The lonely swordsman walked into the undying land of Higan, the realm of souls without noticing looking for his lost condor. Far across the plane, he saw someone who he thought was dead stood in front of his very eyes, looking healthy and strong while practicing her blade with her usual kimono-like battle outfit. Out of curiosity, the old man approached the young lady and gave a polite greeting...

Dugu: Oh, you back again. Oh well~

The old man was about to walk away after the greeting. The lady stopped her practice and stared at the stranger in front of her, wondering if she has ever met the old man before.

Musashi: Who was it again?

The old man sopped his footing and turned back while responded to the lively warrior.

Dugu: My name is Dugu Qiubai, a friend of your friend Night Breaker. Also the invincible swordsman.

Musashi: Dugu... doesn't ring a bell. If you're a friend of Night Breaker then you must be a good guy, nice to meet you!

The swordswoman smiled as she greeted the old man cheerfully.

Dugu: We met once before and I think I was drunk that day and was rude towards you.

Musashi: Mmm… Don't remember, sorry. If you were rude it means we can get a new start! You know, I was resurrected today so I’m in a crazy good mood and I don't want to argue with anyone.

Dugu: So do I. After losing my bird, my home and my swords, I am not in a mood to challenge another blade.

The swordswoman noticed the old man is carrying a wooden sword on his back and wearing worn out clothing resembling of a homeless beggar along the streets, looking more dead than being alive.

Musashi: Oh well, I was dead a few days ago so I can understand that. What happened if it's not rude to ask?

Dugu: Not sure, an unknown force has bring us into this world. Unfortunately, My bird and the rest of my possessions were shifted to another place without me. And now I here I am; stuck, alone... Still invincible though.

He took out his battled wooden sword and stared at the worn out blade while he murmured to himself.

Dugu: Having roamed around for more than sixty years, I have killed all my foes and defeated all champions. Under Heaven no one can be my equal. Without any other choice, I retreated and live in seclusion in the deep valley, with only a condor as my companion. Alas, all my life, I have sought a match but in vain. Unbearable loneliness is my destiny.

The swordswoman sighed as she too felt familiar with that pain of the old man's heart.

Musashi: Ah, looks like me when my world collapsed and I was the only one remaining, gaining the ability to travel between other worlds, except that I was already alone in the beginning though.

The swordswoman sheathed her blades away as she continued her words.

Musashi: So you're a super strong guy, uh, a little bit too strong from what I hear. Not being able to enjoy a fight. Geez, I don't even want to think about it.

Dugu: Only I will be in joy when there is a worthy challenge. Unfortunately, none has given me that pleasure. I have come to a stage where I fought them bare-handed, yet I still claim victory. Such vanity!

The swordswoman was stuttered to hear such claim, for she has yet to witness a swordplay without a physical blade in actual combat, it would be a suicide if she ever does that.

Musashi: Whoa, I will never want to fight a guy who would be able to block my blades bare handed. I don’t think it's vanity, you're just too strong for them. Now that I am a servant, I still have to try out how my improved abilities, it can only be better from now on.

Dugu: Please, do not be mistaken – I never block, only attack; for I am too fast for them. I can predict their moves by reading their gesture, poses and breathing. Before they draw, my weapon is already at their neck, sealing their moves.

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The old man looks up into the sky, recalling those times when he fought those champions in his prime. The lady sighed again after hearing what he had just said.

Musashi: Man... you want to enjoy a fight but you don't even let it start... I can understand someone being so strong he becomes lonely. However, I don't see the point in doing this, it breaks your opponent's spirit to see that, it's not respectful as a warrior.

Dugu: For which is worst? Letting them fight while I just toyed with them with my half-hearted skills? Or giving my all as a respectable swordsman?

The old man looked down and gazed at the sword women, wishing that she could have the answer for his dilemma.

Dugu: Even Mr. Kojirou knows this, he gave in and surrendered after a few rounds with me yesterday; Only true master knows when to stop.

