From: "Chet Weaver - YOUR HEAD A SPLODE!" <zeroohki@netscape.net> Subject: [PW] A Sword is a Sword, but a Bisento is a Spear with a Broad, Curved Blade Date: Friday, March 19, 2004 8:05 PM "This looks like a likely place," Kitsu said as Keaton opened the door to the weapons shop and allowed his sister and Aerie to enter first. A Skitty scampered in behind them before Keaton let the door close itself behind him. The four of them were soon browsing around the shop, examining various implements of death and dismemberment. "How about this one?" Keaton offered, hefting a large sword off the wall, much to the amazement of the shop's keeper. The zanbatou was at least fifty percent longer than Keaton was tall. "I'm getting muscle strain just looking at it," Kitsu replied. "Besides, I doubt there will be many situations where I'll need to bisect a horse and it's rider with one blow." "And you'd need to find a bikini that goes with it," Aerie noted. Finding that everyone was giving her odd looks, she added, "What?" A moment later, she found a set of brass claws and presented them to Kitsu. "These are cool," Aerie said. "I don't think these are really my style," Kitsu said. The Skitty cleared his little throat, drawing Kitsu's attention to another sword. Kitsu gently swung it through the air a couple times and felt that something was slightly off. "I think the blade is on the wrong side," she said after further examination. "That is the Reverse Blade Sword," the shop keeper said. "It is designed to be a non lethal weapon. You couldn't kill someone with that if you tried." "Isn't that missing the point of having a sword?" Keaton inquired. "I'm pretty sure I could still kill someone with this," Kitsu said. "It still has a blade, after all. I'd just have to turn it around. And I could just stab someone with it, or bludgeon them to death. It is made of solid steel, you know." "Well, yes," the shop keeper admitted. "But it's still less deadly than your average sword." Kitsu considered the blade for a moment before putting it back on it's display. She went on to review replicas of swords from various movies and other popular visual media properties. Eventually, she was back where she started and still without a sword. "None of these weapons are really good enough," Kitsu said. "They're sharp and shiny and all, but my old sword was specifically forged for me. The rest of these weapons just don't feel the same, and I think they're mainly for display." "So you don't like any of them," Keaton summarized. "Not especially," Kitsu replied. "Maybe... No... I don't know... Keaton, how much money do we have?" "Why are you asking me?" Keaton asked. "Because you have our money." "No, Jordan gave you the money in Ecruteak." "Yes, but I gave you the money at the Silver Conference." "Yeah, but I gave it back to you on the S.S. Tidal." "Of course, but then I..." Kitsu trailed off as she considered where she was going with this statement. "Jumped into the lava," the samurai siblings said at once. "So you have no money at all?" Aerie asked. "Well, not no money per se," Kitsu answered. "Just not enough to buy a sword," Keaton added. "Not a metal one, at least." "So now what?" Kitsu asked. "It's not like some mysterious blacksmith is going to appear out of nowhere and hand me a new sword." "I wouldn't be too sure," Keaton said, pointing out the window. Kitsu turned just in time to see a raggedly cloaked old man walk by the store front window. His complexion suggested North American Indian ancestry, but his brow was low and sloping and his lips jutted forward in a decidedly duck-billed fashion. "Is that...?" Kitsu began. Keaton drew his sword, revealing it's iridescent glow. "Wildfire!" Kitsu immediately dashed out of the store and caught up with the old man. He nearly jumped with fright when he saw her, but was becalmed soon enough. "Forgive me, Princess," Wildfire said, his face turning a darker shade of red. This was not so much out of embarrassment as he was changing into a more Magmar-like form. "For a moment, I thought you were Vulnona Feunard returning for her weapon." "Vulnona Feunard?" Kitsu inquired. "Wasn't she also known as the Shining