Mohammed: Listen, we are heading to the most important sword-making region in the world, which is Japan. There you will find all the disciples similar to you and the masters from whom you will learn.
Omar: Okay, and what will we learn there?
Mohammed: First, the rules before learning: 1. There, we speak only Japanese, and you must read this booklet to learn it. 2. There, my name is Kwaki, not Mohammed, and your name is Sato. 3. I will not be your teacher all the time, and you will not be my only student.
Sato: Alright, alright, those are the rules. What are we going to learn?
Kwaki: Not now. When we arrive, you will know everything. For now, what matters is that you start reading the book.
(After arriving in Japan, Kyoto city, the capital of Japan)
Kwaki: Here we are. Let's go.
(After entering deep into the city, they reach the camp area)
Sato: Finally! All this way, why?
Kwaki: Alright, wait. Don't take a single step.
(Kwaki uses throwing knives to cut every hidden thread, one after another, until he disarms all the traps with a knife)
Sato: What? Why all these traps?
Kwaki: Simply, this is not supposed to be known. Here you will see everyone. Come with me to the training area.
(He opens the door and sees swordsmen and ninjas. Blood touches his foot, to the extent that some people have no eyes. Here, Sato understood that this was not just a game of life or death)
Kwaki: Alright, stop!
(Everyone bows to Kwaki. Even the one whose head was bleeding didn't fall to the ground as he bowed. The team's master comes and bows to Kwaki)
???: Welcome, sir. Well, is this the one you chose to be the new swordsmith for the war?
Kwaki: Yes, Hitaro, and calm down. You know you are the only one allowed to speak to me normally.
Hitaro: Very well.
Kwaki: He will come with me, and I will show him the place. You continue with the trainees' practice.
Sato: Can I try the training?
Hitaro: Was he permitted to say your name without your title first?
Kwaki: Hitaro, I can't object to his words. Stop this. Alright, take a sword from these.
Hitaro: We have Nodachi, Tachi, Ninja, and Katana. These are the types of swords. Choose what you want to use.
Sato: Tachi, I think.
Kwaki: A fine choice. The Tachi sword is generally characterized by a slightly greater curve than the Katana and is longer. It also has an older history than the Katana itself. Alright, come here, Hunter.
Hunter: Yes, sir.
Kwaki: You will fight Sato. If he says "I withdraw," you will stop fighting. If he doesn't, kill him.
Sato: What? What?!
Kwaki: As you heard. Begin now.
(Hunter didn't wait a moment after he said "Begin" and went to attack Sato blow after blow. Sato started bleeding from his arm but tried to defend himself)
Kwaki: I told you, Hunter, fight him, and if he doesn't surrender, kill him. Why aren't you using your full strength?
Hitaro: You seem happy.
Kwaki: I was afraid it would end with losing everything.
(Sato then understands that he wasn't even fighting someone seriously; he was just a small toy in his hand)
Sato: I surrender. Let's move on and leave this behind.
Kwaki: Fine. It's normal to withdraw, or else you would die.
Sato: Don't anger me! You know what? No, I want to try again. I don't accept such a response.
Kwaki: Alright, this time. But if I see you are weaker despite using a sword you've trained with, I won't let him leave you when you say "I surrender." Hitaro, bring the Khopesh.
Hitaro: Fine, but this is difficult for a boy his age.
Kwaki: I know, but bring it.
Hitaro: Take it, boy. I didn't want to watch you die.
(The fight begins. But this time it was easier for Sato because he had trained with it with his father, and when he lived alone he used the knives and worn-out swords his father owned. Despite his weak training, he was able to defend against a real enemy. In this fight, he couldn't attack even once, but he managed to prevent the boy from killing him through defense)
Kwaki: Alright, well done. Stop now. And you, throw away this worn-out sword. Hitaro, bring me a Ninja sword.
Hitaro: Alright, here you go.
Kwaki: This is your sword from now on. You will use it and no other until you kill someone with it.
Sato: Wait, why did it come to all this? I tried, yes, but not to the extent of fighting to kill. I just wanted to prove myself.
Kwaki: Alright, let's continue. See you later, Hitaro.
Hitaro: Goodbye, sir.
