The Shadow Blade
The battleground was bloody. All sides had taken heavy blows, but the clan had suffered the most casualties. When it seemed that failure was nigh, and the only move left was retreat, there was an unexpected turn in the battle.
Although late, the Champion had arrived upon the battlefield, and by his side was his trusty companion, the Shadow Blade. The Champion alone was a mighty man, a veteran of many battles and bearer of the scars of victory. He wielded strength and power, and his presence was enough to make the enemies tremble.
But it was the Blade they feared more.
It was an instrument of war – a weapon designed to destroy, a weapon created to kill. But also was it an instrument of defense – a weapon designed to protect, a weapon created to save. It aided in the destruction of whole communities, and was at the hand of many deaths. It aided in the warding of the people to which it was bound, and was the salvation of many. It did not distinguish between right and wrong, good and evil, light and dark – all that stood in its way was destroyed, and all that stood with it was afforded its protection. Blood flowed freely where this Blade sang. It never missed its mark.
The Shadow Blade was a legend. It had been honed and polished with years of handling. It was strong and firm, keen and sharp, sound and stable. The Blade held a legacy so great that the name itself inspired many. It was the subject of numerous pieces of art, and always a figure in a storyteller’s night of tales.
But the Shadow Blade was merely a creature of subservience, with no capacity for the intricacies of strategy and tactics without a guide. The Champion embraced the Blade and became its master and companion in battle. Together, they were an unstoppable team.
That night, the Champion danced and the Shadow Blade sang.
Surely, the enemy knew what would befall them.
No more of the allies fell, protected as they were by the valor of their teamwork. Once, when the enemy sought to overpower them with sheer numbers and surrounded the pair, the Champion merely smiled at the challenge and let them come. And the deadly duo moved as one, destroying all and sundry in maneuvers unknown but to themselves, of one mind. Together, they cleaved men from their lives, and drank deeply of blood. And in the end, only the bodies of the enemy lay fallen and rotting for the vultures.
They had emerged victorious.
The Champion grinned at his companion, and the Shadow Blade flashed a white smile.
The allies surrounded the pair, congratulating them on the victory. Heading to the celebration held in their honor, the two walked side by side, hand in hand.
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