Anansi

Anansi ran into the forest, luckily for him his home was in Hyebaek so he only had to run straight to make it to the capital, he was going to look for help. And maybe an explanation for what was going on. He prayed the Empress could help him and hopefully his father. He scanned the forest first and set the large and heavy package down, removing the wrap as he saw a black letter, wrapped up and folded armor with a spider crest in the middle and a large oversized sword in a protective hilt.

He opened the letter to reveal and read the note: “Dear Anansi, if you are reading this. That means that I've likely been found out already or have been taken in. I know you are probably confused so I will set the record straight and inform you about my project. I was working to recreate an artificially made Tetherblade. I was supposed to give my finished product to the Lady Empress but something changed. I felt I couldn't hand such a powerful weapon to our Empress, I tried lying to her and delaying when I would give it but I knew that would only last for so long so I've set up a contingency plan. It's why I trained you all these years, and it's why I decided to write this. Just in case she caught me before I felt you were ready to wield this weapon, take good care of it my son, and remember I love you.”

Tears came running down Anansi’s face as it all started to make sense now, his father had been working on this project for a decade, more than half of Anansi’s life. Ever since he started with that project he also started training Anansi in swordsmanship and how to fight. He grits his teeth as he unfolded the tucked-in armor, he felt it was smooth and flexible but also sturdy. The armor was made from Void-Metal, meaning it would grant him protection and immunity to the elements, he tried it on to see it was a perfect fit. Although he was tense he couldn't help but feel slightly offended his father assumed he wouldn't grow anymore than this. He then looked at the large sword, unsheathing it from its square-like hilt to reveal an ebony greatsword as he held it in both hands he felt a humming sensation.

As it felt warm in his grasp, he kinda waited awkwardly for more, but nothing else happened, it was extremely heavy and long, nearly the height as Anansi himself. He stood and did a few practice swings, getting a feel for the blade. He would have to do some serious adjusting to use this, a loud bang could be heard as a bullet passed him and landed on a tree. Leaving a large gaping hole, alert and alarmed Anansi picked up his stuff and got on the move. He heard the loud footsteps and ran towards him. He could see his assailant running towards and through the bushes and terrain, it was the same thug from before, and he had his pistol aimed at Anansi. He kept running but the distance was getting closed, he had the advantage of trees but only for so long.

And his position was now revealed. He knew he had to fight, he had to stop this man, or else he would constantly be on his tail and likely might even get back up to corner him. Every logical bone in his body wanted to tell him to run, hide or do anything but fight. He wasn't ready after all, even his father didn't think so, but he had to be brave and he had to stop him. He stopped running and faced forward to see the thug, he was less than 30 ft away but he held his pistol up getting ready to aim, when Anansi felt something tug within, the thug aimed and shot straight for Anansi. Anansi felt his arms swiftly move on their own, and sliced the bullet in half, it was so quick he didn't even know what happened. As he looked down to see a mouth just above the hilt and then it started moving. “And who might you be, sword wielder?” The sword spoke in a deep and guttural-like voice, the voice ringing throughout his body as he felt the vibration.

“I’m Anansi, son of Osaze,” he said, feeling the sword glowing a black and purple-like glow as it started guiding his movements and moving for him, he swiftly sliced through another bullet, the thug was now only inches away. Bewildered he emptied his entire clip, Anansi’s arms moving on their cut through every bullet with hyper precision and speed, as he moved his arms at blinding speed, he then felt his legs propel him forward towards the thug.

He went in and stabbed the man in the chest, Anansi blinked out how quickly this all happened confused at what just happened. The thug spat out blood as he cursed at Anansi, he felt his arms move and ripped the blade out, the thug fell to the ground bleeding out. “Disgusting, not even an ounce of the elements within him.” The sword said in disgust, “what was that exactly? My body moved on its own and at speeds, I never could have managed.” As he sheathed the blade he felt a wave of lethargy hit him, as if he had just run a marathon. He took a deep breath and felt exhausted. “Careful kid, whenever you unsheathe me I'm able to lend you my power and in turn, it heightens your body’s natural senses and power. Putting your body into a sort of adrenaline rush, it lets you fight at your body's peak but you can only handle using it in short bursts, and sheathing me will have you feel all the effects depending on how long you have it unsheathed and how much you do.”

He nodded as he stood up, catching his breath but he was now aware of the situation and what he had to do. “Do you have a name then sword?” Anansi asked as he strapped it to his back, the mouth of the blade only inches from his ear, “name?” He nodded, “Yes a name, if not I think I'll name you Gihoe.” He said running out of the forest, he would have to find a way out of this nation and as far as he could go. It pained him to have to leave his father but he would be no use staying behind. Especially now that he knows why his father didn't give this to the empress. A weapon that nullified the elements, and granted the wielder superhuman speed and reflexes. In the hands of an army, it could be dangerous.

Even more dangerous than a Tetherblade, he ran into the capital, luckily for him, it was a busy day. Full of pedestrians on the streets, he went into his pocket and counted his coins. He had about five gold pieces in his purse, which should be enough to catch a few trips on an airship. He made his way towards the dock area. As he went that way, he felt something was off, ducking behind the corner to see the other two thugs before scanning the dock area and the streets.

He tried walking in the opposite direction but one glanced over and noticed him, he felt his heart drop as he dashed forward, the thug quickly took out his rifle and took several shots at Anansi, the crowd let out an outcry as the area got crowded. He used the crowd to his advantage and ran forward. He kept running as the two thugs cursed and tried to break through the crowd, he squeezed through the crowd and kept running, he looked back and forward to try and make sure he had a good distance, as he ran and then accidentally ran into someone. He cursed as he fell on his back, the man he bumped into helped him up, and he looked at the man. He was a Danese man with a sharp jaw and spiky black hair, he stood next to a tall Masiyan looking woman. She had a dark red afro and was wearing armor. As he took the man’s hand, the man offered Anansi a smile. Anansi, confused, took his chance to continue running, he looked back and found the man cracking his knuckles as he stood directly before the two thugs chasing him. The woman at his side also smiled as flames ignited around her fists.

Anansi stopped to watch who exactly the hell these people were. The man stood forward as the two thugs raised their pistols and shot at him, but the bullets all bounced off him, he wasn't even scratched, and the woman held smiled, as she put her knee out and propelled herself with flames with her feet and left palm out as she winded her right arm out, delivering a vicious hook to one thug, knocking the wind out of him he stumbled back on his back. The other thug went to shoot her as she dodged the shot point-blank, and uppercut him, knocking him unconscious as well. “Who the hell are you two?” Anansi asked as he looked at them baffled, “just some hopeless dreamers, kid.”