Thenion stared blankly for a moment before jerking his neck to his left in time to see Kiso’s black lightning ball, now half a meter in diameter, race towards his face.

Chapter Thirteen -

The twisting ball of lightning racing towards Thenion caused every hair on his body to stand tall. He knew if he let that ball of lightning make contact with him, it would devour every cell it touched.

A normal Ichi clansmen wouldn't have had the reaction time to even struggle, but how could one of two pillars of the clan be so weak?

Thenion, although he appeared very old, was a spiritual pressure cultivator, his body was still in very good shape. When the ball of lightning was still halfway between Kiso and himself, he sprang backwards increasing the distance between the two while simultaneously waving his arms gathering a large cluster of earthen nature energy in the path of the lightning ball. The earthen energy raced into a singular location, forming a wall of earth which appeared to hard and smooth like iron.

Forming iron walls for an earthen nature cultivator can be said to be a high level technique and was precisely Thenion's greatest ability.

The lightning ball collided with the iron wall, causing it to violently shake before bursting into several hundred shards. The wall shattered, but the lightning ball was dissipated.

Kiso hadn't ever encountered someone who could resist his lightning and was significantly shocked.

"This old man isn't simple.." Kiso immediately gathered spiritual pressure once more, preparing to followup his initial attack.

Thenion was endlessly shocked, far more then Kiso, as even Mord's white lightning had been unable to leave a mark on his iron wall during their last battle. If a simple wall was his best technique however, he would not be one of the pillars on the Ichi clan. He quickly gathered an even more intense earthen energy as several metallic snakes coiled up Kiso's legs, binding him to the ground.

Directly following the metallic snake binding, he gathered energy into several areas surrounding Kiso, forming five metallic spikes pointing inwards.

By now, Kiso had recovered from being shocked as well and was continuously gathering more and more spiritual pressure into a single hand. The black lightning poured out of his palm stretching out as he continuously mustered spiritual pressure until the black lightning took shape. The black lightning in Kiso's hand took the shape of a thin sword, which flickered as the shape changed periodically.

Thenion noticed the black lightning sword and a strange sense of dread washed over him. He grit his teeth and urged the metallic spikes together. When the metallic spikes collided with each other sparks flew and Thenion secretly rejoiced.

The scene before him however was beyond his imagination.

The spikes had hit empty air.

As Kiso was watching the spikes fly towards him, he simply merged with the wind, executing the Skyshadow technique. His body flickered and he reappeared directly behind Thenion, less then a meter away.

Thenion's face seemed to reject what was happening, as disbelief was painted all over it.

When Kiso reappeared, he raised his black lightning sword, directly stabbing towards Thenion's skull.

Thenion sensed the impending doom and gathered earthen spiritual pressure into his skin on his skull. His skin transformed into the same metallic iron that he had previously used to create the wall, snakes, and spikes.

When the black lightning sword made contact with Thenion's iron skull, it violently vibrated causing Kiso's hand to become numb. After a moments clash, the metallic skull gave way and Kiso's black sword pierced directly into Thenion's brain killing him instantly.

Kiso sighed in relief as the black lightning sword retreated back into his palm. He shook his hand and grimaced slightly from the pain.

"This Thenion old fellow was quite powerful, he even forced me to use the Blacklight Sword.." Kiso thought.

The Blacklight Sword was the condensation of spiritual pressure into an effective striking weapon. Its power was much greater then standard ranged attacking methods, but required Kiso to fight in close combat. He had developed this technique only recently following the suggestions of Elder Sage.

As Kiso stood nursing his sore hand, he suddenly felt a large number of eyes fixated on him. When he looked over, those men and women were staring at him in astonishment.

Kiso scanned over them and located Joro, to whom he smiled and called out, "Uncle Joro, I'm here on behalf of a certain young lady, any guesses who that might be?"

Hearing Kiso's words, Joro wanted to jump up in excitement, but instead hurt himself as his wrists were still bound to the ground.

