Chapter 16: Guy Vermilion and the Dragon

One week later:

After Noah and the rest of the group came back from the desert, Masters Rye and Gee went back to the dojo, the twins to the office, Eldus back to his house to do some research on both the Warrior's Heart and the Gaia's Blade and Lucy took Terri and Noah across town to the local hospital. Once they got there, both were sent to the intensive care. They were stitched up and spent a couple of nights in the hospital to heal. Noah's room had a soothing smell to it and his bed was comfy, so he allowed himself to rest, forgetting for a moment about the strange things that happened to him.

One morning, the doctor informed Noah that his wounds seemed to be healing quite well and discharged him without any further complications. It was early morning when Noah left the hospital building and found Lucy waiting for him, yawning.

-Welcome back to the land of the living, kiddo. Feeling better?-she asked him, rubbing her eyes.

Noah nodded.

-Yeah, I'm good. How about Terri? I haven't seen her since we got here. Is she alright?

-Yeah, but she still has to recuperate a bit more. The life in the desert is exhausting and she needs to rest for a couple more days. Don't worry, she'll be up and about before we tackle the next Order Elite.

-Am I still going to fight the next one?- Noah asked, kinda wanting someone else to tag in for him.

-Maybe so, maybe not. Let's just hope the Order thinks I was the one that did it. You deserve some time away from fighting anyways, so I'll be happy to fight the next one for you, if you aren't feelings all heroic by then. It sure would make things less boring.

Noah sighed.

-Thanks for the consideration, I guess.

After picking him up, Lucy left him at the dorm and went to the office. Noah decided to go to the Academy and try finding the guys.

Sure enough, he waited by the Academy's gates until the usual flow of students appeared and swarmed the entrance. Noah tried looking throughout the crowd, in hopes of finding at least one of them but to no avail, as none of the guys were nowhere to be seen. Maybe he just missed them. He sighed and stepped into the campus when he heard a crashing sound behind him. He ran back and saw a scenery he wasn't expecting: Merceny was facing Guy, of all people. Guy was carrying Zeke on his back and had a determined expression that, unfortunately, didn't hide the hint of nervousness on his face while Merceny had his face twisted by anger. Was that guy ever not angry?

Noah hurried over to their side but the crowd stopped him from going any further. But, even so, he was close enough to hear their conversation.

-I'm not talking to you.-he said, sinking his finger on Guy's chest- I'm talking to Sleeping Beauty over there. Could you be so kind as to repeat what you just said?

-C'mon, you two...there's no need to get violent...-Guy said, in an effort of drawing any more hostility.

-Don't worry, Guy...-Zeke said, his words practically dragging on the floor. He let out a big yawn- I was just being considerate, man. You bumped into Guy all of the sudden while we were on our merry way to school and I thought you seemed mad. So I repeat myself: "Heeeeeyyyyy, Crow Junior, are you ok? You seem every more...hissy than usual." Got it memorized, now?

Merceny pushed Guy to the side with such force he fell on the floor, leaving Zeke standing, his entire body swaying from side to side, his arms dangling down beside him.

-You Academy runts really don't know your place. Though I commend your courage, your sense of timing is just awful if you try to use your guts against me.

Zeke stretched his arms while Guy stood up and put himself between the two.

-Ok guys, you don't need to f-fight each other. We're all reasonable adults...r-right?- he was sweating alot and his legs were shaking. Noah never saw him that afraid. Or any degree of fear, in fact.

-Outta my way, munchies.- he said while grabbing Guy's collar and throwing him onto the floor. He stepped towards Zeke, until they were in arm's reach.

-What's your deal, Truesdale?-he asked, his calm tone hiding his obvious killing intent.- Do you have a beef with me?

-And do you have a beef with the whole world? I'm kinda tired of you parading around town talking trash about the Academy. What do we ever do to you anyways? I didn't come here to participate in your little faction wars.

Merceny snickered.

-That's it? Well, isn't it obvious? I despise you Academics because you're weak. All of you. Seeking knowledge and calling yourself BladeMasters? You have no field experience, no guts, preferring your little books than actually give a damn clue about our world's nature. We're at war against the Order right now and believe me, they won't go easy just because you kids don't know how to fight.

Zeke placed his hands behind his head and yawned again.

-Geez, I'm starting to think that maybe I'd rather be killed by the Order than listen to your ramblings. Doesn't acting all high and mighty tire you out? How many times a day do you have to feed the high horse you're riding on,anyways?

