The palace grounds of Vrasnia shimmered under the eternal twilight, the purple moon casting a surreal glow over the crystalline spires and rolling fields. The aurora borealis danced above, ribbons of light weaving through the starry sky, as Neve trained in the courtyard, her katana gleaming with a frost-kissed edge. Her ice aura pulsed with each swing, a mesmerizing blend of elegance and power, her white hair flowing like a cascade of snow with every refined strike. Her movements were a symphony of offense and defense, each arc of her blade cutting through the air with surgical precision.
Kazimir, strolling through the palace grounds, paused at the edge of the courtyard, his violet-blue eyes—swirling with galaxies and a crescent moon pupil—captivated by the sight. "Wow," he murmured, his voice barely audible over the soft hum of Neve's aura. Her style is breathtaking… a dance of ice and steel. For twenty minutes, he stood transfixed, watching her fluid motions, her sports bra and leggings accentuating her graceful form under the moon's glow.
Neve paused mid-strike, her katana glinting as she glanced over her shoulder, a teasing smirk playing on her lips. "Kazimir Van Sato, are you spying on me?"
He stepped forward, his black hair with blue-tipped edges catching the aurora's light. "I got sidetracked," he admitted, a rare softness in his tone. "It's not often I see you like this."
"Oh?" Neve said, her voice laced with playful surprise. She leaned closer, hands clasped behind her back, her blue eyes sparkling with mischief. "So, you're saying you liked what you saw?"
Kazimir sighed, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Yes, Neve. Your form was… beautiful to watch."
Her face lit up with a wide grin. "Aww, you really think so, Kazi?" Before he could respond, her expression shifted, and in a split second, shards of ice materialized around him, their sharp tips glinting ominously. "Don't play with me, Kazi," she said, her smile turning wicked.
Kazimir raised his hands, unfazed. "I was joking. I meant it." The ice shards vanished as quickly as they appeared, dissolving into a fine mist.
"Good," Neve said, her tone brightening with joy. "Anyway, I'm glad you're here. There's one last lesson I want to teach you, Kazi."
Kazimir raised an eyebrow. "One last lesson? What more could you teach me?"
Neve folded her arms, . "Oh, please. I'm still your master, and you're my student. You may have surpassed me, but I've noticed something about you—and that sword. I want to test it."
"I'm down," Kazimir said, his curiosity piqued. "What's the plan?"
Neve's eyes gleamed. "Take out your nodachi—the Twilight Deliverance."
Kazimir nodded, extending his hand to the side. An electrical void crackled to life, its indigo lightning illuminating the courtyard as the Twilight Deliverance emerged, its black and indigo blade pulsing with an otherworldly aura. He gripped the hilt, drawing the sword with a flourish. "Alright, I have it. Now what?"
Neve stepped closer, her voice softening but carrying weight. "You haven't fully tapped into this sword's potential. It's powerful, Kazi, but you've barely used it. It's not on par with the holy sword that hero is wielding, when Karah wielded the twilight deliverance, but now it's bonded to you. Look at it—its structure shifted to black and indigo to match your power."
Kazimir studied the blade, its surface shimmering like a starless night. "Yeah, it's different from my old katana. It has… traits my other weapons don't."
Neve's voice grew reverent. "The Twilight Deliverance was forged by Solaris, but it's been bathed in the power of Nullity. That makes it a unique weapon—one that grows with you. I know this because I was with the Astral Legion when your mother was alive. I saw her wield it. She died two years ago, when I was twenty-two. I'd just become a Vandor, but I'd been with the Legion since I was eighteen. I only saw her fight once, but I learned enough to recognize this sword."
Kazimir's eyes narrowed, a flicker of emotion crossing his face. "So, you're saying I might be able to use some of my mother's techniques?"
"Maybe," Neve replied. "It's not a typical artifact that grants power. The Twilight Deliverance scales with your strength. If you're weak, it's useless. If you're strong, it becomes unstoppable. I don't know if it counts as an artifact, but it's alive in a way—tied to you."
Kazimir's grip tightened on the hilt. "I see. So, what do I do?"
Neve's voice dropped to a whisper, her presence commanding. "Hold the sword. Connect with it. Close your eyes, Kazi. Don't wield the sword—become it. Let it flow through you."
Kazimir raised the Twilight Deliverance before his face, its blade reflecting the aurora's colors. He closed his eyes, his breathing steadying as he focused, the world around him fading. The courtyard grew silent, the only sound the faint hum of Vrasnia's eternal night.
Kamaki, strolling by, caught sight of the scene and froze. "Oh, sh—HELLO, NEVE AND KAZIMIR!" he shouted, his voice booming.
"Shhh!" Neve hissed, glaring at him. "Don't speak so loud! Let him focus!"
Kamaki scratched his head, confused. "What's he focusing on? He's just holding a sword."
Neve's eyes gleamed with anticipation. "Just wait. Something's happening."
A gentle violet-blue aura began to emanate from Kazimir, his lightning-spacial energy flowing like a serene river. The air shifted, a subtle weight lifting from the courtyard. Kamaki blinked, his expression shifting to unease. "Huh… why do I feel… different? Like everything's lighter?"
Neve's smile widened, her ice aura resonating with the energy. "I feel it too. It's like a burden's been lifted—no fears, no doubts. That's why it's called the Twilight Deliverance. Kazimir's technique… it cuts away our burdens, our fears, anything holding us back. It boosts our morale, our strength."
Kamaki stood in awe, his jaw dropping. "Wow… so Kazimir can buff his comrades and debuff his enemies? Damn, when I get rejected by a girl or go through a breakup, I know who to call to fix my heart!"
Neve burst into laughter, her voice ringing like chimes across the courtyard. "Hahaha! I guess that's another upside!"
Kazimir's aura faded, and he lowered the sword, turning to face them. "I felt something. What happened?"
Neve stepped forward, her eyes bright with pride. "You cut away our burdens, Kazi—our fears, hesitations, weaknesses. It's incredible. You were amazing."
Kazimir's brow furrowed, a rare hint of confusion crossing his face. "So… I'm an upgraded therapist now?"
Neve leaned against him, laughing so hard she nearly doubled over. Kamaki joined in, his booming laughter echoing through the palace grounds. "What?" Kazimir said, still puzzled. "I basically remove people's struggles?"
Neve wiped a tear from her eye, grinning. "Yes, Kazi, but it's more than that. Removing weaknesses is a game-changer. Who knows what else you can do with that sword? But that's all I have for you today. I'm happy I could still teach you something, as strong as you are."
Kazimir's crescent-moon pupils softened, a rare warmth in his gaze. "Thank you, Neve. I don't know what I'd do without you at this point."
She flashed a wide, playful smile. "Tehe!"
The purple moon hung low, its light mingling with the aurora borealis to paint Vrasnia's night in hues of cosmic wonder. The stars above seemed to pulse in rhythm with the newfound power flowing through the courtyard, as master and student stood together, their bond forged in the fires of mentorship and the promise of battles yet to come.