The rhythmic whoosh of waves serenades the city as delicate snowflakes gently drift down, blanketing every corner of Port City Argus. Nestled amid the bustling streets, Break Electronics stands as a beacon of innovation and craftsmanship.
This weaponsmith Shop, a striking two-story building crafted from maroon bricks and gleaming metal, boasts a large window display filled with various intricate Mech-Transformable Gears. Towering above the entrance, a bold sign proclaims its name, inviting passersby to explore the wonders within. The homes of Argus huddle closely together, shaped by years of enduring the bracing sea winds and swirling smoke.
Their weathered, dark wood is adorned with uneven windows, while chimneys puff stubborn clouds of smoke into the air. The doors are scratched and dented from years of use, and vibrant laundry flutters across narrow alleys, resembling colorful flags.
Yet despite their wear and tear, these houses exude warmth for their citizens. The flickering lights illuminate the windows, the creaking of floorboards whispers stories of the past, and the lingering aroma of Oil and Metal creates a feeling of comfort and familiarity.
Onyx, a 13-year-old boy with dark ash hair, frail in the body, is wearing a leather apron above a white tee and black denim pants. He turns around as he exits the Shop and tiptoed to reach the flip sign that says 'closed' to 'open'
"Good morning, Onyx," a passerby greeted her. She smiled and waved at Onyx while holding a paper bag of baked bread in her other hand. " Say hello to your mother for me," she smiled and gave Onyx three pieces of bread on a Paper towel.
" I will, Mrs. Thorne. Thank you !!! And have a nice day !! " Onyx cheered and waved at the Lady with Leaf colored hair, as he had previously said about her.
Onyx returned to his family's Shop and went to the counter to see his mother.
"Mum, Mrs. Thorne told me to say hello to you. She seemed happier than usual."
"Really? Then I'll drop by their home later and give them the cookies we baked yesterday. Do you want to come?" Lilac asked.
"No, I have Summer homework from Sanctum," Onyx replied, avoiding his mother's gaze. He fidgeted, waving his foot back and forth, and sighed.
"Well, you go do your 'homework' now," she chuckled, knowing Onyx didn't want to go.
Onyx was about to dash to the second floor to play with his friends on their Scrolls when his mother reached beneath the counter to pull out a blueprint for a custom-made weapon.
"Wait! Before I forget, can you give this to your father? He's working in the basement right now."
Onyx grabs the blueprint, removes the leather apron strapped around his neck and waist, and hangs it on one of the wall hooks near the metal spiral staircase at the back of the Shop.
The spiral stairs had lit steps that helped when going down because every time Onyx's Father started to work, he turned off the lights, especially when he was smithing.
Onyx reached the basement of their Shop, where the smith showcased a fusion of two different eras. The stone-floored space was filled with the rich scent of aged wood because of the pillars that held up the ceiling and a faint metallic-oily undertone, evidence of countless hours spent on meticulous craftsmanship and engineering.
At the center back of the room, a fireplace sparked with an amber glow, its flames dancing wildly. The fire cast long, flickering shadows that stretched and contorted across the rough-hewn stone floor, bathing the area in a warm, inviting light. Above, ancient wooden beams, dark from age and perhaps touched by soot, formed a sturdy canopy.
In the back left corner of the room, nestled near the staircase, sat a robotic hand holding a sword alongside a computer table and a wooden chair in front of it. The table was equipped with welding tools and hammer screws. Attached to the wall was the tool wall board, and beside it was a bookshelf filled with old and new books; some were scattered at the table.
The head of the Break family was a sight to behold; he was leaning on the anvil, covered in ash and oil that perfectly mirrored his hair color, his hair messy and disheveled, his Emerald green eyes focused on the screen. He wore a white tank top that had turned a charming shade of gray, leather gloves that reached nearly to his elbows, and welding goggles perched casually below his chin. Dressed in black denim jeans similar to those worn by his son, Onyx, he took a moment to sip his coffee while catching up on the latest news scroll, particularly regarding the recent White Fang protests in Vale and Mistral.
Out of his eye, he spotted Onyx approaching, beaming enthusiastically as he held a roll of blueprint and a piece of bread that was delightfully larger than his own hand.
"Hey there, buddy! What brings you here?" he asked warmly, setting down his coffee cup and squatting to meet Onyx's eyes with genuine interest.
"Mom sent me here to give these to you," Onyx said eagerly, handing over the blueprints and the oversized bread they had received. Then, with curiosity sparkling in his eyes, he pointed at a stack of books on the table.
"What are those?"
Sterling turned to follow Onyx's gaze and saw the stack of books he had read yesterday. They were filled with fascinating tales of the ruins in Anima, local landmarks, and rich stories of weapons, history, and combat strategies.
