A shift. My body grew light. My eyes opened on their own. And I was no longer in the world I knew.
"Where… am I?"
Around me was a vast, dark void. No ground. No moons. No sky.
"You are in your mind." A voice echoed from nowhere, and then everywhere. "Who's there?!" A figure slowly formed in front of me, as if carved from shadow and light. An old man in traditional Japanese robes stood there, long silver hair tied back, eyes glowing softly like the moon. His presence was calm… ancient… powerful. "I am the Great Sage," he said in fluent Japanese.
My heart skipped.
"Wait… You speak Japanese?" "Of course. I was once a man like you. I served Lord Tokugawa Ieyasu... as his personal physician." I froze. "A… reincarnator?" He smiled gently. "Indeed."
I dropped to one knee instinctively, bowing low. "Great Sage, I beg your guidance. I wish to master your power. For someone dear to me… she is dying."
He nodded. "Then listen well, warrior." He began to walk slowly, with each step creating a crescent orb from his orb floating around him. "The art you seek is called the Lunar Sage Art Mode. A sacred flow state of body, soul, and mana, achieved through absolute mental alignment under moonlight. It has five phases…"
He raised one hand. The moon above us shifted. He said, "
New Moon: Stealth and Heightened senses
Crescent Moon: Increased agility. Grants minor self-healing and improved reflexes.
Half-Moon: Balanced state of power and control.
Gibbous Moon: Significant power surge. Enhances martial focus.
Full Moon: The complete Lunar Sage Mode. Amplifies all stats."
I stood in awe, absorbing every word.
"Your journey begins with mastering the New Moon through meditation and breath," he said.
He stepped forward, placing his hand gently over my heart.
"Remember: you may activate the mode anytime once learned. But know this, its strength waxes and wanes with the moon, like Yin and Yang. Under the sun, it is weakest. Under a full moon... it is divine."
"Lord Great Sage, I have a question" I said. "Be casual, no need for honorifics. Tell me your question" he said. "How can I clear my mind? Ever since a young age, my mind is only on swords. I am unable to focus on this meditation" I said. He said nothing, and instead walked away. I followed him. In that void, I saw a pedestal. "What is that?" I asked. "This is your heart...see it with all your eyes!" said the Great Sage.
I saw the pedestal. Atop was a sword floating in place. "Is that my heart.....?" I asked, my eyes widening. It was covered in a dark mist of shroud. "That is your heart....just a sword.....that is why your mind is a void of nothingness" said the Great Sage. "No way....." I said. "To focus better, you must become more than just the sword. Till now, you have lived a way of the sword back on Earth. But now, you must create your new identity. And for that you must defeat me and this sword! Release Heart!" he declared and took the sword. Intense Aura came from him.
Just his aura was able to push me back. "What Intense Aura....." I muttered. I had no weapon. Just me and my bare hands and I had to defeat the Great Sage. I won't let myself be defeated, even if I don't have a sword.
"Experience the power of the Lunar Sage Art Mode!" he said. Circle markings appeared on his cheek. It was just the outline though. "Seems like its going to be rough....."
The air felt like it turned solid. Each breath was heavy. I gulped air near me.
I had trained with swords all my life. Every memory, every instinct, every reaction, all of it was the blade. To fight without it…
But that was exactly the point. My fists tightened. "…More than just the sword, huh…" I whispered to myself.
The Great Sage's eyes glowed faint silver. "Your entire being has been a single, sharpened line," he said, moving forward. "Your mind is honed, but hollow. Your emotions, suppressed. Your identity, borrowed from steel."
He raised the sword, my heart, twisted into steel and shadow. "If the sword is taken away… who are you?" His question entered into my soul harder than any blade. A memory came, blurry faces, hands reaching for me, a name... someone calling me…And then it all vanished. No. I couldn't recall it. I couldn't. Why must these past memories come now?
"Come," The Great Sage declared. "Let us see if the empty vessel can fill itself." He vanished. My eyes widened, he moved faster than my eyes. Instinct came, my body jumping just as the blade skimmed past my cheek.
I leapt back. My balance faltered. He appeared behind me. "Your stance collapses without a sword."
He swung the blade again. I went down, barely, rolling away, grit scraping my palms. My body felt small and Frail.
My heart felt heavy. I need a weapon. Any weapon. Something.
No. No, that was the old me.
"…My identity is not the sword," I growled, forcing myself upright. My voice sounded rough, raw, almost unfamiliar. "I am still me. With or without it."
The Great Sage paused, the sword resting loosely at his side. A small smile tugged his lips, approving.
"Then show me." he declared, his circle markings in his cheek, now a crescent.
I inhaled.
He moved again. But this time, I saw him.
When he appeared in front of me, blade descending, I stepped in Forward.
My palm met his wrist.
His eyes widened.
"Ah… there it is," he said.
I exhaled.
"This is my art," I said, circle markings appearing in my cheek. "Not the Way of the Sword."
The Great Sage's grin widened, eager now, thrilled. I also grinned
"Thenshow me the rebirth of your identity!" he roared.
The clash had only just begun.......And it will my victory to end this all!
"Lunar Sage Art Mode, First Style: New Moon, Activate!" I roared.
I will win this.....for sure......!