“Augh!!” Raull’s scream reverberates over the crackle of flames. His ax drops into the dirt a few inches beside Axel’s head. Raull stumbles backwards, a large piece of broken glass protrudes from his knuckles. Mud splatters on his forehead, he cautiously opens his eyes. Through slit blurry vision, a distant shadow stands illuminated by the high flames behind him.

“Even with all that practice you still end up on the ground.” A toneless voice fills Axel’s ears. He lifts his head, the shadow shimmers into Ryo’s outline. “Easily falling for a taunt? You still have a lot to learn.”  Laidback, Ryo steps over a few fallen bandits on the ground. Finn enters from behind another house and heads over to Theresa.

“Mr. Finn you’re okay, thank goodness.” A group of fighters breathe a sigh of unison relief.

“I’m glad we made it in time and that you are okay Axel.” Finn says. He turns his attention to the other vulnerable kids.  

“He is far from okay.” Ryo adds, arms crossed.

Weakened, Axel rises to his knees. Disbelief washes over his face unable to comprehend the scene. “Finn…and-“

“Dammit!” A loud roar bellows in the air. A blood-stained shard flies past them, shattering against a broken tree stump. “I thought I told someone to get rid of that man!?” His glares at the bandit group. They flinch from the deep anger. “Also, who the hell is this man!?” Raull points at Ryo.

J meekly approaches him. “Sir, that’s the man I told you about.”

“Grr!” He turns to J, who shudders under his murderous gaze. Raull raises his hand. “Let’s see how our new hero stands up to dirty tricks.”

Ryo steps forward but a woman’s whimper stops him. To Raull’s left two bandits drag a woman by her dress into the open. She’s covered in bruises and cuts on her arms and legs.

“Boss it seems she tried to stop us from taking some valuables. The result some rough treatment.” Both men throw the woman to the ground.

“Please…no…my husband’s…it’s all I have of him.” She whimpers facing the dirt.” The bandit steps on the woman’s hand. She lets out a piercing scream.

“I wouldn’t move another inch if I were you. I may have him break a bone or two.” Raull’s smug look casts his haughty attitude at Ryo.

“Why you!” Axel raises to one foot, from his side, an underling pulls him back into a headlock. The bandit keeps Axel’s arms behind him and another arm around his neck, locking him in place.

Fed up with everything, Raull slams his ax into the ground. “Apparently these maggots forgot their place! I will not tolerate insolence! We take what we want, when we want! Now because of this, I’m burning this whole place off the face of the earth! You can thank that little prick over there!” He points his ax directly at Axel.

J comes up behind Raull. “What about HIM? This is too much of loss revenue, he might get-” He whispers.

“I’m sure that old man can find another town to cypher resources from.” Raull snaps back then turns glares Ryo. “Now get out there at beat that punk into the ground!” He orders J to go after Ryo.

J motions his hand forward. A few bandits break away from the residents and surround Ryo. “I’m going to pay you back for what you did.” He motions to his wounded arm. One bandit comes from Ryo’s left, a sword raised to his throat. Ryo’s necklace catches the bandit’s attention, and he grins with satisfaction. “Now that is a treasure. I’m sure you won’t mind if I take if off your-gah!”

Barely finishing his sentence, a sharpen cedar wood sword pieces through the bandit’s left chest cavity. The other two back away surprised by the attack. The wounded bandit looks down. Blood trickles from the corner of his mouth and wound.

“Ahhhhh!” His screams catch everyone’s attention. Ryo pulls the sword out of the bandit’s chest. The shock wears off when the bandit buckles to the ground. “What are you waiting for? Attack!” J shouts his orders and other two lunge at Ryo from two different angles.

“No that’s impossible! How can a wooden sword piece through a body so cleanly!” A bandit calls out.

What they fail to realize, a low murmur rises from the crowd around them. For a moment, their captive audience caught a glimpse of something extraordinary. A move, an action, and a hope that they have long since thought was lost to the world. From Ryo’s wrist, a bracelet emits a faded green glow the same as Axel’s. Their reactions grew stronger among older residents. Finn nods with satisfaction.

Ryo spins with his feet over the dirt. Large green vine-like design spread from the wooden sword’s hilt to its blade tip. He brings his arm swing into an uppercut nailing one bandit’s midsection. He shifts his weigh to the right foot, kicking it upwards, leaping into the air. The height lifts him above the second attacker. Unnaturally, his body twists in the air leaving enough room to bring his strike downwards across the bandits back. They land hard onto the ground, motionless. In front of them, Ryo lands on both feet without breaking a sweat. A cold wind rushes over the ground. J takes a few steps back.

“Not possible.” Raull whispers under his breath.

