Chapter 3 - Adolescence

I waited at the top of a hill overlooking my village. A tree stood firm at the top, a clear landmark of not just the town, but for everyone who chose to visit. Today I was waiting for Grace, in time she did appear.

“What did you need me for, Razan?” she asked, a bit curious. I decided to show her the shield. “I got this shield and sword for my thirteenth. When I say the word ‘Shield’.” I demonstrated. The sword vanished as soon as the words left my lips, leaving just a shield, the handle wrapped around my left arm. “That’s not all, when I say ‘Sword’.” Like before, the word, as if spoken like a command, made the shield vanish into the wind, replaced with a sword.

However this seemed to confuse Grace even more, though the sense of wonder was still there. “That looks like magic, but…you couldn’t use healing magic when we tried before.” I thought about it for a second. “Well, like you said. Magic largely depends on the aptitude, there are multiple types of magic. Maybe…this is just another type of magic that I can use?” This left the question hanging between us. Why only one versus the other? Then Grace posed another question. “I remember a story my father told me. He told me the Goddess sends heroes from the ‘other’ world. From paradise, to live among us every fifty years.” She began with her story. “Father says that the heroes were all sent to protect humanity. However some humans opposed it and fought back, many heroes were killed. So the goddess cursed the humans with animal-like features. Now she sends humans from paradise to fight and destroy as part of our collective punishment every fifty years.” So that was why many people hated Demi Humans. “So that is why we worship her and live in piety, so that we may gain her forgiveness.” She finished her tale. “So you’re saying because of this magical weapon I was found with?” I looked at the sword in my hand. “I may be one of these heroes? But…I still find it messed up that people hate you because of something your ancestors did.”

I felt a sense of frustration. There absolutely was a sentiment like this in the world I came from. Hatred seemed to be everywhere no matter where you look. “Well, I did meet a Goddess before coming here, so I suppose I am then. Guess I’m supposed to keep this part of me quiet?” Grace simply nodded at my observation.

After a while, I decided to change the subject. “You know, let’s see what this sword and shield can do. For starters, when I was sword training, I found out enough blows to the shield seemed to make it store energy. Which I can then expel in an attack. But the sword has similar magical patterns. So naturally, the sword must have some sort of ability as well.” I theorized. I decided to turn towards the tree and hacked at it. I figured the sword would simply whack against the tree or I would not have the strength. However, like a knife through butter, I sliced through the tree without effort. It stood for a second before falling, almost on top of Grace but I got her out of the way.

We decided to try a variety of other materials. Stone, even other weaker swords and metals that Grace took from the church. Left behind by adventurers. However nothing seemed to put up even the slightest bit of resistance. Even the blacksmith was a little perplexed by the kind of metal that could have composed this sword. With a whistle, he wished he could have met and learned from the smith that made this fine piece of work. However the most important part to me, was that the magical indents did not glow once. Eventually the sun went down and before we went home, an idea came to my head.

“Hey Grace, let’s try one more thing. Shield!” With that, the sword vanished and the shield came back. “Grace, pick up that spare sword and strike my shield.” The idea seemed to perplex Grace who responded. “O-ok then, here goes nothing!” She swung with all of her might, the sword bounced off the shield, several swords broke and had to be replaced. With every strike, the shield’s magical indents began to glow brighter and brighter.

“Alright, stop. Let’s try something new. Sword!” My shield shifted to that of a sword, I checked the indents to see if my theory was correct. The indents indeed seemed to glow. I felt a rush of adrenaline surge through me. I ran all around the town, and back to Grace. I even managed to cut a decently sized hole on the hillside with a single blow.

“Wow, this feels so good. I feel so powerful.” I chuckled a bit, prideful. “Let’s find out how fast you are truly Razan, I’ll time you.” Grace offered eagerly, seemingly excited at the discovery. With that, I ran around town, when I eventually returned, Grace counted on her fingers. “Hm, ten seconds.” She looked quite thoughtful, as if tallying up the time it took from me. “Plus, you can even do a considerable amount of damage. Perhaps the sword's ability is when charged with magical energy from your shield, it boosts your speed and strength.” Explaining her findings to me, it seemed to make perfect sense. “So then, how about I call the shield, ‘Shield Mode’, and the sword ‘Sword Mode’.” However the sword and shield simply both returned in my hands after I said that. The magical indents faded and no longer full of energy. I was back to normal, a time limit before they were all drained. Now that I think about it, I felt really tired as well. “I’m wiped though, sounds like this isn’t something I can abuse without really regretting it.” I sighed. The village bell rang, indicating curfew had come into effect. “Let’s head back, we can test anything else later. Though I think we found mostly everything it can do. Enchanted weapons are rare and don’t tend to have too many special effects. But first, let’s apologize to the Mayor for destroying the tree and partially leveling the hill.”

As we went back down the hill and back into town. After apologizing (the mayor was considerably understanding), it was time to turn in for the night. Everyone had largely gone to bed, some children still wandered the streets heading home, just like us. However Grace seemed a little discouraged, finally she spoke.

“Razan, if you’re a hero…and only one hero can live. That means you’ll have to fight other people, and potentially even die. You won’t get to live…normally, like everyone else.” I didn’t know how to respond for once, all I could do was shrug. “I mean, I suppose. But I chose, besides. I didn’t exactly come here to die.” However, for the first time ever she appeared angry with me. “Yet not everybody gets what they want, you know. Not everyone gets a second chance. Besides, you’re my friend, if you died I’d be upset you know. So don’t just shrug it off like it’s no big deal, especially when you kept your little deal with the goddess secret as well.”

I stopped for a second, I realized just like in the world previously, I really was beginning to make an impact in the lives of other people. “Well, I know I can’t guarantee I’ll live…” I stopped there. Grace seemed to get what I was thinking. “Then when the time comes, please…let me come with you.” The proposition hit me like a brick. I remembered the story Grace shared earlier. There would be some good heroes, and likely some bad ones.

“But Grace, there will probably be some very dangerous people on the road. People with weapons like mine but maybe even more dangerous abilities. I’m worried you could get hurt or worse.” I had no choice but to turn her down, I could never get someone involved in this. This was my fight, not hers. “W-well, I can heal your injuries. If you get hurt in a fight, I can help you. It might even make the difference between life or death.” However even after that response from Grace, the obvious was still there.

“What if you get hurt or worse?” I didn’t even say it this time, but the sentiment hung between us. Not a word was shared after that, but something told me she was not entirely done with the matter either. I walked her home, then went back to my own place. My mother and father were both asleep so I simply went into my own room. I tossed the sword and shield aside which made an audible crash as I flopped down onto the bed. I couldn’t help but think about Miko. The dark place she must be in coming to terms with my death. If I died here, Grace probably would suffer the same fate. I didn’t feel tired, how could I? If I survived as well, I would go home, and that may as well mean the same thing to Grace. No matter what I did, I would be hurting others. Eventually I did get tired, it wasn’t a situation to worry about now, but Grace and I will come to terms with this predicament eventually. Or so I hoped anyway. My thoughts began to still at last, as I reluctantly drifted off.