Jin stood at the center of the grand arena, his gaze distant and indifferent as he regarded the spectral warrior before him. He respected her presence and acknowledged the wisdom she possessed, but he struggled to extend the same respect to himself.
Once again, he swept his gaze across the warriors who have been summoned.
Lothric, Seraphina, Kieran, Lucia, and Gideon.
All of these people exuded a powerful presence, showcasing that they were the cream of the top during their era.
Whether they fought their greatest foes in the grand arena or elsewhere, Jin was sure they emerged victorious numerous times.
Lothric, seemingly devoid of any semblance of self-seriousness, presented himself as a person who lacked the drive to be taken seriously. However, beneath his unassuming facade lay the slumbering presence of a true leader, patiently biding his time for the opportune moment to emerge and lead his formidable army to an inevitable triumph.
Clad in battle-worn Celtic warrior attire is Seraphina. Her armor, intricately engraved with symbols of ancient mysticism, serves as a testament to her deep connection with her heritage and the powerful forces that guide her. Every piece of her armor, crafted with care, strikes a balance between protection and flexibility, enabling her to move with grace and agility in combat.
With fiery red hair that cascades in untamed waves, she embodies both intensity and beauty. Her piercing eyes, one of which bears the mark of a scar that runs down from her right eye, hold a gaze that reflects a depth of experience and determination. Yet, even with the huge scar, her features remain sharp and defined, reflecting her warrior spirit and unwavering resolve.
He then looked over at... Kieran.
'...'
Jin had noticed before that this particular man had been staring at him intensely ever since he was summoned.
However...
'He bears no ill will.'
Jin discerned that beneath the surface of his gaze, there lay hidden intentions that diverged from the outward appearance, hinting at deeper layers of meaning.
Known as the Silent Blade, Kieran's enigmatic presence speaks volumes without uttering a word. Adorned in dark, discreet attire, Kieran's appearance reflects his shadowy nature and his ability to move unnoticed through the world.
His eyes, haunted by the scars of betrayal, hold a depth of wisdom and caution, revealing the pain he has endured. Upon his skin, visible remnants of past conflicts lay bare, serving as constant reminders of the treachery he has faced.
As Jin continued to observe them in silence, the spectral warrior before him silently let him do his observation. She patiently waited for him to decide on the offer she made to him. It requires a great amount of deliberation to take up her offer, especially if it's an individual like Jin, who's been scarred his entire life.
Therefore...
Just as she was about to say something, he interrupted her.
"I appreciate your offer," Jin said.
"Then-"
As a soft smile was about to blossom on her face, the words that came out of his mouth were akin to a cold bucket of water that had doused her smile.
"But I am not worthy of the guidance and understanding of your offer."
With apparent indifference, Jin had made his choice.
"You... why is that?"
"..."
Jin tried to carefully mull over his words, however, based on the constant change of expression of the spectral warrior before him, it seems like it wasn't necessary to say anything further.
Coupled with the observations he made, he also came to another conclusion.
"You can read my mind, can't you?"
With no superfluous words left to be uttered, Jin simply turned his back to the spectral warrior and strode away from the grand arena.
"Then you should be well aware of the reason I chose not to."
"..."
Her hand which was about to offer reassurance and guidance had halted itself mid-air.
"I...-"
She stopped herself from commenting on his remarks. It was no use anymore.
The spectral warrior's eyes soon softened after much contemplation, recognizing the self-doubt and inner turmoil that clouded Jin's words. She knew the weight he carried, the burden of self-blame and inadequacy. Her desire to help him find respite grew stronger, even in the face of his indifference.
"You are stronger than you believe."
She said, her voice gentle yet persistent.
"The battles you have fought have shaped you, but they do not define you. You have the power to confront your inner conflict and find healing within."
Jin's gaze flickered, a mixture of frustration and longing crossing his eyes. He wanted to believe her words, to find the strength to face his inner struggles. Yet, the walls he had built around himself seemed impenetrable, isolating him from the possibility of healing.
"I can see where you're coming from..."
Jin responded, his voice tinged with a hint of vulnerability.
