The village of Emberwake, hidden within the shadows of the Azure Peaks, is known for its rich iron supply and simple swordsmiths. Although it is a long way from the great cities and the legendary duels of the Pathbound, tales of their epic adventures are plentiful here.
Kieran Veyra, a young man of 17, wipes the sweat from his brow. He is hard at work with his mentor, Master Kaelus, a well-known blacksmith with a mysterious past. Kieran has been sharpening a ceremonial sword meant for the local lord's guard.
The air grows heavy as sparks fly from the hammer meeting the crude blade. His technique appears clumsy and rushed, his strokes uneven, and Kaelus scolds him.
"Boy, I thought I taught you better than that."
Kieran sighs, looking at his master with irritation.
"A blade isn't just metal, my boy. It's a reflection of the swordsman themselves. If you rush, you get a sword that reflects poorly on the wielder."
Kieran mutters under his breath, visibly frustrated with his lack of progress. He dreams of one day being able to wield these blades for himself.
His daydreams are abruptly interrupted by the arrival of a traveling merchant.
"The Hollow Blade Tournament is coming to the Lowlands. The winner will receive training from an actual Pathbound master. Anyone with the courage to compete may enter."
Hearing this news, Kieran snaps back to reality, a gleam in his eyes. However, his excitement is quickly dismissed by his master's words.
"Don't even think about it, Kieran. Swordsmanship isn't just about being able to swing a blade. It's about discipline, precision, and knowing when to attack and when to stay your hand. Skills which you obviously lack in your current state."
That night, Kieran lies awake in his room, staring at the ceiling. His mind is still focused on what his master had said to him earlier that day. After thinking on it for a while, he sneaks out to the forge to find a blade suitable for training. After hours of dedicated practice, he finally decides to call it a night.
The next day starts like any other. Kieran and his master open up the shop for the day. While setting up his area, Kaelus notices that one of the swords is missing. Before he can question Kieran about the missing sword, the loud sounds of screaming are heard in the distance.
Hearing this, the two decide to investigate the source of the screams. Bandits have entered the village, demanding that all the swordsmiths hand over their weapons and supplies.
"Stay back, Kieran. I'll handle this."
Kaelus approaches the bandits, wielding an old blade that he swore he'd never use again. Kieran watches as his mentor manages to hold his ground against the bandits. After taking down bandits left and right, only the leader remains.
The two begin to trade blows, but unfortunately, the leader of the bandits proves to be too much for Kaelus alone. Watching from afar, Kieran, without a moment's hesitation, draws his sword and attempts to catch the bandit leader off guard with his back turned. Unfortunately, the bandit immediately notices this and turns his attention toward Kieran.
"Little brat, what chance do you think you have against me?"
The bandit readies his sword, flames starting to engulf the blade. He raises it high above his head, ready to cut Kieran down.
Quickly, Kaelus rushes to push his young apprentice out of the way of harm's reach.
"This isn't your fight, Kieran!"
Kaelus, having successfully pushed Kieran out of the way, is cut down by the bandit leader in one fell swoop of the fiery blade.
"You've grown soft, Kaelus. The paths have no place for a relic such as yourself."
The bandit retreats after insulting Kaelus.
Kieran quickly gets back on his feet and rushes to his master's side. As Kaelus lies dying, he hands Kieran his worn journal, its pages filled with cryptic notes and diagrams.
"If you truly wish to learn the way of the sword and walk the Blade Paths, this will guide you. But remember, power is only as strong as the soul that wields it. Don't lose yourself, Kieran."
After entrusting the journal to Kieran and uttering his last words, Kaelus succumbs to his injuries. As Kieran fights back the tears in his eyes, he makes a proclamation.
"I swear to you, Master, I will avenge your death. I will enter the Hollow Blade Tournament."
As villagers rush to Kieran's side, he picks up his master's blade and sets out for his home. It has been a week since the bandit attack on the village and the death of Kaelus.
Standing at the edge of the village, the mountains loom in the distance. Kieran glances back at the forge one last time before embarking. As he begins his journey, his mentor's last words weigh heavily on his mind.
"I'll make you proud, Master Kaelus. This I swear."
The wind carries the faint sound of a blade slicing through the airâa sign of the trials to come.