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Chapter 24 The Final Trial of losifs Sword

  Raynor's Castle.

  It's night.

  Mia and Mo return from the Temple of Storms, exhausted, holding the final piece. A soldier appears.

  Soldier:

  sanctuary.

  Mo stiffens.

  Mo:

  The sanctuary?

  Father never takes anyone there. Mia feels a chill.

  His Majesty Raynor is waiting for you in the sanctuary.

  Mo stiffens.

  Mo:

  The sanctuary?

  Father never takes anyone there. Mia feels a chill.

  There's something solemn in the air. They arrive at a carved door bearing the symbol of the Samson clan. Raynor is waiting inside, dressed in his old armor, the cursed sword at his belt. Raynor:

  Mia.

  It's time for you to learn something only my family knows.

  Mia swallows hard.

  Mia:

  How to repair losif's sword? Raynor nods.

  Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

  Raynor:

  Yes.

  But it's not just about metal. It's about you.

  The sanctuary is a circular chamber filled with ancient weapons- all once broken, all once restored.

  The walls show paintings of Samson, of losif, of Raynor.

  Raynor places a broken sword in front of Mia. Raynor:

  Tell me, Mia... what do you see? Mia:

  A broken sword.

  Raynor shakes his head. Raynor:

  That's what a blacksmith sees. But a warrior sees something else. He places his hand on the blade. The metal pulses faintly. Raynor:

  A sword is notjust metal.

  It is memory.

  It is will.

  It is soul.

  When it breaks... you don't repair it. You heal it.

  Mia watches him, fascinated.

  Mia:

  How?

  Raynor lifts a piece of ancient metal. Raynor:

  *With three things:

  1. The fire of your heart your courage. 2. The breath of your spirit your magic. 3. A sacrifice something you are willing to lose.*

  Mia flinches.

  Mia:

  A sacrifice?

  What kind of sacrifice? Raynor's eyes grow heavy.

  Raynor:

  Every great sword demands a price. losif's sword... demands the greatest price of all.

  Mia falls silent.

  She knows she can't turn back now. Raynor places all the pieces of losif's sword before her.

  They float, drawn to each other, but do not unite.

  Raynor:

  Try.

  Let the sword feel you. Mia raises her hands above the pieces. Her bracelet pulses. The air heats up.

  The fragments begin to vibrate. Mia:

  They're.. moving!

  Raynor lifts an eyebrow. Raynor:

  The sword accepts you.

  But that's not enough. The light intensifies. Mia feels a sharp pain in her chest, as if something is being pulled from her. Mia:

  Ahh... Mo... it hurts...

  Mo steps forward, but Raynor stops him. Raynor:

  Do not in terfere!

  If you help her... the sword will reject her! Mia grits her teeth.

  The pieces draw closer...

  But at the last moment, the light dies.

  The fragments fall to the floor.

  Mia collapses to her knees, exhausted. Mia:

  failed...

  Raynor approaches and places a hand on her shoulder.

  Raynor:

  You did not fail.

  The sword tested your soul.

  It accepted you. But it will not unite untill you make the sacrifice. Mia looks up.

  Mia:

  What sacrifice?

  Raynor's expression is filled with a sadness she has never seen.

  Raynor:

  That... only the sword can reveal. And it will reveal it only in the Heart of Centopia.

  Mia trembles.

  Mia:

  Then... that's where we're going. Mo lifts her up.

  Mo:

  Together.

  Raynor smiles for the first time.

  Raynor:

  That is how a true warrior speaks.

  The room darkens.

  The pieces of the sword pulse in the rhythm of Mia's heartbeat.

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