ONLINE: Blades of Eternity - Chapter 79

Chapter 80: A WISP OF BLUE FLAMES

Kaelen wandered through the dimly lit halls of General Cao’s residence, the silence thick in the air. The soft patter of his footsteps echoed off the stone floors as he moved from room to room, peeking inside each chamber but finding nothing. General Cao was nowhere to be found. He pressed on, his instincts guiding him deeper into the house.

‘Where are everyone?’ Kaelen thought with a confused look on his as he kept on searching the residence for them.

Eventually, Kaelen reached a set of large sliding doors, slightly ajar, through which he could hear the faint crackle of fire. He pushed the door open and stepped into a courtyard that lay bathed in the soft glow of dusk.

The courtyard was an enclosed space, serene and peaceful with its carefully tended trees and soft, swaying grasses. But the tranquility was momentarily interrupted by the sharp bursts of flame dancing in the center. Standing there, her face set with fierce concentration, was Guinevere. Flames crackled in her palms, orange and red, as she practiced manipulating the volatile energy with deft, controlled motions.

Sitting cross-legged on a stone bench not far from her, General Cao observed in silence, his gaze sharp and focused. His expression was solemn, his usual stern demeanor even more pronounced as he watched his disciple’s efforts. He seemed deep in thought, his brow furrowed slightly as though wrestling with something unspoken.

Kaelen stepped closer, but cautiously, so as not to disturb the scene. Guinevere’s flames flared in intensity, surrounding her in a bright, shimmering aura of heat. Her hands moved with grace and precision, commanding the flames with a mastery that Kaelen couldn’t help but admire.

But then, something changed. The air in the courtyard grew noticeably colder, a strange contrast to the inferno Guinevere wielded. Her face tightened as she channeled more of her magic, and for a fleeting moment, the flames in her hands flickered from orange and red to a deep, unnatural blue. The blue fire hissed in the air, sharp and dangerous, as if it defied the very laws of nature.

General Cao’s eyes narrowed at the sight, his lips pressing into a thin line. Kaelen caught the subtle shift in his master’s expression—a mixture of concern and curiosity. The wisp of blue flame hovered in the air for only a second before dissipating with a faint pop, the regular flames returning as Guinevere took a deep breath and exhaled.

She hadn’t noticed Kaelen’s presence yet, nor the fleeting blue flames that had momentarily manifested. But General Cao’s gaze flicked towards Kaelen, acknowledging his arrival with a slow nod.

“General Cao,” Kaelen greeted quietly, stepping closer, though his eyes were drawn to Guinevere. “I’ve been looking for you.”

General Cao nodded slowly but didn’t immediately reply. His gaze remained locked on Guinevere, who was now catching her breath, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

“She grows stronger,” General Cao finally said, his voice low but filled with a hint of unease. “But she treads a dangerous path. The flames she calls upon are beginning to change.”

Kaelen glanced back at Guinevere, the memory of the blue fire still fresh in his mind. “The flames…they were different. For a moment.”

General Cao rose from the stone bench, his eyes darkened with thought. “Indeed. She taps into something that lies deep within her, something untamed.” He turned his sharp gaze on Kaelen. “She may not realize the full scope of it yet, but it is there.”

Kaelen nodded, understanding the weight of his master’s words. Guinevere had always been formidable, but there was something different about her now—something that even General Cao seemed wary of. As Kaelen watched her continue to practice, he couldn’t help but wonder what those blue flames signified.

As the last of the flames flickered out in Guinevere’s palms, she let out a deep breath, releasing the tension in her body. The courtyard returned to its natural tranquility, the heat dissipating into the cool evening air. Her face glistened with sweat, and her breaths came in slow, deliberate inhales and exhales as she wiped her brow.

It was then that she noticed Kaelen standing off to the side, watching her with that calm intensity he always carried. A small smile tugged at the corners of her lips, and she straightened herself, taking a few steps towards him.

“Kaelen,” she called out softly, her tone both curious and welcoming. “How are you faring? You’ve been through quite a bit.”

Kaelen offered a nod in response, his expression softening as he met her gaze. “I’m doing well enough,” he replied, though his mind still lingered on the harrowing duels in the tournament and the weight of his recent battles.

Guinevere studied him for a moment, her sharp eyes catching the subtle weariness in his stance, though she said nothing more about it. She knew Kaelen was not one to openly dwell on his struggles. Instead, she turned her attention to General Cao, who had remained silent, watching them both with his usual sharp-eyed scrutiny.

“Master,” Guinevere began, her voice filled with a blend of respect and determination. “I feel…restrained here. The courtyard’s fine for practicing basic control, but I need more space. I want to push myself further, to train in the wilderness—where the elements are untamed and where I can truly test my flames.”

General Cao’s eyes narrowed slightly, his expression hardening as he considered her request. The idea clearly didn’t sit well with him, his protective nature towards his disciples showing in the tight set of his jaw.

