Night Blade: Dark of the Night

Night Blade

Dark of the Night

Kyle M. Perkins

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2015 Kyle M. Perkins and Lunar Productions

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and enjoying it, but did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please visit the Smashwords Store and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

Prologue

Niko starts to growl louder, then shoves his sword through the ice, glass, and into the ground. DRAGON BOLT! His electrical attack flows down the sword, along the ice, and forms the dragon head, heading straight toward Mizu.

Mizu unleashes a torrent of water, making the electrical attack merge with it, then redirects the water back at Niko, infused with electricity.

Niko picks up his sword, jams it into the ground to his left, and quickly pulls himself over to the other side of the crumbled ice formation, avoiding the splash of water and electricity.

She can absorb my Dragon Bolt with water and redirect it back at me, Niko thinks to himself, and if I get wet, my demon ability will disappear until I can dry off again.

What, is the demon afraid to get wet? Yakedo taunts.

What do I do? What do I do? Niko thinks again as he kneels behind one of the larger ice fragments, closing his eyes from the fear. What do I do?

You evolve, a mysterious deep voice says.

Niko opens his eyes and notices the white, glowing floor, realizing that he had been transported into his mental realm. Slowly standing up, he realizes that he is not holding his sword anymore. Evolve?

Yes, the voice of the Banish Blade responds, quickly gathering the red wispy smoke into a central location, solidifying into the sword's physical representation. In order to survive, you must evolve.

You mean I get to learn my next attack?

In a manner of speaking, yes. Your current abilities are not satisfactory enough to complete this task. Therefore, you must evolve.

But how do I do that? Doesn't evolution take hundreds of years?

You already possess the capability. You must unleash it, but at great risk.

In other words....? Niko perplexedly asks.

The sword turns away from Niko and floats over to the nearby pagoda, motioning Niko to follow in its path. Do you recall visiting this place?

Looking up at the tall building, Niko answers, Sort of. All I recall is the top floor, which still looks a bit damaged.

The sword turns to face Niko. This is your mental representation of your demonic ability.

Whoa...

You are not to come into contact with the powers held within this building, since they are a mental representation as well. If you come into contact with them, they will surely hurt you.

Is that why the large sword thingy at the top almost killed me?

Yes, it was an overload of your demonic ability, attempting to take your human side. Unfortunately, your demonic ability does not realize that if it takes your human side, it also perishes.

Stupid demon side, Niko says under his breath.

During your friends' visit, I could not materialize into a form that could help them. However, I did the best I could, given the circumstances.

The red smoky slide..., Niko says as he recalls sliding down the red smoke to his mental home.

Exactly. However, since I am here now with you, I can help you gain control of your next attack.

But I thought you said that it would hurt me.

It will, if it is not controlled. Usually, new attacks like this are taught to my master over months, if not years, but you do not have a choice.

So if I don't learn to control it-

You will die. I am sorry.

Great. Die by my own attack, die by being unable to call up my demonic ability, or die trying to save my friends.

I am afraid there is no other choice.

I wish I had more time to come up with something.

Given the situation, time is not one thing we have available. The sword turns back into red smoke and forms a staircase between Niko and the third floor of the pagoda. You still have the choice to leave, but your options are limited.

Well, if you're here to help me, I guess I better take this choice, Niko says as he ascends the smoky staircase, eventually walking onto the third floor. He sees a solid black wall in front of him as he approaches. What is this? he asks as he tries to look through it, hoping to see some form of light at the other side, or at least what the wall was covering.

The smoky red staircase gathers at the third floor and materializes back into the sword. This is your next attack.

A black wall?

Yes, or rather, what is behind it.

Niko reaches out to touch the wall. And it won't hurt me?

As long as you can control it.

That's like throwing me in the deep end of a pool, and me not knowing how to swim. Suddenly, a thought occurs to Niko. He spins and faces the sword. Hey, this isn't the same thing that was at Atamin's place, was it?

I am unsure of that phenomenon. Therefore, I cannot truthfully answer.

