Elliot was taken aback by the gesture. Something so precious, given to him freely? He extended his hands and accepted the twin short swords, sheathed in their magnificent black and gold phoenix hide. It was a moment he would never forget.
"But why?" Elliot questioned, a sense of disbelief and gratitude welling up within him.
"Well, it is your birthday, boy," the old man replied with a knowing smile.
As if on cue, the clock struck midnight, and Elliot's bracelet chimed, "Happy 17th Birthday, Elliot Rouge."
Elliot, who had grown to hate his birthdays ever since his parents went missing, now felt a warm sense of love and belonging that he hadn't experienced in years.
"Who are you, old man?" Elliot asked, his voice quivering with emotions.
"Just a humble smith who worked under Arthur," the dwarf replied modestly.
"You worked with my father? Wait, you are Sir Ironbane! Magrolin Ironbane, the legendary smith knighted by the City Lord himself!"
"Hush, keep it down, boy," the dwarf cautioned, his eyes twinkling with a hint of nostalgia. "I am nothing but an old man now. I chose to keep an eye on you until your powers manifested, and when they did, I was to craft you a weapon to repay my debts to your father. And now that is done." His gruff exterior couldn't hide the warmth in his voice.
"Thank you, Uncle Ironbane," Elliot said with genuine gratitude as he strapped the swords to both sides of his waist.
With a flourish, he drew the twin swords. One gleamed with a vibrant blue hue, adorned with crimson markings that started from the hilt and stopped about one-tenth of the sword's length down the blade. The other sword was as dark as obsidian, with similar crimson markings.
The System immediately analyzed the weapons, delivering its assessment. "S+ tier Growth Item identified. The twin swords are made of an extremely rare intergalactic metal, crafted simultaneously with the same rhythm. It is the work of a Cosmic Grandsmith. These swords are indestructible and are bound to you by blood. Their potential is limitless and can be divine weapons that rule universes. However, because the swords are synchronized and linked with your blood, their strength scales with yours. Moreover, the swords have seals you need to unlock. They are currently sealed to be D tier. When equipped, the Item grants:
25% increase in Strength
25% increase in Agility
Other boosts are currently unknown. Unlock more seals.
Item Ability 1: Crimson Cross Slash: Use 75 BE to execute a ranged cross-slash attack by channeling your blood energy through the swords."
Elliot marveled at the swords, realizing their incredible potential and the journey that lay ahead.
The dwarf smiled at the weapons in Elliot's hands, "Give them a name, boy," he said.
Elliot gazed at the swords with a sense of reverence. "I will call this one Arth," he said, looking at the dark obsidian sword, "And this one Lily," he continued, his gaze gentle as he regarded the vibrant blue blade. The names he had chosen were a tribute to his parents, Arthur and Emily, a way to honor their memory and keep them close in spirit. He was determined to make them proud.
"Arth and Lily, fine names, my boy," the dwarf said with a nod of approval.
The System duly noted the information:
Twin Swords Arth and Lily:
25% increase in Strength
25% increase in Agility
Other boosts are currently unknown. Unlock more seals.
Item Ability 1: Crimson Cross Slash: Use 75 BE to execute a ranged cross-slash attack by channeling your blood energy through the swords.
Other Abilities are currently unknown. Unlock more seals.
With Arth and Lily in his possession, Elliot felt a renewed sense of purpose and strength, ready to face the challenges that lay ahead.
Elliot decided it was time to return home. He felt a mix of excitement and exhaustion after his eventful day. With Arth and Lily at his side, he walked through the familiar, dimly lit streets of Outer District O52, his modest home.
As he made his way through the quiet, nearly empty streets, he couldn't help but reflect on the incredible turn of events in his life. The night was calm, and the streets were still, but this time, he felt different. The twin swords at his side represented not only power but also a connection to his past.
Upon entering his apartment building, he made his way down to the basement unit. The living room was still cluttered with boxes and debris, but it felt like home. He gently placed Arth and Lily on a nearby table, feeling a sense of accomplishment and gratitude wash over him.
"Home sweet home, Arth, Lily," he said softly, addressing his newly named companions. "Today has been one heck of a journey."
