Stargod's Trial

"Clank!" "Clank!" "Clank!" Over a training area inside Sword God City, a little girl and a little boy could be seen interchanging blows with their swords. The boy was holding a big greatsword surrounded by a strong golden aura while the girl wielded a golden sword clad in a starry aura, both of them fighting with smiles in their faces. Of course, they were Xueqin and Stargod.

One week had passed since their meeting. They had discovered that the field that isolated them was called Sword God Arena and it was a special phenomenon of the Sword Valley. When two people' eyes met, they must fight, that was the rule. Of course, there were more conditions in it or Sword God Arena would continuously be created. Apart from meeting each other eyes, it was also necessary compatibility between both, which could be from age or intent, and some unknow other conditions.

For people that found themselves battling in a Sword God Arena, it was said that they are predestined. It could be as friends, enemies or even lovers, but their future was interlaced and fighting each other would cause a great growth in their sword cultivation in both. In the 20.000 years of history over the Sword Valley, a lot of pairs that finished being lovers started with a fight in a Sword God Arena. There were also cases of long friends or mortal enemies. It was difficult to know what was the case, but it was sure that clashing together would be incredibly advantageous for them.

It could have been a superstition as people fighting together would help in creating relations between them, without mattering who is the other and especially if they have a similar strength.

For Xueqin and Stargod their growth had been certainly true. Stargod was able to form her Sword Intent and Xueqin familiarized fighting others.

After that day, they had met each day, at least having a little spar every day with big improvements for each of them. Stargod was able to stabilize her Sword Intent, being able to drawn whenever she wanted while Xueqin had been able to get a better control over his intent. That day was the first time that he used that technique and found himself very drained, especially mentally. He was learning about his flaws and trying to correct them.

On the other hand, it wasn't all fight and become stronger. Both liked to spend their time together. For them having friends of their age was considered a rarity, so they appreciated a lot their friendship. Both of them traveling together to reach the peak! Or at least Stargod said it before.

"Clank!" Both swords clashed, each of them being pushed backward. They had been fighting over an hour and were already tired, both of them withdrawing their swords.

"You truly had improved, Star sis" Xueqin congratulated "It took me over a month before I could control my Sword Intent like that."

"But you continued being much stronger" Stargod puffed her cheeks "Wait for me. I will quickly catch up to you!" She said with determined eyes.

They left the exterior training room and entered Mucheng's manor, going to the kitchen and taking some drinks.

"But really, Gold brother. Who is your master?" Star god asked curiously, Xueqin having invited her to train over Mucheng's manor, saying that it was from his master "To have such a big manor here, only worse than the Monarch's mansions. My family is very important and even our house is in a lower level."

"2nd Rule not written!" Xueqin answered as an excuse. "Never ask about the name or their exterior life."

Stargod puffed her cheeks "But we are friend, you could say something. I am fine even with a simple clue!" She looked directly at Xueqin's eyes, cutely blinking them, trying to make Xueqin feel pity of her and tell the truth.

"Stop, Star sis! This is cheating." Xueqin tried to deviate his gaze "I am the one that invented that eyes, it won't work on me."

"Really?" Stargod approached him.

Xueqin couldn't last more and lost "I would tell you if I know. My master, he must be very strong and influent but I don't know who he really is. He is a madman that forces me to train to death."

"I will accept that answer for now" It wasn't the answer that Stargod wanted, but she smiled knowing that she had won the argument. In these weak, she had followed Xueqin all around the Sword God City as he was guiding him. It had been a little difficult to avoid her escort but it was worth it. In this time, she had learned some tactics to win over the favor of people. Kids are rarely negated anything if they play their cards fine.

For what Xueqin had learn, Stargod was very straightforward, proud, arrogant and very distrustful. However, that was with unfamiliar people. Once she opened to him and accepted as her friend. She was very loyal, warm, caring and excited, keeping her straightforward attitude.

"In the end, would you try it today?" Xueqin asked.

Stargod nodded "Having formed my Sword Intent and stabilized it, I am prepared to try the gate trial." Stargod seriously "I had begged my family for the opportunity to come here, they finally accepted my beg, but with the condition that after a month I should leave, to not lose my best time to cultivate. I thought that it would take me much more time, even that I wouldn't be able to form, but thanks to you, I can!" She smiled.

"You really like the sword, Star sis" Xueqin said.

"When I was 4 years old, my father gave me a wooden sword. It was his last gift before disappearing. I always admired my dad, he was a great swordsman and I promised myself to become one day like him. Even if he wasn't able to reach the peak, I would reach it for him" She said with a sad smile.

"Since that day, I trained all my time with the sword. After awakening the same spirit as my father, my resolution increased, but because I had a good soul talent the family wanted me to focus on soul cultivation as reaching the Inner part of the Swod Valley is extremely difficult" She explained "Training the sword arts so young being useless, saying that I should wait until I was older" She clenched her fist.

"After promising them that I would focus on soul cultivation if in a month I wouldn't be able to enter the Inner Valley, they finally accepted, never expecting that I would have even the opportunity, not reaching the minimum of Sword Intent to enter." She made a determined look "But I formed my Sword Intent. I will pass the trial. I will become someone strong enough to not need to follow the family. I don't want to be the heir, I want to follow my own path!"

