With a nod, I took my empty plate and spoon to the kitchen sink, the clatter of ceramic against metal a sharp contrast to the serene silence that had filled the room. The water was warm as I rinsed off the remnants of the meal, and I felt a sense of purpose wash over me as well. I dried my hands on the cloth hanging by the sink, the rough fabric scraping against my calloused palms. The door to the street was just a few steps away, and I could feel the anticipation building in my chest.
"Thanks for the support, Mom," I called out over my shoulder, a grin spreading across my face. "Just watch me pass that test!" I swung the door open, the cool morning air rushing in to greet me. The smells of the market were more pronounced now, the aromas of roasting meats and freshly baked bread mingling with the scent of damp earth and the faint tang of metal. The cobblestone street was already bustling with activity, the early light casting long shadows across the uneven surface.
I made my way through the narrow alleyways, my tail flicking from side to side as I navigated the throngs of early risers. The sound of hammer on anvil grew louder with each step, a steady rhythm that matched the pounding of my heart. The blacksmith's forge was nestled between a leatherworker's shop and an apothecary, the smell of hot metal and the glow of the forge spilling out into the street.
As I pushed open the heavy wooden door, the heat washed over me like a wave. The room was cavernous, the high ceilings lost in shadow, and the walls lined with racks of weapons and armor. The floor was packed with dirt and ash, a testament to the countless battles forged within these walls. The blacksmith, a burly dwarf with a thick beard and gleaming eyes, looked up from his work, his hammer pausing mid-swing." hey uncle guren is my scythe ready yet!" i say as aside from meli, guren is also someone precious to me. he is this districts blacksmith which is district 12.
[you can skip this if you don't want to read this part]
there are 50 district in total to accommodate the diverse species inside arcadia. there's district 1 to 5 which where all the rich and powerful live. district 6 to 10 where all the company and guilds are based. district 11 to 20 is where the common races lived, humans, orcs, some elves, a few dwarves, there's even a dragon kin in our district and the best part he's a metallic type, oh right! there are 3 types of dragons in celeste those are chromatic, metallic, and gems. hmm? ohh right! the districts. 21 to 30 is underground, thats where the races that lives underground and can't stand under the sunlight lives, there's mostly the dwarves, gnomes, and mole-kin.
there's also some vampires and damphirs but.... yeah most of them are assholes( don't tell mom i said that shh....), there's some ghosts living there and their pretty chill.. you just got to survive the initial scares. there's also demons living there and honestly they are kind of the most peaceful but harsh races in the underground.
31 to 35 is a forest district and that's where most of the elves and most of the long lived races stay. 36 to 40 is a sky island... yep a sky island that's where races with flight capabilities lived aarakocra(don't compare them with birdkins they hate that), harpies, dragons(yes real as dragons), and birdkins.41 to 50 is an water district and that's where most of the aquatic and semi aquatic live. and that's all the district there is. hmm? if your wondering if there is an emperor well there is and he's kind of a demigod?... he and all his servant and accomplices live in district zero where it's a tower the size of three football fields that reach past the clouds. and that's all i can think up right now got to go i have a weapon to get.
[4th wall being repaired you can continue here if you skipped]
"Echo, my lad!" Guren boomed, his deep voice echoing off the stone walls. He set the hammer down with a clang and wiped his hands on the leather apron that protected his thick waist. "Your scythe is ready. Just in time for your little escapade." His tone was gruff, but the twinkle in his eye told me he was proud. " thanks uncle guren this will help with the test" i say as this is the weapon for me and i trained with it and some other weapons that's has its length like a spear or a glaive. " great craftsmanship as always uncle guren, are you going to watch the broadcast later?"
Guren chuckled, his beard bobbing with the movement. "Wouldn't miss it for the world, lad. You're going to make us all proud, I've no doubt." He handed me the weapon, the weight of it feeling like an extension of my own body. The blade gleamed in the dim light, a testament to the countless hours he had spent forging it. It was a simple design, but the craftsmanship was undeniable. The handle was wrapped in leather, worn from my own grip, and the metal was etched with ancient runes that whispered of power and protection.
I took the scythe in both hands, feeling the balance and heft of it. The runes, a gift from Guren, were a reminder of the bond we shared, the knowledge of his craft and the hope he had for my future. As I spun it in a graceful arc, the blade sliced through the air with a faint hum, leaving a trail of blue light in its wake. It was a sight that never failed to amaze me, the interweaving of magic and metal, a symbol of the world we lived in. The runes pulsed gently with each rotation, a heartbeat of ancient energy that thrummed in sync with my own excitement.
With a nod of thanks to Guren, I slipped the weapon into the magnetic holster that was strapped to my back. The click of it locking into place was a reassurance, a silent promise that it would be with me through whatever trials lay ahead. The holster was designed to hold the scythe in a way that allowed for quick and easy access, the magnetic force strong enough to keep it secure but not so much that it would be difficult to draw.