Gohim tightened his grip around his sword and stared at the mysterious warrior standing before him. The stranger's stone armor was cracked from their battle, and sand continued to swirl around his body. Despite his injuries, his eyes still burned with an almost uncontrollable fury.
The warrior slowly raised his weapon.
"You have fought well, young warrior. But before you fall, know the name of the one who stands before you."
He slammed the bottom of his weapon against the ground.
"My name is Kokishi... the Ancient Knight."
His spiritual pressure exploded through the chamber.
Gohim struggled to remain standing.
Kokishi laughed wildly.
"Come! Show me the strength of the one who dares to challenge me!"
Gohim charged.
Their weapons collided again and again. Gohim used everything he had learned from Kael and the wolf. He dodged, countered, changed his movements and searched for openings. Kokishi fought like an ancient warrior who had spent centuries mastering battle.
But Gohim refused to fall.
Eventually, Gohim saw an opening.
He stepped inside Kokishi's attack and struck with everything he had.
The blow sent Kokishi crashing against the stone wall.
His armor shattered.
Kokishi fell to one knee.
For a moment, the entire chamber became silent.
Gohim stood before him, exhausted and barely able to remain upright.
Kokishi looked at him.
Then he laughed.
"Ha... ha... ha!"
He slowly lowered his weapon.
"You defeated me."
Gohim looked toward the prisoners.
"Then release them."
Kokishi nodded.
"A promise made by an Ancient Knight cannot be broken."
He turned toward the stone door behind him.
"Come."
The door opened, revealing a strange spiritual light.
Kokishi walked toward it and returned carrying a heavy piece of metal wrapped in ancient cloth.
He placed it before Gohim.
"This is yours."
Gohim stared at it.
"What is it?"
Kokishi looked at him carefully.
"It is a fragment of the Guardian Sword once wielded by your father."
Gohim froze.
"My father?"
Kael's expression changed immediately.
Kokishi nodded.
"Years ago, that sword was lost during battle. A fragment eventually found its way into this mountain. I entered the fragment as its spirit and guarded it from those who sought to claim its power."
Gohim slowly reached toward it.
"The stone and sand spiritual energy of this mountain entered the fragment over the years. It became so dense that its spiritual weight is equivalent to ten thousand tons."
Gohim tried lifting it.
He couldn't move it.
His eyes widened.
"Ten thousand tons?"
Kokishi laughed.
"Defeating me does not mean you are ready to wield it."
Gohim stared at the fragment.
"So I just fought one of the fragments of my father's former Guardian Sword... and nearly lost?"
Kael looked at him.
"Apparently."
Kokishi smiled.
"You are not ready yet. But the fragment recognized you."
Suddenly, the heavy fragment began glowing.
The stone and sand energy surrounding it disappeared into the metal.
The fragment became smaller.
Then it transformed into a necklace and settled gently into Gohim's hand.
Gohim stared at it in surprise.
Kokishi smiled.
"It has chosen a form you can carry."
Gohim placed the necklace around his neck.
The moment it touched him, a faint spiritual pulse passed through his body.
Kokishi's body began breaking apart into particles of sand and stone.
Gohim looked at him.
"What is happening?"
"My time has come."
Kokishi looked toward the sword fragment now resting around Gohim's neck.
"I have guarded that treasure for many years. My duty is finished."
His body began fading.
"Remember this, young Guardian..."
Gohim looked up.
"Your destiny is far greater than you understand."
Kokishi gave one final berserk laugh.
"Become strong enough to wield what belongs to you!"
His body completely transformed into spiritual energy and entered the necklace.
The chamber became silent.
Gohim touched the necklace.
"Goodbye, Kokishi."
Kael looked toward the prisoners.
"Let's get everyone out of here."
They released the captives and began leading them through the cave. After making their way outside, they found the wolf waiting near the entrance.
The wolf looked at Gohim's new necklace.
"So... you found it."
Gohim looked surprised.
"You knew about it?"
The wolf smiled.
"I knew there was something important hidden inside that cave. I did not know it would choose you."
The rescued villagers gathered around them.
Their village head stepped forward with tears of relief in his eyes.
"We thought those people would never be found. You solved the mystery and rescued them."
The villagers began thanking Gohim and Kael.
The village head ordered the villagers to bring food, water, grains, beans, fruits and other supplies for their journey.
Kael immediately raised his hand.
"You don't have to give us anything."
The village head shook his head.
"You have done more than enough for us to let you leave empty-handed."
Gohim also tried to refuse.
"We only did what was right."
The villagers insisted.
Eventually, Kael sighed.
"Very well. We accept."
The villagers laughed and began packing the supplies.
After everything was ready, Gohim looked around the village.
He felt strangely attached to the people they had helped.
The village head shook his hand.
"May your journey be safe."
"Thank you," Gohim replied.
Kael nodded.
The wolf suddenly stepped forward.
"Wait."
Gohim turned around.
The wolf lowered his head.
"I want to come with you."
Kael looked surprised.
"You?"
The wolf nodded.
"I told you before that I wanted to become your disciple."
Gohim smiled.
"You really haven't given up?"
"Never."
The wolf looked toward Kael.
"Allow me to travel with you. I want to learn from you, and I want to see where this boy's destiny leads."
Kael looked at Gohim.
Gohim shrugged.
"I don't mind."
Kael smiled.
"Then you're coming with us."
The wolf's eyes brightened.
"Thank you, Captain."
Together, the three of them began walking away from the village.
Gohim touched the necklace around his neck.
The fragment of his father's lost Guardian Sword rested silently against his chest.
He still didn't understand why it had chosen him.
He didn't know what power was sleeping inside him.
And he certainly didn't know what awaited them next.
But their journey had entered a new stage.
Far away from the village, beyond the mountains and forests, stood the royal palace of the Celestial Realm.
The palace of King Tarius.
It rose above the capital like a golden fortress. Every towering wall was painted in brilliant gold, reflecting the sunlight across the kingdom. Golden pillars supported enormous arches, while intricate designs covered the palace gates. Guards wearing polished armor stood throughout the courtyard, watching every entrance.
At the center of the palace stood the magnificent throne room.
King Tarius sat upon his golden throne beside Queen Elizabeth.
For a brief moment, the room was peaceful.
Then the throne-room doorkeeper hurried inside and bowed.
"Your Majesty, a knight is waiting at the palace entrance."
King Tarius looked up.
"Who?"
The doorkeeper bowed again.
"Sir Aizen Drake."
The King's expression immediately changed.
He turned toward Queen Elizabeth.
"I summoned him."
Queen Elizabeth looked at him curiously.
"For what reason?"
"I need him to deliver the latest messages concerning the northern and southern borders of the Celestial Realm."
King Tarius stood from his throne.
"Something tells me those messages may be more important than we expected."
And far beyond the palace walls, Gohim, Kael and their new companion continued their journey, unaware that events within the Celestial Realm were beginning to move.