Lord of the swords

Long ago, a powerful wizard named Marder sought control over the six nations. To achieve his goal, he forged seven swords—each one imbued with immense power. As a deceptive gesture of peace, he gifted six of the swords to the leaders of each nation while keeping the seventh, the cursed sword, for himself. At first, the swords brought harmony, but peace never lasts. Greed and ambition took hold, and war erupted as the nations fought for dominance. What they did not know was that the cursed sword granted Marder control over the wielders of the other six blades. He had orchestrated the war from the shadows, waiting for his moment to seize ultimate power. When the truth was finally revealed, the six nations set aside their differences and united against Marder. In a climactic battle, they struck him down—but even in death, Marder’s spirit refused to fade. His influence persisted, commanding his army from beyond the grave. Fearing that his power could rise again, the six swords were sealed away, hidden from the world. As for the cursed sword, the nations dared not destroy it. Instead, it was entombed in a secret chamber, lost to time.

For years, peace returned. But peace is never eternal. A small town was built near the forgotten tomb, unaware of the dark secret buried beneath. One fateful day, a young man named Kayono stumbled upon the ancient chamber. His eyes widened as he stepped inside, dust and silence filling the air. At the center of the room lay a sword, untouched by time. What is this… a sword?” he muttered, reaching for it. The moment his fingers wrapped around the hilt, a surge of energy coursed through his body. A burning power flooded his veins, turning them black as the corruption spread up his arm. Gasping in shock, he dropped the sword, his heart pounding. Far away, in the depths of the underworld, a pair of eyes snapped open. It has been found,” Marder’s voice echoed in the void. Still shaken, Kayono grabbed the sword’s sheath instead and carried it back to town. He rushed home to show his grandfather, unaware of the horror he had just unleashed. Kayono burst through the door, holding up the sword. “Grandfather, look what I found!” The old man turned and immediately froze. His face went pale as his eyes locked onto the hilt. Where… did you get that?” he asked, his voice trembling.

I found it in a tomb, not far from here.” Keep that away from me,” the grandfather said, stepping back in fear. Kayono frowned. “What? Why?” After a moment, the old man sighed heavily. “On second thought… let me see it.” Kayono hesitated but handed the sword over. The instant his grandfather’s fingers brushed the hilt, a shockwave burst from the weapon, sending the old man flying across the room. He slammed into the wall with a grunt. Grandfather!” Kayono ran to his side. The old man groaned and looked at him with wide, fearful eyes. “It has chosen you.” Kayono felt his stomach drop. “What?”

This is bad. Very bad,” the grandfather muttered. “I must summon the six nations.”

Without delay, messages were sent across the lands, calling the leaders to an urgent meeting. Within hours, they gathered—six rulers, each accompanied by two of their most skilled warriors. Welcome, leaders,” the grandfather addressed them. “I have called you here today because our greatest fear has come to pass.” Kayono stepped forward, carrying the sword. As soon as they saw it, the leaders shot to their feet. Some gasped. Others whispered in fear.

The sword has chosen its wielder,” the grandfather declared. “My grandson, Kayono.” A tense silence filled the room as all eyes fixed on the young man. Kayono placed the sword in the center of the table. The leaders stared at it, a mix of fear and fury in their expressions. What do you suggest we do?” the grandfather asked.

Kill the chosen one,” one leader said coldly.

No,” another countered. “The sword will only find a new host.” Then we must destroy it,” another suggested. You mean… Mount Destiny?” a voice asked. Silence fell. It was forged in the lava of Mount Destiny,” a leader said grimly. “It must be cast back into the firepit. That is the only way to destroy it.”

That’s suicide,” one of the warriors muttered. “I will not go.” No one spoke. The weight of their decision hung in the air. Meanwhile, deep beneath the earth, Marder’s spirit stirred. His army had waited in the shadows for decades. Now, their time had come.

The war for the cursed sword was about to begin.

A beautiful blonde-haired woman steps forward, her eyes sharp with determination.

“We must destroy it once and for all,” she declares. “I, LaCrystal, will protect the chosen one on his journey. You have my sword and shield.”

“I will stand beside you,” a warrior adds.

LaCrystal turns to him with a questioning look. “What was that talk about suicide earlier?”

The warrior crosses his arms. “I cannot let a woman best me.”

LaCrystal scoffs. “Hmph.”

