Training the Keeper
The morning in the House of Shi was unlike anything Harry had experienced. The air was still, but charged, as if the entire estate pulsed with quiet purpose. Harry awoke early, driven by the weight of what lay ahead. His scythe, Shi no hōyō, rested against the wall beside his bed, its dark blade gleaming faintly in the dim light.
Kuroshi was already waiting for him in the courtyard, his black robes blending seamlessly into the shadowy surroundings. He stood beside a training dummy crafted from a strange, glowing material, its surface etched with symbols Harry didn't recognize.
"You're awake. Good," Kuroshi said, his voice calm but firm. "Your training begins now. The House of Shi is more than a noble family—we are warriors, scholars, and custodians of balance. To uphold this legacy, you must master both your body and mind."
Harry nodded, gripping the scythe tightly. "I'm ready."
Kuroshi raised an eyebrow, his expression faintly amused. "We shall see."
The First Lesson: The Scythe's Will
Kuroshi gestured for Harry to stand in the center of the courtyard. "The first thing you must understand is that Shi no hōyō is not just a weapon. It is an extension of your soul, and its power comes from your connection to it. Swinging it like a mere blade will accomplish nothing."
Harry frowned, glancing at the scythe. "So, how do I 'connect' with it?"
"Close your eyes," Kuroshi instructed. "Focus on the scythe. Feel its presence. It is alive, and it knows you. Trust it, and it will reveal its true strength."
Harry hesitated but did as he was told. He closed his eyes, steadying his breathing as he let his mind focus on the scythe. At first, he felt nothing—just the cold weight of the weapon in his hands. But then, a faint warmth began to stir, like a spark deep within the blade.
Suddenly, a voice echoed in his mind, soft but commanding:
"Embrace me, and I will show you the way."
Harry's eyes snapped open as the scythe pulsed in his hands, its blade glowing with a dark, silvery light. Instinctively, he swung it, and a wave of energy erupted from the blade, striking the training dummy and obliterating it in an instant.
Harry stared at the aftermath, his chest heaving. "What was that?"
Kuroshi nodded approvingly. "Your connection to the scythe. That power is but a fraction of what Shi no hōyō can do. But it is not without cost. Overuse will drain your spiritual energy, and without proper control, it can consume you entirely."
Harry swallowed hard, gripping the scythe more tightly. "Got it. Don't overdo it."
Kuroshi smirked faintly. "Precisely. Now, let's see if you can replicate that technique. Consistency is key."
The Library of Shadows: A Noble Family's History
After hours of grueling physical training, Harry found himself back in the Library of Shadows, his muscles aching but his mind alert. Kuroshi had assigned him to study the history of the House of Shi, emphasizing the importance of understanding his lineage.
Harry sat at a massive wooden table, surrounded by stacks of books. He opened one titled The Custodians of Balance, its pages filled with illustrations and detailed accounts of the family's past.
He learned that the House of Shi was founded millennia ago, its origins shrouded in mystery. The first head of the family, a figure known only as The Harbinger, was said to have forged a pact with Death itself, swearing to maintain the balance between life and the afterlife. This pact granted the family extraordinary power but also bound them to an eternal duty.
As Harry read, he discovered more about the House's role in Soul Society. While the Kuchiki Clan focused on upholding law and order, and the Shihōin Clan specialized in stealth and espionage, the House of Shi served as enforcers of Death's will, intervening only when the balance was threatened. They operated independently of the Central 46 and the Gotei 13, answering only to the spiritual forces that governed existence itself.
Harry's attention was drawn to a passage about the family's artifacts, particularly their scythes. Each head of the House was given a unique scythe upon inheriting the title of Keeper. These scythes were said to be forged from the essence of Death, their power tied directly to the wielder's soul.
The book also detailed the challenges faced by past leaders. There were accounts of rogue spirits, catastrophic imbalances, and even internal conflicts within the family. Harry couldn't help but feel a sense of kinship with these figures—people who, like him, had been thrust into a role they didn't fully understand.
One name stood out: Kael Shi, a former head of the House who had faced a rebellion within Soul Society itself. His leadership was marked by both triumph and tragedy, and his scythe, Eclipse Fang, was said to have been the most powerful weapon the family had ever seen.
Harry closed the book, his mind racing. The weight of the House's history was overwhelming, but it also gave him a sense of purpose. He wasn't just a lone soul lost in this strange new world—he was part of something far greater.
An Unexpected Lesson
As Harry returned to the courtyard, he found Kuroshi waiting for him, a second scythe in his hands. This one was smaller and less ornate than Shi no hōyō, its blade dull and unpolished.
"Let's see how much you've learned," Kuroshi said, tossing the scythe to Harry.
Harry caught it, confused. "What's this for? I already have a scythe."
"This one is ordinary," Kuroshi explained. "It does not respond to your soul, nor does it have any special properties. If you can fight effectively with this, you will understand that true strength comes not from the weapon, but from the wielder."
Harry frowned but nodded, gripping the second scythe tightly.
Kuroshi raised his hand, and from the shadows emerged several training dummies, each one radiating faint spiritual energy. "Destroy them," he ordered.
Harry charged forward, swinging the scythe with all his strength. But without the connection he felt with Shi no hōyō, his movements were clumsy and inefficient. The dummies dodged and countered, forcing Harry to rely on his instincts rather than raw power.
"Focus!" Kuroshi barked. "Your scythe is a tool, not a crutch. Find the rhythm of the battle—use the energy around you!"
Sweat poured down Harry's face as he fought, each swing of the scythe becoming more precise. Slowly but surely, he began to adapt, using the dummies' movements against them. By the end of the session, he stood amidst the shattered remains of the dummies, his breath ragged but his spirit triumphant.
Kuroshi nodded, satisfaction evident in his gaze. "Well done. You are beginning to understand."
Harry wiped his brow, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Guess I'm not hopeless after all."
Kuroshi allowed himself a faint smirk. "Far from it, young heir. But your journey is just beginning. Rest now. Tomorrow, we delve deeper into the secrets of the scythe—and the true nature of the balance you are sworn to protect."
As Harry returned to his quarters, he couldn't help but feel a flicker of excitement amidst the exhaustion. For the first time, he felt like he was starting to belong in this strange new world.
And deep within Shi no hōyō, the blade pulsed softly, as if sharing in his triumph.