“The wilderness is dangerous,” General Cao said after a long pause, his voice firm. “You know that, Guinevere. The wilderness is unpredictable, especially with the enemies we have yet to face. It is not the same as sparring in a courtyard or battling in a controlled environment.”

“I know,” Guinevere replied, standing her ground with quiet strength. “But I need that unpredictability. It’s the only way I can grow stronger. If I stay here, I’ll never reach my full potential. Please, Master.”

Kaelen watched the exchange closely. He could see the conflict in General Cao’s eyes, the internal struggle between wanting to protect her and knowing she needed to push her limits.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, General Cao let out a slow sigh, his resistance visibly softening. “Very well,” he said, though his tone was reluctant. “But be careful, Guinevere. The wilderness can be unforgiving. And if you sense anything beyond your control, return immediately.”

Guinevere’s face brightened with determination and gratitude. “Thank you, Master. I won’t let you down,” she promised, bowing her head deeply to him before turning back to Kaelen with a look that seemed to say, ‘Perhaps our paths will cross again in the wilderness.’

General Cao, however, gave Kaelen a pointed look. “Keep an eye on her if you can after the tournament,” he said quietly, though the words carried a weight that was hard to miss. “She may not realize the full danger of what she’s asking for.”

“Wait so I have to wait for the tournament to end before I can go to the wilderness?” Guinevere quickly asked with a skeptical look on her face.

“Precisely. And there are no negotiations regarding this” General Cao replied with a stern look on his face. When Guinevere heard him, a face quickly darkened significantly as she lowered her head.

As for Kaelen, he simply nodded, understanding that there was more at play than simple training. He would keep watch, even from a distance, knowing that Guinevere’s path was not just about mastering flames, but perhaps something far deeper.

Right after this, Kaelen stepped forward, gripping the hilt of the Blade of Eternity, which hummed with a low resonance as if attuned to his very soul. The sword had changed after absorbing the mystical shard in Veilwood forest, the metal now pulsing with an otherworldly glow, and subtle etchings lined its surface, spiraling toward the blade’s edge.

“General,” Kaelen began, his voice firm yet curious, “there’s something I need to share with you.”

General Cao turned his attention fully to Kaelen, his usual stern gaze softening just slightly with curiosity. “What is it?”

Kaelen unsheathed the Blade of Eternity, the sword gleaming in the light of the courtyard. He held it up for General Cao to see, the blade now glowing with a strange aura, almost alive with the energy it had absorbed. The once-ordinary steel had become something far more dangerous, more powerful.

“When Morris, Ethan, and I were in Veilwood forest, we fought a horde of beasts. After the battle, I found a shard — a mystical steel that seemed to resonate with my sword. It was… restless until I allowed the sword to absorb it. Ever since, the Blade of Eternity has been different, as if it’s evolving.”

Kaelen held the sword out slightly, allowing General Cao to see the intricate new patterns etched into the blade, the subtle shift in color, and the almost predatory hum of power coursing through it. The Blade of Eternity no longer seemed like a mere weapon; it now felt like something much more ancient and dangerous.

General Cao’s eyes narrowed as he studied the weapon carefully, his expression thoughtful yet unreadable. He stepped closer, observing every detail of the transformed sword, his fingers brushing the air near it, as if sensing the strange power radiating from the blade.

“This is no ordinary transformation,” General Cao murmured. “The Blade of Eternity has always been special, but now… it feels like it’s awakening. That shard you found has triggered something in it.”

Kaelen frowned, uncertainty creeping into his mind. “Do you know what it means? What this shard was?”

General Cao stood back, his arms crossed over his chest as he regarded Kaelen with a serious expression. “I don’t know the full nature of this shard or what it’s done to your sword. But this is beyond simple magic or combat techniques. It feels ancient, like something tied to the very essence of the Blade of Eternity.”

Kaelen’s grip tightened around the hilt as he glanced down at the glowing blade. The mystery of it weighed heavily on him, and he could feel the power within it growing, subtly, with every passing day.

“Then how do I find out what this means?” Kaelen asked, looking back at General Cao.

General Cao gave a small nod. “The Vice Chancellor might have some answers. He’s studied ancient relics and artifacts far more than most. He’s the one who might be able to shed light on what’s happening with your sword. But for now, focus on the rookie tournament. Afterward, we’ll approach the Vice Chancellor together.”

Kaelen exhaled slowly, feeling a sense of relief wash over him, though the mystery still lingered in his mind. He nodded to General Cao, sheathing the Blade of Eternity once more, knowing that answers would come in time.

“Thank you, General,” Kaelen said with quiet gratitude.

General Cao gave him a firm pat on the shoulder. “You’ve done well so far, Kaelen. Whatever path your sword is taking you on, stay the course. You’ll find the answers when the time is right.”