Epiphany

The wind was like a musician, as it blew amongst the leaves. It whistled melodically, playing nature's beautiful song. The floor was like a bride; the golden leaves decorated it. There was no green, no life, yet all was so beautiful. It was like this presence portrayed the fact that not only was life beautiful, but death was just as beautiful.Amongst the leaves, under a tree, sat two boys. One was much older than the other, he was at least a young adult. His face had sharp features, which were further amplified by his indifferent expression. His hair was as black as the night, and it was like they were made of silk.The other boy was young, he looked as if he had just become an adolescent. His hair was white as snow, and it flowed down his shoulders like a waterfall. His facial features were gentle and delicate. It gave him a strange timidness, one that was amplified by the soft look in his eyes. The boy seemed to be paying close attention to his older companion, his face full of concentration and curiosity."You are the talent of our people. You have the potential to reach the level of a grandmaster. Just keep training with dedication.""Grandmaster?""They are those who reach a higher level of sword mastery. It is said that they can split seas, and topple mountains with their level of sword mastery. All this, without a sword."Without a sword? It can't be sword mastery then, can it brother?""It is sword mastery. However, it is sword mastery to such a level of proficiency that they do not need a sword. Such masters could wield a feather and still be a threat.""Woah..." The boy's eyes widened, and he was filled with awe with the revelation. Could he be that strong? Would that mean he could be stronger than his brother? It seemed unlikely, but if his brother said so..."Brother?""Yes?""How does one achieve such a level?"The brother raised an eyebrow at the question, before replying."Nobody knows.""Huh!?""I am not finished explaining.""Ah- Oh sorry."His brother closed his eyes with a sigh, before explaining."It is said to be achieved through inspiration. No amount of training can change that. Sword mastery is an art where one can sometimes not improve through a lack of understanding. Gaining an understanding opens up the doors of power. Nobody has ever been known to achieve this understanding except one man."The boy leaned forward, his eyes wide and full of curiosity."Can you tell me more about him, brother?"The brother nodded before he spoke."He is said to have reached heights that we could not imagine. He spent countless years in meditation until he achieved a grandmaster level. It is he who freed us from the tyranny of the dragons.""Are you talking about the great king?""Yes, he liberated us elves through his sword skills. He holds the highest honor among us. You too, have the potential to gain such prestige.""Me..."He could be such a great hero. Just like the great king?He could achieve such honor?~~~"No...It cannot be..."Large pieces of rocks lay scattered about, making the area look like the aftermath of a war. Amongst the rocks, lay a suited man. His armor was dented and cracked, with a large hole in the helmet. A green eye was revealed from within, with a few strands of white hair visible.The death knight spoke again, as he tried to pick his ragged body from the ground."If honor lies in strength, does that mean my brother had no honor? All of those dead elves... it would mean they died honorless deaths."He stood, though he looked like he would fall at any moment."You are wrong. They were heroes. I was strong enough to survive but..."The knight's voice shook."I am no hero. I cannot save and liberate my people. I cannot fight and die for them...""And that is because you're weak." Alden's voice was callous and uncaring; he believed what he said, and he was not apologetic for it."Weak..." The knight muttered.~~~Was his brother weak? No, he was powerful. But not powerful enough. Not as powerful as...him.Yet, he revered his brother so much. What was it that made him feel so much respect for him?Will.He had a strong will coupled with a desire to protect. He had strength, maybe not in the physical sense, but he did have it. That was enough for him to deserve strength. The knight picked up his head, his eye glowing with a renewed vigor."You are right." He said, his voice no longer trembling, his tone confident. "The most honorable are those who are strong..."He readied himself to attack."Be it in will or power!"He tore through the air, his fist swinging for Alden. Alden leaned to the side, easily avoiding the blow. Another swing followed. Alden dodged. Alden swung his fist, and it struck the knight's torso.The knight fell to one knee, before forcibly standing. He responded with an uppercut. Alden took a step back, avoiding it.He held out his hand, and gravity's blue energy poured out. The knight was blown back, and he crashed into the large