Zu Mari stepped inside the shop with an immediate sense of being home. Surrounded by magical weapons, each giving off a subtly different intensity of violence and power, he could have stood here for days just to bask in their potent spirit auras. He may do just that, if he ever needed someplace to relax in future loops. But for now, his business was more serious.
He needed to linger close enough to the master for long enough that he could get a sword without paying for it, and needed to not be thrown out before that could come to pass. He was sure he could handle Growler if it came to a fight, but he doubted fighting him would help. From his past interactions, the more antagonistic someone was toward him, and the more they actively fought each other, the harder it was for the Protagonist Fragment to undermine their selfishness and show them the truth of Zu's power and destiny.
On the other hand, neutral parties tended to be converted fairly easily, so long as Zu refrained from initiating conflict.
He hoped that his encounters with Scowler and Growler wouldn't be enough to sour the blademaster's opinion of him. If he could get a sword today instead of needing to make several trips, that would be ideal.
The merchant section of town was laid out neatly, in readily accessible squares fronted with countless shops of various types. The smithy was right beside an alchemist on one side and a bookstore on the other. If necessary, Zu could lurk in those and hope the power of the Protagonist Fragment could reach through walls. He wasn't sure about that one. He had the impression that he needed to be within view of the target in order for it to affect them.
Either way, Growler called out to the master and he came out to greet Zu with the sort of bored deference one would give when knowing there'd be a great deal of hassle and nothing worth showing for it.
Zu might have had more sympathy if he hadn't been obviously in the Green Flame's pocket, and therefore complicit in the conspiracy seeking to wipe Serena's presence from their world.
He would pay. In another timeline, perhaps he'd have to pay with his life, but right now he could pay with his craftsmanship.
"I require a sword," Zu said, putting on his best arrogant young master voice, as Growler had so kindly provided a concept to him. It was a cross between the haughtiness of Master Elvanis and the childish insistence of a few of his cousins. He did not miss his cousins. The fact that they provided him a template for being a brat may have been the only useful things they did in their ridiculous lives. Except perhaps that one girl, who'd agreed to take over the clan once he ascended. She had some reason at least, and had never tried to kill him until he proved he was strong enough to take it. He respected her for that much, at least. And her willingness to learn the error of her ways when he magnanimously pointed it out to her.
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"Do you now."
"I do. You should be honored to provide me with one."
"I am honored of course. An apprentice of the Green Flame is always welcome here." His tone of voice betrayed neither truth nor deception, being bland and disinterested, as though repeating words learned by rote.
Zu began to wonder if a different approach might be better. Perhaps next loop he would claim to be a rich visiting merchant or something.
But for now, he was committed to this deception. He raised his chin, glancing over the masterworks on display. "None of these will suffice, you understand. I require your very best."
Worth a try. He was already this far into it. No point in pulling back now.
"These are my best."
"No, they are not." Zu snapped. "You know as well as I do that your best are already sold and in the hands of the great. I require a blade such as that."
"None of these are inferior to my greatest works," insisted the artisan, pointing out five of his swords. Zu pretended to consider, then tilted his head.
"Very well. Show me."
"This blade was forged from moonsteel and engraved with the essence of starfire. It is capable of cutting through anything in the hand of one who knows its true value."
Zu held out a hand for the blade and gave it a few test swings. It was lighter than Fire Twilight Death, longer and thinner, with a less unusual hilt and pommel. Coils of twisted steel wound around the blade like vines and serpents, flattening out to the edges but never quite vanishing. They seemed almost to be traced in patterns of pure white, when held in the light properly, glowing out from the mundane silver sheen of the weapon.
"This blade carries the essence of Blood and Life," the proprietor said, taking the starfire sword and handing Zu another. This one was thicker and heavier, as long as the other but with a wider blade and heavy black pommel. Marbled patterns of red and black wove their way crosswise against the blade, giving it an almost hypnotic look. Zu didn't let himself be taken in, but felt at the blade's spirit. It tasted of death and hunger. He found himself almost afraid of it. Fire Twilight Death was gentle and subdued compared to this ravenous blade.
It was a relief when the master craftsman took the blade from his hand and replaced it with the next. "This blade was forged in heartfire and carries the breath of a dying god," he said, reverently. "It is unique among all the blades in the world. Alas, were it that I had better materials on hand to capture that moment..." he sighed regretfully. "It could have been a weapon beyond all comprehension, rather than merely a peerless masterwork. The heartfire tempered it to unparalleled sharpness, and the godsbreath imbued it with intangible properties which will interact uniquely with each wielder. But the blade itself is mundane steel, and not strong enough to stand up to something like the Starfire blade."
Zu hefted the sword, at once feeling the connection. The blademaster was not quite correct. The spirit of the god still lived within the sword, an echo of memory preserved by one man's remembrance. It stirred at his touch, weak but present.
This god wasn't quite dead.
"I want it," Zu said, placing the godsword on the counter. "What else do you have?”
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