image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/75/Cyrus_Thorne%2C_son_of_Elden_Thorne.png]
At the Thorne household, the atmosphere was thick with anticipation and the remnants of a long, arduous night. Cyrus had only managed to sleep for two hours before adrenaline and determination pulled him from his restless slumber. His mind raced with thoughts and plans, refusing to let him rest any longer.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/fc/Sword_of_Water.png]
He sat up, rubbed the sleep from his eyes, and glanced around his room. The Sword of Water, successfully crafted, lay on the desk—a symbol of their recent victory and a reminder of the challenges ahead. His gaze then shifted to the documents and flash drive his team had recovered. The weight of their significance pressed on him, urging him to act.
Determined, Cyrus rummaged through his belongings and found a spare laptop, slightly outdated but functional. He sat down at his desk, the early morning light filtering through the curtains, casting a soft glow over the room. With a deep breath, he plugged the flash drive into the laptop and watched as the screen flickered to life.
The files began to load, and Cyrus felt a mix of excitement and apprehension. What secrets did these documents hold? What truths about the seven swords would they reveal? Deciphering this information was crucial to their mission.
As the files opened, Cyrus's eyes scanned the screen. Within the flash drive, he found a video diary of his father's research on the seven swords, recorded by Elden Thorne himself. There were ten clips, each one holding potential keys to the mysteries that had consumed his father's life. With a mix of excitement and trepidation, Cyrus carefully opened the first video clip.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/3c/Professor_Elden_Thorne_in_his_role_as_a_high_school_professor.png]
The screen flickered, and then his father's familiar face appeared. "My name is Professor Elden Thorne," his father began, beaming with confidence and enthusiasm. "I have chosen to explore a topic that many consider taboo or mythical: the seven swords." Elden's eyes sparkled with determination. "The purpose of my thesis is to prove the existence of the seven swords. I hope this research will help the world understand more about them and ultimately benefit mankind."
The clip ended, and Cyrus felt a pang of nostalgia. He recognized the positive and determined expression on his father's face, a look he had seen many times growing up. With renewed resolve, he opened the second clip.
"One and a half months have passed," Elden said, looking slightly more worn but still resolute. "The seven swords remain a mystery. The only records I've found are in history books and ancient stories. In modern times, they seem to have vanished. However, I believe these records—much like the Bible and accounts from past scholars—are based on fact, not fiction. I am determined to continue my research to prove their existence."
Cyrus felt his father's conviction through the screen. He could see the dedication in Elden's eyes, the relentless pursuit of knowledge that drove him. Eager to delve deeper into his father's journey, Cyrus opened the third clip.
"Another two months have passed," Elden began, looking both determined and slightly weary. "My research has led me to some intriguing assumptions. It appears the swords may be scattered across different parts of the world. For instance, historical records mention the Sword of Light only in Europe. The Sword of Spirit appears in Japanese history, while the Sword of Shadow is noted in Chinese texts. However, the records for the other four swords—Flame, Earth, Storms, and Ice—are far less specific. These swords seem to appear in numerous history books, suggesting that their wielders might have traveled extensively."
Elden's eyes sparkled with the thrill of discovery. "My focus will be on the Swords of Light, Spirit, and Shadow for now. Proving the existence of even one sword would be a significant breakthrough," he concluded before the clip ended.
Cyrus, filled with a sense of his father's relentless pursuit, opened the fourth clip.
"Recording now after one month from my last entry," Elden said, speaking from what appeared to be a European study room. "I am currently in Europe, seeking more clues about the Sword of Light. The people here have been kind, but, unfortunately, concrete evidence remains elusive. Europe is a vast continent, and without a precise location, it's like searching for a needle in a haystack."
Elden's tone was both determined and frustrated. "I've exchanged information with several historians and fellow scholars, but their findings are similar to mine. In modern times, there's no definitive record of the Sword of Light. I will shift my focus to any accounts of mystical power usage or extraordinary battles. These might lead me closer to finding the Sword of Light within Europe."
Cyrus paused the video, reflecting on his father's words. He could see the passion and dedication that had driven Elden, as well as the challenges he had faced. Determined to continue his father's work, Cyrus prepared to open the fifth clip, eager to uncover more of the path Elden had forged in his quest for the seven swords.
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"One and a half weeks after my last video, I've made some progress by refocusing on mystical power usage and extraordinary events rather than directly searching for clues about the legendary swords," Elden said in the next clip. "While there are no signs of extraordinary battles within Europe, there are numerous reports of miraculous recoveries. I am now in Vatican City, and behind me is the Church of the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light. Visitors to this church have reportedly been miraculously cured of fatal illnesses. This has heightened my suspicion that they may possess the Sword of Light. I will speak with the Pope and provide updates."
Cyrus clicked on the next clip, his anticipation growing.
"After speaking with the Pope, I was disappointed to learn that they deny any possession or knowledge of the Sword of Light," Elden said, his frustration palpable. "They insist that the miraculous cures are the result of faith in the church. The people I interviewed who were cured also attributed their recoveries to divine intervention or had signed nondisclosure agreements to protect the church's secrets. I have no concrete evidence that they possess the Sword of Light. The Holy Knights of the church eventually chased me away, labeling me a public nuisance. Regrettably, my investigation here has come to an end without any substantial findings."
