Proof of Bonds

They crowded around the coin after the job was done and the excitement faded.

『...A coin?』[Rai]

Jack picked it up, raising it in the air.

『Not just a coin. Watch what happens when I put mana in it.』[Jack]

It suddenly manifested, similar to Nova's gun.

『Woah!』[Rai]

The completed product looked like a weapon of legend, meant to slay off demons.

『W...What are you going to name this… masterpiece?!』[Andrew]

Everyone's eyes shone when looking at it.

He laid it down on the table, pointing at the blade, full of runes that were glowing.

『...I carved these runes.』[Jack]

He slowly moved his finger down to the guard.

『Rai left his lightning attribute and fist print. Leo left a mark for Nova's mana and seal. Andrew compressed the metal around to ensure that the mana orb would stay safe and still.』[Jack]

Everyone suddenly felt a feeling of pride in his work, knowing that they all had a part of it.

『...This is our work.』[Jack]

He raised the sword into the air before resting it on top of the floor.

『...Guys, can you… all cut your thumbs on the blade?』[Jack]

Despite sounding strange, Nova put his thumb on the blade and cut himself on it.

『...This sword is a proof of our bonds. This blade will bind us, no matter the distance.』[Nova]

Rai's face suddenly turned anxious when he heard Nova say something that could even remotely be considered poetic.

Andrew put his thumb on next.

『...I swear on this blade that these people here are my sworn brothers. Where blood may not link us, our hearts will make up the distance!』[Andrew]

Leo looked reluctant to do it, but he did it as well.

『...The cutting of our skin and the mixing of our blood represents the promise we make here today. Our sanctuary belongs to one, and one to all!』[Leo]

Rai looked so pale he was going to faint, but everyone was looking at him at this point.

『...Awe, FINE!』[Rai]

He cut himself on the blade as well.

『I… err… Pledge my heart to… my brothers in spirit… And… uh… Leave my back, soul, and life in their care!』[Rai]

His entire face was bright pink as he focused on the blade, not daring to look up.

Jack smiled, before moving to take the blade away, but it was grabbed by the other four of them.

『...Hey! Where do you think you're going?!』[Rai]

『I...』[Jack]

『You belong to this as much as any of us… brother!』[Andrew]

They all stared at him, nodding.

『Without a hilt, there is no sword. Without a blade, there is no point.』[Nova]

Leo smiled and waited for him to place his thumb on the blade.

『...All for one, and one for all.』[Leo]

Jack had tears run slowly down his face.

『...You bastards!』[Jack]

He put his finger on the pommel of the blade, which had a spike that made his blood run down the blade, guard, and hilt.

His sobbing made it a little hard to understand him, but they could make out one line.

『...I think I have a name for this sword.』[Jack]

They all simultaneously said the same thing at once.

『...Say it!』

He took a deep breath and composed himself.

『...This blade represents the burden shared by us blood brothers. Where one weakness is found, another will cover for them. Together, we form an unstoppable force… Without further ado... 』[Jack]

He pressed down harder on the spike, allowing more blood to exit his thumb.

『The name of this blade artifact is… "Proof of Bonds", crafted by...』[Jack]

He took another breath before he finished his sentence.

『...Jack Rayber… who has finally passed his coming of age ceremony...』[Jack]

『Wo-』

Everyone was about to cheer, but he continued talking.

『...Nova, who formed and gave light and love to this blade…. Rai, who gave this blade strength and life… Leonardo Tsukikaze who shared his intelligence and compassion with this blade… and Andrew Strife who taught this blade resilience and brotherhood.』[Jack]

They all had bits and pieces of tears running down their cheeks.

With that, they slowly lifted their thumbs from the blade, and all held onto the hilt, one at a time.

『Blessed Flame Rebirth.』[Nova]

His flame covered all of their hands, which were on top of each other, healing their wounds and burning the blood off of the sword.

『With this, our "Proof of Bonds"... is hereby complete!』[Jack]

They raised Proof of Bonds high into the air, all cheering and shouting.

『YEEEEEEEEAH!!!』

『TO MY BROTHERS!』[Andrew]

『THIS IS OUR PROOF OF BONDS!』[Jack]

He became extremely excited, shoving the sword deep into the floor of his room.

『...Uh… Maybe we should have stopped before the destruction of school property…?』[Leo]

『...Oh, crap. Help me cover it up!』[Jack]

『Uhh?! Blessed Flame Rebirth?』[Nova]