A/N Fanfiction won't let me upload an image Xander's weapon, so for those that want to see it, here's the website: clazroomcollegedotartstationdotcomforwardslashprojects/v1kDJO. I didn't design it and I don't have permission to use the image, but this is how I'm imagining it to look.
Nakano survived his match with Kane in my story.
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Xander and Duncan left the next day to find Nakano.
"So, tell me about Nakano." Xander invited Duncan to talk about his friend.
"He's also known as the Sorceror Nakano. He was born in 926 b.c.e."
"That would make him nearly 3,000 years old. Not as old as Cassandra, but old."
"True. He studied Buddhism in the 11th century, which means he's also a monk."
"A monk who makes weapons. Sounds like either the set up for a joke or an oxymoron."
"Buddhist monks use martial arts as part of meditative exercises and most can and will kick your ass when they feel it. Which is weird, considering they're also looking for peace and enlightenment."
"Peace isn't possible without experiencing war, so we need to understand war. There's times when it's a necessary tool for peace."
"Also true. He didn't experience his first death until he was more then sixty. He's a very good and highly sought after teacher, for both mortals and immortals. He also has the power of illusion, which makes him a tempting target for headhunters."
"So he wants peace, but has to keep fighting. There's nothing in the rules that says he can't use his power of illusion."
"And he does. He's also a seer, he trained Conner and although one of his students, Kane, thought he'd killed him, he actually hadn't. But Nakano did somehow bring a mountain down on top of Kane. At the time, Nakano was living in a cave."
"Monks do renounce worldly goods, does seem a little extreme though."
Duncan chuckled. "It does, doesn't it?" He agreed. "He can also project psychic images."
"Maybe I could learn how to do that, since Cassandra says I'm a naturally occuring psychic."
"First master your present psychic ability, then add to it."
"Yes, my wise sensei."
"Smart ass."
"Another truism. So, where does Nakano hang out these days?" Xander asked.
"Still in a cave, in Japan. But it can be accessed magically from any cave as long as you know how."
"You don't like Magic, neither do I."
"It can be a useful tool, but you're right, I don't like using it. But my problem is that I grew up in an age where any Magic use was considered evil. I know it's not, Magic itself is neutral. It's all about how you use. But it still makes me uncomfortable."
"And it still scares me. I don't know if that's ever going to change. It brought out parts of Willow she kept hidden and parts I ignored. I consider her family and may eventually forgive her. But it's going to take awhile. But Giles, Giles let his own fears rule and the rest of us are going to be paying for it for a long time. Forgiveness is going to take a long time as well. Doesn't mean I don't love them both, they're family."
"Also understandable. We're almost to the cave. Don't be alarmed if he says something knowledgeable about you. He's a seer. He told me he'd been waiting 600 years for me."
"You're only about 400 years old."
"Exactly."
"Both creepy and interesting."
"And yet another truth." As they entered the cave. Duncan spoke a phrase in a language Xander didn't recognize and the walls seemed to shift and then a man was standing before them. He was dressed as a Buddhist monk could be expected to dress, in robes.
"Welcome Defender of Man, your heart is whole again."
"Now that I have my heart back, it's bound to be."
"And yet another truism. And you are a smart ass."
"And proud of it. I'm sure if you think I'm disrespectful, you'll kindly teach me how to be respectful."
"Or maybe not so kindly. You're a game changer, Alexander Harris, Blessed by Chaos, you bring the winds of change. A sword is not for you to wield, but I have crafted a weapon suitable to you."
"Neat, will it be hard for me to learn how to use?"
"You are already familiar with one form of it." He pulled the cover off a nearby table and revealed a double headed ax. Both ax heads were half moon shaped, it was intricately carved, with a twisted handle for an easier grip. A blue stone lay between the ax heads.
"It's beautiful." Xander said softly, reverently.
"The Oracles told the fangless vampire, there's more to you then even you know. In the fullness of time, you will come to see what that means. Tell your heart there's more to her as well. And when she's ready, I will forge a weapon worthy of her, as well."
"I will." Xander said, as he carefully picked up the ax.
"It's really two axes in one. It will split into two, each with its own ax head."
"Then I need to learn how to use both of them. I'm use to a single ax head with a double handed grip. This requires a single handed grip for both of them. But I will learn."
"Yes, you will." And the cave faded out and it was just Xander and Duncan again.
"What's was that about the heart?" Duncan asked.
"He was being both literal and figurative. Cordelia's name means heart of the sea and she's my heart."