"Just some history books," he replied with a smile, playfully ruffling his son's hair. "Thanks for bringing the blueprints and the bread, champ! But I've got to dive back into my work," he said, standing up and walking over to place the blueprints in his 'to-do' box.
Onyx eagerly took a seat in the sturdy wooden chair at the table. "Can I at least take a look at the blueprints? Please?" he asked with wide, hopeful eyes. "And what about that book? It says 'Ruins of Anima'! ARE THEY REAL?"
Sterling chuckled, deeply entertained by his son's excitement, as he grabbed the book about ruins and gave it to him.
"Why don't you read and make the decision yourself?" Sterling smiled at his sons' enthusiasm and handed them two books, 'Ruins of Anima' and 'Anima the Land of Mysteries'. "Go have fun now, bud, I need to work." He smiled and kissed his sons, " Head on, up now."
Onyx rushes up the metal stairs. Loud clangs of metal are heard throughout the Shop's interior, and Multiple customers who are now browsing items turn their heads to the sound.
"No running in the stairway, Onyx!" Ivory yelled, her face scrunching in anger and concern.
"Jeez, that boy," she sighed as she turned back to her customer. "I apologize for that."
"No worries," Rose said with a chuckle. My girl is always excited, even when she's indoors as well. Dear, I worry Pyrrah might be just as enthusiastic about combat."
"Kids, right?" Ivory laughed at their circumstances. "By the way, the blueprint you mailed me yesterday is already in the workshop. It's a nice design—a spear that turns into a rifle."
"It's my husband's work. He told our daughter it was the perfect weapon for her when they head back to the academy next week." She beamed. "Oh, before I forget, do you have any blunted blades I can buy for training practice? I might need a sword and a spear."
"Oh, we have those near the shield area; you'll find them there," Ivory pointed out.
Onyx arrived at his room and instantly dove into his bed, books in hand. The wooden frame creaked as he landed, and he started to read a book titled "Ruins of Anima." The book was bound in leather, and its pages were made of parchment. When he opened it, he saw pictures and symbols that were unfamiliar to him. He flipped to a random page until he found one that piqued his interest.
"THE VEYLAN BASTION
-STORM BREAKER PEAKS-
ERA OF THE..."
"Why is this smudged?" he grunted as he read the first line of text: "A ruined fortress carved into the mountains, once a last defense line during the..." Before he could continue reading, his scroll suddenly rang multiple times. He stood up and fetched it from his study table across the room.
"Are you going to hop on or what?" the notification read. He almost forgot about the game they were supposed to play.
"Oh shoot, I completely forgot!" Onyx replied. He grabbed the book from his bed and placed it on his study table to continue reading later.
Onyx found himself wonderfully enchanted by his kingdom's fascinating landmarks and ancient ruins as the days rolled on. In the past days, he was also engrossed in his mother's stories during her missions as an on-call Hunter.
But when he was reading books, each page he turned filled him with bubbling excitement about the thrilling adventures that awaited him. However, deep within, he felt a twinge of apprehension about how he might persuade his parents to let him embark on this journey. He could almost hear his father's wise words echoing in his mind, "No means no," but—he just had to give it a shot!
Onyx burst from his bed, a renewed energy propelling him into the world outside his dreams. The morning light poured through his window, casting playful patterns on the floor as he padded barefoot into the living room. There, he found his dad, Sterling, engrossed in the flickering glow of the television, the headlines scrolling by like whispers of distant adventures.
With a large smile lighting up his face, Onyx plopped beside him, the cushion sinking slightly under his weight. "Good morning, Dad!" he exclaimed, his voice alive with enthusiasm, echoing his excitement.
"Morning, kiddo," Sterling replied, flashing a warm smile that crinkled the corners of his eyes, a signal of affection that wrapped around Onyx like a favorite blanket.
Taking a deep breath, Onyx felt a delightful mix of eagerness and nervousness in his chest. With fingers dancing nervously against his knees, he said, "I've been thinking a lot about those amazing books you lent me, and… well, I have a question." The air around them felt charged with possibility.
"What's on your mind?" Sterling asked, his expression shifting into one of genuine curiosity. The soft morning light accentuated the lines of wisdom etched on his face.
"What if we explored one of the ruins or even a landmark?" Onyx burst out, his heart racing with anticipation; the thought hung in the air, electric and alive. He bit his lip, mentally bracing for his father's inevitable response.
Sterling turned to him fully, his brow furrowed in thought, contemplating the youthful passion radiating from his son. He folded his arms, the familiar creak of his old work gloves punctuating the moment, turning the atmosphere thick with tension.
