Darkness.
That was all Atticus could see. He couldn't feel his hands or legs; he couldn't feel anything.
'Am I dead?' Atticus thought. 'How can I think then?'
'It's different from the last time I died,' Atticus couldn't help but notice the difference between the last time he died and now.
The last time was swift; he had just been shot, died, and opened his eyes immediately, finding himself as a baby. There was no in-between.
'No, I'm not dead.'
As Atticus was trying to figure out what was happening, the darkness suddenly changed and receded, and the scenery shifted into a familiar dojo-like setting.
Atticus noticed that he could feel his body again. All the pain he was feeling before was nowhere to be found. His piercing headache was gone. His body's arch was gone. His bleeding eyes were gone. He was good as new.
He also noticed that his attire had also changed into a kimono.
He turned his gaze towards the middle of the dojo, immediately recognizing the man sitting at the table, staring at him with a smile, Cedric Ravenstein; the ancestor he had met when he passed the first test and gained the acknowledgment of the katana.
"Child, come. Sit," Cedric spoke. His tone still maintained the sagacity of experience and elderliness.
Atticus listened and approached the table to sit.
He knew where he was; how could he not? It was where he gained his most valuable possession, inside the katana. There was no way he could miss something like that.
'If I'm here, what is happening outside?' Atticus was worried about what was happening in the real world if he was in here.
Cedric smiled as if he could read what Atticus was thinking and said, "I'm sure you're worried about what is happening outside."
Atticus swiftly nodded. He was curious about many things. What about Ember and Aurora? What about the rest of the trainees? Were they okay? The questions were numerous.
Cedric seemed to see his inner turmoil and spoke, "Calm your heart, boy. The time here moves extremely slowly compared to outside. They would still be there by the time you finish here."
Hearing those words, Atticus's heart calmed down considerably, and he was now able to think more calmly.
He gazed at Cedric and asked what he had been wondering since, "Why am I here, senior?"
Cedric smiled, seemingly pleased that Atticus had gone straight to the point. "Good! The life weapon brought you here to learn the second art," he explained.
Atticus raised his eyebrows. The second art? Now? He quickly asked, "Why now?"
He was literally on the brink of death, and the katana had chosen this moment for him to learn the second art?
As he thought of this, Atticus suddenly furrowed his eyebrows, realization dawning on him, 'It's trying to give me the strength to survive this situation.' He realized.
Cedric continued, affirming his thoughts, "Yes, it's exactly because you're in this predicament that it brought you here ahead of time to learn. Listen, Atticus, you have exactly six months to learn it; that's the limit you can be in here. If you don't, you won't be able to save anyone outside."
Atticus was shocked. Six months? What kind of art was it that would take six months to learn? His heart couldn't help but race once more; what if he couldn't learn it? Does that mean everyone would die?
Cedric noticed Atticus's changing expression and immediately stood up, saying, "Follow me."
Atticus emerged from his thoughts and listened. He stood up and began walking behind Cedric.
Cedric led him toward the wall of the dojo, and just when it seemed like Atticus was about to collide with it, the scenery immediately changed.
Atticus found himself on a cliff, below him spread the most breathtaking sight he had ever seen in his life.
Before them lay a serene and picturesque river, its waters shimmering like liquid sapphires under the gentle caress of the sun's golden rays.
The river was embraced by lush, emerald foliage that stretched down its banks, creating a vibrant, living frame for the water.
The air was filled with the soothing sound of the river's gentle flow, and the fragrance of wildflowers that lined the riverbanks wafted in the breeze.
Atticus noticed the vibrant colors of the wildflowers, as if nature itself had hand-painted the landscape with meticulous care. Reds, purples, and yellows mingled harmoniously, creating a tapestry of vivid beauty.
The scenery seemed to clear his mind of all thoughts, enabling him to think clearly now, with every distracting thought gone.
Cedric smiled; he had wanted Atticus to be fully focused. He knew how hard it was learning the second art.
He had brought him here to calm his mind and was glad it did the trick.
As Atticus was still enjoying the scenery, Cedric spoke, "Before you begin your training, I think it is high time you learn about our history with life weapons."
Atticus turned his gaze away from the sight and looked at Cedric, his full attention on him, genuinely curious about it.
"The life weapon has been with the Ravenstein family for a long time before I was brought into this world,"
Atticus's eyebrows furrowed in shock.
Those words, anyone could miss it, but with his intelligence, it was impossible for him to miss it.
He wasn't the only one brought into this world?
He swiftly looked at Cedric, his eyes demanding answers.
Cedric smiled and started speaking, "Our Ravenstein family was able to become one of the rulers of the human domain because our third family head was able to meet a being beyond our comprehension. It was this being who gave him our Elemental bloodline."
Atticus listened attentively to every word that came out of Cedric's mouth. This was important information!
"This being also gave him 5 weapons, with a decree. Every Ravenstein child in the main line, as soon as they come of age, was to try and gain the weapons' acknowledgment. He revealed to the family head that unimaginable powers await those who were able to gain their acknowledgment. The family head was elated and immediately made it a tradition in the family.
Every child in the main line must attempt to gain the weapons' acknowledgment when he/she becomes of age."
"Ever since then, throughout our history, every generation has always tried to gain the acknowledgment of the weapons, with just a few succeeding."
His tone suddenly changed, turning grave,
"Although every single user of the life weapon was known throughout the human domain, becoming revered and respected due to their strength, there was always one constant fact: every single user died before they could reach their full potential."