Well, it was worth a shot. He tries to touch the wall again, but his hand instead goes through the wall, creating a dark rippling effect outward along the wall. And I can still turn back, right?

Not anymore. You have entered the realm of your next attack. Good luck.

Good luck? Niko asks. What's that-WHOA! His hand is pulled into the wall, along with the rest of his body, disappearing into the black wall.

Chapter 1

WHOA! Niko calls out as he continues to be pulled further into the darkness. Where am I going?

The force pulling his hand releases him, leaving him to ease to a stop. Dazed and confused, Niko looks around, but doesn't see anything except pure darkness. However, his hands and arms glow with a bright outline against the darkness.

Hello? Niko calls out, hearing his own voice echo in the distance. Not hearing a response, he says to himself, Not this again. I'm getting tired of mysterious voices. First, the Banish Blade, then Joukai.

Niko starts to walk forward slowly and carefully, feeling in front of him for any obstacles that may be in his way. OW! Without warning, Niko hits his head on a horizontal cylindrical bar, causing him to fall backward, but instead of falling onto a solid floor below him, he continues falling, hitting numerous other horizontal cylindrical bars, each accompanied with a series of noises with each hit, until he finally lands on a solid, flat surface – face first.

Ow....., he says weakly after he stays flat for a moment. Slowly pushing himself up, he says, Since when did I turn into a human Pachinko?

It is not a game, a deep voice says, almost rumbling Niko's body from the low frequency.

Struggling to stand up, Niko places a hand behind his head, rubbing his neck. Another mysterious voice? he asks, since all he can see is his own glowing limbs.

You are not ready, the voice says, echoing all around Niko.

Of course I'm not! I'm a human, not a metal ball! Niko strains to yell.

Usually, the ones that come to me have matured enough to pass the first test.

'First test'? What? There are tests for this....this attack?

If you are to obtain it, you must past my tests. As of now, you have failed. Therefore, you must leave.

A glow emanates from behind Niko, making him turn to see a white, glowing rectangular door. What? No! I'm not leaving! My friends are stuck, and I'm in a dire situation!

It does not matter. You are not ready for my tests. Therefore, you must leave.

And what if I don't? Niko asks as he starts to sit cross-legged on the floor. His aching joints and muscles respond negatively to his action, but he forces himself through it.

Then we will stay here until either you or your friends perish. At which case, my mission will be over.

Niko is unsure of how to respond, thinking that a certain attack will allow him or his friends to perish while it sits idly by. The only thing he can say is, But...what...

Moments of uncomfortable silence pass as neither Niko nor the voice say anything.

Has it not occurred to you what your situation is? the deep voice echoes.

Um, duh! Niko immediately responds. My friends are in danger, and so am I. I ducked for cover, and the Banish Blade brought me into my mind to learn the next attack, because....because I need to 'evolve.'

You are oblivious to the obvious.

'Oblivious'? If I'm oblivious, then why are you just a voice?

You must be agile, cunning, and perceptive to pass my tests.

That doesn't answer my question.

I will not tell you how to pass. Otherwise, you will not have gained anything. Now leave.

The glowing door behind Niko grows larger, causing the glow to softly illuminate the area around Niko, and casting a small shadow from where he sat.

No! Niko orders.

Uncomfortable silence fills the large room once more, making Niko become agitated as he worries about his friends, and questioning his commitment.

You certainly are a stubborn one, the voice says, breaking the silence.

Does that mean that I can learn the new attack? Niko asks, hoping the response is a positive one.

The voice pauses before it answers. I repeat: if you are to learn it, you must be perceptive.

I didn't hear a 'no'! Niko responds with an upward inflection.

You are stalling. The more you stall, the sooner your friends will die.

Niko rapidly stands up. Then what do I need to do?

What is the point of taking a test if the answers are provided? I have provided you as much information as possible, without revealing the solution.

What does that mean? Niko demands.

If you are not ready, then leave. I believe you are wasting my time.