Axel’s eyes fixate on Ryo’s. An icy cold darkness devoid of light swirls within his pupils. Shivers jolt down his spine. Unable to look away, he shakes his head. Looking again, Ryo’s eyes return to their normal color. Other bandits approach Ryo from all sides, ready to take him down with numbers. J also joins in with a short sword. Finn slides a few steps backwards, unsheathing a sword from a wood pile.

“That piece of wood won’t last long. Not with your strength. Try something a bit stable.” Finn tosses the sword in the air. Ryo releases his first weapon and raises his open hand, catching the new sword in midair. The silver blade glistens, reflecting from the smaller fires around him. A greenish dust circles up the blade.

“No! This shouldn’t be happening!” Raull holds up his ax, desperation building. “He is only one man! Finish him now!”

In unison they all lunge for Ryo. Crouching down, Ryo slides his right foot back kicking up a dust. It explodes outwards into a dust cloud blinding the onlookers and the attackers. Loud metallic clangs reverberate within the dust. Everything settles into a hush, all the bandit’s sword crosses each other however, Ryo’s disappeared. Footsteps rush up behind two bandits, they turn in time to counter Ryo’s swing attack. Forward momentum helps him over power them. He brings the sword down slashing them across the chest. Attacks weakened by wood, grew in strength when used with steel.

Both fall simultaneously but the others try to attack with Ryo’s off guard. He stomps his heels on the ground bringing the sword into an upward slash. Sparks ignite from the metal sword contact, shattering the left bandit’s sword in two. One by one each attack fails to hit its mark. Twisting the last bandit’s sword downwards, Ryo slams into him full force. The impact sends the bandit hand into the ground, knocking him unconscious. Whispers rise among the enemy.

“Wounded or not, that man’s a monster.” One bandit speaks.

“Who is this man?” J grunts under his breath. He steps forward. “Forget this. I’m going to pay you back for what happened before.” His grip tightens to prepare for a full strike.

Ryo continues his defense against relentless onslaught from the enemy, but they can’t overpower him with their numbers. Soon, only J and the last grunt bandit remained. He swings his blade sideways creating a shimmering shadow thrown between them. Both of their swords break in two and they fall back onto the ground, a shocked look frozen on their faces. Why did they fall? They weren’t hint!  Confusion ripples through the bandits with fear gripping their bodies. Barely out of breath, Ryo straightens himself up and faces Raull.

Raull sneers. Undeterred by the overwhelming presence, Ryo raises his sword, locking eyes with Raull. He breaks his eye contact first, noticing that the muscles in his legs tremble slightly.

“What?” He thinks to himself. “This punk is making me tremble? Me, the executioner? Impossible!”

Sweat runs down Raull’s forehead, dripping off his nose. His grit teeth turn into a suspicious smirk. “That other brat now!” He commands the bandit restraining Axel.

The bandit drags Axel in front of Raull, shifting him onto his feet. The ax hooks around Axel’s neck. “Any closer and the boy dies.” The feel of cold steel touches Axel’s throat, renewing the sense of urgency to struggle and break free. Around him everything fades into a blur. However, a voice pierces through his senses.

“Are you going to died here?” It says quietly.  

“Huh?” Axel glances up, his vision focuses on Ryo. Weird, his mouth isn’t moving. Where did the voice come from?

A sword flies in front of his eyes, landing blade first into the ground at Axel’s feet.

“Are you going to died here?” Ryo’s voice overlaps with the same one from his mind. “Where is the resolve in your strength. Don’t you want to defend this place? Your home?”  

“What’s going on?” It’s not possible. A sense of familiarity, and a connection between him and Ryo. Both of their bracelets shine a faded green then it fades away. His mind snaps out of this momentarily confusion, latching onto Ryo’s important words.

“The Strength of my…” Axel whispers.

In the back of his mind a shadow figure materializes in front him. The figure raises a hand, pointing at him. It’s a tall man with a cape hanging off his shoulders.

“Who are you, Axel? Someone who fights against injustices? Or someone who will just give up? Do you have the power to become the sword of the world?” A deep voice echoes in his thoughts. An unknown warmth fills his chest, spreading to his entire being. The words ignite the fire of fighting. “Get up and take your first steps into the world!”

A silver light shimmers runs up Axel’s body. Ryo and Finn both manage to catch a glimpse of it. Tightening his hands in fists, Axel throws his head backwards, slamming it into Raull’s chin. The force catches the bandit off guard, freeing Axel from his grasp. Quickly, Axel rolls forward, snatching the sword up, landing back onto his feet. Catching fresh air into his lunges, he straightens up, wiping the blood and sweat from his face. He glances at Ryo, who returns with no expression of his own. Ready to continue, Axel gets back into an offensive battle position. A renewed energy swells up within him. Around his feet, a light breeze gathers in a circle.

“I will get stronger! I’m going to drive you evil beings from this place! I’m going to become the sword that protects!” Axel declares.