-Tch, keep talking like that and we'll see who's funny when you're all mangled up in a bloody battlefield, along with the rest of your Academics.- and then he turned his back to Zeke and started walking away from him.

-Then will Miss Mercedes be among those mangled up Academics?- he simply answered.

Merceny stopped on his tracks.

-What. Did. You. Say.- he spelled out.

-I'm just wondering: will that scowling attitude make you the victor or will your sister, who might I say, seems to have enough brains to compensate the lack you have, surprise you? She's real talented and I can't possibly imagine her killed in a battlefield. You say us Academics are weak but our weapons are impossible for the naked eye to perceive. I'm a careful observer and Miss Mercedes is at the top of every subject, including the battle oriented ones. She exhibits a cool attitude, even if it borders on the aloof side, and has a graceful style of fighting. Her attitude, talent, skill and knowledge of this world, not just a battlefield gift her with the making of a spectacular BladeMaster.

-You...seem to know alot about my sister, creep.- Merceny said, spitting those words.

-Well, anybody with a drop of common sense could see her power. If she keeps at enriching her education and you keep mouthing off like a dog barking at the moon, who knows? Maybe she'll be the one to beat Miss Lucy Crow, don't you think so...

"...Ciny?"

Merceny turned around, his Blade already in his hand and swung it with full force at Zeke. His eyes showed an intense bloodlust and no desire of mercy. If his attack went through, Zeke would be decapitated.

But instead of a sound of steel meeting flesh, a loud CLANG filled the street as Zeke blocked Merceny's attack with his own Blade. Noah had never seen one like it. It wasn't a sword but instead a long lance, the blade at its metal tip being long and curved. Zeke easily blocked Merceny's Blade with his weapon's long shaft, which seemed to be made of a similarly sturdy material.

-You're really one-dimensional aren't you, Ciny?- Zeke calmly said.- Having fell for such a basic taunt doesn't seem like you...unless I have earned the tittle of bounty. Oooo, how much am I worth, Ciny ? From the scary look in your eyes, I'm worth beyond any price.

-Tch, a naginata, huh? I never expected you to possess such a rare Blade type. But I'll fucking kill you all the same!- he exclaimed as he swung his Blade in upwards arc.

Zeke instantly reacted and instead of trying to block his attack he grabbed the shaft of the naginata with both hands, spun it until it was at a completely horizontal position and pushed it towards the coming sword and, as they clashed, he jumped into the air and used his weight to push Merceny's Blade down to the ground. Soon, the sword's tip buried itself onto the ground, making the bounty hunter's attack completely nullified. Zeke corrected his form in mid-air, so that, while still holding the shaft horizontally against the remainder of Merceny's Blade, he could perform an unusual handstand.

Merceny tried to react by pulling his Blade off the floor but Zeke quickly placed both his palms against the shaft and suddenly, water sprouted out of his feet. He then spread his legs into a mid-air split and spun around himself so that, before Merceny could even think of dodging, the momentum of the water carried Zeke's foot and delivered a powerful roundhouse kick that hit Merceny's face and sent him flying onto the floor while Zeke kept spinning around, the water he created forming a beautiful circle above him. Then, he stopped, flexed his arms and let go of the shaft soaring onto the air, correcting his form once again and landing softly in the ground. He kicked the fallen naginata, making it jump into the air, spinning parallel to him before he grabbed it and leaned it against his shoulder.

-Up for more?- Zeke asked- I kinda thought "Black Feather" Merceny was better this. You're getting me drowsy...-he yawned. Noah was dumbfounded. Was that really the Zeke he once knew?!

Merceny cleaned the blood dripping from his nose and got up. The impact had released his Blade so he summoned it again and ran at Zeke.

-I will fucking kill you!!- he roared.

-MERCENY, STOP THIS INSTANT!!!

A voice rose from the middle of the crowd and Mercedes burst through, her expression livid. Axel followed right behind her.

-Mercedes...- Merceny stopped and released his Blade.

-Are you out of your mind, Brother?! Why in gods' are you fighting against him?! You're embarrassing yourself in front of all these people!!!

-He insulted us... and the guild...- he tried to answer.

-Oh, is that fucking it?!- she screamed- How do you think I feel when I see my own brother getting himself into petty fights over something so foolish as pride?! Listen to me: you're a bounty hunter from Angel's Crow and you have no, I repeat, NO business with the Academy! I came to study here on my free will and I'll die before you tarnish this school's good name with your goddamned excuses for justice! Now, go away before I ask Lucy to beat you into a bloody pulp before I myself do it!!!

