"Is this the right place, Master?"
Arriving on the foot of a lush mountain just outside a small village, a lady with small, dull, gray horns sprouting from the sides of her head, questioned a burly old man. The clothes she wore were made for comfort suitable for her older age, and not suited for hiking.
"It is. How lovely the flowers have grown here since I last saw."
With hair mixed in black and gray, the man rubbed the short beard of his chin. He gazed with weary eyes at the sprouting buds of an assortment of flowers, the branches of trees swaying with the gentle breeze.
The man was dressed in a jacket over a basic cloth shirt and jeans. The lady removed the man's coat, folding it before holding onto it.
"I shall await for your return, Master."
"Thank you, ••••. I'll be back shortly."
Ascending the mountain, the lady bowed, lowering her head as he left. As the man continued his hike, he saw a better view of the nature around him. Seeing the flickers of sunlight pass through the swaying trees while hearing the sound of a distant stream filled his heart with enough peace to reach the summit in what seemed like an instant.
What awaited him was a young woman drinking tea on a table beneath an isolated tree while reading a book with characters resembling crazed scratches.
"Good to see you again, old friend." Said the man with a gentle smile.
"'Friend'? Is that what we were?" The woman with a sharp tone in her voice.
Dressed in a white suit with various shades of gray and decorated with blue accessories, a silver cape held by a golden insignia rested on her right shoulder. The insignia had the engravings of a feminine figure offering a basket of produce.
"You're a few decades late, boy. What's the occasion?"
A chuckle from the man raised an eyebrow from the woman who closed her book, picking up her tea instead.
"I just didn't expect that to be the first thing you would say to me." The man recollected himself, holding out his hand for a sword to appear.
The sword had a single-handed hilt, with a dark hue of blue, gently wrapped by a silver cloth. The hilt curved with a smooth end and a red jewel was embedded at the center of both sides. The sheath was made of dark leather, fitted together with metal accouterments.
"I've come to return her." He said with a forced smile.
"…..Return 'her'?" The woman took a sip from her cup, "It would be much happier in your hands. Keep it, it's yours."
"Hahahah…. As much as I would like to, I'm afraid I'm too old to be swinging a sword anymore."
"So? Get your own disciple or pass it to your kid." The woman scoffed.
"Unfortunately, I don't have a child, and I think it's far too late to try now. As for a disciple, the thought has crossed my mind, but I'm more childish than I thought."
Holding the sheathe in one hand, pulling the sword with the other, the blade was silver with a faint shade of light blue. The edge was sharp, showing no signs of wear. The man returned the blade to its sheathe,
"It seems like I'd rather not have anyone else use her."
"Hmph." The woman pointed her thumb to a stone pedestal on the other end of the summit.
Trudging towards the pedestal, the stone was engulfed with moss, showing no sign of maintenance in years. He knelt on the ground steadily before slowly scraping away the moss, doing his best to clean the pedestal with what little energy he had left.
Noticing his struggles the woman sighed, snapping her fingers, a stream of water flushed over the pedestal, thoroughly clearing the moss.
"…Thank you, •••••••. Truly, thank you." The man said with a smile.
The woman ignored him, picking up her book once more as she read in silence.
The man drew the blade once more, holding the hilt with both hands as he slowly pushed it into the pedestal.
"This is goodbye, •••. Though I don't know if you will ever find another partner, I know that whoever you choose will be worthy of your splendor. Know that I will forever be grateful for what you've done for me throughout the years. Thank you, ••• - My first friend, and loyal partner."
The sword blinked twice with a gentle glow, as if conscious to the man's voice.
The man stood up, facing the woman.
"May I leave the sheathe with you?" The man asked.
"Are you kidding? You remodeled that yourself, did you not? As if I'd keep something so crude." The woman rolled her eyes before grimacing at the man.
"Is that so, then I shall leave it beside you." The man chuckled as he walked beside her. He rested the sheathe against the tree, before slowly walking away.
"Wha- HEY!! Take this junk off my mountain!!"
"…. Hey, •••••••?" The man stopped for a moment and turned around.
"WHAT??"
"Thank you - for everything. I hope that sheathe will remind you of me." The man chuckled once more before making his way down the mountain.
"Yeah, remind me how much of a bother you were!!" The woman shouted, "I'll tear it to shreds and mix it with dung to smear on your grave!!"
The woman continued to scream though it seemed the man was too far to even hear her words. The woman sighed. Clicking her tongue, she snatched the sheathe, marching up to the sword. With a more relaxed expression, she stared at the blade.
"Did you have fun?"
The sword remained silent.
"Were the memories you made good?"
"…Was he a worthwhile master?"
"..."
"Don't tell me, are you still mad about what I called you?"
The sword blinked at her question.
"Are you serious?! That was over •• years ago!!" The woman hissed, "I swear to Lady ••••••, you and he are a perfect match for each other!!"
The sword blinks.
"Why you…!" The woman threw the sheath at the sword. It bounced off the blade, flipping a few times before landing not far from the pedestal.
"Enjoy eternity alone, you glorified hunk of scrap!"
The lady turned, stomping away a short distance before stopping. Scratching her head with anger, she let out a loud groan.
With a snap of her fingers, the sheathe levitated before resting on the rack behind the sword.
"••••••, you stupid old fool…"
The sword began to glimmer with light.
"Are you laughing?!?!"
-
Returning to the foot of the mountain, the old man gazed at the nearby village, spotting the horned lady he arrived with.
The lady noticed him instantly, and she trotted to his side.
"Welcome back, Master."
"I'm back, ••••." The man stumbled, almost falling if not for the lady's quick reaction. She quickly extended her arms, catching him.
"Master, are you alright??"
"Hahah, it seems like my body is tired after the trek." The man propped himself back on his feet.
"What a beautiful sight. Both the mountain and the village." He said with a smile.
"Yes, master. A sight I would love to share with the others."
"…..••••?"
"Yes?"
"Thank you for being with me. I can't express my gratitude for you enough."
"I… No, master. It is I, who should be saying that. From the day we met, I'm glad it was you who raised me with affection, to live out as long as we have."
The lady looked up to the man, "••••••, I love you, my master."
They share a tender kiss, embracing each other with pure love. A scene that will be forever etched into their memories, and told through the whispers of the gentle breeze.