Back with Ungar and the others Sarai and Narcis were deeply confused why
this was the first they whey hearing of the fact that Daniel was the son of Ebisu.
"So when we're you going to tell us about this little secret Ungar?!" Any time soon
I hope." Said Sarai. "I have to agree with Sarai Ungar. I don't understand why this
was kept a secret?" said Narcis. "You don't understand." Said Ungar. "It all goes
back to when I knew Merlin." Said Ungar. "Merlin?! Like the wizard Merlin?!"
said Narcis. "Yes that old fool. This occurred about two decades ago during the
last time I spoke with Merlin you see Merlin was the one who sealed me in a sword
for 1,000 years back when I was a tyrant. But when I broke out and eventually
changed for the better I befriended the old wizard and I became somewhat of a protégé to him. But Merlin somehow knew that Ebisu had a second child. I learned
about this truth from him some 20 years ago." Said Ungar.
Ungar began to explain to everyone the last time he met with Merlin. They
met in Merlin's Palace in the Spirit Realm this was 20 years ago. Ungar confronted
the old wizard stating that the was going to train under the Wind God Ebisu and
that it would be some time before they would meet again. Merlin stated that he
knew all of that and that there was one thing he wanted to tell him before he left to
the Wind Palace of Ebisu. "I'm more aware of my surroundings than you realize
Ungar. Possibly more aware of them than yourself." Said Merlin. "Just shut your
mouth while you're ahead old man." Said Ungar. There was a short pause and in
that time Merlin smiled and said; "Congradulations Ungar my old friend you have
truly changed." Said Merlin. "Its amazing that you put aside your wicked ways
towards the path of peace I honestly have not seen anything else like it." Said
Merlin. Ungar confidently said back; "Hatred only breeds more hatred. That is why
love is so powerful." Said Ungar. "But it wasn't all my doing. You know that the
young Shaolin-Buddhist warrior Monk Ponyo was the one who truly changed me
and showed me the path of forgiveness and to love my fellow beings; he was helped
by you and Ebisu to defeat me but he alone sparred me and forgave me for my sins
and my transgressions. I'll never forget that. He did the same thing to the Ape King
before me and he became his greatest comrade. I'm not the only story that ended like this.
You should know that better than anyone Merlin." Said Ungar. "Still...
I've seen an incredible change within your heart Ungar." Said Merlin. "What ever
helps you sleep at night old man." Said Ungar. "Alright Ungar I have something I
need to tell you so listen up!" said Merlin. "Hmmm..." said Ungar. "Ebisu has just
had another son Ungar." Said Merlin. "WHAT?! YOU'RE KIDDING ME!" said
Ungar. "You may confront Ebisu with this information if you want that is up to you.
I just thought you deserved to know old friend. Good bye Ungar I know we will see
each other again in time." Said Merlin.
"After that I confronted Ebisu and he confirmed everything that Merlin had
just told me. Ebisu asked me to be the God Father of the boy and defend him and to
never tell him that Ebisu was in fact his real father, I accepted these terms. I tried
to find out why the boy could not know but Ebisu never told me. Master Musashi
convinced me in my time in the Spirit World that I had to tell the truth to the boy
and everyone else so I did just that and kept my promise to him. And that's the long
and short of it. If you're wondering how Merlin knew of Ebisu's paternity in the
first place. Well he's a powerful wizard they can read life forces in the Universe its
still far beyond my current magical abilities but I promise you I'm getting there.
Anyway hopefully Daniel is strong enough to overcome this. We need him. Without
him no one can awaken the Spirit Blade." Said Ungar.
Zaiyal headed deep into the mysterious Twilight Forest to finally find Daniel
in its depths. Eventually he found Daniel curled up in the forest crying beneath the
shade of a large tree. For the first time Zaiyal felt badly for the young elf. "What
are you doing this isn't like you." Said Zaiyal. "I'm curling up because I'm read to
die!" said Daniel. There was a long pause before Daniel spoke honestly. "My
father told me for the first time in my life that he was proud of me just now.
Perhaps, that would have never happened as much as it pains me to say it if I
hadn't met you... I know its hard when you have a father that's distant from you. I
know the circumstances might be different between us but the fact remains the same
Daniel." Said Zaiyal. "Wait you just called me Daniel." Said Daniel. "DON'T GET
USED TO IT ELF! Anyway, you and I know that you're the only one that can
awaken the Spirit Blade so please try to push forward Elf." Said Zaiyal. Daniel sat
up; "You know you're right. I have a job to do. Lets head back Zaiyal I have
something I have to say to Ungar before I begin the trials though." Said Daniel.
"That's between you and him Elf!" said Zaiyal. "Alright then." Said Daniel. The
two took off and soon arrived back where Ungar and the others were. Daniel slowly
walked up to Ungar and when he got to him simply said; "Promise you won't lie to
me ever again Ungar." Said Daniel. "I promise." Said Ungar. With a clear hint of
shame in his tone. "Okay," said Daniel. After this Ungar explained that Daniel
would have to doze off under a Magical Tree known as the Sleeping Oak.
When they arrived at the center of the Twilight Forest they confronted a collassal giant
tree known as the Sleeping Oak. Daniel calmed his mind and laid on his back in
front of the massive tree. As his mind reached a state of zen relaxation the blue
glowing roots of the tree hugged him tight and held him to the ground and a
magical aura began to surround him while two translucent vines went inside his
ears he was now ready to enter the realm of the Spirit Blade. While this was
happening everyone else waiting for baited breath. "Do you think he'll overcome
the trials?" said Sarai. "Only time will tell. But I would say, of course he will.
