Roth returns to the room where Amaya was staying, finding Mina and Amaya patiently waiting for Roth's return. He was caught off guard on how vastly different she appears now in a uniform. Mina sprung from the couch to eagerly greet him.
"Big brother! How was your errand? Did you find what you were looking for?"
"Yeah I did...well kind of. I was looking for this thing."
He pulls out the small vial and showed it to the girls. They were staring at the red liquid, studying its unusual color.
"What even is that big brother?"
"This is the drug the organization is selling on the streets, and I have a feeling what this thing contains."
He looks at Amaya with a serious look. She blinks rapidly, scared on what he's about to say next.
"Amaya, when they took your blood, they tortured you by dangling human blood in front of you correct?"
"Y-yes, that is correct..."
"I think they're mixing your blood into this drug. It's the only explanation for the sudden rage and inhuman strength that these guys are showing. I have no clue what the other components of this drug contains but I'll have this turned into the guild and have them study it, see what they can find."
Amaya looks down defeated and ashamed as she clenches onto her pant legs. Roth notices this and places a hand onto her shoulder. She is startled for a moment and slowly looks up towards Roth.
"Don't worry it's not your fault, okay? You were held against your will in that place. You had no control, so don't think this is all your fault, the Fidelity is to blame for all this. Everything that has happen all leads back to the Fidelity."
Amaya looks at Roth with glossy eyes. She expected of him to at least react some unpleasant way towards her, and yet, he has done nothing but kindness. The words swell in her throat as she tries to say something, but she still keeps her composure. Roth sighs and patted her on the back to reassure again. He places the vial back into his back pouch and heads straight towards the door.
"Alright you two, lets head to the smith."
"The smith? For what purpose are we going to the smith?" Said Amaya curiously.
"Isn't it obvious? To get you a weapon."
As they head down the busy streetways, Amaya was flushed with nervousness. Being back in her old uniform felt alien to her. She felt as if someone would recognize her and call her out for her failure as a guard. Yet, no one was paying any mind to her. They all just went about their day not caring for anyone in their paths. They finally made it the smith's shop; it was a large cobble building with a smokestack in its side. As they entered the building, the felt the waft of hot damped air hit their faces. The lobby was very open, and weapons hung from the walls. Shields and swords, gauntlets to helmets all hung neat and orderly. A faint tink sound can be heard just in the back, as they looked over the counter the see a muscular man wearing nothing but pants as he was hammering a sword on an anvil.
"Be with you in just moment!"
As the smith yelled out and placed the iron hot steel into a vat of water. He grabbed a handkerchief and wiped off the sweat from his face.
Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.
"Sorry about that, what can I do for you all this fine day."
"Hello there, I was hoping to purchase a weapon for her over here."
Roth places his hand behind her back and pushed her to the front to show the merchant. He grabbed his beard and stroked it as he inspected Amaya as if she was some kind of unique weapon.
"Hmmm, she does have a good size for her to wield a weapon. Although judging by her uniform she requires something much more finesse and fast movements rather than a traditional sword."
"Wait, how did you know I-"
"Miss, I've been in the sword business my entire life. I got a sixth sense when it comes to weapons. Now let's see what I have.... AHA! Found it."
Out of the racks with all the swords hidden into one place, he pulls out a slender sword with a unique grip that had a sturdy handle, a katana. She slowly unsheathes the weapon from its scabbard. She stares at the blade on how gorgeous and well crafted it was made. The blade was extremely sharp, so sharp that just barely touching it would leave a cut on the tip of your finger.
"Goe ahead miss try it out."
She stares at the smith and looks at Roth. Roth nodded and gave her permission to feel how the sword felt in her hands. She took a deep breath and practice her stances with the weapon. With each pose look graceful as if she was born for the sword. Her swings and slashes were lighting quick and precise. You can even hear the blade cutting through air with its sharp tang. With a final upwards slash, she carefully and gracefully sheathes her weapon. Mina claps for her with gusto and cheered her on.
"My oh my, you are a master with that blade! I knew that sword was the right fit for you!"
"Oh well I don't... well... I..."
"How much for the sword then?"
"Well considered that sword is brand new but sitting in that bin for so long I say about... ten gold."
Roth pulls out a small pouch and places twenty gold onto the counter. The man backed away in shock and tried to tell him it was too much.
"Keep it, think of it as a tip for helping us out."
"Well, thank you, but- are you sure this is alright?"
"I have way too much so this is nothing, thanks again old timer."
He waves as the group exits his shop. The man waves back and is still dumbfounded, still looking at the gold in the palms of his hands. The group stepped outside, and Roth turned towards Amaya to say a few words.
"Well you got a sword and new clothes, any plans on what to do now? You're free to do what you want now, there's no stopping you."
"...free...to do... what I want...?"
She looks down at her palm not knowing what to say. She tries to say something but again the words keep choking in her throat. Roth awaits her answer, but she still says nothing.
"Well, I'm sure whatever path you take, you will succeed in it. I wish you the best of luck."
He reaches out for a handshake, and she stares at his hand. She slowly reaches out and returns his handshake. He nods and walks away, Mina waves cheerfully as she says goodbye to Amaya. Amaya watches them slowly disappear into the crowd. She looks back at her hand and stares deeply into her palm.
"No..." she makes a fist and clenches tightly
"No!"
She quickly rushes through the crowd trying to catch up to the two of them. Bumping into people as they yelled at her. She sees the two withing the crowd as they entered a plaza area with a fountain statue in the center.
"WAIT PLEASE!"
The two of them turned immediately to see who was shouting. Amaya finally reaches them trying to catch her breath.
"Whoa what's wrong? Are you alright Amaya?"
She catches her breath and stands at attention. She kneels down and places her hand across her heart and yells a valorant creed.
"I, Amaya Mori, solemnly pledge myself into your service. I pledge myself to be your sword and your shield. If you command me to fight, I shall fight! If you command me to die, then I shall die! I will uphold my life to yours and to protect you no matter the cost. I am yours to command my master. For this is the path I so choose, please, allow me to be into your service my master, I beg you!"
"...wait...what...?"
"Please master let me join you and allow me to serve by your side!"
Everyone around the plaza looked in confusion on what was happening. Mina on the other hand, was enthusiastic.
"Oh my goddness yaaaaay! Oh please big brother can she join us! can she please!"
"Um I don't really think-"
"Oh please big brother, pretty pleaaaaaase!"
She stood next to Amaya giving Roth the big ole puppy eyes. After a few moments of internal fighting with himself and seeing everyone staring at them, he gave a long exhausted sigh.
"Fine... she can join..."
"Hooray! This is going to be so fun! Welcome to the team miss Amaya!"