Fallen Guardian : The Last Shadow

"I heard that you can forge a soul sword....is that true...?" Izumi was looking around the shop, inspecting all the types of sword that were put up for display.

"Yes, we surely can.." Lia felt proud as theirs is the only shop in the city than can forge one.

"Then I would like to order one for myself..."

"Please follow me." Lia led the way to their workshop.

Ryu and the others were about to resume their work, but were interrupted by Lia who brought along a new customer. Lia waved her hand signalling her to talk with Ryu as she left to return to the shop.

"Hello, I am Izumi, the newly appointed vice chief of the city, you have quite a reputation in the city master-smith Ryu."

"Thank you...but I am also a straight forward man, so lets skip the small talk. All the customers complete their order at the counter, a customer would be brought to the workshop only when they ask for one specific type of sword...so you want a Soul sword huh?"

"Yes, there aren't many who can design and forge a custom soul sword. I am aiming to become an S-rank protector, so I want to start getting used to a soul sword as soon as I can."

"Only a protector with rank-A or above can order a soul sword. Prove your rank...show me your spirit."

Izumi removed the glove on her right hand and held it out. She energized her right arm, a tattoo of a small bird started to appear on her arm. It suddenly turned into a small summoning circle above her arm and a small Eagle made of pure energy appeared in response to the summon, it looked as if it only came into the world a few days ago.

"A Harpy Eagle huh... hmm... from the size of your eagle, I can say it has only been a few days since you got your A-Rank."

"You do know it takes a lot of time and money...it will cost up to 50 gold."

"Money is not an issue master Ryu, I am willing to pay."

"Alright.....I will forge you a soul sword for your spirit. I know that everyone knows the rules and instructions, but I have to follow protocol. Let's start with, what you are never allowed to do."

"One...Never allow anyone to use your sword, unless your spirit is familiar and friendly with the person."

"Two...Never allow anyone less than a Rank-A use your sword, even though your spirit is familiar and friendly with that person and if you do, that person would undoubtedly be history in the next few seconds."

"I still don't get it, why some protectors who rank less than 'A' want a soul sword, even though they only get their spirit when they turn into an A-Rank..." Ken sighed as he heard his dad tell the rules to the 29th customer who came for a Soul sword since the last 10 years.

"Because they want to get used to transmitting their energy to their soul sword, nevertheless of their dedicated intentions of honing themselves...they will end up dying." Shin answered with his ever present stoic expression on his face.

"Understood master Ryu...."

"What type of sword do you want?"

"A Katana...." she sounded very confident of her choice.

"Alright, now onto your schedule.....you will have to come here every day and transfer your energy into the lump of Tamahagane ( DD Note : It's the material used for making a Katana. ), it drains you off of a lot of energy, so do not come without recovering your energy if you spent it somewhere."

"Its going to take 2 weeks to forge it and you are never to miss a day coming here to transfer your energy. If you miss a day, we have to start from scratch again and I am going to charge you for the wasted Tamahagane....are we clear."

"Yes...master Ryu."

"Please pay an advance of 15 gold at the counter to my wife and give her the swords measurement."

"And finally....remember...a Soul sword is not just a weapon....It is a home for your spirit. You take care of your spirit and it's home and they return it with loyalty."

Izumi nodded in agreement and left to follow Ryu's instructions.

"Never saw a young girl such as her to awake a Harpy Eagle spirit.....forget the spirit, I am more amazed that a girl who looks no more than 23 yrs old is an A-Rank...." Ryu sat down as he said.

"What does it matter anymore, the world might as well be doomed anyways. Six of the Seven DK's (DD Note :DK's is Short for Demon Kings. ) are still on the loose, their armies have come back to the living world.....and only three of the seven guardians remain. His highness is assumed to be dead. Tristina is destroyed, 3rd and 7th guardian along with it." Ryu looked into the fire, burning in the furnace with hints of sadness.

"The kingdom is run by the prime minister now.... who knows how long he can hold it. Areon is in the path to the kingdom's capital....the dark armies are sure to hit our town soon." A troubled Ken stated as he looked down.

"Dad...are we going to abandon our shop, if we are attacked?" Ken put on his serious face, as he posed a question that has been bugging him for a while.