Nathan groaned as he floated back to the world, very aware of the hard bed he lay on. The itchy blanket lying on top of him was irritating so he pushed it off with a single swipe. His eyes seemed glued shut and he winced as he tore them open, blinking under the harsh fluorescent lights. He could hear voices just outside the room. It was Hyung and he sounded annoyed.

“This is not Nathan’s fault. You should have known to await further instruction from us before engaging in a match,” Hyung argued, it sounded like this discussion had been going on a while.

“But he wanted to fight too!” Jake protested.

“Your blade should not be used for head to head combat like that. It is a blade built to disrupt battle, you will not win any battles using direct power. We have already been through that with you. Now get back to Sam to continue training. I will check on Nathan.”

Nathan could hear Jake mumbling as he shuffled down the hall.

“So you’re awake,” said Hyung, simply entering the room and shutting the door behind him. The old man eased himself down on to a plastic chair. Storms seemed to gather behind his kind blue eyes.

“What happened?” Nathan mumbled, pushing himself upright. His body protested. He felt like he had run a marathon and all his limbs ached.

“What do you remember?” Hyung asked, leaning forward, curiosity coloring his tone.

Nathan shrugged, “I remember fighting Jake,” he confessed, “I moved so quickly… Everything was a blur… Vex was letting me use her strength.”

“Vex?” Hyung asked, puzzled by the name.

“The soul of one of the blades,” Nathan confirmed gesturing to the black sword that sat at the base of his bed. Its white partner lay beside it shining brightly.

Hyung nodded as if he expected that, “What else?” he pressed.

Nathan furrowed his brow, “That’s where it gets fuzzy. I remember destroying all the clones.”

Hyung nodded.

“I remember Vex telling me Jake was in the mirror and instinct just seemed to take over. I remember fire and screaming, but that is all. The rest is gone,” his hand fisted in frustration, “What happened?”

Hyung sighed, pulling his pipe from his robe, “You are carrying the original blades Nathan, blades that were created before even earth was created,” he paused, allowing Nathan to absorb that information, and to light his pipe, “When you let Vex possess you, it more than likely created too much pain, so your mind has blocked it out. You weren’t prepared for her power, and probably feel like you have been run through the mill.”

Nathan nodded, confirming the old man’s theory.

Hyung put the pipe to his lips and took a long drag before continuing, “Whatever Vex did to that mirror, well, it was too much dark power for you to handle. I assume she ripped herself from your body before the power killed you. That’s why you don’t remember much of it.”

Nathan frowned, “How are blades created before the world? And why do they seem like they are complete opposites? Am I too weak to hold these blades?”

Hyung gave a hint of a smile, “So many questions young one… No, you are very strong, however you are not used to these forces. They could tear you apart if you let them consume you like that before you are used to them. I do not know the origins of these blades… That’s a journey you will have to discover yourself. ”

“Nobody else has had this trouble,” Nathan observed, thinking of all the others, “They seemed to be able to use their blades with ease.”

“That is because nobody has the kind of devastating power that you have. You have access to all the powers of Heaven and Hell Nathan. You exceeded Rocko’s speed and effortlessly destroyed Jake’s mirror world,” Hyung stressed, “With these blades the possibilities are endless. We do not know the extent of what you can do, but as with anything, you need to train this skill. You cannot expect to pick up a sword for the first time and be able to wield it now can you?” Hyung asked, smoke curling from his lips.

Nathan sighed flopping back down, “How do I control it?” he asked in defeat.

“I do not know. You will need to consult the guardians,” Hyung puffed.

Nathan pushed himself up off the bed, steadying himself on wobbly legs. Each of his movements burnt but he relished it. He was going to get stronger.

“You want to go to the dragon room now?” Hyung asked, white eyebrows risen in surprise.

Nathan nodded through gritted teeth, “Yes, I want to go now.”

Hyung led him down the long corridors and into the familiar room; the holding chamber outside the great Dragon doors. He gazed up at the four soaring Dragons, once again admiring the detail and effort put into crafting the doors. Swallowing all fear, he approached.

“If there are any beings that could shed light on how to harness Yami and Akarui, they are behind those doors,” Hyung said seriously.

