A/N:
Hails: The second chapter is being made as we speak.
The fall season is here, the leaves are turning and the days are getting shorter. The place could only be described as having a specific air about it, something different and unfamiliar, but refreshing. The sun setting, turns a normal blue sky into an orange zircon with yellow hues mixed in. The clouds begin to purple, it was close to night. But in Ignacia, you mustn't be idle, you mustn't delay, for the Harvest Moon is almost upon us.
Work fast, dear farmers. With your sunhats shading your face. You with your light clothing, so you do not burn up. The men with short hair and the woman with loose ponytails. You start young at fourteen and work until you can no more. You must have the rice ready for the festival. The biggest one of the year, that celebrates the tradition of dragons. There will be fire, and music, and a great big feast. Do not go unused, do not be inactive. Everyone prepares for the biggest celebration of the year. The Dragon Festival. So as the bakers make sugary pastries and bread, do the farmers harvest rice. As the girls practice an alluring dance, do the brewers make succulent drinks. And as people prepare, does the blacksmith and his sister.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
A young man, more of a teenager still, no older than sixteen years of age, pounded away with a hammer against an anvil. He continued to craft his weapon, a sharp katana that glowed dimly because of heat. The young smith's hands would be calloused had he been working at the fire and anvil for years, however he is not his father, and he has just taken over the blacksmith shop. He is a beginner, and he can't create weapons the way his father can. His amber eyes, like the inside of an oven, burn with determination. This is not the first time he has tried, he had been working since the shop opened. His hair is spiky and wild, the color of light coffee. A thick locks a beautiful brown that most would be envious of. His skin was slightly tan. He wears light clothing like all the other workers, and a heavy apron to protect him from the heat.
"To forge the perfect weapon..." The boy said, remembering his father's words. "you first need the right metal and plenty of heat. Cool it off..." The teenager submerged the weapon in a pool of water. Steam billowed off of the sword and it hissed, the heat dislikes the cold. Just as fire dislikes water. "and presto!" The young man pulled the sword from the barrel full of rainwater, only to find to his dismay that instead of a wickedly sharp and expertly made weapon, it was loopy, flexible, and at the very most, wonky. The boy groaned unhappily.
Nearby, the sister watched with curious eyes and giggled at her brother's failure, finding it slightly amusing. She had deep ebony hair that flowed like a waterfall down her cheeks and rested above the shoulders. Her eyes were blue, deep like the sea. She had fair skin, and was more beautiful than any gem. She wore a modern red kimono top and pants made of fine silk. She also donned a skit, high slits to provide mobility. Creeping from the waist up were several phoenix symbols, representing rebirth and beauty. The collar was high, and tied around her waist and hips was a crimson sash. This wasn't your normal everyday outfit, but when the Dragon Festival fell upon Ignacia, this girl would be one of the main dancers of grace and perfection.
"You made it too quickly, Kai. Be patient." She scolded lightly. "If father were still here, he'd say-" She was cut off suddenly when her brother finished the sentence.
"I know, "no matter how much fire you have, experience isn't something you learn overnight."" He quoted. He placed the weapon back on the coals, taking a mental note to throw it into the pile of failed weapons. "That may work for you, Nya. But I'm gonna be a better blacksmith than dad ever was." Pride filled the young man, he was sure he could do it. He just had to put his mind to it.
"You're metal is loud and heavy." A wise voice spoke. Both young adults turned to the store front where an elderly man stood by patiently. Like many of the farmers, a sun hat was perched upon his head. He had crystal blue eyes and his most prominent feature was the long snowy white beard. He wore a simple white kimono and in his hand was bamboo staff. "Useful to slow one down, useless in the art of stealth. All tools for a samurai," he tapped a stack of helmets with his staff, causing them to tip slightly. "but nothing for a Ninja?" The elder asked. Kai chuckled humorously like the question was a joke.
"Ninja?" He asked. "You're a long way from finding a Ninja in these parts old man. And the shop is called "Four Weapons"," Kai explained sarcastically, motioning to the sign above the front. "not "four" browsing. Either buy something or go pedal your insults somewhere else." The elder scoffed, and turned to walk away.
"Too bad, thought I'd find something special here." Nya motioned for her brother to do something, thinking they might lose a customer.
"If it's something special you're looking for. Let me sh-" Kai made his way to the farther back of the shop, pulling out an expertly crafted samurai helmet his father had crafted a while ago. Feeling eager to get rid of it and any memories that hurt, he was ready to offer it away. He stopped his sentence suddenly when he realized the man was no longer there. He had just, disappeared. He looked around for a moment, trying to find where he went.
"What is it?" Nya asked, like the man had never been there in the first place.
"He was just-" Kai trailed off for a moment, then shook his head and placed the helmet back in the box. "Forget it."
How strange for a man like he to show up in Four Weapons. The world works in mysterious ways, doesn't it?