The afternoon sun cast a golden hue over Ald Town as Kite, Liliana, and Elian stepped out of the cozy confines of the house. The streets, now bustling with the midday crowd, were alive with the sounds of merchants calling out their wares and children playing in the distance.
"First stop, the market square!" Liliana declared, her voice filled with excitement. "There's a bard there today, and you won't believe the tales he spins."
Kite's eyes lit up with interest. "A bard? That sounds fascinating."
Elian nodded in agreement. "He tells stories of Eldoria's history, legends of heroes and beasts. It's like he brings the past to life."
As they made their way through the winding streets, Kite took in the sights and sounds of the town. The architecture was a blend of stone and wood, sturdy and designed to last through the ages. The air was scented with a mix of spices, fresh fruit, and the unmistakable tang of the sea.
They arrived at the market square, where a crowd had gathered around a man with a green hat and a harp in his hand. His voice was soft and sing-songy, yet firm, allowing one to hear him speak from the back of the crowd. He was in the midst of a tale, his hands occasionally strumming his harp as he described a battle between the ancient Eldorian knights and a blood soak beserker that threatened the land.
Kite listened, enraptured by the story. It was a tale of courage and sacrifice, of a knight who gave his life to save his people. As the bard reached the climax, the crowd held its breath, and Kite felt as if he were standing alongside those brave souls of yesteryear.
When the story ended, the crowd erupted into applause, and the storyteller bowed deeply. "Thank you, thank you," he said, his green eyes twinkling. "Remember, the past is not just history—it's a guide for the future."
Liliana tugged at Kite's sleeve again. "Come on, there's more to see!"
They continued their tour, visiting the local blacksmith, where the clang of hammer on anvil rang out rhythmically. Kite watched as the blacksmith shaped a piece of metal into a horseshoe, the sparks flying with each strike.
The man looked up and smiled. "Hey, you're that boy from yesterday. Kite, right?"
Kite smiled and nodded.
"Wait, you two already met?" Liliana asked, her lips opening into a small o.
"Yeah, I met him on my solo tour the other day." Kite glanced back at the blacksmith and crossed his arms. "Although, I don't think I got his name."
The burly man laughed. "It's Cassius."
Elian gasped.
"What's wrong, Elian?" Liliana asked, frowning.
"I just got an idea!" He eyed me. "Hey, Kite. Have you asked Cassius about that weird sword of yours."
Cassius tilted his head slightly and eyed the black-haired boy with the red stripes. "Weird sword? You have a sword already?"
Kite looked around, unsure if it was good or bad to speak about it. Apart from Elian, only Liliana's family knew about his golden sword.
"Yeah, I found it in the forest," he lied. It was best to not tell the whole world that he came from another world.
He hummed. "A sword in the forest, huh? Wonder if it's a legendary sword or something." Cassius turned around and walked over to a desk. He came back with a worn-out book.
"Woah, does that have a bunch of legendary swords or something?" Elian asked, pumping his fists.
The man laughed. "Something like that. Eldoria once had a legendary blacksmith. He actually hailed from this small town. Legend has it that he made eight powerful weapons before his retirement for unknown reasons. Some even say they were made with material not of this universe."
Kite's eyes widened. Not of this universe? Could he have gotten them from the Forest of Whispers? Elder Mirrin had said that forest wasn't normal. Could it have been a gateway to and from other realms? Was that why he awakened there out of all places?
"Two of the eight are even featured in the tale of the berserker that bard's been telling," Cassius said as he showed them the old book. He pointed at a crimson sword with cracks on the blade. The cracks were filled in with reddish gold.
"Is that one of the weapons in the story?" Liliana asked.
"Yes, the berserker had this one. It was said to be the blacksmith's favorite. Some even say the berserker and the legendary blacksmith were the same person."
Elian gasped. "Don't tell me these swords are cursed!"
Cassius laughed. "Some do claim that, but I don't necessarily buy it. That said, not all of the eight are swords. In fact the crimson cleaver is the only one. That's the sword you saw, with cracks filled with a reddish gold. It's said to have the power to cleave through any armor and was wielded by the berserker in countless battles."
Kite stared at the old catalog. The second weapon it featured was the Azure bow. Like its name implied, it was a bow of deep blue, strung with a string that glimmered like the night sky. Its arrows were said to never miss their target and could pierce the hardest stone.
The third weapon was the Verdant Staff. It was carved out of wood from an ancient tree from the Forest of Whispered. Living vines wrapped the wooden surface. It granted the wielder control over flora. It could even summon forth plants where none could grow to aid in defense or attack.
The fourth weapon was golden like his sword, but it was a shield. According to the catalog, the Golden Shield was forged from a shooting star. Those who it described the shield as shining with a light so bright, it could blind foes. Its body was said to impenetrable and could reflects any non-physical attack made upon it.
Fifth was the Obsidian Dagger. A small blade that could cut through the fabric of reality, allowing the user to slip between spaces for a moment, effectively teleporting short distances.
The sixth weapon was the Argenteum Lance. This silver lance was said to be as light as a feather but can pierce the scales of the mightiest dragons. It was once the pride of the Eldorian cavalry and was the weapon the knight had used.
The seventh weapon wasn't a weapon in the traditional sense. The Horn of Beasts was an ivory horn decorated with gold and jewels. Legends said it could summon mythical beasts to fight alongside the one who blows it.
The last weapon was the Shadow Scythe, a scythe that could summon darkness, engulfing enemies in an abyss from which there was no escape. It was a weapon that required a strong will to control. Some believed this to be the weapon that drove the blacksmith to his eventual madness.
"We should go on a quest to find them!" Elian said, his sky-blue eyes glimmering.
Liliana laughed. "One adventure at a time, Elian. Besides, we have a tour to do and a festival to prepare for."
Kite nodded, his mind racing with possibilities. "Thank you, Cassius. This has been… enlightening. Although, why did you show me this none of them are a golden sword. Well, purely golden."
He laughed. "I just wanted to get your mind gears moving. There are a lot of stories about weapons like these. It's possible another of the five great blacksmiths of old made your weapon. If you show it to me, I could probably get a better clue of its origins."
Kite smiled. "Then I'll bring it with me the next time I visit."
He nodded. "Take care, kids. Also, Kite. Don't tell others about your sword. Most people in Ald are good folks, but the people here also love to gossip a lot. If someone bad ever catches wind of your sword, they could come to steal it."
"I-I'll be more quiet," Kite said.
"We will too, right, Elian?" Liliana asked, glancing at him.
Elian smiled and nodded. "No one will hear a peep from me. Although, I might need to get my parents to keep quiet. I told them that I met a boy with a weird sword."
Liliana sighed. "Well, let's get going."
Kite frowned. Liliana's sigh made him nervous. Were Elian's parents blabbermouths?