---3 YEARS LATER---
Juol.
A village that lies next to the Esterado Ocean. Famous for its fishing culture and amazing sights. Children can play on the sandy beach along with the clear and pure water.
Though it's famous for such things, it was also a place for those that want to get away from trouble.
In a beach house, a man stood on his balcony, gazing at the beautiful ocean in front of him. He sighed as he took a sip out of his mug before walking back inside.
As he set his mug on the table, the man heard a meow and a panther curled up next to him. He smiled as he scratched the panther’s head before patting its back.
“Go play, Eclipse.”
The panther purred before walking away. The man sighed before looking at his right arm, or what used to be there. He walked into his room and grabbed his bag before walking out the door.
“Another day.”
As he arrived at the village, he went up to one of the stands where the merchant was selling fish. He took a look at the selections before deciding.
“How much for two of these?”
“Ah? The White Winged Tuna? It will be a hundred Meses each but since it’s you Jersanis, I’ll make it 50 Meses each.”
Though there were many kingdoms with different cultures and beliefs, one thing they all had in common was the currency. Meses. There were four kinds of Meses. The silver coin was worth a single Meses. The gold coin is worth 10 Meses. The purple coin worth 100 Meses and the imperial red coin worth 1,000 Meses.
“Now, that isn’t necessary sir. I can pay the full price.”
“Oh come on now, Jersanis. You saved my daughter from drowning last week. It’s the best I can do to repay you.”
Jersanis sighed. Knowing it was impossible to negotiate with the people of Juol, Jersanis paid the requested amount and was on his way.
“Good day, Mr. Vixern!” A woman greeted Jersanis as she walked by, followed by another greeting by a group of children.
“Look! It’s Jersanis!”
“Good morning, Jersanis!”
Jersanis waved at them as he headed back home.
As he was now walking down the path towards his house, Eclipse approached him and rubbed next to his leg.
“Is something the matter, girl?”
Eclipse turned and looked at the house. Jersanis looked up and noticed there were two cloaked figures standing in front of his house. They seemed to be waiting for someone.
“Visitors?”
The two figures lingered around and continued to wait until Jersanis approached them.
“Greetings. May I help you?”
“Yes. Are you perhaps Jersanis Vixern?” One of the figures asked.
“Why yes I am?”
“Well, that’s great. Do you perhaps know any good fighters around here, Jersanis Vixern? Or should I actually say, Sanctifaust Terania.” The figure asked as they reached for their hood.
Jersanis glared at the figure as they took their hood off, revealing blonde hair and green eyes. With the hood off, standing in front of him was the Emperor of Neriopa, Lux De Heyur.
“Lux.”
“Sanctifaust.”
“How did you find me?”
“Though he was not as famous as your father, did you really think I would not be able to recognize the name of your grandfather? And Vixern? If you want to hide, next time I suggest you choose a name that no one recognizes, or maybe something bland like Steve or something.”
Sanctifaust groaned and opened the door to his house.
“You haven’t changed a bit.”
“You seem to have! That stubble is looking really good on you!”
Lux and his companion followed Sanctifaust inside his home and sat down on his table, putting his legs on top of the table. Sanctifaust grabbed himself a drink and took a sip out of his mug before looking over at Lux’s companion.
“Who is this?” He asked and they lifted their hood. It was a woman with light blonde hair and red eyes.
“Greetings, Son of Legendary Sword Saint Yoru. My name is Veirna Yuima.”
“Veirna here is my Lord Commander. As well as the current Sword Saint.”
“Sword Saint? Did your father and mine not pass a law stating there would be no more Sword Saints after him?”
“No. Unfortunately, the old council members have been replaced. When mentions of that law was brought up, it was immediately turned down. After that, search for a new Sword Saint began and this is where we are now.”
Sanctifaust looked over at Veirna, inspecting her head to toe before looking at the sword strapped on her waist.
“I reckon you didn’t come here just to chat.”
Lux smiled. He turned to Veirna and nodded his head. Veirna grabbed the sword on her waist and placed it on the table.
“Cognitive as always. Sanctifaust, if you weren’t aware, as you have served under my Empire, you are subjected to be called back to duty when the council or I think so. During your recovery after the tournament, you along with your brother abandoned your position as a Legendary Warrior, the highest title in the Imperial Army of Neriopa, fleeing the place the many generations of Sword Saints had worked so hard to make a home. I, the Emperor of Neriopa, offer you a proposition.”
Lux pushed the sword towards Sanctifaust. Sanctifaust stared at the sword before Lux stood up, wielding another sword.
