POV: Eris Greyrat
Rygar can do anything.
That was the thought I had, etched deep in my chest as an absolute truth.
I saw him fight countless battles, and I saw how all of them seed easy for him.
At first, Ghislaine defeated him, but soon he overca her. And after that, he surpassed everyone who crossed his path.
To , it was undeniable: Rygar was the strongest in the world.
Even when he was ambushed by several high-level warriors, he survived... and turned the tide.
I faithfully believed that there was no enemy capable of killing him, nor any force strong enough to bring him down.
And I loved him. I loved Rygar with all my heart.
That was why I trained so diligently. I wanted to be by his side, I wanted to be worthy of fighting alongside him. I longed for that.
Everyone around always said I was talented, so I never doubted it.
And when I fought the bandits in Milis, I proved my talent for the first ti.
The second ti... was when I helped save Rygar from the ambush... that was the best feeling I've ever had in my life. After that, Rygar stopped treating like a child.
It was then that I realized I could truly walk beside him. If I beca strong enough... I could fight for him, with him.
I was jealous of my ntor, Ghislaine, when he made her his wife.
But, at the sa ti, I was happy for her.
It was a strange feeling—a mix of jealousy and joy. So, I continued training with everything I had.
When I grew up and beca stronger, Rygar would accept too. I was sure of it.
My faith in Rygar's strength was unshakable. He was invincible. Unstoppable.
...until we encountered the Dragon God.
That day... I felt fear. True fear.
In that mont, I understood the real aning of powerlessness.
With just one hand movent, he completely neutralized . Against Ghislaine, he seed to use so sophisticated technique.
Rygar was the only one who managed to strike back and even wounded the Dragon God more than once. Still, Rygar was defeated. Completely. We all were.
Eidar died. Rygar too. And I... I couldn't do anything. I could only beg for him to be saved.
And to this day I don't understand. That girl... she suggested healing Rygar. And he did. He healed Rygar, but he did not save Eidar.
I was in shock. I had never felt so weak.
I thought I had beco strong... but in the end, I couldn't do anything. I'm still capable of nothing. And now, Eidar was dead.
I relived that mont hundreds of tis in my mind and in my nightmares. The mont when Eidar and Rygar died.
But even so... Rygar and Ghislaine remained standing. Neither of them seed to fear. Both were determined.
And then Rygar told ... he looked in the eyes and said that maybe he wouldn't be able to defeat the Dragon God alone—but he wouldn't face Orsted alone.
He still believed in ...!
He believed that we could help him! In ! In Ghislaine! And in Aisha!
Then he challenged . He said that I needed to defeat him, but without him using Touki.
He had already said that eventually I would be capable of that if I didn't stop training.
So that's what I would do. I would defeat him. I would beco worthy of helping him, both in the battle against Orsted and for the rest of my life.
We talked a little about the battle against the Dragon God.
And we discovered that, despite all his strength, he used known techniques. Deadly techniques. He wasn't an absolute being. He wasn't an unbeatable deity. He could be defeated.
I think it was on the day I managed to wound Rygar—even if it was just a scratch—that my nightmares stopped.
I stopped being afraid... and began to dream, to desire.
I dread of Rygar, Ghislaine, Skoll, Aisha and ... all together defeating Orsted, and I dread of our life after that...
An ambition was born. A goal was set.
Rygar said that the Dragon God was several tis stronger than the Sword God.
So, my objective was clear:
First, defeat Rygar without Touki.
And then, I need to defeat the Sword God itself.
----
The Sword Sanctuary was an ancient land, marked by countless legendary battles.
In the present, it was the ho of the Sword God style, but it hadn't always been so. A century ago, that very ground belonged to the Water God style.
In those days, the leaders of both styles engaged in a duel that went down in history, and the Water God erged victorious, conquering the Sanctuary.
However, years later, he was defeated by a new Sword God, who took back the place.
Since then, the Sanctuary has belonged to the strongest swordsman of each generation, who carries the title of Sword God and teaches his techniques to the most promising students.
The Sanctuary was divided into three sections.
The first was composed of dojos intended for beginner and interdiate swordsn.
Generally occupied by children and young people who had traveled there or were the children of veteran swordsn.
The second section housed the advanced level swordsn.
This was the most populous, with warriors coming from the four corners of the world. Many of them arrived at the Sanctuary feeling stuck and sought here a way to push beyond their limits.
And finally, there was the main dojo.
The deepest and most restricted section, where only swordsn of Saint level of the Sword or higher could train.
There, the warriors were supervised directly by the Sword God himself.
It was in this environnt that the true heart of the Sword God style pulsed.
It had been almost three months since Rygar's group had arrived at the Sword Sanctuary.
In the center of one of the training fields of the second section, where the advanced level warriors were, two figures dueled fiercely.
Eris, with her long red hair flying in the wind, pressed her opponent with wild speed and aggression.
Her adversary was a girl nearly her own size, but with blue hair. It was Nina Farion, a thirteen-year-old swordswoman, daughter of the current Sword God.