pieces of the rocks as he flew."I need to end this..." Alden muttered. He soared into the sky and stopped before the fallen knight.Though he was weak, though he was injured, though he was hopeless. He stood. He slowly got up, still ready to fight."I will fight for my people!" He charged toward Alden, ready to deal damage.Alden easily blocked his attack, before returning a blow. The knight was sent far into the distance. Like a ragdoll, he rolled through the dust before stopping a distance away.The knight let out a heavy breath as he tried to stand. Fatigue gnawed at his limbs, and pain filled every cell in his body. But he would not give up.Never!Alden could see it. He could see the resilience. He had to end it.Alden held out his hands, and a beam of blue flames shot toward the knight. The knight was hidden within his flames. There was no way the knight would survive these flames. Alden knew that.He was dead.Alden stood and watched as the flames diminished, and he watched as smoke danced above the ground. He had finally won.Alden turned away to look for Prince, but he realized something.There was no notification.~~~"Don't tell me...." Alden spun around, and then he saw it.A cloak woven from a rainbow was the only way to describe it. It covered the area where the fire once burned. Something had risen. Something great.Alden watched with bated breath, as the smoke cleared. From deep within, a silhouette became visible. Around the knight, strands of electric currents snaked and danced all around his body. Rainbow-like energy surrounded him, and it was like he was engulfed in a rainbow-like flame."Grandmaster level..." He heard the knight mutter.The knight placed his hands on his helmet and removed it to remove what was underneath. Alden half-expected to see a hideous monster hidden within. It was nothing like that.Green eyes met him, and he had to admit that they were the most beautiful pair of eyes he had seen. Long white hair messily fell to his shoulders, and a few strands sat before his face. His skin was as fair as a maiden in those fairytales, and his facial features were gentle. Most noticeably, the man had 2 pointy ears, confirming his race. The elf's cold, ruthless eyes were fixed upon Alden.Most of all, a terrifying presence emanated from the man's body.The knight raised his hand, and a yellow energy filled his palm. It lengthened into a long weapon, a sword made purely of energy. Alden watched him act with amazement, the technique was nothing like he had seen. It seemed like the elf could manipulate the energy as if it were clay. Any shape or form did not seem impossible for him.The knight closed his eyes. He took a calm breath inward.When he opened his eyes, he disappeared.Alden's eyes widened as the elf appeared before him. The elf had swung the sword downward. Alden barely avoided it. Another swing followed. Alden leaped into the air, avoiding it.Alden clasped his hands together and swung downward. His fists were aimed at the elf. The elf disappeared. Alden's hands swung through the air."What..." He realized late, he felt the sword tear through his skin. Yet it did not even touch him yet.Alden glitched a distance away. He placed his hand on his back, and it came back with blood. He was worried. If he could not beat this knight with Cheat Code... then? He was contemplating what to do when the elf's voice broke him out of contemplation."Human! What do you go by?""Alden," Alden simply replied."Aerith is my name. Alden!"The knight raised his hands."I stood before a thousand corpses, all of them my kin. I asked them, what is honor? What is it even worth?"The knight lowered his hands."Nobody spoke, and yet I received my reply. Do you know what the answer was?"His voice raised, and his expression grew solemn."Honor...it is when dead men speak. It is when blind men see. Honor is when dead men live! That is honor! I will live for it..."A new wave of energy burst forth, engulfing the elf's entire body."And I will die for it!"The knight charged forward, and his sword raised. Alden clicked his tongue and prepared to avoid the attack. The sword swung, and Alden avoided it. He put distance between them by flying back a far distance. Blue energy snaked around his hands."Huah!"He let out a shout as he pushed forth energy, and the energy darted toward the knight. The knight sliced through it, easily stopping the attack. Alden rose into the air and pushed forth a large stream of flame energy, covering the entire plain with it. Then he dived into the flames.The flames slowly cleared, and the knight looked around for Alden. He could not sense his presence.Then he saw something, a silhouette was running to him.The knight swung his sword, and it sliced through the person. A massive line of energy sliced through the flames, clearing a path."No blood?" The knight muttered in confusion. Then he realized.Because he felt an intense killing intent behind him.