Descendence
The Catalyst Stories
Crystal’s Story
The Personality Reform Part III
‘Day 12’
With one last sword swing, Crystal stood in the back garden of the blacksmith workshop, the iron short-sword in her hand. For the past four days, she had been training hard in the art of the blade.
Every blacksmith needed to know how a sword worked before they could make it, which meant the workshop was crammed with many sword training scrolls and books alike. Crystal had read through all of them, non-stop. Whenever she wasn’t outside practising with a sword, she was reading. Constant reading during meals, before bed, when she woke up. Crystal had dedicated herself to becoming this warrior she believed would help her overcome her fear. In four days she didn’t even feel quite like herself anymore.
The reality was that Crystal no longer cared about anything that was going on. While there was a determination to become stronger with a blade, there was no desire to care about that progress. Nor was there care for her own life. Crystal had been so close to taking her own away from herself, and while she didn’t have the guts to go through with it, thankfully, if a monster or creature of sorts hurt her out there and there was no way out, then so be it.
If Crystal was going to die, she’d do it on terms out of her control. Be it by a beast, by a person, through lack of skill, balance, lucky, wit, whatever, that would be her end. But she’d fight all the same. She wasn’t going to die afraid, if she was to die in this Challenge, to fail it, she’d do so fighting.
Swinging the sword one last time, Crystal retained an old guard stance as she took a deep breath. Her eyes weren’t as wide as usual, as if she was forcing them to keep half-closed just to prove how much she didn’t care about this entire situation. As she left her stance, she heard a voice call out behind her.
“Not too shabby!”
As Crystal turned her eyes met Alex, who was leaning against the door, complete in her regular and dirty blacksmith apron and gloves.
“Could have turned a bit on the heel on that last one, but all the same.” she beamed as Crystal approached her. Crystal lay the broadsword by the doorway as she entered past Alex.
“Is that an actual tip or do you-”
“Oh I don’t have a clue, but what’s the harm in criticism?” Alex replied jokingly as she followed her inside.
Crystal brushed her hair back as she walked through the workshop, Alex tailing behind.
“I’d rather the criticism be legit, Alex. I’m serious about this stuff.”
“So...it’s not a phase then?”
Crystal turned back, to see Alex in the centre of the room, twiddling her thumbs.
“This whole wanting to become a warrior and go out there and progress the actual Challenge phase, I mean.” she muttered.
Crystal nodded. “Yeah. Going to do my part.” she replied.
Alex nodded lightly as she looked around the workshop. “I mean, you could do your part here if you wanted to. Just going out there with all this going on is-”
“I’m not going to sit around here and wait to die, Alex.” Crystal turned away, leaving the workshop room, and Alex, who had a sombre look on her face.
* * *
Crystal wasn’t one for exercise, but she was trying to at least get some light routines done to build a little extra strength. She would never push herself too hard, while she didn’t care, she wasn’t going to put the odds out of her favour if she did get into a fight.
She was trying to eat properly again, at least three times a day. Luckily on the supplies front, Crystal and Alex were doing fine for food. They had stocked up every week and had taken every precaution needed if they were broken into. They’d already heard about a band of thieves that were making the rounds on a few places in the North West side of the District, nothing on their side yet though.
As Crystal finished her brief sit-up routine, she saw her bedroom door open. Standing in the doorway once again, was Alex, who despite the sad look earlier, seemed to be quite focused as she spoke.
“Can we talk?” she asked.
Crystal stood up and brushed her hair back again. “What about?”
“Just, I heard a few things, and if you’re serious about this...you’re serious, right?”
“I am.”
“Cool, cool. Then you’ll want to hear what I heard.” nodded Alex.
Both of them made their way into the dining room, where they both pulled up a chair on opposite sides and sat in silence. Alex seemed to be contemplating, going over things in her head, her hands fumbling over one another.
“So...the other day, when I was on the food run, I brushed past some patrol guards. You know, the ones that aren’t getting paid and all that.” said Alex.
Crystal nodded as she leaned in.
