Sword worshipper, follower of the sword, Zenist… regardless of what they were called; or what people think of them, they would still pursue mastery of the sword.

Dunnford didn’t get it. The streets were safer now with guards posted every few blocks. Yet, despite this security, why did he feel unrest leaking from each passing passerby? Why was it that behind their daily acts, of walking around and working, there was anxiety? Their smiles were like masks, used in order to conceal their unease. Why was that so?

That bulky bearded man over there shopping with his daughter, he was overly-cautious and looked left and right to ascertain his safety. He grabbed his little daughter’s hand, with a grip that was ready to pull her and bolt out of the scene.

The shopkeeper’s smile, the fruit shop that the father and daughter were buying from, his smile was forced. Not the usual sales smile to befriend customers, but a fake smile to lie to himself. To make himself believe that everything was alright. That if he smiled, everything would be sunshine.

There and then, Dunnford noticed that the guards had a look of constant vigilance.

Perhaps it’s because of the skystorm, Dunnford thought, dismissing the matter. His main task wasn’t to overthink, but to lead Ray to the sanctum, where he would further his sword skills.

***

The sanctum was a place open to the public. By no means did they discriminate gender, race, or birth. Should anyone be interested in following the path of the sword, then that place welcomed anyone. Although this wasn’t the place that gave birth to great swordsmen or swordswomen, this is the very place where great swordsmen and swordswomen who had etched their name into history came from.

The building was a simple one without any distinct features. They had this bell tower near the sanctum as a mean to remind them of time. A symbol of a slanted sword, pointing to the ground, was inscribed at the front of the building. Other than that, it was just an unpainted building made of white marble.

Although sanctums differed from place to place, they would always share certain aspects. Inside the vicinity, there would be an outdoor and indoor training fields; and always a room filled with 3 massive statues. Of 3 figures, the same person each, but of 3 different forms.

‘On the left is His male form, Zenn,’ explained a beautiful lady with long silky gray hair. ‘On the middle is Its androgynous form, Zeni. And on the right is Her female form, Zenia.’

Behind her were a group of orphans, all wearing the same white clothing that the sanctum provided. Some of them were inattentive and were yawning, while the others looked at the statues with glimmering eyes.

‘Since I am female, I refer the person as Her and calls Her Zenia. If you’re male, you refer to the person as Him and call Him Zenn,’ she continued her explanation. Some of the orphan children were fidgeting at where they stood, disrespecting the presence of the statues, but Ignes didn’t mind this. ‘You’re free to worship Her as Goddess, or admire her as a role model, treat her as a mythical swordswoman, or even take no notice of her at all. Regardless, the sanctum will always have Her statues. Not as someone to worship or to admire, but as a reminder. That this person right here is someone who had ascended from human toward the realm of divinity with her sword skills alone. She’s the embodiment… of the peak of swordship.’

Looking at the children, Ignes doubted that her explanation reached them at all. They were itching to play outside and spend their youthful energy. Sure, some of them looked at the statues with shiny eyes, but those stares were just to admire the statue. Ignes smiled. Children will be children. They’re supposed to be.

‘That should be enough for today. You could all play at the indoor training field for today.’

The children cheered and started running away haphazardly. They were a chaotic bunch, but they were still with manners, for they expressed their gratitude to Ignes with a bow or thanks or both before they left. Even if they don’t get the lesson today, they’ll learn it as they grow up here.

Ignes felt someone tugging her shirt. She turned to see a little girl holding a doll.

‘Ignes, could we play outside today?’ she asked.

‘I’m sorry, but it’s not safe outside as of late. Once it is, I promise you that you’ll all be allowed to play outside. Okay?’

‘… Okay.’

Ignes patted the girl’s head gently. She looked sad from being forbidden from playing outside and that sight filled Ignes with a slight guilt. However, she reminded herself that this was for the child’s safety. Her forlorn gait added more guilt, but again Ignes remained strong.

Near where the girl was walking away, Ignes’ eyes spotted 2 young men. 1 was someone she knew not. The other was someone whom she could not mistake. He had changed a lot. He used to be a messy kid who looked at the world with hatred. Now his eyes were kinder than before—and he seemed more… disciplined.

‘Dunnford!’ Ignes called him with a smile. ‘How many years has it been?’ She approached him without hiding her excitement and gave him a warm hug. ‘It has been too long.’

‘Not long enough for you to forget about me it seems,’ Dunnford laughed.

‘Dummy. What do you take me for? I’ll never forget any children I raised here. You were a kid when you left. Look at you now! Goodness… I feel old.’

His companion, Ignes noticed, was confused by the exchange. ‘No offense to you, Dunnford, but you look older than her.’

‘Master Ray, she might look twenty, but she’s actually si—’

Ignes elbowed Dunnford’s side. ‘You’re not supposed to uncover a lady’s age, Dunnford.’

‘Right. Let’s just say you’re not as young as you look and settle at that.’ He was unfazed by the elbow Igned had thrown. Ignes reflected on her elbow, she didn’t feel that it did anything to him. But more importantly… Master Ray?

‘You have lots of things that you have to share with me, Dunnford. Luckily, I’m in no hurry.’

***

The bell from the tower rang once, indicating and reminding that time had passed noon.

As much as Ray wanted to train with the swords, he had to respect the reunion between Dunnford and Ignes. Dunnford had been sharing his stories of how he gained his Special Magic, how he had learned Elemental Magic, and overall his stories that led up to him being in the sanctum of Lune once more. Right now, he was at the part where he encountered Freya.

‘I didn’t see her as a threat at the time because she fought me with a wooden sword. However, I will admit that her sword connected to me clean. I wouldn’t be able to dodge it even if I tried. I thought my Special Magic had that attack handled, but the next thing I know was that I lost consciousness.’

‘You’re saying… she bypassed your Special Magic?’ Ignes seemed to be taking interest in this part.

‘Yes. I tried replicating what she did with Master Ray. But it didn’t achieve the same effect. She herself doesn’t know the exact detail, but that swing she made was different. Unnatural.’

‘… Does she ever mention about seeing colors?’

‘Colors?’

‘Colors—coating a person’s body.’

‘Has she ever mentioned it, Master Ray?’ Dunnford seemed to be taking this seriously. Ray too, was interested in this talk. Because it felt as if they were a step closer to replicating Freya’s swing which had beaten the Undefeated Dunnford.

‘I don’t recall her ever mentioning colors,’ Ray said. He wasn’t stopping there. He would rather unravel this mystery of her swing rather than having to listen to the story of Arkef which Ray himself already experienced. ‘You seem to know about it, Ignes.’

Ignes was silent. I’ll take that as a yes.

Ignes stood up from the stool she sat on and stretched her body. ‘We’ve been telling stories and been sitting for too long. Why don’t we move and do some sparring? Both of you against me. I want to know how your sword skills has developed over the years, Dunnford. And the abilities of your master.’

‘I never knew you’re one to hold secrets,’ Dunnford remarked.

‘I’m good at holding secrets, that’s why you never knew.' Ignes grabbed a hairband from her pocket and tied her hair. 'Let’s spar. If you both win, I’ll tell you about it. But if I win it’ll remain a secret.’

Dunnford stood up, ready to accept the challenge. Thus, Ray followed his lead. The spar would be 2-against-1, so they should be at an advantage. Not to mention, their opponent looked harmless. But… Freya had taught the both of them that looks could be deceiving. There was no harm in being cautious.

‘How strong is she?’ Ray whispered to Dunnford.

‘… Perhaps stronger than Freya.’