Cyrus felt a mix of empathy and frustration as he watched his father's relentless pursuit hit another dead end. The determination in Elden's voice and the setbacks he faced only fueled Cyrus's resolve. He could see how tirelessly his father had worked, how every clue, every dead end had only strengthened his determination.
Determined to learn more, Cyrus opened the next clip, ready to follow the threads his father had left behind. The video flickered to life, revealing Elden in a new setting, his expression a mixture of weariness and hope.
"After my setback in Vatican City, I've decided to shift my focus to Japan, where records of the Sword of Spirit are more prevalent," Elden began in the seventh clip. His voice carried a mix of determination and fatigue. "The historical texts here are rich with references to spiritual energy and mystical artifacts. I believe I am getting closer to uncovering more about the Sword of Spirit, but it's much harder than expected. Even with the help of a translator, I am still lost in translation. The cultural nuances and ancient dialects are difficult to decipher."
Elden's face showed signs of weariness as he continued, "I was also stopped by the local Yakuza, who seem determined to keep outsiders from delving too deeply into these mysteries. Their interference has been relentless, forcing me to put my investigation on hold. Every time I make progress, they find a way to disturb and hinder my work. It's incredibly frustrating."
Cyrus could feel his father's despair through the screen, his heart aching at the thought of Elden being harassed and obstructed at every turn. He watched as his father took a deep breath, summoning the last of his resolve.
"I will travel to China next," Elden said, his voice steady but weary. "Even though I may face similar challenges with language and local resistance, I cannot give up. This is my last stand to gather any clues that might prove the existence of the seven swords. I owe it to myself, to my research, and to the world to see this through."
Cyrus paused the video, feeling the weight of his father's words. Elden's relentless pursuit of the truth, despite countless obstacles, was both inspiring and heartbreaking. Determined to honor his father's legacy, Cyrus knew he had to continue the work and face the challenges head-on. He then continued to play the eighth clip.
"I am in China now, and I've met with weapon scholars here. China's history of martial arts and weaponry is rich, and I hope to make progress. The Sword of Shadow is a tricky one, as it is said to control the void. The good news is that some locals claim to have seen the Sword of Shadow in action, but there is no physical evidence. The ability to control the void is a powerful one. The wielder may use it to prevent physical evidence from being recorded. I will do my best to document any proof I can find," said Elden Thorne with determination. Cyrus then moved on to the ninth clip.
"This is my last day in China. Unfortunately, I still have no physical evidence for the existence of the Sword of Shadow. I spoke to local police authorities who told me that a few criminals they caught claimed they were subdued by a man who controls shadows, but no clues were found at the scenes. I believe this vigilante may wield the Sword of Shadow, but without physical evidence, my assumptions are baseless. If I submit my thesis based on these statements, I would be ridiculed. I have decided to abandon this research," said Professor Elden Thorne in the ninth clip.
Cyrus then opened the final clip. "As I found no conclusive evidence of the seven swords, I decided to devote my energy to creating a man-made legendary sword. With FuturForge Innovations sponsoring me, I have developed an original Sword of Water. This project will help cover my failure in researching the seven swords. The development of the Sword of Water is much more promising than finding the legendary swords. I hope this will be a great achievement in my life and career," said Elden Thorne.
Cyrus finished watching all ten clips on the flash drive. Minutes turned into hours as he immersed himself in the videos. Each discovery felt like a small victory, bringing him closer to understanding the mysteries of the seven swords. His father had clearly dedicated his life to this research, and now Cyrus was determined to continue that legacy. He still had the documents to go through.
The sound of a knock at the front door broke his concentration. He opened the door to see Ji-eun, Elliot, and Noah, their expressions a mix of curiosity and excitement. They had come to check on him, their bond of friendship and shared purpose stronger than ever.
"Morning, Cyrus," Ji-eun greeted softly, her eyes searching his for signs of exhaustion.
"Morning," he replied, offering a tired but genuine smile. "I've been going through the documents and the flash drive. There's a lot here, more than I expected."
Elliot stepped forward, peering over Cyrus's shoulder at the laptop screen. "Find anything useful?"
Cyrus nodded, his eyes gleaming with determination. "Yes, there are clues here, references to locations and ancient texts. It's going to take time to piece it all together, but we're on the right track."
Noah, ever the optimist, grinned. "Sounds like another adventure. Let's get to it!"
Cyrus looked at his friends, feeling a surge of gratitude. "Thank you, all of you. We've got a lot of work ahead, but I know we can do it together."
Ji-eun placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We're with you, Cyrus. Every step of the way."
The group gathered around the desk, each person focused on the task at hand. The early morning light illuminated the room, casting a hopeful glow over their faces. With the Sword of Water in hand and the knowledge gleaned from Elden's research, they were ready to embark on the next leg of their journey.
As they prepared to dive into the documents, Cyrus felt a renewed sense of purpose and camaraderie. The journey ahead would be challenging, but with the support of his friends and the strength of his father's legacy, they were ready to face whatever lay ahead. Their quest for truth and justice was just beginning, and together, they would see it through to the end.