First of all, I'M SORRY IT TOOK SO HORRIBLY LONG to get this new chapter up! I've been very busy tehse last weeks and didn't have time for fanfiction. But now I'm back again. So, forgive me if you can, and enjoy the new chapter.

Chapter 4: The Double Bladed Katana

I did not know that fact than, so I just left and headed back for the Inn. The others were waiting already, had I really been there for such a long time? I didn't care. I had what I wanted, partly, and it felt great. I really felt like a different person. I had been right when I said it would be easier to forget without anything from my ex-home.

I enjoyed their gaping faces. They stared and stared, not believing what their eyes saw. Hey, was I really that different?

"Guys, quit it!" I sighed "It's rude to stare."

Okay, that didn't really work, they still stared. "Do I have to slap you all to get you out of it?"

So that worked, they snapped out of it right away. "Rather not…" Ivan stammered. I grinned slightly. "So, judging from your dropped jaws, I take it I look… better?"

"That's an understatement." Isaac smiled.

I chuckled softly. "Well, I'm happy I look more acceptable now. Shall we get going? I don't want to hinder you guys any longer."

"Hey, that's okay." I felt Isaac's hand on my shoulder. "Maybe you need a weapon?"

I felt a sudden wave of tremendous pain through me, forcing me on my knees. For a moment I was certain, that during that flash of pain, I saw his face, glaring at me. I staggered up again, worried looks were placed on me.

"I'm… fine…" I panted "He doesn't want me… to buy one… He has other intentions with me…"

They were confused, stared at each other, I understood why, though. It must be really weird to see somebody suddenly falling on his knees when apparently nothing hits him. Or to hear somebody saying that a person from a dream world can have impact on my life.

"So, my brother, what are your plans for me?" I wondered "What do you want, my brother?"

We wandered around the village a little longer so I got a chance to see it, too. We even visited the prison once, for a few little minutes. Isaac and the other three talked to the guards, trying to figure out who the man in prison was. But I knew, of course. Piers. I stared at him through the iron bars of the cell door. I was standing like a few feet away from it. He didn't seem to notice me. I stood silent. He just watched through the window in the back of his cell. After a while I heard Isaac calling me over. I wanted to go, but looked at the Mercury adept once more, muttering "Maybe we'll meet again at Jupiter Lighthouse…" Was it my imagination, or did he really glance at me then?

We made our way back to the boat. We chatted excitedly about my new looks. That I suddenly felt a wave of pain through me was never mentioned again. The boat was still there, untouched. We climbed aboard. I went first. When I stood on the deck, my jaw dropped. When the others came aboard, their jaws dropped, too. I slowly walked a few passes forward, to the middle of the deck, were there was a sword planted in the wooden floor of the deck. Next to it laid the sheathe of the sword. On the handle, there was a little piece of paper wrapped around it. What was weird though, was that I knew the sword. It was Kadaj's Double bladed Katana: the Souba. Carefully I touched the handle of the katana with my fingertips. I didn't pay anymore attention to the others. I was fascinated by this sword. Hesitatingly, I took the paper, unfolded it and carefully read what was written on it. The words were short and simple.

It's a gift. Use it.

Your Brother.

I smiled and took the sheathe laying on the ground. It was nicely decorated, fitting for such a beautiful weapon. Like Kadaj, I hung the sheath on my back, horizontally and just above my hips, covered by my cape. Then I pulled the blade out of the deck and started to examine it. "Such beauty…" I whispered. I caressed the sword affectionately, like it was a very precious pet. But it was much more. I took it in my right hand and slowly swung it around a few times. The Blade cut through the air, it was feather light. The two blade, running parallel to each other, were about a metre long and were greatly polished. They looked very sharp, the sunlight was reflected in it so strong that I had to shield my eyes until I got used to the brightness.

"It is mine…" I whispered "A gift for me… from my Brother…" I swung it again a few times, then put the blade in its sheathe. I finally turned to my companions. I felt like a whole being now, I don't know why. The feeling of feeling complete had come in me all of the sudden. But it was a welcome feeling.

