Clang!
A clean metallic crack echoed through the forge. The jet-black alloy split cleanly under Jin's final strike—its cut surface gleaming like polished obsidian.
"Seven days... finally worth it." He held up the blade, admiring the finished form—a curved tachi-style sword, painted in deep black, streaked subtly with veins of red, like blood frozen inside steel.
Since returning from the Karika incident, Jin had thrown himself into forging once more. This time, it wasn't for him.
It was for Kuina.
She had given him a design—sketched in her meticulous, almost reverent handwriting. A blade she had envisioned but never wielded.
And Jin? He went all in.
Every inch of this sword had been forged with care, tempered with beast blood, and refined with Ki until it hummed with potential. It was his most dangerous work yet.
"I don't know what the Supreme Grade swords feel like…" he muttered, brushing his fingers along the blade's bloodline. "But this one? It's beyond Great Grade. No doubt."
The tachi wasn't even fitted with a handle yet.
Still, Jin stepped out of the forge and headed toward the dojo's open yard—the place Kuina always trained.
"Oi, Kuina," he called out softly.
In one fluid motion, he tossed the blade.
The unfinished weapon spun in the air, its red-lined edge catching the light like a predator's eye. It embedded itself into a thick tree trunk next to where Kuina was practicing.
Thunk!
Kuina turned just as the blade landed, her senses already reading the air's disturbance. Her eyes fell on the black-red sword jutting from the wood.
Without hesitation, she walked over, gripped the hiltless base, and drew it free. Her hands closed around the bare tang, but the weapon didn't resist.
Not at first.
The moment the steel touched her skin, a wave of sensation crawled up her arms. Not pain. Not pleasure. Something ancient. Wild. Unyielding.
She stared into the blade as though it stared back.
"This sword…" she whispered, breath caught in her chest.
"It's yours," Jin said from behind her, voice casual. "That was the plan anyway."
He plopped down on a nearby stone bench, stretching his arms. His long black hair, matted slightly from forge sweat, blew softly in the breeze.
"I spent a week on it. Every detail. Blade length is one-fifty-four centimeters, edge can cut clean through iron. It's been tempered with beast blood—unopened, unsullied, pure. No kills yet. The name's already engraved."
Kuina turned, blinking. "The name?"
Jin smirked. "Check the edge."
She angled the blade just enough to catch the faintly inscribed kanji etched into the base of the blade: 血戈 — Bloodbane.
He continued, "Still needs the handle and binding. Those are in the forge. Pick whatever wrap suits your style. The scabbard's already waiting too."
He rose, brushing dust from his palms.
"And unless there's a fire, don't disturb me. I'm sleeping for a week."
Kuina didn't reply. She watched as he walked toward the house, limbs heavy with exhaustion. For once, he looked... spent.
Not broken. But close.
She clutched the blade tighter.
By the time Makino stepped into the courtyard, Kuina was already seated under the veranda, slowly wrapping the handle in red cord. Her movements were precise. Intentional.
Makino tilted her head, peering curiously at the sword.
"That's new. Didn't Jin just finish a short blade the other day? This one looks... different. Why is it streaked red?"
Kuina didn't look up. "Beast blood. That's what causes the color. And the weight. And the bite."
Makino knelt beside her, eyes wide with awe. "It's beautiful… but it feels dangerous."
"It is." Kuina finally looked up. "I can barely hold it. The sword doesn't accept me yet."
Makino blinked. "Then... shouldn't you ask Jin why?"
Kuina gave a faint smile and slid the finished handle into the scabbard.
"No need. I know why. I'm not strong enough yet. I can't tame it."
Makino sat in stunned silence for a second before flashing her a grin. "Then you'd better get strong fast. Wouldn't want your new sword calling someone else 'Master.'"
"I will," Kuina said firmly. She gripped the tachi and nodded as if speaking to it directly. "I'll make Bloodbane submit."
Makino giggled. "Alright, I'll leave you to it. I've got dinner to prep anyway. Jin's gonna wake up starving, and for once, I won't let him settle for dried meat and black coffee."
Kuina remained in the courtyard, her eyes focused on the blade.
The weight of it. The intent. The silent challenge.
She whispered, "Rest, Jin. I'll be ready the next time I draw this blade."
This story is inspired from various fanfics i have read from around the world so if you find any similarities please dont mind . Thank you
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T/N :
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