Niko turns his head and watches the glowing white door become grow once more, illuminating most of the area, and almost enveloping him, which would force him out. I'm not leaving! And you can't force me!

The glowing door stops moving, then slowly fades away, making the whole area dark once more.

Then you will be tested once more. However, if you fail, you will automatically leave. No second chances.

Good! Niko shouts. Let me have it! I'll take any test you wan-nnnTTTT! The solid floor below him disappears, making him fall again.

Shortly after, he starts hitting more horizontal bars, followed by another series of noises after each hit. How am-OW!...I supposed to-OW!...stop fall-OW!...-ing? I-OW!...can't see...

He recalls the landing from his previous fall and comes to a solution. Duh! He thinks to himself. I'm a half-cat demon! He focuses as much as he can between each hit, hoping to call upon his demon ability before face-planting on the supposed floor below. Within moments, various horizontal shapes start to become visible, making it possible for him to reach out and grab the nearest one. He swings around the nearest bar, flipping to the next nearest one, then the next, eventually reaching the floor below and lands, kneeling on his feet.

Breathing heavily, he stands up and looks around. Various outlined shapes and objects become visible around him. I've found a way around your first test! he says proudly.

Your result is...satisfactory, the voice says.

Yeah, being a half-cat demon has its perks.

As a result, you have passed the first test.

Good. How many other ones are there? I'm ready for 'em!

As Niko finishes his statement, an outline of a tall figure comes into sight in front of him. The figure looks like it is wearing a long, slightly flowing overcoat, bordered in thin and thick wrappings, but open in the front. It also seems to be wearing a hood with its face hidden from view.

Is that you?

The figure's arms slightly raise up as it responds, You may call be Zin. The voice doesn't echo as it did previously, but instead sounds like the voice is emanating from directly in front of Niko.

Zin, huh? Does that mean that you aren't part of the Banish Blade? Niko asks, squinting as he tries to make out some more details of the mysterious figure.

You mean you do not know? Zin asks, perplexed by Niko's question.

'Know' what? All I know is that the Banish Blade brought me here, then all of a sudden, I'm dragged into a dark room and start falling uncontrollably!

Zin places his arms behind his back and slowly walks past Niko. Sighing, he responds, If the Banish Blade accepted you as its wielder, then you have been chosen, but it may have made a mistake.

What? What do you mean?

Continuing to look away from Niko, Zin explains, This has only happened once before; the Banish Blade made a wrong decision, and as a result, we were all flung into the deepest parts of the void.

Wait, you mean there's more of you?

Zin quickly turns to face Niko. Do you want a history lesson, or do you want to learn my attack? he demands.

Niko is taken back by Zin's demand, but straightens up and responds calmly, I want to learn the new attack.

Then let us proceed. The whole area slowly begins to lighten, making it easier for Niko to see, but only enough illumination to see certain colors and shapes, like early morning.

Niko looks around and notices the various shapes and objects from before coming into view, but notices that Zin continues to be completely black. His long flowing overcoat is a shade of dark black, but numerous belts, pouches, and straps of different sizes that adorn his body and overcoat match the same shade of black. Even his gloves that cover his hands are the same shade of black. His body is covered by the same black material, which meets the floor with a slight ripple in the fabric, concealing any legs that he may have.

As Niko follows up Zin's body, he notices that the overcoat does have a hood, but a face cannot be seen – in fact, a head cannot be seen either. The hood itself seems to stand up on its own.

WHOA! Niko says in a frightened tone.

Are you surprised at my appearance?

What? Um, no, not really, it's just-

You converse with a talking sword, but yet, my appearance frightens you.

Huh? No, don't, um...

This will be more difficult than imagined.

Don't say that! I want to learn your attack!

Then cast aside your feelings and defend.

Defend? Defend what? Niko asks as he starts to raise his hands. Suddenly, his hands feel much heavier, as if he is holding something. He looks down and notices that the Banish Blade is in his hands. Whoa, when did that get here?

No time for answers. Defend! Zin orders.

