As the team prepared to leave the shop, Kazuki paused, his gaze drifting toward the swords displayed along the walls. With a thoughtful expression, he walked back to Torvald, who was busy arranging a stack of enchanted arrows.
"Torvald," Kazuki began, "do you have any *good* swords?"
Torvald turned, raising an eyebrow. "Good swords, are ye blind, lad?" He gestured around the shop with a wide sweep of his arm, his fingers stopping to point at the array of blades. "There are swords all around ye! Just pick one!"
Kazuki shook his head. "These… aren't exactly what I'm looking for. My last sword broke in the middle of a fight. I need something stronger."
Torvald's eyes narrowed as he crossed his arms. "Oh? And what exactly do ye mean by 'stronger'? Yer fightin' with me pride and joy here! Each o' these blades could slice through stone."
Leo, who'd been watching, spoke up, chuckling. "It's true, Torvald. We had a rough battle against Varkath, and Kazuki's sword didn't make it."
"Wait," Arlen interjected, his eyes widening in surprise. "Did you just say… *Varkath*? As in the demon general?"
Kazuki nodded, glancing over at Arlen with a steady gaze. "Yeah. He's dead now. But my sword shattered in the middle of it."
Torvald's mouth dropped open, his bushy eyebrows shooting up in surprise. "By Odin's beard, I don't believe it! Are ye telling me ye fought that beast and came out alive?"
"He did more than survive," Lyra said, a touch of admiration in her voice. "He actually won."
Torvald let out a low whistle, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I'll be… That's somethin' else. Varkath was a menace, one of the toughest demons this side of the mountains. And you're tellin' me ye killed him and shattered yer sword doin' it? Yer one crazy fella, Kazuki."
"And super strong," Serena added, smiling proudly at Kazuki. "That last sword of his was sturdy, but Varkath was too much for it. So, he'll need a new one. Something that won't just break."
Torvald fell silent, clearly deep in thought. "Hmm," he muttered, his fingers tapping against his belt. "It's not every day someone shatters a sword, mind ye. Breakin' is one thing, but shatterin'? Aye, that takes somethin' real special."
The blacksmith scratched his beard, seeming to come to a decision. "Alright, stay here. I've got just the thing for ye, lad, but she ain't yer typical blade." He turned and headed to the back of the forge, muttering as he went, "Not every fool's got the muscle for it, but maybe… just maybe…"
After a few tense minutes, Torvald reappeared, lugging something massive behind him. With every step, he grunted under its weight, his muscles straining as he carefully brought it forward. The sword, sheathed in a midnight-black scabbard, was enormous. Just seeing it made the rest of the blades on the wall look like toys in comparison. The sword had a thick, sturdy hilt wrapped in dark leather, and intricate silver etchings wound down its length. Even in its sheath, it seemed to exude an aura of power.
Torvald placed the sword down with a heavy thud, wiping sweat from his brow. "This here," he said with pride, "is me pride and joy. She's not yer ordinary sword, I'll tell ye that much. She's made from the metal of a fallen star and tempered with ancient runes. If you can swing her, she's yours."
Kazuki stepped up to the weapon, feeling a magnetic pull as he reached for the hilt. Wrapping his fingers around the leather grip, he lifted the sword with a surprising ease that startled everyone in the room. The blade felt natural in his hand, perfectly balanced despite its enormous size.
Torvald's eyes widened as he watched Kazuki lift the weapon effortlessly. "Well, I'll be… You weren't kiddin' about him bein' strong, were ye?" he murmured, looking at Serena with a stunned expression.
Kazuki took a deep breath, drawing the sword from its sheath. The blade was pitch black, a deep, absorbing black that seemed to drink in the light around it. The edge gleamed with a faint silver sheen, and the runes etched along the length glowed softly, pulsing with a dark energy. He gave it a light swing, and even that small motion sent a rush of air spiraling through the forge, rattling weapons on the walls and causing the entire shop to shake.
"Whoa!" Kazuki exclaimed, admiring the craftsmanship. "This is… incredible."
Torvald grinned, clearly proud. "Aye, lad, she's one of a kind. I call her *Voidrender*." His gaze grew distant for a moment as he looked at the sword, his tone growing softer. "Forged her many years ago, with metal from a fallen star, tempered with the blood of ancient beasts. She was meant for a hero, but no one's ever been able to wield her properly. Until now."
Kazuki examined the blade closely, feeling the energy within. "Voidrender… It feels like it was made for this."
The blacksmith nodded solemnly. "She's more than just a weapon, lad. She'll protect ye, and if ye treat her well, she'll keep ye alive. But don't go swingin' her like a club. She's a partner, not just a piece o' metal."
Kazuki sheathed Voidrender, turning back to Torvald with a deep bow of gratitude. "Thank you. I'll take good care of her."
The dwarf huffed, a faint smile breaking through his gruff exterior. "Ye better, or ye'll have me to answer to. But a deal's a deal, and a man's gotta keep his word. She's yours, lad. Free of charge. Consider it a gift for doin' the world a favor by takin' down that beast, Varkath."
Kazuki blinked, taken aback by the gesture. "Are you sure?"
"Aye," Torvald said with a grin. "Besides, you're the only one who's ever managed to swing her. Seems like she was waitin' for someone like ye all along."
As Kazuki gave a final nod, the rest of the team thanked Torvald for his generosity and headed for the door. "If ye ever need any more gear," Torvald called after them, "ye know where to find me!"
They waved goodbye, stepping back out into the bustling streets of Elmora, each of them feeling a renewed sense of determination.
As they walked, Arlen glanced at Kazuki, an appreciative gleam in his eye. "That sword… it's something else. It almost has a life of its own."
Kazuki nodded, gripping the hilt of Voidrender at his side. "Yeah. I can feel it too. It's like… it's ready for whatever comes next."
Serena smiled, her gaze softening as she looked at Kazuki. "Then let's make sure that all this preparation is worth it."
With their new equipment in hand and a powerful weapon by Kazuki's side, they were ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead. As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting a golden glow over the town, the team set out, leaving Elmora behind and venturing back into the wilds, their goal firmly in mind.
But this time, with Voidrender at Kazuki's side, they were ready for anything.
Arlen glanced at Kazuki, his expression serious. "Now that we're properly equipped, it's time we start tracking Malakar. There's a place nearby that's rumored to hold information on his movements. It's not exactly… welcoming, but it's our best lead."
Kazuki exchanged glances with Serena, Leo, and Lyra, all of them nodding. They were ready to face whatever lay ahead.
"Lead the way," Kazuki said, his hand resting on Wyrm's Bane. "It's time we take back what's ours."
They left the town behind, heading deeper into the wilds, each step bringing them closer to their next confrontation with Malakar.