The Prophecy of Fates

CHAPTER XVII: Μια κακή πλευρά του καλού

017- AN EVIL SIDE OF GOOD

"Medyo nahirapan ako sa design nung weapon mo. It's the first time I ever tried to create a Recurve Longbow made out of pure Adamantine metal. And if you're gonna ask about the string that I used for the weapon, it's made out of Olympian Cord.", napanganga ako sa sinabi ni Aeo as we approached the weapon.

Its shade varied from the reflection of the light but most of the colors standing-out were azure, gold, and black. Dahil narin siguro sa kulay nung Adamantine ore na nakuhanamin.

To my surprise, it glowed and was translucent like pure crystal or a diamond. The bowstring even glimmered in a thick strand of gold. Aeo really outdid himself with the engraved design along the body of the weapon. Small and intricate Greek curves and symbols, golden linings, along with a small, dark-colored moon and three of its phases representing the crossroads were located at the center of the riser. The lunar phases were meant to symbolize the past, present, and future.

"Your mother is the goddess of the dark of the moon and the crossroads. I thought it'd be a nice touch to engrave that little piece of symbol at the center. Like a trademark.", Aeo trailed off at halos maluha ako sa kanya.

"Aeodysus... I don't have the words.", the weapon was too good to be true!

I was so astounded by the beauty of the Adamantine Recurve Longbow that I even failed to notice the purpose of its upper and lower limb tips. The crystal-like metal frame curved longer than they were supposed to as I noticed how they weren't really just ordinary limb tips but sharp crystal blades on both of the longbow's ends, specially designed to slash and cut anything that stands on its way.

"Oh, I can see that you've already noticed my final touch. Yan yung tinutukoy ko kaninang kinailangan kong tapusin. By the last minute, I thought about making your weapon capable and efficient for both close and long-range combat. You can use this baby in two ways. A recurve longbow for firing long-range shots, or a double-bladed sword for close-range defensive combat. It's multipurpose.", Aeo explained as he laughed at his last statement.

Nakatitig lang ako sa weapon. It was skillfully hand-crafted with pure talent and sheer effort that I couldn't almost believe that he made it just for me.

"Why don't you try to carry it, Kria?", this time, si Sev ang nagsalita as both of them gestured at the weapon infront of us. Napalunok muna ako bago dahan-dahang tumango at unti-unting pinalandas ang mga daliri ko sa weapon.

I felt its cold material against my fingers' touch. The crystal-like adamantine metal gleamed before my eyes as I slowly slipped my hand in its grip. Dahan-dahan ko itong inangat as I raised it infront of me, amazed by how perfect it was.

"I don't deserve this weapon.", wala sa sariling sambit ko kasabay ng singhapan nina Sev at Aeo as they immediately protested.

"You earned that weapon, Kria. You're the only one who can wield that. I already figured that out by the time I decided that I'll forge this for you. Remember, Ahlkria... Any weapon you wield is neither good nor evil. It stands in equilibrium. In the end, it's the decision of the wielder that will make a difference.", nagulat ako sa sinabi ni Aeo when I remembered my nightmares. My worst fears. This weapon wasn't even blessed by my parental deity yet so it still isn't considered divine. But, I can already feel its surging power. And...

"Entrusting me a weapon this powerful... don't you think it would still be dangerous? I'm unstable. The both of you have seen it for yourselves. What if the next time, I'd go berserk? What if----", kaagad akong pinutol ni Aeo sa pagsasalita ko as he disheveled my hair.