The bright white light dims to just above complete black, and items start to zoom past Niko’s head at high speeds, causing his hair to rise up from the residual wind. Whoa! he responsively calls out as he reflexively moves away from the items. Some items actually hit him, causing small pains around his body. How am I supposed to defend myself from things I can’t even see?

Zin doesn’t answer as more items continue to fly past and into Niko.

Zin! Answer me! Niko demands, but doesn’t hear anything back except the zooming of the items as they fly past him. He tries his best to dodge the incoming items, but still gets hit by a few of them. Some objects have a dull impact, like spheres, while others have sharp edges, like cubes.

Zin! Stop these things!

The growing amount of flying items makes Niko slightly lose his balance, making him progressively step backward, swinging blindly at any object he can hit. Unfortunately, his swings don't contact anything, which makes each effort progressively harder.

I can't see anything! How am I supposed to defend myself from what I can't see?

The onslaught of flying items continues, with only a few minor contacts being made by his swinging sword, but not enough to divert the flying objects away from him.

Feeling sore from the numerous impacts, Niko turns around, letting the objects strike his back instead, but the objects follow his direction and continue striking his front.

You do not get any more chances. If you fail at this, you will die, along with your friends, Zin's voice echoes over the distance.

Already feeling stressed out, Niko begins to worry what would happen if he didn't pass this test. Just like the last test, he doesn't know when this would end, and he dare thinks about failing it, if it is the next test.

Niko breathes deeply, then slowly exhales, focusing his senses. The flying items in the darkness begin to take shape, as if he can detect where they are arriving, if only moments before they come into contact with his personal space. After a few moments, he begins to move his body and limbs left and right, avoiding many flying objects. He tries to move his sword to intersect some flying items, however he unsuccessfully strikes at them, but successfully misses their impact with his body.

Suddenly, a feeling deep inside of him causes him to look forward, as if a large oncoming object is heading straight toward him. He looks forward and tries to focus on it, but can’t quite make it out. He tightens his grip on his sword, waits a few seconds, and then swings forward, hoping to strike at whatever may have been coming toward him.

A moment later, a pair of low-pitched sounds echo from the floor, like to large wooden bowls hitting the ground.

What did I just do? Niko asks, continuing to hear the pair of low-pitched echoes.

You passed the second test, although just barely, Zin responds as he approaches Niko in the low-light, walking between two solid, black half-domes rocking on the ground.

"That was the second test? Niko asks between breaths. I thought I was just getting pulverized, like a warm-up for the next test!"

The second test was to help you identify items in low-light, helping you hone your senses.

So can I learn the attack now?

Zin’s figure disappears in a blur, followed by his voice far in the distance. Your impatience will befall you.

Niko quickly turns in the direction of Zin’s voice, expecting to immediately see him in the distance, but as soon as he sees the outline of Zin’s figure, he quickly fades away and reappears at a different, further location in the distance.

Hey, get back here! Niko says as he quickly runs after Zin's quickly fading appearances.

After seeming to chase shadows, Niko slows to a walk and eventually stops, placing his hands on his knees and continues breathing heavily. Wait...wait up...

Zin's figure continues to fade out and reappear further and further away from Niko, until he disappears from view completely.

Time is running out, Zin's voice echoes over the distance, unless you want your friends to perish.

What? I'd never want that!

Then I suggest you pick up your pace.

Niko slowly stands up as he continues breathing heavily. How....how am I supposed to do that? You're moving at the freakin' speed of light!

The speed of light? Or the speed of dark?

What? That doesn't make any sense?

What is darkness except the absence of light? Just like a fire, if one deconstructs the creation of said fire – the oxygen, the fuel, and the heat - darkness begins to take over, as it always has. Fire begins, and fire ends, but darkness is always there; light is just interrupting the presence of darkness.

Do all of you 'ancient guys' talk in riddles and fortune cookies?

I do not believe that is relevant at this point. Do you want your friends to die?

NO!

Then, to make things plain and simple: catch me, or your friends will die. The choice is yours to make.

Would you really kill my friends?

It is not by my choice. Tick-tock.