A warrior figure steps forward, his voice low and measured. “I, Noctmus, will assist. You have my blade.” This set off a chain of declarations. Every nation, offering their fighters. Every nation doesn’t want to lose their honor and face to each other. A honorary bet without words. 

Another warrior nods. “And I, Renden, will help guide you to Mount Destiny. You have my bow.”

A rogue smirks as she twirls two daggers in her hands. “I, Mikayla, will protect you. You have my daggers.”

“I, Jarko, will aid you,” a burly man rumbles. “You have my hammer.”

An elder mage lifts his staff. “I, Tarven, will lend my magic.”

The hall falls silent. The gathered warriors glance around.

“Anyone else?” the elder statesman asks. When no one answers, he turns to the young man at the center of it all. “Are you certain you’re willing to go to Mount Destiny?”

Kayono straightens his shoulders. “If it’s what’s best for the nation, then I will see this through. I will destroy it.”

The leaders nod solemnly.

“Then it is decided,” the elder says. “The journey begins at dawn.”

Kayono steps forward, gripping the sword that will define his fate. The others ready their weapons, tension filling the air.

“The Fellowship of the Sword will stay in our town tonight,” the elder continues. “The rest may leave.”

With that, the meeting ends, and everyone scatters to make their preparations.

The Next Morning

Kayono fastens his armor and adjusts the cursed sword at his side. As he prepares to leave, his grandfather stands before him, holding another blade.

“Your father’s sword,” the old man says, presenting it to him.

Kayono takes it with reverence, slinging it over his back.

“Listen to me,” his grandfather warns. “Do not use the cursed sword. It will consume you—body and mind. Everything and everyone will try to take it from you. If you fall, it will choose another soul, and it could be decades before another wielder emerges. You must survive.”

Kayono swallows hard. His grandfather hands him a pack of food, patting his shoulder with a small, tired smile.

“Other than that—” the old man chuckles. “Have fun.”

Kayono forces a smile but feels the weight of the responsibility settle over him.

As he steps outside, the Fellowship of the Sword is already gathered, waiting for him.

“Heya, guys!” he calls out.

“Are you ready?” LaCrystal asks.

Kayono grins. “Yep! Time to destroy this thing.” He pats the hilt of the cursed sword.

The group tenses. Their hands hovering over their weapons. 

“Relax,” he says. “It’s just a sword.”

Noctmus shakes his head. “No, it’s an abomination.”

Kayono rolls his eyes. “You guys are too tense. It’s not that difficult.”

Tarven grips his shoulder, his voice grim. “Kid, this isn’t a game. Not all of us will make it back.”

Renden sighs. “Stop scaring him.”

“I’ll stay close to him,” Mikayla adds reassuringly.

“Enough talk,” Jarko grunts. “Let’s move.”

With that, the seven warriors set off.

The Journey Begins

They leave the safety of the town behind. Hours pass as they trek across open fields, and soon, dense trees surround them.

“How long until we get there?” Kayono asks.

“Three days,” LaCrystal replies.

Kayono balks. “Three days?! That’s hella far.”

“That’s just to the first nation’s border,” she adds. “It’s another seven days to Mount Destiny.”

“What?!” Kayono exclaims. “I thought this was a one-day thing! Go there, destroy the sword, come back!”

Tarven huffs. “Told you it’s not a game.”

Kayono stops in his tracks. “That’s too far. I give up already.”

Mikayla pushes him forward. “Oh no, you don’t.”

Jarko and Noctmus chuckle.

Renden, already a few feet ahead, signals for silence. The group halts, sensing a shift in the air.

They enter the forest cautiously, the atmosphere growing heavy.

Renden nocks an arrow, scanning the trees. The others move into position.

Kayono frowns. “Why is everyone so quiet?”

Mikayla hushes him. “Shhh. They know you have the sword. Marder’s soldiers could be nearby.”

Kayono hesitates. “Who’s Marder?”

Silence.

Everyone turns to look at him.

“…Did I say something wrong?” Kayono asks.

Shadows flickered between the trees, moving too fast to track.

“There!” Renden called out, raising his bow.

The group instantly went on high alert, weapons drawn. Kayono hesitated for a moment, uncertain of what was happening, but followed suit, gripping his sword. The others closed in around him, forming a protective circle. Renden loosed an arrow into the darkness, but the shaft only struck a tree.

“Why can’t we see them?” Kayono asked, scanning the shadows.