Seeing him grimace in pain, Kiso didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

Kiso walked over to Joro and knelt down, summoning spiritual pressure into a finger tip. He used his spiritual pressure to form a small black lightning knife which he used to cut his restraints.

Hands freed, Joro stood up and bowed deeply to Kiso saying, "Joro pays his respects to the young master. Thank you for saving our little lives."

Kiso nodded and smiled warmly then walked between the remaining bound men and women and freed them as well.

After freeing the last woman, Kiso stood up and turned to Joro to say, "Uncle Joro, Jihu and my companions are waiting outside the village, do you have the strength to walk with me?"

Although Joro was weak and malnourished, the prospect of being reunited with his daughter energized his weak body. He quickly responded, "Of course! Lead the way Kiso."

Kiso smiled and turned slowly started walking towards the palace exit when a young man couldn't help but blurt out, "Young master Kiso! Where have you been? How did you escape Thunderblack castle?"

Joro shot a fierce glance at the young man but quickly his own curiosity got the best of and he added, "Did you come here on orders from your father?"

"My father?" Kiso dared not rejoice prematurely, however he couldn't resist a small spark of hope.

He looked over at Joro who was following close behind him and used his spiritual pressure to send a mental message to him, "Joro do you know where my father is?"

Joro frowned when he heard the message in his mind as he shook his head, then replied by sending a message back to Kiso's mind, "No, but I know that he shouldn't have been caught yet. The Ichi clansmen have loud mouths and they've been telling stories about your father. They say that he's been leading a group of survivors, traveling around the valley attacking Ichi clan squads."

Kiso's face brightened and he quickly sent another mental message, "And my mother?"

Joro smiled and this time spoke out, "Nine out of ten, they're both alive."

"Great!!!" Kiso couldn't hide his excitement, nor did he wish to. Instead, he motioned for Joro and the others to follow, adding, "Anyone who wishes to hear about where I've been and what I've been doing can follow and listen to the story."

Every person present quickly ran up to follow Kiso with anticipation in their eyes. His display of power just now left them full of hope regarding their future.

- - - - -

Kiso and Joro's family walked slowly through the desolate village. The sun is beginning it descent from the peak of the sky taking with it the warmth it usually offers.

As Kiso is walking and telling his story, he can't help but look around, observing the aftermath of the invasion.

Almost every building is heavily damaged and there are corpses scattered around, without a proper burial. Every time Kiso sees a corpse of a young child, he feels a rage grow in his heart. As they approach the gate he finished telling his story. It didn't take long as he just gave the gist of it leaving out most of the secrets, especially that of the Elder Sage.

When Kiso reached the gate, he turned around to face Joro and his family. His face was solemn as he studied the faces of the men and women he saved before speaking, "Joro, you can continue following me but everyone else can go get some rest. You all are the survivors of Blackspark village and will need to regain your strength for the days to come." Kiso glanced around at a few corpses and destroyed homes.

The survivors followed his glances and instantly realized what he meant. Their own faces lost the excitement and awe previously painted by Kiso's story, replaced by a collective sorrowful frown. The eldest man spoke for them this time and he hoarsely said, "We will do as young master Kiso says. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for saving us!"

The rest nodded in agreement shooting grateful eyes at Kiso before turning and walking in various directions. Kiso watched them for a bit and what he saw made his solemn face brighten slightly. Rather then return to their homes to rest, they dragged their tired bodies around beginning to clean up their village.

Joro smiled at Kiso and said, "My family and I were lucky to keep our lives, we will not forget young master's benevolence."

Kiso shook his head but returned the smile then motioned for him to follow.

- - - - -

From atop the hill overlooking Blackspark village, three small figures were currently seated closely together observing the gate in anticipation.

When Kiso and Joro finally emerged from the gate Yuni was the first to notice. She happily sprang to her feet lifting Jihu with her as she pointed towards the gate and said, "Jihu look!"

