"Again!” Rocko barked. Sam obliged, coming at him with a flurry of attacks.

He dodged them easily, his blades power amplifying his reflexes tenfold, Sam’s movements seeming slow motion. Slamming the butt of his pole arm into the ground, Sam yelped as lightening rained down upon them. Rocko’s opponent winced as a weak bolt struck his shoulder and he fell to the ground in pain.

Rocko ceased his assault. “Sorry,” he offered a hand to Sam, helping him up.

“No worries,” He winced, “Perhaps you should practice on the dummies, at least until Jake gets back or you learn how to aim.”

Rocko turned Kaminari slowly in his hand not moving, “How do I meet the soul in my blade?” he suddenly asked.

Sam grimaced, “Meeting the soul of your blade is an individual thing Ben. You can try to summon him… But somehow I don’t think Zeus would answer.”

“Zeus?” he asked eagerly, “The Greek God?”

Sam nodded, “Yeah. He is pretty famous, and not a big talker according to our notes.”

Rocko frowned, Kaminari sparking between his fingers. His thoughts were interrupted by Jake returned to the training room grinning from ear to ear. A nice change from his usual frown that had become the norm over the past few weeks.

“I thought you went home…” Sam said, surprised at his return.

“Yeah, but I thought I could do with some more training,” he smiled. “Up for a sparring session Rocko?”

Rocko raised his eyebrows, “If you want,” he said carefully, surprised at Jakes offer. He had not fought with him for weeks. But instead he worked on a strange technique that involved staring into his mirror every spare moment he had.

Rocko threw Sam a curious glance, but the man just shrugged in return.

The two men squared off, Rocko rolling Kaminari in his hand while Jake slowly unsheathed Kagami. There was a moment of stillness before the two boys raced at each other. A loud clang echoed through the room as steel met steel. Jake whirled around dodging the long reach of Rocko’s bardiche. Leaping into the air, he soared, summoning a mirror with lightning speed.

Rocko gasped as Jake disappeared through. “Huh?” he called out, looking up at Sam who was smiling widely.

He felt Jakes presence moments before his sword rested lightly upon the base of his neck, “Do you yield?” Jake joked.

Rocko laughed, ducking underneath Jakes sword, knocking Kagami from his hand, “Nah Jake. Do you yield?” the tip of Kaminari gleaming at Jakes throat.

“I don’t think so,” Jake called from behind.

Rocko spun around surprised. Jake was walking towards him with Kagami gleaming in his hand. He turned back to the Jake he had disarmed, that Jake had the same confident look on his face, Kagami gleaming in his hand once again.

“I think you are in over your head Rocko,” the two Jakes chuckled. They split and multiplied a few more times, encircling a slightly confused Rocko.

“Oh well. I’ll go down swinging,” he shrugged, thrusting Kaminari out in front of him. He waved his pole arm in a violent arc. One Jake cried out as Kaminari hit. His head smashed, deep cracks running across his face twisting his reflection in a grotesque manner.

“That’s all you got Rocko?” the copy of Jake laughed taking a swipe in retaliation.

Rocko growled as the metal hit his skin. It grazed his bicep causing blood to trickle down his arm. “You are lucky that didn’t hurt,” his eyes began to glow and electrical sparks passed over his skin, searing the wound and stopping the loss of blood. Summoning all the energy at his disposal, he let lightning rain down. Bolt after bolt of destructive lightning struck. Mirrors shattered everywhere. Screams echoed about the as Jake after Jake smashed. “Where are you?” Rocko roared, a shock wave of pure energy burst from him shattering the remaining mirrors.

Sam watched quietly from the sidelines. He pointed quietly at the large mirror behind them. It stretched wall to wall like most gymnasiums and hadn’t suffered a single blow.

“Come out come out Jake,” he panted, worn out from his attacks, stalking up to the wide mirror. His reflection grinned maniacally back at him. He tapped the mirror gently with the tip of Kaminari letting a current dance over the surface.

Nothing.

“Fine. Hide,” Rocko sneered before he turned to leave. A hand shot out wrapping around his thick arm and yanked. He yelled out as he fell backwards through the mirror landing hard on a thick carpeted floor. He was vaguely aware of a cool sword point landing lightly on his back.

“Do you yield?” Jake asked calmly.

