Chapter 39: Captured! Nice going there, Irene.

Chapter 1: She Fell to meet Me

Chapter 2: The Darkborn Fella

Chapter 3: QUEST! Open the Gate, Irene!

Chapter 4: Please.

Chapter 5: Oh, boy. She’s gonna throw me again. 

Chapter 6: Down the Lake to the Rat Den! Yay!

Chapter 7: Run, Irene, Run!

Chapter 8: Deep Dark Meeting! How spooky!

Chapter 9: Johnny Splinter! What a weirdo.

Chapter 10: So, uh, we made a new, weird friend?

Chapter 11: I feel stupid and dehumanized 

Chapter 12: Escaping that deep dark shit hole

Chapter 13: Back through these dirty tunnels, we roam.

Chapter 14: Hall of Rat. Or something.

Chapter 15: Battle over the Rat Treasury

Chapter 16: …Ratville? Are we actually in Ratville right now… God help me.

Chapter 17: Dungeon time! Too much time!

Chapter 18: I’ll save you even if I’m an immobile item! 

Chapter 19: That one time a single rat overthrew his ratty monarch. Johnny Rules!

Chapter 20: Conversation, conversation! Irene wakes up!

Chapter 21: Back to the treasury, with a new king under wing!

Chapter 22: I’m OUTRAGED!

Chapter 23: The most beautiful nightmare fuel lurks in the lake 

Chapter 24: Rise above thy wants! WOOHO! 

Chapter 25: Reuniting with Fabian, did the rascal really do it?

Chapter 26: Opening the gate to a parting… And a what now?

Chapter 27: Fabian’s search Quest

Chapter 28: A Beginning long overdue

Chapter 29: First day in the open

Chapter 30: Bath time!

Chapter 31: An odd dude appeared! Seriously, this guy is WHACK!

Chapter 32: Could’ve had a better start there, couldn’t we?

Chapter 33: Entrance to Ruge City + a tad of racism

Chapter 34: The Bridge City of Ruge!

Chapter 35: Slumber party~ Slumber party~ Yay, yay, yehey~!

Chapter 36: A nice morning chat with Mrs. Caroline, plus an age revelation! You're HOW old?

Chapter 37: Cadmus’ pawn shop! Am I getting sold? Bet I’d fetch a pretty penny at least.

Chapter 38: Betrayal.

UPDATE FROM THE AUTHOR!

Chapter 40: A hectic yet necessary talk.

Chapter 41: We have ourselves a situation! And I hold the solution.

Chapter 42: Finally using our darned points!

Chapter 43: Oh my god, we’re back to this!

Chapter 44: Irene decimates the outlaws

Chapter 45: Captain Lenor the Torturer

Chapter 46: He knows my secret, and spoiled it! Bastard!

Message from the Author: Thank you for 10,000 Views and 1,000 Likes!

