Spoiler: RR version

The Curse Black Swords

Intro: In Crewtner Village, the departure of the young prince Raume is ongoing. Surrounded by survivors, villagers, village councilors, soldiers and royal squads; the head of village council bestows gifts to Raume, the young prince of Jelfyr. Among the gifts is a fine wine made from wheat and grapes. Those gifts have been received by Shaira and she turns over them to her subordinates. “We will see you off, prince of Jelfyr,” has said by the head of village council. “Thank you for your kind visit, specially your help in time to time. We hope your generosity shall continue. Your actions prove you are fitting in the throne.”

“I must do what must be done,” has replied by Raume, the young prince. “It's only natural that we support each other. Without the people support, the kingdom will crumble. I just did my purpose. Well then, if you would allow. We may depart now.” Accompanied by the soldiers and royal squads, the prince begins to walk, to travel back to the kingdom.

The head of village council speaks loud, “We pray that the heaven protects you with your travel!” followed by the lively people shout out their farewell. Specially children who admire the prince the most are requesting and expecting for his next visit.

—End of Intro.

Despite of being wounded, Jaino rises and walks to his office. There outside the door, few people are in the lounge. The swordsman standing near the door salutes at Jaino, and he does back. He walks inside the office and finds clients accommodated by his men on each different table.

He goes to where Taila, speaking to a soldier of Renze. And where a bearded swordsman is standing while leaning in the wall.

“Do not force yourself,” has said by Taila to Jaino.

“Don't mind. So, who needs me?”

“Right, it’s me,” has responded by the bearded swordsman.

Taila follows up, “Speak to him.”

“Speak,” has demanded by Jaino to the bearded swordsman. “I had already told you. Do what's necessary. Just don't step beyond our boundary. The underworld is beyond our realm. But if that would affect me personally, it doesn't matter to me.”

“You are right... It'll affect to you, yourself and the surroundings around you,” has responded by the bearded swordsman. “We have recovered alive victims from the mansion owned by a nobleman. They are to be used for feast.”

“Seriously, imbys was supposed to be exterminated.”

Imbys, they are norims cultured cannibalism and insane in nature. They do what other norims do for their safety and also to lure their prey.

“I'm afraid. The criminal is not belong to the race. He is currently member in the council of congress. He is currently guarded by his paid security. I supposed this may cause disturbance in public. It may affect your clan.”

“That will never happen. What they're doing is completely wrong. I stay as the third for the meantime but that doesn't mean you will halt because it'll affect me.”

“That's what I'm afraid of...”

“Then do your job. Taila is behind us. My limitation is the underworld.”

“Uhm, you're not doing your job,” has said by Taila to Jaino. “You're making me in-charge. By the way, the prince has requested protection for Judith. One of our men studies your history and keeps Judith under surveillance. Aren't you stepping beyond our boundary? Notwithstanding that woman, Criselia, is so mysterious. I wonder what you're afraid with her.” Her words strike Jaino with a bash.

“Mind if I asked?” has asked by Jaino. “Is someone still need me for?”

The bearded swordsman replies, “Not much. The others can manage themselves. Your approval is enough. We're lucky to have you for the meantime.”

“I may depart now.”

After Jaino has begun to move, Taila unsheathes her sword and jumps out from her table. In the same time the bearded swordsman yells, “Watch out boy—” as he throws his sword to Jaino.

Jaino has evaded Taila's attack, a thrust of the sword. And he manages to catch the sword that has thrown by the bearded swordsman. Realizing that Taila's stance can be follow up, Jaino, with his thumbs, he lifts down the sword's lock. And he unsheathes halfway the sword to only parry the overhead slash from Taila.

Taila then praises, “Not too shabby my dear.”

“That's a quite quick gathering of strength you made their. Instead from below or right, your slash came from above. You have improved.”

She sheathes her sword. “Well, thanks. Jaino, don't wander in public in broad daylight. You're involving civilians,” has said by Taila. “Also, don't forget our fight.”

Jaino sheathes the sword and he throws it back to the bearded swordsman walking near. He then smiles to Taila and he continues his pace.

“Don't give him a hard time,” has stated by the bearded swordsman to Taila.

“No one here is able to block my attacks well. I need a spar. This office is making me rusty.”

“I'm now wondering how you managed to have a husband... My condolence.”

“No need to... I'm not that mysterious... It was an arrange marriage.”

Searching for the missy Ritzel, Jaino arrives in the wide area where recruit soldiers are trained. A group of people, his subordinates, grabs his interest and he finds Ritzel having a duel against a bulk old man.

By her wooden sword, the missy Ritzel has deflected the bulk old man's swing of the club that came from above, and she swings it down to the ground. She runs towards her opponent's left side and with the strength from her stance and feet, she goes full turn for a full swing. She suddenly notices the bulk old man attempts to slantingly swing up his club. Ritzel ducks and cocks down her head. Successfully avoided the critical strike, she runs to her opponent's right side to where her opponent can't yet follow up the attack. This is my chance, has thought by Ritzel.