Nina had already reached the advanced level in the Sword God style and, since Eris's group arrived at the Sanctuary, had beco her main training partner.
Eris didn't stop. She trained tirelessly, interrupting her efforts only to eat or sleep.
No matter the weather, no matter the injuries. Daily, she sought out Rygar and asked him to ease her exhaustion with healing magic. Rygar always told her:
"You already have the ability to use the Longsword of Light. You're just holding back."
The technique of the Longsword of Light required absolute concentration.
You needed to know how to wield the sword with both hands, in other words, be equally good with both arms.
That was because straining the dominant hand would make the blade deviate, even with the slightest involuntary movent.
The key was to channel all the Battle Aura into a single, precise strike, cutting in a straight line.
It was simple, but that was the greatest secret of the Longsword of Light.
But Eris already knew that. Both Ghislaine and Rygar had taught her to train with both hands long ago, preparing her for when she reached that point.
She had trained relentlessly, perfecting both her left and right. But even so, she still couldn't master the technique completely.
With one final blow, Eris disard Nina, who fell to her knees, covered in bruises and small contusions.
The girl moaned in pain, but her gaze remained firm. Eris approached and knelt beside her. With a smile, she calmly recited:
"Divine power is rich and nourishing. It offers the strength to rise again to those who have lost their strength. Heal."
A soft light shone in her palm as so of Nina's bruises began to disappear. Nina panted slightly and watched her in silence.
Eris smiled, amused:
"Again?"
Nina took a deep breath. After looking deeply into Eris's crimson eyes, she replied firmly:
"Again!"
And the two returned to training, their bodies exhausted but their spirits indomitable.
Eris intended to leave that place as quickly as possible at first, mastering the so-desired Longsword of Light rapidly, but things did not go as well as she had hoped.
Since arriving at the Sword Sanctuary with Rygar and the others, this had beco her only objective, for by learning it, she would also beco a disciple of the Sword God and could train with Rygar and Ghislaine.
However, no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't use the technique even once.
Rygar advised that, instead of isolating herself in her own efforts, she should find soone with a similar ability to train with.
Eris, reluctant at first, ended up following Rygar's suggestion.
Nina Farion was the daughter of the Sword God and one year older than her. Even so, Eris outclassed her in combat.
Nina was incredulous, she had always been the one who defeated those much older than her, the situation had never been reversed.
This left Nina extrely shocked at first; she went to speak with Gall Farion and t Rygar, who was even more absurd, being only her age, but already a Sword King.
After that, for a few days, she didn't show up for training.
But when she returned, she challenged Eris every ti, with pure determination and willpower to surpass her, and thanks to their repeated duels, they eventually beca close.
Eris was no longer that aggressive and arrogant girl from a few years ago. Her aggressiveness had been tad by Rygar, and her arrogance had been crushed by everyone around her after the Teleportation Incident.
She had t many talented swordsn, mages, and warriors on her journey, and after traveling with Rygar's group for so long, she had understood one important thing: aggressiveness and arrogance would get her nowhere.
Moreover, both Rygar and Ghislaine constantly repeated that the Sword God style was rational, based on tactical thinking and emotional control.
If she wanted to improve, she needed to think.
For the past two years, that was all she had heard while fighting to advance to the level of Sword Saint.
But it was difficult.
She knew, from Rygar's own words, that she already had what it took to use the technique. However, for so reason, she still couldn't execute it.
So she trained. Relentlessly.
From ti to ti, Rygar would co to the dojo where she trained, ask about her progress, and observe the room with eyes that shone in a subtle golden hue.
When she asked what that was about, he explained that he used his Demon Eye to check if there was anyone talented there.
That's how he recomnded that she train with Nina.
Although she was ahead of her, the difference wasn't that great.
Moreover, Nina possessed sothing rare—she seed tireless and determined to beat Eris at any cost and didn't give up easily.
That was why Rygar pointed her out: he saw talent, but often, the greatest motivator would be a rival. That would make them grow even more.
After several days of intense training, the two were waiting for the instructor to speak with them.
The instructor for both, a middle-aged Sword Saint with deep scars on his arms, appeared behind them and comnted, crossing his arms:
"Nina, you still overuse your left arm. Because of that, Eris always knows that your attacks will lean a little to the left."
Nina huffed, frustrated.
"And Eris... your technique is excellent. Theoretically, you should already be capable of using the Longsword of Light."
Eris frowned. That was becoming an annoying mantra—everyone said that, and yet she still failed.
Before she could shout in frustration, the instructor raised a letter and said:
"The Red Wolf sent this to you. He said you must go where this letter indicates."
Eris widened her eyes, surprised. She beca excited, but also confused.
Why didn't Rygar co to speak with her in person? Why a letter? For a mont, she thought about questioning it, but her impulsive nature spoke louder.
"It doesn't matter!" she said, skipping with joy. She grabbed the letter with a gleam in her eyes and turned to Nina.
"Keep training, Nina! That way, you'll never catch up to !"
