I sat on the same spot as yesterday, I followed each step carefully, but there was more to forget now—even the piercing rays of the sun.
But there was one difference bigger than all—
I knew my essence.
'Are you ready to try it again?' The voice echoed through the same dark, empty space.
'Always been!'
'Focus—it's coming now!'
The exact same motions were followed—there was no variation to the one before.
How much has he practiced his essence control in his previous life...
But I was able to notice something now, something I couldn't see before.
'So tell me, Tjer, what can you see?'
'This is not mine.'
"It's not my essence."
'...whose is it then?'
'It's yours.'
'Hahahahaha, you're right! Well done kid.'
'Tell me then—what is your essence, and what forms your body?'
'My essence is to survive—to keep on living, and I need my sister to achieve that dream!'
'And your body?'
'Everything I've built up.'
'From the knowledge I have gained, to the techniques I've learned—even the experiences I've lived through.'
'Now WAKE UP! And swing your sword, Tjer!'
'Make your body known, make your essence known, and make yourself known!'
I opened my eyes, with my hands already on the hilt next to me.
I stood up, and lift my sword along with me.
The clattering of my scabbard sounded on the cobblestone, preluding the sound of my blade that sliced the air.
'Tjer, picture each swing you take—see all the training sessions you went through, all the walls you climbed, and everytime you've shown your essence!'
'Now strike!'
I couldn't hear anything the voice said.
All I saw was the young me—copying the moves of my dad.
I swung—each step I made, each strike I've taken, each sword I've deflected, and each time my essence was used.
I could feel the essence inside me spread out—creating a path for it to flow fluidly.
Each and every time I have used my moves, and each and every time I will use my moves—I could see it all spread through my body.
My own realm was being created.
I woke up again.
"Huffffffff" I was out of breath, as if I had been underwater.
My chest felt tight, but my body felt well,
I felt it then.
It went well.
Unable to hold my balance any longer, I sat back down.
As soon as my weight spread over the floor—everything in sight darkened.
I did too much... a little rest would be nice...
I could feel my consciousness drift away into a similar place to before. But I wasn't alone.
'Nice to meet you, young ..... Tjer.'
...
'I'm glad that I could finally reach you...'
'It saddens me deeply, knowing that you will wake up unable to remember any of it.'
'But remember... please search for me—find me...'
I woke up again, the sun had not moved an inch, and no one had come.
How long did I sleep?
'It wasn't even a minute...'
'Wait... really? I feel completely recovered—as if nothing even happened.'
'That's probably because of your essence—it's truly unfair.'
'You haven't taken a look at your essence right?'
I leaned back on my hands,
'Not yet... should I do it then?'
'Yes take a look, you already know how—I won't guide you again.'
'Thank you, you've done enough already, I can handle this myself.'
'Hahaha, good luck then.'
I sat cross-legged as I closed my eyes.
I followed the same breathing as before—it started to feel natural—feeling myself drawn to the depth faster than before.
I found myself falling again, but it was different.
I wasn't greeted by the cold darkness from before—no. It was by a warm light.
The darkness itself had lightened up.
I could see everything—from the formed core to the paths that spread out, reaching every corner of my body.
And those paths —I could see it.
There were my experiences.
Each move I had shown, it had all been ingrained—it had become part of my essence.
And no matter how small those paths were—a bit bigger than the paths the voice showed me, just over a hair's width—it didn't matter to me.
All that mattered was that it was mine.
It was all of me that had been laid bare.
This is my realm.
I opened my eyes back up, and was met by the voice.
'So how was it?'
'It was... amazing.'
'But the paths were still small.'
'That is something only time can improve, so don't dwell too much on it.'
'Ah of course not. I'm just happy with whatever I achieved just now...' I smiled up at the bright sky,
'It won't destroy me anymore.'
'Yes indeed. Your essence will not be your death anymore... I'm happy for you, Tjer.'
'I think we should leave now... we have just four hours before dark.' Having seen the sun that had approached the third quarter of its cycle.
'You are right, you should get your sister.'
I stood up and rushed over to the room, I could feel myself run faster than before.
Each step I took felt heavier as it reverberated through my legs.
I almost felt as if I flew over the stairs.
"Mim let's leave now."
"I'm coming~" She jumped out of bed and followed me.
"Sir, we are leaving." I said as we walked past him.
I looked down at Mim who hid behind my arm.
"Hope you'll come back!" He showed a smile similar to the one from our arrival.
Ten seals are too much...
We got the carriage readied, and were ready to leave,
"Mim, there is forest south of here right?"
"Yes?" She held the map.
"Does it continue all the way to Kage?" I asked, sitting opposite of her.
"It does! Have you been there before?"