Jihu squinted her eyes and although a half mile is far she could easily make out that familiar silhouette.

Relief and happiness filled the young girl's face as her lips curved up into a dazzling smile. She couldn't help but start running as fast as her little legs would take her.

In the distance, one of the silhouettes seemed to notice and separated from the other as Joro began running as well.

Kiso and the two girls could only feel their hearts warm as they ran after the two of them.

In a few short minutes they reached each other, Jihu jumped into Joro's embrace and they spun around several times before Joro fell backwards into the grass still hugging Jihu.

Jihu was the first to speak through her happy sobs, "Father! I knew they couldn't kill you!"

Joro just laughed and held Jihu one level tighter.

Their reunion was a beautiful scene, causing happy tears to form in Yuni and Sara's eyes.

After a few minutes Joro sat up, Jihu taking that same seat in his lap she had at the youth trials. Attempting to put on a serious face Joro again said, "Kiso I truly owe you my life, if I had known today would come to be, I would've fought with everything I had against your..."

Kiso frowned, "My uncles?"

Joro's gaze lowered as he nodded adding, "Right, although I never agreed with their decision, I was one of the few. All I could do was return here and hope your grandfather would persevere on his own."

Kiso's anger swelled as he thought of his uncles betraying their own father. He was angry that he wouldn't be able to take revenge for himself as they had already been killed by the Ichi clan.

Joro could see the change in Kiso's face, his own anger was swelling as well when he suddenly remembered something.

He blurted out, "Young master! You need to hurry to Thunderblack castle before it's too late!"

Kiso was pulled from his anger and with a puzzled expression he queried, "Before it's too late?"

Joro quickly nodded adding, "Right! When Thenion was interrogating me, he was attempting to get information about your father from me, but that's not all! The biggest reason the Ichi clan set their devilish eyes on our valley was because of the legend behind our clan!"

Kiso couldn't help a single eyebrow from raising, "What legend, how come I haven't heard of this?"

"You're Mord's grandson and would have been told at your coming of age ceremony when you turn 15. Here, read this, it contains the prophecy that initially led Magnum Black to this valley!" Joro quickly produced a scroll from his DS ring.

The prophecy scroll was already common knowledge amongst the Ichi clan elders therefore Thenion hadn't felt the need part Joro from his ring.

Kiso took the scroll from Joro's hands and quickly unwound it.

The scroll read:

In the fourth valley of the western human province Sangrad Mountains, an ancient powerful artifact rests hidden away, awaiting the day its master will find it.

The artifact will bring a single great fortune to the one whom it recognizes as worthy.

Kiso finished reading the prophecy and looked over at Joro, raising his eyebrow again he asked, "The Ichi clan would slaughter all these people just for a shot in the dark?"

Joro shook his head and said, "Young master, over the years the artifact was located by our clan. However, nobody was recognized by the artifact and so it was hidden away in Thunderblack castle."

Still not understanding the significance, Kiso asked, "So what is the artifact?"

Joro smiled and responded, "Although it isn't confirmed, a few centuries ago Magnum Black informed the clan leader at the time that the artifact was most likely a map! However, the artifact appears to be a simple blank roll of parchment. Hidden away with the parchment was a metallic vial, when the vial recognizes it's master, the liquid inside will turn to ink. That ink is likely to have a special relationship with that parchment, or so Magnum had said."

Kiso still wasn't convinced and his face showed his lack of excitement.

Joro could only sigh then add, "That map is said to lead to an invisible cave in the Sangrad Mountains. Inside the cave is an ancient scroll containing the ultimate technique left behind by a cultivation master tens of the thousands of years ago!"

Interest finally piqued, Kiso couldn't help but tilt his head towards Thunderblack castle's direction. His eyes seemed to lock onto the castle, still tens of miles away.

A fire burning in his heart, reflected in his eyes, he turned to Yuni and said, "Yuni, we're leaving!"

To Be Continued!

Note - Coiling Dragon tribute ftw...going to work now..