Musashi: Oh, you met him before? That guy is so nice, I remembered when I fought him, it was such a good fight.

The swordswoman cross her arms as she kept on speaking while gazing at the sulking old man.

Musashi: If you call this half assed show off "giving your all", you should think otherwise. What I call "giving my all", is fighting with my life on the line.

Dugu: Which is why I always give my best, not letting go in order for those weak swords to feel "good".

The old man's slowly turned from sorrow into a look of excitement as he continued.

Dugu: They have been warned before I start; responsibility shall be on their shoulders.

Disappointed, the swordswoman sighed once more while feeling pity and annoyed by the old man's comment.

Musashi: Being too strong sure is a huge pain as a challenger. I feel so sad for you, how hard must it be to live like that. But still, stop your complaining already. You could do many thing with abilities like yours, helping people and such. I'm sorry to say that, but hearing such complains from a strong guy like you pisses me off.

Hearing a similar response from another sword user before him, his soul further saddened as he replied towards the swordswoman with a still small voice.

Dugu: It was never a complain, just a talk between swords. Sigh... Another one who does not sees my heart... I am sorry that I have offended you as well.

The old man turned around and walked away sadly, knowing that no one could understood this emptiness within his soul. The old man looked up towards the endless heaven with his weary eyes, wondering if he will ever meet a worthy opponent or a companion that will give his life a meaning to live by beside his philosophy of his sword and his never-rotting wooden blade. The young lady quietly stared at the lonely old man as he walked away and disappeared into the hazy distance.

Musashi: Geez… I understand you well enough, I'm just pissed that you had given up, which is worse than an empty sword without a soul.

After aimlessly wandering around the quiet land for half a day, the old man decided to sit down beside a statue under the cherry tree feeling mentally tired after looking for his condor and hearing yet another negative encounter. Finally, the old swordsman eventually fell into a deep slumber without keeping any guard up as he let go of his wooden sword from his hand and gave in to his dreamless sleep.

...As if summoned by fate, the mighty Lord Mordred appeared in the land of Higan as he stood before the sleeping old man in a flash of crimson. The warrior blinked his eyes as he cannot believe his sight of where he is right now while he turned around and faced the lonely swordsman.

Mordred: What in the world? Am I missing Higan so much that I'm dreaming of it? No, something tells me this is another matter entirely.

The crimson warrior confusedly gazed at the old man with a wooden sword at the side sleeping on the floor without any cares of this world, letting fate to meet his miserable end for the rest of his days.

Mordred: A vagrant appears before me, yet fate chooses to bring me here.

The mighty warrior noticed his wooden sword with the look of the pure appearance of battled yet not worn out, the blade is as old as the man carrying it while his rinkled palms revealing untold years of ungodly practice and battle.

Mordred: This man should have appeared before Musashi, not me. Heh, Then again, he may already have.

Dugu: zzz... Erm... Is there no one... Could beat me...zzzzz ...I'm so lonely... Sob... zzzz...

The lonely swordsman began to sleep-talk while he slept, pouring out his deepest sorrow towards the cruel world and reality. The warrior then gave the old man a look of disbelief before sighing and lifting your body via gravity.

Mordred: Whatever. Fate obviously desires our interaction and what sort of King would I be should I leave you in this… Urgh, disgusting place.

The mighty warrior slowly wrapped them both to Castle Paris, the stronghold where Mordred resided. Both warriors later then appeared in another place; a library filled with ancient antediluvian wonders beyond anyone has ever witnessed. A servant from afar quickly approached the king after sensing his return, waiting for his next instruction.

Servant: Milord?

Mordred: Put him on a guest bed, feed and clothe him when he wakes. I shall be in my laboratory. Send him there when you're done.

Servant: All will be as you will it, my lord.

The faithful servant bows and then proceed to picked up the sleeping old man and carried him away. Dugu did not noticed that his fate has once again changed by the works of the mysterious force again. More weird adventures awaits for the invincible lonely swordsman, the one who seek a glorious defeat.

To be continue...