They’re shadows only. That’s why. Noctmus said. Renden shoots an arrow. The arrow struck true. A hooded shadow falls down. Kayono surprised and walks forward to investigate. The hooded shadow leaps at him. Caught off guard, Kayono jumps back. Lacrystal shoves Kayono aside and slice it down. We have to move. Lacrystal demands. Still in shock. We killed it, right? Kayono asked. How did it get back up? Kayono pushed again. 

“Because they’re already dead,” Jarko muttered grimly. Kayono’s stomach tightened. “What? Already dead?”

“Marder commands his army even in death,” Tarven explained. “They never truly die—we can only stop them for a short time. Thirty, maybe forty minutes if we’re lucky.”

“Is that even possible?” Kayono asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Very possible,” Lakrystal said, her expression hard. “He was, and still is, a powerful wizard.”

Without warning, figures lunged from the trees—some leaping from above, others charging from the ground. The group immediately engaged, meeting the attack head-on. Mikayla stayed close to Kayono, keeping him within reach as the others fought with trained precision. Kayono, overwhelmed, barely managed to keep track of the battle.

Then, one of the figures broke through the formation.

It moved fast, rushing straight for him.

Before Kayono could react, Mikayla intercepted, her daggers flashing as she unleashed a flurry of precise strikes. The figure shrieked and collapsed into smoke and tattered cloth.

“Run!” she commanded.

Kayono turned and sprinted, Mikayla following close behind. The others held off the creatures, buying them time. But as they ran, Kayono’s foot slipped—too late to stop himself, he tumbled into a steep drop. Instinctively, he grabbed Mikayla, pulling her down with him.

They crashed hard. Kayono’s back slammed against the earth, knocking the wind from his lungs. Mikayla landed on top of him, straddling him, her hands bracing against his chest. For a brief moment, they locked eyes, the sounds of battle distant.

Then Mikayla quickly pushed off, regaining her footing. Kayono sat up, coughing and brushing dirt from his clothes.

A shadow dropped down in front of them.

Mikayla was on her feet in an instant, daggers raised. Kayono hesitated, then lifted his sword. The shadow lunged at Mikayla, and she met it in combat, moving with practiced grace. Kayono stood frozen, unsure how to help.

Mikayla struck the creature down, its form crumpling to the ground.

“Behind you!” Kayono shouted.

The figure surged back up and slammed into Mikayla, sending her flying. It turned its focus to Kayono. He swung his sword, but the creature dodged effortlessly, knocking the weapon from his hands.

Its clawed fingers reached for him.

Desperation took hold. Instinct overpowered fear.

Kayono’s hand shot to the cursed sword at his side. The moment his fingers curled around the hilt, dark energy pulsed through his arm. Black veins spread across his skin.

He swung.

The blade cut through the creature’s outstretched hands. An inhuman scream tore through the air as the figure dissolved into a heap of cloth and smoke.

Kayono gasped, the cursed sword slipping from his grasp.

“What just happened?” Mikayla asked, pushing herself up.

Kayono stared at his hands. His arm still tingled, black veins stark against his skin. He swallowed hard. “I—I don’t know. It happened too fast.”

Mikayla’s eyes darkened. “Did you use the cursed sword?”

Kayono hesitated, then nodded. “Yes.”

Slowly, he reached for his original sword, sheathing it before carefully picking up the cursed blade. The veins didn’t fade. He flexed his fingers, but the sensation lingered.

“Let’s go,” he said, his voice steadier than he felt.

Mikayla didn’t argue. She led the way back through the trees, moving quickly.

When they finally rejoined the others, everyone was catching their breath, their bodies tense from the battle.

“Looks like we’re all here,” Lakrystal said, relief evident in her tone.

Kayono clenched his fists. He wasn’t sure if he should feel relieved—or afraid.

Kayono walked away from the group, his shoulders tense. The others followed, giving him space but unwilling to let him go off alone. After a few more minutes, they found a spot to rest.

He dropped his pack and opened it, sighing as he assessed the damage. The fall earlier had crushed most of his food. He picked through the remains, eating what little he could salvage and tossing the rest aside. Mikayla, watching him from a distance, noticed the frustration in his face. She sat down next to him.

“Are you okay?” she asked softly.

Kayono stopped mid-bite and exhaled sharply. “No! I’m not okay!” he snapped, throwing the ruined food aside as he jumped to his feet. The group turned to look at him.

“I’m not prepared for this. I don’t know what I’m doing!” His voice rose with each word. “What are we even up against?!”

