Chapter 103: Forging the Swordbat

The forge at the heart of the Firelight base was alive with heat and light, a stark contrast to the dim, industrial hues of Zaun's sprawling underbelly. Ekko stood at the workbench, his gloves already streaked with oil and soot as he stared at the scattered components of his latest project. Around him, tools and prototypes lay in organized chaos—an array of innovation born from necessity. Today, however, Ekko wasn't building for the Firelights or Zaun. This time, he was building for himself.

The events of the last few days replayed in his mind: his encounter with Future Ekko, the injection of the perfected Shimmer serum, and the warning of an impending war. He felt stronger, faster, more aware of his surroundings than ever before. But power without a way to channel it meant nothing, and the melee weapons he had relied on so far felt inadequate. He needed something new. Something that could grow with him.

His hands hovered over the designs he had sketched the night before—a concept that had been floating in his mind for weeks. The Swordbat. Part blade, part bludgeon, it was the perfect embodiment of what he stood for: versatile, unorthodox, and unapologetically Zaunite.

Powder wandered into the forge, her hair tied back in a messy bun and her arms full of materials. She had insisted on helping, though Ekko suspected it was more about keeping an eye on him after the future revelation than the actual work.

"Got your alloys, some tempered steel, and the flexible plating you wanted," she said, dropping the load onto the workbench with a metallic clang. "You're really going through with this, huh?"

"Yeah," Ekko replied, his voice firm. "If what future me said is true, then I need to be ready for anything. And that means I need a weapon that can keep up."

Powder nodded, watching as he sifted through the materials. "You've been sketching this thing for weeks. It's going to be wild seeing it in action."

Ekko smirked, grabbing a piece of tempered steel and inspecting its edge. "Wild is kind of my thing, Pow."

Ekko started by forging the blade. He worked the steel over the forge's flames, his muscles flexing as he hammered it into shape. Sweat dripped down his brow, but he didn't stop, his mind laser-focused on every detail. Powder watched from the sidelines, occasionally stepping in to hand him tools or adjust the machinery.

The blade itself wasn't designed to be elegant. Its edges were sharp but rugged, deliberately uneven in places to catch and tear through armor if needed. It was shorter than a traditional sword, more like a long machete, with a flat back edge that could be used for blunt strikes.

Once the blade was shaped, Ekko moved on to the handle—a sturdy grip designed for versatility. He incorporated grooves and retractable clamps to allow for future upgrades, knowing that the Swordbat would evolve with him.

Next came the bat-like feature: a reinforced spine along the back of the blade that could deliver devastating blunt-force damage. Powder helped with this part, welding layers of lightweight but durable plating onto the frame to ensure it wouldn't crack under pressure.

"Okay," Powder said, stepping back to admire their work. "It's starting to look less like a pile of scrap and more like something you'd smash someone with."

Ekko chuckled, wiping his hands on a rag. "That's the idea."

With the core components in place, Ekko moved on to the detailing. He added a small, hexagonal slot near the hilt—an integration point for potential upgrades once the Z-Drive was complete. He also etched Zaunite patterns into the blade, intricate designs that reflected the identity of the city he was fighting for.

Powder handed him a small vial of glowing green fluid. "For the edge," she said.

Ekko raised an eyebrow. "Is this—?"

"Just a little Shimmer enhancement," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. "It's not going to explode or anything. It'll just make the blade glow and cut a little cleaner."

He grinned. "Thanks, Pow."

As he applied the fluid, the blade's edge began to emit a faint, eerie green glow. It wasn't just a weapon now—it was a symbol. A declaration of the Firelights' ingenuity and Ekko's determination.

By the time the Swordbat was complete, the forge was quiet. Powder had retreated to work on the Z-Drive, leaving Ekko alone with his creation. He held the weapon in his hands, testing its weight and balance. It felt perfect—a seamless extension of himself.

He swung it experimentally, the blade cutting through the air with a satisfying whistle. The reinforced spine gave it enough weight to deliver bone-shattering blows, while the sharp edge promised precision.

Satisfied, Ekko activated one of the training dummies they used for combat practice. The wooden figure spun toward him, its arms flailing as it simulated an enemy attack. Ekko darted forward, his movements faster and more fluid than ever thanks to the Shimmer serum. He struck with the Swordbat, the blunt edge smashing through the dummy's arm while the blade cut cleanly through its torso.

By the time he was done, the dummy was in pieces. Ekko stood over the wreckage, breathing hard but grinning.

"Yeah," he muttered to himself. "This'll do."

Later that evening, Powder found him in the forge, still admiring the Swordbat. She leaned against the doorway, arms crossed and a small smile on her lips.

"So," she said, "is it everything you imagined?"

"Better," Ekko admitted. He turned to her, holding the weapon up. "What do you think?"

Powder stepped closer, running her fingers along the blade's glowing edge. "It's you," she said simply. "Strong, a little chaotic, but smart where it counts. It's perfect."

Her words sent a warmth through Ekko's chest. "Thanks, Pow. Couldn't have done it without you."

She shrugged, but her smile grew. "That's what partners are for."

As the night wore on, Ekko and Powder sat side by side in the forge, the Swordbat resting between them. They talked about the future—about the Z-Drive, the Firelights, and the looming threat they now knew was coming.

"We'll be ready," Ekko said, his voice steady. "No matter what's coming, we'll face it together."

Powder leaned her head against his shoulder, her fingers brushing against his hand. "Always."

And with that, they sat in silence, the glow of the Swordbat casting soft shadows around them, a quiet promise of the battles to come.