At dawn, Aren pushed himself up from the thin mat on the floor of their small hut. His whole body ached from the last day training, and the cold air bit at his skin, but a quiet determination burned inside him.
Outside, a soft mist floated over the small yard behind the hut. The ground smelled of damp earth and wildflowers, and somewhere in the distance, a bird called out, lonely and sweet.
The Smiling Blade hovered nearby, its faint glow like a quiet star in the gray morning. Valerie stood close, hugging a thin shawl around her shoulders. Her eyes were bright but worried, as if she was holding her breath and didn't know why.
"Aren," the blade called, its voice low and steady. "Today you take your true step into Rank Three. But before that, you must pass through three gates. Only then will you truly be ready to face the Six."
Aren swallowed, feeling a knot tighten in his chest. He nodded slowly.
Then, before he could move, the ground behind the hut changed right before their eyes. The Smiling Blade's glow spread over the earth like water over glass. Weeds vanished, stones sank away, and glowing lines and runes shaped a wide, perfect circle on the dirt. The whole place seemed to breathe, alive with a hidden, powerful energy.
Valerie stepped back, her eyes wide in shock and wonder.
First Gate: The Breath of the Silent Lake
"For this gate," the blade said softly, "you must make your spirit as calm and deep as a silent lake under the moon."
Aren stepped into the circle, sinking down on one knee. He closed his eyes and focused on each slow breath. In. Out. In. Out.
At first, his mind roared with old memories, fears, and doubts — echoes of past failures that clawed at him. But breath by breath, they slipped away, like leaves drifting down a quiet stream. His breathing grew longer, slower. His heartbeat softened until it felt as if he might vanish into the morning mist.
Underneath him, the runes flickered, glowing gently in approval.
Second Gate: The Tiger's Strike
"Now," the blade continued, "gather every ounce of your strength and let it out in one pure, unstoppable strike. Like a tiger leaping from the shadows."
Aren stood shakily. He raised his sword high above his head, hands shaking with strain. With a deep, raw roar, he swung.
A loud crack split the air. Dust exploded around him. A thick branch on a tree nearby split clean in two, though his blade had never touched it.
Aren dropped his sword, gasping, sweat dripping from his hair. But in his eyes burned a sharp, determined light.
Third Gate: The Dance of the Ten Shadows
"This is the last gate," the blade murmured. "Move faster than your own shadow at sunset. Become something no one can catch."
Aren launched forward. The first steps were clumsy and heavy. He stumbled, catching himself at the last second. His breath came ragged, shoulders burning like fire.
He tried again. And again. Valerie stood at the edge of the circle, twisting the corner of her shawl, her heart pounding at every slip and fall.
Then, with a roar from deep in his chest, Aren pushed off the ground. His steps blurred — a glow trailing behind him like a ghost in the moonlight. Two steps… five… eight… ten — until he dropped to one knee in the center of the circle, his whole body shaking like a string about to snap.
Valerie's eyes filled with tears. She ran to him, dropping beside him, her hand flying to his shoulder.
Valerie's Moment
The blade turned to her with a softer glow. "Now you, Valerie. No sword. Only your spirit. Sit and sink into yourself. Feel the center of your magic and lose yourself in it."
She knelt in the circle, closing her eyes slowly. Her breath evened out. Deep inside, something warm began to stir ; a quiet glow, like the pulse of a hidden flame.
She sank deeper. The warmth spread through her chest and fingertips.
Then, without realizing it, her mind brushed against Aren's. She felt his warmth, his pain, and the fierce beating of his spirit.
In that instant, Aren moved without thinking. He stepped forward, knelt beside her, and wrapped his arms tightly around her.
Valerie's breath caught in her throat, her body stiff at first. But then a deep warmth spread through her whole being, as if all the loneliness in her bones had finally been touched.
They stayed like that, motionless, hearts and breaths matching, for twelve long seconds.
Then Valerie gasped and pulled back, her eyes wide, face flushed.
"You… you controlled me," Aren said in a low, shaken voice. But his eyes were soft, almost shining.
Valerie opened her mouth, but no words came out. Her lips trembled.
Aren let out a shaky laugh, tired but full of relief. "You're getting stronger… and closer," he whispered, his voice gentle.
They stood together and slowly made their way back into the small hut. The air inside felt warm, as if it had been holding its breath for them all along.
Aren sank down onto his mat, rubbing his tired arms. Valerie sat close, her fingers brushing his sleeve as if she still needed to confirm he was there.
Their eyes met in the quiet, and something unspoken passed between them ; a promise neither of them had to say aloud.
Just as Aren let out a deep sigh and started to close his eyes, a sharp crack tore through the night outside.Aren jumped up, every nerve awake. Valerie slapped her hand to her mouth, eyes wide with terror.
The Smiling Blade flared brightly, pulsing like a silent scream.
A cold, rough voice drifted into the room:
"So… this is where you've been hiding."
A tall, thin shadow stepped into the doorway. His presence felt like a blade of ice against their skin.
Aren's heart thundered in his chest. Valerie clung to his arm, trembling.
The blade hummed, its glow turning harsh and angry.
"One of the Six… has found us."