The bulk old man's roar echoes aloud and his heavy foot stomp gives the area a sudden burst of wave pressure that has gradually gone, leaving Ritzel unable to execute her move. He speaks, “You still have a long way to go kid.” And he laughs aloud.

Ritzel kneels her knee and props her hand on the ground. “That's unfair.” Almost of the spectators laugh.

“Don't make a big deal about it, Ritzel,” has spoken by Jaino. “He just hates to lose.”

“Come again,” has responded by the bulk old man to Jaino. “You want a fight? I can take you on.”

“Na na na. I don't wanna open the gate to the long argument. Ritzel, come with me. We have to go somewhere.”

Ritzel thinks, What would it be? She has stood and walks to Jaino.

“How ironic. First you've been toying with Taila and now you gonna rob her child,” has commented by one of Jaino subordinates, and someone whispers to that person,

“Hey, your words surely could backfire.”

“And speaking to that person who awakes in different house after being drunk? Your wife gonna kill you if she'll hear this,” has responded by Jaino, turning that man flustered. And everybody laughs, except Ritzel who has no idea.

Awhile waiting for Ritzel, in the corner of a building, Jaino glances at Criselia, stretching on the garden. His comment inside his thoughts, What is that woman thinking, stretching in nearly noon? Now that I notice, where did she'd stolen her clothes? He sees the woman seems down in a sudden. Well, she has a taste... The thin silk looks good on her. His index finger (next to his thumb) becomes unsettled after he has glanced at her back while that woman, Criselia, bends her body backward.

Oh, she's quite gorgeous, right? has said by Jaino's spirit, a spirit of dark.

“Sigh. I admit, she's a beauty,” has replied by Jaino. “But, not adorable.” And a voice of Ritzel, he hears,

“I see. She's a beauty. I don't disagree.”

“...Ritz... Ritz— Ritzel— Th-there's no ill meaning of what I've said. Please, please. Hear me. Pay it no mind.”

“Like I care.” Then she mumbles, “My mother is good looking too, y'know.”

“Ritz...”

She replies, “I said I don't care.” She cured you for free when you were about to die. I don't have any complains. You should thank her. Unable to speak her thoughts, she asks, “So, where are we gonna go?”

Criselia yells from the garden, “Jaino, I board here for the meantime as long I have not yet received my laboratory. I'm lazy to work for money. Are you fine?”

In Jaino's thoughts, As if, I could stop you. He gazes to Criselia, who smiles back. He sighs again. I really hope you should do good things to ease my feelings.

The two Jaino and Ritzel travel across the crowd of people in the market's pathway. Rumors, news, casual chats, propaganda are always the loud noises prolonged in the air. Suspicious people can't be distinguish due to the mixed cultures of different races inhabited the kingdom.

The realization of result born from his unintentional mistake has made him guilty as he, Jaino, continues to listen on a fatso, owner of the merchandise that sells fruits and vegetables. The fatso is having a conversation with the two customers, “I believe it was the first time in the history of Dandia. That was a huge loss they suffered. Their business should be fruitful if it wasn't wiped out by the huge wave from the sea. And it happened when I became their valued customer. I feel sorry for them. I can relate such a thing. I'm nearly out of stock so it was their wish to reserve those crops for them. And I want their motivation lifted up.—I'm sorry. I can't sell you the stock. This is my way of returning a favor.”

One of the customers, a woman responses, “So, the announcement was actually true. How unfortunate.”

“Right. The kingdom's council announced also that the prince has visited those affected villages for aid. I hope those rescuers retrieved many survivors.”

“I hope so,” has agreed by the woman. “Considering our kingdom's security in high alert, those who lose their love ones can't avail aid to travel back to their village. I feel sorry for them too.” Her partner slaps her back lightly, and she listens to her speak,

“Hey, we don't have time for chitchat. We should look for the rest of ingredients.”

And the fatso follow up, “Oh, I forgot to mention. Fish vendors would be gradually decreasing. The fishermen community declared ban for fishing until prior notice. So, make haste if you need fish for your ingredients.”

In Jaino's thoughts, I cannot revert everything. He finds the number of guards and soldiers deployed around the area is greater than usual. The sadness overwhelms himself. I believe, it's a faith. I don't do any mistake. It just... it's my fault. He remembers suddenly his meeting with Criselia—

“What are you plotting?” has asked by the curious Jaino. —But Criselia is silent. She has just begun swirling. —“What if, I'll choose the second?”

Criselia stops. “Here is the demonstration.” She swings her hand to an isle.

Under the sea, a sloped ground has started to separate, and some places grumble while the tremor is occurring. On that isle, birds are flying away frighten and other animals are panicking since they are gravitated, while the isle is submerging.

Sea wave has gradually increasing its towering height, as it's moving outwards.

The people are confused, since this is their first time that they experience the heavy vibration of the ground.

Jaino is clearly witnessing the wave approaching to the northwest part of the wide island.

On board in a boat, in the calm sea, a fisherman has stood, amazed by the giant tidal wave, nearing, rushing, whereas its beauty won’t escape his eyes, neither until he's buried alive by the blue salty water.

