A sheathed, dusty, blade that was hidden in a thief's lair is stolen by a young hellkin seeking a way to defend themselves.
The blade finds they are able to speak to their new wielder, and helps them learn how to be a true hero. Not a false one wrapped in gold, but a quiet one wrapped in hope.
@internutter/challenge-04155-k137-a-double-edged-blade -- Anon Guest
Justice is an odd thing, beyond an eye for an eye. For example, harming the innocent is unjust, regardless of how removed the harm is. A raise of food prices does a great deal of harm if those wanting those foodstuffs has already spent their money on rent. Similarly, killing thieves does not stop thievery.
One sword has seen all forms of Justice. Including the hands that held it now.
Young hands. Hungry. Justice the Blade stretched its senses out further. Found, for the first time in centuries, thoughts.
I just want to live, thought the young mind. This is light. Maybe I can fend them off with it. Abusive bastard won't miss it. He's got plenty of others. There was a hint of a name. Something this... child? Yes. This child named themself Justice too.
Justice was in the hands of Justice. Interesting.
When they holed up in their little cubby of a home, to eat a meagre meal. To huddle around a cracked Stone of Warmth inside a nest of rags. To curl up to sleep with one hand around Justice's hilt.
If anyone was in need of justice, it was this creature. They dreamed scattered dreams of running and hunger and fear. Justice-the-Sword focused on those dreams. Put itself in the dream-child's hands. Showed them what to do against their fears. How to move to defend. How to stop an attacker from attacking. How to know who was innocent. How to properly weild justice... and to wield Justice.
Five years was all it took for a hero to rise...
The Hellkin named herself Justice, and bore a sword with the same name. She was still young, and scrawny with it, but there was wiry muscle there. Her armour is piecemeal, scavenged from fallen foes. There's a defiance in her slit-pupil eyes whenever she faced a bigger bully. Regular bullies didn't need defiance.
She freely protected the innocent. Defended the persecuted. What was odd about her was that a sword taught her to read in her dreams, and also taught her to fight. She could and had read the laws as they were posted. She had and could appear in the courts to defend any victim of an unjust case or an unjust law.
In other words, those in power viewed her as a pest.
Nevertheless, she was a hero of the people, and when that kind of hero runs against those in power... revolution is bound to follow.
The crowns' only hope was that a crew of Adventurers would sweep her up for a greater destination elsewhere. Far, far away, and elsewhere.
[Photo by 2H Media on Unsplash]
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