The blade felt heavy in Kaito’s hands—not in weight, but in presence. It pulsed faintly, as if alive, and every time he held it, a strange hum resonated in his mind.

Back in his room, Kaito sat cross-legged on the floor, staring at the weapon resting in front of him. Its surface shimmered faintly even in the dim candlelight, and when he focused on it, faint whispers echoed at the edges of his consciousness.

“The cycle begins anew...”

Kaito rubbed his temples, frustration mounting. “What are you? Why did you show up now?”

The blade offered no answer, but as Kaito reached out to touch it, a vision flashed before his eyes:

A battlefield wreathed in flames. Warriors clashed, their faces twisted with rage and despair. At the center stood a figure wielding the very blade Kaito now held, their eyes glowing with an otherworldly light.

Kaito gasped and pulled his hand away, his heart pounding. The whispers faded, but the memory of the vision lingered. Was the blade trying to tell him something—or was it a warning?

The training grounds were quiet when Kaito arrived the next morning, the blade carefully wrapped and hidden under his cloak. He wanted answers, but he couldn’t risk anyone else finding out about the relic—not yet.

Unfortunately, Ryo was already waiting for him.

“You’ve been acting strange, Kaito,” Ryo said, leaning casually against a tree. His sharp eyes flicked to Kaito’s cloak. “Carrying something you don’t want anyone to see?”

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Kaito’s grip tightened on the bundle. “It’s none of your business.”

Ryo’s smirk widened. “Oh, but it is. You see, I think you’ve found something important. Something dangerous. And if you’re too weak to handle it...” He stepped forward, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword. “...then maybe you should hand it over.”

Kaito’s pulse quickened. “It’s not yours to take.”

Ryo drew his blade with a flourish. “Then show me you’re worthy of keeping it.”

The sparring match was swift and brutal. Kaito fought with everything he had, but Ryo’s skill was undeniable. Each strike from Ryo pushed Kaito further back, and the weight of the relic under his cloak made it harder to move.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Ryo taunted, his blade grazing Kaito’s shoulder. “Pathetic.”

But as Kaito stumbled, the blade pulsed faintly, and for a brief moment, his movements felt... sharper. He dodged Ryo’s next attack and countered with a speed that surprised them both.

The fight ended in a draw, with Ryo staring at Kaito with new interest. “Maybe you’re not as hopeless as I thought,” he said, sheathing his sword. “But this isn’t over.”

That night, as Kaito tended to his injuries, a knock at his door startled him. He opened it cautiously to find a young woman with striking silver hair and a calm but piercing gaze.

“Who are you?” Kaito asked, gripping the edge of the door.

The woman glanced around before stepping inside, uninvited. “You can call me Sayuri,” she said, her voice low. “I felt the relic awaken.”

Kaito froze. “You... know about it?”

Sayuri nodded, her expression unreadable. “I’ve been searching for it for years. It’s not just a weapon—it’s a key. And if you don’t learn how to control it, it’ll destroy you.”

“Control it?” Kaito repeated, his mind racing. “What are you talking about?”

Sayuri placed a hand on the hilt of the blade, and for a moment, the whispers in Kaito’s mind grew louder. “This isn’t just a tool. It has a will of its own, and it’s tied to your bloodline.”

Kaito’s breath caught. “My bloodline? You mean my father...”

Sayuri stepped back, her gaze unwavering. “Not just your father. The relic’s power comes with a price—and the time to pay it is coming soon.”

As Sayuri prepared to leave, she paused at the door. “One last thing,” she said. “When the relic awakens, it doesn’t just call to its wielder. It calls to those who would claim its power for themselves.”

“What does that mean?” Kaito asked.

“It means you’re not the only one looking for it,” Sayuri said, her expression dark. “And if they find you first, they won’t ask questions.”

Before Kaito could respond, a distant howl echoed through the mountains, sending a chill down his spine. Sayuri’s eyes narrowed. “They’re closer than I thought.”

The door closed behind her, leaving Kaito alone with the blade—and the weight of what was to come.