The villages on the bay just gaze at the approaching wondrous beauty, but their ignorance can’t exert fright. The wave is eating everything from the shores, crossing to many hills, and its persistence dies at the foot of the huge mountain.

Nearly one-fifth of that wide island has ravaged.

Jaino is somehow speechless. He's feeling the guilt.

“Now, choose well, I’m not kidding in every words that I spouted, if my urge where involve. I can guarantee, you’ll enjoy the first option.” Her smile is so cunning yet frightening for the man’s vision.

Not realizing he unconsciously idles in the path, a soft hand holds his hand. He glances at the curious Ritzel. He smiles. “Ritz, thank you. Let's go.”

On Ritzel's thoughts, What's with him?

Outside a boutique, Jaino waits for Ritzel. The missy is finally out the shop and she speaks, “I have ordered those belts. I will receive the improvisation tomorrow.” She gazes down to the other side and minimizes her voice, “Do I really look good with those?”

Jaino replies, “Yup. Those are where you should hang your sword.”

Hearing his words, Ritzel feels happy. She notices a pickpocket young boy has stolen a pouch of money from an unaware woman. Ritzel runs. And to the back of the thief she strikes the wooden sword at once. It surprises the people around the area. She picks up the stolen pouch of money and returns it to the woman who delightedly thanks back and praises her. The guards take over the offender. And Jaino place his hand to Ritzel's shoulder.

“Well done. Come.”

After their meals, they head inside a weapon shop. Receiving a long box from a decent looking guy, a shopkeeper, Jaino hands it to Ritzel.

The curious missy opens the box, containing two black swords. She finds those black swords shrouded by black mist. She glances at Jaino.

“Don't doubt Ritzel,” has said by Jaino.

She picks one of the black swords and unsheathes it halfway. Its blade is quite sharpened perfectly and no trace of rusty. The blade is glimmering. She suddenly holds her breath to freeze her body from moving. She feels cold to see Jaino bare-handedly grasps the blade. She listens to him,

“Ritzel, there are few people who can touch both of these swords. You are the second that I meet. And of course, the first one is I myself. It means, you are suitable enough to wield these swords.”

She finds his hand no blood from bleeding and unharmed. She thinks, Is he a medou?

Medou, is a norim with a relationship to the dimension of time or/and space. Ghost, refers also to Medou. It refers also to a phenomenon when object passes through another object’s body when it supposed to be collide.

“Ritzel, you have mastered the swords' basic a necessity for my lineage's technique.”

And the missy replies, “But, I wasn't able to master all of the hand grips.”

“Mastering one of the hand grips is suffice. The sole goal of swords' basic is to expand options in the battle, either a clash of battalions, a duel, or any situation.

“You know, the author of my lineage's technique wanted justice about the imbalance of all the norims treatment. So he pursued to surpass a mere norim inability and his progressive efforts born my family's technique. But the old cruel king many centuries ago denied the author's ascension. The old king sent out assassins to silence the author of my lineage's technique. The author, he was my ancestor. That's why we preserve our treasure in the silence in hope we can be accepted by most of the norim races. And I shall bestow you what your mother wanted me to teach you.”

“Wait,” has responded by Ritzel. She sees Jaino removes off his hand from grasping the blade. Sheathing the black sword, Ritzel places it down inside the box. “I don't know that there is such history. But can I ask? Is mother really care for me?”

“You wouldn't be here, if she didn't.”

She stares at Jaino for any reason to disbelief. Her failure has made her averts her eyes. “I mean. There're still many people hate you showing off. Considering what happened yesterday, they will not think you as just a normal norim anymore.” She didn't get any response. She goes for another diversion again. “Are you fine with an outsider learning about your treasure, the technique?”

“Ritzel, please don't doubt. You will receive what I can bestow to you. You're not an outsider to me Ritzel. I've gladly accepted you as my daughter.”

“Then... Marry my mother!”

“No.”

“But— why?”

“She has her own circumstances. You must know it better than anyone.”

“She has? But we have never talked anything except ways of battle.”

Jaino smiles. “How about, master my lineage's technique and impress her after you will win on a duel against her. Maybe she can express it with words to you.

“Anyway, these swords obey the will of its wielder. The first thing is you accepted it once. The second is you rejected it eternally. In short, you are born and died with it. These swords had ceased countless of lives. Please use it oppositely. By the honor of the Lightning Clan, use it to save anyone as possible. By the honor of my ancestry, share my lineage's technique to everyone. The seat of the Third General, I decided to reserve it for you.”

The last words the Jaino said, have made Ritzel happy. She replies, “I shall do my best.” Finally, I have gain my motivation. Mother, I will show you what I can do. I will have you recognize me. I know, you will know how credible I enough to be the next hire of the clan.

The shopkeeper asks to Jaino, “Is she the one?” He hands Jaino a book and a letter. And he receives a response,

“Yep.” To Ritzel, Jaino says, “Take them Ritzel. They're yours. We still have to visit the graveyard.” He heads to the door and then Ritzel picks the black swords from the box. And she follows Jaino.

Everybody seeks acceptance.

It always begins with oneself,

to stand firm against some outcomes.

.