“Marder and his army,” Noctmus answered grimly.

“These things don’t die,” Tarven added.

“How do you kill something that’s already dead?” Jarko asked.

“The cursed sword,” Mikayla said.

A stunned silence fell over the group.

“What?!” Lakrystal exclaimed.

Mikayla nodded. “It happened when Kayono and I got separated. He used the cursed sword and struck one of them. It turned to smoke.”

“Are you sure?” Renden asked skeptically.

“Yes,” Mikayla affirmed.

“So only Kayono can kill these things,” Jarko muttered.

“What?!” Kayono shook his head. “I don’t know how to fight like you guys!” He pulled the sword from his belt, extending it toward them. “Here, take it!”

No one moved. No one spoke.

Frustrated, Kayono threw the sword to the ground and turned to walk away.

“Kayono!” Noctmus called out.

Kayono hesitated but didn’t turn back. Noctmus stepped forward, reaching for the sword. The moment his fingers grazed the hilt, a shockwave erupted, sending him sprawling backward. The others gasped.

Noctmus staggered to his feet, rubbing his wrist. “You’re the chosen one,” he said, locking eyes with Kayono. “Only you can wield the sword.”

“Why me?” Kayono demanded.

“We don’t know,” Lakrystal admitted, “but we do know we need you to destroy Marder.”

Kayono glanced around, meeting each of their gazes. He swallowed hard, then reluctantly picked up the sword and strapped it back to his side.

“Let’s get rid of this thing,” he muttered.

The group continued their journey.

“Cheer up, kid,” Tarven said, clapping him on the shoulder. “Try to see your curse as a gift.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Kayono replied dryly.

“Only you can stop Marder and his army,” Mikayla said.

“That’s a lot of power,” Jarko added.

Kayono let out a bitter laugh. “I don’t even know how to fight. How am I supposed to stop an army by myself?”

“You have us,” Lakrystal assured him.

“Yeah, seven against a million. Great odds,” Kayono said sarcastically.

“We don’t have to fight them all,” Renden explained. “If we throw the sword into the lava at Mount Destiny, Marder and his army will be destroyed.”

“That means getting past a billion undead,” Noctmus pointed out.

“You’re very optimistic, Noctmus,” Renden with sarcasm.

“No, I’m just telling the truth,” Noctmus replied flatly.

“A billion?” Kayono repeated, eyes widening.

“Kid, there are more dead people than living. There could be trillions,” Tarven said.

“Stop scaring him,” Renden interjected.

“No, he’s right,” Jarko admitted.

“You guys are hopeless,” Lakrystal sighed.

“Don’t listen to them,” she told Kayono. “I believe we’ll succeed.”

“Yeah, I got you every step of the way,” Mikayla added.

Kayono exhaled. “That makes me feel better,” he said.

“Really?” Mikayla asked, hopeful.

“No!” Kayono shouted, shaking his head.

As night fell, a fire crackled, casting flickering shadows around the group.

“I’ll take first watch,” Noctmus said.

“No, I will,” Lakrystal countered.

“I’ll fight you for it,” Noctmus challenged.

Lakrystal smirked and reached for her sword. “Bring it on.”

“I meant rock, paper, scissors,” Noctmus clarified.

“Oh.” Lakrystal hesitated, then nodded. “Fine.”

They squared up.

“Only one round,” Lakrystal warned.

“I won’t lose to a girl,” Noctmus teased.

“Rock, paper, scissors… shoot!”

Noctmus threw paper. Lakrystal threw rock.

“I win!” Noctmus cheered.

Lakrystal groaned in frustration.

“You know,” Noctmus said, “we should have a friendly competition—whoever takes down the most shadow figures by the end wins.”

Lakrystal considered it, then nodded. “You’re on.”

“That’s not going to work,” Jarko pointed out. “Anyone can lie about their kill count.”

“It’s about integrity and honor,” Noctmus said. “What do you say?”

“Deal,” Lakrystal agreed. They shook hands.

“I won’t lose to a woman,” Noctmus teased.

“You’ll be sorry,” Lakrystal shot back.

Jarko turned to Tarven with the same competitive gleam in his eye.

“I don’t play silly games,” Tarven said, walking away.

Kayono lay down, turning his back to Mikayla. She smiled at him, but he didn’t return it. She sighed and turned over as well, settling in for the night. One by one, the others followed, leaving Noctmus alone to watch the fire.

