Marcus slowly stood up and raised the guard of the sword to his chin. Then he split his feet apart and continued with his movements. Raise! Intercept! Shave! Curve! Hack! Poke! Jab! Smear! The sword flashed eight times in rapid succession as it dragged a shadow behind it. The shadow doubled after every movement; soon all that could be seen were flashed of white light and cloud of darkness. These were the basic movements of the sword. The happily hummed through the air as Marcus guided it through the movements. Marcus then got into his stance once again and continued with the intermediate sword movements.

Flurry! The sword dragged ten shadows behind it as it flashed once. This was flurry! The ability to strike multiple times in what seems like a single strike. This could only be done by a master and one that has studied the sword his entire life! In fact, most swordsmen were unable to master the sword's most basic movements! This was because it was really difficult to accomplish and hot-blooded young men would rather use more flashy and powerful Martial Skills. This led to less true swordmasters in the world. Thrust! Stab! Strike! Chop! Slice! Slas.h.!.+ Cut! The sword howled through the air as Marcus guided it. Its howl was akin to that of a dragon's, deep and powerful. A small golden dragon followed the tip of the sword as it waved about in the air. The dragon looked ethereal and it was transparent like a spirit. Sword, Ruler of Man!

Marcus rapidly moved on to the advanced sword movements without even bothering to get into his stance again. Silence! a.s.sa.s.sinate! Flas.h.!.+ Wave! Spiral! Fire! Storm! Thunder! Marcus rapidly executed the advanced sword movements and the golden dragon started to look more realistic and it gave out a more lively aura as it grew longer and longer. It roared along with the sword and everything in its path either gave way or way slashed down. Above the dungeon a storm brewed and dark clouds gathered and swirled about a point. Suddenly, a sword cry pierced through the sky and the clouds were dispersed. In its place was a golden dragon that was rus.h.i.+ng towards the sky. The dragon pierced through the sky and went beyond it. The blades in the surrounding shook in fear as they tried to enter their sheath if they were out and they tried to dig through the ground and hide deep within the earth if they were already sheathed. This was the sword, King no, Emperor of Blades!

Marcus continued his movements as executed the core sword movements once again. The Recording Crystal had already turned off as it had a function that turned it off when it sees the same movement twice. This time there was a difference as Marcus swung his sword. Not only did he swing the sword faster and harder but there was also something...intangible that had appeared. When Marcus swung his sword the first time it seemed as if he was using the sword as a weapon, a tool. However now it seemed like he was moving with the sword; in conjunction with it. This was Man and Sword as one, the first major success in the Path of the Sword. Marcus completed the core, basic, intermediate and advanced sword movements once again. But he still didn't sheathe his sword. He continued to swing it through another cycle. However this time there was another change. This time the air didn't part but rather it was split by the sword. Furthermore, it seemed as if the sword grew longer and more flexible to the point that it could bend by 90 degrees! This was Sword Aura the second major success in the Path of the sword and the only way for the sword to be able to launch long-range attacks. After the cycle was completed, Marcus still continued!

This time as he moved his sword it seemed as if the sword has gained life! The sword seemed like it was moving by itself. The sword moved and quickly finished the entire cycle. Its every strike was deadlier than before. It seemed as if it was hunting for the enemy and chased them relentlessly until one of them fell. This was Sword Spirit, the third major success of the Path of the Sword. Marcus still continued through another cycle and seemed as if he had fused with the sword. He seemed like he was the one that was stabbing, thrusting or slas.h.i.+ng. He was the sword and the sword was him. This was Sword Heart, the fourth major success in the Path of the Sword. However, there was still something missing. This feeling was quickly addressed as Marcus went through his last and final cycle. This time as he swung his sword he was fully the sword. It was not only his body that was one with the sword but his soul also moved along with the sword. This was Sword Soul, the fifth and final checkpoint in the Path of the Sword. After this, there was no clear path however the Path of the Sword never stopped and neither did Marcus. He kept swinging the sword but he was going through a different cycle. This time his movements grew more and more profound after every swing. The sword's aura rose to the Heavens and threatened to break it! Just as it was about to break through, Marcus suddenly stopped. He didn't want to aggravate the G.o.ds, Devils and Buddhas yet; it simply wasn't time. However, soon, soon he would swing his sword and slice apart the Heavens and create a path to them. Then he would cut them down. The surrounding blades had already calmed down the moment Marcus stopped. However, some of the blades had already split and broke! This was the power of the sword! The Sword, Emperor of Blades!