Paige groaned, “You’re not really going to make me spar with her are you? That's like getting put at the kiddies table at dinner time,” she complained.

“I like your intense nature kid,” Teresa said with a smile, “But I want you to fight Sophie. You have both been training and improving, so I just want to see where you stand against each other.”

Paige smiled, “Pfft… There will be no fight. I have seen her train, she’s only just learnt how to swing a sword!”

Sophie looked put out but Teresa laid a hand on her shoulder encouragingly.

“Ok Paige. I will make you a deal. If you win, you can train with anyone that you choose,” Teresa said, slowly walking around Paige, eyeing her up methodically. “You’ll never have to spar with Sophie again. However, if you don’t win… You do what I tell you without complaint. If I ask you to spar with Sophie there will be no questioning me, got it?”

Paige nodded enthusiastically while Sophie went rusty red, “Here are the rules: The first person whose back touches the ground loses. Anything goes.... Except killing or severely injuring. Got that?”

She stared at Paige and the feisty girl shrugged, “Sure.”

Sophie drew Shizen, the act causing the vines to retract from her torso, reforming about her hand, a layer of bark creeping up to her biceps.

Paige let out a chuckle, “You could at least give her a real sword. That piece of wood is a bit of a joke,” she taunted, handling her massive axe with ease.

Teresa ignored her, “You may begin.”

“Ready to die?” Paige called to the quiet girl.

But as soon as the words left her mouth she felt something solid wrap around her shoulders and pull her back. She landed hard only to be wrapped in multitudes of vines and held firmly in place. She could feel herself go bright red as she realized she had lost in seconds.

“Sophie wins,” Teresa cheered, eyes bright with mirth.

“That broom handle cheated. I wasn't ready!” Paige screamed as she ripped the vines from around her shoulders.

“Nonsense. Sophie won fair and square. While you were busy saying how useless she was, you gave her time to prepare her strategy. Yes, you were not ready, but being ready is half the battle. Your arrogance will get you killed out there.”

Paige glared at Sophie, “I want a rematch.”

“We will train for a bit and then you will get your rematch,” Teresa replied.

Sophie remained quiet after her quick win. Paige saw it as a cockiness that had to be eradicated. How dare she make me look foolish? There is no way she could force me onto my back if I am using Tsuyosa's power.

Teresa stood before them and started pacing slowly around. “You should have noticed that each time you touch your blade, a surge of power fills you. This is the blade acknowledging you as its Keeper. Once you access this, you have the ability to use its power.”

Sophie quickly raised her hand, “Is that how we can sense how to use the power?”

“Correct. The blade will tell you how to use it. What happened when you got the vines to wrap around Paige's shoulders, causing her to land on her back and lose the fight?”

Paige narrowed her eyes. Did she just add that last bit in to make fun of me?

“It just came to me that it is what I needed to do, and how quickly I needed to do it,” Sophie said.

Teresa nodded, “Precisely. The blades power comes from a soul that has been trapped inside it. Some are prisoners, some offered their assistance. Getting to know the soul is the key. If you can work as a team, then you will become stronger.”

“Wait a second… So you are saying that… Some dead guy's ghost is haunting this axe?” Paige asked, a little uncertain of Tsuyosa.

“No,” interrupted Sophie, “Nathan says the souls of the sword were trapped within their blades for either their crimes, misdeeds, or as volunteers to aid the battle for years to come.”

“Oh yeah. I forgot how close you and Nathan are,” Paige spat.

Sophie flushed red, “He trains me. That is all.”

“Sure he does…” Paige declared sarcastically, “What else has he been teaching you?” She added suggestively.

“Enough Paige,” Teresa said sharply, purple eyes blazing. Paige closed her mouth, a frown upon her face. “You know a bit about souls I take it?” Teresa asked Sophie.

Her innocence annoyed Paige, “I know a little bit.”

“Have you met Gaia yet?”

Sophie nodded embarrassed, “I didn’t see her, but she helped me when I was in the test. She restrained Raze, giving me enough time to find Shizen.”

Paige laughed bitterly, “I knew you couldn't have done the test yourself... You're such a...”

“Paige, shut up!” Teresa said sternly, “This is the first time I have ever heard of one of the souls interfering with the test. Did she say anything to you?”

“She just helped when I needed it. She didn't say much,” Sophie said.

Teresa nodded.

“How do I contact Gaia again?” asked Sophie curiously.

Teresa gave her a wry smile, “That all depends. Contact with your swords soul is a very individual and unique experience. Some souls will not speak with their wielder while others offer their advice freely. The best bet is to try call to the soul internally. If you want try it now, just empty your mind and focus on Gaia.”

Sophie nodded, closing her eyes. Paige huffed, about to protest, but quickly silenced after receiving a sharp look from Teresa. Minutes passed and Paige grunted slamming her axe into the ground.