“Because we have been friends for a long time and I am indebted to your father, I am offering you this choice. Fight me and if you win, you earn your freedom and I will not bother you for as long as you live.”
“And if you win?”
“Then you come back to Neriopa. Though your position of Legendary Warrior is already stripped, I can still make arrangements. Becoming Emperor has given me tons of options, even if I run out of one.”
Sanctifaust looked up at Lux, then Veirna and sighed.
“Lux, do I look like I’m in any condition to fight? Let alone wield a sword?”
Lux smiled before drawing his blade, pointing it at Sanctifaust.
“You say that but I know you’re ambidextrous. Even with a broken arm, you were able to wield a sword with no problem. The things your father taught you, he also taught me.”
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Veirna looked down at Eclipse who simply yawned and proceeded to take a nap.
“Your pet is not very protective, is she? Even if a sword is pointed your way.”
Sanctifaust looked over at Veirna and shook his head.
“My Eclipse has no need to fight. She is more of a pacifist than I am. Though she will fight if necessary. Something like this is just a hassle for her.”
“Sounds like you just treat her like a queen.”
Sanctifaust stood up and grabbed the sword.
“Here I thought you would have the Sword Saint here fight me as you have never beaten me in a fight. Then again, you aren’t the kind of man to let others do their work. Since I have no choice, guess we’ll have to do it.”
Moments later, both of them stood on the beach. Veirna and Eclipse watched from afar on Sanctifaust’s balcony.
“How long has it been since we last fought, Sanctifaust?”
Sanctifaust spun his sword and entered his fighting stance. He didn’t say a word as he wore a serious expression on his face. Lux sighed and knew he wouldn’t get a word out of him. Then he realized something.
“Say, I know it is a keepsake of your father, but where is the Legendary Sword Yoru? I cannot sense its energy at all.”
Sanctifaust narrowed his eyes.
“What use do I have with a sword I cannot wield efficiently?”
Lux stared at Sanctifaust’s missing arm and scratched his head in embarrassment. Though Sanctifaust was ambidextrous, to wield the Legendary Sword Yoru he must possess two arms, one to wield the blade, the other to hold onto the scabbard and when necessary, wield the sword with both hands, granting full efficiency of the blade. Without his main sword wielding arm, he was unable to utilize the legendary sword.
“So… where did you put it?” Lux asked curiously and what Sanctifaust said next was something he did not expect.
“I tossed it into the ocean.”
Lux’s mouth dropped. He could not believe what he had heard.
“YOU TOSSED THE LEGENDARY SWORD YORU INTO THE OCEAN!?!?” Lux shouted in shock.
Veirna heard what Lux said and was shocked herself.
“He what?”
Sanctifaust stood straight up and sighed.
“Yes, now are you going to fight or what?”
“Sanctifaust, did you not hear yourself!? You tossed a sword with power not most can get their hands on into the watery abyss! How could you do something like that!?”
Sanctifaust sighed and shook his head. Watching how Sanctifaust didn’t seem to care, Lux stopped trying.
“Fine, if that is how you are going to act.”
Lux entered his fighting stance and immediately drew his sword. Sanctifaust turned to Lux and seconds later, he received several slashes on his chest and arm.
“What-!?”
Sanctifaust quickly stepped back, blood seeping into the beach’s sand. He looked up and Lux sprinted towards him.
The two clashed blades, sending sparks everywhere. Sanctifaust struggled to push Lux back as the young emperor started to throw heavy swings at him.
“While you were idling away in this village, I have been training! Though you were stronger than me in the past, it is different now!”
Lux swept Sanctifaust's feet and kicked him towards the ocean. Sanctifaust fell into the water, soaking him entirely. Sanctifaust got up on his feet and tried to take a breather, but Lux ruthlessly continued to assault him.
“Ever since Yerlo and Trishia died, you’ve become a different person entirely!”
As Lux continued to monologue, Sanctifaust observed Lux’s movements. Though they were fast and near impossible for him to read, he could still see how Lux initiates his moves, being able to predict what he can do next before he can perform it. However, Sanctifaust can confirm the emperor was faster than he was several years ago.
Sanctifaust swung his blade at an opening but Lux vanished. He appeared several meters away from Sanctifaust and lowered his blade. Green energy began to wrap around the blade as he clutched the handle with both hands.
“It took me months, but I am finally able to imitate the style you used while wielding Yoru. Though I may not wield the legendary sword and have its power, your style can still be imitated and used on other swords!”
Lux’s feet dug into the sand and when the blade gleamed at its brightest, he swung his sword, sending a fast, massive shockwave towards Sanctifaust.
