Chapter 31 You are different.

"Um…Why what?" I asked, still trying to come to grips with the fact I was talking to a fancy piece of metal.

Why waste your energy aiding those beneath you, devil? Is it not your way to dominate and revel in carnage?

"Um…I consider myself a new age devil. The whole domination thing isn't up my alley. Too much work."

More work than waking a young woman who had been slumbering for a century? Whom even the greatest minds of my previous wielder's faction could not awaken?

"That was…I'd been working on that a while, and I have advantages they don't. My phoenix regeneration is practically the antithesis to any disease, no matter how strange. Sorry, can I ask your name? I'm Riser." I felt like we'd skipped a few steps in the introduction process and attempted to back track.

You may ask my name, devil, but I will not share it. I am unable to stop you from wielding me, but know that I detest your kind.

"Um…sorry? I didn't exactly choose to be born a devil. It just happened. Why did you let the other devil use you if you hate devils?"

I did not let that woman do anything. I am a sword. I cannot choose not to strike.

That was…kind of sad, really. "Well, I don't really have an interest in becoming a slaver of a sentient sword sooo, would you rather hang out in the armory or be sold to someone else?"

The sword was silent for a while, so long I began to think I'd imagined the whole thing.

You truly mean that. You would sell me into the hands of your enemies to be wielded against you rather than subject me to servitude against my will. You are not like the others, young devil. I have never encountered a devil who understood compassion.

"Sooo is that a yes on the sell you thing?"

No. You are different. Interesting. You may wield me, devil.

"Um…okay? I hope you don't mind, but I'm going to bring you to my magical expert now so I can make sure you aren't sucking my soul out or something. I've heard about a lot of intelligent weapons that do that."

Do what you believe to be prudent, devil.

Running up the stairs, I practically threw open the door to Clarissa's lab. "My sword is talking to me and I need to make sure it isn't consuming my vitality or something equally terrifying."

Clarissa's head snapped up from the research journal she'd been scribbling in and rushed over. "When did you begin hearing the voice? What does it sound like? Has it threatened you? Why are you still holding it? Put it on the table!"

Dropping the sword onto the table, I began answering Clarissa's questions. "It started talking a minute or two ago. It sounds like a middle-aged woman who's seen some stuff. You know, like, wise? It didn't threaten me. It wanted to know why I'm a weird devil, and said it didn't like devils but I was interesting and that I could wield it. Can you find any nefarious connection between me and it?"

Several spell circles flared to life around Clarissa as she rapidly cast spells, her eyebrows furrowed in concentration. After one final spell, Clarissa allowed herself to exhale. "It is not harming you in any way, though if you intend to use the blade I must insist you regularly meet with me so I may search for any long term effects."

Smiling, I said, "Well that's good news. Do you know if it can do anything else, or if it just talks?"

You need not ask the witch. I can tell you more than her spells would reveal.

"Clarissa? It can talk to me while I'm not holding it."

So long as you are within ten feet of me, I may converse with you, devil.

"Thanks for the info, we're going to leave the room now if that's alright?"

I would be surprised if you didn't take the precaution.

Motioning for Clarissa to follow me, I left the lab and walked a good thirty feet away from the sword. "According to it, it can talk to me so long as it's within ten feet of me."

Clarissa pulled a small notebook from somewhere in her cloak and jotted down a few notes. "Interesting, but that should not influence you negatively, my king. The sword's telepathic range extending beyond touch is not unheard of in intelligent weapons. I must ask if you intend to use it."

"So long as you're sure there's no problems with prolonged exposure, and the enchantments are useful, I probably will. But if it's just an intelligent sword, I'll just stick with my flame blades. They're more versatile."

Clarissa nodded. "Understood. I expect you will want to use the blade, and must therefore reiterate my insistence that you regularly meet with me so I may check for any malfeasance from the item, my king. Every three days at the most."

"That's easy enough to agree to. What can the sword do?"

"The blade is extremely durable. I hesitate to use the word 'indestructible' for there is always an exception, but it will take more trauma than even Ruval could cause to so much as blemish the sword. Its nature is strange. The sword contains a large amount of demonic power, but it feels…off. I apologize, my king, but I do not know how else to put it."

I waved off the apology and said, "No need to apologize, Clarissa. What do you say we just ask the sword what makes it unique? It might lie, but it can't hurt to try."

Clarissa nodded, and followed me back to the table with the sword.

"Hello, um…sword?"

Hello, devil.

"Clarissa said there is something off about your demonic power. Do you know how that could have happened?"

It is simple, devil. I am not a demonic sword. There was a time where I was a holy blade, but I have been corrupted. My fundamental nature altered. My power now takes the form of a demonic blade, but I still possess fragments of what I once was.

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