Blade- Chapter 6: Blade

Chapter 6- Blade

"Cole Fathom," the man asked as he entered the room. His cloak brushed against the floor as walked, adding its soft hiss to the air.

"Hmm," Cole said as he watched the man, "given that this is the Fathom house and I am the only other occupant besides my Uncle, who you've already met, and I am about the same age as him, I would say that it's quite likely I am this Cole person. Then again you may just be talking to some random kid who feels like giving you a not-so-good first impression."

"Cute," the man said. Cole thought he saw a look of disappointment cross his sun-darkened, but it was gone before he could examine any further. Min looked suspicious of the new individual. Cole figured he should have realized that Min wouldn't have been so excited if it was Shane at the door. She had obviously noticed this man's scent was different.

 Moving to the dresser, the man turned to Cole and said, "I have been hired as your temporary instructor. Sir. Ferb will be on temporary leave for the next couple of days." 

"Temporary leave, huh?" Cole asked, torn between confusion and joy. "So where did Ferby finally decide to run?"

"Sir Ferb," The man continued, "is in disposed. He has left me with a list of what you have been currently studying and has asked that we continue along your current path of education."

"Yah, about that," Cole said, reaching for the door handle, "I'm supposed to meet one of my friends in a bit. Just tell Ferby we did the work and it'll be fine. Nice to meet you though."

With that, Cole began to turn but stopped when he noticed a small silver ring upon the man's finger.  Though simple in its appearance, Cole could not help but turn back. The ring seemed to glow with an internal light, but no light was shed. On the side, a cloak with a sword through it was handsomely imprinted in the metal. On the top shone a brilliant blue sapphire.

"What is that?" Cole asked, pointing at the ring. His voice had suddenly gone soft and his words shook.

The man looked at the ring, and then smiled. "Well a piece of metal or wood fashioned into circle so that it may easily be worn around the finger is called a ring, if that's what you're asking."

"I know what a ring is," Cole shot back, shock still etched in his expression. "I meant what meaning does it have."

"Asking as though it's your business," the man replied, "Who says you need to know?"

"Who says I don't?" Cole asked.

The man grinned. "Well," he said, "Your simple curiosity will just have to deal with being curious, won't it?"

Cole almost continued the debate, but felt that it would be better if he didn't. Instead, he made a noise of discontent. The ring shone and sparkled at him from the man's finger.

"So, you're a teacher are you?" Cole asked, sitting back on the bed.

"I like to consider myself such," the man said.

"What do you teach?"

A smile shone across the man's face. Taking one of Cole's many books from its pile on the floor; the man leafed through its pages. Eyes sparkling he said, "Life."

"Interesting subject," Cole said. "Care to elaborate?"

Closing the book, the man held it in both hands and closed his. For a minute, Cole thought he might have fallen asleep. Suddenly his eyes flew open and the book burst into flames.

"What are you doing?!" Cole yelled, jumping to his feet.

"Elaborating," the man said, calmly as ever.

 Slowly, he tossed the book into the air. As it fell, he raised his arms and clapped his hands around it so powerfully that Cole felt a burst of air dissipate across his chest. A shower of sparks flew every direction. When he opened his hands, a small crystal was all that remained.

"How did you..." Cole asked, but he was too amazed to say anything more.

"An illusion is all that it was. Worry not," he said. Reaching into his sleeve, he drew forth the book and handed it to Cole. He took it. It was as solid and whole as before.

"Life," the man said, demonstrating to the surrounding room, "is nothing more than perception. Everything you are, everything you feel, is sensed. All I have to do is get you to see, taste, touch anything I want you too and I create your world. I destroy it."

He scooped up the ashes from the floor and held them in his hand along with the crystal. Closing it, he turned it over and opened it to the floor. Nothing fell.

"What happened to the crystal?" Cole asked.

"What crystal?" the man responded, grinning once again. With that, he stood to leave the room.

"You will be assigned no homework for tonight," the man said. "What I ask you to do is consider what it is you want to learn. I have no reason to teach an ungrateful student nor do I have the time.  I will expect an answer tomorrow upon my next arrival."

The man turned to leave.

"Wait," Cole called as the man reached the door. "Unless you like being called hey you, I need to know your name."

The man turned, his gray eyes glimmered as he looked at him. "You may call me Blade." Then he was gone.

"Strange," Cole said. Turning to the dresser he said, "What do you think Min, is he alright?"

But Min was already asleep.