Rising Of The Blind Swordsman

Unveiling the Flames of Ki

After their swift departure from Kryo, news quickly spread throughout the city that the City Lord had been murdered. Panic ensued, and the town was placed under tight security with a thorough investigation initiated. Suspicions fell upon Lady Zina and Archon, as they were the last known individuals to leave the city before the incident.

A group of four soldiers gave chase, but Lady Zina and Archon had already distanced themselves. Their pursuit was hindered by the lurking threats of wild beasts, forcing them to abandon the chase and return empty-handed to Kryo.

On the southern edge of the Beast Forest, Archon found himself panting heavily. He had been running tirelessly for hours, driven by Lady Zina's unexpected trouble that had attracted the attention of city guards. Though uncertain if it was related to the inn incident, he was grateful to have escaped unscathed.

While Archon caught his breath, Lady Zina seemed to find amusement in their situation, laughing and speaking animatedly. Exhausted, Archon could barely make out her words, but he was too fatigued to pay much attention.

"Why did we have to run?" Archon inquired, his voice filled with confusion. "We haven't done anything wrong."

Lady Zina looked at him, a smile playing on her lips. "I did. I killed the City Lord" she confessed.

Her words sending shockwaves through Archon's being. His mind reeled, realizing that she had been behind the city lord of Kryo demise.

"Why?" Archon managed to utter, his voice laced with disbelief and confusion. The pieces began to fall into place—her sudden disappearance, her involvement in this dark act.

"It was a job," Lady Zina admitted with a heavy sigh, her words hanging in the air. "Allow me to introduce myself properly. I am known as the Raven, an assassin."

Archon found himself speechless, the gravity of her revelation weighing heavily upon him. The name Raven resonated deeply within him, a name whispered among the masses, synonymous with fear and awe. This mysterious figure possessed strength that rivaled the greatest masters, a harbinger of death who had eluded capture, leaving no survivors to recount their encounter. The details of Raven's appearance remained shrouded in secrecy, an enigma to all.

Archon's earlier apprehension resurfaced, understanding why he had been wary of her from the start. Her aura exuded a distinct energy, akin to that of a savage beast. It transcended mere human presence, commanding strength and power. He knew of only a handful within the Blades who possessed such formidable prowess. Thus, it came as a shock that an individual of her caliber had chosen to aid him—a fact that raised suspicions in his mind.

Archon was taken aback, rendered speechless. The name "Raven" was known to all, an infamous assassin of unparalleled strength and a shadowy figure whose identity remained a mystery. The Raven was said to have never failed to eliminate targets, leaving no survivors in their wake. Archon's initial suspicions about Lady Zina's true nature suddenly felt justified.

"Why are you helping me if you're an assassin?" Archon asked, his wariness still present.

Lady Zina's smile remained, albeit tinged with intrigue. "Because you seem intriguing," she replied. "I have a proposition for you. Trust me or not, but I can make you the strongest Blade."

Archon couldn't fully trust her, knowing the potential threat she was. However, he decided to take a chance, knowing that his path with the Blades had led him nowhere. Perhaps this time, things would be different.

"I don't trust you," Archon admitted, "but I have one request. Please train me."

Lady Zina laughed heartily, patting Archon on the shoulder. "That was my intention all along. Trust is not necessary, but I will mold you into a formidable warrior. Rest tonight, for tomorrow, I will show you something remarkable. It's not safe here in the Beast Forest, and we must remain vigilant."

With their conversation concluded, doubts lingered in Archon's mind. Lady Zina held some deep-rooted grudge against royals like him, yet she was willing to help him. He resolved to take each step cautiously, embracing whatever awaited him on this new path. Perhaps this time, things would unfold differently than they had with the Blades.

*****

A few days passed, and Archon found himself seated beside a serene stream in the forest. With Lady Zina in front of him, he assumed a cross-legged position, attempting to follow her instructions diligently. She was teaching him how to harness a special energy known as Ki, or the world energy.

"Ki energy permeates everything around us, from nature to our own bodies," Lady Zina explained. "It is the life force that empowers us, expressing itself through the mind and body. When harnessed, it grants us inner strength, vitality, and calmness. Ki can be utilized in numerous ways, including enhancing our physical abilities."

Archon listened intently, absorbing Lady Zina's teachings. He focused on calming his mind, taking slow deep breaths, and connecting his consciousness to his core. Lady Zina emphasized the importance of attuning oneself to the flow of Ki and becoming one with the world energy.

"Ki is like water, let it flow"

As days passed, Archon dedicated himself to cultivating his Ki. He could perceive the energy entering his body from the surrounding atmosphere, gradually coalescing near his heart. This was his core, where the Ki energy gathered, forming a white sphere roughly the size of an adult's clenched fist. It was a sight both fascinating and beautiful.

Typically, only mages could form a core using mana, a different kind of energy. Yet here Archon was, creating a core from Ki energy. Observing Lady Zina, he noticed that she too possessed a Ki core, although hers appeared smaller yet filled with immense energy, almost solid in nature.

Archon focused on refining his core, following Lady Zina's guidance diligently. His determination surged within him, sensing that this breakthrough held the key to his growth. As he absorbed the Ki energy at an astonishing rate, his core began to shrink, compressing as it greedily devoured more energy. After about three days, the absorption slowed, but Archon's core underwent a transformation.

In place of the spherical ball of Ki, a small white flame flickered. The atmosphere around Archon seemed to shift, as waves of energy radiated from his body. Lady Zina felt a momentary surge of pressure, yet she merely smiled.

"This is intriguing," Lady Zina remarked. "You have achieved the legendary Flaming Core in just few days."

Archon opened his eyes, a glint of white light briefly shining within them. "I feel refreshed," he said, his voice filled with newfound strength. "And stronger."

He stood up, flexing his muscles, reveling in the flow of Ki energy coursing through his body. Eager to test his newfound power, Archon reached for his sword, but Lady Zina interrupted him.

"I'm impressed that you attained the Flaming Core and comprehended Ki in such a short time," Lady Zina commented. "However, there is something peculiar. Your core seems weaker, as if suppressed by something."

Concern washed over Archon's face. He didn't want his hopes to be shattered once again, not when things had finally started to look promising.

Lady Zina reassured him. "There's no need to worry. When we reach the village, the Grandmaster will examine you."

"The Grandmaster?" Archon repeated, his curiosity piqued.

Numerous questions flooded his mind, from the purpose of their journey to the nature of his Flaming Core. However, he understood that asking Lady Zina would yield few answers, if any at all.

"I suppose I'll have to wait until I meet this Grandmaster," Archon thought to himself. "I wonder if he is as formidable as my father."

For now, he resolved to be patient. He had already begun reaping the rewards of following Lady Zina, and he embraced the prospect of what lay ahead. With his Flaming Core ablaze, Archon felt a flicker of hope ignite within him, illuminating the path to his destiny.