Already feeling stressed out, Niko takes one more deep breath, musters up all of his remaining strength, then darts after Zin's last known appearance.

The exhaustion of being tossed down a dark pit – twice – and hitting every possible obstacle, and then being pummeled by high flying objects starts to take its toll on Niko. After trying to run after a continuously distancing Zin, he begins to slow to a walk again. This...is...impossible! he says between heavy breaths.

Zin's image continues disappearing and reappearing further and further away. Things are only impossible until they are not, his voice echoes across the whole area.

What does....eh, I give up trying to translate what you say.

Usually, the ones that come to me have plenty of time to learn my attack. You, however, have fleeting moments.

Stop reminding me!

Then you know the consequences for failing.

Yeah, yeah. Niko tries to slow his breathing, in order to gather his thoughts and catch his breath. How do you catch something that's always running away? he says to himself.

You set a trap...., Zin's voice responds, offering an option.

But...I don't have anything to set a trap with! Niko says softly, but frustratingly. He thinks about all the recent events of Zin's tests, his friends in peril, and his recent encounter with the Banish Blade. Or you can evolve, he says, mimicking the tone of the Banish Blade from when arrived before entering the pagoda. But how do you evolve in a short amount of time?

He looks around trying to see what options are available to him, but doesn't see anything to his advantage except pure darkness, and his sword in his hands. Maybe I can use one of my other attacks! Excited at the idea, he forcibly sticks his sword into the ground in front of him. Dragon Bolt!

Electric sparks start to form around the blade of the sword, but instead of going down the blade and into the ground, it arcs around the hilt and covers his hands, slightly burning them. OW! he says as he quickly releases the sword. Okay, bad idea.

You cannot use my allies attacks on me, Zin's voice echoes, although I must admit: you are the first to attempt this idea.

Then what else can I do? Niko asks softly as he looks around for another solution. I guess I'll have to run. He looks down at his feet, still aching from the impacts from earlier. Run, he says softly. He picks up his feet, preparing to sprint as fast as he can. Run, he says again with more volume. Run..., he says once more, with even more volume, "...at the speed of light – NO! The speed of dark!"

He takes in one more deep breath, preparing himself mentally and physically. He takes one step forward, then starts to feel his foot disappear.

Whoa! he says in response as he tries to jerk his foot back. As his foot reappears, he shakes it around to make sure he can still feel it. Confident of his action, he steps forward again, making his foot disappear again, along with his leg, then the rest of his body. As he feels his body sprint forward, he quickly looks down and notices that he can't see his body anymore, but he can feel the whisk of air passing by at breakneck speeds. Items in the distance seem to pass by in a blur as he starts to pick up speed, until he sees Zin standing right in front of him.

He quickly tries to put both feet in front to stop himself, and starts slowing down, but not enough. Oh no, I'm gonna crash into him! Niko thinks to himself. He continues pushing his feet forward in an attempt to stop.

Zin puts a hand out in front, just at arm's length. Niko continues his attempt at stopping, only to fall on his rear and skid the last few feet, until he is right in front of Zin. Zin's hood tilts down, as if he is looking at Niko. I must say, I anticipated you arriving at my position, but you have the most unusual method of presenting yourself.

Feeling nervous, but slightly ecstatic, Niko cracks a small smile in response.

Stand, Zin orders. You must still prove yourself.

Niko slowly stands up with the Banish Blade in hand, just as the top of his head reaches Zin's hand.

You have proven your skill of balance and sight, focus and accuracy, and courage and agility. Now, you must prove yourself against me.

Wait, what? Niko asks suddenly.

You have passed my tests - although just barely. many others that have attempted to acquire my attack have either excelled vigilantly, or died trying. Therefore, I am willing to test you once more. Zin holds a copy of the Banish Blade, but completely black in color. You must strike me down to prove your worth. The Banish Blade chooses many wielders, but only a few can prove themselves to master all of its power.

I have to strike you down? Niko asks, looking at his own Banish Blade, wondering how he can use his own weapon to strike