-Tch...- Merceny grunted before he turned his back to the crowd- You'll get off free this time, Truesdale. But do something like that again and you'll feel the wrath of my Nightingale. Besides, it's not you who I want to teach a lesson.

He then turned his head around, just as Noah managed to get through the stunned crowd. His eyes met the bounty hunter's and he could see the profound hatred he had for Noah.

-You and me have unfinished business, Noah Eon. Soon, we'll know who's stronger!- and then he bolted off.

*

Later that day, at midday, the group sat in their usual grassy corner, discussing Noah's fight with Teri.

-So, you managed to awaken Tera in the nick of time and managed to defeat a sword that big? I must say, Noah ol' chap, I'm impressed.- Axel said, making Noah blush slightly. If those awakenings weren't the playings of massive luck but instead his own skill, he'd feel better but the only thing left was more doubts. He decided not to tell the others about the voices he heard or they'd think he was going crazy...er.

-See, just like I told you, Noah...- Zeke said, as he lied down in the grass- These storybook clichés always win, like clockwork.

Soon, the topic went back to that morning's rumble, the whole school still talking about it with the same fervor as hours prior.

-So, after I left the dorm, after picking up the books I forgot about, I ran into Mercedes and we walked together to school. It was being pretty nice until we saw the fight. Then her face got all red with anger and...you saw what happened.- Axel said, ending his reccap of the guys' early morning.

Noah nodded. After everyone dispersed, Mercedes had bolted off into campus, without saying anything else. Even so, he saw the shine of tears streaming down her face. Had Merceny always been like this to his sister? No, if he was, she wouldn't be so torn up about it...

-Say, Zeke, I still can't believe what you did to Merceny back there!- Noah said, his eyes revealing a great deal of curiosity. He had never seen Zeke fight before, or even display any hint of hostility towards anyone. But in that morning alone, he had surpassed every expectation Noah had of him.

-Meh, I just couldn't stand his attitude anymore. Annoying people are the most tiring thing of all.-he yawned, laying in the grass- It wasn't a big deal, anyways. I just demonstrated the power we Academics have, that's all.

-And with snappy comebacks too, I heard. I never knew you could dish out burns as good as I do.- Axel said, grinning.

-Please, Axel, you're the Burn King. I'm nothing but the Jester...-he answered but smiled back anyways.

Guy grunted something under his breath. He clutched a piece of grass in his hand and ripped it off, throwing it back onto the earth.

-Hm? Guy, what's up? Usually you're always eating something without a care in the world, but not only you seem mad, you're not eating anything! Are you sick?- Axel asked, with a genuine look of concern on his face. Was it so uncommon for Guy not to be eating?

-It's just that...-Guy sighed- Zeke stood up against Merceny but I couldn't do anything at all...I was so scared that my legs were shaking and I couldn't defend the Academy's pride...I'm so useless!

-Hey, c'mon, don't say that Guy...- Axel tried to comfort him but Guy stood up, his face red with frustration.

-Don't "Hey, c'mon" me, Axel! You know it too! I'm such a terrible student and a talentless fighter! If it was not for you, the Academy would have kicked me out already. That whole thing about me being super powerful with Pyre is just a joke! The only thing I can do right is eat and how is that going to help when the time to defend the Academy's pride or even fight the Order?!

-Guy, don't let Ciny's words get under your skin.- Zeke tried to say but Guy was really torn up.

-No, his words just gave shape to something that had been banging on the inside of my head for a long time...Zeke is super talented, Axel is super smart and even Noah, who doesn't remember anything from before arriving on this town, managed to beat an Order Elite! I'm the only one here who doesn't have anything going for him and you guys know it.

-Please, Guy, you're being immature. Throwing a tantrum won't help anything. You just gotta work harder and eventually you'll find a talent you'll be proud of.- Axel said, with a reassuring smile on his face.

-I wish I could believe that...- Guy sighed.

*

The rest of the day went by without any further trouble as the group scattered for their own routines after school. Guy, instead decided to wander around town. Maybe that would clear his mind a bit. He knew that he had acted like a kid back there but he was sick and tired of being called a munching nobody by the Academy's students and not have nothing to show them that would prove them wrong.

If only...if only he had some talent...!

He suddenly got popped out of his thoughts when his foot bumped into something. He looked down and saw it was a step and when he looked up, he saw himself in front of a giant stone building, tall pillars standing alongside the staircase and in the entrance and the roof had a carving of a circle carrying the drawing of a flame.

