SHIFT 2 - Purgatory

Unatural

Nagisa felt only slightly awkward with the sword strapped to his back the next morning. He looked at himself in the mirror. He recalled the day he placed his last sword down. He had been to Aradia's home, a small hovel in the side of a field. It suited her though.

"A weapon only helps if you can keep hold of it." She had instructed him.

Time and time again that day, she had knocked the sword from his fingers. His hand had gone numb from the force she used. He didn't stand a chance against her, unless... It had been the first time he used his lightning magic against a living thing. He knew Aradia could withstand it. Of course he didn't find out what happened until he woke up.

She was mad he singed her hair! That was all! She laughed it off, congratulating him on surprising her. That was when he began to embrace his witch side. Not over his vampieric abilities, but along with them.

The next step was Marcus. Upon returning to the castle he pulled the sword from his back. He always carried it on his back due to his height. The sword at his waist always tripped him or got caught on stuff making him fall. He pulled the beautifully crafted weapon, that Marcus had insisted was his to use, from his back. He placed it on the table before the archivist.

Marcus was sitting in the dinning room enjoying an after dinner tea. He eyed the small tween boy. Nagisa had square his shoulders.

"I won't fight with a sword again. I have other abilities I need to hone." He insisted.

"Aradia teach you that?" Marcus asked mildly. Nagisa was so nervous all he could do was nod.

"A weapon is an extension of our bodies. A sword, Nagisa..." Marcus set his cup down to rest a hand on the boy's shoulder.

"A sword in your hand is like an extension of your soul! I have never seen a more gifted natural swordsman than you." His eyes reflected his hurt at what Nagisa was doing.

"A sword is only as good as the man who can keep ahold of it. That's not me." He turned away.

"This sword belonged to my mother." Marcus stopped him by saying.

Nagisa looked back over his shoulder shocked. Why would Marcus give him a weapon so sentimental to him. The archivist stood up swinging the blade leisurely.

"Seeing it preform its duties in your hands was like watching her come back to life. She was just as good as you with it." He looked up to face the boy.

"When your ready to take it up again, it will be in the vault." Marcus insisted.

"I won't fight with your mother's sword ever again." Nagisa stubbornly declared. Marcus had only given him a sad soft smile. Nagisa walked away.

Until yesterday, he hadn't touched a sword since. Now he had one designed for him. It was light weight and felt natural in his grip. He had forgotten how wonderful it felt to hold such a weapon. He sighed as he turned from the mirror.

"Having second thoughts?" Ryu asked as he tied a red tie loosely around his neck.

"Or is in not vibing with your outfit?" he smiled.

Nagisa wore a kilt with a small white bag attached to it. He had on booty shorts under it. A tight fitting black muscle shirt clung to his chest as the strap of the sheath hugged his torso. He pulled knee high boots on. They added four inches to his height.

"No." Nagisa frowned.

"Its just, once only once, I would like to prove him wrong!" He snarled.

"Marcus?" Ryu arched an eyebrow.

"Who else?" Nagisa huffed as he pulled a light jacket on.

Ryu pointed to the sword. He wanted to say that the jacket would make it difficult to draw the weapon, but the words weren't out of his mouth as the blade touched his throat.