Kwaki: There are different rooms and training areas, and for your information, they are much harder. This camp centers around 9 places, 3 levels for each power rank: Amateur, Warrior, Assassin. The Assassin is the most disgusting of them; they are the ones who backstab in war, and they don't care about saying "Begin" or "No". They will just fight if their name is paired with someone's. The Warrior is not a combat warrior, but a wire warrior, meaning a warrior for sacrifice. They are so strong that if there is a war, they enter like suicide bombers to kill the majority. If they die, it doesn't matter; they are there to defend the leaders and kill those in the front. And the Beginners or Amateurs are our target, filtering the best of them. There are 3 camps: a leader camp, a sleeping camp, and a manufacturing camp. The manufacturing camp is where we will put you.
Sato: What about the rest of the camps?
Kwaki: You shouldn't know about them now. Alright, we've arrived. Here is your training place, the weapons factory. You will be a blacksmith, but not a normal blacksmith in reality. You must test your weapon on these killers. The weapon must be fast, sharp, and durable.
Sato: Do you mean I will kill them with my weapon?
Kwaki: Yes. But not as you think. This is what I like to call "mercy killing." Most of them, if put in prison, will be sentenced for life, or... or... so we take them, kill them, and relieve them. And I will tell you the truth, this isn't for normal training. You have 3 years here: eating, drinking, sleeping, training. After these three years, we will let you choose to continue with us or leave. And every year, the difficulty level of choice, method, and speech changes, just so you know. Alright, what matters now is that this is your teacher. She is a student three years older than you, but much stronger than you, even in combat. She is classified as B-level, which precedes the level of the person you fought, who was C-level if I recall.
???: Alright, I am very happy with your nice words, Mr. Kwaki, but do you really remember my level and not my name, even though I'm your relative?
Kwaki: Stop it. Her name is Hanami, she is my niece.
Hanami: Welcome to us.
Kwaki: Alright, do not try to get to know her or get into a relationship, because I will kill you then, even though my words might be useless despite what will happen.
Sato: Calm down, calm down. I'm not that kind of guy, and I'm basically 14 years old.
Kwaki: But after 3 years you will be 17. Alright, I'll leave you with her to learn, and don't forget, time moves with you.
Sato: I don't really understand what you're saying, but I don't want to and will not kill, and I don't want to do anything related to fighting.
Kwaki: I know, but you need us and at the same time we need you. We will not accept any sword from you until you start killing prisoners with it.
Hanami: Alright, alright, let's go, Sato. We will train in blacksmithing, and then you will use the sword against me temporarily until we are sure you won't lose to a prisoner.
Kwaki: Goodbye.
Hanami: Since he's left, let's put on our gloves and get some iron. Alright, I'll take it for you since you're a beginner.
Sato: Stop, I know. My father was a blacksmith, I can make swords. But I need your advice if I make a mistake.
Hanami: Alright, show me. I expect you to succeed right away.
(After a while, Sato finishes making the sword)
Hanami: Alright, look. It's very, very sharp, but it's light. It can be broken easily. So next time, just try to leave enough space in it and choose a different shape, like a katana.
Sato: I will try.
(After finishing, the sword looked very good)
Hanami: Alright, this is what is now expected from the son of a killer.
Sato: What? A killer?
Hanami: Well, you know your father was a killer. He was one of the most skilled assassins. But you know, he quit. That's why he died weak; he couldn't even properly kill the ones who attacked him.
Sato: I don't understand how you could know this. Even I don't know.
Hanami: Alright, alright. Anyone who has killed or crafted a sword, we have a list with their name on it. If they die and leave no one behind, we take their son if the weapon maker or fighter was strong in the past.
Sato: So this means I'm only here and was taken to be with you... it wasn't a mere coincidence.
Hanami: Alright, enough talking, let's go. Bring your sword. What do you choose now, to kill someone or fight me?
Sato: I want to fight you. I will never kill anyone.
Hanami: Alright, come.
(Omar takes an iron sword and she takes the other, and the fight begins. 1.. 2.. 3.. Hanami breaks Sato's sword in less than a second)
Hanami: Again, but with a ninja sword.
Sato: What if it breaks too?
Hanami: Don't worry.
(Then Sato grips the ninja sword. 1.. 2.. 3.. The fight begins. The sword didn't break, but from defending himself so much and his inability to fight back, his hands bleed from the harshness and endurance. But he manages to launch at least one attack because of the fear showing on his face)
Sato: Haaaa!
Hanami: Well done, now...
