The Swordsman 4: The Final Book (Pt.1-2)

B4 Chapter 21: The Link

Rein and Cefron stood at the precipice of destruction, the Supreme Phoenix looming before them, its majestic wings unfurling as it prepared to unleash its fiery wrath upon the world. As the creature walked slowly, leaving a trail of flames in its wake, Rein turned to Cefron, his voice steady with determination.

"Now it's time for my plan," he said, a sinister glint in his eyes.

Cefron furrowed his brow, confusion washing over him. "What plan?"

Rein's response was laced with conviction. "To kill Zotaro from the past and save Sheegan."

Shock coursed through Cefron. "You can't be serious! You're risking everything!"

But before Cefron could argue further, Rein activated The Freedom's time-traveling ability, pulling them both into the swirling vortex of time.

They arrived on the fateful day when Cefron had narrowly escaped the grasp of the Xenfold wizards. Rein watched from a distance as past Cefron struggled against his captors, realizing that this moment was pivotal. He thought to himself, "If he gets caught today, I won't be able to have the Phoenix."

With a determined flick of his wrist, Rein used The Freedom's power to save past Cefron, whisking him away to the future. However, as the dust settled, a chilling realization dawned on Rein: Cefron's escape wasn't solely due to his intervention. It was Rein's presence that had altered the course of events. The weight of this truth crashed down on him, causing his head to throb painfully.

Suddenly, the remaining Xenfold wizards discovered him, their eyes narrowing in recognition of Rein's formidable power. He caught sight of a group of Sheegan swordsmen nearby, their expressions a mix of determination and dread. In a flash of instinct, he invoked The Force's ability to alter memories, weaving a tapestry of forgetfulness around them.

Once free, Rein bolted into the safety of a nearby forest. It was there that he grappled with a haunting truth—he was the one who had brainwashed the Sheegan people into believing that Cefron was dead, twisting their memories and leaving them vulnerable.

Determined to follow through with his dark plan, Rein recalled his objective: kill the past Zotaro. He stealthily approached the house where Zotaro resided, his heart pounding as he saw the sleeping figure within. With his sword summoned, he prepared to strike. But just as he was about to deliver the fatal blow, Danna appeared, stepping in front of Zotaro and taking the hit herself.

Rein staggered back, shock washing over him. A memory flashed through his mind, a painful recollection of Ariella's tale about the man who had killed Danna. Overwhelmed by guilt and horror, he turned and fled, leaving her lifeless body behind.

As he raced away, his thoughts spiraled into despair. He had failed to kill Zotaro, the very target he had aimed for. In his anguish, he decided to return to a pivotal moment in his own past—when he was ten years old, training at Lake Ragon. Drawing on The Freedom's power once more, he transported himself back in time, awakening to find his younger self practicing with a wooden sword.

Approaching the past Rein, he spoke with an authority that felt foreign yet familiar. "Your posture is incorrect." The words echoed with the weight of experience, triggering a cascade of memories within him. "My name is... Zaen," he said, his voice low and steady.

After their brief encounter, young Rein headed home, only to be intercepted by Rudo, an old man who seemed to carry the weight of many secrets. "Who are you, and what were you doing with Prince Rein?" Rudo questioned, suspicion lacing his words.

"He has Cefron's Freedom Phoenix," Rein blurted out, unable to contain his knowledge.

Rudo's expression shifted to one of shock. "How do you know that?" he asked.

Rein's heart raced as he fought to control his tongue, but the truth spilled out. "Because I am Rein from the future."

Rudo chuckled, disbelief in his eyes. "To think I would believe you! What's your name?"

"I am Zaen," Rein replied, relief flooding him when Rudo seemed to buy his story and walked away. He had met his future self long ago, and that connection now felt like a lifeline.

Yet, as Rein lingered, he accidentally overexerted The Freedom's power, creating a small black hole in the air. From it emerged a man with striking yellow hair, his eyes glowing with an intensity that shifted when he activated his Saegan Eyes. An army of skeleton soldiers poured forth from the portal, but the man stood unfazed. He drew his sword, glared at the encroaching threat, and with a powerful swing, trapped the skeletons in a triangular formation before obliterating them with lethal precision.

The man's gaze turned to Rein, who was already preparing to flee. Their eyes met, and Rein could see the simmering anger within the stranger. "Who are you?" Rein demanded, his heart pounding in his chest.

"I am Lanz, and I'm here to kill you, Supreme Phoenix," the man replied, a fierce determination evident in his voice.

As Lanz stepped closer, the gravity of the situation pressed down on Rein. The Supreme Phoenix was now more than just a weapon; it was the embodiment of his ambition and the catalyst for a cataclysm that could reshape their world. Rein's heart raced as he realized that the stakes had never been higher, and the path ahead was fraught with peril.