Personal Power

Standing in the Courtyard for Instruction alongside the other young sect members, Rusen stood in formation so Senior Blade Master Instructor Arif could yell at them more efficiently as he paced back and forth, gesticulating at the students.

“Life is uncertain; only death is guaranteed. However, we do not accept death when it comes! We strive, we resist, we fight!”

“Some of your fellow sect members will summon magic, or pull power from the gods, or hide from death to live another day. All are valid, for each of these ways to power relies on the strength of the one striving to grow. Only that which is created by you, called forth by your effort, wielded and empowered by you can be counted on. If you borrow power from others, if you rely on something that can be taken from you, you will fall.”

“There are some that claim that buying potions or blessings, that using mechanical tools like the airship clans do is just as valid, but if you are out of potions, if your blessings have faded, if your tools cannot be repaired, then where is your strength, your power? But more than this, only by dedication, by focus, by will and drive can you empower yourself and learn the techniques that allow you to go beyond your limits!”

Rusen still felt the pain in his spirit from learning the 1 swing, 10000 cuts technique that let him triumph in the Winnowing. He was watching Master Arif demonstrate Everything is a Blade when the wind blew from behind, then suddenly changed to blow in their face carrying clouds of dust that blocked all sight. A low echoing rumble that was louder than anything he had ever heard shook the ground.

When the dust cleared from the air, there was a gap in the sky. The Spire of the Everblooming Peaches was missing.