Divulgence (Song of Sophangence Book 2)

by E. I. McAllistair

  24

  With the revelation that her best friend had powers upon powers to draw new strengths from, Maggie finally began to realize why it was so normal for him to be interested in attunements and manifestation research. For him it was just as much a hobby as a way of training to learn all he could about the subject.

  In her own journey into her abilities, she had thought her ability was fairly boring, even though it was versatile. Anytime she discovered something new, she was extremely excited, as it translated directly into more ways she could potentially take her opponents by surprise. She could now see why Anaar was much calmer and more stoic about the discovery of a new facet of ability. For him it must be practically an everyday occurrence.

  She never understood the true nature of her abilities until Anaar had taken the time to enlighten her as to the limited scope in which she was using them. It still amazed her how something that seemed quite simple, could actually be so complex. In the beginning she had thought she had some form of mobility, as she would inadvertently activate her abilities when excited, causing her to stumble from the increased movement. Over time she began to realize that was not the case, as she could also apply that effect to other objects.

  Because her manifestation was new, she did not have the luxuries of mentorship from someone more skilled than herself. With so many Earth Affinities, Titans were extremely common, so they would often seek out someone who was more experienced to help them in their journey to understand their abilities. Even Terrakinetics, which were obviously the most common Elemental, had a plethora of resources available to them.

  To everyone who did not have an extremely unique, or new manifestation, those who did were lucky. As a wielder of one, Maggie found that it was not so beneficial all the time. Not many people like being pioneers. The pressure to always set the best possible standard was often quite staggering. It is only human nature to seek out assistance when in need, but what happens when there is no one qualified to help you? Maggie knew better than most, just how hard life could be going it alone. It is possibly for that reason she was so drawn to Anaar.

  Since the School Rankings Competition, she had been experimenting and practicing something she was sure was the result of her abilities, and she had finally come to a point where she thought her hard work was paying off. Anaar had explained her ability as ‘amplification incarnate,’ something she had no understanding of. What she was aware of however, was that you cannot amplify something that does not exist, so it was in that way that her power was truly unique. Most people could utilize their abilities without the need of any additional help. For her, she found that the better the tools she had, the more options became available.

  Understanding this, she had come up with an idea for a new weapon. As much as she wanted to talk to Anaar about it and receive his help, she also wanted the satisfaction of doing it on her own, and surprising him with her efforts. It is one thing to ask for help with her powers, it is another thing completely when it is something as simple as a weapon. Even though he had taken Dan to get his samurai sword, she wanted to show that she was capable of standing on her own two feet in some instances.

  Making her way to the Armament Center, she sought out the older gentleman that most people found to be quite abrasive. For whatever reason, he was quite nice to her, possibly because she was ready and willing to try out his bow that he had never been able to find a use for. According to him, that was actually a prototype, and by this point, there had been a few upgrades to the model and functionality. Though he would not obtain the newest model for her, as he said the one she had would be good enough, he did mention he would be willing to help with the pricing should she want to buy one.

  It was due to his help she was able to find her hammer, which she had grown extremely fond of. She had initially planned on going with something more akin to a mace, but after working with her for quite some time, he managed to find the collapsible warhammer that was almost like it was made specifically for her. Initially thrown off by the deceptive weight to size ratio, she was quickly instructed how to compensate for it. With her fingers crossed, she hoped he would be able to work his magic for her again.

  Before asking for help, Maggie decided to take a stroll around to see if she could figure things out by herself. Though she had postured before, she did not fully understand why Anaar had taken to having so many weapons given his already extremely potent powers. Now knowing that those powers were even more varied and extreme than she originally understood, she wondered why he even bothered. Everyone knew him as being the person who carried around numerous weapons, but now she was following in his example.

  Every time she walked the hall of weapons, she found her breath being taken away. She had come to believe the weapons were just like people. They were many, and could be grouped into general categories, but it was not uncommon for one basic weapon to have a number of nuances to it that made them different. She knew this from just her bow alone. Though her special collapsible recurve bow was at its base a bow, it varied in ways to a compound bow, or a longbow. Even then there were so many more variances to the bow she had seen in the halls that she never imagined.

  Even though she did not need them, she perused the blunt weapons thoroughly, just in case she found something else that caught her eye. She knew she could never give up her bow, but there might be a new type of hammer that made her happy. Not finding anything tickled her fancy, she continued on to the specialty weapons which was where she expected to find what she was looking for. As she looked through the various weapons, from whips, to slingshots, she still did not find anything that matched what she had envisioned in her head.

  Having exhausted her options, she backtracks through to speak with Larry about finding something like what she was looking for. Still browsing, she wondered if perhaps she should abandon her exploit for something more martial arts related. The main difference between herself and Anaar was that he was quite adept at martial arts, and his weapons not only accentuated that, but required it. Her weapons tended to be more tools that allowed her to use her powers in different ways. This was not because she was averse to martial arts, it was only because there were simply too many moving parts in her life to add in dedicating the time to properly learn and practice, especially since her requirement was being fulfilled by her combat class.

