chapter three : awakening the light

The demon's roar echoed across the burning village, shaking the ground beneath Kaede's feet. It charged with terrifying speed, its massive claws tearing through the debris. Kaede gripped her glowing blade, her heart pounding as she stood her ground.

"Focus!" Ryoji barked, already positioning himself to flank the creature. "Don't let it intimidate you!"

The creature lunged, and Kaede narrowly dodged its strike. The force of its claw shattered the ground where she had been standing. She stumbled but quickly regained her footing, her blade trembling in her hands.

"I can't…" she muttered, the fear clawing at her resolve.

"Yes, you can!" Ryoji yelled, slashing at the demon's side. His blade cut deep, but the demon barely faltered, swiping at him with a claw. He leaped back, his movements swift and calculated. "Trust your instincts, Kaede! That blade chose you for a reason!"

Kaede's eyes flicked to her sword, the faint glow pulsing like a heartbeat. She could feel something—an energy stirring within her. But how could she unlock it?

The demon roared again, turning its focus back to her. It lunged, its claws aiming for her chest. Kaede raised her sword in desperation, bracing for impact.

The moment the demon's claws met her blade, a surge of light erupted from the weapon. The force of the energy sent the demon reeling and knocked Kaede backward. She landed hard but scrambled to her feet, staring at the glowing sword in her hands.

"What… was that?" she whispered.

"That," Ryoji said, smirking, "is your blade's true power. But don't think it'll do all the work for you. You still have to control it!"

The demon recovered quickly, its fury now directed solely at Kaede. It charged again, and this time, Kaede didn't hesitate. She sidestepped the attack, the glowing blade humming in her grip. With a shout, she swung the sword in a wide arc, and a wave of light slashed through the demon's torso.

The creature let out a final, guttural roar before collapsing into ash. Kaede stood there, breathing heavily, her blade dimming as the battle ended.

"You're still alive. That's a good start," Ryoji said, walking over. He inspected her sword with a critical eye. "It responded to you, but you're far from mastering it."

Kaede looked up at him, her eyes blazing with determination. "Then teach me how."

Ryoji nodded, his expression serious. "You've proven you're not useless. Training resumes tomorrow. For now, let's help the survivors."

---

The aftermath of the attack was grim. Kaede and Ryoji moved through the village, pulling survivors from the rubble and tending to the injured. The Shadow Hunters had arrived in time to prevent total annihilation, but the scars of the battle were everywhere—burned homes, shattered lives, and a pervasive sense of fear.

As Kaede helped a young boy to his feet, she couldn't shake the image of Yuma from her mind. Her brother had always been the one protecting her, and now it was her turn to protect others.

"They'll be back, won't they?" the boy asked, his voice trembling.

Kaede knelt down, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Yes," she said honestly. "But we'll be ready next time."

---

Back at the outpost, Kaede found herself in the meditation hall, sitting cross-legged with her sword resting on her lap. The room was quiet, lit only by flickering candles.

"What are you doing here?" Ryoji's voice broke the silence.

Kaede opened her eyes to see him standing in the doorway. "Trying to understand it," she said, nodding toward her sword.

Ryoji stepped inside, his expression softer than usual. "You can't force a bond with your blade. It's not just a weapon—it's a part of you. The light it wields comes from your own strength."

Kaede frowned. "What if I'm not strong enough?"

"You are," Ryoji said simply. "You just don't know it yet."

He turned to leave but paused at the door. "Get some rest. Tomorrow, we start real training. And trust me, you'll need every ounce of strength you can muster."

As the door closed behind him, Kaede looked down at her sword again. The faint glow had returned, as if responding to her determination.

"I'll be strong enough," she whispered. "I have to be."

Outside, the wind howled, carrying with it the distant echoes of the Twilight Rip. The battle was far from over, but Kaede knew she had taken her first step toward becoming a true Shadow Hunter.