A Relic Called Kintsugi

Sato

Leo led Sato to the massive, towering tower library where Sato had first seen Kintsugi on display so many weeks ago. It was finally time. Sato had been training nonstop for weeks. He was now quite skilled with the bokken. More importantly, his stamina and strength had grown with him. Sensei had signed off on Sato beginning training with the actual blade. Sato knew what that must mean for Sensei. He was grateful. 

Leo approached the oversized fireplace where the blade was mounted. He ducked below it and reached for a brick. Leo pressed in a slightly loose brick, triggering a secret compartment. A hatch sprang open with a click out of a false brick below. The whole contraption was so subtle that Sato would have never, in a thousand years, spotted it. The trunk that contained the true Kintsugi was there within. Leo removed the long, narrow trunk from the shadowed cavity of the false brick. Leo dragged the deceivingly heavy trunk out of the brick façade. He opened it with the key he had hung round his neck. He swung it open to reveal that it was filled with coins and gems. Sato felt disappointed. That was until Leo removed the false bottom. Underneath was the casing containing Kintsugi and its sheath. The one hanging above the fire was a fake. Sato had so much as suspected.

The blade was jet black and reflected light as if it were made of glass. It was folded in seemingly thousands of layers of black Damascus steel. It seems the sharpest blade Sato had ever seen. The patterns in the blade seemed to resemble soap bubbles. Golden lining filled every crack, crevice, and imperfection, of which there were few enough. The blade was shattered into five big pieces with a few tiny shards besides. The guard was patterned in black and gold and closely resembled the yin-yang. The hilt was black and gold, wrapped around in red cloth. It was beautiful. 

Leo went down to his knees, and Sato mimicked him. Leo gently lifted the blade from its casing with both his gloved hands, one on the hilt, the other on the blade. The gold remained static. He rose to one knee. 

Leo took the sword into his left hand and tapped it against Sato's left shoulder. "To heal this land," Leo tapped the blade to Sato's right shoulder, "You must fight, cut out the disease."

"Rise, Sier Sato, Hero of Otherworld, student of swords and salves, Wielder of an Ancient Relic, and Knight of Prince Leo Welles, Lord on Castle Hill, heir to the Pax Isles." Leo held the blade out once again in both hands for Sato to take. Sato rose to one knee. He wondered if this meant he was now in Leo's service. Perhaps he had been, ever since he arrived, and was just now realizing it. 

Sato took it in both hands, mirroring Leo's motion and grip. It was cold as ice. The warmth leaked from Sato's hands into the blade. A shade of shadow took its place. The blade shone in even the dim light of night like a prism of all black. The gold seemed to flow like fluid within the blade once it was in Sato's hands. It felt like an extension of his arm. It felt like it was a part of him that had always been missing until today. He felt powerful, brave, and proud. He felt like a hero. 

So this was Sensei's son's blade? Of that, Sato had no doubt. The blade Sensei had reclaimed from the Horned Demons and given to Leo. Sato went to his feet, putting distance between himself and Leo, and took some practice swings. The gold danced alongside him. The blade sung as he swung it.

"Can you hear that? Can you hear the blade speak?" Sato questioned.

"I cannot. I hear nothing of note," Leo replied. Apparently, it was only to Sato's ear. Or perhaps it was in his head. It was kind of like how Sato could understand Leo despite him speaking a different language entirely. Daniel had solved that quandary soon after their arrival. Sato hadn't even noticed. It was like his brain automatically translated the noise. Not so for the sword. 

"It's like it's speaking to me, in my head, in another language," Sato did not know how to tell Leo what he heard, but he tried. He was disoriented and disturbed by the development. 

The blade whispered to Sato when Leo was speaking. Not words, only sounds. Leo handed Sato the scabbard, and Sato attached it to his belt and caged the gold and its shade. The whispering ceased. 

"It must be your unique connection with the blade. The blade is both ancient and advanced. We do not understand every nuance. It may be an attempt to impart on you its ancient secrets in an unknown script or speak. I wouldn't concern yourself over it. If it gets stronger, let me know." Leo speculated. His face betrayed no dishonesty or deceit. Sato nodded along in reluctant relief. At least it wasn't some sort of curse. That would suck.

"The blade is now in your care. I pass the duties and responsibility of the "Kintsugi," as you like to call it, into your care. You may store it in this trunk. Do not misplace it. If you ever leave this place, it should be returned directly to me or right here. Understood?" Leo demanded. 

"Understood," Sato confirmed. He wasn't sure whether or not he meant it. 

"You are now a master of a relic much like myself." Leo unsheathed Wyrm with great repose in demonstration. "The power your blade holds can save your allies while vanquishing your foes. Use it well." Leo demanded.

"I will. You have my word." Sato unreservedly agreed.

"Good. Now, let us celebrate. Tomorrow there will be much training, but tonight we eat and drink and be merry." Leo forced a smile. Sato did not feel all too merry. He wanted to test his new sword. He would have to wait.