Reality's Blade

Chapter 2: A New Beginning

It was the next day, and I hadn't been able to concentrate at all. While the events of the previous day still soured my school day, I was surprised to find that it was the Dark Samurai I was thinking about when my mind wandered and my heart calmed. I had been dying to just get home and back to Legerdemain. To ensure I wouldn't fall behind I did my homework in the breaks, my parents would be furious if my grades dropped because of a game, I had no doubt it would be immediately confiscated.

My heart raced as I lay down on my bed, the visor whirring gently to life. It didn't even occur to me yesterday that once I logged out my position may not have been saved, the systems couldn't function in the land beyond the forest properly. Could I get back to it if I tried? I suddenly wondered how I even got there in the first place, the legend of the forest wasn't exactly a small one, most people had heard of it, if a level 30 swordsman had made it why has no one else. Although... surely someone must have made it through, else the rumour couldn't have started. Maybe more people do make it through but they get sent back to the town so can't prove it? My heart raced even harder as I pondered where I would wake up.

I materialised by the edge of the forest, I breathed a sigh of relief, my shoulders relaxed as I assured myself I was still out beyond the north of the forest. I then wondered if relief was really what I should be feeling, would the Dark Samurai welcome me for a second time, perhaps he isn't fond of visitors in this private land, shouldn't I be concerned not happy to appear in the realm of this skilled stranger?

I looked around, it was day time this time, yet a full moon hung low in a sky tinged pink, reflecting off the still lake. The fire sat lifeless, it's flames having burnt out sometime in the early hours of the morning, leaving only scorched earth and ash. The most surprising thing though was the grass, a vibrant green that carpeted the floor right down to the lake. Last time it had looked deep purple.

There was a gentle rustle from the forest behind me, the trees however were still, today there was no breeze, as another movement made the leaves dance I leapt back knowing there had to be something hiding in the darkness. I drew my sword, it glinted as my hand trembled, a trait I had never been able to get rid of. I couldn't see far into the forest from this side, the strange black and purple trees seemed to reel in the light and capture it.

Without another warning something large and darkly obscure flew from the treeline straight towards me, I flung my sword broadly across in front of me, there was a sound of metal clashing. I stumbled backwards from the impact, before me was the Dark Samurai, his expression was shaded and hard, his keen eyes felt like they were going through me. That expression alone set my limbs in concrete, I was no match for this man. I didn't have time to regret coming back to this strangers place before his attacks started.

He raised his sword high, instinct kicked in, I blocked his blow just in time but he advanced yet again swinging in from the right, wide sleeves billowing and haori flowing. I wasn't fast enough, my sword met his as the razor sharp blade bit into my upper arm, all the while he was driving me back. I let out a gasp of pain, my breathing was ragged and my arms like lead, I was still absolutely terrified. Our swords met once more, he paused and to my surprise pushed against my blade, I was unstable, the force was more than enough to send me falling heavily to the ground. I was done for, his sword would skewer me before I even had a chance to get up. I closed my eyes, waiting for the sickening feeling of my health draining and my body being dematerialised.

I waited, and waited, yet still the final blow did not greet me. I tentatively opened my eyes. Looming over me was my opponent, I was left taken aback to see him smiling faintly. He held out his hand. I stared at the pale, slim fingers. He sighed audibly.