Man did not create weapons out of fear. Weapons created the fear that shaped man.
She moved like a dancer, every step birthed anticipation for next. A deceptively soft swing. The sound of air being sliced. The blade's reflections mirroring its path.
Ezra expected to see military platoon drill— instead he saw smiling faces, gleaming faces, familiar faces. Children, parents, grandparents all participated in the training. The atmosphere he grew used to when travelling with Pedro.
Omi walked over to him panting, covered in sweat. His head gear muffled his voice.
"You came."
Ezra caught off guard only just realising it was him sparring with swordsmaster.
"Yeah… I like to learn, I guess." He said, rubbing the back of his head.
The one armed sword master walked towards the pair, looking as if she had barely broken a sweat.
She bows towards Ezra.
"Miyu Hanazaki."
"…Ezra. Just Ezra."
She made a quick scan to his left and then to his right.
"Your friends weren't interested in coming?"
Ezra took a moment as he looked for an excuse.
Re left…
And Gia followed him…
Oh and Ciro went to give the camera footage to Dex.
"They're not really into sword play." He shot a crooked smile.
She handed him a wooden sword, barely half the size of her own. Its base was ragged, used— the faintest grip would unleash siege of splinters.
"A basic understanding of the blade is always useful. My father always said you never appreciate the dull moments until you're pierced by a blade." She exhaled softly, the corner of her mouth lifting slightly.
"He learnt that the hard way."
Omi snickered. Despite his frustration earlier he was happy, and his light reflected on everyone else around him.
"Have you ever used a sword before?"
"no."
Omi dragged his arms across his waist, removing his sword from its resting spot.
"Probably would be best if we sparred using the wooden ones then."
Omi led Ezra to a circle in the middle of the court. Everyone else paused in fascination.
"Look, Omi is going to fight that weird looking guy."
Weird looking…?
Omi bowed and Ezra instinctively copied him.
"Kendo usually has a point scoring system, however Miyu sensei doesn't believe in those rules. It only takes one strike… so that's the rules we will go by."
Omi took faint steps forward— the kind unnoticed until the distance was already shut.
Ezra tightened his grip on the wooden sword, unsure where to place his feet, unsure where to look.
He raised his blade.
Too late.
The sound came first.
The sharp whistle of air and Omi's sword hovering an inch from his neck.
Ezra staggered back, the sword slipping from his hand as he sucked in the air that refused to come.
Omi had already stepped away.
"One strike."
Ezra blinked confused, he hadn't even seen the swing.
Even the crowd stood shocked— only for a moment, followed by the smacking of hands together as they cheered for their prince.
"You were thinking about the sword." Miyu said.
"Omi was thinking about you."
"A blade is not a weapon. It's a decision."
Ezra brushed his neck, catching his breath, more embarrassed than hurt.
Not cos.
Not power.
I've been in more fights than I can count. But there's something different…
"Intention." Miyu voiced, as if she was responding directly to his thoughts.
- - Two hours later - -
"Hey! One of the wooden swords is missing." Omi shouted at the children as everyone packed up.
Miyu stepped over, helping a flustered Ezra remove his resting gear.
"You're a fast learner."
Ezra let out a faint laugh mixed with an exhale of air.
"Still not faster than those kids' swings."
She removed his face guard and leaned in slightly.
"You're going to bruise. Was it worth it to you?"
Ezra tapped his cheek and flinched.
"To be honest I wasn't interested in kenjutsu… but it was fun."
"Yet you still came."
Ezra looked toward the sinking sun— its glare fading the longer he held his gaze. He rarely looked at things with such intensity.
"Light conversion… I was interested in light conversion."
Miyu burst into laughter— sudden, unrestrained, catching Ezra off guard. He found himself smiling with her.
"Light conversion? From me?" She said,
"But I'm not divine."
Huh…