The next morning arrived with a deceptive peace.
The sun ascended slowly into a vibrant blue sky, painting the horizon in shades of molten gold and amber. In the palace of the Fude Kingdom, the warm rays of sunlight spilled through the window, dancing across Fude's bed until they woke him.
Fude sat up, his translucent body shimmering as he let out a long, satisfied stretch. "After so much time away, after so much blood and steel... I am finally seeing the sun rise over my own kingdom again," he whispered. A genuine sense of happiness filled his core. He took a moment to appreciate the silence, a rare luxury for a King.
He stood up and stepped out of his room, heading toward the upper mountains. This was his sanctuary, the place where he could look out and see the fruits of his labor. Standing on the peak, he watched as his people moved below. The Fude Tribe was no longer a small settlement; it was becoming a developed nation, with roads being paved and new stone structures rising from the earth.
But Fude had a more serious purpose today. He looked down at the Grey Katana at his side. He needed to test its power, but doing so near the city would be too dangerous. "I will use the dungeon in the mountain area," he decided. "There, I can unleash the spirit of the dragon without hurting my people, and I can truly understand what this power is."
He descended into the dungeon—a vast, cold cavern hidden deep within the rock. The air was damp and smelled of ancient stone. Fude walked to the center of the dark hall and drew the blade. The grey metal looked dull in the shadows, but Fude knew better.
"Oh, Dragon Spirit," Fude commanded, his voice vibrating through the hollow chamber. "Show me your full power!"
In a sudden, violent eruption, the katana's edge ignited. The grey steel vanished, replaced by a blade of brilliant, pulsating purple flames. Fude's core throbbed in shock. The katana wasn't just working; it was responding to his every thought, accepting his mana as if it had been waiting for him for centuries.
Is it possible? Fude thought to himself. Does this sword truly accept a jelly as its master?
[Master Fude,] Karko's voice resonated clearly through his mind. [You are correct. This sword's spirit has made direct contact with your soul. It recognizes you. It belongs to you now, and only you.]
"I can't believe it, Karko," Fude replied, staring at the mesmerizing purple light. "It feels so... natural."
[It should,] Karko explained. [This sword contains the spirit of the protector who stood by the boy who saved us when you lost control of your powers in the past. Why it was sitting in a common weapon shop is a mystery, but it was destiny for it to return to your hands.]
Fude gripped the hilt tighter. [Master Fude, look at that giant rock,] Karko suggested. [Use the sword's power so you can understand what you are truly carrying.]
Fude approached a boulder the size of a house. He swung the purple blade in a smooth arc. There was no resistance, no sound of clashing stone. The rock was sliced into two perfect pieces as if it were made of soft butter. Fude watched in awe as the top half slid away, leaving a glowing, violet surface behind.
This power is too immense, Fude realized. If I am not careful, this sword could vanish an entire region. It will be my secret weapon against Seriko, but for the daily defense of my kingdom, I will only use my blue katana, 'Blu.'
Fude sheathed the purple flame and hurried back toward the tribe. He wanted to ensure everything was still fine in his absence, but as he entered the town square, he saw Ongo.
"Ongo! You found him?" Fude asked, seeing his advisor handing the Invisible Cape to a small, clever-looking goblin.
"Yes, Master," Ongo said, bowing. "This boy is perfect for the job. He is small, intelligent, and has always provided us with the best information. With this cape, he will be our eyes inside Seriko's palace."
But their conversation was cut short. A black pigeon landed on a nearby post, carrying a letter from the human lands. As Fude read it, his core darkened.
The Guild's Vow
In the human kingdom, the high cabinet of the Guild was in an uproar. Guild Master Volpora sat at the head of the table, listening to the grim report from his knights who had returned from the Church.
"There is no one left alive," Zen said, his voice heavy with grief. "Five men, four women, and five high priests. They were slaughtered without mercy."