"But..."
Whispering his thoughts incoherently, their meaning lost to the untrained ear, Jin trudged his way out of the grand arena, his steps heavy with the weight of unspoken emotions.
The spectral warrior's expression reflected understanding and empathy.
She knew the difficulty of self-acceptance and the intricate dance of trust.
She recognized that Jin's struggle lay not only in accepting her offer but in accepting himself.
"Trust is not easily earned, especially when it comes to trusting oneself."
She acknowledged with her soft-spoken voice.
Yet, with a newfound resoluteness, she continued to speak, albeit to nothing more than a mere silhouette now.
"But know that there is strength within you, waiting to be awakened. The path to self-acceptance may be arduous, but it is worth the journey."
She recognized the depth of Jin's struggle, the silent battles he fought within himself. And though his words were few, she sensed the sincerity and longing beneath his indifferent facade.
"Your journey is your own, and the path to healing is unique for each individual. Whenever you are ready, know that I will be here, ready to guide and support you."
With those words, the spectral warrior watched him depart, her heart filled with a mixture of hope and concern. She knew that his journey would not be easy, but she held onto the belief that one day, he would find the strength to confront his inner turmoil and embrace the path of self-acceptance and healing.
...
...
...
As the spectral warrior turned her attention back to the warriors she had summoned. They formed a small circle, their ethereal forms emanating an air of wisdom and camaraderie. They exchanged knowing glances, silently acknowledging the weight of the situation they had witnessed.
Seraphina, the Shieldmaiden, spoke with a stern yet compassionate tone, her words carrying the cadence of old English.
"Verily, this man bears burdens that would bring even the mightiest to their knees. His heart is encased in walls of distrust, shielding himself from further anguish. Yet, deep within, he yearns for solace and connection."
She mused with a hint of understanding.
"..."
After a while, Kieran, the Silent Blade, decided to speak out. His voice is gruff but is filled with a comforting presence.
"The boy... I can tell, it's but a fragile armor he wears. He needs one who shall stand by him, through thick and thin, even when he refuses to acknowledge his need. I shall keep a watchful eye upon him, offering guidance when he is ready to accept it."
Hearing his input, Lothric, the witty and goofy tactician, joined the conversation with a playful yet Shakespearean tone.
"Ahh... indeed, Kiery the Mute, this lad... he presents us with a puzzle most intricate. His wit and charm serve as a mask, concealing the turmoil that wracks his very being. But mark my words, beneath that veneer lies a heart yearning for connection and a mind capable of profound understanding. We must exercise patience and impart our wisdom when the time is ripe."
After he finished his words, he struck a pose full of grandeur befitting that of a man who played mind games with his adversaries on the battlefield.
On the other hand, Lucia, who is usually a more reserved type of person, remained silent.
Yet, everyone who knew her well enough was aware that she also shared the same opinion, even with her ongoing silence.
"My dear companions."
Everyone looked over at the person who spoke.
Their eyes landed in the direction of a tall but robust man who exuded a sense of strength and resilience.
Gideon, known as "The Ironclad," possesses an imposing appearance that belies his unexpected demeanor. Despite his intimidating exterior, Gideon's soft-spoken voice and gentle mannerisms reflect the wisdom and experience of a beloved grandfather figure.
"Let us not forget the fragility of youth and the challenges it brings. This young man treads a treacherous path, his heart burdened with self-doubt. As such, we must be steadfast pillars of support, offering him the wisdom gained from our trials."
His voice carried the gentleness of an old grandpa concerned for his grandchild.
Nodding in acknowledgment, they looked towards the spectral warrior who had been silent up until now.
She had been listening attentively to their words, her eyes reflecting a mixture of understanding and determination. She grasped the nuances of each warrior's perspective and the importance of their roles in supporting Jin on his journey of self-acceptance.
"We shall remain ever watchful and patient."
She said, her voice carrying an air of grace and resolve.
"Jin's path is his own, and we are but guides along his way. When he is ready to confront his inner demons and embrace the healing he seeks, we shall be there to offer our strength and wisdom."
