"Come ... [Kein Arukh]!" Rayn mimicked Mpu Ganddru while reciting the mantra meant to summon his Saithe Weapon.
There were no signs that the mantra uttered by the young man had succeeded; it seemed that the invocation of the mantra was not as simple as it appeared. Mpu Ganddru could only chuckle as he watched the young man's futile attempts to recite the summoning mantra.
"Come on, Arukh, you must come," the young man muttered desperately.
Rayn continued to repeat the words he had spoken, hoping for a successful result and the summoning of the desired Saithe Weapon.
"Do you feel betrayed by your confidant, Ganddru?" teased the despondent young man.
"I should be able to summon it. We've had many conversations before, and I've even been allowed to use its power. What's really happening? ... Is it ignoring my call? What does this mean?" Rayn sought an explanation.
"Being able to communicate with the Saithe inside the artifact doesn't necessarily mean you have truly possessed it. You might think it's betraying you ... In essence, you're the one who's betraying it," the old man explained to Rayn.
"What do you mean? ... I desire it so much, how could I betray it?" Rayn became increasingly confused.
"By considering that Arukh is ignoring you, you've already committed a form of betrayal. Humans can communicate with a Saithe Weapon inside an artifact because their energies are connected, creating a communication channel between the human and the Saithe Weapon through the resonance of both energies. Now, I will ask ... Have you ever spoken to Arukh without holding the weapon?"
"That's true, I've only spoken to Arukh while holding the dagger ... But isn't that the only way to communicate with the creature in the artifact?" Rayn spoke to himself, not directly responding to the old man's question.
"You don't seem to have a clue about how this communication channel works, and you might not even understand the principles of a Saithe Weapon, how the power of an artifact can be accessed by the one who holds it. You're a complete novice, and you dream of collecting all the Saithe Weapons in this world? ... I'm starting to think you're more suited to be a jester than a thief," Ganddru mocked the young man, making it seem like he was toying with him.
"Well, if you're not going to help me, at least let me focus on what I'm doing," the young man began to feel annoyed by the old man's words.
Ganddru burst into laughter after seeing the young man he was teasing react emotionally to his words.
"Hahaha ... First, understand that every existence in this universe has energy. Humans, animals, Saithe, even rocks have energy ... Energy is what gives something existence in this world ... When Arukh is in your grasp, you've unwittingly channeled your energy into the artifact, and it consumes your energy to generate the power you'll use ... Therefore, your energies are intertwined, forming that 'channel.' Physical contact is the easiest way to connect the communication channel, but it's not the only way ... Someone can bind their energy with their Saithe Weapon without physical contact with the artifact, through a special ritual."
"Ritual?" Rayn asked himself, filled with curiosity.
"How about it, have you gone through the ritual?"
"How could I know something like that! Arukh never mentioned anything like that all this time."
Mpu Ganddru suddenly fell silent, his gaze carefully examining the figure of the young man before him, as if verifying something.
"Oh well, it's getting late; let this old man rest after the long work I did today," Mpu Ganddru turned away from the young man, heading for the door of his dwelling.
"You annoying old man, at least let me know what the ritual you mentioned is!" Rayn insisted.
The old man gave a sharp look while saying, "You probably don't need something like that."
After informing Rayn, Mpu Ganddru opened the back door of his dwelling and entered his wooden house. Although he appeared calm and relaxed, the elderly man harbored a nagging question in his mind after leaving his earlier conversation partner. He was disturbed by the oddity that, in reality, without going through a special ritual, a human interacting with a Saithe Weapon should only be able to hear the words of the Saithe residing in the artifact, commonly referred to as the 'whispers,' and it would be impossible for that person to use the abilities of the artifact. Yet, in Rayn's case, it was a unique condition where he could use the Saithe Weapon's power without being fully connected through a special ritual. This perplexity trapped the artifact maker in a bewildering train of thought, making him believe that something strange was happening with the young man he had helped.
~
For a human to truly harness the power of a Saithe Weapon, a special ritual known as the 'Binding Ritual' must be performed. In its execution, humans seeking the power of a Saithe Weapon must offer their blood to the Saithe residing in the artifact. Moreover, the binding ritual isn't performed only the first time a human and a Saithe Weapon make a 'contract,' but it must be continuously carried out, with its execution coinciding with the appearance of a full moon each month. Each full moon, the ritual must be performed as a consequence for humans to be accountable for 'providing sustenance' to the Saithe residing in the artifact, and if this consequence is not fulfilled correctly, dire consequences will befall the wielder of the Saithe Weapon.
~
The situation outside Mpu Ganddru's residence grew increasingly silent. Rayn remained standing in deep thought, as if he were ensnared in his own musings.
***
Meanwhile,
(In a narrow, dark alley in the city of Malv, at the foot of Mount Severu)
"When do you think Rayn will return, Bony?"
"I don't know either; this is the third time he's been late."
Two 9-year-old children sat slumped against the wall of the dimly lit, dingy alleyway, eagerly awaiting someone's arrival.
"Fiona, I think we can't rely on Rayn forever," the boy said to the little girl before him.
"But, Bony, we're not allowed to—"
"Come on, look at our situation now ... I think we can't remain passive while Rayn has to work hard for our sake!" Bony interrupted the little girl.
"But, what should we do?"
"We steal again! That's the only way," the boy spoke with a determined look in his eyes.
"But, Rayn told us not to, I don't want to make Rayn dissappoint," courage emerged in the fragile girl.
"Remember, Fiona, the most important message from Rayn! Living as street rats in this cruel, big city, we must prioritize survival. We've been stealing since we were kids, you and me, Fiona! We can do it! ... Until we meet Rayn, and he continues to provide for all our needs, clothing, food, even a secret hiding place in the midst of this harsh city. We live and are protected thanks to Rayn ... Now, we have to become self-reliant again, like we used to!" Bony insisted, making his determination clear to his precious friend.
"But, Bony..." Fiona seemed at a loss for words in response to Bony's resolute speech.
"Let it go; you're coming with me ... I have a plan." Bony got up from his seat and reached out to Fiona to stand and follow him.
The two young children moved away from the dark alley that had been their protective wall. At the end of the alley, they both walked slowly, cautiously observing their surroundings. Bony appeared to be ensuring something, and Fiona stood lurking behind him, following his lead.