Volpora turned to the young leader, Kaze. "Tell me, Kaze. Who would do this? Who would kill such innocent people?"
"It was the work of the Demon King Fude," Kaze said, his eyes burning with a cold light. "He sent his monster troops to burn the sanctuary. I do not know his twisted reasons, but if you give me the order, my members and I will finish his chapter once and for all."
"How are you so sure it was Fude?" Volpora asked.
"The monsters tried to escape using smoke balls," Kaze explained. "But one fell from his horse. He confirmed it with his own mouth—it was Fude's order."
Just then, a small girl named Aki ran into the room, her face red from crying. "Papa! Papa, I'm scared! Are they coming back for me?"
Kaze immediately scooped Aki into his arms. "Don't cry, my little bird. You are strong, and they will never touch you again while I breathe." He kissed her cheek gently, ignoring the looks from the other knights.
Umi rushed in, looking embarrassed. "I'm sorry, Leader! I only let go of her hand for a second!"
"It's okay, Umi," Kaze said softly. "I will take care of my daughter."
Volpora watched them. "Kaze, who is this child?"
"She lost her mother in the attack," Kaze said, his voice turning to steel. "I found her, and now she is my daughter. I will protect her."
"Very well," Volpora replied. "We will give you your next mission soon. You may go."
Kaze left the cabinet and told Zen and Taro to go to the training grounds. "I will join you after I feed Aki and put her to sleep."
He took Aki to a local hotel and ordered a bowl of rice and beans. As the waiter brought the food, Kaze began to feed her with his own hands, making funny faces to make her laugh. "Here comes the spoon! Open wide!" For a moment, he wasn't a warrior; he was just a father.
After the meal, Aki's eyes began to close. Kaze paid for the food and carried her to their room. Within minutes, she was asleep. He kissed her head one last time. "Sleep well, my pretty daughter," he whispered, before heading out to train for the coming war.
The King's Fury
In the Wellko Kingdom, King Felko read the same letter. His face went pale with shock. "This is a trap," he whispered. "Fude would never do this. But the Guild believes it... and they are sending Kaze."
Commander Geo looked at him with concern. "King Felko, are you alright? You should rest."
"Rest? Geo, Kaze is coming to finish Fude. If Kaze takes a mission, he does not stop. He will kill everyone."
"Should we inform Fude?" Geo asked.
"If I do, the Church and my own people will turn against me. I am stuck between my friend and my throne," Felko lamented.
The Lion and the Snake
At Seriko's palace, General Nokaro knelt before the throne. "The mission is a success, my King. The humans believe Fude is a butcher. Kaze is already preparing to march."
Seriko let out a low, dark laugh. "Excellent. Now we sit back and watch as Fude's friends become his executioners. Prepare the troops, Nokaro. When the humans are finished, we will take what's left."
Leobarko's Shadow
Far to the North, King Leobarko was training his own men. He was sparring with his Upper Commander using wooden swords. The Commander lunged, but Leobarko dodged effortlessly.
"Speed up!" Leobarko roared. "Do you think Seriko will wait for you to find your balance?"
He jumped back and placed his wooden blade against the Commander's neck. "You need more training. Again!"
Just then, a spy boy appeared. Leobarko signaled him into his private room.
"Tell me," Leobarko said, his voice like rolling thunder.
"Fude is back," the boy reported. "But the trap has sprung. The Humans are marching against him. Seriko's shadow troops did the deed, but Fude is taking the blame. Our spy in Seriko's castle was killed before he could stop it."
Leobarko's eyes flared with a terrifying light. He gripped a wine glass, and it shattered in his hand, blood and wine mixing on the floor.
"So, Seriko... you want to destroy my successor with a lie?" Leobarko hissed. "If you touch that boy, I will not just kill your army. I will vanish your very soul from this world. I will erase every trace of your existence."
He turned to his map. The storm was here. The Humans were moving, Fude was the target, and Seriko was the spider in the middle of the web.