-I know this place...-he muttered to himself. Yes, everyone that lived in Soul knew it and he wasn't that dumb to not recognize it.

The Temple of Pyre...

Soula's studies owed much to the Elemental Gods' graces and as repayment, the ancient scholars of the city used their Elements to build 5 temples throughout the city. One for the four main Elements that had shaped society and the central one, placed it the heart of Soula, that made tribute to the forgotten Elements, Lightus and Darkus and the history of Gaia.

Guy sighed.

-Tch, what irony. A useless BladeMaster like me ending up in such a place...- he looked down to his right hand and summoned his Blade...well, if you could even call it a Blade. It was simple and bland bronze sword, covered in bandages to prevent it to fall apart. What was worst is that Guy's Blade had always been like this and despite his many attempts to fix it, the simplest tap would make it fall apart, forcing him to summoned it again, it being back to his decayed shape.

A useless Blade for a useless BladeMaster...

Well, he had nothing to lose so he decided to step into the temple. Maybe inside, he could find some ideas...

Upon entering the temple, Guy walked around the shiny decoration and tapestries that told stories of Pyre's strongest BladeMasters throughout the world and across time, until he finally reached the main attraction at the back of the temple: a giant golden statue of the representation of the Elemental God of Flames, Pyre. The Gods' appearance had suffered many changes due to different interpretations of the old legends, but most of them were depicted as human-like deities, except for Pyre. The God had always been depicted as the legendary pair of flame beasts, the dragon and the phoenix. Legends said that his phoenix form was used to bring fourth peace and miracles, while his dragon was said to bring courage and victory in battle, for Pyre was the proud warrior of the Gods' family and had an unbreakable code of honor. Guy had always been fascinated by that God, wishing that someday he could have even an ounce of strength and steadfast demeanor.

But, alas, it wasn't meant to be. He turned his back to the statue and began to leave the temple when he noticed that something was wrong...

W-where's the temple?!

Usually the temple was filled to the brim with ancient artifacts and religious fanatics, but now it was completely empty! No decorations, no people, no nothing! There wasn't even an exit nor light. The room was only illuminated by a dim light coming from behind Guy.

"YOUNG BLADEMASTER..."

Guy jumped and turned around. To his surprise, it was the statue of Pyre that was glowing in a golden light, almost blinding him.

-W-what is this?!- he was so panicked that he fell on himself.

"DO NOT FEAR, CHILD, FOR YOU ARE IN THE PRESENCE OF THE ALMIGHTY GOD OF FLAMES, PYRE!!!"

-P-Pyre?! You've got to be kidding me! Has this temple always had this function?!

"NO, YOU ARE CURRENTLY INSIDE OF AN ILLUSION MADE BY ME. YOU CAN ONLY LEAVE THIS TEMPLE BY MY HAND!"

-S-seriously?! What kind of trick is this?! A-are you really P-Pyre? Not someone trying to prank me?- needless to say, Guy was skeptic. Gods didn't just appear out of nowhere!

"IT IS QUITE REAL, CHILD! BUT I COMMEND YOUR CAREFULNESS. YOU NEED PROOF I'M PYRE?! HERE!!!"

Suddenly, blue flames lit all around the spaces where the walls of the temple once stood, surrounding Guy completely. And before he could even process that, a fireball materialized from the statue and went straight at him! Luckily, he rolled on himself to the side and safely dodged the attack.

"ARE YOU CONVINCED NOW?! I AM THE REAL DEAL AND IF YOU STILL DON'T BELIEVE IT, THEN ALLOW ME TO ROAST YOU INTO ASH!!!"

"Boy, even if it is Pyre, this guy is really loud..."

Guy gulped and slowly stood up, his legs shaking.

-Ok, you're Pyre. But why did you show yourself to me?

"I HAVE APPEARED BEFORE YOU BECAUSE YOU'VE CAUGHT MY ATTENTION. YOU SHOW A SORROWFUL EXPRESSION YET THE FIRE IN YOUR VEINS BURNS MORE BRIGHTLY THAN I'VE EVER SEEN IN EONS!!!"

-Ok, now I know you're bullshitting me. I'm just a useless BladeMaster...

"ARE YOU NOW?! WHY DO YOU SAY THAT?!"

-Well, I'm a horrible student, an even more terrible fighter and the only thing I can do right is eat all day long! That's why I'm surprised that a god appeared in front of such a talentless person like me!-he exclaimed.

