(1> Soul Echo { haru the soulrend warrior} )
[Soul Echo :timing]
Haru was overjoyed to have awakened the first stage. He glanced at his sword; its true color was finally starting to emerge.
{Ash White} though not yet in its complete form, traces of the color had begun to spread across the blade. Even if it wasn't a total victory, he had managed to execute the first phase exceptionally well.
"Great."
A voice came from behind.
Haru turned slowly, gripping his sword tight. However, it wasn't the danger he had anticipated.
"Master!"
Master Daisho had been observing him from the shadows. He was standing right behind him.
"You have completed the first stage, Haru," he said, patting him on the shoulder.
Hearing those words brought immense joy to Haru.
"However," Daisho continued, picking up the stone from the ground, "you are capable of doing this even faster. There is still room for improvement."
"This is just a fragment, Haru. A real Zek will be much faster and far more dangerous. If you stick to this current speed, you won't be able to sense them from a distance let alone up close."
"But I did my absolute best just now," Haru replied.
"That is only your own conclusion. You must strive further. Look at this," he said, pointing to the sword.
"This emerging color is proof that your power is awakening. But right now, it is only a tiny trace. Only as this spreads can you truly stand against a Zek, Haru."
Haru looked at his sword. The Master was right; the color on the blade was indeed very faint.
"Don't think that you have plenty of time. When a Zek awakens, time becomes a luxury you won't have."
The Master began to walk away. The initial joy Haru felt vanished, replaced by a burning urge to improve further. Before leaving, Master Daisho placed an hourglass beside him.
Haru picked it up and set it upright. The grains of sand began to fall, one by one. Once again, Haru held his sword softly in his left hand, and the stone vanished into the air.
He replayed the Master's words in his mind; every word created a ripple of realization within him. Closing his eyes tightly, he made silence his path.
{Whoosh!!}
This time, long before the sand in the hourglass had run out, he had located the stone in the air. It stood pinned right before his sword.
When Haru opened his eyes and looked at his sword, its true color had intensified significantly. Along with it, that same hue had appeared in Haru's eyes as well.
"This is exactly what I wanted," said Master Daisho, watching him from his hiding place.