Weight and Balance

The stillness cleared. I registered the surrounding space—a vast, white expanse with no immediate threats. Slowly, I tightened the fingers of my right hand around the hilt. The weight of the long blade shifted in my grip, real and responsive. I rotated my wrist a fraction of an inch, lowering the tip until the polished edge lightly grazed the metallic rim of the circular platform beneath my boots. A faint, clear chime echoed into the quiet air. My balance was steady. I stood composed, holding my guard upon the pedestal.