Rocko grinned again. Hadn’t he learned his lesson? Reaching for his lightning speed he made a move. However it was slow and clumsy causing him to stumble forward.

Jake flicked his sword to the side of his neck letting the sharp metal drag slightly across his skin, “Your blade will not work in here.”

Rocko looked up. He was in an opulent room. It was huge. With a large flat screen TV hanging off one wall but the glass screen was also a mirror. Large leather couches stretched out about it. In another corner there was a mini bar, two drinks sitting casually on the counter. Huge french doors were open on the far wall and a warm salty breeze rolled in. Large waves could be heard in the back ground but it was the pool that commanded his attention. It was beautifully crafted. Crystal clear water and thick glass walls looking out on the ocean. The house was built into the cliff side and the view through the underwater glass of the pool was astounding.

A woman lounged in the water, long pale limbs shining in the bright light. A large hat flopping over her face and blonde braided hair tumbled over her narrow shoulders, gleaming like moonlight. She loosely held a drink, looking relaxed and beautiful as if she had no cares in the world.

“Where are we?” he whispered, accepting Jakes offered hand.

Jake grinned, “We are in my world. I created it.”

Rocko’s eyes were wide, “How do we leave?” he asked.

Jake gestured behind him. A large mirror hung on the wall but instead of their reflections they could see right into the gym. Sam was staring from the outside, tapping softly against his own reflection.

“He can’t get in?” Rocko asked, moving close to Sam.

Jake shook his head, “No one gets in or out without mine or Kagami’s permission... He can’t even see us!”

“Your swords soul?” he asked perplexed.

Jake nodded gesturing to the woman on the water.

“That is your swords soul?” he gasped, taking in the beautiful woman. He couldn’t see her face, but what he could see was breath taking.

Jake nodded, “Yes she is. However I wouldn’t stare at her too long. Kagami doesn’t appreciate prying eyes.”

He quickly apologized, averting his gaze and instead looked around the room, “This is amazing Jake. I can’t believe you made it.”

Jakes nose wrinkled, “I couldn’t decide between the beach house and the mountain mansion.” he confessed, “The beach won out considering it is winter and I wanted some place warm to go.”

Rocko laughed, “Of course. Because fantasy homes are so readily available.”

Jake grinned, “They are for me! Watch this,” the reflective sword shone in Jakes hand and out of midair a tall, beautiful red head emerged, slowly forming out of the smooth floor. She stood at the bar, picking up the drinks before walking over to the boys with long strides. She was dressed in a white gown Grecian styled. Golden braces clasped on her forearms.

“Master,” She whispered, offering Jake an orange juice which he accepted.

She turned to Rocko. Her warm brown eyes soft with a smile. “Drink sir?” she asked formally, offering the remaining drink to a stunned Rocko. Her lips were curved in a smile, adorable freckles dotted her small nose.

Ben took the drink but as their fingertips touched Ben noticed they were like marble, smooth and cold. These were all just illusions. “Will the drink actually taste good?” he asked, looking at the exotic glass, it too was cool in his hand.

Jake frowned, “Not sure…” he took a sip of his drink and gagged, spitting the contents to the floor, “Something I need to work on obviously,” he laughed.

Rocko laughed with him. It certainly was an impressive world, “We should probably head back. Sam will wonder where we got to.”

Jake nodded throwing his cup to the floor. The cup shattered, but the glass and liquid inside became one and slowly melted into the floor.

Jake slipped though the mirror and held out his hand for Rocko, “You need to take my hand,” he called, his voice warped as it travelled through the mirror. Rocko looked back at Kagami once more but she had vanished. Rocko grasped Jake’s hand and allowed him to pull him through the mirror.

“How did that go?” Sam asked, unsure of exactly what had just happened.

Rocko laughed and slapped Jake on the back, “I tell you what, I would hate to come up against Jake in a real fight. That’s for sure.”

Jake grinned as Sam congratulated him.

The three men stopped and stared as Nathan entered the room.

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“What are you doing up here?” Sam asked, as Nathan had only been up to visit once.

Nathan looked carefully at the others, “I just came into possession of these.” He drew the black and white blades from their sheaths.

Sam’s jaw dropped. “That’s impossible… I-I-I I will be right back,” he stuttered before he ran out of the room.

