As the morning came Cole was up with the rest to see Iris off as she headed into the shadow lands with a different horse incase things didn’t go well.
“Return safely, lady Kuro.” Faye said softly to her
“I’ll do my best lady Gale.” Iris remarked smirking some as she climbed onto the new horse her armor cleaned and repainted as well having her sword on her hip
“Good luck sis.” Cole said saluting her with two fingers
“Don’t kill yourself, little brother.” She said as she pulled on the reigns and was off
With this Cole went back to to work summoning his elemental type. It was rather easy to conjure but that didn’t make it any less frightening truly seeing it with his own eyes and manifesting it through his own body. He was finally beginning to believe. He could start to see fire sparking out of his blade every now and then as he moved through the move sets he’d been taught. He could feel himself gaining a small amount of control over it as he envisioned what it was like when he was in the arena that day. The way the flames came to life. He could feel the weight and heat of them like they were condensed by this very magic and made into an explosive slash that can be used at either long range or short range.
As long he stayed concentrated he could summon as many flames to his sword as he wanted as he felt like his aura had no end and his imagination was molded by his time reading plenty of manga and watching all kinds action anime.
So his imagination was thriving with this new found knowledge but the hardest part indeed was balancing his immense well of aura and overactive imagination with a sword that had untold levels of power.
This most of all scared him and truly wanted to handle such a weapon with the upmost care and not lose control of it.
The fear of causing untold destruction and potentially killing himself along with it kept him from pushing his limits for now. He could feel it’s connection deepening as he cycled through his own style of swordplay. With each pattern he could feel the sword coming alive more and more.
But in that same split second he felt it as he ducked to the left dodging a dagger that was lunging at him. As he lost his balance he quickly rolled forwards saving himself as he landed kneeling. The figure who had attacked him having disappeared in the greenery. Cole closed his eyes stretching out with his mind feeling his aura extend his reach. Then he opened his eyes instantaneously blocking the dagger with his own sword.
“You’re good boy! Not many can sense the stealth Kushan’s. We pride ourselves on hiding.” The person explained their voice feminine “And to me, well… that’s an insult!” She said her voice rising as she lunged at him again
Cole fended off a series of rapid jabs as well punches and kicks. His hand to hand fighting skills serving him well. He could feel his aura sharpening his mind, his perception, his reaction time. It was just as amazing and terrifying still to feel himself move so fluidly. Momentarily losing his focus as a fist collided his face knocking him back hard.
“Atta boy. You truly know how to spit on the culture of my people. You let her highness live even when you had her dead to rights. Then you don’t even take the throne.” She said walking back and forth goading him
He groaned hard as he dragged himself to his feet before holding his sword out and letting out a deep breath through his nose.
“I don’t give a damn about your honor. You’re not here for your people. It’s plain to see in your eyes. For a stealth Kushan, you do a terrible job of hiding your emotions.” Cole said now as this warranted another flurry of punches
But he was far more prepared now. He could feel his aura flowing with his body’s movements. Blocking and fending off her attacks with ease now. She was getting sloppy now, she was pissed off, and out of balance. This was to his advantage allowing him the upper hand and more control over his own style. With a well time thrust of her wrist, he ducked slamming into her and knocking her down now.
“Why?! why did you have to take her away?! Lady Tigress had finally brought peace to our people! And now you’ve torn it sunders!” She shouted at him getting on her feet again
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“I told you I don’t give a damn about your personal sense of honor. What about the countless Kushan’s I’ve seen being taken by slavers? Ones who flee to places like Kalikori Village? Those left to die in the streets of Menagerie? Is that what you call peace?” Cole now asked
“It’s how our culture works. If you want something, you reach out with your own hands and take it. The weak will run or die, but only if they choose to stay and wallow helplessly.” She explained as she threw punches repeatedly at him
The Kushan assassin went to deliver the killing blow her fingers pressed together and outstretched ready to pierce him. For only a moment the blade began to light up like fire was inside the very black metal of the blade. Before either could react one hand grabbed the assassin’s wrist and tossing her away like a rag doll, while simultaneously planting their foot in Cole’s chest and sending him flying back in the opposite direction.
“COLE! Don’t lose control of your sword! A fire burns only as long as it’s being fed! Temper your emotions!” Tigress shouted at him giving him the easy answer
Cole could hear her words but his sword was still overpowering him. Gritting his teeth he could feel the immense heat of the blade but it did not burn or blind him. The blade was now glowing like a red hot iron. For Tigress it truly was perplexing to see him coming into his powers but even now was still too dangerous. Cole drew in slow deep breaths listening to Tigress’ words and remembering what Faye had taught him. He could feel the heat slowly retreating as the blade slowly returned to its natural black.
