Back on Earth there were hundreds of descriptions of nymphs, from the Greek interpretations to modern artists. Given the creature that stood before Dallion, none of the art did her justice. Slender almost to the extreme, the nymph had an ethereal quality to her, as if she were completely surrounded by water. Long golden hair flowed down from her head, up to floor as she sat next to a large harp. As for her clothes, it was as if she were wearing a garment made of a single sheet of water folded in such a way as to create a robe.

Seeing Dallion, the nymph smiled. Sapphire blue eyes sparkled on her face, making Dallion want to turn away but unable to.

“Hello?” he managed to say. “I’m Dallion…”

The nymph nodded, then gestured for him to move closer.

“Nice harp,” Dallion said. It was at that point that he actually noticed the harp’s strings were made of water. The sudden twist made him feel somewhat more at ease, making him wonder what would a string of water sound like. Possibly this was the representation of the harpsisword’s strings on the outside?

Based on what he had read in the ring library, it was more likely that the entire tower was the representation of the weapon. The harp had to be something that the guardian had made for herself.

“We’re not going to fight, right?” Dallion asked as he reached a few steps from her. “I mean, I don’t think I can improve your tower…” he looked down at the floor of the golden terrace “…at all, if I’m honest.”

The nymph chuckled voicelessly, almost as if something was blocking her voice.

“Can’t you talk?” Dallion asked, then felt like biting his tongue. That was a stupid question. To his surprise, the nymph shook her head. “Oh.”

That was something he didn’t know about nymphs. Not that Dallion had spent a lot of time reading Greek myths back on Earth, but he would have remembered something so key.

“Are all nymphs like that?” He decided to check.

The guardian shook his head.

So, only you can’t talk. “Is there a way to mend you? I know a few forgers, so—”

The nymph shook her head again. Her fingers slid along the strings of the harp. At first, Dallion thought she was playing a tune to change the mood, but after a while he started to notice that the melody was in fact a series of sounds which combined into words. It was an unparalleled experience. The closest thing Dallion could compare it to was a puzzle in which the pieces were made of sound and had to be arranged in real time so one could get an idea of the overall picture.

“There’s nothing physically wrong,” the melody said. “I’m just not allowed to.”

That was new. Most likely a result of a limitation someone had put on the weapon.

“I’m glad to finally meet you,” the melody composed a new sentence.

“I’m glad as well.” Dallion felt slightly guilty. The first thing he should have done was to talk to the harpsisword’s guardian. Given how much the weapon had helped him, it was the least he could do. It wouldn’t be a bad idea if he checked on the guardians of the rest of his gear as well. The dartbow was one more such example. He’d had the weapon for some time and didn’t even bother to go into its realm.

And that’s how items get to hate their owners, Dallion thought. Even after learning so much about the awakened world, he still acted as a normal person. Taking care of an item didn’t only mean not damaging it, it also meant occasionally exchanging a few words.

“I hope you’ll use me in battle.” The nymph played on her harp.

“I’m already using you in battle,” Dallion said. “Well, lately I’ve been a packrat, but when I go to pass my awakening trial, I’ll bring you as well. Promise.”

“No.” The nymph shook her head. “Real battle,” her melody said.

“Real battles?” Dallion paused. “Battles in the real world?”

The nymph nodded.

No doubt about it, she definitely wasn’t a companion weapon. Despite her appearance, Dallion could sense she had seen a lot of battles, and possibly more slaughters than he could possibly imagine. Just because she had such a lovely and innocent appearance didn’t mean she was harmless. After all, she remained a lethal weapon designed to influence the emotions of enemies while hacking them to bits.

“I’m sure I will,” Dallion said, although he wished he didn’t have to. “Can you tell me anything about your past?”

The nymph tilted her head, looking at him with hesitation.

“Your past owners, I meant.” Dallion corrected himself. The time he had spent with the shield had made him forget that the vast majority of beings weren’t nearly as chatty. “I’m curious who your previous owners were.”

Instead of an answer, the nymph looked away. That clearly wasn’t a subject she wished to discuss.

“Can I know your name, at least?”

“Asterias,” a new melody replied.

It was a strange name, very Greek, and not at all what Dallion would have expected her to have. His limited knowledge of words told him that Astra was related to a star. Maybe the nymph’s name was starry?

“Asterias,” he repeated slowly. “I like it.” It definitely sounded exotic. “Any last name?”

The nymph just looked at him.

Of course not, Dallion thought. Part of his brain was drastically trying to think up a topic of conversation. There had to be something they could start chatting about: the weather in her realm, the tower itself, or maybe even the fights she had been in. However, the more he racked his brain, the less inclined he was to start anything.

After close to a minute of thinking, a switch in Dallion flicked. He suddenly saw that there was no need to talk about anything. He could just take a seat on the terrace and do nothing. His reaction was probably the right one, for the moment he did so, the nymph started playing. This time it wasn’t a combination of sounds to form a sentence, but an actual musical melody.

