[Garm] Master!
Garm runs over as soon as the shock from Sakyo's last attack wears off.
[Kaya] You ok? What was that attack?
[Sakyo] Yeah, I'm alright. Just testing out something new.
[Naja] What kind of move was that? It was amazing!
[Sakyo] Um, I still need to work on it a bit more before I give it a name.
As the mist from the last shadow returns to the door, each crest begins to light up. One by one, they light in sequence all the way to the top.
With a low, grinding rumble, the massive stone slab that barred the path begins to shift. Dust and ruble fall as the door splits, unveiling a new section of the chamber.
No wind. No sound. Just silence. Then it hits. An overwhelming presence. A wave of energy flooding out from deep within the final room.
Both Garm and Naja freeze in place, their fur standing tall as they feel the immense pressure being exerted.
[Naja] What is this? I have never felt so much energy before.
[Garm] It must be coming from what awaits us beyond these doors.
Sakyo takes a step closer to the doors. Each step feeling more natural than the one before, as if he's walking completely on instinct.
[Naja] Boss, what are you doing?
[Sakyo] I can hear it. It's calling out to me.
He walks into the final chamber, not waiting for anyone to follow.
[Garm] Are you ok to continue?
[Kaya] Yeah, I don't feel what you're both feeling right now. I don't think it's the same as the energy around this place. I'll be ok.
He gives a nod before following Sakyo, Naja walking shortly behind.
The room lights up as they enter. Enchanted mana stones line the walls and floors. This chamber doesn't feel like the others. It feels like a tomb, or perhaps, a sanctum.
At the far end, an ancient altar stands alone, untouched by dust or decay. At it peak, lying atop a giant stone is a piece of paper, the final passage.
[Kaya] "Log 45: It was stronger than I could've imagined. It has grown beyond even us. Something this dangerous cannot be allowed in their hands. We knew it would be strong, but I never imagined it would be alive. It refused my orders, Injustice only responding to his name. That's why I must seal it here until the day he returns... We wanted to create the strongest weapon in the world... and we succeeded."
Silence follows. Even breathing feels louder now.
They turn to the altar. Lying atop the blackened stone rests something they didn't expect. A blade unlike any other, wrapped in fossilized sediment.
[Naja] Are you kidding me? We went through all of that just for a big rock?!
[Kaya] Calm down, maybe there's something more to it.
[Naja] No. No, no. I am perfectly calm. I am so calm I could just throw this thing and let it shatter into a million pieces.
[Kaya] Stop, we don't know what it really is yet!
[Naja] I know exactly what this is. It is a disappointment in geological form!
She tries to lift the stone, but it won't budge. She grabs around and yanks it, but still no movement. She digs her heels and pulls with all of her strength. Still nothing.
[Naja] Dammit. What is this stone made of, rocks?
[Garm] That is enough. You can not even lift it.
She doesn't stop, completely ignoring him.
[Naja] How is this thing so heavy?!
[Garm] You are wasting your time.
She finally lets go, panting from her wasted effort.
[Naja] Alright then, Python. You try.
[Garm] Do not call me that.
With a low growl, Garm tries lifting the stone. It still won't budge.
[Naja] See. It will not move.
Without a word, Sakyo steps forward, eyes focused on the stone sword before them. He doesn't try lifting the stone. Instead, he runs his fingers along the blade and grasps the hilt. In that moment, something changes.
[???] Finally.
The surrounding air hums with the overwhelming presence they felt before. However, it's not overflowing as before. It's pulsing, resonating with him, almost like a heartbeat echoing faintly from the blade.
Cracks begin forming across the fossilized stone. Its stone shell crumbles away, revealing the true sword that sits underneath, untouched by dust or time.
A long, elegant katana at least 110 cm in length. An abyssal black blade with a gapped, serrated crimson spine. Contrasting to the blade, the pure white samegawa on the tsuka is wrapped tightly by a black cloth. The tsuba is decorated with a snake skeleton design, the snake's head biting towards the blades spine as its body wraps around, filling the rest of the tsuba.
As Sakyo picks up the sword, awed by it, its rampant energy begins to settle down.
[Sakyo] {Appraisal}
{Uramasa}
Weapon Type: Sakabato Katana
One of The Seven, the blade that turns on the unworthy.
Skills: {Auratic Pulse}, {Lifesteal Duelist}, {Domain Over Shadows}
[Sakyo] (Sakabato? A reversed blade?)
[Kaya] Now that's a sword.
Finally coming back to his senses, Sakyo realizes that the others have gathered around to look at the sword.
