"Show me everything you've learnt, Riven."
His words seemed to echo in the dim expanse.
'Null Edge...'
Initiating, Riven tightened his grip ever so slightly, stepping forward.
Dashing in-front, he rose his sword, carving through the air - a sharp precise arc aimed to slice through any resistance cleanly.
The blade seemed to sing as it whizzed in the air, a whisper against the night.
WHISH
Maelis shifted just enough for the strike to glance over with a soft rhythm not meeting its destination.
The crackle against the air was melodious.
Curling his lips, Maelis looked over at Riven, "Again".
Immediately, Riven's feet blurred, his feet barely seeming to touch the ground, each step erasing the distance like a shadow. Closing the gap with unnatural swiftness, it seemed he had vanished momentarily, leaving no trace.
RIPPLE
Appearing to his left, Riven slashed horizontally, aiming for Maelis' waist.
CLACK
Twisting his body, Maelis met the strike with ease. Wood meeting wood, causing Riven to move back a step.
RIPPLE
Seemingly vanishing again after the exchange, Maelis turned his head leisurely to spot him. To his momentary surprise, Riven appeared in the same place, the movement seemingly distracting him to focus elsewhere.
SWISH
Raising his sword, Riven slashed downward, in a precise arc, it seemed even sound was cut in the space of that slash, as it smoothly descended.
Hopping to the side, Maelis observed as the slash carved the wooden floor; a thin line in the place he stood prior.
'Shear Edge. Not bad', Maelis thought, sword held at his hip.
Maelis stared at Riven's focused, silvery eyes. His own, relaxed almost amused. Riven's face devoid of any excess emotion, captured Maelis' attention.
Not giving Maelis any respite, Riven closed the gap in another blink, his movements ghost-like, body almost fading from sight.
RIPPLE
However, Maelis raised his sword gently. It seemed it was his turn now.
In a casual grace, the swing came down almost 'slow', but the moment it descended Riven felt it.
Meeting the attack, Riven and Maelis clashed in the centre. But with Maelis' sword above his, a crushing pressure, exploded onto Riven, it was like the world had folded atop his shoulders.
CRASH
Pushing off the sword, Riven vanished backwards.
Huff huff
'Where...', looking in-front Riven couldn't see Maelis, he questioned it, before he felt a presence behind him.
Spinning, he whipped his sword horizontally, aiming to strike Maelis' neck.
"~", to Maelis amusement, he shifted the blade smoothly, the force sliding off like water running across stone.
TAK!
"At this rate, you won't even survive the first day~", Maelis stated, trying to mess with Riven mentally, before he disappeared.
Riven's mind screamed to move. His instincts roaring.
Stepping forward, the space between blurred as he attempted to strike Maelis' chest as he reappeared. But before the strike could land, Maelis shifted to the side, his sword now rested casually against Riven's neck as he entered a blind spot.
"Better", he said, voice calm, with a hint of quiet approval, "Your intent is getting clouded...but you're cutting through the distance".
Lowering the blade, he stepped back.
"Again", he ordered softly, "Show me your sword has will beyond desperation....calm your mind and strike with nothing "
Maelis' sword blurred under moonlight, unleashing countless strikes, slicing the chill air with precision.
CLACK CLACK CLACK
The weight piled on Riven's arms, who struggled but willed himself to hold the blade firm. His breaths came ragged, chest rising as the pressure was rising onto him. Sweat began to drip, but his eyes never lost the determination.
Another strike came.
Raising his sword to block, the impact this time spread through his bones.
CLACK!
Huff
Maelis didn't relent. Attacks came faster, sharper.
Riven staggered back, unable to vanish back under this pressure.
'Focus', he cooled his mind, silvery eyes narrowing.
'Don't block...let it pass...'
When the next blow came crashing downwards in a sharp turn, Riven huffed. His sword moved up, not to clash. Instead, it lifted up, in small incremental movements, he guided the incoming force away, as if deflecting the air itself.
His blade grazing along Maelis'. For a brief instant, it was as if the attack didn't exist, as it nullified instantly.
Pausing, Maelis' eyes flickered with approval, 'Oblivion Guard', he thought.
'To grasp the movement...if only for a moment...'
Riven lowered his trembling arms. His vision swam with exhaustion. The stress Null Edge places on your mind. The intense focus; causing abundant strain.
Huff Huff huff
With the fatigue consuming him, a faint smile edged on Riven's mouth.
For a brief second, he had moved like nothingness.
The faint approval Maelis had faded as quick as it came. His eyes narrowing, a slight focus adopted on his face for the first time.
"Again", he ordered.
Clenching his hands on the hilt, Riven steadied his breath as his legs screamed in protest.
His eyes never wavered however, meeting Maelis' head on.
With a blur.
RIPPLE
Maelis materialised instantaneously in-front of Riven. The only reason he reacted was the sharp feeling he felt in his nape.
!!!
His instincts overpowering his motor, he twisted his grip, letting the blade slip along his palm as he swung upwards in a desperate counter.
SWISH
Carving upwards cleanly, guided by null's emptiness. Their blades collided.
CLACK!!
Silence spread across the surroundings. Riven's knees bent under the force, Maelis above him, the pressure of the swing grinded into Riven.
"Mm", Maelis smiled as he chuckled softly.
Flicking his wrist, he twisted Riven's blade aside. In the same motion, his sword slip past Riven's guard, stopping right before his heart.
"Dead", Maelis said coolly.
The tension in the room collapsing like a projection, Riven bent down on one knee, gasping for air, shoulders slumped.
