Ch.13- One Step Closer

The first light of dawn stretched across the horizon, casting golden streaks across the sky. The sound of rushing water echoed through the valley as Blade Taizuka and his companions continued their journey along the winding waterfall path.

A sense of anticipation hung in the air.

Mount Akatsuki loomed in the distance, its towering peaks shrouded in mist. The sight alone was enough to send a shiver through Blade's body—not out of fear, but out of sheer realization.

This was it.

Everything had led to this moment.

Blade's grip on Kamikaze tightened as he walked in silence.

"Kamikaze… the Five Elemental Dragons… what is this sword truly hiding?"

His thoughts consumed him. The revelations about his sword, the strength of the enemies they had faced, the strange dreams that haunted his sleep—it was all pointing toward something bigger. Something he wasn't prepared for.

"Hey, something on your mind?" Kibito Akammi nudged him playfully, breaking the silence.

Blade blinked, shaking off his thoughts. "Just… thinking about what comes next."

Kagami Hanera walked beside him, her eyes filled with concern. "You've been quiet since last night. Are you okay?"

Blade exhaled slowly. "Yeah… just trying to prepare myself."

Before Kagami could press further, a loud voice interrupted them.

"HEY! EVERYONE, LOOK AT THAT!"

Suntaro Akammi's sudden outburst made them all turn their heads.

Their breath caught in their throats.

There it was—Mount Akatsuki.

Its sheer size made everything else seem insignificant. Sunlight bathed the cliffs in gold, while mist curled around the peaks like a living force. The very presence of the mountain seemed… overwhelming.

"We're getting close," Kibito grinned, a hint of excitement in his voice.

Blade smirked slightly, despite the unease in his chest. "Yeah… Finally."

---

A Village of Fear

As they descended the path, the group entered a small fishing village nestled near a river. The scent of fresh fish and burning wood filled the air, yet something was off.

Villagers paused their daily routines to watch them with wary eyes. Conversations hushed, hands trembled. Children were quickly ushered inside their homes.

Kagami whispered, "Why are they looking at us like that?"

Blade's instincts sharpened. He could feel it—the unspoken tension hanging over this village.

Spotting an elderly man sitting by a wooden cart, Blade stepped forward and asked, "Excuse me, do you know anything about Mount Akatsuki?"

The old man's expression froze before he quickly shook his head, muttering, "I… I can't say anything," before walking away.

Kibito crossed his arms. "That was weird."

Another villager, a woman carrying a basket, noticed their conversation. The moment she realized what they were asking, she turned away and rushed into her home, slamming the door shut.

"It's like they're afraid to even talk about it," Suntaro muttered.

Kagami glanced around uneasily. "Something's definitely wrong here…"

Blade clenched his fists. If this mountain held so many secrets, then they had to find out why.

"Let's head to that ramen shop," he decided. "Maybe we can get some answers there."

---

The Ramen Shopkeeper's Warning

The moment they stepped inside, the tension outside melted away. The cozy warmth of the ramen shop was a stark contrast to the chilling fear that plagued the village.

A friendly-looking older man greeted them with a smile. "Welcome! You all look like travelers. Hungry?"

Relieved by the change in atmosphere, the group sat down.

"Yeah," Blade said. "Four bowls of ramen, please."

As the owner prepared their food, his eyes flickered toward their swords. His expression shifted.

"Those swords… You're heading to Mount Akatsuki, aren't you?"

Blade nodded, sensing the man knew something. "Yeah. But no one here will talk about it. Why?"

The shopkeeper sighed as he placed steaming bowls in front of them. "Because Mount Akatsuki is no ordinary mountain."

Suntaro paused mid-bite. "Wait… what does that mean?"

The man leaned in, lowering his voice. "Very few people have ever reached its peak. Only two in this century. Many have tried… and died."

Silence.

Kibito exhaled. "Man… This just keeps getting more complicated."

The shopkeeper continued, his voice heavy with warning. "The journey isn't just about climbing. You must cross two rivers—one normal, one legendary. And then…"

He hesitated before adding, "The Gate of Heavens."

Blade's grip on his chopsticks tightened. "Gate of Heavens…?"

The man nodded. "It is the final trial before reaching the summit. No one knows what lies beyond it. Those who return… never speak of what they saw."

Kagami shivered. "That's… not reassuring."

The shopkeeper studied them carefully before sighing. "If you're really going, I have a friend who can take you across the first river."

Blade stood, bowing slightly. "Thank you. We appreciate the help."

The man called out to the back, "Oi! Takeo! Get over here!"

A rugged-looking fisherman with a wide-brimmed hat walked in, arms crossed.

"Yeah, yeah, I heard everything," Takeo muttered. "You kids are crazy."

Suntaro smirked. "We get that a lot."

Takeo rolled his eyes but smirked slightly, adjusting his hat. "Fine. I'll take you across the river."

---

The River of Dawnlight – A Moment of Reflection

The boat drifted smoothly across the golden river, its surface shimmering under the sun. The reflection of the sky danced along the water, creating an almost otherworldly effect.

Blade sat at the edge, staring at the rippling water. His thoughts began to wander, retracing the path that had brought him here.

The academy. The graduation. The battles against warriors stronger than he ever imagined. The near-death encounters. The weight of Kamikaze.

He remembered the first time he held the sword in his hands, thinking it was just a weapon.

Now, he knew better.

His mind drifted back to his battle against Majinto—the first time he truly realized his weakness. Then, his fight with Tasuguru—the terrifying realization that even at his best, he wasn't strong enough.

And then, there was Tensho.

His appearance. His power. The way he cut down Tasuguru without hesitation.

"Tensho…" Blade muttered under his breath.

That was the name that haunted him now.

How had he grown so much? Why had he shown up at the last second? And more importantly—where had he gone?

Kagami, sitting beside him, noticed his distant expression. "Still thinking about everything?"

Blade exhaled sharply. "It feels like this journey started only days ago, but it already feels like a lifetime. So much has happened."

Kibito grinned. "Yeah. Remember when I first met you? You were all serious and brooding. Now you're… well, still brooding."

Blade rolled his eyes. "Thanks for that, Kibito."

Suntaro stretched. "We've been through hell, but we're still standing. And we're only getting stronger."

Blade nodded. Maybe they were. Maybe this journey was shaping them into something more.

Takeo's voice snapped him out of his thoughts. "We're almost there. Once we cross this river, there's no turning back."

Blade didn't hesitate. "We're ready."

As the boat glided to the shore, they stepped onto the land, facing the looming Mount Akatsuki.

The true challenge was just beginning.

TO BE CONTINUED...