The Soul Within
Thomas wiped sweat from his brow, muscles aching from days of brutal training. Combat drills, endurance runs, sparring with Luke had pushed him to the edge.
Then came the raven.
"Caw caw! The army has not moved! Caw caw! Compassion City has fallen! Caw caw! Sodom under siege!"
Silence fell.
A moment of mourning. A breath for the lives lost.
The bearded man spoke, voice low. "Raven, how long ago?"
"Caw caw! Three nights ago!"
The bearded man cursed under his breath. "It's a crucial time."
He turned to Thomas.
"The next part of your training won't be physical. It'll be mental."
Thomas sighed with relief. "Finally."
Luke nodded, equally exhausted.
"Come with me," the bearded man said.
He led Thomas to a dark room. No windows. No light.
"Go in."
Thomas stepped inside.
The door slammed shut.
Luke stared, stunned.
"You're not coming out," the bearded man called, "until you find yourself."
"What does that even mean?" Thomas shouted.
"Figure it out."
The bearded man walked away. Luke followed, glancing back one last time.
Inside, Thomas muttered, "He's lost his damn mind."
Then a whisper.
"Thomas…"
He froze.
"Thomas…"
He spun in a full circle. No one.
"Thomas!"
"Who's there?" he called.
"Close your eyes. Sit down."
Thomas hesitated. Then obeyed.
Darkness swallowed him.
The Mind of Thomas
He opened his eyes.
White tile. Endless space. The same dreamscape as before.
"What is this place?" he whispered.
Then the samurai appeared.
Thomas jumped to his feet.
"Aw hell naw. You again? This time I'm ready."
He raised his fists.
The samurai smiled. "No need, Thomas. I know everything about you."
"Who are you?"
"I am you."
"Your name's Thomas too?"
The samurai laughed. "No. I am your soul."
Thomas blinked. "Wait… what?"
"I've been with you since birth. I've seen your choices, your pain, your courage. You're not my first mortal but you've earned my respect. Even if you're a fool at times."
"Hey! I'm not an idiot. I just make dumb choices."
The samurai chuckled. "Fair enough. You're entertaining, Thomas. But more importantly you reached inside yourself to find me. That means something."
He stepped closer.
"I thought humanity was done. But you… you're different. You've sparked something. So get ready."
He drew his blade. The Blade had a pure platinum glow to it has it flared.
"The real training begins now."