“What's going on?” she demanded, crossing her arms stubbornly.

“Shhh!” Teresa whispered, “Look.”

Paige scowled but turned to watch Sophie. The girl stood quietly eyes closed. About to give up Paige gasped and watched in amazement as Sophie started to glow a soft green.

“She is talking with the blades soul,” Teresa whispered, her purple eyes curious as she watched the interaction.

“Whatever. I would still kick her ass in a proper fight,” Paige still whispered loudly.

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Teresa smiled, “Ok, when she is finished, you can have your rematch.”

Paige smiled. Good. This time she would be ready for her. No stupid plant was going to get the best of her twice. This will be a piece of cake.

After ten long minutes of waiting Sophie's eyes finally opened. The glow died down.

“About time,” groaned Paige, who was leant back against her axe.

“How are you?” Teresa asked.

“Good. I feel much stronger just after meeting her,” Sophie inspected Shizen which seemed to have gotten darker.

There was a loud splitting noise as Paige wrenched her axe from the floor.

“Now fight me Sophie. I will show you the meaning of strong,” Paige grinned wickedly.

Sophie looked at her for a moment before disregarding her quietly, “No.”

“What do you mean no? That's not an option!” Paige screamed.

“I don't need to fight you,” Sophie replied.

Teresa had a slight smile on her face as she tried to hold in her chuckles. Paige's face went bright red with rage, “Teresa, you said we would fight when she finished talking to whoever that was. Now make her fight me.”

Amusement disappeared from Teresa's face, “Do not tell me what to do.”

“Why not? You don't even hold one of these blades. That makes me stronger than you, so why should I listen to you?”

“Because I said you should,” Sophie spoke up, “You will listen to her or I will make you listen to her.”

“You want to fight me now?” Paige's smile came back.

“I can handle this if you don't mind Sophie,” Teresa replied. “Paige. You don't know anything about me. You claim that just because you have more physical strength then me that you are stronger,” she stated, walking purposefully towards Paige, her overwhelming presence terrifying the tiny woman. “The Hunters do not hold those weapons, yet they fight against them surprisingly well. Do not think for a second that you are stronger than me young Paige.” Paige looked at the ground. “The reason Nathan is stuck in a library reading books, is so that he too will one day supersede you,” Teresa pressed, “You're all talk, compensating for your lack of talent. I am here trying to help you, but you think you are above that. Why? Because you won some little tournament? You have the ability to become great but you are being held back by your attitude,” Teresa was now inch’s away from Paige’s face. Paige’s hand was wrapped tightly around the handle of Tsuyosa, she could hardly breathe under this woman’s heavy aura. “Sophie, could you please humor Paige and give her the fight she longs for.”

“Are you sure?” Sophie asked a little puzzled.

“Yeah. Same rules as before.”

Paige was furious. Now they were treating her like she was an amateur. This time I will prove my worth. She thought.

Sophie smiled. The sword in her hand rippled and elongated. The rich mahogany sword changed shape, lightened, and formed into a long bō. The bark on her arms receded and she was able to move the staff freely. “I am ready,” she called.

Teresa smiled and nodded, “Begin”

Paige braced herself but nothing happened.

Sophie is waiting.

She must be worried.

Good, she should be.

Paige ran forward. Vines broke through the roof and stretched down towards her. She swung her axe at them blindly but they eventually overwhelmed and wrapped around her arms and legs. The rope like plants tightened, lifting her off the ground.

Teresa walked over, looking up at her, “You see Paige, having the strength doesn't matter if you are suspended 10 feet off the ground wrapped in vines. The vines will just expand and contract as you squirm. Sophie has now beaten you twice.” With that, Teresa turned away, leaving Paige suspended midair, fighting furiously against the writhing vines,

“Let me down!” she screamed out. Teresa continued walking.

“You are making a mockery of my blade,” a man's voice met Paige’s ears and she looked around wildly for the source.

“Who's that?” she cried, her view limited between the vines that held her fast.

“Oh great. A woman,” the voice groaned. Paige stared in surprise as a man came into view, appearing through yellow smoke and a strange dust.

“Are you the ghost of the blade?” she breathed, wide eyes taking in the man’s appearance. He was 6 foot tall and thin, long limbs clad in leathers and furs. He had fierce eyes underneath bushy eyebrows. Long dark hair fell down the length of his back in a thick braid, the end of which knocked about his knees. A large beard covered his chin, the longest strands reaching mid chest and his voice rumbled as he spoke.

“My name is Samson,” he rumbled

“You're really hairy for a ghost,” Paige assessed rudely, but Samson showed no inclination to having heard the insult.

Paige’s eyes narrowed as she took in the strange apparition, “I met you before,” she accused.

“Not quite,” Samson murmured, reclining against a writhing vine. “You met a very small portion of me, which had access to a tiny amount of my power.”