Demon of the Northeast?" "Yes, that one," Wildfire answered. "Nary a man could match her on the battlefield. You've grown since we met last, and you've developed into her spitting image. Had I not known better, I'd say you were her daughter." "I wish," Kitsu said. "My mother wouldn't know what to do with a weapon, and certainly wouldn't sully her delicate hands on the battlefield." "Who is this?" Aerie asked as everyone else caught up. "This is Wildfire," Keaton explained. "He's a wandering artisan whose craftsmanship is unparalleled." "You flatter me, O' Prince," Wildfire said with a respectful bow. "I am but a humble blacksmith." "Wildfire made my first sword," Kitsu added. "Had he not, I might not have become a samurai." "A controversial act, but one I feel honored to have committed," Wildfire beamed. "I cannot help but feel that this encounter is the work of fate, m'lady." "Or bad storytelling," Keaton said. "It certainly is convenient," Kitsu agreed. "I just recently lost my old sword to a lava pool." "Ah, I enjoy a refreshing dip myself from time to time," Wildfire said. "But I prefer to keep my wares outside the magma." "Um, right," Kitsu said. "Anyway, we don't have the funds to buy me a new sword, so..." "Ah, say no more," Wildfire interrupted. "I would be more than happy to make a new sword for you for free rather than have you waste money on this mass-produced tripe. Alas, I lost most of my equipment to the cataclysm. All I have to offer is a single weapon." Wildfire then produced a weapon from beneath his cloak. It was a long pole arm with curved blade on the head. Around the base of the head was a long, red ribbon bearing the insignia of the Shining Demon of the Northeast. "A bisento?" Kitsu inquired. "Not just any bisento," Wildfire assured. "But the Hellstrike Bisento, once wielded by the Shining Demon herself." Kitsu was dumbstruck, not quite realizing that he already said he had it. "How... how long have you had this?" Kitsu asked. "Not long before you were born, m'lady," Wildfire explained. "Around the time your mother married King Nidon, I'd say." "The Legendary Hellstrike," Keaton said breathlessly. "Amazing. I've heard legends about it, but I've never expected to actually see it up close." "I can't use this," Kitsu declined. "It wouldn't be right." "What!?" Keaton exclaimed. "Come on, sis! It's not everyday someone just hands you a Legendary Weapon, much less one formerly owned by your idol! You can't not take it!" "I... I'm not worthy to hold such a weapon," Kitsu said. "Besides, I haven't used a pole arm in years." "But 'tis fate, m'lady!" Wildfire practically pleaded. "A seemingly chance encounter with this as my sole offering to you! And you without the resources for any other weapon! The Hellstrike is meant for you, m'lady! I dare say it's your birthright!" "It's definitely a sign, sis," Keaton urged. "Yeah, Legendary Weapons, next exit," Aerie agreed. "You should take it." "Well, all right," Kitsu gave in, accepting the bisento. "I probably only need a little practice, though." "Ah, my mission is finally completed," Wildfire said. "With my burden now gone, I may now happily and immediately expire. Fair thee-URK!" Wildfire's body seized up and he fell to the ground, motionless. After a moment of awkward silence, Kitsu finally said, "Oh, get up. I know you're not dead." "Oh, thank goodness," Wildfire said as he pulled himself to his feet. "I think I fell on a thumbtack or something. Well, I'm off to the early bird buffet. Fair thee well, Prince and Princess." As Wildfire shuffled off to the nearest restaurant, Kitsu turned to her companions and said, "So, what should we do next?" To be continued...? -- Chet "Tech" Weaver AIM: PanGatomon MSN: Nichirasu@hotmail.com eMail: zeroohki at netscape dot net Yahoo! Messenger: tech_weaver ICQ: 122744531 Webcomic: http://desperadocoyote.keenspace.com My Adventure Quest character: http://www.battleon.com/aq-chardetail.asp?temp=131213 You can play Adventure Quest at http://www.battleon.com Q: Do you know if your daughter has ever been involved in voodoo or the occult? A: We both do. Q: Voodoo? A: We do. Q: You do? A: Yes, voodoo. -- Actual court testimony