Nina gritted her teeth, determined, and then jumped to her feet:
"Hey, you there!" she shouted, pointing to a young man with brown hair watching from afar.
"Let's train!"
---
POV: Eris Greyrat
Following the instructions on Rygar's letter, I went from building to building, and I realized that, in fact, it was a map.
A very simple map, with several reference points, simple enough that even I could understand it.
I was excited. It had been a while since Rygar had co to watch my training.
I followed every point on the letter carefully.
A tree with a hole at its base, a rock that resembled a fallen tower, and then, further ahead, the path began to narrow until it led into the middle of a forest.
That's where the map ended.
I stopped, looking around. Only trees. Stones. Branches creaking in the wind. Could I have misunderstood?
I picked up the letter again, trying to see if there was any detail I had missed, but at that mont, I felt a chill down my spine.
I dropped the letter and drew my sword in a single motion, just in ti to block a strike coming straight for my chest.
The dagger's blade clashed against my sword, but the force of the impact sent flying several ters backward.
I felt the air expelled from my lungs as I collided with a tree.
With no ti to breathe, my body moved on its own.
I planted my feet on the trunk and leaped upward, gaining height. I used the montum to land on the nearest rock.
Finally, I saw what was attacking . It was an ogre.
I had faced one before. That green skin, the huge muscles, the absurd height of over two ters... but this one was different.
It was lean, with longer, almost elven ears. It wielded two daggers, and its eyes had a maddened gleam. Still, it was an ogre. Only a different one. A much more powerful one.
It lunged before I could think any further.
Its strikes ca in rapid succession, short and fast, as if it had fought all its life with such weapons. It was hard to keep up.
It was bigger than . Faster. Every defense of mine was t with another attack. And that smile... that damn maniacal smile.
But one thing was certain: it did not compare to Orsted.
I couldn't run. It would catch . So there was only one thing left: kill it.
"Focus!" I told myself. "Think! Be rational!"
My sword moved in a frantic rhythm, trying to keep up with its strikes, trying to find an opening.
But it hit . A knee to the stomach. The impact made my eyes widen and my body buckle.
It raised the dagger to plunge it into , but with a swift movent, I threw snow into its face.
The distraction was enough for to dodge. The dagger grazed my cheek.
I leaped back, barely touching the ground, and it was already coming at again. My stance returned naturally.
I didn't have ti to ask questions. Things like, why was I there? Why did Rygar send ? Or what creature was this?
I wasn't good with that kind of thing. Overthinking got in the way. And there, thinking ant dying.
There was only one thing in my mind: kill or be killed!
I advanced.
My blade shone.
The speed I reached was beyond anything I had done before.
The ogre also advanced. And I was faster. I slashed. A clean strike.
One of its arms flew through the air, and a spray of blood stained the snow around. It roared, maddened, trying to hit with the other dagger.
I blocked with my sword and a kick ca afterward, which I evaded with a jump.
It backed off, retreating, and I slid across the snow, feeling my muscles trembling.
But this ti I was calm. The tension gave way to clarity.
It charged again, running. I exploded in speed. Its dagger cut my arm, leaving a trail of blood... but in that very second, we passed by each other. And its head fell to the ground.
I breathed, panting, standing still. My body still on alert. I looked at the lifeless corpse, its mouth frozen in an insane grin.
That's when I heard applause.
I spun around instantly, sword in hand, but relaxed upon seeing Rygar erging from the trees, with that smile that always seed to know more than it should.
Skoll was by his side, and soon he began to circle around , as if congratulating . I blinked, not understanding.
Rygar smiled.
"Congratulations, Eris. You are now a Sword Saint."
I was in shock.
"Wha-a-what?! What do you an?!"
He approached and tousled my hair with his hand.
"You just used the Longsword of Light."
My mind froze for a few seconds. I looked at him, at the srizing smile, the tail wagging excitedly... everything about him radiated happiness.
My face burned, it literally felt like steam was coming out of my ears.
My chest filled with such imnse pride that it nearly overflowed. I wanted to say sothing, anything, but the words stuck in my throat.
I ended up lowering my head, shyly, until I realized sothing.
"Wait... you sent here... on purpose?" I asked, looking at the ground, as if only now connecting the dots. "How did you know it would work...?"
Rygar just smiled. That bright, confident smile.
Then he took a thick cloak from inside his coat and placed it around , fastening it carefully.
He was very close now. My heart pounded so hard it seed to echo in the forest.
"Because it worked with ," he said.
"I, too, had a block when I was about to reach the Saint level. Sotis, being in a very safe environnt is what prevents you from growing. But when you're in real danger... your body has no choice but to improve."
I didn't understand everything. Perhaps not even half. But it didn't matter.
I was looking into the most beautiful golden eyes I had ever seen, hypnotized, feeling the warmth of the cloak, the touch... and I could only nod, clutching the fabric tightly.
That was when he said:
"Let's go to the Sword God. From now on, you are also his disciple."
-----
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