Trials of Destiny: Way of The Sword

After hours of traveling, Jin slowly awoke to find Luna resting against him, her breathing soft and peaceful. He carefully shifted her, making sure not to disturb her sleep, then rose and retrieved his tanto. Moving quietly, he joined Brom, who was sitting nearby, watching the road ahead.

"You mentioned the Lion Clan's territory was cursed," Jin began, glancing sideways at Brom. "Last time I saw it, it was just ruins. Cursed sounds a bit… dramatic."

Brom gave a knowing chuckle. "A few rumors have surfaced, little stories here and there. They say people have seen a ghostly figure of a young man wandering the grounds, or a shadow that appears in a room only to vanish seconds later. Those are just the tame stories—the place has a darker reputation among the locals."

Jin frowned, exhaling slowly before asking, "Have there been any sightings of someone named 'Stella' around there?"

Brom's face grew serious. "Actually, yes. That name's come up more than once. They say she's dangerous—left ten bodies in her wake, last I heard, about three months back."

Jin's eyes widened, a momentary shock he quickly masked with a quiet nod.

Jin leaned forward, his gaze sharp as he considered Brom's words. "Ten bodies… you think that's true, or just more ghost stories?"

Brom scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Hard to say. But from the whispers I've heard, Stella's no myth. She's got a reputation around these parts—a skilled fighter, ruthless, and quick. But what's got people nervous is she doesn't leave a trace behind except for the bodies. That's not something most people can pull off."

Jin clenched his fists slightly, his mind racing. "If she's that dangerous, why hasn't anyone tried to stop her?"

Brom gave a half-smile, though his eyes were serious. "They did. But those who tried didn't come back, or if they did, they returned… different. I'm not sure if it's fear or respect, but no one wants to cross her path unless they have to. Some say she's after something hidden in the old clan's ruins, and saying that there's more there than just rubble."

"What could be worth all that bloodshed?" Jin asked, trying to mask his concern. "It was just an old clan stronghold, wasn't it?"

Brom shrugged. "Depends on who you ask. Some say there's a hidden relic, something tied to their ancient practices. Others think it's just a fool's errand, but people can't seem to stay away. For all we know, it could be nothing, but the rumors keep pulling folks in."

Jin was silent for a moment, glancing back to where Luna was still resting. "And Stella—does anyone know what she looks like?"

"Not exactly," Brom replied. "All people seem to agree on is that she's fast, with a kind of icy stare that stops you in your tracks. Beyond that, she's like a ghost—appearing and disappearing without warning."

Jin nodded slowly, "Damn… just what the hell have you been doing Stella?" He thought to himself before returning to the back of the caravan and sitting back down beside Luna.

After over a week of travel, the landscape around them started to shift. The rolling hills had grown rougher, and the trees were sparse, leaving stretches of open, rugged terrain. As the air grew colder, the looming cliffs in the distance felt almost like a warning.

Brom brought the caravan to a halt beside a small grove of trees, stepping down and stretching his arms. "We've still got a ways to go," he said, looking back at Jin. "At this pace, we're about a month out from the Lion Clan's old territory. Best to stop here for a few days and let the horses rest up properly."

Jin nodded, stretching as he took in the surroundings. "A month… Guess that gives us some time to prepare," he muttered quietly.

"The terrain gets tougher the closer you get, and people say the air itself has started to feel… heavier."

Jin frowned. "And no one's tried to set up camp or anything near it?"

"Not anymore," Brom said with a grim smile. "Used to be a few brave souls, treasure hunters mostly a few months ago. But now? It's only those with nowhere else to go, or those looking for something—someone—they lost."

Brom added "And be ready for those stories to start getting to you. Rumors, curses… they have a way of creeping in when you're on edge. Just remember, the worst thing out there might not be a ghost, but the ones who survived long enough to believe in them."

Jin sighed as he climbed out of the caravan, taking a deep breath before activating his Inner Conviction technique. His vision blurred momentarily, then shifted as he felt himself pulled inward, descending into the depths of his own mind. Within moments, he found himself standing in the familiar dark void of his consciousness, facing Belford—the stern, weathered figure who had become a reluctant guardian of his inner struggles.

It had been months since their last encounter, and the sight of Belford's tired expression stirred a pang of worry in Jin.

"So… how bad has it gotten?" Jin asked, his voice low, an edge of apprehension creeping in.