“You took the test for the fifth blade on offer?” Rocko asked, eyes fixated on the beautiful swords.

Nathan shook his head, “Not exactly…”

Jake let out a laugh, “Want to try them out Nathan? How about you and me, one on one…” he finished with a wink to Rocko.

Rocko smiled and nodded, “Yeah, you should spar with Jake.”

Nathan shrugged his arms, “Sure why not.”

The two faced each other, Jake eyed up Nathan cockily, twirling Kagami in his hands. “Ready Nate?” he called across the large room.

Nathan watched, impressed as Jake split and multiplied.

Let me destroy them. The real ones not even here. Vex’s slinky voice slid through his mind. You don’t need to let me completely out, just lend me your arms and legs. Nathan who was now being circled by the numerous copies of Jake, shrugged. He was probably going to lose anyway, might as well give these blades a good test.

Vex crowed in victory as Nathan gripped the dark blade in his hand. A slight chill ran up his arms, he watched, wide eyed, as Vex’s smooth black scales crept up his arms. This shall be fun. Vex thought inside Nathans head. Without warning her conscious took control of Nathan’s body, and he leapt forward with tremendous speed. He hacked and sliced, smashing whatever got in his way with pure brute strength. Shattered glass littered the floor but it did not hinder Vex, any mirror that came in contact with his scaly skin merely shattered further. Nothing penetrated that dark armor.

As the last clone fell in a shower of deadly shards Nathan surveyed the damage, glass was everywhere. Rocko sat quietly in the corner, his eyes fixated on Nathan, bewilderment covering his face.

The big mirror… Vex hissed. Her thoughts slipping through his mind. He could hear the smirk in her voice. This is fun Nathan Cross. It has been too long since I have fought.

Rocko watched with keen interest as Nathan approached the large pane of glass. He chuckled at the thought of Nathan’s surprise when he gets pulled into the mirror, leaving him unable to use his blades.

Nathan stood in front of the mirror, Yami held firm in his hand. He lent forward, his eyes wandering over his own armored appearance. Dark scales shimmered over his arms and legs. His dark sword shining wickedly in his hand. All that didn’t disturbed him, what did was his eyes. They were pitch black. No trace of white, it was as if his pupil had completely taken over. They were soulless pits, demonic and sinister. His lips were twisted up in a maniacal smile.

It’s time for Jake to come out and play. Vex giggled and reached out with their arm. She placed their left hand flat against the glass and he felt an evil fire rush through his veins. The mirror which previously only showed his reflection faded away, leaving what seemed like only a floor to ceiling window. He watched in horror and fascination, as a room appeared in front of him, views out its panoramic windows cast over an endless ocean. The masterfully crafted room did not remain, it began to crumble and burst into bright flames.

Rocko scrambled up beside Nathan, careful not to get to close to his creepy figure. They could see Jake and Kagami through the mirror. Jake’s eyes were wide with panic, Kagami’s hidden behind her veil. The perfect, imaginary room Rocko had experienced was being torn into pieces. Screams and moans could be heard through the mirror and fiends of all kinds burst from the walls.

“Get out!” Kagami screamed at Jake before literally tossing him out through the large mirror.

Jake landed hard on the polished floor, his sword spilling from his hands and sliding across the room. Rocko watched in horror as Jake leapt to his feet and ran to the glass wall, banging his fists against the mirror.

“Kagami!” he roared, the scene swallowing up and the mirror vanishing from existence.

Rocko caught one glimpse of Kagami’s pale eyes before she was lost behind the reflections in the mirror. The soul was frightened.

Nathan collapsed onto one knee and grabbed his head. Black scales receded from his limbs his eyes were tightly shut.

“What the hell was that Nathan?!” Jake screamed whirling on his friend. “You could have killed me!” he roared, murderous rage in his eyes.

Rocko jumped in front of him, as it looked like Nathan was in pain. “That’s enough Jake,” he said calmly.

But Jake was beyond caring. “This conversation isn’t over!” he hissed, snatching up Kagami as he left the room.

Rocko knelt beside Nathan who was now writhing in pain. “Nathan?” Rocko shook his shoulder. Nathan’s eyes flew wide open and Rocko gasped at his pitch black eyes.

“Julian…” he whispered, as pain filled his face. The black slowly receded, his eyes returning to their normal blue and brown. “Thank you,” he whispered slipping into unconsciousness.