There's no one else like that kid." Said Ungar. And so Daniel dozed off into deep
sleep and awoke almost like he was in some bizarre dream in a world that looked
like Twilight Forest but was even more fantastical. Around the area were animals
like before but rather than them just being animals they were more the spirits of
those animals. The Spirits of Deer, Foxes and Birds for example as blue
transluscent beings of light. Eventually he reached the base of a great tree and was
confronted by none other than the Caterpillar. Daniel tried to speak but no words
came out. But somehow he knew exactly what the Caterpillar was trying to tell him
without either of them saying a word to each other. He followed the Caterpillar to
the base of the tree. It was clear to Daniel that the trials of the Spirit Blade were
really one trial defeat the Spirit of the Forest. The Spirit appeared it had the outline of a person but nothing else was really clear about it.
It didn't say a word but its
intensions were clear, 'Defeat me and the Spirit Blade is yours.' Daniel got into a
fighting stance and prepared for a battle against the Spirit of the Forest. The
Caterpillar watched the battle from the backdrop of the forest. The battle began but
the spirit was like nothing Daniel had fought before his attacks were completely
unpredicatable. Blow after blow hit after hit his attacks remained unclear but still
Daniel continued to fight on. The battle seemed to go on for hours it just wouldn't
and finally Daniel was knocked to his feet by the spirit and was panting for breath
feeling as he would pass out. He heard the voice of the Caterpillar in his mind.
"Don't you get it boy! You have a fraction of my power. You can see into the past
lives of other beings. Those people throughout time and space that you saw weren't
your own past lives but the past lives of others you have the ability to feel the joy
and suffering of all living beings regardless of there place in either time or space. I
have the ability to see into other worlds but you've have not reached that state of
being yet. But you are powerful boy! You are a Junzi! Unleash your power and
claim your birth rate! Take the Spirit Blade! Fulfill your destiny!" said the
Caterpillar. At this moment Daniel unlocked a power deep inside him and began to
not only fight back against the Forest Spirit but now had the upper-hand. But the
spirit had one more trick up its sleeve which was to turn into a giant translucent
bear. The real battle had now begun. Daniel lunged forward now finally powering
up. The spirit turned into a giant white boar and charged towards Daniel.
Daniel leaped out of the way. Now the anger began to fuel him with rage. The lies that his
father Ebisu and his mentor Ungar had kept from him. Daniel sprung forward and
begin to fill with an incredible amount of power. The beast stood no chance but it
didn't seem to go down eventually Daniel realized that he was wasting his energy
while the beast was reserving it but by than it was too late. After Daniel had slowed
down the beast rushed Daniel knocking him unconciouess. He was a state of trance
when he heard his mother's voice and than his mother came to him. "You have to
stop him Daniel he's gone astray." Daniel yelled back; "Who has been lead astray
Mom!" Tell me!" Daniel's mother only began to repeat herself while the
Caterpillar spoke up; "Leave the anger behind Daniel its holding you back like a
prison. Unleash peace of mind and peace of heart on your opponent. Think of
everyone who loves you think of your mother. Do it for them. Seize your destiny!"
said the Caterpillar. "He's right." Said Daniel. Daniel awoke and a surge of white
power began to envelop him the energy was incredible it was engulfing everything.
It was visible in the real world, the earth was shaking. And the sky was roaring.
"What the hell is happening?!" said Tatu. "He's done it. He's awakened his pure
heart. Merlin told me long ago and its served to be just as true now than it is now.
Narcis said; "Oh yeah and what is that Ungar." Said Narcis. "Merlin said this
plainly. Love is more powerful than the strongest and oldest magic. You are all
witnessing that very fact. The Gate Keeper has finally awoken." Said Ungar.
"Unbelievable this pathetic little elf is surpassing me?! This can't be happening
how is this scum capable of this?!" thought Tatu. Back in the Spirit Realm Daniel
was now at full power. "Thank you noble beast for showing me the path to truth.
You know I used to think that truth was relative after all so many different cultures,
religions and peoples had different truths how did individuals ever know the
definite truth. I couldn't figure out why. Now I know. Its not something you can
analyize its something that you feel in your heart. Thank you beast for showing me
what I knew all along. That all life is sacred and hatred only leads to destruction.
And now I'll finish this." Said Daniel. Suddenly a sword appeared in Daniel's hand
and the light began to shine within it. It was the Spirit Blade it had deemed Daniel
worthy to wield it. Daniel lunged forward and with a crashing blow ran the Spirit
beast through with his sword. And after an explosion of light the spirit turned into a
mist and went into his sword fulfilling the Spirit Blade's form. With a holy crest of
an Eagle he now had what he needed he could finally confront his half-brother Iblis
and perhaps save him something he had not considered until now.
"Congradulations Gate Keeper your trial is over." Said the Caterpillar. "Till we
meet again." After this everything went white and then black after this Daniel woke
up and the tree roots were no longer holding him his sword glowed with a bright
light and when the light ceased it was the legendary Spirit Blade. "You did it kid,
great job." Said Sarai. "It pains me to say it put you earned that sword Elf!" said
Zaiyal. "Yeah, yeah! The elf is amazing! Remember we have a mission we have to meet up with the Monkey King and the others at the Gate to the Underworld now
lets go and follow the Great River. We don't have time to lollygag!" said Tatu.
"Tatu's right. Lets all get going. But still great job kid I'm sorry I didn't tell you
the truth sooner." Said Ungar. "Its okay you were only doing what you thought was
right." Said Daniel. "Still I shouldn't have done it." Said Ungar. "What are you a
couple?! LETS GO! We have to get to the Underworld!" said Tatu. "You're right!
Everyone, lets go!" said Ungar.
Meanwhile... at the Wind Temple Ebisu watched all of this and simply said;
"Its almost time. Soon we will confront the true evil, son!" said Ebisu.