[Authors note: The perspective of the narrative changes for this and probably the next few chapters, so watch out for shifts in who is narrating. In this chapter, the narrating character is Kiara, another previous member of Rins party (Rin is the name of the previous halberd hero).
I'm thinking of incorperating sketches of characters and weapons to help with visualising, so please tell me if you would be interested in that or if it would break the image the reader has in their mind of the character.
That's all, please enjoy this chapter and remember to leave comments and reviews on how I could do better please!]
*Four days prior*
The Halberd hero, or rather Yukiko, was what I could only describe as a cold beauty.
She had short grayish-white hair, complementing her fair skin. The pair of blue eyes she wore resembled the blue jewel on her weapon, making it seem like her and the weapon were one and the same.
Her very essence was unknown, much like what I was used to from other heroes. She emenated the same kind of otherworldly aura.
'Yes, in that aspect, she was the same as Rin.', Though that was the only similarity they shared. His kindness, strength and intelligence were on a whole different level than hers, making her pale in comparison.
The time I spent in Rin, the previous halberd heroes, party was something I would never forget or regret even in my old age. I would only hope for my children to get the chance to experience it for themselves, yet when I look at Yukiko the way she is now, she can't replace the role that Rin took.
Spending my time in a bar again after a long time, it was Namphals choice, not mine, to meet here.
Namphal took a sip of the large keg, finally speaking up with a slightly annoyed tone, "Kiara, you need to let the whole thing go. We can't get Rin back, so stop trying to look for pieces of him in Yukiko. She's merely a cheap replacement to what he used to be.
The day Rin died, it spelled the fall of the Halberd hero."
From years of travelling with her, I could tell that she was serious about what she said, which left me a little disappointed. 'How could she just get over it like that? Did his death not affect her at all?'
"Namphal, I may not be able to find those pieces of him, but my children will. So please, help me just this once.
This was Rin's wish after all, are you just gonna ignore his wishes?"
Violently slamming her drink on the table, she stands up and leaves me with one final remark, "I'll do it, but I'm only doing it for his sake, not yours."
'Heh, leaving me with the tab, seems like she hasn't changed after all these years.'
*Another three days passed*
Time passed but even though Namphal held up on her promise, Yukiko made no progress. She just went hunting those stupid balloons day in and day out.
I had to change that mindset of hers. She has to realise how much I rely on her and how much is at stakes here.
After all, the other heroes were already busy, forming their parties and protecting the continent. Maybe she would realise her inferiority if she came into contact with them but she never did! All of them were way past the beginning stages, where she was currently stuck at.
'Just what was it inside of that box…'
In the end, I placed a specially paid request to one of the heroes, asking him to teach that arrogant little girl a lesson… Though he ended up failing, leaving the already vulnerable Yukiko in a desperate state.
I couldn't help but sigh at the sight of her, crumbled up. It was time, that I took matters in my own hands.
But right as I was about to disable my stealth skill, I saw her stand up in newfound confidence.
'What happened? Did my plan work in motivating her?'
All of a sudden, it was as if her previously gloomy aura had changed its ways, drowning me in a deep shivering sensation. It was as if I was witnessing a dragon spread its wings.
In my years of adventuring, there were few times, where I was genuinely awestruck. One of those times was when Rin bought me, a malnourished and weak little girl at the time, as a slave, or what he would call his companion. Although the Namphal at the time was against the idea, Rin saw potential in me, that others didn't.
Now, this is what is left of that man in this world: His only remain, right in that box, and now, in Yukiko.
Similarly, right now, I was the only one witnessing Yukikos potential. I just had to help her, be there for her, which was weird, coming out of a mothers mouth. To think I would feel this way about this young girl, when I had children her age myself.
But… Seeing her like this, I saw a piece of myself in her, much more than my children ever did. They came much after their father after all.
All of a sudden, the world seemed to stop for a second time, halting my thoughts in an instant.
The halberd in her hand, caught up in a storm, starting to change its form. The winds made it hard to see, but the blue haze resulting of the forming of this stunning weapon was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.
It was as if a thousand deep blue butterflies stripped the originally dull, iron halberd, revealing a much more refined, stronger skin.
The girl wielding it, unbothered, blinded by excitement. Even the freezing temperatures created by the incredible aura of the weapon didn't seem to bother her.
As the winds calmed, my spell long dispelled and my fingers almost freezing off, the girl held a crystalline masterpiece, as if crafted by the gods themselves, leaving frost marks on her face and hair.
It seemed, that I was right about her. This is the true successor of the legendary halberd, that Rin wielded.