The golden sun hung low in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the ancient training grounds of Mount Akatsuki. The once-calm mountain air now crackled with tension as Blade, Kagami, Kibito, Suntaro, and Majinto stood before five ancient stone pillars, each marked with glowing inscriptions.
Dangoichi Haruka, the eccentric yet formidable Emperor of Mount Akatsuki, stood at the center, his staff planted firmly in the ground, his sharp eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"You've all witnessed glimpses of your Myou, your inner aura," he began, his voice carrying through the open clearing. "But seeing it isn't enough. Mastering it is what separates a warrior from a fool with a blade."
Blade clenched his fist, the memory of the lightning strike from the trial sword still fresh in his mind. It wasn't just power rejecting him—it was something more. Something deeper.
Suntaro stretched, smirking. "Well, if I'm the only one who's got their Primary Myou unlocked, does that mean I get to skip training?"
Dangoichi grinned.
WHACK!
His staff slammed into Suntaro's forehead, sending him flying backward.
Suntaro hit the ground, groaning. "W-WHAT THE HELL, OLD MAN?!"
Kibito, barely containing his laughter, snorted. "That never gets old."
Dangoichi twirled his staff. "Your Myou is weak, boy. Having access to it doesn't mean you can control it."
Suntaro grumbled, rubbing his head. "Still feels pretty damn strong to me…"
Dangoichi turned to the rest of them. "As of now, Suntaro is the only one who can use Primary Myou. But to master it, you must know it. Every living being has aura, but warriors like us mold it into something greater. That is called Myou. And if you don't understand your own, you will never be accepted by the Phoenix Order."
Blade narrowed his eyes. "So how do we master it?"
Dangoichi smirked. "Simple. You fight it."
---
The Five Shadows – Blade's Trial Begins
The five stone pillars began to glow in synchronization, pulsating with an eerie energy. The ground beneath them trembled.
Dangoichi gestured toward the pillars. "Step inside the circle. Your own Myou will emerge and fight you. If you lose, you die. If you win, you begin to master it."
Silence.
Suntaro frowned. "Did you say die?"
Dangoichi grinned. "Yep."
Kibito gulped. "You really gotta stop saying that with a smile."
Majinto smirked. "Sounds fun."
Blade exhaled sharply and stepped forward.
The moment he entered the circle, the air thickened, becoming dense with energy. The inscriptions on the pillars flared to life, and suddenly—
BOOM!
The ground cracked open, and five shadowy figures emerged, forming a semi-circle around Blade.
Each one looked exactly like him.
But their auras were different.
One radiated blistering flames, the ground beneath its feet scorched with every step.
Another rippled like water, its movements fluid and elusive.
A third exuded an ancient, earthy power, vines creeping along its arms.
The fourth moved with the speed of the wind, barely visible, flickering in and out of sight.
And the last one crackled with pure lightning, its entire body illuminated by electric arcs.
Kibito's eyes widened. "Wait… FIVE?! We only had to fight one!"
Even Dangoichi's amused grin faltered slightly. "Well now… that's unexpected."
Blade's heart pounded as he realized the truth.
"These aren't just Myou reflections… these are the five dragons sealed within Kamikaze."
The five versions of himself slowly lifted their swords, mirroring his stance.
Then—
They attacked all at once.
---
Blade vs. The Five Elements
CLANG!
Blade barely had time to block the flaming Myou's strike before a gust of wind sent him flying backward.
BOOM!
The lightning Myou appeared behind him instantly, slamming an electrified punch into his back.
Blade rolled across the ground, coughing violently as his body sizzled from the impact.
They're too fast.
He pushed himself up—only for the water Myou to liquefy, reforming behind him, slashing downward.
SHINK!
Blood splattered against the dirt as Blade felt a deep cut slice across his shoulder.
Kagami's hands clenched into fists, watching from the sidelines. "Blade…!"
Suntaro gritted his teeth. "This is crazy. I fought one Myou and barely won. How the hell is he supposed to fight five?!"
Dangoichi, despite his initial surprise, stroked his beard. "If he fails, it means Kamikaze has rejected him."
Kibito scowled. "And if he dies?"
Dangoichi exhaled. "Then he was never meant to wield that sword in the first place."
---
Blade's Awakening – The Understanding of Myou
Blade gripped Kamikaze tighter, breathing heavily as the five Myou circled him like wolves.
"I can't fight them like this. I'm reacting to their attacks instead of controlling the battle."
The earth Myou stomped the ground, causing thick vines to shoot upward, wrapping around Blade's legs.
Blade's eyes widened. I can't move—!
The fire Myou dashed forward, blade igniting.
The killing blow was coming.
Blade took a deep breath.
Then—
He closed his eyes.
---
Kibito yelled. "What the hell is he doing?! He's not even fighting back!"
Majinto smirked. "No… he's feeling it."
Suntaro blinked. "Feeling what?"
Majinto's smirk widened. "The rhythm of his Myou."
---
The Turning Point
Blade exhaled, his heartbeat slowing.
He could feel it.
The fire's heat. The water's calm. The wind's speed. The earth's strength. The lightning's surge.
They weren't attacking him.
They were testing him.
His fingers curled around Kamikaze.
I understand now.
His eyes snapped open, now glowing a brilliant gold.
At that moment—
He moved faster than ever before.
---
The Counterattack
The fire Myou lunged—but Blade sidestepped, slashing upward, cutting through its flames.
The wind Myou appeared behind him—but Blade's body twisted effortlessly, deflecting its attack with his blade.
Lightning surged toward him—but this time, Blade was ready.
He slammed Kamikaze into the ground—and for the first time, the entire mountain shook.
BOOOOM!
A shockwave of energy erupted from his body, sending all five Myou flying backward.
Dangoichi's eyes widened. "Well, I'll be damned."
Kibito's jaw dropped. "Since when could he do that?!"
---
The End of the Trial
The five Myou figures slowly faded into golden energy, dissolving into the air.
Blade stood in the center of the stone circle, panting. His sword, Kamikaze, was humming softly, the blade glowing faintly.
Dangoichi chuckled. "Now that is the first step to mastering Myou."
Blade exhaled, staring at his sword. Kamikaze… is this what you wanted me to see?
Dangoichi turned to the rest of the group. "Alright. Who's next?"
Suntaro and Kibito immediately took a step back.
Majinto stretched. "I'll go."
Kagami sighed, stepping forward. "Me too."
Blade sheathed his sword, looking up at the
Sky
---
To Be Continued…