The Black Dragon’s Foot soared down into the mist, breaking through the clouds until the crew saw it: a colossal spiral waterfall, pouring endlessly into a glowing abyss. Hidden somewhere inside was the Samurai Star Blade of Water.
“Whoa,” Eoin whispered. “That’s bigger than any level I’ve ever played.”
Charlie studied his compass. “The blade is at the base of the waterfall… but we’ll need balance, patience, and endurance to reach it.”
“Sounds like another kata test,” Alfie said, gripping his Fire Blade. But just as he said it, he winced and rubbed his cheek.
“You okay?” Penny asked.
Alfie sighed. “Yeah, just… my tooth. I got a filling last week at the dentist. Still feels weird. Emberwing said I need balance and discipline—but I guess I also need to brush better if I don’t want more fillings.”
McDonalds puffed up like a dentist’s chair. “I’ll remind you after every battle: brush, floss, rinse!”
Everyone laughed, even Alfie.
The Waterfall Dojo
The ship landed on a ledge by the waterfall, where a hidden door opened into a glowing waterfall dojo. The walls rippled like liquid glass, and stepping stones floated across pools that seemed endless.
Carved above the gate were words in ancient runes:
“Purity of spirit. Purity of body.”
“See?” Skull Fire said, pointing at Alfie’s mouth. “Even the dojo cares about your teeth.”
“Ha. Very funny,” Alfie muttered, though he couldn’t help but grin.
The Trial of Flow
Inside, water guardians rose from the pools—figures shaped like samurai, made entirely of rushing water. Each held a glowing blue katana.
“They don’t look friendly,” Laragh whispered.
Emberwing’s voice echoed through the chamber:
“To claim the blade, you must move as water—adapt, endure, and never break.”
The guardians attacked.
Alfie focused. “Shizuki Ich!” His block redirected a watery strike, splashing harmlessly aside.
“Shizuki Ni!” He spun, striking a guardian’s chest, sending it rippling back.
“Shizuki San!” He leapt high, cutting through a wave with his Fire Blade.
But for every guardian they struck down, another rose.
Eoin’s Trick
Eoin fired his laser blasts, but the beams fizzled in the water. “Doesn’t work!”
Charlie’s compass glowed brighter. “You can’t fight water head-on. You have to… flow around it.”
Brooke and Luke activated their glitch lanterns, reshaping the dojo walls into slides and ramps. Suddenly, the crew was bouncing, sliding, and redirecting the guardians’ waves instead of resisting them.
Alfie closed his eyes, remembering the dentist drilling and filling his tooth. It had hurt—but he stayed calm, breathing through it. Endurance. That was the key.
He planted his feet, breathing steady, and let the guardians crash into him. Instead of blocking, he shifted, redirected, and struck at just the right moments.
The dojo glowed. The guardians froze… then bowed before him.
The Blade of Water
From the center pool, a sword rose—crystal blue, its edge shimmering like rippling waves.
Alfie reached out, gripping the hilt. The water around him swirled and settled into stillness.
“You are worthy,” Emberwing’s voice rumbled.
“Two blades remain.”
Aftermath
As they returned to the ship, Penny elbowed Alfie. “See? You can face giant water guardians and scary dentists. Nothing stops you.”
Alfie smiled, showing his teeth. “Yeah, but I’m still brushing twice a day now.”
Everyone laughed, and Skull Fire roared, “Onward—to the Blade of Shadow!”
TO BE CONTINUED…
Next up: Chapter Five – The Blade of Shadow.