Shifon leaned forward, his gaze sharp and serious. "Alright, Kai. If you're sure you can rescue your friend while protecting yourself… I'll make you a weapon."
Kai's eyes lit up, his body surging with energy.
"But," Shifon continued, "I still don't fully believe in your Zenssai thing. Though, if Loko's involved… I'm in no position to doubt him. He was one of the greatest minds alive."
Kai nodded. "Thank you, Shifon."
"I have one request," Shifon added, holding up a finger. "I want you to be with me while I forge your weapon."
Kai blinked. "Why?"
Shifon crossed his arms. "My way of making weapons closely resembles Zenssai. My Zenssai is my hammer. Its ability is to read a weapon's mind. Through it, I forge the weapon as it wants to be. That way, it's sturdier and more in sync with its wielder."
Kai turned to Charlie. "Did you know this?"
Charlie grinned. "Yup. That's why I chose him. Even if he is the cockiest brat I've ever met."
"Wh-What did you just say?!" Shifon shouted, stomping toward Charlie.
Charlie laughed and darted off. "You heard me!"
The scene shifted to a large, dimly lit room with ancient tools and glowing furnaces. This was Shifon's sacred forging chamber.
He stood beside a workbench and asked, "What metal are you using?"
Kai reached into his pouch and held up a radiant chunk of shimmering metal. "It's called Orichalcum."
Shifon's eyes widened slightly but he masked his shock quickly.
"I see… Rare stuff."
Kai added, "Also… can you attach a Philosopher's Stone to the sword?"
Shifon smirked. "The great and mighty me can make anything possible."
Kai blinked. "You're amazing, Shifon."
"More praise, more!" Shifon joked, puffing his chest. But his demeanor quickly changed. He turned serious as he walked toward a large painting on the wall.
With a sharp punch, the painting folded inward, revealing a secret compartment. Inside was a glowing room, and in the center sat a hammer encased in glass.
It was majestic—golden with silver engravings and ancient runes etched along the sides.
Shifon retrieved it and placed the Orichalcum on a stone table. He carefully lowered it into molten magma, and then, as steam and heat filled the room, he began to hammer.
With each strike, he shouted a single word, over and over.
"BANSHO!!"
Magical black and white blocks shimmered in the air, forming a mystical chain that linked the Orichalcum to Kai's heart.
"Imagine your sword, Kai!" Shifon commanded between strikes. "See it clearly!"
BANG!! BANG!! SHING!!
Hours passed. Sweat poured down their faces. The air shimmered with power. Shifon's chants grew louder. The chains tightened.
And finally, Shifon inserted the Philosopher's Stone into the sword, placing it where the handle met the blade.
With one final hammer strike, the entire chamber fell silent.
Shifon exhaled, wiping his brow. "Open your eyes, Kai."
Kai stepped forward, awestruck.
Before him stood a magnificent weapon—a fusion of spear and blade. The handle was long and elegant, with carvings of dragons winding around it. The blade was broad, gleaming with ethereal light. The Philosopher's Stone glowed where blade and hilt met, pulsing with Kai's heartbeat.
Kai was speechless. "It's… it's perfect."
Shifon smiled. "No. It's yours."
End of Chapter 14