“Nathan!” bellowed Rocko, shaking his friend.

“What happened?” called Hyung, appearing in the doorway. His hair was ruffled and his cheeks were pink. This was the first time Rocko had seen the old man un-composed.

“I don’t know. All I know is that he is messing with some serious power,” Rocko said grimly, motioning towards Nathan.

Sam wrapped cloth about the dark sword picking it up delicately.

Hyung knelt down at Nathan’s side, “We need to get him to the medical room. Ben please help me.”

Rocko nodded, pulling Kaminari apart at a join in the middle, before sliding it into a holster on his back. He grasped Nathan under his arm pits and with great effort he slung Nathan over the opposite shoulder to Kaminari. Where is Paige when you actually need her? He thought humorlessly. He began the long walk to the infirmary, Hyung and Sam following close behind each clutching one of Nathan’s swords wrapped up delicately in cloth.

Rocko left the infirmary at Hyung’s word. He made sure his friend was under good care before he left. Nathan’s pale face had worried him, but not as much as the inky black eyes. His mind raced with the afternoons events. Something big was happening, something really big. He just wasn’t sure whether it was good or bad. He shuddered as he remembered Nathan hacking through the clones, covered in those black scales… He became inhuman. Nathan had moved with more speed and accuracy than Rocko could ever hope for and Rocko was fast. How was Nathan able to manipulate the world that Jake had created? A world in which Kaminari wasn’t even able to work?

Frustrated and tired, he stalked from the elevator and made his way out onto the streets. It was cold. Winter really was well and truly setting in. Crossing the street, he made his way through Chester Park, it was a field, used for football during the winter. The park was lined with trees, a couple of large rocks sat at one end, while an empty playground at the other. He used to come here as a child and it hadn’t changed much over the years. The grass was damp from earlier rain, and the water soaked through his shoes as he walked past some old swings, the rusty chains creaking in the wind. Rocko’s mind was still on Nathan, when he felt sparks shooting up his back, arcing off the metallic playground.

“What now?” he groaned, sliding Kaminari from his back, joining the two halves back together.

The Bardiche seemed to be shorting out. A series of sparks continually flowed out from the serrated edge.

“What is going on here?” Rocko muttered to himself.

A blinding blue explosion erupted and Rocko yelped as sparks leapt from the pole arm in a fountain of blue light. He barely breathed as he watched the sparks forming into a larger shape. Rocko gulped, as a man slightly larger than himself, slowly became discernable, he was completely covered in sparks, stepping forward in a burst of crackling electricity. The man appraised Rocko momentarily, blue eyes crackling with power, emitting a low static hum, lifting the hairs on Rocko’s arm. The moment was over and the apparition plucked Kaminari quickly out of Rocko’s limp hands and began to walk away.

“Hey give that back!” he cried, regaining his wits. He scrambled after the giant but jumped backwards as lightning struck the ground where he was about to step.

“Come and get it,” the creature laughed, power humming in the air as Kaminari rose up into the air, hovering in wait.

Rocko crept forward cautiously, heart pounding within his chest. A blast of power hit his bicep, a large impact blowing him off his feet. He bounced off the ground a couple of times before rolling to a stop. Pain surged through his arm, it felt like someone had shot him with a cannon. Rising to his knees Rocko hissed in pain, bright spots glittering before his eyes.

“Is that all, puny human?” roared the giant.

Rocko flinched as sparks danced around him. He glanced at his injured arm and instantly wished he hadn’t. His shirt, torn from the lightening, was lightly covered in blood, draping over a deep purple bruise, instantly stretched up his arm, crossing his chest. Bright red and bleeding. Rocko looked up at Kaminari hopelessly. It remained in the air, sparks bouncing excitedly over its surface.

He stared at the blade for a while before taking a deep breath. Pushing himself to his feet, he darted forward. Brilliant blue electricity shot out of Kaminari and through a stroke of luck, Rocko dodged the flashing arc, sliding unharmed around it. The giant watched silently as Rocko ran forward, dodging strike after strike. He got within inches to the Bardiche when a blast to the chest threw him ten feet backwards, hitting the ground, he rolled another five, sharp sticks tearing at his clothes, dirt staining his skin.

