As Sumiyoshi and Shintarō stepped into the ancient training hall, a strange chill ran down their spines. The stone walls were lined with old wooden beams, glowing slightly under the ambient blue flames flickering in the sconces. The air smelled of incense, steel... and silence.
Then they saw him.
A boy — around their age — sat cross-legged near the center of the room. His clothes were dusty, his expression dazed. But the moment he saw them, his eyes widened, and he dropped the short spear he had been holding.
He ran straight to them — more precisely, to Sumiyoshi — and hugged him tightly.
"I thought no one was ever coming..." he choked out, beginning to cry. "I've been here for twelve days... all alone. No voices. No warmth. I was starting to go mad."
Sumiyoshi blinked, unsure what to do. "H-Hey... you okay?"
The boy nodded, still holding on. "My name's Akito. They said I was chosen. They said I'd be trained. But they never said I'd be alone here in this strange place."
Shintarō crossed his arms. "Tch... tough luck."
But before any of them could react further, the flames on the walls flickered — and a glowing, majestic figure descended slowly from the shadows of the ceiling, hovering mid-air.
Sumiyoshi screamed. "GHOST! GHOST!!"
He bolted toward the door, but before he could reach it, the figure teleported in front of him, blocking the way.
"Easy," the spirit said in a calm, ageless voice. "I'm not here to harm you."
Sumiyoshi yelped and tumbled backward onto the floor.
The spirit offered a small, amused smile. "Welcome, all three of you. I am the Guardian Spirit — trainer of those chosen to bear the Divine Weapons and stand against the Spirit and its Six Forms."
Shintarō stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "So this is the place. The real training ground."
"Indeed," the Guardian replied. "This sanctuary exists beyond normal human perception. Only those who have seen the Spirit's true face may enter. You three — like the few before you — are marked by fate."
He gestured with a sweep of his hand. A grand door slowly opened behind him, revealing a radiant chamber inside.
What lay beyond made them all pause.
Weapons — dozens, maybe hundreds — lay arranged in ceremonial stands. Gleaming under mystic light were swords, axes, spears, fans, gauntlets, bows, and weapons whose shape they couldn't even identify.
Each radiated its own subtle aura.
"These," the Guardian began, "are the Divine Weapons. Born in a forgotten age, they are the only tools capable of destroying the Spirit and its Six cursed emotions. No mortal blade can harm them."
Sumiyoshi took a step forward, eyes wide.
"So we get to... choose?"
"Yes," said the Guardian. "Each weapon has a soul — and a will. If it finds you worthy, it will accept you. Only then does your real training begin. Until your bond is complete, the weapon remains sealed."
Shintarō walked forward confidently. His eyes scanned the room until they fell upon a large, Sharped Iron chain with a crimson handle — beautifully balanced, with twin dragon etchings winding across the blade. He grasped it, and a faint red pulse shimmered from the jewel embedded in its hilt.
"This one," he said with certainty.
Akito looked nervous.
Sumiyoshi, meanwhile, wandered slowly, not sure what to pick — until he saw it.
A simple elegant sword in a modest scabbard. Unlike the flashy weapons around it, it didn't glow or pulse. In fact, it looked... normal.
And yet, it called to him.
Sumiyoshi reached out.
"This one looks kinda plain..." Akito muttered.
"Exactly," Sumiyoshi said with a grin. "That's why I like it. It feels different — quiet."
The Guardian Spirit's smile faltered just for a second.
"That sword..." he whispered, too low for the others to hear.
Akito leaned toward him. "You know that sword has never accepted anyone, right? They say it's stubborn."
"Then it hasn't met me," Sumiyoshi said with a wink.
He grabbed the hilt. Nothing happened.
No glow. No warmth. Just... silence.
The Guardian stepped forward. "It has not yet accepted you. Training will determine if it ever will. Remember, once the jewel embedded in your weapon shines, your bond is complete. Only then can you wield its full power."
Shintarō turned. "Let's start, then. I don't have all day."
"Very well." The Guardian raised his hand. "Your journey begins now. Train your minds. Harden your bodies. Because what awaits... is far beyond human imagination."