As the hours passed, Noctmus stared at the cursed sword.

“Kill him,” a voice whispered in his mind. “Kill him and take the power for yourself.”

Noctmus jerked, scanning the darkness. No one was there. He shook his head, trying to shake off the voice.

“The power could be yours…”

He stood, almost in a trance, and walked toward Kayono. Slowly, he drew his blade, raising it above the sleeping boy.

“What are you doing?” Lakrystal’s voice cut through the silence.

Noctmus snapped back to reality. He quickly sheathed his sword and turned to her.

“Just checking on the chosen one,” he lied.

Lakrystal’s eyes narrowed. “I’m taking over the watch.”

“Yeah, thanks,” Noctmus said, feigning nonchalance. He walked away and lay down.

Lakrystal sat by the fire, keeping a watchful eye on him.

A moment later, Kayono shot up, scanning the area.

“Where’s Noctmus?” he asked.

“I took over. He’s resting,” Lakrystal replied.

Kayono frowned. “I swear I felt him near me a second ago.”

“Must’ve been a dream,” Lakrystal said.

Kayono hesitated before grabbing the cursed sword. Lakrystal instinctively placed her hand on her own weapon.

Instead of drawing it, he sat beside her, watching the flames flicker.

“How…” Kayono began.

“Why…” Lakrystal started at the same time.

They both paused, then smiled.

“You first,” Kayono said.

“Why did you accept this burden if you knew you had no combat skills?” Lakrystal asked.

Kayono sighed. “I thought it would be simple—one day there and back. But ten days? And it chose me. I didn’t really have a choice.”

The Journey Continues

“I regret my decision,” Kayono muttered, staring into the flickering embers of the dying campfire.

Lakrystal, sitting nearby, didn’t look up as she ran a sharpening stone along her blade. “Regret is only regret if you believe it is,” she said, the rhythmic scrape of metal against stone filling the silence. “Everyone has different lessons in life.”

Kayono exhaled heavily, running a hand through his hair. “How did you become such a good fighter?”

Lakrystal finally glanced at him, her expression unreadable. “Blood, sweat, and tears,” she said. “In that order.”

Kayono huffed a dry laugh. “Oh, really? I guess I should try next time.”

“No, don’t guess—just try,” Lakrystal corrected, sliding her blade back into its sheath.

Kayono straightened a little. “You’re right. I should be more confident.”

“That’s more like it.” A small smirk played on Lakrystal’s lips. “You’re chosen for a reason.”

His shoulders tensed. “Don’t remind me.”

She studied him for a moment, then leaned back against a log. “Morning’s coming soon. Get some rest before the sun rises.”

Kayono hesitated, then muttered, “Thanks, Lakrystal.”

She arched an eyebrow. “For what?”

His gaze softened. “You were the first to volunteer to guard me on this journey.”

Lakrystal exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “Yeah. Let’s hope I don’t regret that decision.”

Kayono chuckled and recited her words back to her. “Regret is only regret if you believe it is.”

For the first time that night, she smiled at him. He let the moment settle before lying back down, finally allowing himself to rest.

Morning Comes

The first rays of dawn stretched across the horizon as the group packed up camp. Kayono was the last to wake, rubbing his eyes groggily.

“Hey, guys. Ready to go?” he asked through a yawn.

Mikayla turned to him with a teasing smirk. “Yes, waiting on you, chosen one.”

They set off together, the crunch of dirt beneath their boots breaking the quiet morning air. Kayono walked alongside Mikayla, glancing at her before speaking.

“Hey… sorry if I gave off a rude vibe last night.”

Mikayla didn’t hesitate. “You did.”

Kayono winced. “I wasn’t upset with you. I was more angry at myself—at how helpless I was.” He exhaled, his voice quieter. “And the pressure of being the chosen one doesn’t help.”

Mikayla’s expression softened slightly. “It’s okay. Apology accepted,” she said. But before he could say anything else, she picked up her pace, moving ahead to walk with the others.

Kayono frowned. That didn’t feel like she accepted my apology…

“You worry too much, kid,” Traven said, falling into step beside him.

Kayono glanced over. “What?”

Traven smirked. “She likes you. She just didn’t like feeling rejected.”

Kayono blinked, unsure how to respond. Traven chuckled and strode ahead, leaving him with his thoughts.

The Tall Grass

The landscape shifted as they walked. The trees thinned, giving way to a vast open plain covered in waist-high grass. A warm breeze rolled across the field, making the blades ripple like waves in a green ocean.

