Akisane’s first swordmaster would have scolded him for holding his sword out without guarding angles, but it felt right to hold Darksun toward his enemy. It wasn’t the only thing that felt right. He was calm and steady, even in the face of awesome power that could turn him to dust.

Kazusuke formed a ball of liquid light, demonstrating power few knights could ever match. It had an intangible weight like it tingled some sixth sense, letting him know it was a remarkable amount of energy. It was a judgment against the knight’s death and a demonstration to the people that the twelve orders didn’t need a thirteenth—certainly not from a group gathered by the nobility. It was an unwritten rule that there was a separation of powers between them, but the Black Order could threaten all that.

Akisane had no counter. He couldn’t coast into the shadow realm nor force it aside with his mind. It would hit him.

Darksun towed him toward the enemy. Shadow is always greater than light. A lantern along a dark road doesn’t illuminate the miles the road stretches. The sun doesn’t reach deep oceans or caves, and even the surface experiences night half the time. Do not fear.

The blazing orb in Kazusuke’s hands seemed to take over the world. Even when Akisane raised his grip, he couldn’t block it out; his skin turned red, glowing like a curtain before the sun.

Time had passed—it must have been nearly an entire round. Perhaps Kazusake expected Akisane to run and try to escape the coming doom. Instead, the seconds ticked on. Then, the orb grew. Akisane guessed that meant it sped toward him.

Knights threw up shields all around the arena. They created a short hum as they bloomed.

As the liquid light came to scour Akisane from existence, he tried something insane—he cleaved it like it was a man or beast. His blade should have passed through ineffectively, but that’s not what happened. Darksun parted the energy, and it passed to both sides of him.

Behind Akisane, it was as if every knight had put up a shield. It was like soap bubbles at the edge of the tub. The two errant halves clapped into them. Many burst, an arc shot out and evaporated a score of spectators, but no knight was killed. They had known that Kazusuke would bring his full might.

Darksun warped the view of the world through its invisible presence. Be careful you do not become the Herold of Death. If you draw too deeply from my power, you will weaken Thailoc’s bonds.

Akisane thought it strange that the sword would give him this information. Why would Thailoc’s creation betray its creator?

What’s left to rule if it is all a waste?

You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

What do you want to rule?

Everything from as low as the Mantle Lords to as high as the temple in the clouds, Mount Templar. We’ll use the portals at the Twenty-Seven Towers and take all until the sun never sets on our realm.

Before Akisane could digest Darksun’s ambitions, his opponent blipped forty paces away to the right before him. A broad, pure sword knocked the demon sword aside, and a knee exploded into his abdomen. He was in a compromised position, double over with a pure sword above him with the possible intention of decapitating him.

But the gong tolled.

Shank handed him a flask. “These knights don’t know how to fight dirty, so use that to your advantage.”

“How?”

“I don’t know. Look,” Shank gestured all around. “No one, not even your family, expects you to do well out here. Your father knows you have the sword, but he doesn’t care if he has to pick it up from your corpse and hand it to another. So get out there, do some underhanded shit, and win.”

The liquid burned Akinsane’s throat. It felt wonderful. He took another swig and nodded.

Kazusuke stared at him from across the corners as the second round started. A forking white light danced along his blade. He looked at Akinsane the way a blacksmith might a piece of iron to hammer.

Akisane freed Darksun again. “How do I use your powers?”

The only response was, Careful.

The lightning sword came as a whirlwind. Arcs scorched the stone and fingered around the two compatents.

Akisane fought with all the skill he possessed. The knight was a great swordsman. He’d always wondered how good they were. They rarely sparred with anyone but their own, especially not strong knights.

Kazusuke wasn’t only fast and precise, he was strong, and each strike rang loudly.

If Darksun were easier to see and not just a warp of light, perhaps Akisane would already be dead. But he wasn’t. And he was skilled enough to drain the knight of some of that strength but dancing back and forth, steel against steel, for the rest of the round. But he was slowing, too. One plan was to lure the knight into the showdown corner, but that wasn’t working.

The second plan was to listen to Shank.

When the swords locked against each other and they grappled, Akisane leaned close and spat a mouthful of alcohol into Kazusuke’s face. He didn’t expect what came next; he snatched onto the knight's wrist and felt strength flow into him. His grip tightened down like a vise. All the exhaustion of the swordfight melted away.

Kazusuke looked at his hand, and his mouth fell open. From the wrist, his hand was a shrunken, charred husk.

The gong tolled.

Shank patted Akisane’s shoulder. “Good job.”

The Duke stepped forward to address the crowd. “For the third round, we release an air snake. It is the job of the knights to contain it to the arena.”

Henry (Akisane)

Level: 10

Focus: Telekinesis

Secondary focus: Shadow walker, fire walker

Weapons: Darksun Sword - 85% corrupt, decay+12