“I overheard them talking about this rumour. Now it’s a rumour and I don’t know how much weight it holds, but they were talking about those machines.” explained Alex.
Crystal’s ears perked up. Her eyes widened and she hung on Alex’s every word from there on out.
“Someone had been hearing these noises coming from the old Convex Theatre in Northern District. They went inside expecting it was just some people or bandits hanging out there, but they say they found something that might lead to the machines. We’re talking actual progress here, they think they’ve found the first step so to say.”
Crystal blinked when Alex stopped talking. Could it be true? Could whoever this person was, had they found the first step to completing the Challenge?
“But this is just a rumour, isn’t it?” asked Crystal.
Alex nodded. “True, but they did say some of their co-workers had received a call of sorts. Someone going around the Districts and altering Human Legion soldiers about it. They said they had some authority, but I don’t know. It’s a rumour for crying out loud, it might just be a complete waste.” babbled Alex.
Crystal nodded in response, but her thoughts were deep now. It was the opportunity she had been waiting for, a battle that would determine her fate. Even then the journey could be a risk in itself, travelling from here to Northern District, which was essentially next door, it could either be a short walk, or a long track around almost half the city. But this was what Crystal had been training for these past few days. She’d been trying to grow stronger to fight and meet her fate out there as a warrior as opposed to a coward.
This presented the best path for her now...
“So yeah, I just thought it was something to relay to you.” sighed Alex. She didn’t seem to be in a space of mind that said this was the right thing to do. If anything her face now read a clear sign of confliction.
Taking all of this in, Crystal stood up and as she began to leave the room she thanked Alex for what she had told her.
“Sorry? What are you going to do then? Cause it’s just a rumour.”
Crystal turned back with a small smile.
“Guess I’ll be heading to Northern District to see if it’s true.” She left the room, leaving Alex with quite a look of shock. A few moments past before Crystal’s head suddenly bounced back behind the doorway.
“Did you happen to hear...when it’s taking place?” she asked.
* * *
‘Day 13’
Crystal made sure to good to bed earlier than usual that night, and when the morning sun breached through the barrier, she was up, dressed, and already eating breakfast by the time Alex wandered in yawning.
“I would kill for a shower, you know.” she said.
With her mouth full of food Crystal made a noise of agreement.
One of the other downsides to being a part of the Catalyst Challenge. A few days after the barrier had spread itself around the city, it caused some sort of disruption in everything. Vehicle travel, electronic equipment, water supplies, all of it seemed to just shut down. There was now no way to travel at a quick pace, the only way to travel now was to walk. There were no sources of light that could be secured from within the majority of households, instead, they could only use a simple solution of candles and matchsticks if they had them. No water supply meant no way to wash, shower, even drink clear water. It was a struggle to adapt to, but there were already steps being taken in Rich District to somewhat regain some feeling of normality.
Travel was no issue, Rich District didn’t have wide bending roads in which to travel along, it was the oldest District in the city after all. In its constructions, humans hadn’t learned that kind of transportation back then, and when the Convexity began to evolve further, it was only then that transport was taken into account in other Districts.
Electronics couldn’t be fixed either, so people would just have to resort to simpler times. If anyone had discovered the abilities of fire magic or even the advanced element of light magic, then they were in the best position possible.
As for running water, the steps had been taken. Rich District was home to a central river, which right now, was the best source of water anyone could get. Right now humans were grasping for a spot by the side of that river, gathering whatever water they could to clean or drink from. It...wasn’t the most healthy option, but they didn’t have much else of a choice.
All of this meant Crystal and Alex hadn’t showered or washed in about a week. Of course, they had ways to keep their fragrance more inviting, but it was difficult to keep everything clean now with no water.
“Could always go down to the river though?” Crystal suggested.
“Oh yeah, because I’m going to risk being looked at by some perv while I wash in public.” scoffed Alex.
“You could always bring the water back here?” Crystal suggested again.
“But then it’ll be cold by the time I get back!” replied Alex.
“It’s already cold, Alex...it’s from the river, it doesn’t have heating.” Crystal groaned.
