(The Phoenix Sword)

*September 20th, 1918*

*12:20pm*

One hour had passed as Kaede stood in front of a large tree with her sword in hand as she awaited further instructions for her training.

"You're doing quite good! Now! Your next instructions is to use the mighty power of the sword to strike down this tree and remember! You are not only training your body but also your mind and soul as well and that's the key to unlocking the sword's true power...I think…" The Peddler instructed as he let out a smile and a small chuckle at the last part of the sentence as he saw Kaede smile back.

"Understood and by the way. Do you remember who you are? I mean we got the phoenix sword in hand so maybe you're slowly starting to remember your identity right?" Kaede asked with a smile as she turned her direction towards The Peddler with a look of curiosity in her face as she awaited her response.

"That's a good question Kaede and to be honest? I don't recall my name or anything from my past. So I assume that if you train even further than maybe the phoenix sword may unlock my memories in the process so let's try doing that!" The Peddler replied back with a mixture of confusement but with a sense of eagerness as well as he saw Kaede smile.

"Don't worry! We'll get your identity back one way or another and that's what friends are for" Kaede answered back as she saw The Peddler's face turned into a more surprised one.

"F-Friends? I-I'm your friend?" The Peddler uttered in shock as if he never had a friend in his life before while staring at Kaede with shock.

"Of course! You really helped me out in my search for the sword and you are also teaching me the basics to get stronger as well but also you are a really amazing person" Kaede replied back as she smiled warmly at The Peddler.

"T-Thank you. I can say the same as well" The Peddler said as he smiled as well.

"Let's resume the session okay?" Kaede said with a smile as she gave a thumbs up in the process.

"Sounds good to me!" The Peddler answered back as he smiled and gave a thumbs up as well as he saw Kaede turn around towards the direction where one of the big trees was located so she could use her sword to cut it down.

"If I'm gonna stay in this forest for two years than I may as well start my training asap! Okay! HERE GOES!" Kaede cried to herself as she let out a cry as she used her sword to aim at the tree as the sword impacted the tree however not even a dent was on the tree which surprised Kaede.

"Whoa! This sword really is legit but I know that back in the cave I was told that the sword chooses its owner thus they can use its power but why isn't it working for me yet? No! I can't doubt myself and I just have to keep trying until I can!" Kaede said to herself.

As she once more let out a cry in another attempt to cut down the tree as she swung her sword once more as the impact of the sword came into contact with the tree once more as this time it caused a small gush of wind to push Kaede and even The Peddler back as this surprised and shocked them.

"W-Whoa! That's a small step but you are getting there Kaede!" The Peddler said in an excited tone of voice along with a huge smile on his face as he slowly got up and walked over to help Kaede get back on her feet.

"W-Wow. If a small swing can cause something like this then imagine what'll happen if the sword reaches FULL power…" Kaede uttered in disbelief in shock as all of a sudden a small glow came from the sword.

"What's going on? Did we.." The Peddler asked in surprise as he and Kaede saw the sword lift in the air in front of them as the light captured Kaede and The Peddler.

"W-What's going on. I-I can't move.." Kaede thought to herself as she looked towards her right to see her friend at the same ordeal she was in was the light eventually consumed the both of them.

*Inside the Phoenix sword*

Kaede opened her eyes as she got up to see a purplish yet colorful dark area she looked around with great surprise.

"W-What in the world is this? I never seen anything like this" Kaede said to herself as she walked forward towards nothingness as her emotions were surprisingly calm.

"You must be Kaede right? We have much to discuss so please stand or have a seat if you must" a young man said with a smile who had short black hair with brown skin as he seemed to be wearing a traditional african outfit.

"W-Who are you? How did you know my name?" Kaede asked the stranger with a hint of curiosity in her voice.

"My name is Abayomi and I was also the user of the Phoenix sword…" Abayomi said with a smile as many more previous users appeared as they were sitting in chairs which were formed in the shape of a circle as Kaede's face turned to an even more surprised yet shocked one at the same time.

"W-What's going on…" Kaede uttered to herself as she stared at Abayomi and the previous users of the phoenix sword in complete shock at the new events that was transpiring in front of her.