(She defends herself. The moment she touches his sword, it flies away, and she points her sword at his head as he falls to the ground)
Hanami: You lost, but well done. Now you will make fifty swords until I see the best one, and then you will fight me. If I find it competitive, we will use your custom sword for the trainee squad. Give me your hand.
Sato: Alright.
Hanami: Not the one that isn't bleeding, you idiot. Give me the one that's bleeding.
(He extends his bleeding hand, so she takes out a vial and applies a red liquid to his hand, healing it in seconds)
Sato: What? What? What is this?
(He falls to the ground, unable to comprehend)
Hanami: Why did you get scared? It's a magical mixture. Magic exists in our world, but it is hidden by the kingdoms and extracted from the mountains like gold and diamonds. There are millions of types of it. It's an area we have, one of the nine regions. Don't tell Kwaki that I gave you water to heal you.
Sato: He told me about 6 of the regions, and now you're telling me about the seventh.
Hanami: What? He didn't tell you? This is a problem. It means you weren't supposed to know. It doesn't matter. What matters is, don't tell him.
Sato: What about the other places?
Hanami: You shouldn't know unless Kwaki tells you. Alright, start making swords until I see a sword you can use just to defend yourself.
Sato: This is going to be tiring.
Hanami: Try to improve your language a bit, it's really bad.
(Sato begins training in making swords, and all of them failed on the first day)
Sato: I'm tired.
Hanami: You can go back and rest, and continue your training tomorrow.
Sato: Alright.
(He returns to his private residence and finds someone sleeping on the second bed in the room)
Sato: Who are you?
Shin: I'm Shin. You know, I'm your roommate. My level is at the top of C-rank. What about you?
Sato: It's my first day, I haven't been ranked yet.
Shin: How? Everyone who comes here starts with a fight right away to determine their rank and weed out the dead.
Sato: I think because I'm a blacksmith. I think it's possible I won't have a rank because of this.
Shin: Alright, it doesn't matter. I'm going back to sleep.
Sato: Alright, and I need to sleep too.
(The next day)
Hanami: Rejected.
(And the next, and the next, and the next...)
(He learns and improves with each design, but not a single sword has been accepted from him yet. However, he understood how his father used to make swords. He realizes after a while that he wasn't just a swordsmith, but a hidden warrior... After a week passes)
Hanami: What is this? Is this a katana? But what is this? Why are its edges sharper than its face?
Sato: Well, I saw an old sword book, and I learned that the damage of most swords is avoided by escaping or striking the sword. If you make the sword sharp on all sides except the back, it can change direction quickly.
Hanami: Alright, I think this sword is worth a try.
(The fight begins. He charges with the sword at hers, and from the strength of Sato's sword, he splits her sword in half. But she uses a dagger instead of her training sword to defend herself. Then Sato starts to feel the thrill, moving in to strike her. But she manages to stop him using the knife. He attempts a quick maneuver to redirect the sword, but she uses her agility to knock him to the ground and places the knife in front of his eye)
Sato: So it worked?
Hanami: You could definitely say that.
Sato: You were fighting seriously because you had no weapon other than a dagger.
Hanami: I won't lie, but yes. It's difficult to fight against a sword like this. You did well; you managed to show me enough power for this sword to be used in training.
Sato: Seriously?
(Hanami signals to Kwaki to come see the achievement)
Hanami: Look, he managed to break the sword and almost hurt me with it. I think it's a good sword.
Kwaki: Alright, as you say. Well, I wasn't wrong as I told you about him, right? Now, come with me, you and Hanami, to watch the trainees using the sword. After that, you two can take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow, you'll go to the cave. And I know you told him about the stones, or he wouldn't have told me.
(Sato watches the trainees and tries to memorize their movements)
Hanami: Why don't you come and let me test the sword on you, Kwaki?
Kwaki: No, I want to watch one last fight between you and Sato. But this time, don't stop until you break his sword.
Hanami: I can break his sword in less than 10 seconds.
....
Sword of Eternity: The Long Covenant's Journey
Legion Fighter: Hanami
Hair: Black with some red streaks
Age: 16
Eyes: Red
Height: 174
....
(The fight begins. But this time, due to the sword's lightness and the comfort through which he knows its strengths and weaknesses in combat, Sato manages to strike his sword against hers without it shattering. They begin to scratch each other using the swords. Hanami manages to knock Sato down and place the sword at his face, but Sato strikes her foot and manages to turn the tables. However, Hanami strikes her sword against his one last time, his sword breaks, and she points her sword at his face)
Kwaki: Well, you disappointed me, Hanami. I thought you would be able to defeat him easily.