The two stopped for a moment, and then a little laugh escaped them both. Even with these dark times, it was a comfort to know they could make one another laugh. As Alex sat down with her breakfast, Crystal had finished, and as she got up to clean her plate, as best as she could, Alex called over to her.
“Are you actually going?”
Crystal froze, the patterned white and blue dishcloth in her hands. She squeezed it tight as she tried to clean the crumbs from her meal off.
“I don’t want to just sit here and be afraid anymore.” she replied slowly.
The cloth wasn’t enough, and Crystal set the plate down and looked to Alex.
“I do want your advice on something though.”
Alex perked up in curiosity.
“Got a good recommendation for a weapon to take with me?” she asked.
While she had expected Alex to still look solemn about the idea of her attending this so-called meeting Alex’s smile broke out wide with a sneer.
* * *
“Okay, something for someone your build. I might not know a lot about how to use a sword efficiently, but I know that toy out there isn’t built for your figure.” Alex explained as she rummaged through the workshop.
“My figure?” Crystal said looking down at herself.
“Yeah, you know, slim.”
Crystal gave a high pitched grunt of approval as she joined Alex by a pile of swords she had placed on a workshop table.
“Okay, okay, okay! Let’s see if there’s anything in here that’s good enough for you.” Alex beamed as she began to look at each sword, one at a time, tossing them aside.
“Too butch. Too wide. Too long. Too short. Too dirty. Who made this? I didn’t make this, I’m sure I didn’t. Oh no this one is mine, you can’t use this one though.” This went on for more than Crystal had hoped.
But as the pile began to thin, Alex emerged holding a thin sword.
“I wonder...” she pondered for a moment, and then looked at Crystal.
“Want to give this one a shot?” she asked.
Crystal just wanted to try something at this point, it was the first suggestion so she gladly accepted it.
They both exited to the garden where Alex got Crystal set up by explaining the sword.
“Okay, so this is...kind of an experimental blade that I worked on a while back but I didn’t have anyone to test it. But you might just do the trick!”
As Crystal now held the blade in her hand, she noticed how light it was compared to her training sword. While she believed she had a strong swing, the weight had felt like a negative aspect, but this felt more...right for her style.
“Range of a longsword, but the finesse of a rapier! Well, in your hands I expect anyway.”
Crystal gripped the hilt tight, which was lined with a grey thread, comfortable on the hand. The hilt didn’t extend outwards in arms, instead of keeping a clear sign at where the blade began from the hilt.
“Well? Give it a wave!” Alex urged, her fists clenched tight.
“Don’t you mean give it a swing?”
“I don’t see the difference.”
Crystal gave an amused huff as she entered her stance. Performing a simple sword combo she had read and practised many a time by now, Crystal felt herself almost glide through each movement. Before she had just picked up a random sword and tried to fight but with a blade that had been given to her, as if giving her ownership and making it her property, everything just seemed to flow better now. Upon completing the combo, Crystal turned back to Alex, turning the blade in her hands. Alex’s look gave off the impression she wanted to know right away what Crystal thought of the sword. With a smile, Crystal nodded as she gripped a hold tight. With a jump of glee, Alex bounced over to Crystal to tell her more about the sword.
“And the best part is, I can take care of it for you! I can polish it up, add some adjustments if you need them, or if I think you need them, you never know!” They returned to the workshop, but as they did, Alex’s tone grew low and sombre again.
As she shut the door behind them, Crystal put her hands on her hips.
“Okay, tell me what’s up.”
“Nothin’.”
“It’s clearly something. Come on, Alex.” Crystal urged calmly.
Alex made a small kicking motion while looking down, and as she looked up, Crystal could see what seemed to be a look of fear.
“Do you have to go out there and see if this rumour is true?” Alex said quickly. She took a step forward.
“What if it is true? What if they really have found the first machine! You might have to fight it! What if there’s barely anyone there to fight it if you do? What if you die?” Alex began to tremble with clenched fists as she looked down.
Crystal just stood and listened. She knew deep down Alex had been covering this up, and the closer the time came, the harder it became to hold the feelings back. While Crystal didn’t care for herself, she did care for her best friend.
