Power of Zero

The air in the courtyard felt thick with the weight of expectation. Cipher stood with the Twin Stars in his hands, the cold, fluid silver of the blades glinting in the early morning light. His body ached from the relentless weeks of training, and though his muscles screamed in protest, there was a quiet certainty in his movements now—a kind of controlled energy that hadn't been there before.

Yuri stood across from him, her posture straight and commanding as ever, but there was something in the way she watched him now. A shift. A hint of approval, or perhaps the expectation that today would be the culmination of everything he had learned.

The training had been brutal. Every day, every hour had been spent refining his body and mind, learning to listen to the blades, to the subtle cues his body gave him when he was on the verge of failure. But today, it was different. Today, he had to prove that he was ready for the next step.

Yuri's voice broke the silence, sharp and direct. "Are you ready?"

Cipher didn't respond right away. Instead, he took a deep breath, feeling the familiar weight of the Twin Stars settle into his grip. The silver handles seemed to ripple beneath his hands, as though the metal itself were alive, shifting and moving in subtle waves. The blades, white and shimmering with an inner sparkle, were an extension of his body now. They weren't just tools; they were part of him.

He nodded slowly, his blindfold tightly secured over his eyes, as it had been for weeks now. The lack of sight no longer hindered him. It had become second nature to rely on his senses, his instincts.

Yuri didn't wait for him to speak. In a fluid motion, she closed the distance between them, striking fast and with precision. Her blade came at him from the right, aiming for his torso. Cipher reacted without thinking, his right Twin Star meeting hers in a clash that sent a shockwave through his arms.

He gritted his teeth, focusing on the sensation in his hands, feeling the balance of the sword, the delicate hum of intent that flowed through it. The Twin Stars responded differently than any blade he had ever wielded. The handles shifted in his grip like living metal, flowing beneath his fingers, as if they were guiding his hand. The blades, sharp and flawless, became sharper the more focused his intent was on cutting through the air.

Cipher's right blade slid forward, a fluid motion, cutting through the space where Yuri had been. But she was already moving, sidestepping, and countering with a high, downward arc aimed at his shoulder. Cipher ducked instinctively, his left blade coming up to deflect the strike.

The blades sparkled, the shimmering white of the metal catching the light as they moved in a blur. He wasn't just swinging them; he was feeling them, responding with the speed and precision of a fighter who had spent years in battle. But there was still hesitation in his actions. A part of him was afraid. Afraid to harm her. Afraid to fully commit to the cut.

"I'm not going to break," Yuri said, her voice steady but firm. "You need to commit, Cipher. If you hesitate, it will cost you."

He knew she was right. The battle was mental as much as it was physical. The longer he hesitated, the more his movements slowed. He couldn't afford to hold back. Not now.

He took another deep breath, focusing on the intent of the cut. The Twin Stars responded almost immediately. He could feel the blades sharpen, the edges becoming razor-thin as his thoughts cleared and his body moved with purpose. With a swift motion, Cipher thrust forward, using his right blade to push Yuri's sword aside and driving the tip of his left blade toward her side.

Yuri's eyes widened just slightly—only enough to show that she hadn't expected the speed—but she parried with ease, stepping back to regain her footing. Cipher felt the moment slip away, but it didn't matter. He had done it. For the first time in this training, he had committed fully.

"Good," she said, breathing heavily but with a hint of satisfaction in her voice. "But there's still room for improvement. You're still holding back in your mind. Your body responds well, but your heart..." She paused, her eyes narrowing in thought. "You need to trust yourself more."

Cipher didn't speak, but he nodded. She was right. His heart was the problem. His hesitation, his fear of harming her, had clouded his intent. But now, as he stood there, his heart steady and his mind focused, he could feel the difference. The Twin Stars were more than just weapons; they were an extension of his intent, his will.

Yuri stepped back, dropping her stance. "That's enough for today. You've made progress."

Cipher lowered the blades, the weight of the Twin Stars still heavy in his hands. He stood for a moment, his chest rising and falling with his breath. There was a sense of completion in the air, but it wasn't the end.

"You're ready for the next phase of your training," Yuri said. "I've taught you what I can. You've learned how to fight with intent. But you still need more. And that's where Axel comes in."

Cipher's heart skipped a beat at the mention of Axel's name. He had heard rumors of the man—someone who was as much a mystery as a legend—but he had no idea what to expect. Magic, cooking, and other skills were all part of what he would learn next. But this wasn't just about learning to fight anymore. It was about mastering every aspect of his being.

"Magic?" Cipher asked, uncertainty creeping into his voice.

"Among other things," Yuri replied. "But first, you'll have to train your mind. There's more to combat than just the body."

Cipher nodded, the weight of her words sinking in. He had learned a lot from Yuri, but this was just the beginning. Axel's training would take him even further.

He stood up straighter, the realization of his own growth settling over him. He had made it this far. And now, he would keep pushing forward, no matter what came next.