"I… I…" I could only stammer my words, so surprised, so pleased, I was. "I owe you guys much. And now with this new gift, I'm sure I can be of use to you, to repay my debt."

"You have no debt." Isaac quickly said, recovering from his own surprise. "But we'll gladly accept your help, right guys?" They all nodded. Mia smiled at me and I her eyes I could see that she was very happy for me. Ivan just grinned and Garet I was not sure, his eyes didn't tell me much.

Time to think more, I didn't get. I'm not sure if it was pure coincidence or fate, but at that moment a sea dragon rose up from the waves, and Mermen sprang aboard, just like that, all of the sudden. For days no monsters, and now, there were suddenly a lot of them.

"Just great." Isaac sighed. Swiftly he grabbed his Gaia Blade, Garet the Muramasa, Ivan grabbed the Swift Sword and Mia her Crystal Rod. Slowly, I took the Souba from its sheathe and faced some Mermen. I saw the others charge in different directions, fighting the attackers. I grinned, maybe I would get slaughtered in my very first fight, but oh well. As I charged, I suddenly remembered my favourite Black Mages' track "Those who Fight Further". I remembered it in my mind and I could hear it again. Then I realized the music was really playing, not in my mind, but in reality. The sea grew wilder, the skies darkened. I let my soul unite with the music and it kept my mind calm. The Souba ready I charged at the mermen. They did the same. I blocked the first harpoon from the first one, dropped on the ground swiftly and kicked away the creature's legs. It fell forward, and I could swiftly stab the Souba straight through it. To my amazement, the Monster hissed in deadly pain, then it became ash and died. But I had to keep myself focussed, there still were more enemies to deal with. So far, I had managed to survive the first few minutes of this fight, how long would I last? The other two mermen came together, each advancing on me from a different side. Seeing an opportunity, I ran and jumped, higher than I had expected, on the roof of our boat. The mermen had to change directions quickly and when they were close enough, I took a leap and jumped over them, landing behind them. I turned around so fast I amazed myself and slashed open their backs with the Souba. An angry hiss was their response. They were not dead however and stabbed with their harpoons at me, I ducked in the nick of time. Sprang up again and did a wide slash. They blocked it with their shields made of a great seashell. I hammered on them, but they kept blocking. I realized I was doing it wrong. I had to keep focussed. I took a deep breath as time seemed to slow. "Remember." I thought "You've watched his fighting style so many times, common, use it then!" And again the music filled my mind. And my companions could hear it too, and it gave them courage, somehow, even if they did not understand where it came from. But for me, the music gave me peace. I held my blade differently now, the two blades pointed backwards instead of upwards like anybody would hold a sword. Now I would have to slash 'inward' instead of 'outward'. I could see Kadaj's fighting style again and I lost myself. It was like somebody else was controlling my moves, teaching me how to do it. I moved so swiftly and with such precise, the mermen fell quickly. I took on other ones, still not myself, still my 'teacher' controlling my body. All types of different moves I performed, and I learned them so quickly. But how? Was it my brother, aiding me? Then I heard a roar, turned around, facing the Sea Dragon. And then my teacher left my body. I gulped, just as thing became dangerous, I was left to myself again. But I had gained knowledge now, all I had to do was use it. And I would.

I dove towards the ground to dodge its Aqua Breath. Quickly got on my feet again. A barely had time to step aside as the dragon lunged forward, jaws wide open, razor sharp teeth ready to taste my flesh.

"But not today!" I thought. I waited for the right moment. When the Dragon's head was just a few more inches away from me, I jumped right on to it, slamming the head against the deck. One swift strike of the magnificent Souba was enough to finish it off. It became nothing but a pile of ash. Statisfied, I turned around and sheathed my blade. Isaac just finished the last Mermen of with a strike of Ragnarok. After the last hiss had echoed away, the skies became clear again and the battle was over.

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Again, my apologies for not updating for such a long time. Hopefully you've enjoyed this chapter and are willing to give me a reply! I hope to update more often now, but I can't promise anything.