Hanami: How? He wanted to kill me! And you asked me to break his sword, which is very difficult, as you know.
Sato: Well, you know I didn't want to kill you. All I wanted was just to win against you.
Hanami: What do you mean? Do you mean you let me win?
Sato: No, no, I really wanted to win. But I never wanted to kill you.
Kwaki: Alright, alright, let's go. Go and rest for the day after tomorrow. You will go to the cave with Philip.
(On their way back, they talk for a bit)
Sato: Who is Philip?
Hanami: He's a teacher who can control the stone and shape it with the weapon using his consciousness.
Sato: I don't understand anything.
Hanami: Alright. The stone needs someone to control the amount of energy that will go into the weapon from the stone. If the power put in by a person's consciousness reaches the weapon, it will destroy it from the inside out. That's why Philip controls the placement of the stone with his consciousness in a way that prevents it from exploding. This is done through the energy inside it, because the stones are basically the soul. You can easily place the stone depending on the strength of your soul. Don't worry, I'll be with you if anything happens.
Sato: Alright, you know I won't worry because you helped me with your beautiful face.
Hanami: What? What?
Sato: What did I say? Did I say something wrong?
Hanami: Never mind, forget it. Alright, see you later.
(They both return to the camp, and the next day comes)
(The morning of the second day arrives, and Omar sits on the ground looking at the sky)
Shin: What are you doing here?
Sato: Hello, how are you?
Shin: Good. What are you doing here? Do you have the day off today?
Sato: Yes, I have the day off. What about you?
Shin: Yes, me too.
Sato: I didn't know you guys could rest.
Shin: I wish it were like that, but I had a question on my mind.
Sato: What is it?
Shin: How do you view life?
Sato: I'm still a child to know. Even if I grow up, I think my mind won't grow with me because I liked seeing things from its perspective.
Shin: What do you mean?
Sato: Time might just be time, nothing more. In all cases, it will end. That's why when I have a goal, I just want to finish it so its specific time ends.
Shin: That sounds a bit philosophical.
Sato: I don't really know, but my favorite saying is: 'Everything will pass, no matter what it is, it will pass.' What about you?
Shin: When I realized that a human can become a demon, I feel sad for humans.
Sato: Yes, a demon cannot repent, but a human can.
Shin: It's good to hear that from you. The story is still in its beginning, and that's the most wonderful part of it.
(The second day arrives)
Kwaki: Alright, listen you two. Philip won't be able to come with you, so I will talk to Hitaro to go with you.
Hanami: No, count on me. I know everything, so don't worry.
Kwaki: Alright, come back quickly. There is information that ships have arrived from the Bay of Japan from the Southern Army and some of their allies.
Hanami: No! I can't leave you while enemies are coming.
Sato: She's right. We have to help you with anything.
Kwaki: As I told you, go. Your mission is only to go to the cave.
(They leave and find Shin present. They both start collecting some stones... and upon exiting, they find a massive fire. Kwaki is in front of it with many dead people from the enemy army, and 9 swords are inside him)
Hanami: What?! Uncle! What?!
Shin: Alright, listen carefully, you two. Come with me, there's no time to explain.
Sato: What are you saying?
(Hanami is crying and cannot see)
Hanami: Uncle!
Shin: Take this bag, carry Hanami, and come with me.
(Shin opens a stone wall so they can go down through it to the beach)
Shin: Listen, there isn't much time. I am a teacher who was watching you. Kwaki's goal was to save his niece from the final war if it happened. But your father died when he was older than 30, and the war hadn't happened yet. After his death, Kwaki brought you because the war was approaching. He wanted to make sure Hanami would be safe with you.
(They reach the beach behind the trees)
Shin: Listen, run in this direction and take the boat. Press it, and it will automatically move you to the destination.
???: I hear someone's footsteps over there.
Shin: The bag with you has everything you will need. Go.
Sato: But... but...
Shin: Go, I told you!
(Sato heads towards the boat, and Shin charges forward, killing 7 people. The number of people swarming him increases until he dies, and the armies continue to pass until they completely take over the Empire of Japan)
Here ends the second chapter of Sword of Eternity: The Long Covenant's Journey.