"Yes, yes, yes we’ll get to that bit… But first, why don’t we have some tea?”

As he said those words the strange man conjured a small, intricately crafted tea set seemingly out of thin air. Ban watched in astonishment as the cups and teapot materialized on a flat rock beside the stone pedestal along with what appeared to be some rustic chairs. The aroma of fragrant tea filled the air.

“Well, come on then, sit down.” Ban didn’t know what to make of this man; he looked to be no more than thirty by the lines on his face, he was clean shaven, his hair was short and a snowy white colour, his demeanour however, made him feel much older than he looked. He gestured for Ban to sit down, having already sat down himself.

Ban wondered whether blood loss could induce hallucinations. He’d once had a fever so bad it made him think the floor was shaking, but this felt somewhat different. Lacking any better response, he obliged and took a sit. As soon as his backside hit the seat he asked again, “Who are you?”

“That’s such a boring question to get us started, but… I guess we need to start somewhere. I am Arthemis. See how that didn’t really lead us anywhere? Try again.”

“Ok… What is this place? Where are we?” This weird person seemed like hard work, but he was desperate for answers.

“That is only marginally better. Why, don’t you tell me where you think you are?” The man carefully grabbed the teapot and poured some tea into the cups. He frowned, looked up to the sky, clicked his fingers, and a plate of cookies materialised in the makeshift table.

“It looks like we’re in a forest, right? But it’s not where I was a moment ago. It’s not raining, and there is a sword sticking out of a stone which definitely wasn’t there before. Am I dead?”

“Ok, I see we’re not dealing with the sharpest knife in the drawer. Let me try and help or we’ll be here all day… Meanwhile, drink your tea, it’s excellent- or don’t, I don’t care. So, you saw the two enormous trees outside, you walked right in between them, you suddenly found yourself somewhere else totally different to where you were previously, and you have no guesses as to where you might be?” The man gave Ban a sideways look, almost as if he had just bought some defective item from a merchant and was wondering if he could get a refund.

Finally, he faced him directly and said, “You’re obviously in the Aether. Let’s see… that covers the what, in terms of where you’ll probably be able to answer better than I, this place looks different to everyone.”

“What do you mean? Does it randomly change?”

“Not quite, more like you’ve subconsciously made it look like this.”

“You’re saying I’ve made this place? How is that even possible? What about that sword?!”

“Well, I’m not saying I had no influence. Admittedly, that sword is more about me than you. See Ban, I’ve been waiting for you to arrive, you’ve got some hard choices to make.”

Ban raised his eyebrow and gave the weird man, Arthemis, a look that spoke volumes “How do you know my name?”

“I see you’re still not following me. It’s my fault, really; I should pretend I’m talking to someone who needs help tying their shoelaces. Most people would get transported to an aethereal realm and guess the person there may be magical in some way – not you though, way to stand out!”

“In any case, I’m curious, so please tell me, Ban. Prior to coming here, what was your plan? What did the next few days look like for you?”

With furrowed brows and narrow eyes, he looked back at Arthemis with indignation, but as he was still grappling with the bizarre nature of his surroundings, he decided to move past it; he took a moment to collect his thoughts.

He sipped the tea, finding its warmth and soothing aroma grounding amid the surreal conversation. One moment he was tired and half dead; the next, he felt completely revitalized. Before he’d realised it, he’d drank the whole cup, and Arthemis had begun pouring him another when he remembered he was supposed to respond.

He gave an appreciative nod and began cautiously, “Well, I’m pursuing a group of raiders who attacked my village. They took my fellow villagers, and I’m going track them down and save everyone.”

“Right, right, and pray do tell – how exactly had you planned to do that?”

Ban hesitated, feeling the weight of Arthemis's gaze. “What do you mean how? I was planning to follow their tracks, find their camp, and kill them. I've been training with a sword for years.”

Arthemis sighed, shaking his head. "Let’s move past your ‘Training for years’ statement for now. That’s a child's fantasy, Ban. Do you really think you can take on a group of raiders, armed and dangerous, all on your own? Have you ever held a real sword before? You don't even have a proper plan – in fact, if you can summarise your plan in two words, I don’t think you’re allowed to call it a plan at all. You're rushing headlong into a battle you're not prepared for half-starved and injured. I’m pretty sure I’m at least the third person telling you this."

Ban's face flushed, a mix of embarrassment and frustration. "I can't just sit back and do nothing! I have to do something!"

Arthemis leaned forward, his eyes piercing through Ban. "And doing something recklessly, without a strategy, you think that’s the move here? What good will you be to your villagers if you get yourself killed in the process? Or worse, if you charge in and only manage to get someone killed or yourself captured?"

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Arthemis stood up and paced back and forth, his expression grave. Ban's eyes followed him, a knot forming in his stomach.

"I can see you want to help Ban, but wanting to help alone won't save your people. You need to make a choice. Continue on this impulsive path, or regroup, get stronger, and go after them when you actually stand a chance."

Ban's fists clenched, and his gaze hardened. "I can't just wait around while my friends and family are in danger! I have to do something."

Arthemis stopped pacing, fixing his gaze on Ban. "No one is telling you to do nothing, Ban. But there's a difference between doing something and doing the right thing. Rushing into a fight you're not ready for is not heroic; it's idiotic."

Ban stood up, his chair scraping against the ground. "What would you have me do then? Wait until it's too late?"

Arthemis approached Ban, placing a hand on his shoulder. "No, Ban, I'm asking you to be smart about it. " He let out a long sigh before he continued, “Well, that’s about enough help from me anyway! So, as I said, I’m only here to give you a choice, but you’re the one who has to decide what you want to do. You’re free to leave anytime you’d like by the way.”

