The sun was setting, and for the first time Elurra realized that the flat land below her was grassland. Everything was tan and green, except the scattered yurts and the occasional gnarled tree in the distance around the packed inner city.

Elurra turned around to investigate Lira's room. The lights were out, but Zavier produced enough light to bathe the room in a soft glow. Lira was dressed in black men's clothes. Her dark hair was pulled back into an intricate braid, and her face was striped with black paint.

“What am I to do? I can't get my hands on another short sword. It's almost night, and the Demons will arrive any second now. Curse my father. How did he figure out I had a weapon?” she fumed, pacing the room furiously.

“Lira—”

“Did someone tell him? But how—” she babbled, completely oblivious.

“Lira? Can I—”

“I could always sneak into the armory, but—”

“If you would—”

“But the armory is guarded twenty-four seven. I—”

“Lira!” Zavier shouted.

She stopped and turned, as if noticing him for the first time. “What? You do not have to yell.”

Elurra couldn’t help but grin. Zavier offered her a box about half a meter long, and Lira stepped forward and took it, her brow furrowed.

“What is this?”

He smiled and motioned for her to open it. She lifted the lid and gasped. She slowly reached into the box, and a soft purple light reflected against her face. She gently lifted a sword made of pure white metal. Patterns of brilliant purple luminescence spiraled across the hilt and blade, as elegant as calligraphy.

“Zavier, this is the most beautiful weapon I have ever seen,” Lira breathed.

“It’s a Guardian’s weapon designed to kill Demons,” he said, smiling. He was obviously pleased by her reaction.

Stolen story; please report.

She set down the box and positioned herself in a fighting stance.

Without warning, she launched into an attack against an invisible enemy, her sword blurring into a solid line of amethyst light. The weapon whistled through the air, silent and deadly. She stopped after a few seconds and studied it in bewilderment.

“It talks,” she stuttered. “Your voice is in my head.”

Zavier laughed and glowed a bit brighter. “All the information on how to use it is locked inside. It will tell you everything you need to know.”

“It is so light. What metal is it made of?”

“The metal does not exist in this world. It’s incredibly strong and light, as you noticed. It will hold up against any other weapon, and in some cases it can cut through other metals.”

“Why does it glow like that?” she asked, slicing the air experimentally.

“Demons cannot stand light. It burns their very being. That’s why the lights go out when they appear. They make a habit of extinguishing light, but this weapon is resistant to that ability. The only way to turn it off is to stop touching the sword. Your touch, or the touch of anyone else with nanites, will bring it to life unless you specifically deny them permission.”

She stood up and practiced a few moves before looking back at Zavier. “Thank you. This means the world to me.”

She lifted the sheath out of the case and secured it around her waist. Elurra heard the quiet whisper of leather against metal as she tucked it away.

“If only I could get rid of all of them. Killing them one by one is dangerous and pointless. Every Demon I kill has ten to take its place,” she said, her voice soft and filled with sorrow.

She walked past Elurra and rested her hands on the railing, looking out over the flat landscape. Soon the sunset would fade to twilight, and the Demons would arrive. Zavier hesitated for a moment before walking up behind her and resting his hand on the small of her back. As soon as he touched her, the hazy glow around him intensified. He closed his eyes and took deep breaths until the light dimmed.

What is he doing? Is he stealing her energy? Elurra quickly pushed her theories aside. Everything would be explained, she just had to pay attention.

Lira didn’t notice Zavier’s strange actions. She leaned over and rested her head on his shoulder. She looked exhausted. A tremor of golden sparks flashed over the Guardian’s body. If Lira noticed, she didn’t mention it.

“I will be seventeen soon. We have saved a handful each no moon for the last two years while a hundred others died. In another year, they will kill me. What kind of life is this?” she asked him softly. She sounded heartbroken.

He wrapped his arms around her, bathing her dark form in golden light. “I won’t let them hurt you. I promise. The Demons are dangerous, but you have the advantage. You know a lot more about them than they are aware. As for your father, I would like to see him try to kill you while I am here.”

She sighed, watching the last of the sun’s light fade from the sky.

“I know,” she breathed. She pulled away from him and looked over the edge of the balcony. “We have to leave. The Demons will be here soon.”

As if on cue, a cry of fright split the night, carrying up from the town below. Lira dashed past Elurra as the dream faded into oblivion.