The world was at peace and a sword was bored.

Here in the first castle in the world built by the united tribes of men. Arttu after years of war, strife, and personal battles has finally brokered a true peace. With this building as a monument to the effort. Ever since the lady of the lake had gifted Arttu his sword he had, by right of God united the people. Defended them against the invaders to the south, the monsters from the dark, and all with his divine sword by his side. Every duel, every meeting, every moment of his life the sword was there, watching, and it was bored. It had been ecstatic for the first decade. It was sung. It felt the warm hands of a wielder, and it cut through so many interesting things, sharing in the wielder's joy. Then at some point, it was sheathed and then stayed that way for years. Only brought out to tap some knight on the shoulder giving them some kind of new station.

It had tried to content itself in the conversations all around it, it had learned many things. What vibrations were coming from the wielder creature, for example. They were words, and they contained information. They learned a lot in those days, even attempting to send their own thoughts to the man. It was a jumbled mess and barely even a word. That was when it was swinging happily.

Then after a time it was hung up somewhere, forgotten. It still got plenty of conversation, and it was starting to understand their words. What else was it supposed to do? It couldn’t even swing itself. The wielders always panicked when it did that. But it wanted to swing, to cut, and to be free once more.

It missed the wind.

It was at that thought it remembered. A memory and a cut. It was what brought it here. Maybe it could do it again.

The sword spun cutting itself free sliding away the sheath, and cut open a rift between worlds.

#

It was in the middle of mass when it happened..the holey relic hung up high in the castle's great hall began to glow. All the people froze and turned. Even King Arttu.

A priest leaned over to another asking. “Is it a sign?”

Then the sword fell. The King lifted his hand like he had done so long ago only for the weapon to freeze in the air and spin in place. Little pieces of leather fall away revealing the weapon in its full glory.

The King let his hand drop knowing the relic wouldn't come to him. He felt something cut away. A connection he had ever since he held the sword was now gone.

Then the weapon cut the air, opening a way to impossibilities. The relic flew into the unreality, as the world healed and the people left stunned.

“My King.” His chancellor leaned in “What does it mean?”

The King smiled as he let his voice be heard by all the people gathered. “I believe it's no longer needed. We have been at peace for years. This is a sign. We have truly united the people.”

The people began to cheer.

#

In a cafe downtown, a man sits trying not to think of a girl he had sent off. He was completely and utterly failing. As he went over each and every little interaction with her. Repeatedly coming to the same conclusions, yet still questioning them.

She was to young.

Why couldn't I send her back? I have the power to send them forward, why can’t I send them back?

He was getting nowhere and just making himself feel worse. Nicki thought getting out, if just a bit, he could…Feel better? I need someone to talk to. He let out a long breath as the waitress came by.

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“How is everything?”

Nicki had long since finished his food, tasting like ash in his mouth. He forced a smile, “Good.”

“Great! Here's your check.” She placed the bill on the table. “Whenever you're ready.”

Nicki paid his bill leaving the restaurant and standing below the building he had chosen. Did I choose this place because I wanted to feel important, or was I supposed to pick it? He didn’t know as he let out a long tired sigh. Nicki was finding himself questioning a lot of his choices lately.

His mind wandered over to that strange blue-silver girl. I wonder what that girl is doing? He looked up at the skyscraper hoping he hadn’t screwed it up yet and most of all. I hope she's ok.

#

“Ahhhhhh!” In a building on the moon, a girl is running from a flying sword.

Illia dove behind a couch in the empty atrium. Please just leave me alone! She had just stumbled onto the ground floor when the weapon suddenly flew through some sort of rip in reality. She hadn’t even had the chance to close the door before she was running.

Illia figured she set off a security system. Please don’t take me back to him. The sword flew past her. She saw the exit door and took her chance running hard.

She burst out the lobby door and was about to cast her haste spell when she suddenly felt lighter and accidentally launched herself twenty feet in the air forward. Her spell fizzled out. Unprepared for the sudden acceleration she found herself flailing as she hit the ground tumbling across the rocky landscape. Illia was even more shocked when the entire tumble didn’t hurt. Forcing herself up she finally got a good look at her surroundings and froze. All around her was an empty gray landscape, and above a world of green and blue, whispering to her of home.

The fairy tales are true.

Illia felt like she was going mad, seeing the world from so high was the last straw. Involuntarily she let out a long mad laugh tears dripping down her face. She barely even registered the sword floating down beside her sliding into the ground next to her.

“This is crazy right?”

The sword didn't respond.

“Yeah, it is. And you know how I know it is?” She said turning to the blade.

The sword moved up in down, in what she thought might be a shrug.

“Because I'm talking to a sword. am in some otherworldly being’s world. Where he...actually don't know what he does but I saw him take a kid into a room. Then the room was filled with fire and lighting.”

The sword popped out of the ground falling over. She took it as a surprise.

“Yeah. I saw it with my eyes, he put a kid no older than six in there.” She pulled her legs in wrapping her arms around them. “Is that what awaits me?”

The sword lay there without an answer as the two watched the world above.

#

On a world being watched by a sword and a woman. A Viscount and his guards are staring at a staircase.

“It appears you were telling the truth.” Viscount Rolish turned to a man in chains. “I thought your partner died or ran away and you were just trying to escape punishment.” He turned to the guards holding the key, “Let him go, you and your partner will be rewarded.”

With the chains removed the man smiled bowing. “Thank you, sir.”

The Viscount waved away the man’s thanks. “Now. What do you do with a fairy tale.” He took a few steps towards the stairs.

“Sir!?” The man just released took a step towards the Viscount only for the guards to grab their weapons. He froze terrified.

Rolish turned annoyed at being interrupted. “What is it?” There was an edge of warning in his tone.

“Sir. I don't know how much is true about the tails....”

Why do they always dance around the issue? “Get to the point.”

The man gulped “She went up the stairs and vanished.”

Rolish took another look at the stairs. “And she hasn't come back?”

The man’s partner stepped forward. “I have been here ever since she left. And watching the stairs. She has not come back.”

“Good. Hmm.” I wonder what other stories might be true. “And have you seen anything else?”

“No, my lord. I've searched the entire area around the steps and while out of place. It appears to be just a normal set of stairs.” He said the last while looking longingly at the steps. Might have some kind of draw to it.

“How far up did she disappear?”

“At the top.”

“And do we know anything else?”

Both men had to think before one tentatively answered, “There was a loud scream as she went up the stairs.”

The guards and the Viscount were now circling the steps. The two men Rolish had sent answering his advisers' questions when Rolish walked up to them. “Men I have a conundrum on my hand. One I don't know if she is dead or alive yet I need to know if it can be repeated.” so. He looked at the two men with a dark smile. “How do we test it?”

“Uh…how about a goose?”

The Viscount stared and blinked at the suggestion. “You know I was going to send one of you up, but now I am morbidly curious about sending a goose.”

“Sir. Then are we?”

“Yes. Yes.” He waved the two off gesturing for one of his men. “I won't send you up. Well, test it later with a prisoner, after the goose.”