Chapter 11 – Road to Reverb
The wind was still as the trio walked on the edge of the forest trail, packs slung over their shoulders, Gage Village Vanishing behind them. The days of grieving and rebuilding had passed, and now a new path lay ahead—one that promised not only answers but growth.
Atlas adjusted his bag. "So where are we going again?"
Kazuki turned his head slightly, his covered eyes facing the path ahead. "The Sword Kingdom. Reverb."
Kaze raised a brow. "Yeah, you mentioned it. But… what even is that?"
Kazuki was quiet for a moment, then spoke in his low, rough tone. "Reverb is a kingdom built on blade and discipline. No flashy magic towers. Just swords, tradition, and skill. It's where the strongest swordsmen are born and trained. I was born in a small village there—on the outskirts. Poor place. Quiet. But the people? Tough."
Atlas scratched the back of his head. "And we're going there… why again?"
Kazuki continued walking. "To visit my master. He trained me to survive without sight. He knows more about the blade than anyone alive. If anyone can help sharpen your skills… it's him."
Kaze narrowed his eyes. "So we're going to get stronger."
Kazuki nodded once. "Exactly. Strong enough to survive what's coming."
They continued down the dirt path, branches crunching underfoot. The mood was heavier now—less joking, more focus.
"So," Atlas piped up, "how far is this capital?"
"A few weeks," Kazuki replied. "Depends on how many idiots try to kill us along the way."
"Probably a lot," Kaze muttered. "We seem to attract the worst kinds of people."
They walked for hours. When the sun began to dip, they found a clearing near a river to make camp. The night air was cool, but the fire they built kept them warm.
While Atlas roasted some fish, Kazuki quietly sharpened his knife. Kaze watched the rhythmic scrape of blade against stone. There was something calming about it.
"You said Reverb trains swordsmen, right?" Kaze asked. "Do they rank them like mages?"
Kazuki gave a faint smile under the bandages. "Yeah. They don't care about flashy titles. You either prove yourself, or you don't. Their ranks are simple: Beginner, Intermediate, Sword Master, Destroyer… and something above that. No one knows what it's called. People just call it the ??? Rank. Only a few are said to reach it. Most don't live long enough to try."
Atlas looked up, frowning. "That's ominous as hell."
Kaze snorted. "What kind of name is 'Destroyer'? Sounds like a wrestler."
Kazuki cracked a rare smirk. "That's what it feels like to fight one."
They finished dinner, and the fire crackled softly between them.
Kazuki leaned back, arms folded. "When I was a kid, I thought Reverb was a myth though I lived there it was to crazy to imagine. Then I got stronger. Now I know it's real—and if you're serious about protecting anything, you'll need the kind of strength it can offer."
Kaze looked into the flames. His expression was unreadable. "Good. I'm tired of being weak."
⸻
The next morning, they were ambushed.
A group of cloaked figures stepped from the trees, blocking the road with blades drawn. One of them spoke.
"No one passes through this route without paying tribute. Leave your weapons and gold."
Kaze's hands sparked with wind. "I'd rather leave your face in the dirt."
Kazuki stood, calm as always. "They're not worth talking to."
Atlas groaned. "Of course. First day of travel and we're already getting jumped."
The forest erupted in battle.
Kaze's wind sliced through branches and cloth alike. Atlas fought defensively, using water magic to deflect blows. But it was Kazuki who moved like death. Silent. Precise. His knife danced between ribs and throats, each step controlled by sound, breath, and instinct.
By the time it ended, the cloaked men were either unconscious or gone.
Kaze panted. "You're scary, man."
Kazuki wiped his blade clean. "You should see my master."
As they resumed their journey, the road to Reverb stretched long and uncertain. But now, they walked it with purpose—and a growing bond that even death couldn't break.
⸻
End of Chapter 11