eyes gleamed with a mischievous, almost arrogant light. "Yes, now that you've freed me, I'm ready to form a contract with you. You should feel honored!" She hovered closer to him, her small form almost radiating confidence. "After all, only the worthy can wield my power, and with me by your side, you can become stronger than you've ever dreamed."
Zoro frowned, crossing his arms. "And what's in it for you? You don't strike me as the charitable type."
The spirit's expression faltered for a brief moment, then shifted back to a sly grin. "Ah, you'll find out soon enough. But don't worry, with me, you'll be happy... or at least, you'll be able to die happy." Her voice held a dark undertone as she finished, her expression never wavering from its haughty air, as though her offer was the best thing he could ever hope for.
Zoro ignored the small spirit as he walked toward the door, his frustration mounting. "Not interested," he muttered under his breath, brushing off her offer as if it were nothing more than a passing nuisance. He'd had his fill of magical contracts and spirits with agendas. But as he reached for the door, a soft but persistent voice floated behind him.
"Hey, hey! Why are you ignoring me?" Vermithra's voice, once playful, was now tinged with annoyance. She zipped around him, her tiny form darting like a lightning bolt, blocking his path with every step. "Come on, don't be like that! I'm offering you something great!"
Zoro stopped, turning his head slightly, annoyed. He'd already made it clear he wasn't interested, but the spirit wasn't relenting. With an irritated sigh, he glanced at her. "Why are you pestering me?"
Vermithra hovered closer, her eyes widening, her tone shifting from haughty to something closer to desperation. "Please… please form a contract with me!" She floated in front of him, her expression now vulnerable, her usual cocky demeanor all but vanished. "I've never formed a contract with anyone before... I've been sealed in that sword since the day I was born, trapped in a cursed existence. And whenever someone touched that sword, they either went mad from its curse or were burned to ashes by my power. I've never even seen the outside world. Please, I'm begging you."
Zoro's brow furrowed as he watched the spirit's change in demeanor. Her plea was genuine, and there was a hint of something pitiable about her now, though he wasn't ready to let down his guard so easily. "And why should I do that?" he asked, crossing his arms.
Vermithra seemed to falter for a moment, before continuing with a quiet intensity. "Because… I can sense that you don't have mana," she said softly, floating closer. "I'm not offering you magic, but I can give you access to my abilities—my lightning power. You won't be able to use mana like other humans, but you can tap into my strength through me." Her voice shook a little as she spoke. "It's a win-win for both of us. You can gain new abilities and fight stronger enemies, and I finally get to experience the world outside that damn sword. Please, just give me a chance!"
Zoro studied her for a long moment, watching the flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. It was clear that Vermithra was desperate, but also that she was offering something unique—something that might just be worth considering.
His frustration from earlier melted away slightly as he weighed the offer. He couldn't use mana, but having the ability to access her powers might give him an edge that no one else had, especially in a world full of magic.
He sighed, rubbing his temple. "Alright, alright... you've got a deal. But don't think I'm doing this because I like being pestered."
Vermithra's eyes brightened instantly, her smile wide and relieved. She darted closer, her energy crackling with excitement. "Thank you! Thank you! You won't regret this!" she exclaimed, her voice practically bubbling with joy.
"So, what do I have to do?" he asked, still a little skeptical of the whole situation.
Vermithra giggled, her voice light and airy. "You don't have to do anything," she chirped. "I'll handle it all. Just let me do my thing." Without another word, she zipped closer to him, her tiny form flitting in front of Zoro's face like a firefly.
Before he could react, Vermithra gently touched her finger to his forehead. Zoro felt a sudden, tingling sensation, like a spark of electricity that flickered briefly. It wasn't painful, just strange, and when he instinctively rubbed the spot where her finger had been, he felt nothing. But when he glanced into the dim light of the chamber, he could've sworn he saw a brief flash—a lightning symbol, etched into his skin for a fraction of a second, before vanishing as quickly as it had appeared.
"What the—?" Zoro started, looking around, but no sign of the symbol remained. His forehead felt normal. No change. No new power surging through him.
Vermithra, now perched happily on his shoulder, let out a soft giggle. "Done!" she declared, her tone triumphant. She looked quite pleased with herself. "Now we're connected. You won't feel anything different right now, but trust me, it'll come when you need it."
Zoro remained silent, still processing everything. He didn't feel any different, but then again, he wasn't expecting to suddenly be struck by lightning or anything. He would have to test it later.
Now, the thought of the kids popped back into his mind. He had to make sure they were okay. Or he will be pestered by Yami when they get back.
Without another word, Zoro turned and began heading for the exit, his long strides echoing through the stone corridors of the dungeon. As he moved, Vermithra shifted on his shoulder, her small body cozy against him as she curiously peered around. She seemed to be enjoying the view from her new perch.
"So, what's it like outside the sword?" Zoro asked, his voice a bit dry. "You've been stuck in there for how long? You must be bored out of your mind."
Vermithra sighed dramatically, her wings fluttering a little as she settled against his neck. "You have no idea. It's been centuries… stuck in that dark, cold place with no one to talk to. Only the sword, and that stupid curse… it was horrible!" she whined, her tone a mix of playful and exaggerated melodrama.
Zoro nodded but didn't say anything more.