The forge was still, with the low hum of enchantments, the slow crackle of heat, the faint metallic resonance in the air, all of it seemed to pause as Akari stepped inside.
Garran stood at the center of the forge, arms crossed.
"You're late," he grumbled.
Elen bowed slightly. "We came as soon as we received word."
Akari bowed deeply. "Th-thank you for making them."
Garran snorted. "You can thank me after you survive long enough to use them."
He turned and pulled back a heavy cloth draped over a rack.
Two swords rested side by side.
They were shorter than standard longswords, balanced for dual-wielding. Their blades shimmered deep crimson, forged from layered red dragon scales, each scale fused seamlessly into the metal.
Obsidian traced the edges in elegant, jagged lines, catching the light like black fire.
The hilts were wrapped in dark leather, warm to the touch.
Akari felt her breath catch.
"They're… beautiful."
"They're alive," Garran corrected. "Or close enough."
He gestured. "Touch them."
Akari hesitated, then stepped forward.
The moment her fingers brushed the hilts.
HUM.
A low, harmonious vibration filled the forge.
Warmth flowed from the blades into Akari's arms.
Recognizing.
The obsidian lines glowed faintly.
Akari gasped.
"They're responding to you," Elen said softly.
Garran nodded. "They're attuned. Now, names."
Akari blinked. "N-names?"
"Blades like these require them," Garran said. "Names anchor enchantments."
Akari closed her eyes.
Images came unbidden.
Fire, but calm. Light, but steady.
"…The right blade," she said softly, "will be called Solflare."
The blade pulsed gently.
"And the left…" She smiled faintly. "Emberveil."
The second blade shimmered.
The forge's runes flared, then settled.
Garran grinned. "Good names."
Akari held both swords fully now.
They felt… right.
A few streets over, the tailor's shop glowed with softer magic.
Master Selisse waited, hands clasped, eyes shining as Akari entered.
"Ah, my masterpiece."
She drew back a curtain.
The battle dress hung suspended, crimson fabric layered like petals, reinforced with hidden dragon-scale plating. Black accents traced the edges and seams, elegant and sharp.
The skirt was shorter for movement, and the bodice was fitted but flexible, runes woven invisibly into the cloth.
"It's modeled after Lady Lyra's," Selisse said, smiling, "but shaped for you."
Akari swallowed.
"…It's beautiful."
"Put it on," Selisse urged.
Moments later, Akari stepped out.
The dress moved with her like it belonged there.
The divine warmth inside her flowed gently into the fabric, then stilled.
Contained.
Balanced.
Elen's breath hitched, just slightly.
"…You look like a proper adventurer now," she said.
Akari's cheeks flushed. "I do…?"
"Yes," Elen said firmly.
They left the shops together, afternoon sunlight painting the streets gold.
Akari walked lighter than ever, twin swords at her hips, her battle dress whispering with each step.
"…Lyra would like this," she said softly.
Elen nodded. "She would."
As they turned down a side street, Akari felt it.
A ripple.
Not demonic Intent.
She slowed.
"…Elen?"
Elen stopped instantly, hand moving toward her own blade.
From the alley ahead came raised voices, harsh, panicked.
"…Just hand it over!"
"We don't want trouble!"
Akari's heart pounded.
Bandits.
Elen glanced at her.
"Stay behind me."
Akari hesitated.
Her hands brushed Solflare and Emberveil.
Her power stirred, not flaring, not panicking.
Waiting.
Akari swallowed.
"…What if someone gets hurt?"
Elen's eyes softened, but remained sharp.
"Then you will watch carefully."
The shouting grew louder.
Footsteps approached.
Akari took one steady breath.
For the first time, she didn't feel afraid.
If I have to… I can.