Nathan nodded solemnly, his thoughts only on the two swords that now rested crossed on his back. With sheer determination, he dragged himself through the great doors and flinched as they slammed shut behind him. A large rumble shook the room as Titus’s large body formed from the earth.

“Why does he return to us?” even his voice seemed to shake the room.

“Hyung sent me in. He told me you would tell me what to do,” Nathan answered.

“We do not have to tell you anything,” Titus stated, his voice rich and rumbling dirt chunks falling from his great jaw and crashing against the floor.

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“There is something different about Nathan Cross… He is not the same as before,” the wind whispered, her gentle breeze passing his ear. The gusty dragon appeared joining her counterpart.

“What are you talking about? He is the same as before,” Titus argued, impatience coloring his tone.

“Look closely...” she whispered, extending her great neck, strong winds buffeting Nathan as she neared.

Titus jolted back in surprise as he saw Akarui and Yami. If he hadn’t been the leviathan of Earth Nathan would swear he was spitting fire.

“Fool of a human. Do you mean to kill us all?” He roared and Nathan trembled in fear. Titus’s wrath was terrifying to behold.

“Enough Titus,” chided the wind, turning her great head on the Earth. “The boy can’t control them yet. You have nothing to fear.”

Titus growled but remained silent.

She turned back to Nathan and peered closely at the dual blades, “May I see the swords Nathan Cross?” she whispered. Nathan wordlessly slid the swords from their sheaths, raising them up for the Dragon to inspect. Out of the corner of his eye he became aware of the Fire and the Water creeping out from the shadows. The two dragons were curious, “Place the swords into the stone at the center of the room,” the Wind instructed, Nathan saw a rock emerge from the earth, and he quickly obliged. The dragons watched quietly, each in its separate form instead of melded together like in their last encounter.

Nathan walked to the center of the room. The rock was about half as tall as him, and in the top there were two holes. Shrugging, he inserted the two blades till only the handles were poking out. A hum filled the room and a pale light emitted from the rock. Everyone in the room stared with interest as the light grew brighter and brighter. An evil darkness crept over the rock, but not enough to block out the light. As the humming reached its loudest there was an ear splitting crack with a bright flash. Nathan covered his eyes, stumbling backwards as dark dust filled the air.

“Nathan…” came Vex’s seductive voice. She practically purred as she slinked over to him, dark scales flashing in the fire light.

“Leave him be Vex,” Julian called, the white angel still gleaming despite the dirt that filled the air. Vex twirled a wiry finger around Nathan’s neck.

“You really are no fun Julian,” Vex pouted, leaving Nathan alone nevertheless. She stalked back over to the rock crossing her legs tightly as she sat. “Nathan and I had fun together, didn’t we Sweetie?” she blew him a kiss.

“Why have you summoned us?” Julian questioned, his voice booming impressively throughout the shimmering room. The dragons shifted but didn’t respond.

Vex twitching impatiently and growled. Rising to her feet she glared up at the large leviathans, “Why have you called us here creatures?” she demanded, echoing Julian’s question.

Titus glared at Vex, “We are no mere creatures, Demon,” his anger was palpable.

A twisted smile curved Vex’s lips, “And I am no mere Demon,” she whispered as if seducing the giant, her scales flickering across her skin menacingly.

Nathan watched as her claws lengthened and her teeth sharpened into many points. She was a terrifying sight to behold when she was irritated.

Julian however laid his hand on her shoulder, “Let us hear them out Vex,” he spoke. The demon glared at the angel furiously but let her claws retract.

This is incredible! Nathan thought. These two honestly believe they could defeat these giant powerful creatures…

“Please explain,” Julian called. The Dragons leaned forward converging on the Angel.

“Prophesies are coming to pass cursed ones,” whispered the Wind, her gentle breeze lifting Julian’s hair, “You have a task at hand but no Keeper prepared.”

“He will be trained,” growled Vex venomously, her teeth bared in a hiss.

“We will make sure of that,” promised Julian, agreeing with his counterpart.

“Will that be enough?” Fire piped up, “There may come a time when his training fails.”

“I will protect him to the best of my ability,” Julian vowed. “The Lord will protect us.”

