Cyrus, Ji-eun, Elliot, and Noah began to sift through Professor Elden Thorne's extensive research. Faced with a daunting stack of documents, they realized they would need to divide the work to cover everything within the day.
"This is really a huge stack of documents!" Elliot exclaimed, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "I'm not sure if we can get through all of this in one day."
"We're going to divide the work to speed this up," Cyrus said decisively.
Ji-eun and Noah, however, looked confused and stressed by the academic jargon and dense papers. While Ji-eun excelled in combat, she struggled with academic tasks. Noah, on the other hand, was creative but young; the papers were too advanced for his age, and he seemed uninterested.
Noticing their expressions, Cyrus offered a solution. "Ji-eun and Noah, if you want to sit this one out, you can. Elliot and I will handle this."
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/2/27/Noah_Anderson_playing_a_handheld_console%2C_fully_immersed_in_his_game.png]
"Great! I'll try not to disturb you all!" Noah said eagerly, moving to a corner of Cyrus's house. He made himself comfortable and pulled out his handheld gaming PC.
"You have one of those? That's expensive! You must be rich!" Elliot said with a touch of jealousy.
"Go help Cyrus! Shoo!" Noah replied, brushing off Elliot's comments. "I'll let you try it once you finish helping Cyrus with the documents."
Unlike Noah, Ji-eun remained eager to help, even though she knew her limitations. "Cyrus, is there any task I can help with? I don't want to be left out."
Cyrus thought for a moment, considering what tasks might be easier for her. "Alright, you can help by sorting the documents by keywords," he suggested. "Group and sort them by the swords the research talks about. That will speed up our work."
"I can do that!" Ji-eun said, regaining a sense of purpose.
With their roles defined, the three of them got to work. Cyrus and Elliot dove into deciphering the dense academic texts, while Ji-eun methodically sorted the documents into categories. Noah, content with his gaming PC, occasionally glanced up to see their progress.
As the hours passed, the room buzzed with focused energy. Cyrus' pen scratched across the paper as he deciphered a particularly dense passage. Elliot muttered under his breath, connecting ideas with excited gestures. Ji-eun, her brow furrowed in concentration, flipped through a stack of documents, occasionally stopping to highlight a key phrase.
"Cyrus, I found some notes about the Sword of Flame," Ji-eun announced, holding up a stack of papers.
"Great job, Ji-eun. Keep going," Cyrus encouraged, feeling the momentum build.
Elliot, intrigued by Ji-eun's findings, glanced over. "These notes might be crucial. Good work, Ji-eun."
Ji-eun beamed with pride, feeling more involved in the mission. The team's collaborative effort began to pay off, as piece by piece, they started to unravel the complex web of Elden Thorne's research.
Meanwhile, Noah, ever the optimist, called out, "How's it going over there? Need any breaks yet?"
Elliot chuckled. "We're making progress, thanks to Ji-eun. But a break might be nice soon."
"Noah, keep an eye on the time for us, will you?" Cyrus asked, grateful for his friend's support, even if it came in the form of comic relief and casual gaming.
Hours passed, and the pile of unsorted documents gradually diminished. The team's efficiency improved as they fell into a steady rhythm, each person contributing their strengths. By the end of the day, they had made significant headway, bringing them one step closer to understanding the mysteries of the seven swords and continuing Elden Thorne's legacy.
Exhausted but satisfied, the team gathered in the living room to review their progress. "We've made a lot of headway," Cyrus said, his voice filled with hope. "Thank you all for your hard work. We're getting closer."
Ji-eun, Elliot, and Noah nodded, their expressions a mix of tiredness and determination. They were ready for whatever came next, united in their mission and strengthened by their shared efforts. The documents detailed the abilities of each sword, which were both fascinating and daunting.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/cb/Sword_of_Flame.png]
Sword of Flames: This magnificent blade dances with an eternal inferno, a master of flames that can turn the very air into a raging firestorm. Its wielder commands the power to summon walls of fire, create scorching whirlwinds, and even morph the battlefield into a furnace of devastation. Legends tell of this sword's ability to ignite the courage within a warrior's heart, burning away fear and doubt.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c4/Sword_of_Shadows.png]
Sword of Shadows: Cloaked in the enigmatic veils of darkness, this sword is the ultimate vessel of stealth and deception. It grants its bearer the ability to blend into shadows, becoming nearly invisible to the naked eye. Whispering secrets of the unseen, it can cast illusions, disorient foes with phantoms of terror, and reveal hidden truths cloaked in night. This blade is a silent guardian, a watcher in the dark, guiding its wielder through the labyrinth of deceit.
