When Gael opened his eyes, he found himself face to face with the majestic face of a fire lion in front of him. The roar echoed in his ears, reverberating through his entire skin. Every hair on his arms stood on end as the imposing creature passed through his body, disappearing into the mist.

Still under the impact of the scare, Silva rolled on the ground, disoriented. As he turned towards a tree, his fingers touched something strange. It was an object that Gael was sure wasn't there before.

Recovering from the shock, the young man found himself in front of Karumo and Kira, who were laughing at the situation. Perhaps they found it impossible to reproduce that event again, or maybe they were simply enjoying Silva's reaction. They were beginning to enjoy Gael's company, and that day marked only the beginning of his journey.

"Where did this come from?"

The boy asked, holding the object in his hand.

"This is a..."

"Yes, this is a sword."

Karumo interrupted, cutting off Gael's train of thought.

"The scare you had was the rupture of your inner axis. All living beings have something inside them, a source of active elemental energy. Except humans. This remains a mystery even to us, guardians. We call this source of elemental energy the axis."

The sword in Gael's hands was almost the size of a dagger, a little larger than his forearm. Its blade had no ornamental details but was sharp. Running his finger over it, Silva felt the blade's edge grip his skin.

Gael pondered Karumo's words. Humans were the only ones unable to manipulate elemental energy. Why? Was this a permanent condition, or was there a time when humans possessed such ability?

"Remember when I said that the difference between guardians and the blessed ones was that we have bestojs?"

Karumo asked, interrupting Silva's thoughts.

"Yes,"

The boy replied, holding the sword in his right hand. For some reason, he still felt that the weapon didn't fit perfectly in his hand.

"So, the weapon granted by our bestojs is what sets us apart from the blessed ones. With the enhancement of our powers, we are no longer dependent solely on the elements of nature."

Karumo explained, highlighting the distinction between the guardians and justifying why they were entrusted with the protection of each dimension.

"But how did I manage to break this inside me?"

Gael asked the obvious question to Karumo.

"Answer that, Kira. You've been very quiet in this conversation."

Karumo questioned his disciple, who had remained silent all this time.

"You were explaining so well, master, that I thought it would be inconvenient to interrupt."

Gayami justified, referring to her silence until now.

"Anyone would think you have this polite behavior every day. Stop pretending in front of the boy!"

Karumo broke the polite tone with which Kira treated him, exposing the farce.

"Then you complain that I don't treat you with respect, old man!"

Kira emphasized Karumo's words, insinuating that the master was receiving polite treatment only through lies.

"You're getting senile, it's time to pass the position to me."

"Pass the position to someone as rude as you? I won't have that displeasure."

Karumo asserted, trying to provoke his disciple. Gael got tired of that exchange of provocations before his eyes.

"Uh-huh, uh-huh."

Silva coughed twice, interrupting the discussion of those who seemed like two teenagers.

"Sorry for this embarrassing scene. My master is not very loved."

Said Kira, receiving a tap on the head from Karumo. However, still smiling, he continued.

"You broke it because you received the power of a guardian. Let's say that now, you're no longer a normal human."

"Just a minute to see if I understood something."

Gael said, trying to organize his thoughts.

"So you mean I'm a guardian now too?"

"You catch on very quickly, kid."

Pointed out Kira, receiving a positive nod from Karumo.

"I didn't say I'd become the strongest among the guardians for nothing."

Gael teased, eliciting another smile from Karumo and Kira.

"You're a good kid, but to achieve that goal, your journey will have many obstacles because the shadows have recently started to move."

Said Karumo, trying to dampen Gael's excitement with the acquisition of new powers.

"As I was saying, many beings can use elemental energy in this world. The blessed ones are those who have a greater affinity with the axis, and, as Vand explained, they are known by humans as gods."

Gael was probably hearing information that no human had ever dreamed of imagining: those gods he had studied so much in history class really existed.

"But there are beings who can manipulate the pure elements through the original names of these elements."

Finally, the boy's master began to explain the difference in using the elements.

"The guardians?"

Gael asked.

"Yes, us."

Confirmed Karumo, answering Silva's question.

When each Guardian discovers the original name of their element and breaks their axis, they gain a simple sword as a representation that they can now use the original element. In your case, it's fire.

Gael held the sword in his hands and began to observe it while the guardian explained the details of his new powers. He realized that it was a common weapon, without a special hilt. It was as if the sword had been forged by any blacksmith, instead of possessing a special magic like the bestojs mentioned by Karumo.

"Each sword has three stages of power and cannot be trained. I can only teach you the basics. When you feel a great affinity with it, your weapon will evolve with your fighting ability."

Replied Karumo. However, Gael's expression conveyed the message that the boy still hadn't understood.

"It's like haki in One Piece. The more the characters in the manga fight using that power, the more they evolve. And that's the only way to evolve your sword."

Gael continued looking at Karumo with an expression that showed he still hadn't grasped the meaning. Karumo realized the mistake he had made.

"You haven't reached that part yet?"

The master asked, embarrassed to realize his mistake.

"No, and I think you gave me a spoiler, didn't you?"

Gael asked, a bit frustrated.

"I avoid spoilers on Twitter to receive a spoiler from a supernatural being."

"It could only be you, old man. Can't you hold your tongue?"

Commented Kira about the embarrassment of the two.

"Be quiet, kid."

Karumo laughed at the situation, putting his hand on his face in embarrassment but tried to continue:

"But as I was saying, your sword will evolve with each battle you fight, and now, with the shadows starting to act, there will be no shortage of battles."

Karumo reinforced, emphasizing how the sword could evolve over time.

"But don't worry, extremely powerful beings won't come after you. Earth will no longer be their target because they have already stolen the jewel of power."

"You said Rick was the strongest among the guardians, right?"

Gael asked, trying to imagine the level of power that the former guardian of Earth possessed.

"Yes, he was the strongest among us."

Confirmed the answer to Gael's question.

"To be honest, Rick's strength was equivalent to that of two or three guardians."

The revelation had a profound impact. Who would

have overwhelming power capable of defeating a guardian with the strength of three beings that Gael had witnessed in the room where he had been taken?

"But, master, we won't gain anything just sitting here all day. Why don't we teach him a bit of sword combat?"

Suggested Kira, trying to dispel the somber atmosphere that hung after the mention of Rick's death.

"Well thought, kid, finally a good idea came from you!"

Agreed Karumo, not missing the opportunity to tease Kira but recognizing that it was a good idea for Gael's training.

"And it's not that this unbearable one has some intelligent ideas? Come on, get up!"

The command was given to Silva, who understood at that moment that the dynamics between those two worked in that way: a provocative old man and an impetuous young man. However, unlike being bothered, he got up with a smile on his face.

Kira moved away a bit to begin fighting against Gael and teach him some moves. However, the boy decided that he needed to ask one more question before starting the training:

"How many times has a guardian been killed until today?"

Kira looked at Karumo, clearly conveying that it would be his master who would answer that question.

"Unfortunately, this was the first time, and I hope it will be the last."

Little did Karumo know how wrong he would be.