Weeks had passed since Zero's training intensified. Each day was a crucible, testing his strength, speed, and coordination. His inner energy had grown, and the fragment of Dark Elemental he retained now flickered reliably with each strike of kunai and every spinning shuriken. The old man watched silently, evaluating, measuring, feeling the rhythm of Zero's breathing, the flow of his movements.
Zero tightened the straps on his gear as the old man motioned for him to follow.
"Come," the old man said quietly. "We leave now."
They walked through the forest path behind the training grounds, the air still and heavy with dawn mist. Zero expected a boat… a hidden portal… maybe a long journey on foot. But what awaited them in the clearing was nothing he could have imagined.
At the center stood a floating stone pedestal, ancient and cracked, held together by faint threads of light. Resting on it was an object wrapped in cloth — small, unassuming, completely ordinary at first glance.
But the moment the old man pulled the cloth away, the world itself seemed to stop breathing.
A blinding surge of energy burst outward.
The air trembled.
The ground quivered.
Zero staggered back, teeth clenched, heart hammering.
A legendary artifact — an ancient relic from an era far beyond memory — hovered above the pedestal, radiating light so intense it carved patterns through the mist.
It looked like a compass wrought from celestial metal, its outer ring inscribed with shifting runes. Inside it, six orbiting fragments of pure elemental essence spun in perfect harmony — fire, water, wind, light, lightning, and shadow. Each fragment pulsed with enough power to crush mountains.
The aura hit Zero like a collapsing sky.
His knees nearly buckled.
His breath tore out in a sudden gasp, as if the artifact itself was pulling the air from his lungs.
His vision blurred at the edges — not from pain, but from the overwhelming pressure of the artifact's presence.
"W-What… is this…?" Zero managed, trembling as he tried to stabilize his footing.
The old man stepped beside the artifact, calm and unmoved, his robes fluttering from the raw energy.
"This," he said, "is one of the Legendary Artifacts created by the First Elemental Sages. It responds only to those chosen by destiny."
Zero swallowed hard. His Dark Elemental fragment flickered inside him, reacting violently — like prey sensing a predator.
For a brief moment, Zero imagined:
If my full elemental powers were still here… this artifact… would be nothing to me.
But now, stripped, weakened, incomplete — he could barely stand before it.
The old man extended a hand, and the artifact dimmed slightly, enough for Zero to breathe again.
"We will use this to reach the island," the old man said. "It will open the path."
Zero stared, stunned. "We're… using that?"
"Of course." The old man lifted the artifact. The runes flared in response. "If your master — the Shadow Master — were here in his prime, he could activate this with a thought. Compared to his power, this is merely a tool."
Zero felt something twist in his chest — awe, fear, longing, determination all at once.
The old man stepped back beside him.
"Before we depart," he said, voice slow and deep, "you must understand why the island exists… and why you must go there."
And with that, the old man began the story — the ancient training ground, the three legendary warriors, the Underworld's breach… and the cursed sword waiting within.
Finally, the old man spoke.
"You have improved," he said, voice calm yet weighty. "Your inner strength is steady, and your skills have reached a point where survival will no longer be impossible. It is time. I will send you to the island. There, your abilities will face true trials."
Zero's eyes widened. "The island…?"
The old man nodded, gripping his staff. "Long ago, that island was a training ground for the strongest of our world. Among them was your master, the Shadow Master, and two others whose names are lost to time. Together, they trained, they explored, and they left behind relics of power — items, weapons, artifacts imbued with incredible energy. One of these, a sword, is said to be cursed. Whosoever wields it will gain strength beyond imagination — if they survive its trials."
Zero listened intently, heart quickening.
"The island," the old man continued, "was once exposed to the Underworld. Demons, generals of the demon king, emerged, threatening the balance of our world. Shadow Master, myself, and the third companion — we confronted the general. Victory came at a cost. One of our allies was gravely injured. To protect the lands, we sealed the portal that connected this island to your world. The seal may hold for centuries, but its strength relies on our combined powers."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle. "Now, the seal endures, but the remnants of the Underworld still linger. Many demons roam the island, creatures warped by dark energy. They are cunning, ruthless, and hungry. You must survive among them for three months. Only then will you truly be ready for the Tower."
Zero's mind raced. "Three months… surviving there…?"
The old man's eyes softened slightly. "Yes. You must rely on what you've learned — your ninja skills, your Dark Elemental fragment, your inner strength. All of it. The island will teach you lessons I cannot provide here. Each creature, each trial, each artifact — they will push you to your limits. Only by enduring will you gain the clarity and strength required for what awaits in the Tower."
He gestured toward a distant horizon where mist rolled over jagged cliffs and dense forests. "There lies your path. Beyond that, your destiny will unfold. Remember — power is nothing without control, and control is nothing without purpose."
Zero exhaled deeply, determination hardening in his chest. "I understand. I will survive."
The old man nodded. "Good. Prepare yourself. The journey begins at dawn."