Dawn- An age of Darkness

Jowy silently walked out of the confusion and the three of us or rather the four of us continued to walk. There was a fluffy eared little girl following Jowy around. She was more or less 14, so I didn't really pay attention.

Kids these days…

"So what were you doing?" I had to ask. I didn't care but the situation demanded.

"When I asked the lord Denkaborkarere, he said I could play my instrument here without any interference. I love playing the flute you see. But I didn't know there would be a crowd here." Jowy seemed innocent enough.

What are you, an idiot?

I almost chuckled.

"He played you," Brenda said.

I couldn't hide my chuckle this time. Never thought Brenda'd have such a sense of humor.

"Played me? What is that supposed to mean?" Jowy utterly confused looked at us for wisdom. Unfortunately for him, we weren't that nice.

"Nevermind. But why were they so enticed by the tune?" Brenda didn't find the necessity to explain stuff to our thickheaded friend. Frankly, I didn't either.

"I don't know. Even I didn't know that my melody could have such effects. I've always been told my melodies were charming but I never thought it'd be like this. I haven't played the flute in more than fifty years… maybe my skills have changed?"

How frigging old are you?

If he was old, he should have been wise as well. At least that's what my parents had always told me when I was little. But this guy might have been an exception to the core.

But wait, if Lianne was older than this guy then…. I did not want to think about it.

"I-I see. Anyway, let's get my sword and go back to the west gate," I said. I most certainly wasn't distracting myself from reality, no sir!

It wasn't all that late but by my guess, it was somewhere around three in the afternoon. So even if Dileans wasn't done he'd probably be done soon enough.

"Alright." Everyone agreed.

The first thing I noticed was the absence of the metallic clang inside the weapons shop. After I'd given my sword to Dileans, no matter when I came, there was always a sharp metallic sound reverberating in the air. Now it didn't exist anymore.

I looked around. Dileans was chilling on a bench and his wife was blowing winds to him. I wouldn't lie, that made me a little jealous.

I grinded my teeth and contained myself. "Looks like you're done."

We went towards them.

"Yeah, she's all yours!"

A staff brought me my sword: Dileans was out of commission. The guy really worked himself, no doubt.

The scabbard of the sword was already quite worn, so they gave me a new one. It was ridiculed with various designs. But I liked the one closest to the hilt; it was a dragon eating the moon. In fact, the scabbard might have even made the sword fancier than it was. The pale silver look, really made me go wild with enthusiasm if only for a second.

"Wow, this design is marvelous!" I had to admire it.

"You're not gonna open her?" Dileans was more concerned about the actual sword. I guess he was right, I should have been too.

I unsheathed the sword and it pierced my eyes with spectacular vibrance. The sword shined just like the mystic sword but in a paler blue. In a second it had captivated me.

This is beautiful.

"Ain't she beautiful?" Dileans was the only one talking. The busy store had gone quiet. No one dared to speak a word. Everyone knew, they were witnessing something grand.

I feel like I've heard that line before but I have to agree.

"Yeah, calling it beautiful would be a waste. This thing is beyond beautiful."

Jowy looked over the sword. "Looks like you really are a great blacksmith just like you claimed to be." He touched the blade. "You're refining work is top-notch."

I didn't expect such praises from him.

But Jowy's words kind of brought back everyone to reality and with audible stutters and clearings of throat here and there both the customers and the staff went back to their work. It was weird, really.

"This is my life's best sharpening work. I don't think there's another sword that could be as good as this one unless you end up finding the legendary mystic sword or something." He broke down in hysteric laughter.

The problem is: I've already found that one too.

I felt bad for hiding the fact but now I just had to roll with it. Besides, he'd probably end up crying if I told him I or rather the old man had something better than this sword.

"I just don't know what to say…" I really didn't.

The sword was so light and dazed with a brilliance that I lost my mind and couldn't even bring myself to thank him. Would thanking him be enough? Should I pay him more? Should I do something else!? Basically, those questions were roaming around in my head.

"Don't worry about it. Just getting to work on this was my reward. Don't you have somewhere to go?" Dileans was being modest, too modest.

"In all honesty, this is amazing. But this sword is…" Brenda at first looked amazed but as she remembered something she became quiet.

It was almost afternoon. The old man was waiting for me. But this sword literally blew my mind. It was wonderful and if I wasn't mistaken, this sword was the second most beautiful sword I saw after the mystic blade. It really was a masterpiece. Which was why I couldn't just take it and leave. I had to say something.

I didn't know what to say anymore. My head was spinning. "I don't know if I'll be back to this town or not but hope you see you soon. And thank you for everything."

"Me too, kiddo."

I know I'm younger than you… but kiddo?

"Take care, both of you," Calor said. I guess she didn't know Jowy.

They kept waving as we walked out. It was a little weird to be waved at, inside a store but such was life. I waved back. But I never felt so amazing. It was almost like I was high on something, which I certainly wasn't. But I was glad to have met people like them.

With haste, we reached the west gate. The old man wasn't there.

What the hell? Where is he?

"He didn't ditch us, did he?" Brenda said.

I was beginning to process Brenda's inquiry when we were interrupted by a peculiar old man. We knew him. He was dressed a little differently though.

"I was tempted to but thought it would be better to travel in a pack rather than alone. More food for the monsters." As usual, his witty comments made me want to punch him.

That's not comforting you know.

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