## **Chapter 14 – The Blade That Cuts the Soul**
Chapter 14 – The Blade That Cuts the Soul
The heavy iron doors of the Admiralty Council chamber creaked as they opened. Vice Admiral Doberman entered, his coat torn, eyes haggard with strain. The faint smell of ashes lingered — a reminder of the failed mission weighing down on his shoulders.
The atmosphere of the room was tense and oppressive. At the end of the long table before him sat Fleet Admiral Kaizen, motionless and inscrutable. To his right stood Admiral Reyes, calm and composed; and Admiral Terizla, his anger evident in his clenched jaw. And the other Admirals...
"Report," Kaizen said, his voice heavy enough to stiffen Doberman's spine.
Doberman bowed. "Mission in the northern town... failed, sir. Target escaped."
A sharp crack — Terizla's fist — echoed through the chamber. "You cornered the kid, Doberman! How did you let him escape?"
Doberman didn't raise his eyes. "He was faster... and stronger than expected. His inner power adapted immediately, sir — we couldn't make sense of it."
Reyes crossed his arms, his voice calm but sharp. "Are you saying his power awakened that quickly?"
"Yes, sir," Doberman replied. "And... Robin is lost. We searched the area, but there's no trace. He may have been captured or—"
Kaizen's hand lifted, silencing him. His piercing eyes narrowed. "Enough. I understand."
There was silence for a long moment. The flickering candlelight reflected in Kaizen's eyes, making them look like burning coals.
"The kid…" Kaizen finally spoke, his tone almost curious. "You're saying he awakened his power immediately and easily defeated you?"
"Yes, sir," Doberman replied. "It wasn't elemental in the usual way. It felt ancient. Dangerous. Definitely a shadow force."
Reyes exhaled slowly. "We had to take him alive. This complicates everything."
Terizla muttered, "That kid won't stay hidden for long. When we find him again, I'll finish him myself."
Kaizen leaned forward, propping his elbows on his knees. "No, Terizla. We'll capture him — not kill him. If what Doberman says is true, that boy might be the key to understanding what's coming."
Terizla gritted his teeth but said nothing more.
Kaizen turned his gaze toward Doberman. "You mentioned the other boy?"
Doberman swallowed hard. "There's no sign of him either, sir. Scouts reported seeing the younger one with an old man. He might have intervened... otherwise Robin wouldn't have been defeated so easily."
Kaizen's expression darkened. "An old man... this makes things difficult."
He looked to Reyes. "Fleet mobilization status?"
Reyes straightened. "Ready for deployment at your command."
Kaizen shook his head. "No. Not yet. Morde isn't a threat to the kingdom — not until he chooses to be. But his movements are to be monitored closely. I want reports from every outpost."
Then, almost as if speaking to himself, he added, "The boy and Morde... both appear at the same time. Two storms brewing silently."
He turned back toward the window that opened onto the ocean. Moonlight spilled like silver threads across the polished floor.
"Find them both," he ordered. "Alive, if possible. I want answers before this world crumbles."
Reyes nodded. Terizla cracked his knuckles. "If we fail again, Admiral—"
Kaizen cut him off sharply. "You will not fail."
The meeting ended. Doberman stepped back with a mixture of relief and fear. The door closed behind him, leaving Kaizen alone with the whispers of the sea breeze.
Training Ground – Spirit Sword
Under the clear sky, Kai faced the old master. A light mist had covered the training grounds, wrapping them in a pale shroud. The third stage had begun — Spirit Sword.
The old man's voice was calm but heavy. "This is the hardest part, Kai. Until now, you've only used energy as assistance. But this... this will require your very soul."
Kai wiped the sweat from his brow. "I'm ready."
"No one is ready," the old man replied, shifting his staff. "But you must begin anyway."
Then it came — a golden blast of light burst forth, the air crackling with energy. Kai felt the world collide as his spiritual energy surrounded him, drawing him into a trance-like state. He could hear whispers — echoes of forgotten memories, fears that clawed at him from within.
"Focus!" the old man's voice boomed through the storm. "Your soul is not your enemy, but it will test you! The Soul Sword can only be born through acceptance!"
Kai screamed as a wave of pressure hit him. His body trembled, his aura quivering violently. "I can't control it!"
"Then stop trying to control it!" the old man roared. "You must become it!"
Kai fell to his knees, his heartbeat pounding like war drums. Slowly, he closed his eyes. He let go — anger, fear, doubt all melted away. For a moment, there was silence.
And then... a hum.
A faint blue light gathered in his hand. It flickered at first, then grew sharper, purer — forming the shape of a sword. The energy pulsed in rhythm with his breath.
The old man smiled softly and lowered his staff. "Good... now you feel it."
Kai rose to his feet, his eyes glowing faintly. "It feels alive."
"It is," the old man said. "That sword is your soul. It will grow as you grow. When you master it, Kai... you'll be able to cut more than flesh."
He stepped closer, voice dropping to a whisper.
"You will cut the soul itself."
Kai gripped the sword, its light reflecting in his eyes. The ground beneath him cracked as energy surged outward.
He took a stance. "Then I'll master it."
"Show me," the old man said.
They clashed — light against will. Sparks of soul energy scattered across the field. Each of Kai's strikes grew more fluid, more controlled. Every movement synchronized with his heartbeat, until at last, he moved without hesitation.
The sword sang.
When the dust settled, Kai stood motionless, the Soul Sword glowing steadily in his hand. The old man smiled. "You did it."
Kai exhaled slowly, his gaze filled with awe and exhaustion. "So this is... what true power feels like."
The master interrupted. "No. It's just a door. True power lies beyond it."
Kai looked down at his hand as the blade dissolved into light. Deep within, a new power stirred — dangerous yet beautiful.
And far away, in a dark hall, Impernos whispered to himself:
"What was that feeling... I just sensed?"