Within moments, Dallion felt how much stress he had been subjecting himself to. He could almost feel them crumble off his skin like blocks of plaster, allowing him to breathe. Had he always been like this? All this time he thought that he’d been keeping a good schedule. Following Nil’s advice, he had cut down to training to acceptable levels, and was certain to get lots of sleep—even if in the awakened realm—and food. Apparently, he had never noticed all the pressure gradually building up.

“Thank you,” Dallion whispered, closing his eyes. For the first time since he was a child, did he feel absolute calm and freedom. It was almost guaranteed that these emotions were put in him by the melody, but he didn’t care. At least for a moment he could allow himself to enjoy this.

Once the moment was gone, Dallion opened his eyes again. He was on the floor of the terrace, covered with a blanket of water. Slowly, he pulled it off. His senses told him it was water, just as they assured him it was fabric.

What a weird realm to be in, he thought. Could all the realms get this strange further on? For the moment they had been merely representations of the real world, or rather of certain aspects of it. However, as the levels increased, it was possible that the possibilities increased as well.

“Asterias?” Dallion looked around. The nymph was there, seated in the opposite corner of the terrace. Upon hearing him, she turned around. “Was I asleep for long?”

The nymph nodded.

“Sorry about that.” He got to his feet. “I think I’ve been overdoing it a bit.” He felt quite refreshed now, though. “Well, I think I better get going. It won’t be a bad idea to get some real world rest. And clean my room a bit. The innkeeper I’m with is really strict about that.”

Smile on face, the nymph nodded once more, then waved.

“I promise I’ll be back, though.” Dallion left the harpsisword. As expected, the next instant he was back in his room in the inn.

Back already? The armadil shield asked. I thought you’d be there longer.

“I was there long enough.” Dallion carefully wrapped the sword in the piece of cloth he had, then put her on the floor. First thing this afternoon he was going to buy a proper stand, and not only for the harpsisword, but for the shield and all the other important items as well. “Dian, have I been treating you well?”

Philosophical questions already? That’s my line, the shield laughed. Don’t worry about it. You’re fine. As I said, getting out of that stuff place and having a proper conversation was worth it.

Dallion didn’t respond.

You’re thinking of passing the trial, aren’t you?

“After the lunch shift’s over. I have the money, so why wait? I have to get there sooner or later, so I choose sooner.”

Some things mustn’t be rushed. You can still do it tomorrow morning. Spend a day to think about things. Come in here and we can have a nice long talk about it. Or if you prefer, we can have the talk like we are now.

“Is there any reason I shouldn’t?”

There’s always at least one, just as there’s a reason you should go now. I only want to be sure that you’re sure. Money aside, it won’t be an easy experience. The gates of development are there for a reason, and each one changes you.

“In what way?”

I can’t tell you that, and once you become a double digit, you’ll learn why. Meanwhile, what did you think of Asterias?

“You know her?”

I haven’t met her before, if that’s what you’re asking. But yes, I do know her. As I’ve said, we’ve spoken a bit. It’s difficult not to while you’re sleeping. She’s an old soul. A bit scary, though. I wouldn’t want to meet her on the battlefield, that’s for certain.

The age-old question: what would happen if an all-cutting sword hit an invincible shield? In this case, the harpsisword and the armadil shield were neither, but having them clash in combat raised interesting questions.

“She seemed rather nice.”

Harpsiswords usually do. That’s their job until they slash you in two. There was a momentary pause. I’m joking. I think she’ll kill me. Or try to. She might crush some other shields, though. She’s battle gear through and through.

“Please, I don’t need to think about such things right now.” There were still a few lingering questions he had about the chainling and the Crippled Star. “I’ll get some rest. Wake me up if I’m late for lunch.”

A few hours later there was someone who woke up Dallion, though it wasn’t the shield. One of the advantages of being awakened—or disadvantages, respectively—was the ability to make out even faint rhythmic sounds. In this case, it was someone rattling on the outside of the door.

The room itself was constructed in such a fashion so as to be virtually soundproof, at least to the extent that Dallion could tell. Knocking on the door, though, was one of the exceptions.

“I’m up!” Dallion jumped to his feet. “I’ll be down in a moment!”

The rattling stopped. Judging by the tactful way in which he had been reminded of his shift, Dallion could only assume it was Jiroh. Hannah couldn’t be so discreet if her life depended on it. Either way, it was time for his shift. Using his abilities to straighten his clothes, Dallion brushed his hair into shape as much as he could, then rushed to the door.

“I’m going to work,” he said loudly for the guardians in the room to hear. “After I’m done, we’ll be heading to the awakened shrine.”

Dallion wasn’t sure whether his weapons and gear needed to do something to prepare. That didn’t prevent him from being a bit nicer.

“Have fun while I’m gone.” He left the room.

Great, Dallion thought. Now I’m treating my possessions like pets. I just hope they don’t do anything weird to the room while I’m gone.