The dense, moonlit forest was eerily silent as Dextin approached his target—the latest wielder of the Red Katana. The air was thick with tension, only the faint rustling of leaves breaking the quiet. Ahead, standing in a clearing, was a young man in his twenties, his expression a mixture of confusion and awe as he clutched the Red Katanain both hands. His eyes flickered with recognition when he saw Dextin approaching.
"You must be the Green Katana wielder," the man said, smiling slightly. "My Red Katana spoke of y—"
Before he could finish, Dextin vanished from his spot, reappearing behind him in an instant. A single stroke of his Green Katana was all it took. The young man's head detached cleanly from his body, his eyes still frozen in surprise as it rolled across the ground. His body crumpled lifelessly beside the Red Katana, which clattered to the dirt, gleaming under the pale moonlight.
Dextin exhaled, slowly sliding his Green Katana back into its sheath. His piercing gaze locked onto the Red Katana lying on the ground, a wicked smile creeping onto his face.
"Who would have thought it would be this easy?" Dextin muttered. "The Red Katana, more power staring right at me."
He reached down, fingers mere inches from the hilt—
**CRACK!**
A violent surge of red lightning erupted from the Red Katana, blasting Dextin backward. The force sent him crashing through the air before slamming onto the forest floor, skidding against the dirt. His muscles tensed in shock.
"What… was that?" he muttered, coughing as he pushed himself up.
The Red Katana hummed with power before suddenly taking off, streaking through the sky like a crimson comet, vanishing into the distance.
Dextin's eyes narrowed in fury. What just happened?!
A deep, ancient voice echoed in his mind—the voice of the Green Katana.
"You should be dead, Dextin. Were it not for my power, you would have perished the moment you touched the Red Katana."
Dextin clenched his fists. "What do you mean?"
"Only the chosen wielder may hold the Red Katana. If anyone else dares to claim it, they suffer the punishment of death."
Dextin's jaw tightened. "And you thought it wasn't important to tell me this earlier?! You're useless!"
Silence followed. Then the Green Katana spoke again, its voice lower, more serious
"If the next wielder of the Red Katana happens to be The Sword Master, then it will be impossible to take it from them."
Dextin's blood ran cold for a moment. The Sword Master—a warrior who had mastered the art of all blades. If such a person became the wielder, then taking the Red Katana would be far more difficult.
But then, his fear was replaced by a burning ambition. I will have that sword no matter what.
"Tell me," he said, his confidence returning. "Where is the next wielder?"
The Green Katana sighed but obeyed, revealing the location.
And so, Dextin continued his hunt.
A Trail of Blood
Again and again, Dextin hunted the wielders of the Red Katana. He slaughtered them with ruthless precision, but no matter how many fell, he could never claim the Red Katana before it flew off.
"Damn it!" he roared after yet another failed attempt. He had killed countless wielders, yet the blade continued to slip through his grasp like an illusion.
Then, as the Red Katana flew off for the hundredth time, a sinister idea took root in his mind.
"The Red Katana only flies off if its wielder is dead…" He smirked. "Then instead of killing them, I'll just make them give it to me."
The Green Katana hesitated. "And how exactly do you plan to do that?"
Dextin grinned, his eyes gleaming with malice.
"If I take control of Xiphosia Village and rule it with an iron fist, I'll have an army at my disposal. My soldiers will find the wielder for me. If a villager becomes the wielder, they'll hand the Red Katana over themselves, knowing they have no choice. And those who refuse? They'll become prisoners and slaves—locked away to rot. Either way, I will get the Red Katana."
The Green Katana fell silent.
"You're going too far, Dextin," it finally said.
Dextin scowled. "Shut up. I've only just begun."
For months, Dextin executed his plan with ruthless efficiency. He conquered Xiphosia Village, ruling with fear and absolute power. No one dared to challenge him—he was a god among them.
Those who feared enslavement joined his army. Those who resisted were imprisoned, left to suffer in endless torment. And through it all, he continued his search for the Red Katana.
But something was about to change.
And soon, Dextin would learn that power always comes at a price.