Squire Side Stories: Shui

Squire Side Stories: Shui

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Commisioned by Althero

Wordcount: 1000

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Hwei-Ru and Lan were getting along well with others.

I was glad that they were.

Among the three of us, it was good that two could do well with others and not just material.

However, I felt calm and at ease at work. I enjoyed the company of others, of my brother and sister especially, but amongst others I felt worry, concern, and anxiety. How was I supposed to act around strangers? Was I to never stop smiling? Should I always speak when spoken too? Could I not be silent and remain silent as much as possible?

There were many questions, which I was sure would be answered by our creator soon enough, but even then, I was unsure if I would wish to change after receiving the answer.

There was just so much for me to explore, examine, and research.

Humanity’s history painted them as beings who advanced rapidly, perhaps too fast for their own good, but the results were amazing. They utilized lesser forms of magic ignored by those stronger to create gradual increases to material, practically creating new compounds to create new equipment en masse. Then, they utilized the material to create new ones that they couldn’t previously.

Each upgrade followed creation, then it fell into a cycle of constant development and improvement, until the cutting edge became the norm and prototypes began to be developed for mass production.

And, we had access to all the prototypes, due our creator’s sterling reputation amongst the greater powers of humanity. 

Attempts to mimic the sharpness of the True Longinus were available for me to read. Examinations on time manipulation material, such as those of Dhamphir blades, were free to look upon and even gain physical copies for study. Monomolecular blades, with resharpening edges, were available en masse. Then, there’s directed energy weapons, the compounds required to create the Homunculus Cores, and the various magical beasts that were domesticated for material acquisition.

Humanity alone had an immense library to be studied and researched for the sake of advancing our craft.

And, amongst the three of us, I was the most suited towards buckling down and acquiring all the relevant knowledge we required.

Not only from humanity, but from all the other races that existed.

How did Heaven construct such sturdy, yet graceful warships within days? What was the true nature of their weapons? How did they imbue the concept of “Holiness” and “Light” into the very atoms of their weapons? The tools that they had at their disposal are all works of art, but they are made en masse for all the angels in every Legion, with only Archangels given weapons of great renown and power… but the common soldiery of Heaven can harm even the greatest of demons with their most “Basic” of weapons.

Then, there was the matter Devils.

Artifacts abounded their society. Every advantage and item available is a secret lost to time, whose make is unknown, and method of creation puzzles to be discerned over the course of centuries. The lack of an institutional knowledge, coupled with inherent talent and desire for more power, leads to obsession that last centuries, which culminated in singular masterpieces with no relation with one another… inherently allowing them to be gathered in massive numbers, hoarded by force or otherwise, until a Devil can presumably wield dozens or hundreds in concert without them interfering with one another. 

Humanity stands as the unerring scholar who takes all, does what he can with everything he can, and searches for the next step as he does. Heaven creates masterpieces en masse. All are given the tools and equipment that they need to harm even the greatest of dangers, while true power is wielded by their most elite. Hell seethes with ambition, secrecy, and desire for everything, so all are tempted to take and take until they have everything at their disposal to overcome all foes. 

There was much to do, much to study, and much to be made.

I could not imagine a finer way to live than to do as much as I could with all I could.

Though… I did fear that Li Song would be disappointed in me for choosing my path. It was a path that would have me not be surrounded with others who supported me, or have me support many others, as he did. However, as Hwei-Ru told me, he was understanding, kind, and considerate. If my fears persist, I shall speak to him and air my concerns. 

But for now, I must endeavour to do my best for him and my siblings. 

…

“You didn’t rest again, Shui!” Hwei-ru scolded me as she dragged me. Her strength was greater than mine or Lan’s. She was more adroit in combat, especially since she trained with the Sage of Steel regularly. “So, you’re going to rest now. No matter what you say or have Lan say for you, you’re going to rest and that’s final!”

“I was not supporting his decision to overwork, Ru!” Lan followed us through the hall, huffing lightly as he attempted to keep pace with Hwei-ru’s speedy pace and strength. “We can’t keep doing this everyday, that’s all! He needs to learn how to take care of himself by himself!”

“Well, it didn’t work yesterday, so there’s no point in trying it for now! We can try again after making sure Shui eats ands rests.” As always, Ru was pragmatic and oriented around short-term goals, while Lan was compassionate and looked to the long term. Had I done as I was asked, instead of becoming engrossed again, Ru would have met me with a smile at the kitchen and she would not be arguing with Lan. “And, you! Stop looking so morose! Just do better tomorrow!” 

“Forcing him to do something isn’t for the best, Ru!” Lan came to my aid once more. He strode forward, trying to keep up, but faltered as we reached the table. I was sat down, Ru sat down as well, and he was forced to sit. He looked past me, or tried to, while Ru crossed her arms and turned up her nose. “And, you can’t just tell someone to not be sad! That’s not how people are, Ru!”

They spoke around me and about me, as we ate, but slowly and surely I managed to speak too. We began to speak about one another’s days. I spoke about my discoveries, while they spoke about their interactions and what we ought to make together. 

It was good. 

I might not have many others who cared for me as much as they, but with them I felt no need for others.