Vex whirled on Julian violently, “The Lord will protect you?” she hissed, ebony hair bouncing, her dark eyes narrowed in rage. “Did He protect you when you were imprisoned in the shadow blades? Did He protect you when your body was destroyed so you could act out some heroic mission? Your Lord doesn’t care for you. Only in His plans,” She spat.

“The choice was mine Vex. I am not a prisoner, because this is where I chose to be. You are the one that was punished. These forsaken blades are your own prison,” Julian’s fingers wrapped gently around a cross pendant hanging on a chain from his neck.

“You’re a fool Julian!” Vex screamed as she lunged at him. Her claws burst forth in rage, scales shifting seamlessly to armor her. Crackling fire grew in her hands and she threw it in a stream towards his face. Extending one hand an invisible barrier formed making the fire pass around the angel harmlessly. Taking the opportunity, Vex leapt onto Julian. The demon delivered a punch to the Angels solar plexus. He groaned but was fast enough to grab her wrist as she swung again. With a small movement he flung her across the room. She connected hard, cracks in the wall where her slender frame impacted. “That wasn’t nice Julian,” she chuckled, dusting the dirt from her skin. The angel growled, his blue eyes glowing with power.

“That’s enough!” Fire roared and the room was filled with blistering heat.

Nathan raised his hands to shield his face, before the heatwaves quickly receded.

“Do not wage war on our holy ground,” Water finished Fire’s sentence, her teeth snapping above the soul’s heads.

“I do not care about your holy ground,” Vex cursed. “This has been a long time coming,” dark tendrils burst forth from the ground. Darkness wrapped about the dragons who roared in fury, but despite their best attempts, they couldn’t escape their bindings.

“Are you mad Vex?” Julian roared, the angel was now pinned to the ground, also wrapped in the same dark smoke.

“Perhaps,” she sneered, eyes lit with amusement as Julian glowed bright, “But you already knew that.”

Nathan stared in horror, watching the events unfold. The dragons struggled pitifully against the shadow bonds. I can’t believe they are being held so easily! His mind raced.

“The swords,” whispered Wind, her voice soft and only for Nathan.

Julian who was now a bright shining light, stood. The shadows seemed to shatter in his radiant glow.

“Are you ready for round two my old friend?” Vex cackled, dark shadows curling about her arms. Julian had returned to his normal pallor and bright light glowed in his palms.

“This shall end,” he growled and with quick movements threw out a beam of light. The light met the shadows binding the leviathans, causing the tendrils to disperse. The two heavyweights struggled to gain ground against each other in what could only be described as a continuation of an eternal war. Nathan scrambled to his feet and darted towards the center stone.

“This is not over!” Vex roared as Nathan slid the swords from the stone. Swirling light and shadows filled the room dispersing into the dull gloom. The dragons now free, towered over Nathan.

“You must leave this place,” they ordered, causing Nathan to stumble backwards.

“How will I train?” he cried, Wind pushing him towards the door.

“You must go east. There is one there who can help you,” they answered in unison. The winds grew stronger and Nathan struggled to stay on his feet.

“How will I find them?” he asked, but no answer followed. Instead, he was thrown from the room by a blast of cool wind. He cried out as he landed hard on the holding room floor. Only a faint breeze around his ear let him know Wind was still with him.

“Do not trust your swords,” she whispered before vanishing.

Hyung offered Nathan a hand, “I take it from your early departure that things did not go well?”

“No, it did not!” Nathan growled, accepting his hand. Hyung hauled Nathan to his feet and pain shot through his abused body.

“Did they say anything to you?” Hyung quizzed, dust around them settling from the blast of wind.

Nathan winced, “They told me to head east, there is someone there who can help.”

Hyung sighed and thought for a long moment before he replied, “You will depart by the end of the week. It will give you time to heal and set your affairs in order. You may be gone a while.”

Nathan felt like he had been kicked in the stomach, “What? I… I have to leave?”

Hyung shrugged, “You may stay if you like. But there will always be a threat of your power destroying you, unless you learn to control it.”

Nathan groaned, picking up his blades from the floor. They glinted in the dim light of the room. Their strange carvings shining amazingly bright colors, “Then I guess I don’t have a choice.”