Winded, Rocko gasped for air, his head spinning. Wicked burns covered his chest and bruises mottled his skin. He looked like a bad painting, blue and purple hues splotching his skin.

The giant chuckled, his chest rumbling.

It took Rocko a few minutes to regain his breath and he slowly returned to his feet. Kaminari began to glow as it seemed to know he had recovered. It was charged and ready to strike once more. Rocko felt weak and stared at it though hazy, dizzy eyes.

“I can’t dodge that,” he thought weakly, fear clawing its way into his decimated chest.

Kaminari glowed brighter as if sensing his fear. Rocko gulped, inching forward slowly but a warning shot was aimed in front of his feet.

The giant laughed, “You are too consumed by fear. How can you wield this blade when you are too afraid to take it?”

Rocko straightened in determination, suppressing his fear. Kaminari seemed to acknowledge this by dimming a little. He took another step and halted as Kaminari regained its buzz.

“I do not fear my own blade,” he chanted softly, stepping slowly forward. Not with caution, but because that was all his aching body allowed him, practically crawling to the weapon.

He got closer, the energy of the blade pulsing through him. His hand closed over the cool steel and a moment of triumph washed over him.

His victory was short lived.

Power more intense than anything he had ever felt coursed through him. He fell to his knees screaming, his hand locked in pain around the Bardiche. The being laughed menacingly towering over Rocko’s writhing figure.

“Is my power too much for you human? I thought it is what you want?” he taunted as a fresh flow of electricity wracked Rocko’s body.

“… Please… Stop..,” Rocko moaned through clenched teeth, but the force only increased. He let out another scream, hoping to God someone would hear him and save him from this torture.

“And deny you the power you desire?” the giant said, “No… I wouldn’t do that.”

Rocko lay on the ground, body taunt, his eye somehow still fixated on the monster. His inner rage beginning to surface, words ground out between the charges, “You… You think, because you have power, it gives you the right to hurt the weaker... You’re pathetic... You need me to show you what strength really is... It is the ability to stand up to bullies... Bullies like you, even when the odds are against you.”

The giant laughed, “That way of thinking got you some mighty fine scars didn’t it boy?”

“And I don’t regret a single one,” he coughed, barely holding onto his consciousness.

The giant paused. Electricity fled from Rocko’s body, causing him to collapse to the ground, panting heavily, relishing the feel of the cool grass.

“Your heart is strong. I have decided that I like you Keeper. I only require that the heart is strong,” the giant confirmed. The brilliant blue light that surrounded its body receded, leaving a man.

“I am Zeus!” the man confirmed. Steel grey eyes staring down upon Rocko. He was garbed in pure white robes, with a wreath of ivy resting upon a headful of thick dark hair, “It has been a while since someone with your courage has held my blade.”

“Zeus...” Rocko coughed, “You are the God of lightning.” Rocko pulled himself into sitting position, gritting his teeth in pain.

Zeus let out a long laugh, “That’s what the legend says anyway. And also why my punishment is what it is. This is what you get when you pretend to be a God.”

A puzzled look crossed Rocko’s face, “Pretend to be a god? What do you mean?”

“There are some things mortals should never dabble in boy. A group of us back in ancient Greece, became powerful rulers. We controlled the known earth. Our group was strong and we ruled with fear and without mercy. We were so ruthless and strong, no one could oppose us. No one that is, until ‘She’ came along.”

“She?” Rocko asked, giving Zeus his undivided attention.

“We thought that ‘She’ was God. And had come to punish us. Someone with that much power must have been an actual God. But she wasn’t. We were an elite army, 370 strong… She killed most of us, and sealed the remaining ones in these forsaken blades. I was humbled. We all were. It’s ironic really, we now have access to all the power we desired, but someone else is the one to use it. That person is now you Ben. I will help you with whatever path you choose. But don’t let the power go to your head as it did mine.”

Rocko thought for a moment, “I want to kill a man. Can you help me with that?”

Zeus laughed, his grey eyes filled with mirth, “Just one?”

“He is the only one that I feel deserves to die,” Rocko growled venomously, his voice filled with hatred.

Zeus shrugged, “That is fine. But what gives you the authority to end some one’s life?”

Zeus’s question resonated with Rocko for a moment before he answered with a deathly cold tone, “I have my reasons.”