(I'm sorry for the delay on the update guys, college has been a bit busy. Hope you all enjoy the update. I'm on Winter Break, though I have to finish a scholarship, but hopefully that won't take too long so I can get back to writing.)

Noble Six: Thanks, hopefully you'll like what's to come.

Guest: Umm…ok…why did you hate it?

Chapter 10: First Day

(Adirondack Park, the next day)

Connell stood in the small opening before the spirit of Miyamoto Musashi. The dead ronin had his back to the young man. Despite his utter shock at the realization of what his amulet was, he knew he had to focus on training to battle those in power.

"Why do you fight?" The spirit asked.

"You already know." Connell answered.

"Perhaps, but answer me." Miyamoto Musashi replied.

Connell was quiet for a few moments, trying to piece together how to best answer the question.

"They have taken over the country, they are using segregation and prejudice against people they deem a 'threat' to security to the country. They rule with an iron fist, no disrespect to that fallen hero. They are forcing their will on people they just assume are bad, whom they see as a threat just because they have amazing gifts. Countless have been slaughtered because they chose not to be controlled. One was my friend. He died and I couldn't save him." Connell answered, his voice filled with emotion.

The spirit turned around and walked towards him then stopped a foot away from him.

"Many times has one with power oppressed those without it…or those with it yet that aren't gripped with evil. You speak honestly and truly…but you must know…that this path could lead to defeat and death. Do you truly wish to fight them, young man?" Musashi replied.

Connell nodded, his eyes fixed with determination.

"Very well, let us begin." Musashi stated.

In his right hand appeared a katana sword, the spectral blade running with some kind of spiritual energy, as did the other sword in his left hand. Like the man himself, despite being spectral the outlines of the blade and handle could be seen to an extent. Connell was confused.

"Draw your swords." Musashi said.

Connell looked at his hands.

"Uhh, I don't have any swords." The young man grunted then looked up at the spirit.

"That's because you aren't focusing." Musashi answered, approaching his pupil.

"What are you-" Connell grunted in confusion.

"Defend yourself!" Musashi ordered, twirling his blades then slashed them from the side.

Connell grunted as he ducked under the swords then jumped back as the samurai's spirit slashed again.

"Defend yourself!" Musashi ordered, raising his blades.

"HOW?! I CAN'T THINK OF-" Connell screamed, annoyance and shock in his voice.

"That is the problem! Don't think! Feel! Use your instincts! Thinking is fine, but it can get you killed in battle if one does it too much. I know your heart, Connell. It is as strong, if not, stronger than your mind." Musashi said.

'Don't think, feel. I try to both as best as I can, though I'm not great, it just seems…ah hell.' Connell grumbled in his mind.

He dodged the strikes again yet tumbled and fell to his knees.

"Defend yourself! Now!" Musashi bellowed as he swung the blades down.

Connell growled as he raised his hands to defend himself. Before he could look up he heard a clank. He looked up to see the spirit's katanas had been blocked by blades of his own. In his hands he held two spectral katanas like Musashi. His eyes widened in surprise.

"Good." Musashi said then pulled his blades back.

The spirit took a few steps back. Connell grunted as he got to his feet, his eyes on the blades. Like the spirits, the blades were a ghastly green and had an aura like the Northern Lights. His eyes were wide with astonishment.

"H-How…How?..." Connell gasped.

"Your own spirit brought for the weapons. The amulet connects to the wearer's essence, and its powers occur when the wearer's spirit flows with true strength…the weapons manifest." The spirit explained.

Connell looked at the spectral swords in his hands, his eyes wide with wonder.

"Truly a sight to behold, isn't it?" Musashi chuckled.

Connell did his best not to let a stupid smile spread across his face, for his amazement was overcoming his composure.

"Yes…yes it is." Connell replied, his voice with a slight chuckled mixed in.

Musashi twirled the katanas in his hands.

"Come, let us begin." Musashi said.

Connell then looked towards him then back at his blades. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply then exhaled. His breathing was slow and calm, readying himself. This was truly the beginning of his training and he wanted to be ready for it. His eyes opened then locked onto Musashi. The samurai's spirit stood facing the young man, who faced him as well. They then rushed forward. Musashi quickly swiped his left blade down, but Connell blocked with his right blade. Connell quickly jabbed with his left sword, but the spirit instantly parried with his right katana. The young man grunted in frustration, the force the ethereal instructor applied surprised him.

'Come on, Connell…you can do this.' Connell grunted in his mind.

He then pushed back the spirit. Connell shouted as he ran forward and slashed with his right ethereal katana. Musashi stared in surprise as he blocked the blade quickly with his left katana, but then he smiled. The ronin swiftly pushed away his pupil's sword then quickly turned while slashing with his other sword. Connell grunted as he stumbled back then grunted as he ran forward. He growled as he slashed down with both katanas, but the spirit twirled to the right. Musashi jabbed with his right sword, catching Connell's blades instantly then slashed down with his other blade. Connell's hold on the blades was lost and then disappeared like a puff of smoke. The young man's gaze shifted from his disappearing weapons to the spirit, who lunged forward and kicked out with his foot. Despite being ethereal, the force sent the young man to the ground instantly.

"Grah, damn it. Though I guess I knew I had no chance…you are the greatest samurai in the history of Japan…perhaps the best swordsman in history itself." Connell grunted as he picked himself off the ground, wincing with pain.

"I have not met every samurai and swordsman so I cannot say the truth of the statement, but thank you." Musashi chuckled, sheathing his swords.

Connell grunted as he cracked his back and his neck.

"You have a long way to go from here, this will be hard." Musashi said.

"I know." Connell replied.

"You should also know…the road you walk…you might not live to see the end of it." The ronin added.

"Yeah, well, I never expected this to have a happy ending." Connell said.

To be continued…

(Again, I'm so sorry for the late update.)