Arthas and Hestia navigated the alley; the Silverback Gorilla wasn't far behind, seemingly tracking them.
"Why… is it focusing on Hestia?"
After evading the gorilla for a while, Arthas muttered.
This accident seemed more than coincidental; someone was manipulating events.
And the target was Hestia.
"Forget that for now. This is the perfect opportunity."
Hestia, unconcerned about their situation, excitedly opened the sword case on her back.
Arthas had assumed Hephaestus and Hestia had made him a staff, but he gasped in surprise when Hestia opened the box.
Inside wasn't a staff, but a large double-handed knight's longsword.
A dull silver, with unknown runes etched into the blade. The design wasn't flashy, but unique and pleasing.
"Why… a sword?"
Arthas muttered, feeling a strange familiarity.
"I accidentally told Hephaestus what you said, and she made this sword."
"What I said?"
"Yes, you said magic is just support; true strength comes from within."
Hestia looked at the sword.
"That's probably why she made it. She didn't think you needed to be a mage."
Arthas silently picked up the sword; the runes glowed as it sensed its wielder.
"Arthas, name it. I wanted to call it Hestia's Blade, but I should ask you."
"A name?"
Arthas muttered, channeling his power. A blue glow intensified, but the blade didn't freeze.
The runes seemed to be a circuit, channeling Arthas's magic effectively.
"Your power is frost, so how about Frostmourne?"
Hestia suggested. Arthas trembled.
"Wh… what did you say?"
"What? Is Frostmourne bad?"
Seeing Arthas's reaction, Hestia tilted her head.
"No… Hestia's Blade is better. It contains Hestia's efforts."
Arthas recovered, gently stroking Hestia's head.
"Okay."
Hestia nodded excitedly.
Their conversation was cut short by a shadow overhead. The beast, having searched the alley, found them.
Arthas pushed Hestia away; the Silverback Gorilla's hand fell between them.
"Ar…!?"
Hestia's cry was cut short. With a chilling gust of wind, the gorilla's hand was severed.
Arthas wielded the longsword with unexpected skill, slicing the severed arm into dozens of pieces.
No blood flowed; the frozen fragments shattered into glittering dust.
The Silverback Gorilla, off-balance, fell forward.
Hestia, beneath it, screamed and tried to flee.
She landed in a warm embrace; they rolled away as the gorilla hit the ground.
"Amazing, Arthas! Your swordsmanship was beautiful."
Arthas checked if Hestia was hurt; her cheerful words reassured him.
He didn't know any swordsmanship; he'd just swung the weapon instinctively.
But it had worked.
The fallen gorilla struggled to its feet. Its frozen wound was painless.
"Go on, finish it!"
Seeing the gorilla rise, Hestia patted Arthas's shoulder.
He flipped the longsword; the runes glowed, and a chilling aura spread.
Hestia gasped; the alley was coated in frost.
The sudden cold made the gorilla hesitate, but the lure of Hestia spurred it on.
Its body froze; its last sight was the blue-glowing blade descending.
Like shattering porcelain, cracks spread as the blade struck. No blood flowed; the gorilla exploded into glittering fragments.
Beautiful… like snow. Watching Arthas, Hestia was entranced.
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