( Chapter unfolds :5" Defeat the shadow ")
(The three disciples Sai, Haru, and Jinso were consumed by the singular question: why did the terrifying Shapta and his Zek thralls recoil from the Sapahan blade, and what was the truth behind that mystery? On the other side of the grounds, Master Daisho prepared to initiate the Sapahan into their true training.)
**
The next day, following their morning exercises, Daisho and Nobaya arrived. Before each kneeling initiate lay a wooden practice sword.
"Trust not only in the point of the Sapahan blade," the Master commanded. "You are now to face the enemies that cannot be perceived in the light. Today's trial is not of the sword, but of the light and the shadow within your spirit. This is the Trial of Balance."
The Master called them forward, one by one, to stand beside an old, thick wooden pillar.
"A shadow shall attempt to distract you and touch you. You must defend this pillar with your blade and ensure that shadow does not reach you."
Haru was called first. Though he wished to succeed, fear briefly touched him as he stepped forward.
"Heed this," the Master warned. "No spirit attacks you in truth. But you must still your mind and act as though the spirit stands before you. When this begins, you may face accusations, dark manifestations, or your own deepest fear. Defend against whatever arises in your spirit."
The Master placed Haru by the pillar and stepped away.
The students understood this was no ordinary practice. To be touched would be akin to having one's soul claimed like being captured by a Zek.
Haru summoned all his strength, gripping the sword and setting his muscles rigid against the pillar. He screwed his eyes shut, forcing his mind toward stillness. When he opened them, he found himself standing in a sun-drenched meadow, lush with flowers. "Where is everyone?" he muttered, looking around. As he stood disoriented, a gust of wind, thick with dust, began to swirl around him, growing into a churning vortex. Haru's heart pounded; he began to shiver, gripped by an inexplicable fear. He forgot the illusion entirely and stared, paralyzed by the sight of the advancing storm. His speed and strength, focused only on the wooden blade, were useless against the movement of the wind, which easily swept him off his feet.
"Agh!" Haru cried out, blinking his eyes open, finding himself back near the Master.
"Strength is not enough, Haru," the Master pronounced. "You failed to perceive the motion of the Inner Shadow." The Master calmed him and led him aside.
Next was Sai, whose injured leg was only just beginning to mend, yet he stepped forward for the trial.
He closed his eyes and stilled his mind. But the knowledge of the Zek's horrors caused him to tremble, and his mind was paralyzed by fear.
Nobaya approached Sai as the 'shadow.' Gripped by terror, Sai was unable to react or even steady his blade against the pillar. Nobaya easily reached out and touched him.
"Knowledge is not enough, Sai," the Master stated. "Fear shattered your vigilance. To accept the curse of a great duty, you must possess courage."
Other disciples followed, some succeeding, most failing.
Finally, it was Jinso's turn. He was convinced he, too, would fail, and moved toward the pillar with reluctance and dread. He gripped his sword, slowly calming his mind.
When he sensed the shadow's presence, he did not abandon his grip on the pillar. He subtly adjusted his weight with the current of the 'wind' (Nobaya's approach), balancing the external movement with his internal focus. He maintained the confluence of strength and stillness. Nobaya could not breach his defense.
All the students stared in astonishment at Jinso's success.
"You have won, Jinso," Master Daisho confirmed.
"The skill of the Sapahan is not the balance between speed and honor. It is the confluence of Fear, Courage, and Duty."
Jinso looked around at the others.
"To fight the darkness," the Master concluded, "your blade must be balanced by the power of your Inner Shadow. That is the secret your swords require against the Zek."