06-21-2023, 09:19 PM
“Alright, alright, no need to get handsy,” he shrugged off the officials from yanking on his arm and walked off the field with his head held high. The sword was still in hand as he caught many an eye watching the parade. The expressions of the witnesses ranged from disappointment to awe to solidarity, but when he heard one guy lean to his friend and comment on the sword’s Irish style, Jaxen gave it a little waggle and then beckoned them to follow. The two seemed surprised, like the celebrity in their midst had actually noticed the regular folk, and they followed.
Once safely off the field, Jaxen’s disqualification became all the more real. The bastards even took away his arm band! Jaxen’s glare eventually eased, and he waved the two nerds up to join him and Mik.
“That’s an incredible replica,” the first guy said as he came up, gesturing at the sword. He was wearing a sleeveless, renaissance-style blue tunic, faux-bracers wrapped his forearms, and a sword belt wrapped his narrow waist. Despite the cool outfit, he looked about twenty, with a scraggly beard patched across his jaw to match his age. His friend looked about the same age, but he was wearing a Celtic style robe with a hood up around pointy ears. He had a white wig on and cool contacts that turned his eyes black.
“It’s not a replica,” Jaxen said, hefting the thing, which was a lot heavier than it looked.
“It’s a real Irish sword? Did you have it commissioned?” the dark elf said, coming closer. Jaxen held it up, but didn’t let the guy take it.
“It’s definitely authentic. I was in Ireland when I found it,” he said. Technically, it was Naga underalterworld, but Ireland counts.
“Found it?” They exchanged looks.
“Found, yes. Though you could say it was bestowed upon me in a contest of champions.”
The two suddenly laughed like they finally caught on. “That’s a great backstory. Seriously though, good find.”
Jaxen quirked a brow. Why was it when he told people the truth, they assumed he was making shit up? But since they were on a roll, he went on.
“It’s a magic sword, but I can’t seem to activate its powers. Any ideas?”
The dark elf pursed his lips. “Could be a sword of destiny. Only the right hand can activate its latent powers.”
His friend added on: “Maybe it’s cursed.”
Jaxen didn’t like either of those two options, so he let them spit ball some more.
“Could require a spell of awakening.”
“Or maybe it has to be moved through an activation form.”
“If it’s a magic sword, could require magic itself to activate it.”
Jaxen jumped in. “What kind of magic?”
“Incantation… spell… or simple approximation to its main force element.”
He was about to tune them out and give up on this whole endeavor in favor of Mikhail’s vodka when that last suggestion made him think.
“Approximation to … like what?”
“Maybe there’s a sister object that it requires the bearer to have. Like an amulet, crystal, or a touchstone.”
Then the dark elf rubbed his chin in thought, eyes squinting. “Maybe it’s not meant to be used as a sword at all.”
Jaxen blinked.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know the legend of the twelve swords of power? Here-” He pulled out a very modern looking Wallet from a pocket deep in the robe and typed in a few commands. A moment later, he was showing the screen to Jaxen, who scanned the content. As Jaxen took the Wallet, he heard the two guys say in unison: "ARDNEH be praised" then they had a laugh like it was an inside joke he was oblivious to understand. Fucking nerds.
In all his research, he’d never heard anything like this.
He turned back, noting the site so he could read further. “What do you think a Sword of Light would do?”
The two nerds exchanged looks.
The ranger guy spoke up. “Well, if it glows, it’s certainly going to be powerful. Teleportation maybe? A light to fight against darkness?”
Then the dark elf nodded. “A counter-spell. Like the Sword of Force. Maybe that’s the key. It’s not activating because it’s a defensive weapon only. Get attacked by a dark wizard and see if the sword will parry the spells.”
Jaxen scrubbed his chin in thought.
Then, he clapped both guys on the shoulder. “Thanks, guys. You nerds have a good one,” he said and gestured for Mik that it was time for vodka.
After a few steps, Jaxen leaned. “Know any dark wizards?” and laughed. Then they made their way to the nearest bar.
(Sorry for the slow response. Been toiling over what I wanted the nerds to reveal)
Once safely off the field, Jaxen’s disqualification became all the more real. The bastards even took away his arm band! Jaxen’s glare eventually eased, and he waved the two nerds up to join him and Mik.
“That’s an incredible replica,” the first guy said as he came up, gesturing at the sword. He was wearing a sleeveless, renaissance-style blue tunic, faux-bracers wrapped his forearms, and a sword belt wrapped his narrow waist. Despite the cool outfit, he looked about twenty, with a scraggly beard patched across his jaw to match his age. His friend looked about the same age, but he was wearing a Celtic style robe with a hood up around pointy ears. He had a white wig on and cool contacts that turned his eyes black.