"Ruins? Onyx, while they might sound fun, they come with their own set of dangers," he replied firmly, yet the hint of concern in his tone revealed that he was genuinely listening, weighing the potential adventure against the risks.
"But Dad," Onyx implored earnestly, his eyes sparkling with hope, "it's just a visit! We won't go near any places filled with Grimm! Plus, you've already trained me on using the Blade Sword," he countered, his words spilling out like a rushing river, filled with determination and the desire for freedom.
Sterling sighed, his gaze momentarily drifting to the muted chaos unfolding on the television screen—a stark reminder of the world's unpredictability. "Onyx, you're thirteen. It's essential to prepare well, but jumping into unknown dangers is another matter. Your mom's stories are filled with wonder, but I'm all too aware of the darker realities lurking beneath the surface: bandits and challenges that aren't written in any tale."
Onyx felt the weight of his father's words settle in the pit of his stomach, their truth undeniable. Yet, he noticed the flicker of disappointment in his son's eyes, and a softening expression crossed Sterling's face. "How about this?" he proposed, his voice tinged with warmth. "I have a delivery with Greg later near the Serpent River. If you're eager to explore some places, I'd happily take you along!"
A surge of exhilaration bubbled within Onyx, setting his heart racing like a drumbeat. "REALLY? WHAT TIME?!" he cried, his voice high with excitement and eyes wide with incredulity.
Sterling glanced at the clock, a smile spreading across his face that radiated pure joy. "Right now," he replied, glancing back at Onyx, his eyes twinkling with shared enthusiasm. "I'll just talk to Greg and you," he added, pointing at Onyx's clothing while adjusting his own. "You must equip yourself with protective gear and grab your sword from the basement. I finished fixing it."
With that, Sterling pulled out his scroll, fingers deftly tapping as he began calling his men, checking if the delivery preparations were underway. The air was thick with anticipation, and Onyx felt the world was inviting him on an adventure, a promise of exploration glimmering just beyond the horizon.
Onyx felt a thrilling rush of excitement as he hurried down the narrow staircase leading to the basement workshop. The inviting scent of metal and oil filled the air—a familiar aroma that never failed to spark his imagination.
Onyx's eyes eagerly scanned the clutter, searching for his beloved gear. He soon spotted his protective armor hanging on a rusty peg, a sturdy combination of leather and reinforced fabric made from Atlas's finest metals.
Yet, it wasn't just the armor that captured his attention; it was what lay on the workbench that truly mesmerized him. Beneath a cloth, he discovered a spear unlike any he had ever seen. Its sleek, shimmering form and intricate carvings along the shaft were unlike any he had ever seen. It was not fully built, but you could see the gun barrel and the spear's tip forming into one. The color mesmerized him—bright gold and scarlet red- and he screamed victory. As he stepped closer, his fingers hovered just above its surface, entranced by the meticulous details. He was amazed by what his father could do.
His mind shifted to his weapon, his transformative mech gun blade resting against the wall. The sword's blade was black with a slit in the middle. The handle was made from fine leather, and the trigger was hidden inside the blade's handle. There was a button in the middle of the hilt that, when pressed, transformed the blade into a long-range gun that took solid Dust Elements as its ammunition.
.
Prepared and equipped, Onyx felt an exhilarating rush, an undeniable call to adventure stronger than ever. He could almost hear the whispers of ancient quests urging him to step forward. Pausing briefly to glance back at the spear, he made a silent promise to return and unlock its secrets. Filled with fervor and hope for the journey ahead, he bounded up the stairs, his heart racing enthusiastically and determined.
He went back up to the leading Shop, went outside the Shop, and saw his father beside Greg Stark, his business partner. They were talking over the phone and checking their Scrolls.
"I'm ready, Dad!" Onyx said excitedly. He looked up to Greg and smiled, " Good morning, Mr. Stark!!"
" Aren't you loud this morning? " Greg grumbled while scratching the inside of his ear. " I'll be in the truck if you need me, Sterl." He walked inside the car and slammed the Vehicle Door
. The truck was big; it had a cloth cover for the back and boxes of various weapons, and dust was in each crate labeled by Element and type of weapon.
" Well, someone's in a bad mood," Onyx scoffs. Across from him, Sterling laughs and pats his sons' backs.
"Some of our people are just a bit late," Sterling said. "Speak of the devil, here they are." Two more trucks came in front and parked in front of the store
" Hop in the truck, kiddo, we've got to finish this before afternoon, " Sterling said as he helped his son up to the truck, and he walked up to his shop and closed down the metal protector for the windows and door. He hopped inside the car, sitting beside Onyx, as he hardly tapped the door of the truck and yelled
" ALRIGHT EVERYBODY LET'S GO "