The voice within him remained silent for the moment, perhaps sensing the need for rest. Elliot settled into an old, worn-out couch, surrounded by the remnants of his past life, but with newfound hope and purpose for the future.
Not too far away from Elliot's apartment, in the underworld of District O52, the remnants of the Hyena Pack gang found themselves carried on the shoulders of their lone surviving member. The burly man, still reeling from his earlier encounter with Elliot, reached the hidden lair of the Hyena Pack gang in the dark underbelly of District O52. He kicked the door open with a loud thud, announcing his arrival. The dimly lit hideout came into view, and it was far more lavish than one would expect from a gang's headquarters.
The room featured rich red leather sofas arranged neatly, surrounding a central table. The warm lighting gave it an eerie but inviting atmosphere. An indoor bar stood in one corner, displaying a collection of expensive alcoholic beverages that gleamed under the soft glow of the lights. This was no ordinary criminal hideout; it had an air of extravagance that suggested connections to the underworld's elite.
The burly man, his strength on full display, had the dark elf woman slung over one shoulder, her unconscious form a stark contrast to the luxury around them. In his other hand, he dragged his boss, the leader of the Hyena Pack gang, who was still groggy from the brutal encounter with Elliot. It was a scene that showcased the ruthless world of the criminal underbelly, where power and survival were paramount.
As the burly man entered the inner chamber of the hideout, he encountered the remaining members of the gang. They sat around a long, dimly lit table, their faces painted with exhaustion and anxiety. It was a far cry from the raucous and defiant group they had once been. The dimly lit hideout exuded an air of tension and weariness, in stark contrast to the gang's former audacious demeanor.
Brutus gently laid the unconscious dark elf woman on a nearby sofa and propped Fang up on a makeshift cot.
Fang, the leader of the gang, was quite frustrated. He had sustained injuries during their earlier confrontation with Elliot, leaving him in a state of agony. Fang's eye was permanently damaged, a cruel reminder of their defeat.
The remaining six members of the gang sat around a long, dimly lit table, their faces etched with exhaustion and anxiety. They exchanged glances, silently acknowledging the dire situation they found themselves in. This once-robust gang had been reduced to a mere shadow of its former self.
The atmosphere in the room was heavy with tension as the gang members awaited their leader's instructions.
Fang, despite his injuries, retained an aura of authority. He took a deep breath, wincing in pain, and addressed his remaining followers with determination. "Brutus, tend to your injuries. The rest of you, find solace in rest and mend your wounds. Tomorrow, we regroup and begin anew."
The gang members nodded, their spirits slightly lifted by Fang's resolve. They dispersed, some heading to the bar to pour themselves a drink, while others retreated to their rooms to nurse their wounds. The hideout gradually fell into an uneasy silence, as the remnants of the once-mighty Hyena Gang prepared to face the challenges of a new day.
As the gang members dispersed, Fang turned his worried eyes to the elven woman who looked beautiful even as she lay unconscious. He then shifted his gaze to Brutus, who still hadn't left the room. Concern etched lines on Fang's face as he contemplated the mysterious attacker.
"Arasha hasn't woken up yet," Fang muttered, his voice laden with worry. "What did that freak do to her?"
Brutus, leaning against the wall, looked at the unconscious elven woman and sighed deeply. "I don't know, boss. But he wasn't human. Scarlet eyes, long fangs, he was a demon, I tell you."
Fang furrowed his brow, his mind racing to make sense of the situation. "Don't be ridiculous, Brutus. The City Lord would never allow a demon to enter Planet Stellaris."
Brutus nodded in agreement. "You're right, boss, but it was no ordinary beastman. He was something else, something unnatural."
Fang sighed, his concern for Arasha evident in his eyes. "I know, Brutus. Go get some rest and tend to your injuries. Let me look after her."
Brutus hesitated for a moment, wanting to stay and protect his comrades, but Fang's reassuring gesture urged him to leave. "Alright, boss. If anything changes, you know where to find me."
With that, Brutus made his way to his quarters, leaving Fang alone with the unconscious elven woman.
Fang's concern for Arasha weighed heavily on his mind as he approached her unconscious form. Gently pushing aside her hair, he revealed the vampiric bite marks on her delicate neck. Worry gnawed at his heart as he whispered, "Please be okay."