  Waiting patiently at the desk behind the person in front of her, when Larry finally finishes up with them, she gives him a small wave with a smile.

  “Hi Larry!”

  “Well if it isn’t my little archer with a taste for knocking in skulls. Still quite the combo to me, but I’ve seen you make it work well, so more power to ya. You never told me you were friends with that crazy Anaar! When I saw you two together during the Melee, I couldn’t believe two of my most unique customers not only knew each other, but looked to be good friends!”

  “Yep! That’s my bestie!” she says with a cheerful nod.

  “What brings you in? You finally going to upgrade to the that new bow? They actually just put a new one out that I’m curious about since it is supposed to be better than the last one by leaps and bounds.”

  “No, I’m actually quite happy with my bow. I am not looking to spend money on buying one of my own right now.”

  “Oh? Could it be the hammer then? Have you been finding it to be heavier than you thought? Honestly, I don’t have anything else like what you use, so that would have to do unless you invested in your own. If I were you, I’d just work on building up my body instead.”

  “Not that either. I didn’t expect there would be tons of training I could take to use it properly, but even still I’m finding it so difficult to getting better training on handling it.”

  “So you just need someone who can help you handle the hammer better?”

  “Actually, I need an entirely new weapon.”

  “You and your friend are just alike! The first time I met him he wanted three damn weapons! Are you two in competition or something? Yo
u better not ask for something and never come pick it up like he did!”

  “Not at all. I need this right away. I have been practicing, but I don’t have the proper tool to do what I think I want done.”

  “Let me get this straight. You want a weapon in theory?”

  “Doesn’t everyone?”

  “That may be somewhat true, but it sounds like you aren’t sure if this weapon is going to work for you.”

  “I’m fairly confident it will, there just seems to be nothing I can find to help me out. There wasn’t even anything in the gallery like it.”

  “That gallery is quite comprehensive. If it is a weapon, outside of guns and ballistics, it is going to be there. There are some that are quite unique, like the one that Sophomore uses that is both a whip and a sword, but that is a special case. I don’t even know how she uses that thing…”

  “Well I might be in a similar situation as Pryshka. I need a fan.”

  “That’s not a weapon little missy! That is something to keep you cool! I know there were ‘war fans’ back in ancient Asian cultures, but that wasn’t really a weapon nor was it practical.”

  “I was thinking something much bigger than that. Probably about as big as I am.”

  Raising his eyebrow, “Why is it you are so keen to have weapons that are bigger than you are? By nature, a bow is going to be fairly large, but with you being so small, it is even more of a difference. Then you have that hammer. I’ve seen what you can do with it, right scary, to be frank. Now you want a ‘fan’ that is as big as you are. Can’t you just go with a nice dagger or something?”

  “I never thought about it that way, but I suppose you are right. I think it is maybe because I’m so small that everything seems so big? Either way, I need it.”

  “Well what are you envisioning this fan looking like? I can assure you I don’t have any fans in my inventory. I am thinking of the more ancient Chinese feathered fan, or the Japanese folding fan. For something as big as you are, I personally don’t see the Chinese fan being comfortable, or practical. Not that I see either of these being practical.”

  “Can you show me what they look like?”

  “Sure thing little missy!” Working on his Vizer, he pulls up two images, one of a fanlike object that in some ways resembled a feather duster, and another more traditional looking folding fan, opened into its half circle shape.

  Pointing to the semicircular fan, “That one. There is no way I would be capable of managing that other thing.”

  “That’s to be expected.” Clearing away the feathered fan, the folding fan was left, growing much bigger in the projection. “I can’t say I’m some sort of fan guru, but if you are looking to make this some type of weapon, the… ah here we go, monture would need to be a super light, extremely durable metal for sure.”

  “What is a monture?”

  “I’m just winging this myself, but based on this information, that is essentially the skeleton of the fan.”

  “Oh ok, so it is the thing that gives it the structure to move about! That makes sense it should be strong but light. I’m not trying to hit people with it like my hammer. What do you suggest?”

  “Well it may be pricey, but for something like this, I can’t help but think titanium would be a good fit. You definitely don’t want to go with magnesium since a potent Pyrokinetic can cause quite a catastrophe for you. Bear with me, I can’t say I’ve ever used this to make a fan, so I don’t have a template…”

  With a number of motions, inputting things here and there, Larry brings up a model that looks like a semicircle with a number of points sticking up from it. Flexing the model, one edge flattens out, now forming a half circle, with the points making up the curve.

  “Wow, you are really good at this! That was fast considering how odd this request is.”

  “You wouldn’t be the first to make odd requests. According to this, the next thing we need to tackle is the leaves, or the flexible stuff attached to it that makes it a fan. If this wasn’t being used for battle, I’d go with whatever was aesthetically pleasing, but you are surely going to need a material that is both thin, and flexible, but it has to be extremely durable. I’m thinking waterproof, fireproof, the works.”