“I’m not going to die.” She blinked at her response. It was a big promise to keep at this stage.
Alex looked up, almost as if she was trying to hold back tears.
“I don’t want to lose you.”
“If I thought you would, I wouldn’t go.” Crystal couldn’t sit here and feel like she was being guilt-tripped into staying here, where she didn’t even want to be. She was beginning to realise that deep down a part of her wanted to go back outside into the world, and she didn’t have that chance unless she went out into the city to seek it.
Crystal took her best friend’s hand. “Your place has been made clear. You’re supposed to be here and turn this place into the best it can be. Maybe...maybe mine is out there. I can’t just stay in here and rot away, Alex. I just can’t.”
Alex took it all in, and the next moment, both girls were locked together, hugging one another, trying to keep their emotions calm.
“Then, you better give that machine a severe case of limb loss with that sword. I won’t forgive you if you don’t bring it back.” she snapped as she parted from the hug.
Crystal gripped the hilt tight and nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure all those there know where I got this if it does the job.”
“Hey, you ain’t doubting my work are you?” Alex sneered. Both of them laughed again, both grateful they had resolved their issues with what was coming ahead.
Tomorrow would be the day Crystal would put her strength to the test for the first time. She would travel to Northern District and attend the meeting that would lead to the battle against the first Catalyst Machine.
But a fight wouldn’t be the only thing she found that day...
* * *
Edge’s Story:
The Ruin Rumour
‘Day 13’
Walking through the streets of Rich District, Edge eagerly paced his way through street to street, looking for the edge of the District.
The past day he had been looking into these robberies from these bandits. The two he had engaged with prior, no doubt now the same who had broken into his home, they were still out there.
The Districts were now on strict lockdown curfews. In the late evening every night, the Rich District would lock its gates away from Northern, Catalyst, and Western District. This meant that if the thieves were in the District, they may return to a different one during the day, and invite themselves here during the evening. Edge wanted to make sure, and he had spent the past day contemplating it enough to realise this wasn’t a job for him. He needed to report it to the Human Legion.
Making his way to the Northern District Legion Post, he approached with slight hesitation. He had caused a riot close by Military District and he wondered if the word had spread on who exactly had done it. But if no one inside had figured it out, no one would surely.
Edge saw two Legion guards, he could tell by their equipment. While they were wearing more casual clothing, due to the fact they technically did not have to attend their jobs, they both shared the same blade and crossbows. Each Legion Guard was fitted with a short wooden stern crossbow and a thick shining longsword. The two guards were in deep discussion as Edge drew closer.
“So you thinking about attending?”
“Am I thinking about attending? Nah, it’s just some dumb rumour. I told you they’d start pulling this.”
“What you think it’s a trap or something?”
“You know, I wasn’t going to say that, but now that you’ve said it, watch it be.”
“Nah, the call was put out from one of the Captains.”
“Oh please, if the Generals and the higher-ups aren’t doing anything to prepare, what makes you think a random Captain is? He’s probably going around telling everyone he’s a Captain but he’s just a-”
“Excuse me?” Edge’s voice interrupted as he stood between them. The first guard, the one who had posed the question to his ally, stood up straight as he turned to Edge.
“Is there a problem, sir?” he asked sternly.
Edge crooked his head slightly. His mind was in two separate thoughts.
On one hand, he needed to alert the guards about these robberies, and ask about the situation in general. They hadn’t exactly made any moves against these criminals so far, so what was going to be done about it?
But at the same time...Edge wanted to hear more about what those two had been talking about. A rumour about some form of meeting? It sounded important, especially when they were talking about a Captain from the Legion.
“I...was just wondering...”
“Well come on, spit it out already.” snapped the second guard. The first shot his partner a look given his attitude towards Edge, who in this case was a civilian.
“Sorry. I just wondered, I overheard about a rumour?” Edge perked up.
The two guards stood just staring at him for a second, and then the second guard responded. “It’s not polite to be listening in to people’s conversations, civilian.” he urged. The first guard now stepped in front, trying to hush his partner down.
