Page 129 of Kaneko
For a moment that lasted forever, I stood there, light coursing through me, finally understanding what Nawa had meant when she’d commanded me to awaken.
Not simply awakening my body to strength.
Not only awakening my mind to wisdom.
Awakening my soul to its purpose.
Then, as suddenly as it came, the power fled.
The light winked out.
My legs gave way, and I collapsed to my knees beside Kaneko, gasping like I’d run for miles. Every muscle screamed. My vision swam. Blood dripped from my nose, my ears, from cracks in my skin that sealed themselves as I watched in stunned horror. And through the haze of exhaustion, through the shocked silence of the training yard where everyone remained on their knees, Nawa’s voice rang clear in my mind:
“Blessed son of the goddess, arise and take your place.”