“What is this monster?!” The assassin asked in pure shock over what she’d seen
“It’s not for you to understand. The fact you came all the way out here. You sully me and the clan.” Tigress said harshly
“Lady Soumita you must come home! The people need you! You can earn your title again! Kill this man! He will not corrupt you!” The assassin preached
“THAT’S ENOUGH!” Tigress roared causing the assassin to shrink in fear
“I will not be addressed by that name by the likes of assassin who waits at my beckon call. Only those who know me well enough may use my name. And I did not give you permission.” She added walking forward slowly breaking down the girl “You, and I are not so different. The only difference is, I don’t put my beliefs in a single person, tends to muddy the mind. So when someone’s idol topples they can’t handle reality. He earned my respect, he chose to spare me, and I chose to walk by his side. I will not go easy, Jasmin.” Tigress said as she stared the young assassin down putting down her own philosophy and reiterating what had happened as well using her own real name
“This isn’t over Lady Tigress. You know I am honor and blood bound. No matter how long it may take.” The assassin said before slowly backing away and disappearing
Cole could still feel the power retreating and fleeting. The forest no longer felt like an inferno waiting to light from the spark of his sword. As he looked on at it he could feel his heart still hammering in his chest as this sword truly scared him even still
Faye and an escort of Rangers on horseback showing up, dismounting with their weapons in hand and standing ready at Cole and Tigress’ aid.
“Relax Priestess. I scared the would be intruder off. And your student didn’t lose control this time.” Tigress said approaching her before stopping beside but not facing her or meeting her eye “He’s progressing too fast. His powers will explode if he doesn’t gain some control, he needs to be pushed harder.” She warned Faye as well
“I will decide what is best for my student. You will not gamble his life on a life or death brawl.” Faye countered softly.
“Have it your way. See how far that gets you.” Tigress said knowing she would get nowhere with this conversation as she walked away while Faye walked towards Cole
Faye immediately slapping him much to his shock and surprise.
“You don’t get it boy. You’re in a sacred place, and you’re a magnet as your weapon is the multiplier. If you don’t learn balance you will burn everything down and anyone who gets close to you. Magic is controlled chaos, the fine line between your limits and your potential. But in a place as ancient as this, it will destroy you if you do not take your time.” Faye explained to him being thorough with why she was so harsh
Cole truly was at a loss his eyes wide and unable to speak. This wasn’t like any manga, it was real. He could feel the very power of his soul coursing through him and this sword. and with this incredible power he had to learn to control it, understand it, understand him.
‘You are, me. And I am, you.’
‘You already know my name. Only you can speak it into reality.’
He could recall the time of when he held Saeko’s bow and drew on this power originally to burn down the tree of death. The power was with him all along, this sword like Saeko’s bow in many respects. Made by someone who cared greatly about their ideals, but it was more than an imprint. It was like him, the Phoenix’s power was imbued into this blade and made for one like him.
*Salazar….* He mouthed immediately feeling the power of the sword, his own powers and this new third power all melding
Faye on cue then tossed him his bow, surprised but still catching it he sheathed his sword. He could feel Saeko’s echo again. She was always with him, it wasn’t pointless writing, but it wasn’t wise to waste a gift. As he drew back the string he could feel that fire welling up in him again and heating the bow up but somehow not burning it.
“You learn quickly. I can see the gears turning. You are meant for great things, but only you can find your own balance in what your weapon of choice is.” Faye now explained to him “Be it from someone you trusted or one meant for you.” she added as well taking a step back now
He could still feel the fear coursing through him. This was a kind of power he had no idea what its limits were, or how destructive it was. But it was exactly as he kept getting told, only he could control it. With this he clipped the bow to his back and drew his sword feeling that fire burning once more.
The blade glowing red again, Faye in shock he could do this so easily. But now he was asserting his control over the blade. His own aura rising and radiating off of him, forcing the blade into submission it seemed like. The sword glowed even hotter making Faye and the Ranger’s instinctively covered their eyes feeling the heat coming off it. The way he held the sword out he was trying his damndest to pour all he had into it.
Finally both the sword and Cole seem to run out of fumes, the sword going back to its black blade while Cole nearly fell completely to the ground, collapsing to his knees using the sword to hold his weight.
“I guess… I guess that’s, that’s my limit.” Cole said panting hard barely able to speak
“Idiot! You have to concentrate! Otherwise you’ll only run yourself out of aura. If you don’t take this seriously and slow, it will cause your body to explode.” Faye explained now rubbing head in frustration with this boy “Come! There is still much for you to learn.” She added leaving without another word
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