Ch.14- Question of eternity
The River of Dawnlight stretched behind them, its golden glow casting long reflections against the darkening sky. The air had shifted, growing still and heavy, as if the land itself were watching them.
Blade Taizuka stood at the riverbank, watching as Takeo, the fisherman who had ferried them across, secured his boat. The old man's weathered hands tightened the ropes, his gaze lingering on the group.
"This is where we part ways," Takeo said, his voice steady but laced with something unreadable. "The road ahead is uncertain, but your hearts must remain firm."
Blade narrowed his eyes. There was something ominous about the way he said it.
Takeo reached into his cloak and pulled out a small wrapped bundle, handing it to Blade. His hands were rough, worn by years of labor.
"Take this. You will need strength for your journey."
Blade accepted the bundle, unwrapping it slightly to see dried fish and rice neatly packed inside.
"Thank you," Blade said with a nod of respect. "We'll be careful."
Takeo simply nodded before stepping into his boat. With a practiced motion, he pushed off the shore, his small vessel drifting into the mist-covered river. The water shimmered unnaturally, almost as if something beneath its surface had awakened.
The group stood in silence, watching as the boat disappeared.
Kagami Hanera was the first to speak. "He seemed… like he knew something."
Kibito Akammi stretched lazily, shaking off the tension. "Old people love cryptic messages. Let's get moving before the mist swallows us too."
Blade turned to face the land ahead. Mount Akatsuki was close.
But something about Kamikaze felt… different.
---
A Sword's Whisper
As Blade stepped into the shallows of the glowing river, his boots sinking slightly into the cool water, a strange sensation pulsed through his sword.
Kamikaze vibrated faintly at his side.
Blade frowned, resting a hand on the hilt. It wasn't a warning—it was something else.
"The Water Dragon is sealed within Kamikaze… is it reacting to something in the river?"
His fingers tightened. Was this another piece of the mystery surrounding his blade?
Kagami noticed his hesitation. "Blade, is something wrong?"
He released his grip on Kamikaze and shook his head. "No. Keep moving."
But deep down, something inside him whispered otherwise.
---
The River's Secret
For twenty minutes, they waded through the golden waters. Though the river was shallow, the sensation was unnatural—the water did not ripple like normal water.
It felt… alive.
Suntaro Akammi was the first to step onto dry land, exhaling loudly. "Finally! Walking through that felt weird!"
Before them, the landscape was breathtaking—lush green trees stretched endlessly, their leaves catching the last light of the sunset. The sound of birds and rustling leaves filled the air. Everything about it seemed untouched by time.
Kagami's eyes widened in awe. "It's so beautiful… almost like the land itself is welcoming us."
Suntaro grinned, stretching his arms. "Enough sightseeing! Mount Akatsuki is waiting!"
Without warning, he dashed ahead.
Kibito groaned. "Oi! Don't just run ahead!"
Blade smirked slightly but felt his unease return. Something was off.
Then—
A presence appeared.
---
The Guardian of the Path
A man stood before them on the dirt path. He had long white hair that flowed past his shoulders and piercing eyes that seemed to glow faintly. A simple wooden staff rested in his hands, yet his presence was anything but ordinary.
Suntaro skidded to a stop.
The old man lifted his staff slightly, blocking the path.
"Turn back," he said.
Blade and the others immediately felt the shift in the air. This man was no ordinary traveler.
Blade stepped forward cautiously. "Why?"
The old man's gaze settled on him, calm yet unreadable. "Only those who can answer the Question of Eternity may pass."
Kagami furrowed her brows. "The… Question of Eternity?"
The old man tapped his staff against the ground. The very air grew heavier, pressing down on their chests.
"Only those who are true to themselves may cross. If you lie, you will die."
The words sent a chill through them.
Blade clenched his fists. "Ask your question."
The old man's eyes seemed to pierce through his very soul.
"What are you? Who do you want to be? And what did you used to be?"
---
The Answers
Suntaro was the first to step forward. He placed a hand over his chest, taking a deep breath.
"I used to be a little kid without hope. Then my big bro Kibito gave me hope. In the future… I'll never lose hope."
The old man studied him before nodding. "Pass."
Kagami stepped forward next, her face serious.
"I used to be weak. Now… I'm not strong, but I will protect my friends. I will always protect them."
Another nod. "Pass."
Kibito exhaled before speaking.
"I used to be reckless. Now, I'm a little calmer. In the future, I will control my recklessness and anger."
The old man nodded once more. "Pass."
Blade was the last to step forward. His voice was steady, his eyes sharp.
"I used to be useless. Now, I have a goal—to be the strongest. And I will always be standing as the strongest."
For a long moment, the old man simply stared at him. Then, a faint smile crossed his lips.
"Pass. But remember—if you lose these words, you will lose everything."
Blade inhaled slowly. He didn't understand the full meaning of those words yet, but something told him… he would soon.
---
The Cost of a Lie
As the old man vanished into mist, a new sight came into view.
And it froze them in place.
Bodies littered the ground.
Lifeless. Scattered across the dirt path.
Each corpse had a paper talisman stuck to their forehead, bearing a single phrase:
"You lied, you died."
Kagami's voice was barely a whisper. "This… this is what happens when you lie?"
No one spoke.
Blade stepped past the bodies, his grip on Kamikaze tightening.
Ahead of them, Mount Akatsuki's path stretched forward. Its aura pulsed, wrapping around them like an invisible force.
Blade looked up at the towering peak.
What awaited them beyond the Gate of Heavens?
---
A Distant Observer
Far beyond the trees, hidden from sight, a pair of golden eyes watched them.
A figure, cloaked in shadows, stood atop a branch, expression unreadable.
His voice was soft, barely above a whisper.
"So… Blade Taizuka. The Phoenix still walks."
Then—
With a flicker of movement, he vanished into the mist.
---
To Be Continued…