Kaleb and Master Kang stood within a secluded glade, far from the devastation of the earlier battle. The air here was charged, humming faintly with latent energy, as if the clearing itself awaited the Master's next move. Kang tapped his cane on the mossy ground, signaling Kaleb to focus.
"This," Kang began, his voice calm yet firm, "is not a technique for showmanship. The Final Strike is a culmination of everything you've learned about precision, control, and conviction."
Kaleb adjusted his stance, Denkoujin resting loosely in his grip. His eyes met Kang's, determination burning within. "What makes it different?" he asked.
Kang's lips curled into a thin smile. "It is a strike designed to end the fight in one motion. No setup, no second chances. But this power comes at a cost." He stepped forward, his gnarled hands resting on the dragon-headed cane. "Channeling energy into the blade is not as simple as you might think. Too much, and you'll drain your entire spiritual core. Too little, and the strike will fail."
Kaleb nodded, his grip tightening. "How do I control it?"
Kang drew his hidden blade, its polished steel gleaming in the faint sunlight. "You must measure the flow of energy precisely. For most opponents, 50% is enough. Against extreme threats, you can risk 80%—but any higher, and you might as well lie down and prepare for death."
Kaleb's breath hitched, but he didn't falter. "Show me," he said.
Kang moved with deliberate grace, raising his blade. The air around him seemed to still as he channeled energy into the weapon, a faint golden aura surrounding the steel. With a single fluid motion, he swung the sword, releasing a crescent arc of energy that carved through a boulder as if it were paper. The boulder collapsed, its pieces falling in perfect symmetry.
"That," Kang said, sheathing his blade, "is what it means to finish a fight."
Kaleb's jaw tightened. "I can do this," he said.
"Good," Kang replied, his sharp gaze softening. "Now, begin. Channel the energy, and let your blade flow like water."
Kaleb closed his eyes, focusing on the Raiden System's faint hum.
[Energy Control Activated. Calibration: 50%. Adjust Flow as Needed.]
As Denkoujin began to glow faintly, Kaleb exhaled and swung. The energy hissed from the blade, but it dissipated mid-air. He frowned, adjusting his stance. Again and again, he tried, the system offering minor adjustments, until the blade released a crescent arc that shimmered with lightning.
Kang nodded in approval. "Better. But you're still hesitating. Trust your instincts. Again."
For hours, Kaleb practiced, each swing bringing him closer to mastery. Sweat dripped from his brow, but his resolve never wavered. By sunset, the clearing was littered with scorched earth and shattered stone.
"Enough," Kang said, raising a hand. "You've grasped the fundamentals. Now comes the harder part."
As the light faded, Kang watched Kaleb carefully, his eyes narrowing with suspicion. "There's something off about your blade," he said suddenly.
Kaleb blinked, glancing at Denkoujin. "What do you mean? I've enhanced it with dark crystals to amplify its energy flow."
Kang held out a hand. "Let me see."
Reluctantly, Kaleb passed the katana to his Master. Kang studied the weapon, his fingers running along the blade's surface. His brow furrowed as he inspected the embedded crystals. "You were on the right track," Kang said, his tone contemplative. "But the placement is… flawed. Meteor Iron must remain pure to channel energy properly. These crystals are hindering the flow, not enhancing it."
Kaleb frowned. "So, what do I do?"
Kang stepped back, tossing Denkoujin lightly into the air. To Kaleb's astonishment, the blade hovered horizontally, its surface shimmering faintly. Kang extended his hands, his fingers moving as if conducting an invisible orchestra. A soft hum filled the clearing as the dark crystals separated from the blade, floating in a graceful spiral around it.
"The crystals are powerful amplifiers," Kang explained, his voice steady. "But their placement must be precise. Watch."
With a wave of his hand, the crystals drifted toward the sword's hilt, fusing seamlessly into the handle grip and blade guard. The weapon glowed faintly, its aura more balanced, more alive.
"This configuration," Kang said, lowering his hands, "will amplify the energy flow without compromising the blade's integrity. Now, your strikes will require less energy, and your output will be far more efficient."
Kaleb stepped forward, reaching for the katana. As his fingers closed around the hilt, he felt the difference immediately. The blade felt lighter, yet the energy coursing through it was undeniable. "It's… incredible," he murmured.
Kang smirked. "It will serve you well. But remember, a blade is only as strong as the hand that wields it. You still have much to learn."
Kaleb nodded, determination etched into his features. "I'll make it count."
…In the shadowed depths of Vorrick's chamber, the air was thick with void energy, oppressive and cold. The courier knelt before him, trembling as he delivered his report. "Eryxis failed to eliminate Kaleb, my lord. He… escaped."
Vorrick's eyes narrowed, the faint glow of void energy radiating from his form. His shadow seemed to writhe against the chamber walls, elongating unnaturally as his anger simmered. "Escaped?" Vorrick repeated, his voice dangerously calm. "You mean to tell me that my orders—simple, direct orders—were not carried out?"
The courier's head bowed lower, sweat trickling down his temple. "I-it wasn't my failure, my lord. Eryxis underestimated—"
"Silence!" Vorrick's voice boomed, echoing through the chamber. The courier froze, his breath hitching as the shadows around Vorrick began to swirl like a living storm.
Vorrick stepped closer, his amber eyes glowing with malevolent intent. "Do you know what I detest more than incompetence?" he asked, his tone deceptively soft. "Excuses."
Before the courier could respond, Vorrick raised a hand. Tendrils of void energy shot out from his palm, wrapping around the man like serpents. The courier gasped, his body convulsing as the energy tightened, glowing faintly with a sickly violet hue.
"My lord—please!" the courier cried, his voice cracking as his vitality was ripped from him.
Vorrick's expression remained cold and unfeeling as the life drained from the man's body. His skin shriveled, his flesh collapsing inward until only bones remained. The lifeless skeleton crumpled to the ground, brittle and hollow.
Vorrick lowered his hand, the tendrils receding as if they had never existed. He stood over the remains, his expression unreadable, though his aura pulsed with dangerous satisfaction.
With a flick of his wrist, Vorrick summoned another figure into the chamber. A second courier appeared, his eyes wide with horror as he took in the pile of bones at Vorrick's feet.
"My lord…" the new courier stammered, his voice barely audible.
Vorrick's gaze snapped to him, pinning him in place. "You will take this message to Selena Voidtide," Vorrick said, his tone icy and commanding. "Tell her to prepare for the next phase. The Tidecallers will fall, and Kaleb will be crushed under the weight of his failure."
The courier nodded frantically, trembling as he backed away. "Y-yes, my lord. It will be done."
Vorrick's eyes narrowed further, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "And know this—if you fail me as the last one did…" He gestured toward the pile of bones, his meaning clear. "I will not waste my energy on words."
The courier swallowed hard, bowing low before retreating from the chamber as fast as his shaking legs would carry him. Vorrick stood alone, the oppressive silence broken only by the faint crackle of void energy in the air.
He stepped to the map etched into the stone wall, his gaze fixed on the Tidecaller territory. A cruel smile twisted his lips as he traced his finger over the lands Kaleb now sought to protect.
"Your little rebellion will end soon, Kaleb," Vorrick murmured, his voice dripping with malice. "And this time, there will be no escape."
The void crystal in his hand pulsed faintly before shattering in his grip. Its dark fragments fell to the floor as Vorrick turned and vanished into the shadows, his next move already set in motion.