“It’s not a replica,” Jaxen said, hefting the thing, which was a lot heavier than it looked.
“It’s a real Irish sword? Did you have it commissioned?” the dark elf said, coming closer. Jaxen held it up, but didn’t let the guy take it.
“It’s definitely authentic. I was in Ireland when I found it,” he said. Technically, it was Naga underalterworld, but Ireland counts.
“Found it?” They exchanged looks.
“Found, yes. Though you could say it was bestowed upon me in a contest of champions.”
The two suddenly laughed like they finally caught on. “That’s a great backstory. Seriously though, good find.”
Jaxen quirked a brow. Why was it when he told people the truth, they assumed he was making shit up? But since they were on a roll, he went on.
“It’s a magic sword, but I can’t seem to activate its powers. Any ideas?”
The dark elf pursed his lips. “Could be a sword of destiny. Only the right hand can activate its latent powers.”
His friend added on: “Maybe it’s cursed.”
Jaxen didn’t like either of those two options, so he let them spit ball some more.
“Could require a spell of awakening.”
“Or maybe it has to be moved through an activation form.”
“If it’s a magic sword, could require magic itself to activate it.”
Jaxen jumped in. “What kind of magic?”
“Incantation… spell… or simple approximation to its main force element.”
He was about to tune them out and give up on this whole endeavor in favor of Mikhail’s vodka when that last suggestion made him think.
“Approximation to … like what?”
“Maybe there’s a sister object that it requires the bearer to have. Like an amulet, crystal, or a touchstone.”
Then the dark elf rubbed his chin in thought, eyes squinting. “Maybe it’s not meant to be used as a sword at all.”
Jaxen blinked.
“What do you mean?”
“Do you know the legend of the twelve swords of power? Here-” He pulled out a very modern looking Wallet from a pocket deep in the robe and typed in a few commands. A moment later, he was showing the screen to Jaxen, who scanned the content. As Jaxen took the Wallet, he heard the two guys say in unison: "ARDNEH be praised" then they had a laugh like it was an inside joke he was oblivious to understand. Fucking nerds.
Quote:The sword of fortune brings luck to whoever wields it.
The Sword of Justice can turn aside any attack or spell meant to harm the wielder and send it back to the attacker instead.
The Sword of Heroes allows its wielder to kill dragons and immortal beasts.
The Sword of Vengeance can kill any person, demon, or god the wielder wishes, regardless of the physical distance that separates them or the level of protection they enjoy.
The Sword of Mercy can heal any injury or ailment, regardless of severity or how long ago it was inflicted. It can even grow back severed limbs or heal massive trauma.
The Sword of Madness sends shards of poisoned light into the minds of anyone who views the drawn blade in the hands of its wielder.
The Sword of Force provides absolute protection from all other weapons.
The Sword of Stealth changes the perception of anyone looking at the owner, making the wielder appear as someone the viewer knows and trusts, and allowing them to move freely wherever they choose.
The Sword of Despair causes a wave of despair that induces a deep lethargy, making anyone affected by it simply give up on life.
The Sword of Siege can cut through any stone or mineral-based formation as easily as it would pass through air.
The Sword of Fury turns its wielder into an impenetrable wall of bladed steel, but only in an enclosed area and only in defense of the defenseless.
The Sword of Wisdom can be used by the wielder to find any location or any object they wish, without error, even leading them to the items and people necessary to complete their quest.
In all his research, he’d never heard anything like this.
He turned back, noting the site so he could read further. “What do you think a Sword of Light would do?”
The two nerds exchanged looks.
The ranger guy spoke up. “Well, if it glows, it’s certainly going to be powerful. Teleportation maybe? A light to fight against darkness?”
Then the dark elf nodded. “A counter-spell. Like the Sword of Force. Maybe that’s the key. It’s not activating because it’s a defensive weapon only. Get attacked by a dark wizard and see if the sword will parry the spells.”
Jaxen scrubbed his chin in thought.
Then, he clapped both guys on the shoulder. “Thanks, guys. You nerds have a good one,” he said and gestured for Mik that it was time for vodka.
After a few steps, Jaxen leaned. “Know any dark wizards?” and laughed. Then they made their way to the nearest bar.
(Sorry for the slow response. Been toiling over what I wanted the nerds to reveal)