Moving aside, Maelis placed his sword into the ground softly, "You've done well. To hold me for a moment...that is worthy of pride."
Riven could only breathe heavily. His chest rising and falling as sweat dripped onto the wooden floor.
He let a smile escape his mouth. A real smile.
He had done well.
Maelis observed him with one of his own.
Gathering what strength he had, Riven croaked out, "You probably held back...didn't you?", with a sly grin.
Maelis raised a brow and chuckled, "Held back? I was practically asleep".
'...'
Riven's eyelids twitched, 'Figures', he thought, letting out a tired huff.
Lowering his sword, Maelis tapped his shoulder lightly, "Don't let that frustrate you. Strength is a mountain without a peak. Whether you're climbing or resting, the view only widens as you go."
Pausing for a moment, his eyes grew distant but sharp as if remembering something beyond this little dojo.
"Remember...those who reach the highest peaks often find themselves closest to the edge."
Huff huff
Exhaling, Riven let those words settle. Even though there was an ache in his arms and legs, something was rising in him he hadn't felt before - a steadiness.
Walking over to a table in the corner, Maelis picked something up, tossing it towards Riven.
It was Riven's phone.
"Your academy induction date is in 2 days", he said lightly, "Time to go and see what the world has in store Silent".
Catching the phone, he stared at the blinking notification.
Sigh
"I knew you took it ", he let out, voice hoarse.
Chuckling, Maelis tied his hair back as it came loose. "Of course you did, you didn't need it here. Now go...best to go earlier than later", he followed. "You only get one first entrance kid".
Looking up, Riven's eyes narrowed slightly, before softening. He hated to admit it, but it was time to go.
Rising to his feet slowly, since coming here, now was the first time he'd felt ready.
Maelis turned, sliding a slender blade from a long black cloth. The scabbard, mattle black ironwood, grip wrapped in grey cord. He handed it over unceremoniously.
"This...this is for me?", Riven blinked, staring at the blade.
"Mm", Maelis hummed, "Don't think too deeply, a blade without a wielder is as useless as a wielder without a blade."
Riven's lip twitched, "That's...actually kinda deep", he followed.
Testing the weight of the blade, hearing its quiet hum. Riven glanced up with genuine gratitude, "What's your number? I'll call you if i need anything.", he asked.
Maelis paused abruptly mid-step, "Number?", he replied, brows arched.
"Yeah, your phone number", tilting his head, with a deadpan expression, "You know... that thing you used to check the weather this morning."
Silence followed.
Then Maelis' mouth twitched, forming a playful smile, "I don't use phones", he stated, eyes fully closed, embodying the appearance of a cat.
Riven squinted, "But-".
"You know where to find me," Maelis cut him short, already walking to the front door, raising his right hand in a lazy farewell; The morning light began to invade the peaceful night sky.
"Train well, silent boy. And... dont die to quickly, Riven", he followed, adopting a semi-serious but also indescribable expression.
Riven still stood in the dojo, staring at the blade. He remembered the memory of Maelis' lock screen; an image of a purple waterfall floated in his mind.
"...liar", he whispered, staring at Maelis' back, but despite that he smiled.
Thinking for a second, "How am i supposed to carry this around?", he asked Maelis, looking at the sword, "People will stare".
Turning his head just enough for Riven to see his half-lidded eyes, "Check the grip", he stated.
Frowning, Riven picked up the blade, inspecting the handle. Running his thumb, he felt a subtle groove.
CLICK!
With a soft click, a thin rectangular device popped out, no bigger than his thumb.
"What's this?"
"Storage capsule", Maelis replied, now fully facing him. "Compression tech. You won't get far in Eldris without one of those".
Curiosity took over Riven's confusion. Pressing the activation rune, his blade dissolved into the capsule. Apparently getting sucked by a blue light until it was gone, leaving only the thin device.
"Cool", Riven exclaimed.
Maelis chuckled at his astonishment, "You're welcome".
Placing the device in his pocket, his mind thought back to games and movies that he'd only see stuff like this. Yet here...it was real - another reminder that this world was something he'd never seen before.
Clap Clap
Clapping his hands, "Alright. Time to go. Chop chop.", Maelis uttered.
Standing there, Riven stared at him. The capsule felt cold and heavy in palm despite the size.
Riven stared at Maelis' faint smile, on the loosely tied hair that fell down his shoulders, on the dojo walls that had become not just a second, but his home, since he came here.
He opened his mouth, trying to form words to say thank you or I'll be back, or something equally pathetic.
Maelis noticed this, "Don't look at me like that. It's not a funeral."
Swallowing, Riven's chest felt tight, "I just...I dont know what to-"
"Don't say it then," Maelis cut him off, waving his hand, "You'll ruin my image".
'...'
Staring at him, Riven blinked away the burning behind his eyes. An exhale escaped him, almost like a laugh. He put the capsule into his pocket.
"Now go", Maelis gestured lazily towards the door. "The academy won't wait forever. And neither will your destiny, or whatever people say nowadays".
Tap Tap Tap
Turning towards the entrance,. Just before he stepped out, he heard a softer version of Maelis' voice.
"Remember Riven. As high as the heavens, so low runs the blade. Walk with nothing, and you'll find everything."
Pausing momentarily.
Riven didn't trust himself to turn back,....so he just kept walking, in that cold morning air.
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**Author's Note:**
Let me know what you guys think so far! Drop a comment or leave a review - it really helps a lot.
And if you're enjoying the story, don't forget to add it to your collection!
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