In the fading light of the afternoon, Salson's footsteps crunched softly on the forest floor as he ventured into the familiar woods bordering his home. A distant rhythm of exertion soon reached his ears, and pushing through a thicket of leaves, he beheld a figure training with fervent intensity. It was Brihan. Time seemed to have merely polished him; the same unruly blond hair still crowned his head, the white jacket with its golden buttons and the yellowish trousers remained his signature. Yet, an undeniable growth in height and a palpable surge in his aura spoke of significant progress.
"Hey, hi Brihan, how are you?" Salson called out, his voice echoing slightly in the tranquil woods.
Brihan's movements ceased. He turned, his gaze settling on Salson for a lingering moment. Then, in a blink, the distance between them vanished as Brihan teleported directly in front of Salson, the suddenness making Salson's heart leap. A hand was extended, and their eyes met, twin pools of vibrant life, as they clasped in a firm handshake.
Salson eagerly recounted his rigorous training under Kan's tutelage, detailing the breakthroughs he had achieved. Brihan listened intently, a thoughtful expression on his face. When Salson finished, a grin spread across Brihan's features. "Well then," he proposed, a spark of excitement in his eyes, "how about a spar between us? It'll be the perfect way to gauge just how much we've both improved."
Without hesitation, Salson's hand instinctively went to the hilt of Fendi Montagne, the familiar weight comforting as he drew the blade and settled into a ready stance. From a small, unassuming sheath at his side, Brihan produced a curved iron dagger, two small, sharp cuts etched into its back. He held it up, a hint of pride in his voice. "Your parents forged this for me, you know. Not too shabby, eh?"
Salson's grip tightened on Fendi Montagne. "This sword," he declared, his gaze unwavering, "I forged it myself. Every ounce of my being went into its creation."
The air crackled with anticipation. Brihan shifted, his body a coiled spring, and in the next instant, he vanished, reappearing in a blur to Salson's side. Salson reacted instantly, his blade arcing in a swift parry. Using the momentum, he swung the hilt of Fendi Montagne, connecting solidly with Brihan's side, forcing him to stumble back. Salson pressed his advantage, launching into a downward slash, but Brihan was already gone, teleporting behind Salson in the blink of an eye. A rapid-fire assault of dagger strikes followed, a silver blur aimed at Salson's back. Yet, to Brihan's surprise, the blows landed with dull thuds, leaving no mark. Salson's skin had toughened considerably since their last encounter.
Seizing the opportunity, Salson spun, Fendi Montagne a silver arc, aiming a swift strike at Brihan. But Brihan's agility was as sharp as his dagger, and he effortlessly sidestepped the attack. From the very tip of his curved blade, a concentrated point of white magical energy began to coalesce. A moment later, it erupted into a searing beam, lancing towards Salson and striking him squarely in the chest.
A cloud of dust and smoke billowed outwards. As it dissipated, a powerful violet aura pulsed around Salson, the air thrumming with his energy. His eyes, once warm and familiar, now held a chilling reptilian slit. Before Brihan could react, Salson swung Fendi Montagne in a wide arc. The very air seemed to scream as the blade sliced through it, and with a resounding series of crashes, all the trees in their immediate vicinity were cleanly severed, falling to the ground like dominoes.
Brihan's eyes widened in astonishment. "I wouldn't have expected such raw power!" he exclaimed, a grin slowly spreading across his face. "Alright then, time to get serious! Elf Dive!"
A radiant glow emanated from Brihan's back, solidifying into two wings of pure, yellowish light that unfurled majestically. His dagger pulsed with the same golden hue. "Elf Dive: Pure Purification!" he announced, his voice resonating with newfound power. Diamond-shaped patches of glowing yellow magical energy erupted across his body, and crimson lines etched themselves onto his face, a testament to the immense power he was unleashing.
With a determined cry, Brihan launched himself forward, a golden streak aimed directly at Salson. Salson met the charge, Fendi Montagne clashing against Brihan's empowered dagger. But Brihan's speed was deceptive. In a lightning-fast maneuver, he shifted his weight, his leg lashing out in a powerful kick that sent Salson hurtling through the air. Before Salson could regain his footing, Brihan was upon him again, delivering a precise strike mid-air that sent Salson crashing to the ground.
Dusting himself off, Salson rose, a wry smile on his lips. "Not bad, Brihan," he admitted, acknowledging his friend's impressive growth. "You've become much stronger than the first time we met."
Brihan mirrored his smile. "You've improved a hell of a lot yourself, Salson."
Salson settled back into his stance, drawing all his magical energy into his right arm, the muscles coiling with power. His left hand gripped Fendi Montagne, the blade humming with his intent. With an explosive burst of speed, he lunged forward, delivering a devastating strike that sent Brihan flying backwards, slamming into the trunk of a sturdy oak.
Salson's breath came in ragged gasps, the exertion evident. But Brihan, though momentarily stunned, pushed himself back to his feet, a grin still playing on his lips. "You've become truly strong, Salson," he conceded, "but don't think I've shown you everything yet."
As if conjured from thin air, a multitude of shimmering light blades materialized around Brihan, their edges glinting menacingly. There had to be at least fifty of them, suspended in the air like deadly fireflies.
"This attack," Brihan announced, his eyes gleaming with focused intensity, "is called Blades of Light. Prepare yourself!"
With a flick of his wrist, Brihan unleashed the torrent of light blades. They streaked towards Salson like a swarm of angry wasps. Salson's blade danced, deflecting and destroying roughly twenty of the projectiles, but the sheer number overwhelmed him. The remaining thirty blades struck him in quick succession, each impact sending jolts of pain through his body.
Finally, the barrage ceased. Both Salson and Brihan stood panting, their bodies aching, but a shared smile of exhilaration stretched across their faces. They met in the middle, their fists bumping in a silent acknowledgment of their hard-fought battle.
In the years that followed, that initial clash became the catalyst for relentless training. Day in and day out, Salson and Brihan pushed each other to their limits in the secluded woods. By day, their clashes echoed through the trees, each spar a lesson learned. By night, while Brihan rested, Salson toiled in the heat of the forge, his hammer ringing out as he crafted weapons and armor, his skills honed by necessity and dedication. Seven years passed in this rigorous cycle. When they finally reached the age of seventeen, the transformation was undeniable. Their abilities had soared to heights they could only have dreamed of on that fateful afternoon in the woods.