  Nodding approvingly, “Yes that would only make sense. We have a number of Elementals in our class, so it wouldn’t do me any good for something so expensive to be cheap in some ways and be easily destroyed. I know you deal with weapons, but can you think of any materials that fit the bill?”

  “I know a couple that might do, but as you mentioned, none of them come cheap. I can also do some research into even better materials. Most people don’t requisition their own weapons so early into their careers. The thought is that since you are students, you don’t have the extra money floating around to do so. There is no point cheaping out on something you will be owning. Quality is key.”

  “I would like to say money is no object, but that is not exactly true. Though we are quite well off for Earth Affinities, I wouldn’t say I have the money for excess and extravagance. If I am right though, this purchase is going to be extremely important to my growth, so I will need to see it as an investment. Whatever is the best material you can find, use it. Also let me know if there is something that you find better than titanium.”

  “Let me get this straight. You are spending this kind of money and it is just a fan? You can’t use it to hit people?”

  “What are you suggesting?”

  “Well, if you are trying to get the most bang for your buck, it makes sense to me that the fan be weaponized.”

  “How do you make a fan a weapon?”

  “I figured you knew the answer to that or you wouldn’t be here. I’m thinking that the leaves can be a bit more rigid, but still allow the fan to close properly. Then the ends of the ribs, the thin portion the leaves are attached to, can be bladed on the ends and the sides.” Entering more data, the projection changes, now looking much more like a fan, in which he points to the areas along the perimeter where it would be edged.

  “Wow, that seems pretty extreme!”

  “What did you expect?! I specialize in weapons, not tea ceremonies! With this design, I think you should be capable of using it as an edged weapon while it is open or closed. I am starting to like this crazy idea. I can’t say it is as practical as a good sword, but it would serve almost the same purpose, and whatever else you are intending for it to do. Don’t even think about trying to find someone to train you in using it. This is definitely going to be a one of a kind, train yourself type of weapon. I would just say to start training with martial arts as soon as you can to supplement your skills and develop your own unique style.”

  With a look that belied just how weighty all the information was for her, Maggie sucks in a deep breath. “I really didn’t expect this to be so much work! This is so different from when I just came in and you gave me a bow, or we worked to find a hammer that fit me.”

  “That’s what happens when you want something that doesn’t exist. I’ll help you out the best I can. I’ll take some measurements and we’ll do some tests to see what you are comfortable with swinging. It was different with your hammer since we had it here to use. I don’t want to push the limit, so it would be best to know where we are looking to have the maximum weight. You sure you want this thing to be about as big as you are? You know when you open it, that is only going to make it bigger.”

  “Honestly that is what I’m hoping for.”

  “Sounds insane to me, but I’m curious how it will turn out. Let’s get these measurements done, then I can send the schematics over to my guy to flesh out. Just know this is as far as you will go with me though. After this you will be working with Specialty Goods to make the transaction. I am only authorized to order things on behalf of the school. Do you care what it looks like?”

  “Not really. I’m more concerned with the quality of the weapon, but I won’t say no to it having a bit of flair.”

  “Nothing wrong with that! Also ma
ke sure you think of a good name for it. You can’t create your own weapon and not name it.”

  “I never thought of that. I know that Phave named his weapon. Are there some rules for naming weapons?”

  Giving her a confused look, “Rules? Why would there be rules?”

  Returning the look with embarrassment, “I don’t know! I don’t want to name it something that doesn’t fit!”

  “You are the owner, and in this case the creator. You can name it whatever you damn well please. You can name it ‘Pink Fluffy Rabbits’, and it would be your choice. If you want my opinion, in my experience people name weapons after what it means to them, or usually what it does if it is special. It is definitely special. No one else will be walking around with a giant bladed Japanese fan, that is for sure.”

  “I’ll think about it. I was thinking ‘Tower Fan.’ Do I need to let you know in advance? To register it or something?”

  “Tower Fan? Does it oscillate too?! Where do you kids get these ideas?! Too many of these games and such. I suppose only if you wanted it engraved into the weapon would I need it in advance, but that might be extra.”

  “I’ll think on it then.”

  “Good. Let’s hurry up and get these measurements done. If I can get these over within the next hour or so, we might be able to get a quote by tonight.”

  Disappearing to grab some implements, Larry returns to finish up things with Maggie, impressed with the upper limit of what she was capable of swinging comfortably for long periods. By his own estimation, though he was not sure, the weapon should be able to fall well under that, while still being very effective. This would also prove useful for transport.

  Once they were finished, Maggie left Larry, both excited, and anxious about her potential purchase. Going to have a quick meal, then proceeding to work on her courses once she had caught up with Stefani, it was later in the evening when she received the quote for her fan, causing her jaw to drop. As she had no frame of reference for something like ordering a weapon, she did not understand what ‘expensive’ really meant. Immediately regretting the choice to tell Larry to not skimp on the quality, she gulped hard, as she thought about what she would do to get the money. She was sure it would be a great boon for her, so going without was not an option. Preparing herself for the conversation she was about to have, she dialed the number on her phone, listening to it ring.