“It’s just a rumour, sir. It’s no reason to concern yourself with. Probably someone’s idea of a joke.” he said.
Edge nodded lightly, he didn’t seem to be getting anywhere close to finding out right now.
“Oh, right. Well, I was here for another reason. There have been some robberies happening around my neighbourhood in the North West Sector. My house was a victim of this about a week ago. I just wondered if the Legion in this District was planning on doing anything about it?” Edge asked.
The first guard looked down in slight shame, but the second stood straight up and his attitude burst out again.
“We have more important things to worry about than thieves at this point! We don’t exactly have to be here doing this, you know? We’ve heard about the break-ins, but we also have calls of people without food, people who got in with no shelter. The whole city is a mess, we can’t handle everything with our limited resources right now!” he barked.
Edge took a step back but tried to stand his ground.
“But these Districts have curfews. Don’t you run a list still of who goes in or out? Couldn’t you check and see if times of arrival and leave add up to something? They’ve been breaking in during the evening and night. It could point to something surely?” Edge pleaded.
“Listen here you-” The first’s arm spread across to block the second guard.
“It’s not the worst idea. Why don’t you go inside and see if you can get a hand of that documentation? We’ll check it.” he said sternly. The second went to argue, but the look told him not to push further than he had. With a swift nod, the second guard walked away, making his way towards the building that housed the Rich District gate.
As he left, closing a wooden door behind him, the first guard turned back to Edge.
“I apologise for my colleague’s attitude. Things are very tense at the moment for everyone. I can’t assure you we’ll get onto this case soon, but we can at least try and make a start. There’s a...a lot going on. I’m sure you understand.” he explained with a weak smile.
Edge nodded. “That’s not a problem. I just didn’t see anyone doing anything about it, so I thought I’d check, being a victim and all.”
The guard nodded and rubbed his eyes with a sigh. “We’re still trying to get the proper chain of command back in the running. Hard to do that when you’re locked out your base of operations.” Edge tried not to smirk at that sentence. “But we’ll manage in time. If you’d like to provide a witness statement on any interactions you’ve had with these criminals, it would give us a head start for when we do tackle this head-on.” said the guard.
Edge was more than happy to help, but with the second guard gone, he decided to push another agenda.
“These rumours can’t be helping with the job?” Edge said slyly.
The guard gave a harsh laugh and then nodded. “Tell me about it. It’s not the first one we’ve heard but...I have to admit it does sound the most convincing so far.”
“How so?” Edge asked, who now moved over to stand beside the guard, leaning on the wall.
The guard looked both ways down the outer streets, just in case, and then he leaned in closer to Edge.
“There’s been a few people around the District, claiming that Human Legion Captain, Drasius Porter, has found the first Catalyst Machine. He’s put out a call to any able warrior, to travel to the Convex Theatre in Northern District, to attend a meeting that might discuss some form of strategy.” explained the guard.
It was as if the thieves had vanished from Edge’s mind as he heard this rumour.
He didn’t want to take up the guard’s time anymore, and he thanked him for the information before making his way back home.
* * *
Back home, Edge pondered on what to do in his living room.
He had heard of Drasius Porter, only from Red though. From the stories, Red told, Drasius was indeed a highly regarded Captain of the Human Legion. But other questions flew through Edge’s mind. Not only if the rumour was true, but how had they found the machine? Was it lying in wait within the Convex Theatre, perhaps they weren’t as big as Edge thought once?
The biggest question, however, was the one that played in Edge’s mind moment after moment after moment.
“Do I go?”
He had the information. He had the location. Nothing was stopping him from picking up a blade and joining the fight. This was why he had been training so hard, wasn’t it? He’d been training because he wanted to fight back against the Catalysts, and here was an opportunity, if it was true.
On the coffee table ahead, lay the Unavenged Sheath, a sword he had only practised with but never used on anything in a true battle.
With a deep sigh, Edge had his decision.
There was no harm in seeing if this rumour held up what it promised...
Next Time:
Edge & Crystal’s Story
The Perfect Pair
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