Page 23 of The Timeless Vigilante

“Do you have a name?” the red dragon asked, looking up at the Protector of Weapons, his long mustache unfurling. “Or can I call you mine?”

Subner ignored him, turning the page of his book.

Rose also ignored Subner, opening her hand to reveal a small obsidian cube with intricate symbols carved all around it. The object was two inches on each side and radiated a strange magic that Gen had never seen. But it was also a bit underwhelming.

Pointing at the cube, Gen said, “That’s the most powerful weapon in existence?”

Rose nodded eagerly. “The way it works is that Bellumferrum only bonds to one person at a time. When needed, in battle, the person makes an intention to use the weapon and it reads their thoughts plus the needs of the situation and becomes whatever will help them. Apparently, it’s a pretty big trip because you don’t know what you’re going to get and have a limited amount of time to figure out what it is and how to use it. But it can become anything, and therefore makes it so you are always prepared for any situation and fight.”

“It’s the most brilliant weapon to ever exist,” Subner muttered with zero inflection in his voice. “It quite literally has a consciousness and formally bonds to the person who wields it.”

This was all a bit baffling for Gen. “And it only can be used by one person?”

Rose nodded. “And currently it doesn’t have an owner, but I think it should be you.”

“What happened to the last person?” Gen dared to ask.

“They died in battle,” Rose replied.

“But if Bellumferrum is so good, then how?” Gen questioned.

“Nothing is foolproof,” Subner said, irritation in his voice as he flipped a page of his book.

Rose nodded to this. “Bellumferrum can be tricked, and it was in this situation. It became something that hindered Porthos Galopin in battle, becoming his ultimate downfall. But I firmly believe this weapon was meant for you. You’re a dragonrider and this is a weapon that can adapt to all the various situations you’ll find yourself in.”

“And you can’t break it,” Sophia said with a smile.

Gen eyed the strange object, still resting in Rose’s outstretched hand. “So, it can become a sword or a bow?”

“It can become anything,” Subner said, sounding even more annoyed.

Gen glanced at him. “As the Protector of Weapons, if you really don’t think I should have this then I’ll respect it.”

He actually glanced up from his book, a scowl deep on his face. “As the Protector of Weapons, I want the most powerful tools in the world. But as a citizen of this planet, I want what’s best and that means, you should have it. You will need it. And the world needs you to be prepared for what’s ahead or otherwise, we’re all screwed.”

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

PILLOW TALK AND BATTLE PLANS

Chimerick’s Bar and Grill, Roya Lane, London, England, United Kingdom

Gen stared at the small black cube in her hand, feeling the weight of it like a sledgehammer on her shoulders. Apparently, that’s what it had become when it was the downfall of its last wielder, Porthos Galopin. The witch who had killed him, tricked Bellumferrum into becoming a giant war hammer. Porthos had exhausted himself carrying it into battle and then was too depleted to fight. The witch, Mefora Payne, had intimate knowledge of the weapon of war and knew how to feed it the wrong information.

So, it was a unique situation, but proved that the weapon wasn’t foolproof. It had many downsides, the first being that one never knew what it was going to become and had to be prepared for anything. If Gen didn’t know how to use a spear, then she’d have to adapt really fast in the blink of an eye. Also, because Bellumferrum relied on connecting to both the consciousness of the person who wielded it and their enemy, it could be tricked. So there were many factors at play.

The weapon was kind of a head trip for Gen, and she wasn’t sure that she wanted it as her main defense. But it felt like she had been given an honor, taking it when it could only be passed after the death of the last user.

“I don’t really understand how to use this,” Gen finally said, pulling her gaze away from the small black object and looking across the bar table at Sophia, Rose and Elvis.

Elvis laughed quite loudly as he took a sip of beer. “That’s what she said.”

Rose shook her head. “Gen won’t get the reference. She hasn’t seen The Office or anything else from this…millennium.”

“She has to start somewhere,” Elvis said, guzzling down another sip.

“Will you take it easy there?” Rose asked the Chinese dragon. “That’s like your third beer.”

“I’m drinking for two,” he argued.

---