Belford crossed his arms and exhaled heavily, meeting Jin's gaze with a steady look. "I'll be honest, kid—it's not exactly good news. But you're not on the brink of dying or losing yourself. Not yet. So don't go worrying too much," he added, though his tone was far from reassuring.

Jin clenched his fists, sensing the hesitation in Belford's words. "What's the problem, then?"

Belford rubbed his temples, as though grappling with a difficult truth. "I've been holding it back—keeping this darkness at bay as best as I can. So far, I've managed. But… every time you use that cursed technique, it pushes us closer to a line I'm not sure we can come back from. It's like trying to dam a river that just keeps rising."

Jin's expression darkened, realizing the weight of what Belford was saying. "So it's a matter of time," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper. "How many more times can I use it?"

Belford looked at him grimly, his face etched with concern. "That's the problem. I don't know. Each time, it drains more than just your ki, more than just your strength—it chips away at something deeper. I'm holding it together for now, but… one day, one activation too many, and I won't be able to stop it."

Jin's eyes narrowed, feeling a chill run through him. "Then what happens? What if that line is crossed?"

Belford's gaze grew colder, a flicker of regret passing through his eyes. "If that day comes… you might lose control entirely. The darkness would take over, and I wouldn't be able to pull you back." He looked away, almost as if ashamed. "You'd become something… something monstrous."

Jin's breath caught, the weight of Belford's words sinking in. "So I've got a choice—use the power sparingly or risk losing myself."

Belford nodded solemnly. "Exactly. Don't let desperation drive you, kid. There's strength in restraint, too. Learn to rely on your own power first. If you keep throwing yourself into the dark, one day, it'll be the only thing you know."

Jin took a deep breath, clenching his fists to steady himself. "I understand, Belford. I'll be careful… but if it comes to it, I'll do what I have to, no matter the cost."

Belford's gaze softened just slightly. "I know you will, Jin. Just don't forget who you are in the process."

Jin's eyes snapped open, his hand instinctively reaching for his tanto as he stood. Just as he gripped the blade, he felt a menacing wave of ki hurtling toward the caravan, forcing the air around them into a tense silence. Ready to release his own energy in response, he suddenly sensed a powerful surge from behind him. Turning, he saw Brom, his entire body enveloped in a blazing red aura that pulsed with raw intensity.

Brom's steps were slow and deliberate, each one exuding a calm yet overwhelming presence. With a mere wave of his ki, the approaching energy shattered, dispersing into fragments as if it had never existed.

Alerted by the clash, Jin's companions rushed over, their eyes wide with shock. "What the hell is going on?" Riven called, her voice shaky as she stared at Brom, who radiated a power they hadn't known he possessed.

As Kade activated his Swiftless Feather technique, Brom raised a hand, releasing another burst of ki that surged outward, enveloping each of them in individual barriers. They pushed against the invisible walls, but Brom's ki held them firmly in place, forcing them to watch from the sidelines.

Brom turned to Jin, his gaze serious. "Jin," he said, his tone leaving no room for doubt, "it's time you learned the truth. I've been tasked with watching over you—training you in silence. Consider this lesson both a test and an explanation."

With that, he reached up, gripping the edge of his ragged shirt, tearing it off in one fluid motion. Beneath was a lean, scarred torso that spoke of countless battles, a body forged for combat. Each scar told its own story, a testament to his experience and resilience.

"I was sent by someone very specific," Brom continued, his voice steady and calm. "A 'family watch-over,' as they called it. They wanted me to make sure you kept your focus, kept up your training, and stayed on the right path." He gave a small, approving nod. "Think of me as your… guardian, though I'd call it more of a harsh guide."

Jin's expression darkened slightly, his stance shifting into a combat-ready position. He was no stranger to betrayal, and this revelation stung. But he knew better than to trust anyone blindly now. "If this is how you want to teach me, then let's settle it here," he said, his voice cold, ready to spring forward at the slightest hint of aggression.

Brom smirked, his eyes gleaming with a mixture of amusement and challenge. In a blink, he vanished, reappearing beside the caravan, where he extended his hand toward the horses. They melted into a dark mist, reforming into a single, long scythe that exuded an ominous, almost sentient aura. Hoisting the weapon onto his shoulder, Brom stepped back in front of Jin, his grin widening.

"This is my test, Jin," he said, his voice filled with anticipation. "Prove to me that all this time watching over you was worth it."

With that, Brom's aura flared even brighter, and he lunged, his scythe slicing through the air as their duel began in a thunderous clash of ki and steel.