Chapter 3: Hemari - Guardian of the Sword

After the night of the Shadows' battle with the village, Ryoma sat by a dim fire at the edge of the forest, the marks of the battle still evident on his face and clothes. He couldn't stop thinking about the mysterious spirit that had appeared to him earlier, "Crimson Dawn", and the significance of the sword he held. In this thin darkness, Ryoma sensed someone approaching.

Meeting Himari

As he sat, a young girl, with long silver hair and eyes as bright as the sky after the rain, appeared and approached him with unusual calmness. Her face wore a warm smile, but she concealed centuries-old wisdom. She introduced herself as Himari, and told him that she was the guardian of this ancient sword.

She said in a calm and steady voice, "Ryoma, the sword you hold is not just an ordinary weapon. It carries within it a great legacy and an ancient power that connects your ancestors to the spiritual world."

Ryoma was surprised and asked, "Do you know what happened in the village? And what do the Shadows want with the sword?"

“The sword carries a part of your family’s soul,” Hinari replied in a deep tone. “It embodies the will of your brave ancestors. But with this power comes great responsibility… and a sacrifice that only those who wield it know. Dark forces seek to seize it, for they know that whoever wields the sword can open the gates between worlds and control souls.”

Family Legacy and the Greatest Sacrifice

Himari took a deep breath and began to tell Ryoma the story of this sword, and how for generations his family had been protecting the world from shadows and evil spirits seeking to take control. The sword, known as the “Crimson Dawn,” was forged with the blood of Ryoma’s ancestors, who gave a part of their souls to protect it and make it stronger.

“Witting this sword, Ryoma, is no small matter. Everyone in your family who has wielded it has given a part of themselves, in order to keep the world in balance. And whoever wields the sword must be willing to make the ultimate sacrifice if necessary.”

Ryoma's eyes filled with awe and wonder asked, "What is the greatest sacrifice?"

Himari replied with a tone filled with sadness, "It is your life, Ryoma... When the need arises, the sword may need to give it your full power, causing your soul to be bound to it forever. Many of your ancestors made this sacrifice, and their souls remain within the sword, but this requires great courage and will."

First Training

After this revelation, Himari decided to begin training Ryoma to be able to control the power of the sword and release it when necessary. She led him to a forest surrounded by towering trees and dense fog, where she began to instruct him on how to harness the power of the sword, starting with focusing and connecting with the spirit of the sword.

Standing a short distance from Ryoma, Himari gently placed her hand on his sword, causing it to glow crimson. "Try to feel the pulse of the sword, feel its spirit as if it were a part of you. This is the first step to activating its power."

Ryoma closed his eyes and focused on the sword. He felt a slight tingling in his hand, as if it was slowly pulsing. As time passed, he began to feel a powerful energy flowing from the sword into his body. This energy wasn’t just physical but was a combination of his ancestors’ memories and souls.

Encountering a New Shadow

After two days of training, another group of shadows attacked the village. These were stronger and more organized, as if they were led by an experienced leader. Himari decided to let Ryoma take the lead in this battle, to test what he had learned so far. She stood in the shadows, watching closely.

Facing the darkness of the night, Kagami, the leader of the shadows who aimed to obtain the sword, appeared. Kagami was a tall man, with cold facial features and eyes that shone with passion and cruelty. He spoke in a tone full of sarcasm: “Ryoma, you can’t even comprehend the true power of the sword. I promise that I will make you understand its value… after I take it away from you.”

Ryoma gripped the sword tightly, remembering Himari’s words. He tried to channel the sword’s energy and merge it with his body. As Kagami approached, the sword began to glow brightly, its light illuminating the entire forest. Ryoma struck Kagami, forcing him to retreat for a moment.

Himari smiled proudly, watching with anticipation as Ryoma dealt with this new challenge.

The Spiritual Bond Between Ryoma and Himari

After the battle, Himari felt that Ryoma had come a long way, but she knew that there was more for him to learn. She summoned his spirit for a private conversation, gently placing her hand on his shoulder. “Ryoma, there is now an unbreakable bond between you and the sword,” she whispered. “This bond is not just physical, it is a spiritual bond that unites the will of all who have wielded the sword before you.”

“But there is also a deep bond between you and me. As the guardian of the sword, my spirit will always be close to you, protecting you from falling to the forces of darkness, and guiding you when you lose your way.”

Vision of the Future

Before she disappeared from sight, she asked Ryoma to focus and immerse himself in the energy flowing through his body. He closed his eyes again and began to feel a mysterious vision. He saw destroyed cities, a dark cloudy sky, and he stood on top of a mountain watching a great battle between an army of warriors and the dark forces led by Kagami.

Ryoma knew in his heart that this vision was a glimpse of the future, and that the sword would carry him to a dangerous and great destiny. He slowly opened his eyes and realized that it was time to give up his dreams of a peaceful life in the village, and that he now stood on the threshold of a long and arduous journey to protect the world from the evils of the shadows.

Chapter Three ended with Ryoma increasing his understanding of his responsibility and abilities, and his relationship with Himari, who would be with him as a guide and guardian throughout his upcoming journey.