[Garm] Fascinating, I have never seen such a blade before.
[Naja] It looks like one of those swords they use in the east. What were they called again? Cat saunas?
[Sakyo] A katana.
[Naja] Right, that was the name. (sniff) Strange, I do not recognize this material.
[Garm] (sniff) Neither do I. And the blade shows no signs of wear or that stone around it earlier. It is almost as if it were newly forged.
[Kaya] Maybe it has some kind of enchantment that kept it in good condition. (cough cough)
[Sakyo] I'll look at it closer later, but for now, we should get out of here before Kaya gets any worse.
Sakyo wraps the sword's blade in cloth, tying it around his shoulders before reaching for his relic.
[Kaya] I think that's a good idea. Is your relic thing recharged?
[Sakyo] Actually, yeah. This thing shouldn't be able to be used until six hours have passed. Jeez, how long have we been here?
[Garm] We may have caught a case of dungeon sickness.
[Sakyo] Dungeon sickness?
[Garm] Dungeons like this are only illuminated by artificial light sources. Since no natural light reaches here, it is easier to lose your sense of time. Without day or night cycles, your body does not know when to rest and you can end up exhausting yourself without realizing.
[Naja] Are you saying we have been down here for more than six hours?!
[Garm] Obviously. By my guess, I would say we have been here for seven, or maybe even eight hours by now.
[Naja] No wonder my body feels so heavy. I will have to ask Ren to move our book club to tomorrow.
With those final words, the group steps through Sakyo's portal, returning home safe and sound.
Once everyone gets through the gate and returns home, Sakyo is immediately tackled to the ground by Ren. No one's surprised though since they've all gotten used to Ren's behavior.
[Ren] Thank goodness you're ok. I was so worried about you. You were gone for so long, I was beginning to think something bad had happened. You're ok, right? You're not hurt? You still love me? What's with that sword? Everyone made it back safe?
[Sakyo] Slow down, I can't answer so many questions at once!
Kaya lets out a small laugh, feeling better now that they're all really home.
[Kaya] We're all fine. No one got hurt too badly.
[Ren] What about you? You're clearly not ok.
[Kaya] It looks worse than it is. I started feeling better as soon as we got back. Just give me a bit of rest and I'll be good as new.
[Ren] Are you sure?
Her teary eyes catch Kaya's attention. With a tired raise of her arm, she pats Ren's head and assures her that she'll be alright.
[Garm] I will take her back to her room for the night.
With those words, Garm carries Kaya out, leaving the others in Sakyo's room.
[Ren] Looks like I missed some development between them. Mind filling me in?
[Sakyo] Sure, but I want to get some rest first. I'll tell you about it in the morning.
[Ren] Fine, but I expect adequate cuddles from you tonight. And Naja, about our book club...
She barely needs to look over to see Naja already fast asleep on Sakyo's bed. Ren can't stop the chuckle that escapes her mouth.
[Ren] Maybe you should join her in getting some rest. I still have a bit of work I want to get done, so I'll join you later.
She leaves, but not before giving Sakyo a kiss on the cheek, even longer than before he left. Without changing clothes, Sakyo climbs in bed, being careful not to wake Naja.
[Sakyo] You did good today. Get lots of rest.
Before he lays down, he can't help admiring her sleeping face, and no amount of restraint can stop him from petting her fluffy ears.
Meanwhile, Garm finally reaches Kaya's room, gently placing her on her bed.
[Kaya] Thanks. Sorry you had to carry me all day.
[Garm] It was no problem. I did not want you to overexert yourself.
[Kaya] ...So, uh... can I ask you something?
[Garm] What is it?
[Kaya] About what happened in the ruins, with those shadow things...
His fists begin to clench as he remembers what his shadow said.
[Garm] W-what about it?
[Kaya] Are you ok?
He's surprised. Garm didn't expect her to actually ask that. He had believed she would ask more about his past, about why his shadow said that to him.
[Garm] I...
He unclenches his fist, letting it relax on the bed. Seizing the moment, Kaya places her hand on his, wanting to comfort the man she loves in any way she can.
[Garm] ...There are some things I still have not faced yet. I do not want to yet.
[Kaya] ...You know, I wasn't always a slave. I lived a pretty normal childhood before.
Garm doesn't say a word, still looking down as she continues.
[Kaya] One day, I heard my parents talking. My father was out of a job, and my mom was too busy raising me to work. I still remember their conversation like it was yesterday. When they though I wasn't listening, they'd let out everything they didn't want me to hear. How they regretted having me, how they wished I'd never been born, and eventually how they agreed to sell me to save themselves.