Hana of the Dusk | Akatsuki no Yona

Chapter 10: Farewell.

"All I need now are a pair of blades," Hana tapped her chin as she looked down at her black knapsack bag. She had just finished packing up the supplies that she needed for her journey. She got up on her feet, heading towards the forge that made her previous twin blades— which she had to leave at the castle. She hoped the blacksmith was still working there, as she found his metalwork suited her best.

"Hana, where are you going?" She heard Mundok ask behind her as she walked out of the room.

Hana looked over her shoulder at him, "I'm going to Aya-li's workshop. I want to see if he still makes twin blades like the one I used."

"No need to. Follow me," Mundok walked to the end of the hallway and entered a room. Hana, in the midst of her confusion, trailed behind him.

"Isn't this your late father's room?" She asked as she stepped into the room.

Mundok was standing in front of the window, where a long box was placed on the windowsill. "Yes. Have I ever told you my father wielded twin blades like you too?"

"You have," Hana answered.

"These were his," Mundok opened the large box and showed what's inside to Hana.

Hana gasped as soon as she laid eyes on the blades. Those were the most beautiful blades she had ever seen. They were curved towards the top, just perfect to her liking. The hilts were made of silver, but the most fascinating part of the blades were the pommels. Each of them was carved into the shape of a dragon's head, along with the scales, and then coated with copper. The dragons seemed so alive at first sight, for their eyes were blue and glimmering.

"They are so beautiful," Hana whispered in awe. She wanted to touch them so badly, but she was afraid to. They looked so magnificent, like a pair of swords that belonged to a gallant king.

"They're yours," Mundok told her.

"What?" She widened her eyes.

"I've been meaning to give them to you way before you even left two years ago. But these blades are very valuable to me, so I thought I could wait for a few more years to give them to you. While you're gone, I had Aya-li repair the blades since they were a little rusty and blunt. Then I told him to carve the pommels into the shapes of dragons since you've always loved the legendary dragons."

"Are the eyes.. Supposed to look like mine?" She pointed at her ocean eyes.

"Yes," he chuckled. "Try them out."

Hana carefully took the blades. The hilts felt comfortable in her hands. Hana took a few steps backwards as she tested them out. She swung the blades back and forth with a big bright smile. "They are so light. I already love them!" Hana exclaimed excitedly.

Placing the blades on the floor, she ran towards Mundok and tackled him with a tight hug. "Thank you very much. You're the best grandpa I could ever ask for," she grinned.

He wrapped his arms around her frame and embraced her for as long as he could, before she left again. Tears fell from Mundok's eye as he whispered, "I hate to lose you one more time. I hate that all of my grandchildren are leaving me."

"We'll be back before you know it," Hana assured, rubbing the elder's back.

Mundok pulled away from her with a red eye, "you better. Don't die along the way, or else I'll need to drag you rascals out of your graves."

—

"Nee-chan, please don't leave!"

Hana found herself in a very troublesome situation right now. She had her weapons and supplies for the journey; she was good to go. But two boys were stubbornly clinging to her body, preventing her from walking out of the gates.