Heartseeker

*clank*

*clank*

*clank*

Under the sweltering heat of the flames, a young man was hammering an anvil by a forge, his upper body completely exposed and his brow wet with honest sweat. As the sweat slowly trickled down his body, it accentuated his firm and toned muscles, as though he himself was forged of bronze - the result of years of endurance and hard work.

The young man's name was Wai Feng, and from his childhood, that was all he really knew about himself. Since he was young, he had been a blacksmith apprenticed to his father and worked arduously day after day, training his body and refining his smithing skills.

"Nearly there…"

Wai Feng mumbled, and with a hammer in hand, he fiercely smashed down at a misshapen clump of iron, attempting to mould it into the shape of a fine sword.

"Raise the temperature!"

A mighty voice suddenly bellowed from behind him, forcing Wai Long to look over. As he quickly turned his head, he saw a familiar figure… somebody was standing in the doorway. His face was stern, his eyes crimson red, and crisp, inky black hair flowed down behind him. His arms were brawny, making him look as though he was as strong as a raging bull. Only one person in Wai Feng's life looked like this: his father, Cai Linghun.

"Fool! What have I taught you all these years? How do you expect to finalise the shape of the sword without increasing its malleability? Quickly, raise the temperature!"

His father's voice continued to barrage down on him, echoing into his ears. Recovering from his stupor, Wai Feng hastily raised the temperature and returned to hammering the anvil once again. He was about to complete the smithing of his first sword, thus he didn't want to make even the slightest mistake and end up failing miserably. He also knew that his father placed high hopes on him, and definitely did not want to let him down.

After a minute or two, the mould was gradually starting to form the shape of a sword blade, and after a few more minutes eventually formed completely. Ceasing the hammering, Wai Feng looked down at his first ever blade with pride and rejoice clear in his glistening eyes.

"Here."

His father's voice sounded out again as he threw over an object. Wai Feng caught it and quickly identified that it was just a wooden sword hilt. Though not understanding why his father only gave him such a simple, basic hilt for his first ever sword, he still scurried to attach the blade to it. Ever since he could remember, it was his dream to wield an authentic metal sword, and not just a wooden one used in sparring.

After finally attaching both the hilt and blade, Wai Feng stared in awe at his sword; this wasn't just any sword, but one he forged himself. He put the effort in all these years and it was his perseverance that allowed him to continue to this day. This was his sword.

"Haha! Good job on your first sword, I guess you can be considered an official blacksmith apprentice now. Don't get too conceited though, you still have long ways to go before you can become a true grandmaster blacksmith. Now, why don't you name your sword? It is your first after all."

His father's word suddenly struck him with a realisation: this was his first creation and though he may never actually use it, it was still acceptable to name it. After pondering for a while, he finally came up with a name,

"The sun rises in the east, and sets in the west. The moon hangs in the night sky, illuminating a path for all those suffering in the dark. Turbulent storms, mighty winds, bitter bereavement… nothing shall affect me in my journey into the future. Where will I end up? I have yet to know, so I shall let the winds guide me. Thus, my sword, I shall name you: 'Heartseeker'!"

"Heartseeker… what a superb name! Put it in a sheath and hang it up somewhere. Also, go clean yourself up; you are completely covered in soot and dirt, and we will be heading out to the town tomorrow morning!"

As his father turned around and disappeared from sight, Wai Feng couldn't help but notice that not a single bead of sweat formed on his brow, nor did his face even slightly change colour... it was as though he was completely unfazed by the heat. Though it was intriguing, Wai Feng didn't focus on it for too long, since he recalled that his father was often stronger and more resilient than the average human. It must be the result of his years of blacksmithing, Wai Feng thought.

Wai Feng sheathed Heartseeker and hung it up on the wall near the forge. He left the forgery to go and bathe, preparing for tomorrow's journey into the town.

--------------------------

Outside Wai Feng's Cabin

Since Wai Feng was young, he had always stayed here with his father, who ventured out toward the village every so often to purchase more forging materials and sell any completed equipment. Each and every time, it would only be his father journeying into the village and, as a result, Wai Feng didn't know anybody in the village, nor did he even know much about it.

In order to relax his mind, Wai Feng decided it would be best to practice his sword techniques outside on the grass. He stood firmly, his feet shoulder length apart and his right foot out further forward. Grasping the hilt of the wooden sword, he extended it out calmly and started to execute his sword routine. Thrust, swipe, swipe, thrust…

Whilst executing his routine, Wai Feng felt a calm feeling course throughout his body, and any frustration or anger was immediately dispelled - he felt fresh and rejuvenated. His mind was clear and devoid of distractions, allowing him to practice peacefully. This feeling reminded him of the first time he practised the sword with his father. He could recall the harsh, bitter training he was forced to endure during the day, yet at night, he could come out here and enjoy the serene, tranquil atmosphere.

On that first day he practised with his father, he could also recall asking him a question. A question that he hadn't been able to get off of his mind for the past 10 years. *Where is my mother? Father keeps telling me that she's gone somewhere and will eventually return as long as I keep practising my sword techniques and blacksmithing…* For a moment, Wai Feng stopped executing his routine and looked up at the eerie darkness of the night above him.

The pitch black curtain draped over the sky, and he noticed the twisted, warped shapes that the stars made against the dark backdrop. He stared up at the sky and studied the luminescent, silvery glow of the moon. She smiled down upon him with love so intense it warmed his soul like a fireplace on a cold winter's night; however, the look that the moon gave him didn't cause his worries and questions to cease, instead a hot fire flickered in his heart and ate away at all the depressing thoughts. His worries burned away, and the tears that were starting to form at the corners of his eyes melted down his cold face…

Unbeknownst to him, his father was staring at him through the cabin window. A subtle smile had crept up on his face as he watched Wai Feng training outside...