Chapter 47: Carnage brought to life

Chapter 48: Auramancy Versus Biomancy

Chapter 49: Oz has a plan! Uh-Oh…

&#x3C;p&#x3E;Whelp.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;We found ourselves deep within the dank and musty bowels of our big-boy bridge. The walls were hewn from rough-cut stone, the floor slick with moss and mildew. Light breached the dark through several candles standing on a table in the middle, myself laid beside them of course. Our captors wouldn&#x2019;t put a gentle sword such as myself in an uncomfy position! Though I can&#x2019;t say they were as nice towards my bitch of a wielder.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Candlelight illuminated Irene chained to a wall behind bars, hands cuffed overhead with thick steel no human could break out of. Her face bloodied, red lines slowly trickling off the side of her head. That last blow surely left a concussion. Served her right, in all honesty. I&#x2019;ve spent my worries regarding her after that last stunt she pulled. Fate shall run its course, and we&#x2019;d see where the stupidity of my wielder might lead us next.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Oh, and me? I&#x2019;m currently getting checked out. Yes, yes, I know. Anyone would want to be as popular as this here swordy boy. I can&#x2019;t help it though! My swagger emanates too greatly for these fools to ignore.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Cadmus, do you honestly think this is the item?&#x201D; A grunt of a man held me up. Thick beard, muscles, the full package. He glided his fingers along my edge as he leaned back.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;I drew first blood against our captors, woo! Wait, Irene is bleeding already. Damn it, Irene.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;The girl checked all the dots regarding the search target. It should be.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;&#x3C;em&#x3E;Those&#x3C;/em&#x3E; people have been searching for it since forever, you know better than me how extensive it&#x2019;s been, and now the thing just so happens to stumble into your shop? I don&#x2019;t buy it.&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Cadmus shook his head. &#x201C;She&#x2019;s either being truthful, or the operation specifics were leaked and someone is trying to throw it off course. You tell me.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Here, a slender voice spoke from amid the shadows. &#x201C;As unlikely as it is, it must be the latter.&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Another man, or perhaps a lad? He stood back against the wall, arms crossed, all cool-like. Probably thought himself the main character with that well-defined jawline of his. All I had to say is he looked like a pansy wearing make-up.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Jessie&#x2026; I&#x2019;ve&#x2013;I&#x2019;ve known this woman for nearly a decade now. She&#x2019;s not with anyone other than&#x2026; Than&#x2026;&#x201D; Cadmus lowered his head.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Other than who? Speak up, please?&#x201D; This Jessie guy straightened and walked on over like the baddest bitch of them all. He grabbed Cadmus by the ear and spoke into it. &#x201C;See, Caddy good ol&#x2019; pal, I planned on sailing out to Carna by noon. But you&#x2019;ve kept me here for this. Don&#x2019;t go shutting up like a tongue-caught bastard when I&#x2019;m talking to you. Otherwise.&#x201D; He made a point with the last word, which would&#x27;ve been more intimidating if his voice didn&#x2019;t screech. Jeez, grow a pair.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;S&#x2013;Sorry&#x2026;&#x201D; Cadmus spoke through his wincing, his ear quickly turned red.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Cut the oldie some slack, Jess.&#x201D; The gruntish fellow said as he put me back on the table. &#x201C;It&#x2019;s cause you keep threatening him with her that the poor sod can&#x2019;t seem to speak around you.&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Instill fear to get results, Jor, otherwise risk people looking down upon you. It&#x2019;s your choice, really.&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Jor laughed heartily. &#x201C;I&#x2019;d like to see people try look down at me.&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Yes, they&#x2019;d need to be one big oaf, wouldn&#x2019;t they?&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;The guy laughed the insult off like it was a casual Wednesday, guess they&#x2019;re good pals. Jor smacked the table and me a few times in his laughter fit. Hey, watch it! I know I said I drew first blood, but now you&#x2019;re just being reckless with that hand!&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;That being said, what&#x2019;s the deal? Cadmus here looked like he&#x2019;s getting extorted by bandits when talking to them. Does he plan on selling us to his buds or are we his getaway card?&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;A door slammed open, letting some guy barge in. &#x201C;Jessie! Jor! We&#x2019;ve got an intruder!&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;What?&#x201D; Jessie finally let go of Cadmus. &#x201C;I&#x2019;m believing the other theory more and more. Who in bloody limbo is intruding here? How did he get in?&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;W&#x2013;We don&#x2019;t know! He came out of nowhere and started haggling for that one prisoner. We tried ganging up on him but&#x2013;&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Jor sighed. &#x201C;But he wiped the floor with your boys and you bailed.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Y&#x2013;Yes&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Come on, this needs taking care of.