(Please bear with me; this will be a brand new story; any sense of similarity is purely an illusion)
This is an inconspicuous little island on the Grand Line named Asca Island.
The people on the island are simple and kind, working diligently, and should have relatively prosperous and peaceful lives.
But in reality, it was not so. Due to unverified rumors, pirates almost constantly visited this island, causing great disaster for the islanders.
The houses on the island are built together to resist possible pirate attacks. However, from a bird’s eye view, one can see a lone treehouse in the forest, out of place with the rest of the island’s atmosphere.
At this moment, a few skinny figures appeared under the big tree, hesitating as they approached. It seemed none of them wanted to get too close. Finally, an older child mustered the courage to shout at the treehouse:
“Allen, the High Priest is looking for you!”
From the silent forest came the sound of footsteps, and a handsome little boy poked his head out from the treehouse. In an instant, the children below scattered like frightened birds, their panicked voices echoing through the woods.
“Run! The monster is out!”
“He saw me! I’m doomed! He’ll find out I stole the beast meat!”
“You thief! How could you eat it without telling me…?”
Allen’s face remained calm, seemingly accustomed to others’ fear and rejection. He simply called out to the treehouse, “Little sister, I have to go out for a while. Be good while I’m gone, okay?”
A delicate little girl poked her head, sweetly saying, “Brother, Demi won’t run around. Demi is the best!”
Relieved, Allen securely closed the doors and windows and leaped down from the nearly ten-meter-high treehouse.
Before long, Allen arrived at the village temple, where the High Priest, leaning on a cane, appeared timely. The High Priest looked old and frail, with skin like parchment.
“Allen, I have called you here today for a matter of life and death for our tribe,” the High Priest said, looking ashamed.
“High Priest, please don’t say that. Just tell me what you need.” Allen’s young face was full of seriousness.
A flicker of hesitation passed through the High Priest’s eyes, but he quickly regained his resolve.
“This matter dates back thousands of years, Allen. Do you know the legend of the cursed Holy Sword?”
“I know. It’s said that the pirates keep coming to the island because of that elusive legend,” Allen replied earnestly, though puzzled by the High Priest’s mention.
“Elusive? No, it is not merely a legend but a fact!”
“This… how is that possible?” Allen’s young face was full of shock.
“According to legend, thousands of years ago, a red full moon descended upon Asca Island. The ancestors believed that the red moon, symbolizing blood and evil, would bring disaster and misfortune. Thus, it was called the Ominous Moon.”
“To protect people from the invasion of disasters, the gods of Asca bestowed three gems as a shield and a Seven-Star Sword as a spear to King Asca.”
“Unfortunately, over the long years, the Seven-Star Sword gradually became tainted with darkness and misfortune, turning into a cursed Holy Sword. Our clan’s mission is to guard and suppress it, preventing it from being exploited by evildoers and stopping its darkness from invading the world.”
Allen listened, awaiting the High Priest’s explanation.
“Every hundred years, when the red moon appears, the seal’s power is at its weakest. It requires the blood of a priestess and the three gems to reseal it. However, the next generation of priestesses is not yet grown, and I am too old and frail. No one else in the tribe can complete the seal. If the Seven-Star Sword is released, the seas will be engulfed in darkness!”
“So, what you’re saying is…” Allen’s tone dropped, seeming to have guessed the High Priest’s meaning.
“Only the perfect offering to the gods can appease their anger and strengthen the seal of the Seven-Star Sword. Your talent… is almost like you are a child blessed by the gods!”
Allen was kind enough to give up his life for the villagers who feared and rejected him. But he couldn’t die; if he did, who would take care of his young sister?
Due to the pirates’ invasions, life on the island was tough. No one wanted to take on another mouth to feed. That’s why Allen, intelligent as he was, showed his value just to secure food for his sister.
Seeing Allen’s hesitation, the High Priest spoke in his old voice, “Don’t worry about Demi. As compensation, I have contacted a wealthy noble couple with no children. They are willing to adopt Demi. After you’re gone, Demi will live a better life than anyone else.”
This promise touched Allen deeply. While he didn’t mind others’ strange looks, he didn’t want Demi to experience the same. He hoped Demi could live a dream-like life, eating well and sleeping warmly.
“High Priest, I agree!”
“Good child, it’s a pity for you!”
…
The High Priest’s promise was quickly fulfilled. Although Demi’s heart-wrenching cries almost made Allen stop, he hardened his heart and left without looking back. Demi was still young; in a few years, she might forget her unworthy brother and live the life everyone dreams of!
…
As the crimson moonlight enveloped the land, Allen followed the High Priest into the temple. Everything around them exuded an ancient aura as if from another time.
At the temple’s base lay a simple stone coffin, and on the ground was a six-pointed star drawn in blood. Allen stood at the center of the star. After instructing Allen not to move, the High Priest fled as if his life depended on it.
Despite the bloody and eerie surroundings, Allen was not afraid. He looked around curiously.
Suddenly, a soft humming sound echoed in the silent, dark room, like cicadas singing in the forest. Black mist seeped through his pores into his body, and an alluring voice echoed in Allen’s mind.
“Go… open the coffin, take the Holy Sword, and you will have supreme power!”
Seeing that Allen remained unmoved, the black mist upped the ante.
“…Power, wealth, fame… Take the sword, and it will all be yours!”
However, Allen only muttered, “Is this the gods’ test? It doesn’t seem that difficult?”
The Seven-Star Sword stopped vibrating. It had no complete consciousness, only a weak spiritual awareness like most cursed blades. Of course, its awareness was far superior to blades like the Sandai Kitetsu.
At this moment, if the Seven-Star Sword had intelligence, it would be puzzled. How could anyone have such a pure heart without a trace of darkness?
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