Danho's footsteps echoed against the inner courtyard's marble floors; his gaze was fixed on the spar between Elem and the First Sword.
Within the courtyard, multiple blade arcs flowed; red sparks followed every exchange.
Clashes were clearly linked with the next; each movement bore the next two in mind.
At every exchange, either Elem or the First Sword attempted to lead the tempo and the counter. Of course Elem was on the losing end of these matches.
For every pace Elem's weapon covered, the First Sword covered two.
Yet at each clash the First Sword's expression grew solemn.
He is a pace slower, yet he is able to hang on. Each spar, he lasts just a moment longer...
While technique granted a swordsman the capability to use all their options, only speed and strength gave the swordsman possibilities.
The spar didn't involve the use of flashy techniques. Rather, it only focused on the basic applications of sword techniques.
Leading.
Elem's swift sword shot towards the First Sword's neck.
A metallic clang erupted in the air. A snake-like blade wrapped around Elem's, throwing off his sword's trajectory and opening a path to his neck.
Elem's head snapped to his side; a shallow cut formed on his cheek.
Smothering.
Just as Elem regained control over his blade, he attempted to step in and catch the First Sword's open torso.
But as he attempted to step into position, the First Sword intercepted his footing. Nonetheless, even this stifled footing was enough to release a powerful strike.
Elem's blade was readied to strike diagonally. But he found a sword held between his arm and chest. If he were to go with the attack, he could do some damage, but he would also lose an arm.
With no give left, Elem's brows furrowed.
I need to make some distance. I can't beat him in close quarters.
He retreated to reset the battle's range.
Killing.
As Elem took a step back, the cold of iron pressed against his neck; a warm drop of blood rolled into his collar.
No preamble.
No ripping wind.
No after image.
By the time he realised it, the blade had already reached his neck.
"Your aggression is definitely growing. But it's growing in the wrong manner. Against an opponent stronger than yourself, the killing sword should intertwine with its other modalities."
Elem stepped away from the First Sword and bowed.
"Thank you for your guidance, Senior Barasimo."
"Hm... Don't think too much of it. You would've figured this out in due time." Barasimo returned Elem's bow and assumed his stance again.
Just then, the sound of Danho's footsteps grew clear. Barasimo lowered his sword and turned around.
"This is what you skipped drinks with me for?" Danho asked.
"Unlike you, elder brother, I've only grown weaker over the years. My stomach and skills can't handle alcohol that well any longer."
A quiet laugh breathed through the halls.
"Who do you think you're lying to? You may have got weaker physically, but your sword seems sharper than ever."
Barasimo smiled at Danho as he sheathed his blade.
"Even after a century, it seems the gap between us hasn't closed."
"If you had chosen to travel with me back then, maybe this wouldn't have been the case." Danho remarked as he patted Barasimo's shoulder.
"Someone had to stay. There were still too many enemies in the empire back then."
"That was the case back then. What's holding you back now?"
"..." Barasimo stood quiet, his gaze falling to the castle's marble floors.
"Well, let's not dwell on it any longer. Accompany me for a walk."
Left behind in the courtyard, Elem stared at the two as they walked away.
"Well, I guess training is over for today. Let's go test my new techniques on that blue oaf."
***
Vera and Longwang lay down on separate beds, their gazes counting each divot on the room's dull grey ceiling.
Despite the dull atmosphere in the room, tension was running high.
Vera's brows were furrowed.
I lost...
His fists clenched the blanket.
In a life-or-death battle, he could've won by dragging the fight out.
It turned out both of them were in agreement. Longwang's expression was the same as Vera's.
I won...
His teeth ground as he stared at the ceiling. Resentment for his clan elders overflowed.
If he were of the same rank as me, the outcome would've been uncertain... But ifs don't change outcomes.
Ezra stared at the two of them from the door, his expression growing visibly irritated.
The two of them had been awake for over a week now, neither moving a muscle; they just brooded the whole time.
I wanted to let them figure it out on their own. But this...
Ezra's hooves ground against the immortal mansion's polished wooden floors; the sound sent shivers through Vera and Longwang's napes.
Grandfather or not, Ezra's presence was not trifling by any stretch of the imagination.
"Get up, you damn brats." Ezra's coarse tone pierced Vera and Longwang's ears.
The two shot up from their beds and faced Ezra with military precision; their stiff bones creaked as they broke their week of brooding.
"Yes, Grandfather!" Their voices formed a terrified chorus.
"Talk to each other before I throw you down the mountain!"
"..."
"..."
Their silence sent Ezra down the cycle of emotions.
Rage.
Rage.
Rage.
Rage.
Exasperation.
Having given up on threatening them into communicating, Ezra let out a long, tired sigh.
"Transfix."
The two of them trembled, yet the chiselled wall of the sage's mountain didn't appear before them. A cold mist sprayed onto Vera's face.
The sound of water crashing into rocks and the smell of freshly brewed tea soothed Vera's senses.
He found himself facing Longwang; a polished mahogany table with two cups of steaming tea stood between them.
"Chongju Lake..." Vera mumbled as he took in the familiar scenery.
After letting out a long sigh, he picked up his cup of tea and leaned over the railing.
Being pushed this far, neither had skin thick enough to ignore the other.
Heavy steps echoed through the gazebo's hollow base. The weight over the railing doubled as Longwang joined Vera.
Vibrant schools of fish swam through the gentle stream, soon to reunite at the lake's mouth. The railing's thin handle dug into Vera's skin.
"I... lost," he spoke, his eyes following the myriad souls that swam to the still lake.
The corners of Longwang's eyes creased; he too followed the school's path.
"I... won."
He took a sip of his tea; even though he burnt his tongue, he set down the cup nonchalantly.
"Vera, you are the strongest opponent I've faced within your rank."
Having learnt his lesson from months of burning his tongue during training, Vera set the cup down, letting its steam ease.
"Nonetheless, I lost."
"Even so... You are worthy of my mark."
"..."
"My time as a guardian has come to its end. Over the last fifty years, I've faced many an opponent. With the exception of you and another warrior, none were worth remembering."
Vera clenched the teacup; thin cracks formed over its painted edges.
"Take my mark, Vera. Shed your incomplete body and fight with me again. Up there, in the greater heavens."
Vera took a sip of his tea and burnt his tongue.
"Grandfather always heats the tea up far too much."
"He sure does."
Longwang set his cup down on the table and leapt to the stone platform at the centre of Chongju Lake; Vera followed.
Gentle streams flowed, indiscernible from any other day.
Yet today, Vera had reached the end of a journey that took almost two years.
The stars of a cloudless night shimmered. The Chaotic Era had reached its end.
Whether or not prosperity was to follow could only be seen from what was to come.