&#x201D; He grunted up and patted himself down, then grabbed a colorful vial off of the table. &#x201C;He got any divinity in em?&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Yes&#x2026; But I wasn&#x2019;t familiar with it, I&#x2019;m sorry.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Tell us about it on the way there,&#x201D; Jessie scratched his head as he butted shoulders with the guy on the way out. Little Jess was actually shorter than the mob character, not sure if that&#x2019;s cute or sad.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;On the doorway edge, Jessie glanced at Cadmus. &#x201C;And you. Skedaddle. We&#x2019;ll take things from here regarding the girl and this sword, don&#x2019;t go having second thoughts if you know what&#x2019;s best for your folk.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Yes&#x2026;&#x201D; Cadmus looked shorter than before. He really turtled when facing this Jessie guy.&#x26;nbsp;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;The door closed, leaving me with Irene and Cadmus. Sad sod aged another decade by the time they were out, he really needed a seat, so he took Jor&#x2019;s. Probably not the best idea in that block of a head he carried, but well; tall dude seemed nicer than the shortie. I&#x2019;m sure he wouldn&#x2019;t mind.&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Cadmus retreated his face deep into his palms and mumbled in a whining tone. &#x201C;What am I doing&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Oh, oh, I know the answer to that one! Betraying the woman who betrayed me. I&#x2019;d say you&#x2019;re doing a damn fine job at it, too!&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;Did I jump at that too quickly?&#x201D; He grabbed his face. &#x201C;I mean, she knew all of it&#x2026; Actually, that rascal &#x3C;em&#x3E;&#x2018;I&#x2019;&#x3C;/em&#x3E; knew more than my informants told me&#x2026;&#x201D;&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;About me? I mean, yeah, she&#x2019;s been using my ass like a glorified bent stick that comes back when cat-called. She knows what I&#x2019;ve told her, slash, what she&#x2019;s seen me do.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Cadmus grasped his hands in prayer. &#x201C;Oh, Grace Empyrean, please let this be the end of the torture. Please let this be correct.&#x201D; He glanced at me, laying close by, and reached to grab my handle. &#x201C;Tell me, Sword, are you what they&#x2019;ve been looking for? Were my actions justified?&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;From strict prayer to unfounded search of physical answer&#x2026; Real devotee we got here. Of course, I kept my thoughts to my own.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Seconds passed&#x2026; He shook his head.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x201C;No, I guess you wouldn&#x2019;t tell me.&#x201D; Cadmus let go and stood. &#x201C;Your wielder betrayed you, and the one she confided in for that betrayal did the same to her. I&#x2019;m sure you&#x2019;re confused.&#x201D; He scoffed at himself. &#x201C;Believe me, I am too.&#x201D;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;He wobbled towards the door he brought us through and glanced back at Irene, she must&#x2019;ve been barely visible to him in this candlelight. Regret. That was the only way I had of describing his face. Why did he do this if it caused him such turmoil?&#x26;nbsp;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Cadmus left and left me with tons of questions, though as curious as his reasons did make me, they didn&#x2019;t matter at this stage. What mattered was the fact these people were pursuing sentient items like myself. I know there&#x27;s an armor and perhaps a shield. Are the bastards also after them or just me? If they are, they might know something regarding Fabian&#x2019;s mom&#x2026; Maybe I could exhort them for the info? Uh, actually, that part can wait until I&#x2019;ve figured a way out of this. With Irene out of commission and rather chained up, do I just beg or&#x2026; I mean, there&#x2019;s that intruder! Perhaps I pray to the Deus ex machina people? Yeah, I guess we do that&#x2026; Go intruder-man! Save me, your gorgeous damsel in distress! I&#x2019;m shiny so of course I consider myself pretty!&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Irene hissed awake.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Oh, good morning, little twat.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x2026;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;

&#x3C;p&#x3E;The Sword System, a soul bound blade punished for the sins of his past, craves the most basic of human needs in this new life. If you can even call it one. Alone, forgotten, forsaken. He remained for decades in solitude beneath the earth, all until the day she fell to meet him.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;&#x3C;br&#x3E;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Irene Vespera, a Fallen Valkyrie filled with distrust. She now wields the Sword System begrudgingly, far more eager to throw him away than regain her divinity. With a dislike for each other and the dubious goal of rising to their prior glory, their journey across the Baratosh Flatlands begins.&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;---------------------------------------------------------------&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Author Note: Hello everyone!&#x1F60A; If you&#x27;d like to chat with me and other readers of this series, please do head over to the official reader hub! I&#x27;ll be expecting you!&#x1F609;&#x3C;/p&#x3E;&#x3C;p&#x3E;Discord: https://discord.gg/5CVUhpKxbe &#x3C;/p&#x3E;

I am the Sword System