Sanctifaust took a quick step back as the speed of the shockwave seemed to be unavoidable. He quickly brainstormed how he could avoid the shockwave but before he could, the shockwave was already close.
He blocked the shockwave with his blade, the shockwave digged into his blade, causing cracks to appear.
At the same time, Lux ran towards him, anger in his eyes.
“Deflect it Sanctifaust! Deflect it like how you did against Yamaryu’s!”
Memories flashed through Sanctifaust’s mind. He remembered how he deflected Yamaryu’s blow, sending the shockwave towards the balcony where the rulers of nations resided. He had heard of how Lux’s father had been decapitated and that it was Yamaryu’s shockwave that had killed him.
“I… I did not mean to get your father killed.”
“I know… but who else can I lash my anger towards? Your brother abandoned the kingdom… he abandoned all of humankind… hell, he even abandoned his own brother… you!”
A tear streamed down Sanctifaust’s face. He knew it was his fault but in his mind he blamed it on his brother.
Lux approached closer and Sanctifaust heard a voice echoing through his mind.
“Remember your oath…”
Suddenly, a huge wave splashed onto both Lux and Sanctifaust. Lux’s shockwave dissipated and Sanctifaust lost his sword. Though Lux was washed away, Sanctifaust was not.
Sanctifaust opened his eyes and planted in the sand was his father’s keepsake.
The Legendary Sword Yoru… the dark parts of the sheath remained as black as the night under the sun. The patterns on the blade dimmed as the sword seemed to speak to Sanctifaust.
“Your oath is engraved within my blade… I am the reminder of that oath… now wield me once more… and never abandon it ever again…”
The voice spoke to him with a calm but stern tone. Sanctifaust grit his teeth as he grabbed Yoru’s handle, sheathing the sword. In tiny engravings, it wrote:
Thy Word Shall Not Feed Thy Ego. Thee Shall Protect All Which Is Powerless And Vanquish Evil. Thy Strength Is Not Blessing Or Gift. It Is Thy Spirit And Will That Has Given Thee Strength. Use It Wisely…
Meanwhile, Lux recovered and turned towards Sanctifaust.
“I’m not done with-” Then Lux noticed. Sanctifaust turned towards him and held Yoru in his hand. He then spoke.
“I, Sanctifaust Terania, Son of the Legendary Sword Saint Yoru, shall wield the Legendary Sword named after him…”
Sanctifaust crouched and breathed. His veins began to turn blue and an azure colored aura wrapped around him. Lux stood up and smiled.
“Finally, we can fight at full strength.”
Lux tossed his current sword and dug his hand into the ground. He then pulled out a gleaming damascus-patterned sword. A gold aura began to wrap around him as he entered a fighting stance.
The both accumulated concentrated energy into their weapons, causing the environment around them to distort. Veirna looked around as the skies darkened and the ocean waves grew higher.
“Y-your majesty-!” Veirna called the Emperor to warn him about the catastrophe that the two would cause if they clashed swords, but Lux glared at her. Veirna took this as a sign and knew that whatever she was going to say, he will not listen.
“Now then, Sanctifaust… for old times sake.”
[Holy Slash]
Lux slammed the ground with his sword before swinging it, launching a powerful shockwave.
Sanctifaust let out a deep breath before gripping Yoru in reverse. His veins returned to normal as blue energy petals fell from Yoru as Sanctifaust swung his blade.
[Dead Crescent]
The space in front of Sanctifaust seemed to be split into two. Lux’s shockwave would change routes, flying towards Lux’s direction. Before Lux could react, it was already to late.
Two giant slashes appeared on Lux’s chest. Lux looked down at the result of what his shockwave and Sanctifaust’s attack.
“Heh… and you said you couldn’t wield Yoru.”
Sanctifaust turned to Lux and smiled lightly.
“I said wield efficiently. It means I can’t wield its full potential, just a certain amount. That said, you’ve grown stronger.”
Lux laughed and shook his head. He sheathed his sword in the sheath on his waist.
“And here I trained just to beat you once…”
“You have no right to sulk.” Sanctifaust quickly responded. Lux looked at him confused before Sanctifaust dropped Yoru and fell to the ground.
Lux looked down at Sanctifaust before at Yoru. The legendary sword sheathed itself back into its scabbard. Lux then understood and turned towards Veirna.
“His majesty won.”
Eclipse looked at Veirna before looking at her master. She let out a light purr before approaching her master, dragging him back inside his house while Lux grabbed Yoru.