CTS TIME: RE250.05.25 – 6:45 PM (Hikarashi Village Local Time)
LOCATION: Hikarashi Village – Under the Lantern Post, Overlooking the Sunset
The sun dipped low on the horizon, painting the Land of Blaze in fiery hues of red, orange, and gold. The sky burned with the last remnants of daylight as the village lanterns flickered to life, casting warm, golden light across the cobbled streets.
Serena, Jasper, Sienna, Ryuji, Aiko, and Kenshiro sat beneath an old lamp post, overlooking the village.
The day had been long—filled with battles, discoveries, and unanswered questions.
For the first time since their arrival, the air was peaceful.
Jasper stretched lazily, resting Dragonis beside him as he smirked.
"Alright, Kenshiro, you wanted to know about my sword?"
Kenshiro nodded, his Akarugan still glowing faintly, the memory of Jasper's overwhelming chakra still fresh in his mind.
Jasper grinned with pride and crossed his arms.
"Well then, let me tell you the legendary tale of the greatest swordsman—"
Before he could continue, Sienna cut him off effortlessly.
"Jasper wields a normal sword with a dragon spirit. His blade has a special mechanism—if enough power is used, the blade can burst from its hilt."
Ryuji and Aiko's eyes widened.
"Burst?!" Ryuji blurted out. "That's impossible! Just lifting it is already a nightmare!"
Aiko pointed at Kenshiro.
"Our sensei couldn't even make a scratch on it, and he's a Jonin!"
Kenshiro, still sore from the fight, sighed.
"No need to remind me."
Serena was about to explain how to burst a sword, but—
Sienna cut her off again.
"Yes, it's incredibly difficult to lift. And bursting it? Impossible, even for me. I can barely swing it."
Kenshiro shook his head, disbelief evident on his face.
"Swing? You mean you lifted that sword… in its entirety? I couldn't even move it an inch!"
Jasper leaned forward, resting his elbow on his knee, smirking.
"Sienna, since you apparently know everything, why don't you keep explaining?"
Sienna turned toward him with a calm, unreadable expression.
"I'm not a swordsman, Jasper. You are. So, why don't you tell them?"
Jasper opened his mouth—
But—
Sienna interrupted again.
"In Universe 07, this form of sword fighting is popularly known as 'Blading.'"
Jasper groaned audibly, dragging his hand down his face.
"Oh, COME ON!"
Ryuji and Aiko leaned in, fascinated.
"Blading?" Aiko echoed.
Sienna nodded.
"Yes. And within the sport of Blading, some swords are classified as Legendary. These weapons possess extraordinary abilities, far beyond normal swords. Some of the most famous include—"
She paused for effect before continuing.
"Venom Devolos, wielded by Blaze Deathbringer. Prime Apocalypse, wielded by Tenebris Thron. And, of course, the sword of the Five-time Diamond Champion, Florian Darkonomos —Great Fafnir."
The name "Blaze Deathbringer" made Serena freeze.
Her fingers instinctively tightened around Infernum.
Jasper, meanwhile, sulked.
"You didn't have to list everyone else. Just saying 'Jasper's the best' would've been fine."
Sienna ignored him completely.
"Many Bladers compete to prove their strength, but Jasper and Serena wield only normal swords. They are not classified as Legendary."
Kenshiro narrowed his eyes.
"Then why do their swords contain dragon spirits?"
Sienna glanced at him.
"That's what my research is trying to uncover."
Jasper, still annoyed, ran a hand through his hair.
"How the hell do you know more about Blading than me?"
Sienna didn't even look at him.
"Because I actually pay attention."
Serena, however, wasn't listening anymore.
Her mind was stuck on one word.
Blaze.
Kenshiro rubbed his chin, deep in thought.
"I understand the concept of Blading now. But why do these dragon spirits reside within swords?"
Sienna adjusted her holopad, bringing up a floating display of ancient mythology.
"According to the most well-documented myths, dragons once roamed freely. However, something—or someone—sealed them within weapons. There is no definitive proof of this story, but even modern science cannot fully explain how Bladers resonate with their dragons, or how they grow exponentially stronger over time."
Kenshiro's gaze darkened.
"And how strong can Bladers become?"
Sienna didn't hesitate.
"Planet destruction. Maybe even galaxy level. Some theorize they could reach multi-star level, but there has never been recorded proof."
Kenshiro sat in silence for a moment.
He had thought he understood power.
But this?
This was on a completely different scale.
Ryuji and Aiko, still wide-eyed, turned toward Jasper.
"So, you could destroy a planet if you wanted to?!" Ryuji asked excitedly.
Jasper shrugged.
"Dunno. Never tried. I don't really go around swinging my sword at planets."
Serena finally snapped out of her trance when Sienna turned to her.
"Serena," Sienna said calmly. "I've been scanning this entire planet since we arrived."
Serena's heart skipped a beat.
"And?"
Sienna exhaled slowly, adjusting her holopad.
"There is no sign of Blaze's energy anywhere in Hikarashi Village. I've checked from the moment we arrived. If he was here, there is no trace of him now."
CRACK.
Serena's heart shattered.
The entire sunset, the warmth, the conversations—everything vanished into nothing.
Her fingers trembled around Infernum's hilt.
She had spent days chasing him.
Through space, through hyperspace, through an entirely different universe.
And now…
Nothing?
Jasper, for once, was serious.
He saw the way Serena's entire body stiffened, the way her breath hitched.
Without hesitation, he reached out and placed a firm hand on her shoulder.
"We'll find him," he said softly.
Serena didn't respond.
The wind howled, carrying the scent of burning embers through the air.
Sienna lowered her gaze slightly.
"I'm sorry, Serena."
For the first time since she arrived in this universe, Serena felt completely lost.
If Blaze wasn't here—
Then where?