Black Vein-Chapter 19: Trial of Sky: The Storm Within

Venshiro stood at the entrance, his wet hair whipping around his face, Black Vein loose but ready in his hand. Across the broken floor floated the shadow that looked exactly like him — his own face twisted into a cruel, mocking smile.

The storm-shadow raised its sword, a black mirror of Venshiro's own.

Venshiro's heart pounded. His palms felt sweaty on the hilt of Black Vein.

This wasn't just a fight.

This was everything he hated and feared about himself.

The shadow moved first.

Fast — too fast.

Its sword came down in a blur.

Venshiro barely blocked it. Sparks flew as their blades clashed.

The impact pushed him back, sliding across the broken stones.

This isn't like the last trial, he realized. This is way worse.

The shadow grinned. "Weak. Scared.

Doubting."

Its voice was like thunder breaking the sky.

Venshiro shook his head, panting. "Shut up...!"

He gritted his teeth and lunged, swinging hard.

The shadow met him blow for blow. Every strike felt like hitting a mountain.

The winds screamed around them, tearing at their clothes.

"You can't beat me," the shadow hissed. "I am you."

Venshiro stunded. The truth of the words cut deeper than any sword.

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This was more than just strength.

It was about everything inside him — his fear, his anger, his sadness and .. his guilt.

The storm wasn't around him.

It was him. He is the storm.

He blocked another strike, barely. His muscles were screaming.

The lightning above flashed again, throwing their shadows across the walls.

"You fight yourself and lose," the shadow snired. "Give up, you are weak!"

"You couldn't even protect your brother," the shadow hissed.

Venshiro froze. His heart felt like it stopped.

Memories flashed in his mind — memories with his little brother's face, smiling... then falling... blood...

His father's disappointed face.

The village's whispers about the cursed boy.

Every time he felt alone, even when surrounded by friends.

Venshiro dropped to one knee, gasping.

"B..B..Brother?" "I had a b..brother?"

"I am nothing," the shadow said, standing over him. "And so are you."

Fear pushed deep into Venshiro's heart.

But then —

He heard Rin's voice, far away.

"You're stronger than you think."

He remembered Hana's worried eyes.

Surado's awkward, brave smile.

"I'm not alone."

Slowly, Venshiro got to his feet. His grip tightened around Black Vein.

"You're right," he said to the shadow.

"I am scared. I am angry. I doubt myself all the time."

The shadow smirked, thinking it had won.

"I KNOW I'm not perfect," he shouted. His voice echoed across the place. "I made mistakes! I failed! But that doesn't mean I stop!"

"I will keep going," Venshiro said, louder. Lightning cracked overhead. "I'll carry my guilt! I'll carry my fear! I'll carry all of it!"

His sword pulsed in his hand, responding to his words. A new strength filled him — not from denying his feelings, but accepting them.

The storm-shadow screamed, a horrible, twisting sound. It lunged at him one last time.

Venshiro met the attack head-on.

Their blades crashed together, but this time Venshiro didn't falter. He pushed forward with everything he had. Black Vein glowed with crimson veins, slicing through the storm-shadow.

The storm stopped.

The shadow smiled sadly, almost like approval — then shattered into sparks of light.

A low hum filled the air. The broken stones of the place lifted and repaired themselves.

"You faced the storm inside, a voice whispered in his mind. You are stronger for it."

The sword talked to him.

The massive door behind Venshiro glowed with new words.

"Fourth Trial Passed. The bearer shapes the storm."

Venshiro stood there, breathing hard, heart pounding.

He looked at his reflection in Black Vein's blade — tired, scarred, and real.

Rin, Hana, and Surado were waiting on the other side.

The moment they saw him, Surado ran up and hugged him.

"You did it!" Surado said, eyes wide. "You beat the scary storm guy!"

Venshiro ruffled the boy's hair, smiling tiredly. "Barely."

Hana handed him a dry cloth to wipe his face. "You look like hell."

"Yeah i feel like it," he said, drying off.

Rin stood back, studying him carefully. She could see something different in him — a weight had lifted, but also a new fire burned in his eyes.

"You're ready," she said quietly.

"For what?" Venshiro asked.

"For what's next," Rin replied. "The harder part."

He nodded slowly.

"I have a brother , did he really die ? Why i dont remember him ..." Venshiro said in his mind.

They didn't have much time to rest. Ahead of them, the shrine twisted into a new hallway, carved with even older markings. Faint music, like wind euphony, floated through the air.

Surado looked around nervously. "Uh... guys? Is it just me or does it feel even more cursed now?"

"It's not just you," Hana said, gripping her weapon tighter.

Venshiro sheathed Black Vein and moved forward. "Come on. We can't stop here."

The group followed the new path, walking into even deeper darkness.

The shrine had accepted Venshiro for now — but it was far from finished with them.