Later that night, Brace cooked a meal on a fire he had made. The night was peaceful in the town, and the boys were excited to spend some time talking to Brace. They discussed how Brace learned to become a treasure hunter and swordsman, and what it was like growing up. Brace then told the boys about his own idol.
“Tell us a story,” asked Spliff.
“Hmm, let me think,” said Brace. “I'll tell you the story of Alek Brortevich, my favorite historical figure. Alek Bortkevich was a blacksmith by profession and a blacksmithing prodigy before that. When Alek was forty-two, he forged a sword named “Phoenix.” Alek became obsessed with this design, and, having already made enough money, he stopped working on creating and selling swords to focus solely on creating "Phoenix Two." This continued through to "Phoenix Six," and while all Alek phoenix swords were masterfully designed and particularly deadly, Designs one through six could be broken in combat. By the time Alek was forty-seven, he had finished forging what he had called his “first real masterpiece.” “Phoenix Six” was precisely what Alex was trying to create with “Phoenix One.” However, after spending five years dedicated to making “Phoenix Six,” Alek couldn't help but ask how it could be improved. His obsession with discovering and creating “Phoenix Six” evolved into a drive to further enhance the latest design. Alek would need to get creative, as “Phoenix Six” was already as technically gifted and precise as Alek could imagine for the sword. Alek meditated on how to improve the sword for eight more years, and then, just shy of eleven years total since he had made “Phoenix One,” he had forged “Phoenix Seven.” In doing so, he had become by far the best blacksmith of his time and a legend. “Phoenix Seven” was like no sword that came before it, as Alek discovered how to infuse the sword with magic, giving each sword he created after “Phoenix Six” their own unique powers. As well as all his magic swords being unbreakable. Alek kept his discovery and his magic swords secret until he was an old man, out of fear for his life. When he finally told the public about his magic swords, he explained that he had made two hundred eighty-eight magic swords scattered around the world. When Alek first explained this to the public, no one believed him. However, expecting much of what would happen next, Alek brought one of his legendary swords with him to town and showed the townspeople one of his many legendary swords. Alek knew that many men would hunt for these swords once word got out, and he also knew that only one sword had any kind of lead for people to follow. Alek understood many years in advance that keeping one of his swords meant he would be hunted down by men willing to kill to obtain it. After Alek told the world of his legendary swords, he would spend the rest of his life killing men who were ruthless enough to try to fight him for the one he had. Although Alek was an old man at this time, he was a surprisingly good swordsman, and coupled with the fact that he had a sword like no other, Alek could still hold his own in a fight. Even still, Alek alone was no match for most people or groups who came to take the sword. Knowing this, Alek, many years in advance, trained to become a beast tamer. And with the fortunes he'd made selling his swords, he could breed some of the strongest creatures on the planet. He would battle and win hundreds of times before finally falling in battle to a group of outlaws at the age of ninety-two. After his death, it was revealed through writings that Alek fought for his sword to teach the world not to take what doesn't belong to you. He remains a legend and many people's favorite historical figure, and all his unbreakable swords are scattered somewhere across the planet. His work would open the door to the other eight legendary enchanters, and they would go on to become known as the “nine god-tier enchanters.”
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“Wow, that's incredible,” Said Axel.
“What kind of powers do these swords have?” Asked Spliff
“Well,” replied Brace, “All Alek Brorttevich swords have different abilities. The one I have Leaks lava when it stabs someone. It's not the one you see me with, though,” said Brace. “It's a dangerous sword to keep on you at all times, so I like to keep it with me only when I'm out on adventures.”
The boy's eyes widened.
“Wow,” said Axel.
“That's so cool,” said Spliff. “Can you show us?”
“Another time, maybe. For now, we should all go to bed.”Brace said, “We have an important day of training tomorrow.”
