THE MOMENT
Edgar didn't have it in him to be surprised anymore, and even the disappointment stung less than it used to. He'd found another empty village and walked through it with far less care than the other times. He was used to it by now; it felt like he'd been carrying the sword for years.
He knew loneliness skewed his perception of time, but he couldn't remember when he started. Nor why he was so determined to get the sword to safety. The handle and scabbard were clean, solid white, somehow still pristine despite his dusty journey. Red leather was woven into the grip, and the number '57’ was etched on the sheath.
It looked magical and evil to him, so much so that he didn't dare draw the blade. He was glad he was psychically deaf, otherwise he was sure he'd have done plenty of horrible things at the weapon's behest. He was the only one capable of ferrying it to safe hands. And, he took that responsibility seriously.
The lack of citizens in any town he passed through might have been a blessing in disguise. He had no idea if the cursed blade would call out to them. He might have had to defend his life at the cost of others. Slowly, but surely, he was starting to make peace with the absence of others. But, he did wonder why.
Then, as he made his way through the empty village, he spotted someone. There was no doubt she was a person and headed straight for him. He'd turned a corner and spotted a young woman with bright pink hair wearing a crisp white suit with a red tie. Her suit matched the sword, and she approached Edgar with a smile.
“Hi, I'm Justice, from Sharp Development. I'll take that,” she nodded at the sword, and Edgar did not hesitate. He trusted her, instantly and implicitly, without knowing why. He offered her the weapon, and a tall black portal opened next to her as soon as she had it in hand.
A lean, pale young man with a window's peak emerged from the portal, and he glared at Edgar first, before looking around the abandoned town.
“This is where Sharp Development hid it?” He was notably unimpressed.
“You couldn't find it, and apparently neither could Aury,” Justice giggled at him, and pointed at Edgar. “It was given to a shielded NPC so that it couldn't be detected, then set loose to wander from town to town on an empty Earth. He's always moving, and we're the only ones who can track him.”
Edgar wondered what the strangers were talking about. He felt like his job was done, and his mind was awash with relief. It was finally over, and hard to concentrate on anything else except satisfaction. He understood a few words, and he got the sense they were talking about him, but it didn't seem important. He finally had a chance to rest.
"Remember, it's a loaner," Justice reminded Oren as she gave Edgar a similar, but different sword. She held it out for him. Edgar accepted the weapon and the responsibility. As soon as it was in his hands, he began walking again, to the next town. His rest was over, but he knew this next task wouldn't take very long. All he had to do was get the sword she gave him to the Mage's guild in the city. It was close by and he'd be there within the next couple of days. He started his journey with renewed enthusiasm; it was truly almost over.
"The replica won't hold up if anyone decides to take inventory, so it needs to come back as soon as you and Aury are done."
"It'll be back soon," Oren nodded, and Justice gave him the sword. "Thank you," he added. Then, he disappeared through another portal.
"You're welcome," Justice sighed after he was gone. She watched Edgar leave the desolate village as she wondered about her own role there. He was an NPC who didn't know any better, and didn't have any conscious thoughts. He couldn't decide anything for himself.
But, could she? From Oren's perspective, she was a good friend who put her job in jeopardy for the biggest favor he'd ever asked. From her own perspective, as much as she liked him, she couldn't possibly go behind Sharp Development's back. She was playing along because she got to help Oren, but it also meant she kept things from him. La Espada was the most powerful sword in the multiverse, and Sharp Development took its security seriously.
Justice couldn't, and wouldn't have given it to Oren without permission. But, she had no idea why she had that permission. It was easy to imagine herself feeling like Edgar, the courier NPC. All she could do was follow orders and hope for the best. She knew there was a bigger game being played, but she had no idea what it might be, or how it might work.
The one thing she knew for sure was that she wasn't having any fun keeping secrets.