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Hawkeem Khunardi was famous in Kanipanaj. He was descended from some of the greatest warriors in history, on the battlefield and in the political department. As such, he had intimate knowledge of any sort of weapon in existence. Nobody was surprised when he chose to pursue blacksmithing. And his work was legendary. Some of the weapons that he forged himself helped to end battles in their infancy.

Then he saw the destruction that they created. Hawkeem retired and left the capital, Val Yalaz, to settle down in one of the small towns on the country's border. Nobody in the settlement knew the man from Rebria. Just the way he wanted. He was content to stay retired, never once lifting his old hammer, until he met his apprentice.

Damien Moreau was young, only nine, and brash. He was quick-tempered and had no problem with insulting the people near him. Most of the people in town hated the child for his personality and nothing more. The fact that he was orphaned at birth wasn't helping his case, seeing as no one in Sonnig liked being reminded of their losses. In him, Hawkeem only saw the potential he had in spades.

Even at the age of nine, Damien possessed monstrous physical abilities. He was capable of lifting more weight than someone twice his age, while outrunning and outlasting someone thrice his age. Hawkeem could very well see the young raven becoming one of the heroes that the country liked to make tales of, such as the Titan. Razick of the Vasona clan was thought to be able to “murder even the strongest serpent with his bare hands”. Being that the man had passed away centuries ago, the claim was unproven.

Of course, that didn't stop the rumors.

Hawkeem adopted the child and started teaching him. Nobody in Kanipanaj knew of the gift they were to receive in just eight years.

Eventually, the Khunardi opened his own blacksmith shop in Sonnig and left his apprentice in charge of the establishment while he traveled abroad to visit his old friends. He would teach the raven more and more whenever he stopped by until Damien had mastered each of his lessons. Hawkeem dropped off the radar once his apprentice had become the master, and nobody in the world had seen him since. Many others in the future joked that he was still among them. Watching the progress of the world's species.

Another legend in Kanipanaj's history.

000

Celeste inspected the weapon for the umpteenth time, searching for even the slightest imperfection in the design. None, even the painted finish was perfect! It was unbelievable that such workmanship was possible. Honestly, she'd had her doubts when one of her brothers pointed her in the direction of this particular blacksmith. One in which she had scarcely heard of since he moved here.

“Are you looking for something in particular or are you looking to purchase that waste of bronze and iron?”

The girl leaped in the air at the sudden question and rounded on the person that had spoken to her, her breath catching in her throat at the sight of him. He was pretty short, only two inches taller than her, but he was muscular. Rebria, she didn't even think it was possible to have muscle in some of the places he did. His skin was pale for someone that lived in Kanipanaj, not unlike herself, and the contrast with his inky black hair only served to enhance his appearance. The smoldering vermilion eyes that looked back at her made her heart hammer in her ribcage.

Only with the strength of will that she possessed was she able to reign herself back under control. “Seriously? Even the General would like to carry this in battle if he knew about this place.”

Her unidentified companion looked highly amused by her declaration, crossing his arms over his chest to further emphasis his expression. Celeste bristled under the look and pointed at him, “I would like to see you make somethin' better!”

“And who do you think made the weapon in your hand?”

It was like someone took all the air in her sail, judging by the way she wilted as realization struck. This person in front of her, the one that she thought was pretty cute, was the same person that her family liked to praise. Her father refused to get his weapons from any other place, and the same with her brothers. But that wasn't possible. The young man in front of her was her age!

“I was apprenticed when I was nine, and I was perfect for the job. So, with that in mind, it is possible.”

Had he...?

“No, no I'm not. I've just heard the question and the thought process in general that I've got this speech memorized. Rebria only knows the amount of times I've repeated myself... now, where are my manners. I am Damien Moreau, master blacksmith at your service.” Damien reached out with his right hand, waiting.

Celeste blinked and jumped when she realized what he was waiting for, shaking his hand quickly and firmly. Enough to surprise the raven, judging by the slight widening of the eyes.

“Um, w- what would you suggest?”

Rebria.

She wasn't normally this shy and timid!

Damien stepped further back and inspected her, causing her to blush unconsciously. The blacksmith rubbed the edge of his jaw as he pondered the question. Then he smirked, snapped his fingers, and pointed at her. “Shuriken.”

Her confusion was plain as day. “... little... ninja stars?”

“No, I ain't talking about them. I meant the Fuuma Shuriken. The big one? Anyway, that is perfect for you. You aren't as strong as me or any of the other men in town, so we can't factor in any of the swords. And you are pretty lithe, going off your frame, with plenty of potential for different maneuvers. You probably aren't suited for taking injuries, either. Meaning short- range battle is out of the question. The Fuuma Shuriken is the ideal weapon for you.”

Celeste was looking at him owlishly, blinking and nodding as though she completely understood what he was saying. Which, in reality, was true. Her military upbringing assured that much. But the way he was so enthusiastic about what he was saying was throwing her off, seeing as most people were professional. It was refreshing.

Moreau merely smiled in return, grabbed her by the hand, and led her toward the counter top where he usually dealt with his transactions. “Anyway, I doubt you've got the cash on hand just this moment. But, in light of the fact that your family is one of the cornerstones of my income, I have no problem with making one for you. Free.”

“... free?”

“Free.”

“... free, free?”

Damien looked even more amused than before.

“Free.”

“...”

“...”

“Sweet.”

“Yup. Sweet, indeed.”