Catherine trekked slowly behind Aiden as they walked up the rocky terrain of the mountain, she could hear animals in the distance of the rainforest that surrounded them, keeping a steady eye on their visitors… or potential lunch, she couldn’t tell which. To Catherine this was a much needed change over the icey home of the Runeborn. Instead of the cold and snow, she happily welcomed the humidity and the warm rain that had come only a day earlier.
What she didn’t take kindly to was this was their third day of straight walking to get to wherever Aiden was wanting to go, and he’d refused to explain to her what they were doing, only that it’d be a long walk. Upon reaching the top of the hill, the weather suddenly changed, not in a bad way, but the humidity of the mountain suddenly vanished, and the environment around her became cooler, more stable, looking around the area that was barren and empty before, there were suddenly huts, and a few dozen people staring right at her. Catherine stared back, in awe of what appeared to be magic in front of her. By instinct, she slid behind Aiden for protection.
Aiden let out a hearty laugh, “Do not fear them, Catherine, these are the Nemorian. They're cautious people.” Aiden then proceeded to start chatting it up with the locals in yet again, a language she did not understand, as Catherine clung to him like glue
A man approached with long black hair tied in a knot, he was wearing what looked like travelers robes, and a long thin sword attached to his hip. He started talking to Aiden, and although she couldn’t understand what exactly they were saying, their body language and tone of voice gave her the impression the two were on friendly terms, before Aiden dug into his bag and pulled out a cloth, unfolding it revealing two white stones with what looked like cracks that formed star patterns in the center. Catherine stared at the pair with curious eyes, as the man finally looked at her, staring daggers into her very soul, Catherine promptly hid behind her teacher once again.
“Who is this one, Aiden?” The man asked, his voice stern and authoritative
“My current student, Catherine Tharros of Athens.”
The man sighed and turned his attention back to Aiden, “So what brings you to our village today, old friend?”
“Two commissions, Hanzo. One for the Runeborn, and one ironically enough for Catherine here.”
Hanzo took the two stones with a humble nod, “That explains the two of these. And what pray tell, what does our friend from the Runeborn desire?”
“A hammer, made of metal able to absorb, reflect, and magnify thunder.”
“I don’t suppose they gave you a piece of their power to work off of?”
“Their powers are still blooming. I offer mine in their stead.” Aiden said, pulling out a glass jar with a raging thunder bolt inside of it
“That will work nicely.” Hanzo said with a bow, taking the jar. “And what does the apprentice want?”
Catherine stared blankly, “I don’t know what’s happening.”
Hanzo sighed, “Follow me.” As he began walking toward a hut with an ever-burning chimney, the smoke being expelled matched that of an entire coal town’s production
As she entered the hut itself, she expected the noise and the heat inside to match the dark smoke outside, but found it inside to be quite tranquil and cool. Hanzo approached with a ledger and forced it into Catherine’s hands, “Pick a weapon design, and we shall build it for you. Your mentor has kindly paid in advance for it. Keep in mind each design will take a different amount of time to construct.”
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Catherine nodded at Hanzo before opening, “Thank you… May I ask, Mr. Hanzo, what kind of weapons do you make?”
“
Hanzo grinned, “Our people, the Nemorians have been the weapon makers of the world, the gods since time immemorial, since ages long forgotten and unrecorded. From large to small, from weapons of total war, to a switchblade carried on the street. Anything and everything the heart may desire.” Hanzo demonstrated by gripping the hilt of his sword and clicking it forward, revealing the blade to be pure energy colored orange.
Catherine’s eyes lit up, “You’re related to the Apex! I read about them in the record books!”
Hanzo smiled, “No, but we made weapons for their Gods back then too, and adopted some of their technology to better improve ours. But just like Zeus and his father, their time ended. Just as we hope your generation will finally rise to the occasion.”
Catherine stared at the book in her hand, “So I can pick anything?”
Hanzo nodded, “Yes.”
Aiden cleared his throat, “Don’t just pick the energy sword because you think it’s cool, or to indulge your scifi fantasies… or be on a power trip. Be sure to pick something that suits you as an individual.”
Catherine nodded, “Yes mentor!”
Hanzo pointed outside, “There’s a lily garden, go read through the designs and bring your choice to me once you’re done. Take your time, this is a big decision.”
Catherine ran out the door as quickly as her legs could carry her, opening the book and started studying each design, a page being dedicated to every example, as well as possible upgrades and variants.
Aiden and Hanzo looked at each other before Hanzo nodded outside, “Tea?”
“Would love some.”
Aiden lead the way and took a seat two huts down, still keeping Catherine within eyesight as a young woman approached with a kettle and two cups, each pouring a glass for them.
“So.” Hanzo said, “Why only the one student? Last time you were here you had four.”
Aiden grimaced, pretending to be burned by the hot liquid, “They graduated, she’s my next student.”
“But why only one?”
“In my age it’s difficult enough to keep one in line, three or four would be the death of me.”
Hanzo simply stared, not out of judgment, not out of impatience, he simply stared, Aiden sighed, “I hope for her to be my final apprentice. If she ascends, I will be overjoyed. If she fails, then I will die happy knowing that she will be able to train the next generation.”
Hanzo simply nodded, “And if she fails in either?”
“Then that is the path she shall take.”
“I bet she picks an energy weapon.”
Aiden laughed, “I’d be shocked if she didn’t.”
A few hours had passed before Catherine came running out of the lily garden, excitement flaring from her eyes, as she struggled to stop bouncing in place, with the ledger opened in Hanzo’s face.
“Mr. Hanzo! Mr. Hanzo! I found what I wanted!”
Hanzo gently pushed the book away from his face, and said in a calm tone, “And that is?”
Catherine pointed, “This retractable…folding…hidden thing, can it make two things at once?”
Hanzo stared blankly, “I don’t understand what you mean”
Catherine held her hand pretending to hold two different weapons, “A sword, and a spear for long range! Like Athena!” Her innocence and excitement glowing on her face.
Hanzo looked at the design in the ledger again, it showed a sword breaking itself apart and almost sliding into a small ring that went around one’s finger for concealment, ease of transport, or as a status symbol. When broken the sword would almost magically recreate itself. Hanzo frowned, “I’m afraid you can only pick one, young one.”
Catherine deflated, let her arms drop to her sides and gave Hanzo a borderline crying face, “But…”
Hanzo pointed at the design, “This is not a terrible idea, but I fear our smith would not be able to do it. At best it would need two stones, which is already taken up.”
Aiden grabbed the ledger from Hanzo and studied the design, scratching his beard as he thought for a moment, “Why not give it a shot, Hanzo?”
Hanzo, aghast at the comment, “But Aiden… if it fails that’s a waste of a stone!”
Aiden waved him off, “Only takes fifty years for one of those to form, if Catherine’s idea fails, she’ll learn the consequences.”
Hanzo smiled, “Alright… I shall place the commissions.” He turned to Catherine, “And you, young one… your design shall be ready within a year. Please be patient.”
Catherine’s smile faded, “A year!?!?”
Hanzo nodded, “Creating a masterpiece takes time. And by that time your mentor will have hopefully given you proper combat training.”As Hanzo departed, he gave the pair a bow and entered the forge hut.
Aiden nudged Catherine’s shoulder, “So what gave you the idea for that weapon?”
Catherine shrugged, “Just seemed practical, Mentor. Besides, every energy weapon has a limited battery, everytime I’d use it, it would need to recharge.”
Aiden booped her on the nose, “Very forward thinking, young one. I’m proud of you.”
Catherine smiled, “Thank you, sir.”