Renden stopped at the edge of the grass, scanning the horizon. “We go through here.”

Without hesitation, the team moved forward, pushing through the thick growth. The rustling of their own footsteps was the only sound at first.

Then something else moved.

Kayono froze mid-step. A faint rustle, too steady to be the wind, came from somewhere ahead.

Another movement—closer this time.

The grass swayed unnaturally, bending in places untouched by the breeze.

Kayono’s fingers twitched toward his weapon.

The others noticed it too.

Lakrystal’s voice was quiet but firm. “Stay alert.”

The air grew heavy.

Another rustle. Closer.

Something was watching them.

And whatever it was—was waiting to strike.

“We’ve got company,” Noctmus muttered, his voice tense.

Everyone drew their weapons.

“Something’s coming!” Lakrystal warned.

A massive shadow serpent slithered up from the tall grass, its black scales shimmering with a sinister glow. It reared its head and hissed, locking its eyes on Kayono. With terrifying speed, the serpent struck. Kayono barely had time to react before Lacrystal lunged in front of him, raising her shield. The serpent’s fangs crashed against it, sending shockwaves through the air. Renden loosed an arrow, but the projectile bounced harmlessly off the creature’s enchanted hide. Its body is reinforced with magic!” Renden shouted. We need to run!” Traven urged. The team turned to flee, but the serpent moved faster. It lashed out again—this time aiming for Kayono. Mikayla shoved him aside at the last second, taking his place. The serpent’s powerful tail coiled around her, lifting her into the air as she struggled against its crushing grip. Mikayla!” Kayono’s voice cracked with panic as he stopped in his tracks. No! We have to keep moving!” Renden insisted. I’m not leaving her!” Kayono snapped. It’s her duty to protect you!” Renden shot back. The serpent tightened its hold on Mikayla, making her gasp for breath. Kayono clenched his fists. His heart pounded. His blood boiled. Then, without another thought, he reached for the cursed sword. The dark blade pulsed as he unsheathed it. The moment it left its scabbard, the air around him grew heavy, charged with an unnatural energy. He lunged. The cursed sword cut through the serpent’s magic-reinforced scales like they were nothing. A single slash, and the creature shrieked, its grip on Mikayla loosening. She tumbled to the ground, gasping for air. The serpent reared back, its furious eyes locking onto Kayono. That sword… it broke the enchantment!” Jarko exclaimed. Without hesitation, the team charged forward, seizing the opening. Renden fired another arrow, this time striking deep into the serpent’s exposed flesh. The beast roared in pain. Meanwhile, Kayono rushed to Mikayla’s side, shielding her as the serpent lunged again. Then—pain. A burning sensation spread up his arm from where he gripped the cursed sword. Black veins crept along his skin, pulsing with ominous energy. They slithered up his neck, across his face. One of his eyes darkened, turning a sinister red. Half his hair paled to an ashen hue. The sword was taking over. The serpent launched one final, desperate strike. Kayono leapt high, meeting the attack midair. His blade arced downward, slicing clean through the beast’s skull. The impact sent shockwaves through the ground as the serpent crashed, its massive form convulsing violently. With a final twist of the blade, Kayono pinned its head to the earth. The serpent thrashed, then stilled. Silence fell. Then, something strange happened.

From the serpent’s sundered body, another weapon emerged—a sword formed from the creature’s blood. The cursed sword reacted, absorbing the new blade into its core. The Blood Sword?!” Noctmus whispered in shock. I thought it was a myth. He added.

Everyone stared as the transformation in Kayono continued. Half of his body remained corrupted, the black veins pulsing. His red eye gleamed with something almost inhuman. Kayono turned to Mikayla and extended a hand. She hesitated, eyes wide with fear. Realization struck him. He saw the darkness creeping along his arm, the unnatural markings, the power that had nearly consumed him. Slowly, he sheathed the cursed sword. The black veins began to recede. Are you okay?” he asked softly.

Mikayla hesitated before reaching for his hand. As he pulled her up, their faces were close—too close. I was worried about you,” Kayono admitted. Mikayla’s breath hitched. “I… I’m okay,” she murmured. She quickly stepped back, looking away. From the sidelines, Noctmus shook his head in amazement. “I still can’t believe what just happened.” Lacrystal smirked. “Me neither. But I think they like each other.” The boys exchanged confused glances.