“Ok, well aside from being able to lift really heavy objects with little effort, this axe isn’t exactly handy,” Paige motioned to the web of vines with an awkward flick of her free hand.

Samson eyes flickered angrily before he answered, “That's because you are only using it to affect you,” He growled, pushing off the vine to hover midair. “You have so much potential but you are caught up in your own self-importance and your obsession with becoming stronger. All the brawn in the world cannot help you if you do not have the brains to use it,” he growled, eyes sparking with anger. Paige matched him glare for glare.

“If you’re so smart, what would you do in this situation?” she spat and Samson didn’t flinch.

He leaned down so his face was right next to hers, “I would make the vines weaker,” he said coldly, “the vines would no longer have the strength to hold you and you would be free.”

Paige’s mouth opened and closed like a fish. All her rage had flown out the window and a creeping feeling of shame replaced it. She lowered her eyes to the ground, heat pooling in her cheeks. “I didn’t think of that,” she confessed softly, lifting her eyes to Samson, but the ghost was gone. Sighing, she focused on the vines that surrounded her. Sure enough, the vines weakened and snapped. Paige fell to the ground, landing on the balls of her feet.

Sophie and Teresa watched her quietly but Paige ignored them, brushing off the few vines that gripped her clothes weakly.

“Ok, let's go again, my back never touched the ground,” she pointed her axe at Sophie, voice hard with determination.

Teresa glanced at Sophie who shrugged and nodded. Readying herself, Sophie stood across from Paige. “I am ready,” she challenged, and Paige grinned determinedly before bolting forward.

Large brown logs and vines dotted with flowers burst through the floor in an effort to hinder Paige, but she barreled forward, smashing through whatever got in her way. The air became thick with pollen and Paige chuckled as she realized what Sophie was doing. She is such a coward, hiding behind a smoke screen… “Come out and play Sophie!” she cried, searching the dense foliage for any sign of Sophie. She winced her eyes, trying desperately to hold back a sneeze, the dusty pollen filling her nose. “I must warn you Sophie, I am the master at hide and seek,” she picked through a curtain of vines that grew from the ceiling. A flicker drew her attention, and she silently followed it. She peered over a log and saw Sophie standing calmly on the other side. This will teach her, she snickered, leaping over the log. Paige gripped Sophie’s neck, slamming her backwards onto the hard floor.

“Who's the winner now Princess?” she crowed, staring down at the black haired girl, her hand still tight about her throat. Sophie made no movement to remove the hand. She lay there prone and unconscious. “Sophie?” Paige asked puzzled, releasing her throat but the girl still lay motionless. “Sophie get up,” she shoved her once but she still lay unmoving. “Sophie please wake up…” she shook the girl’s shoulders hopelessly. Sophie’s limbs felt cool beneath her hands and panic gripped her heart, as Sophie’s eyes remained unresponsive, with no breath escaping her lips. “Oh no!” Paige groaned, releasing the body. She rocked back on her heels, hand fisted and her eyes shut tight, “Oh no oh no oh no!” Paige cried, turning away from the broken Sophie. “Teresa help!” she screamed, but the newly created jungle around her echoed her words back to her. “Damn!” she cried, slamming her axe into the ground.

“You're right! That worked really well,” Sophie sang, causing Paige to whirl around disbelievingly. Sophie strode with Teresa through the jungle. The vines and logs melted away sinking back into the floor in their wake.

“What the hell?” She gasped. Staring at Sophie with wide eyes. She spun back to ‘Sophie’s’ prone body and in its place she saw the practice mannequin lying lifeless on the floor. A mixture of rage and relief flooded her being.

“Teresa was just showing me some types of plants that cause hallucinations when their pollen is inhaled.” Sophie told Paige innocently and the smaller girl fidgeted, helplessly torn between wanting to pummel Sophie into the ground and wanting to hug her and never let go.

“You cow!” Paige gasped. “I thought I had killed you!” She hissed and Teresa laughed.

“Give yourself some credit Paige. That was nice work with the mannequin. I think you can rack that one up as a win,” Teresa quipped.

“Alright you win!” she growled stalking away, “I won't try and pick a fight with Sophie anymore.”

“Are you sure?” Teresa called as Paige drew further away, “I was having a lot of fun watching that.”

“Watch your mouth instead,” Paige muttered, reaching the door.

Teresa laughed, “Or you'll do what? Did you know, Sophie had planned that you would escape the vines? And she had several other plans ready, just in case you saw through the mannequin trick. I hate to say this, but Sophie is even smarter than me. True strength isn't about having the brawn to fight. It's about knowing how to stay away from the fights. Sophie tried to stay away but also had a plan to survive, encase she had to fight. You have the blade of strength Paige, but are you smart enough to use it?”

Paige muttered and cursed as she left the room. Teresa and Sophie watched the small girl leave, mouths curved in amusement.