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image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c9/Sword_of_Storms.png]
Sword of Storms: With a crackling edge that sings the hymns of the tempest, this sword commands the fury of the skies. Its bearer can summon lightning to scorch the earth, call forth roaring thunderclaps to stun adversaries, and unleash tempestuous winds that can redirect the course of battle. The Sword of Storms embodies the untamable power of nature, making the heavens themselves an ally to those deemed worthy of its might.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/4/47/Sword_of_Earth.png]
Sword of Earth: An unbreakable bond with the ancient strength of the planet is the hallmark of this guardian blade. It can cause the very ground to tremble, raise stone walls for defense, or command vines and roots to entangle foes. This sword's connection to nature's force allows its wielder to manipulate the battlefield, creating sanctuaries of calm or arenas of peril with the mere will of their heart.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/52/Sword_of_Ice.png]
Sword of Ice: Forged in the deepest freeze of winter's embrace, this sword exudes an aura of relentless cold. It can encase enemies in blocks of ice, summon blizzards to obscure vision and slow movements, and even turn the moisture in the air into deadly icicles. The Sword of Ice is a symbol of the merciless side of nature, embodying the silent, inexorable advance of frost and snow.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/cc/Sword_of_light.png]
Sword of Light: This radiant blade is a paradox of duality, offering both the balm of healing and the blinding force of destruction. It can mend wounds with a touch, shield allies with barriers of pure light, or unleash beams of energy capable of cutting through the darkest malice. The Sword of Light is a testament to the balance of power, reminding all of the dual paths of salvation and ruin.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/19/Sword_of_Spirit.png]
Sword of Spirits: More than just a weapon, this sword serves as a spectral bridge between the living and the ethereal realms. It enables its wielder to commune with spirits, summon ghostly allies, and even delve into the memories of souls long passed. The Sword of Spirits weaves a connection between worlds, revealing the thin veil that separates life from the everlasting journey beyond.
They began by reviewing the Sword of Flame. The last unconfirmed sighting was in Shibuya, Japan, twenty years ago, before it disappeared without a trace. Recently, it had reappeared in the CCTV footage from FuturForge Innovations.
"He probably inherited the sword from someone close who lived in Japan and moved to the US," theorized Elliot. "Based on his surname, Harada, we know the heritage of the sword."
"We know the location is in the US, and who owns it," added Cyrus. "Let's focus on the other swords first, as we know who and where it is. I would prefer to reach the other swords before them and then come back to this one."
The rest of the group agreed with Cyrus's plan. "Your father documented the locations of three swords based on common sightings and interviews. Though there's no physical evidence, it's safe to say these are the places we should start," said Elliot.
"I agree we should travel to these places, but where first?" asked Cyrus as they listed the locations.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c4/Sword_of_Shadows.png]
The Sword of Shadow had sightings in various parts of China, but its exact location was unclear, making it a difficult task in such a vast country with language barriers.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/19/Sword_of_Spirit.png]
The Sword of Spirit was sighted in Japan with a relatively precise location. However, the Yakuza's involvement made it a dangerous pursuit.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/cc/Sword_of_light.png]
The Sword of Light had sightings and interviews in Vatican City, specifically within the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light. The language barrier here was minimal as they spoke English.
The other swords—Storm, Earth, and Ice—remained shrouded in mystery, with no exact pinpoint locations, making the search akin to finding a needle in a haystack.
"We should start with Vatican City to find the Sword of Light," Elliot suggested. "It's the easiest to navigate and investigate with the least barriers."
"I agree. We'll begin with Vatican City and try to get more information from the Charismatic Order of the Sacred Light," Cyrus concurred.
"Ahem! You mean 'we', right?" Noah corrected Cyrus.
"I've troubled you guys enough. I'm not sure what the future holds," Cyrus replied. "Noah, besides, you're only 15. Your parents wouldn't consent to you traveling, I believe."
"Hey Cyrus, as you know, I'm suspended. I'll follow you to Vatican City. I want to know more about the swords after going through the research with you!" Elliot said, his voice filled with determination. "It has sparked my interest, and I believe I can be a useful ally."
"Cyrus, you know I will follow you wherever you go as your life partner!" Ji-eun added, looking at Cyrus with love. Cyrus pretended not to hear her declaration.
"Hey, Mr. Who Thinks He's an Adult, who knows everything," Noah reiterated about Cyrus's comment on his age. "We've been through a lot, and this adventure—you're not going without me! Regarding my parents' consent, I'll handle it. All you need to do is allow me to join you, no babysitting needed."
Cyrus looked at the group, appreciating their support, and nodded in silent agreement. "Alright, guys! I appreciate all your support. We'll travel to Vatican City together!" he declared, as the group cheered.
"We need to come up with a name for our group! This is getting exciting, like a clan or guild!" Elliot said, excitedly. "Something cool! How about Sword Hunters, The Weapon Rebels, or Vigilantes of Technology?"
Noah shook his head, facepalming. "Seriously, with all your academic studies, these are the names you come up with?" he said, appalled.
"Hey, I think they're good, okay?" Elliot retorted.
"How about we let Cyrus decide the name?" Ji-eun suggested.
Cyrus thought deeply before speaking. "How about 'Vindicators'?" he proposed.
Elliot looked at him curiously. "Why 'Vindicators'?"
"The name 'Vindicators' symbolizes our mission to seek justice and truth, to vindicate my father's name and uncover the mysteries of the seven swords," Cyrus explained. "We're not just hunters or rebels; we're here to clear the names of the wrongly accused and to set things right."
"This is a great name! We should go with Vindicators!" Noah exclaimed, and Elliot and Ji-eun nodded in agreement.
With their new name decided, the Vindicators were ready to embark on their journey to Vatican City to find the Sword of Light. Their adventure was just beginning, and together, they would face whatever challenges lay ahead.