Ban sat there, his mind churning with conflicting thoughts. The scent of tea and the surreal surroundings seemed to amplify the weight of the decision before him.

"So, you said there was a choice. What's the other choice?" Ban asked, his voice betraying a mix of frustration and impatience.

Arthemis gave him an amused smile. “As I mentioned, one of your options, my dear Ban, seems to be to leave and continue as you were. Option two: You take that.” Arthemis pointed dramatically at the sword in the stone.

Ban's eyes widened, his gaze fixated on the weapon. “That sword?” Ban looked at it again, it was a beautifully ornate sword, it was completely black but seemed to reflect light like a mirror. One end had been stuck in a stone boulder with the handle standing perfectly vertical.

"Don’t let it hear you calling it that. Her name is Agatha, the Aetherial Blade,” Arthemis clarified. "But don't think it's a simple 'pull it out and it's yours' kind of deal. You'll have to prove you're worthy. And even if you succeed, there's a catch.”

Ban furrowed his brow. “A catch? What kind of catch?”

Arthemis grinned mischievously. “First of all, I will forbid you from going after the raiders when you walk out of here – you see, it’s a bit of an investment on my side, and I’m not really looking to lose before I start, so to speak.”

Arthemis started playing with a loose thread in his clothing as he continued.

“And I should probably warn you, you won't be the only one eyeing that sword or even the only one contending for the title. Other contenders from various corners of the Aether will want it, too. If you take up the challenge, you'll have to fight for it. If you lose, well, let's just say it won't end well."

Ban's eyes narrowed, a mix of determination and uncertainty clouding his expression. "What title? And what happens if I win?"

Arthemis shrugged. "Don’t worry about the details, time will tell… But if you’re clever, as a minimum I’m sure you’d find a way to help the people you care about, but it won't come for free."

Ban pondered his options, weighing the risks and benefits. On one hand, he wanted revenge as soon as possible; it was visceral, almost like every bone in his body needed justice for his grandad, it was all he could think about. On the other, the allure of this Aetherial Blade, a weapon that could potentially aid him in his quest, was tempting. Ban knew nothing about it, but he had to assume a magical sword found in a mystical realm must be powerful.

Ban wondered if he could trick Arthemis by taking the sword and going after the raiders; after all, how would he know? The hairs on his neck seemed to stand as he looked at Arthemis staring right at him with a smile on his face, it was as if he knew exactly what he was thinking, but there was no way he could know, right? It must be his imagination.

After a moment of silence, Ban stood up abruptly. "I'll take the sword."

Arthemis nodded, as if expecting that choice. "Very well, Ban. Prepare yourself. I should probably mention if this doesn’t work you will probably die."

“What?!”

Arthemis chuckled, seemingly amused by Ban's sudden realization. "Oh, relax, Ban. It's not as dire as it sounds. All I’m saying is that if the Aetherial Blade doesn't accept you, things might get a bit messy. But hey, let's not focus on the worst-case scenario, shall we?"

With a wave of his hand, Arthemis created a dimly lit arena around the stone pedestal. The air crackled with energy, and the atmosphere shifted, becoming charged with an otherworldly force. Ban could feel the weight of the decision he had just made settling in and he wasn’t sure it was the right one.

"Now, if you're truly ready to take the challenge, approach the stone and draw the Aetherial Blade," Arthemis announced, his tone more serious now.

Ban hesitated for a moment, still unsure of what he had agreed to, glancing at the sword in the stone. He steeled himself and walked toward the pedestal. The Aetherial Blade shimmered with an iridescent light, its presence both captivating and intimidating.

As Ban reached for the hilt, he couldn't shake the feeling that the sword itself was evaluating him. His fingers closed around the handle, and he pulled with determination. To his surprise, the sword came free smoothly. It was difficult to quantify, but it felt as if he recognized him. As the sword left the stone, a strange sensation surged through Ban's body. The world around him blurred, and the next moment, the sword disappeared from his hand.

A surge of energy coursed through Ban's body, a mixture of power and connection. The world around him blurred, and he felt a strange merging with the Aetherial Blade. It was both exhilarating and unsettling.

As the sensation subsided, Ban found himself back in the makeshift forest clearing, the sword nowhere to be seen. Arthemis was clapping, a sarcastic grin on his face. "Well done, Ban! I’m truly impressed, only an absolute idiot grabs a magical blade he knows nothing about. In any case, you seemed to have survived so there’s that... You and the Aetherial Blade are now bound together.”

Ban gave Arthemis a death stare. He was really getting tired of this guy.

"What just happened?" Ban looked around in confusion.

Arthemis chuckled. “Take a look at your wrist.”

Ban examined his wrist and was surprised to find a tattoo where one didn’t exist before. It wrapped all the way around his wrist, shaped like a sword, with the hilt being on the side of his palm. "What's this?"

Arthemis explained, "The Aetherial Blade isn't just a weapon; it becomes a part of you. That tattoo is a mark of acceptance. However, don't expect immediate powers. The real test begins now. Contenders from all over the Aether will be drawn to you. You'll have to fight for the right to keep that sword."

“What sword?! It disappeared!” He was furious. He may have just risked his life for absolutely nothing.

“I told you nothing comes for free. Or what, you thought you’d get unlimited power by lifting a sword for the first time? Anyway, I guess now is as good a time as any to say goodbye, try not to get killed and remember your promise, no looking for the raiders for a while…” Arthemis clapped his hands twice, and Ban found himself back in the same forest he had been in before he was transported. The rain had upgraded from hard to torrential and he was soaked in seconds.

“I really hate that guy.” Ban was damned if he was going to listen to anything he said after that.