“Thank you, Akemi-san.” Hotaru muttered nervously.  

With a deep breath he held the knife firm, getting a feel for its weight while never losing focus of its sharpened point. Jin’s words echoed into his thoughts as he gripped the hilt tight, holding the weapon at arms length with both hands.

“I’ve...never trained with an actual blade before,” The realization was profound in the prince’s words. He took a step back as if the knife had turned into a venomous snake, tilting and shifting in his anxious hands. The boy looked to his bodyguards with fearful uncertainty, but Ishawari held his hand up. 

“Relax, Han.” Ishawari said in a low register. “Deep slow breaths. Think nothing but of the now.”

Hotaru did as he was told, but today’s events flickered into his mind when given a moment of clarity. [i]If I had this with me, would I be able to use it?[/i] The giant man’s glare disrupted his thoughts, his fuming breath bared down on him in their chase, followed by his powerful hold that still ached his neck and shoulders. Overwhelmed by fear, Hotaru dropped the knife and took a step back. Ishawari approached the boy and knelt at his eye level. 

“Remember this moment, Han.” Ishawari said, glancing at the knife on the wooden floor. “This is what happens when you respect the blade, but don’t let it respect you.” 

Hotaru’s watery eyes stared long and hard at the knife on the ground. Ishawari brought a comforting hand on his shoulder and said: 

“In time you’ll be comfortable in each other’s presence. You’ll think it simply as a companion, like an extension of me or Akemi-san. For now, let’s just-”

Hotaru took a step forward. With sheer determination in his eyes, he bent down to scoop the knife up by the hilt. There was conviction this time, perhaps mixed with a little anger and frustration, but he refused to let fear take hold. Ishawari smiled at Jin. 

“You don’t give up easily. Good. Just like your father. We’ll need that.” Ishawari said, rising to his feet. He approached Jin, still keeping a careful eye on Hotaru as he began testing the knife’s balance. “The day we leave for the Ferryman can’t come soon enough.”