"You will surely pass it!" Xueqin said with certainty, his faith never wavering. Since the first moment that their gaze met, he knew it. Stargod was strong and she would become even stronger.

After some rest, both left the manor, going towards Stargod's cottage. It was big, but not as Mucheng's manor. In front of it, Stagod's escort was already waiting for her with an angry face, never having been told were they were going.

"Little lady, you mustn't escape without telling me anything" The escort said.

"Don't worry. I am fine, Firefly" Stargod said "I am already ready. Let's go to the Gate"

"Are you sure, little lady?" Firefly asked "You only have 3 opportunities in your life. You have time, it would be better to wait for some years"

"No!" Stargod answered angrily "I am already decided. I will try it now. If I fail, we can immediately return to the family."

In the end, Firefly nodded, accepting it "This little girl is too rash. She won't be able to pass it in such a short time with a Sword Intent" He said for himself.

Stargod and Firefly, followed by Xueqin who wanted to cheer Stargod and see her results, went towards the Inner Valley.

Like Xueqin's time, the same tall man stood in front of them. However, this time he seemed to recognize Xueqin and he wasn't so arrogant. Nevertheless, he stood there blocking the path "The payment?"

Firefly took out a bag full of coins and gave it to the man who nodded and let them pass. It seemed that Stargod's method was to pay with money.

Arriving over the gate, Stargod's gaze was locked over the phrase "ALL FOR THE SWORD". The words resounding all over her body as she entered a trance.

"Stargod?" Xueqin tried to call her, but she didn't react, continuing looking at the words, seemingly being very influenced by them "Stargod!"

"Slap!" Xueqin slapped her over her cheek.

"What are you doing?!" She answered angrily turning towards Xueqin.

"You were too absorbed by them" Xueqin answered, "Don't let them influence you."

Stargod blinked and gazed with a frightened look at the words. Even now, they were resounding in her mind. If it had passed a little more time, she might have been absorbed by them, her mind changing. It must be known that some people had turned crazy with them.

"Thanks, Gold brother" Stargod thanked him and calmed down, breathing. With a determined look, she stepped forward, crossing the gate and disappearing over the gray layer.

Xueqin followed her while Firefly waited outside. He had no doubts that she would pass. He would wait for her at the Inner Valley while Firefly couldn't enter the Inner Valley and was sure that Stargod would be unable to pass.

Stargod found herself over an infinite field full of swords. She had forced Xueqin to tell her about the test, so she knew what could she expect, but she truly didn't want to face two enemies. Xueqin was only able to pass due to luck and the uncoordination between both, even one fo them helping him. If he had faced against the black-haired boy alone, he would have lost.

"Hg!" Stargod held her head with her hands, for an instant feeling an intense headache.

After the pain disappeared, in front of him a figure appeared. It was a boy about 7 years old. He had golden bright hair with deep blue eyes. He had a warm smile and a happy aura all around him, making him seem a friendly boy who easily makes friends.

All his body was covered by a white armor with golden patterns. On his left hand, he was holding a big white shield while on his right hand there was a white wide sword with a very little edge. With his right arm, he was holding a golden helmet with two wings protruding from it.

Just looking at him, it was clear that Stargod's rival was a defensive type, but he was standing there without any guard at all.

Stargod invoked her Stargod Sword, golden starry Sword Intent surging from it. She pointed it at him "Put your helmet and prepare to battle."

The little boy shook his head "I won't attack you."

"If you don't attack, I would be the first to move!" Stargod dashed towards him, surrounding her sword with a brightly Sword Intent. Stargod thrust her sword at great speed towards the boy's side who continued not moving at all.

"Clank!" Stargod's eyes opened widely. She was completely shocked. Her attack had perfectly hit the boy's armor, but her sword couldn't pierce forward, instantly being rebound. Her sword with her strongest Sword Intent was unable to pierce over the boy's armor.

The boy swung his sword, piercing it over the ground. A powerful and thick Holy Sword Intent surged from it, a golden pillar shooting from it.

Stargod unconsciously flinched at it, backing away while gulping. While it wasn't threatening as no aggression could be felt from that Sword Intent, it was too overwhelming! How could such young boy at her age have such a strong intent? It was even stronger than Xueqin!

"I am a knight!" He kneeled over the ground, resting his shield over the ground and offering his sword towards Stargod "My sword is made to protect. It would never be lifted to hurt. I vow my sword to protect you, little princess" He flashed a bright smile, greatly confusing Stargod that she really didn't know what was happening. Should she attack, take his sword, ignore him? She really didn't know it!

"YOU PASS!" A voice resounded over the space.

The boy appeared at Stargod's back. He had a painful gaze over his face "Sorry, little princess. But I don't have any other option, is for you own good" He thrust his sword, piercing Stargod's back.

"Ahhh!" Stargod cried in pain, feeling his back burning, falling to the ground in pain.

When Stargod opened her eyes, she found Xueqin's smiling face looking at her "Congratulations, Star sis. I always knew that you would pass the trial!" He congratulated "Who did you fight, it was strong?"

Stargod looked confused as her surrounding, ignoring Xueqin's question "What was all of that?" She tilted her head confused.