The voice got quiet for a couple of moments then exclaimed:

"YOU FOOL!!! YOU SAY THAT YOU'RE USELESS BECAUSE THE ONLY THING YOU CAN DO RIGHT IS EAT?! NONSENSE!!! FOR IT IS THE ABILITY TO CONSUME EVERYTHING WHAT MAKES PYRE THE SUPREME ELEMENT!!!"

-R-really?- Guy tilted his head in confusion.

"QUITE SO!!! YOU MAY NOT BELIEVE THIS BUT I HAVE APPEARED TO MANY PEOPLE IN THIS TEMPLE THROUGHOUT THE YEARS. AND I ALWAYS ASK THEM THE SAME QUESTION: "WHAT WOULD YOU SAY IS YOUR STRONGEST POINT?!" AND THEY ALWAYS COME UP WITH SAME ANSWERS: POWER, KNOWLEDGE, TALENT... THE FOOLS!!! THOSE ARE NOT THE THINGS THAT MAKE A BLADEMASTER!!! "

-It doesn't? Are you serious?! But it's the most powerful BladeMasters that write the History books!

"YOU'RE WRONG!!! IF YOU THINK FLEETING THINGS AS POWER AND KNOWLEDGE AND SOMETHING AS ARBITRARY AS TALENT MAKES A GREAT BLADEMASTER, YOU'RE SEVERELY WRONG!!! FOR IT IS COURAGE THAT GIVES THE SOUL POWER!!!"

-Courage? I-I'm not understand...

"COURAGE IS NOT THE ABILITY TO FACE THE ENEMY THAT STRIKES WITH A BLADE!!! COURAGE IS FACING THE ENEMY INSIDE YOU THAT WIELDS THE MOST TERRIFYING WEAPON: EGO!!! A BLADEMASTER THAT CAN ONLY SEE THE GOOD THINGS IN HIMSELF IS A POOR WARRIOR!!! THE PEOPLE I HAVE APPEARED BEFORE THOUGHT POWER WAS SOMETHING ONLY SHOWN IN THE OUTSIDE AND THEN I SHATTERED THIS ILLUSION AND REMOVED THEM ALL MEMORIES OF THIS ENCOUNTER. BUT!!! PEOPLE LIKE YOU, HUMBLE ENOUGH TO REALIZE THAT THEY'RE WEAK BUT HAVE THE COURAGE TO SEEK OUT A WAY TO GET STRONGER ARE THE MIGHTIEST OF ALL!!! A PERSON WHO SEEKS PERFECTION IS NOT MIGHTY!!! THE PERSON WHO SEES HIS FAULTS WITH CLEAR EYES AND HAS THE SPIRIT TO MAKE THE MOST OF SAID FAULTS ARE THE ONES WHO WRITE THE HISTORY BOOKS!!! GUY VERMILION, YOU MAY SAY THAT YOU DON'T HAVE TALENT BUT I'LL SHOW YOU THAT THE POWER TO CONSUME YOU POSSESS WILL CARRY YOU TO GREAT HEIGHTS!!!"

With this, various fireballs spawned in front of the statue and shot out at Guy. He did his best to dodge them but they were too fast for him and eventually he'd slip up and get burned. When one of them was a little too close for comfort, he summoned his Blade and swung it at the fireball, but as expected, the Blade broke down and was released just as it made contact with the fire and he ended up taking with the full force of the attack. Guy was blow back, his clothes on fire. He landed roughly on the floor, covered in pain. Pyre didn't waste any more time and spawned another fireball. Just that this one kept growing and growing until it was bigger than the statue itself. Then, it was launched at Guy.

-W-what the heck am I supposed to do?!- he exclaimed, running away from the attack.

"FOOL! USE YOUR TALENT!!! USE YOUR SO CALLED 'WEAKNESS'!!!"

-You mean, I should eat the fireball?! Are you joshing me?!

"DO IT!!! GUY VERMILION!!!"

-Fine!!! I might as well just die in a goddsamn blaze of glory!!!

Guy stopped and turned his heels back to the fire and opened his mouth, expecting the fireball to hit him the face and make him into barbecue...

"Hmm... I'd much rather have some barbecue than this crap...!"

Suddenly the fireball started squirming and changing shapes in mid-air until the side that faced Guy extended out in a funnel shape towards his mouth and the thought of food Guy had on his brain made him instinctively inhale the fire. He realized his mistake too late and braced himself for the searing burning pain but...

"It doesn't hurt!"

It was almost like he was chewing on nothing but air but it was...different than that. He wasn't biting down on air but on the heat itself! And it didn't taste all that bad, actually. He kept inhaling and biting down on the fire that kept coming towards his mouth, it going down his throat quite smoothly.

