Chapter 20 – The Weight of Legends

The Dream That Wasn't a Dream

I was still reeling from the dream—no, the vision—when morning came.

The battlefield, the burning sky, the figure with golden eyes. The way he looked at me, like he was staring straight into my soul and deciding I wasn't worth his time.

It wasn't just some nightmare.

It was a warning.

I sat outside the crumbling ruins of an old Saiyan outpost, gazing at the crimson horizon of the Outlands while my mind played the vision on repeat.

"You are not ready."

I clenched my fists. Who was he?

The First Shadow? Another warrior from the past? A remnant of the power inside me?

Whatever the answer, one thing was clear—I needed to be stronger.

Much, much stronger.

---

Understanding the Power of the Fallen

"You're thinking too much," Taro's voice snapped me out of my thoughts.

I turned to see him casually leaning against a broken pillar, arms crossed, studying me.

"You saw something, didn't you?" he asked, eyes sharp.

I hesitated, then nodded. "A vision. A warrior. He had golden eyes, but… different from Xyros."

Taro's expression darkened slightly, but he masked it with a smirk. "Congratulations. You've finally started to see the layers of this power."

I narrowed my eyes. "What does that mean?"

Taro stepped forward, dropping into a crouch beside me. He picked up a small rock, twirling it between his fingers.

"You think the power of the fallen is just energy? Just strength passed down?" He tossed the rock up and caught it. "It's more than that."

I frowned. "You said it was connection."

Taro nodded. "Yeah. But connection to what?"

I opened my mouth, then paused.

Taro smirked. "Exactly. You don't know. That's why you're fighting like a brute with a god's arsenal instead of a warrior who actually understands his weapon."

I gritted my teeth. "Then tell me."

Taro stood up, looking toward the sky. "The fallen warriors—you think they're just lingering spirits, waiting around to power you up when you need a boost?"

He turned back to me, his eyes sharp.

"They're still fighting."

The weight of his words hit me like a fist.

I swallowed. "What?"

Taro crossed his arms. "The ones who died in the war against the Shadow Saiyans? They weren't just erased. Their souls were locked in an endless battle, trapped between life and death. They fight so you can fight. That's why you saw that vision. You're tapping into something much, much bigger than you realize."

A chill ran down my spine.

"This isn't just power," I muttered. "It's… a war."

Taro nodded. "And if you don't figure out how to use it properly, you're not just going to lose—you're going to drag every single one of them down with you."

I exhaled sharply. No pressure, right?

---

Training Becomes Real Combat

Taro didn't waste time after dropping that bombshell on me.

"If you want to use their power properly, you need to understand their battlefield," he said. "Which means you need to stop treating this like a tournament fight and start thinking like a commander."

I raised an eyebrow. "A commander?"

Taro smirked. "Every battle is won before the first punch is thrown. Saiyans fight with instinct, but strategy?" He shook his head. "That's what separates warlords from kings."

I exhaled. "So… what? You want me to fight differently?"

Taro grinned. "No. I want you to fight smart."

I crossed my arms. "Alright. Show me."

---

The Rules of War

The next few hours were brutal.

Taro didn't just teach me how to fight—he taught me when to fight.

Lesson One: Controlling the Field.

"The best warriors don't chase battles," Taro said as he stood across from me in an open field. "They control the battlefield itself."

He stomped his foot, and suddenly, the ground beneath me shattered. A fissure opened, throwing me off balance. In that split second, he was already behind me, slamming his elbow into my ribs.

I crashed into the dirt, gasping.

Taro crouched beside me. "See? A fight isn't just punches and kicks. It's about positioning, awareness, and controlling the space."

I groaned. "Okay. Noted."

Lesson Two: Prediction & Counters.

Taro launched a lightning-fast jab at my face—I dodged, only for his other hand to grab my wrist, twisting my arm behind me.

I struggled, but he forced me into the ground.

"Don't just react," he said. "Predict. Every opponent has a pattern. Learn it, break it, control it."

I gritted my teeth. "You really enjoy this, don't you?"

He grinned. "Oh, absolutely."

Lesson Three: Using the Power of the Fallen Properly.

This was the hard part.

Taro stood a few feet away, arms crossed. "Tap into them. But don't just ask for power—ask for guidance."

I took a deep breath, closing my eyes.

And then—

I felt it.

Not just the power, but voices, memories, tactics. Warriors who had fought real wars, who had led armies. They weren't just lending me power—they were teaching me.

When I opened my eyes, everything felt different.

Taro smirked. "Good. Now fight me."

---

The First True Fight

This time, when Taro attacked, I didn't just dodge—I moved strategically.

I angled my movements, leading him into a disadvantageous position. I used the terrain against him. I predicted his counters before they happened.

For the first time, I wasn't fighting as me.

I was fighting as all of them.

Taro grinned, his attacks getting sharper, faster. "That's it. That's what I was waiting for!"

I launched forward, my fist glowing with golden energy.

Taro countered with a devastating strike—

But I was already moving to avoid it, twisting mid-air and landing a brutal kick to his ribs.

He skidded back, wiping blood from his mouth.

Then, to my surprise—

He laughed.

"Now we're talking," he said, standing up straight. "You're finally starting to understand."

I exhaled, my body still buzzing with energy.

I wasn't just stronger.

I was better.

And for the first time since this whole nightmare started…

I actually believed I could win.

---

The Bigger Picture

That night, as we rested by the fire, I looked at Taro.

"You knew about the war within the fallen," I said. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"

Taro stared into the flames. "Because you weren't ready to hear it."

I frowned. "And now?"

He smirked. "Now you're ready to fight like a king."

I clenched my fists.

The battle against Xyros wasn't just about strength anymore.

It was about war.

And I was finally learning how to win one.

---

Next Time on Ancient Legends…

The real war begins!

What is Xyros' next move?!

And what secrets does the First Shadow still hide?!

Find out next time on Ancient Legends!