All of a sudden as the warriors contemplated the spectral warrior's words, Lucia, the woman of few words, stepped forward.
"..."
Her piercing gaze met the eyes of each warrior, her silence speaking volumes.
"Struggles... pain... acceptance..."
Lucia began, her voice laced with a cold yet compassionate tone.
"We have all known these trials intimately. They shape us, define us, and reveal the depths of our strength."
Her words hung in the air, carrying a weight that transcended their brevity. Lucia's quiet demeanor masked a profound understanding of the human spirit, and her presence commanded respect.
"In his turmoil, I see echoes of my battles..."
She continued, her voice steady and measured.
"But silence can carry more weight than words. Sometimes, it is in the spaces between the spoken that true understanding can be found."
Lucia's words were like shards of ice, cutting through the air with their clarity. She held herself with an air of detachment, yet her concern for Jin was palpable.
"We must be patient."
She concluded, her tone softening ever so slightly.
"Let him wrestle with inner turmoil in his own time. And when the moment is right, we shall be there, ready to offer our support and guidance."
With that, Lucia stepped back into the fold of the warriors, her presence a reminder of the power of restraint and the depth of compassion that could be conveyed through even the simplest of words.
As the warriors absorbed Lucia's words, a lingering curiosity pervaded the air. There was an unspoken understanding that behind her terse expressions and guarded demeanor lay a story untold, secrets concealed beneath layers of icy reserve.
Lothric, the ever-observant wit, cast a mischievous glance at Lucia.
"Ah, my dear Lucia, your silence speaks volumes, but it leaves us yearning for more."
He remarked, his voice laced with playful intrigue.
Then, he continued, when no response was heard from the opposing party.
"What tales lie buried within your heart? What trials have shaped the woman of few words that you are?"
Lucia's gaze held a momentary flicker, a hint of vulnerability momentarily breaking through her stoic facade. She paused as if considering whether to share a glimpse of her hidden depths. But then, her features hardened once again, masking the enigma within.
"Some stories are best left untold, for they belong deep within the recess of our hearts."
She replied, her voice carrying a tinge of regret, but still, she continued to satiate Lothric's curious, playful but serious inquiries.
"But know this, Lothric... the scars we bear are not always meant to be displayed openly. They serve as reminders of our strength and resilience, hidden beneath the surface."
Being the wise being that he was, Lothric inclined his head in understanding, not bothering her further.
Gideon, the wise old soul, also decided to chime in.
"Every warrior carries their burdens, some heavier than others."
He spoke, his voice filled with a grandfatherly warmth.
"Lucia's and Jin's scars may be concealed, but they whisper tales of battles fought and victories won. It is imperative that we honor the limits they have established, as trust is something that unfolds at its own pace... earned rather than rushed."
No words needed to be spoken.
Kieran understood enough to not meddle in the affairs of a delicate secret.
The Silent Blade looked towards the Shieldmaiden, Seraphina, and they seemed to have come across a mutual understanding.
Which was quite rare among those two...
As the conversations among the warriors came to a close, the spectral warrior stepped forward, her ethereal presence commanding attention once again. She looked upon the gathered warriors, her eyes filled with a mixture of gratitude and determination.
Her gaze momentarily lingered on the space Jin once stood.
And thus, she spoke, her voice carrying a hint of melancholy.
"It is with great honor to have absorbed all of your wisdom..."
She spoke her words carrying a weight of understanding and gratitude.
"It requires courage to confront the shadows within, to face the complexities of one's existence. But it is through this journey that we find the strength to overcome, to grow, and to ultimately find our truth."
She paused, the ethereal mist gently caressing her form. Her voice resonated with the wisdom of countless ages as she concluded her thoughts.
"Though Jin has turned his back on us for now, I have faith that he will find his way."
She said, her voice filled with unwavering belief.
"For the echoes of our stories will linger within him, and when the time is right, he will once again be drawn to the path of self-discovery. May he find solace and enlightenment on his journey, wherever it may lead?"
With that said, she continued to gaze at the horizon, into which Jin had disappeared.
...
..
.