"It's just like eating spicy food! And even the toughest spices are no match for me!"

He kept eating and eating and the fireball started dwindling down in size until everything had been eaten. He closed his mouth, regaining his footing and had "holy molly macaroni" written on his face. Had he really, really just eaten fire?! He...wasn't having an hallucinogenic dream after passing out on lunch?

He opened his mouth to ask just how he did that to Pyre when he felt a burning sensation rising up from his stomach, to his throat and finally his mouth. The sensation overcame him and the fire jolted out of his mouth, rising into the air. He panicked again and fell butt-first into the floor as he kept shooting the flames into the air while he screamed in terror. The fire that escaped his mouth shone brighter than the fireball he had consumed and felt much hotter.

Then, finally, the fire stream stopped and all that was left was a numbing sensation on his lips.

-Guess you overdid it on the pepper, Pyre...-he panted.

The voice let out a roaring laugh.

"DO YOU SEE IT NOW?! THE THING YOU SAW AS A WEAKNESS BEFORE, EATING, AS NOW MADE YOU SURVIVE A MIGHTY ATTACK AND DISH IT BACK OUT WITH EVEN MORE FORCE!!! AND KNOW THAT IT WAS NOT AN ILLUSION, IT WAS THE REAL DEAL!!!"

Guy gulped. After what just happened, he was certain that it wasn't an illusion, anyways.

-Jeez, then I would have really died?! You really don't make things easy!

"OF COURSE NOT!!! LIFE ISN'T EASY AND THE PATH TO TRUE POWER IS NOT WITHOUT TRIALS. BUT DON'T WORRY, FOR THE ONLY THING YOU MUST NOT FEAR IS FEAR ITSELF! FOR IT IS FEAR THAT TELLS US THAT WE'RE STILL ALIVE AND WE CAN STILL IMPROVE OURSELVES. FEEL FREE TO FEAR BUT ALWAYS HAVE THE SPIRIT TO FACE FEAR. UNDERSTAND?!"

-Yes...I get it... I was so caught up in thinking that I had no talent that I forgot that there are things I'm good at and that I can always use them to improve myself, even those things might be...unusual.- he laughed at his own newfound power. It was really comical but he had finally got up of the hole he had dug himself. He felt like he could use what he learned to reach even higher heights than anyone in the Academy.

-But...why me, Pyre? I have this power, yes, but why did you insist on teaching me this lesson?

Pyre let out another roaring laugh.

"YOU REMIND ME OF MYSELF FROM LONG AGO. I TOO, DESPERATELY WANTED TO IMPROVE MYSELF TO PROTECT THOSE DEAR TO ME. YOU HAVE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL, GUY VERMILION, YOUR BLADE IS PROOF ENOUGH OF THAT."

Guy summoned his "Blade" and looked at it in confusion.

-It is? But it can barely keep itself together!

"YOU MISUNDERSTAND THE NATURE OF BLADES. YOUR BLADE IS SIMPLY INCOMPLETE BECAUSE OF THE WALLS YOU'VE BUILT AROUND YOUR HEART. NOW THAT YOUR SOUL AS GROWN INTO ONE OF A PROPER BLADEMASTER YOUR BLADE WILL NOW REFLECT YOUR SOUL AND YOUR WILL TO THE FUTURE!!!"

Suddenly, the statue shone brighter and Guy shielded his eyes.

"REMEMBER, GUY VERMILION!!! COURAGE IS HUMANITY'S VERY OWN BLOOD!!! TAKE SAID COURAGE AND BE SURE THAT WE WILL MEET AGAIN!!!"

With a last laugh, his voice faded away and Guy found himself back in the temple, in front of a silent statue. The few people around didn't seem to notice his ordeal. So, it really was a dream?

He smacked his lips. They were still numb...

He looked down to his hand and focused. He was expecting to see his usual crummy Blade he saw something much greater: dark grey like ash, possessing gill-like patterns along the long double-edged oval-shaped blade contained real fire burning inside. Guy blew into it but the fire did not even waver. He swung it down and the fire from the gills got out and drew a fiery arc in the air. He felt the burning sensation again, but now on his chest. Close to his very own soul. No, it hadn't been a dream. That power...was much too real.

"Dragonic Blade"...

Yes, that was his new Blade's name. The Blade Pyre had allowed him to obtain.

Along with a grown soul and hopes to the future.

"But first...I'm starving! I'm going to see if the guys want some curry."