The morning sun spilled over the training grounds, casting long shadows across the dirt and grass. Hunnt and Pyro faced off, a silent tension hanging in the air as they prepared for another round of Sword and Shield drills. Pyro's tiny paws moved with remarkable speed, swinging the makeshift weapons with surprising precision. Hunnt mirrored him, crouching low, adjusting his stance, correcting timing, and calling out tips.
Clang!
Pyro froze mid-swing, ears twitching. Hunnt's eyes widened as the makeshift SnS split sharply along its handle, the cracked wood falling in two jagged halves.
"Ah… oh no," Hunnt muttered, crouching to inspect the broken pieces. Pyro tilted his head, tail flicking nervously, a faint hiss escaping.
"Nyaah… what now?"
Hunnt scratched his head, thinking fast. I can't waste time… Pyro needs a proper weapon if we're going to progress. He dashed toward the house, adrenaline carrying him across the yard.
Inside, the scent of fresh bread and warmth of the hearth greeted him. Grandma Mel hummed softly, kneading dough with practiced ease. Hunnt approached, determination radiating from his stance.
"Grandma, can I borrow a knife?"
Mel raised an eyebrow, wiping her hands on her apron, curiosity sparking in her eyes.
"A knife?! What do you need this for, Hunnt?"
Hunnt grinned, the corners of his eyes lighting up with excitement.
"I want to carve something… a new Sword and Shield for Pyro."
Mel studied him carefully, then nodded slowly, a small smile tugging at her lips.
"Alright… but be careful, dear. I don't want you cutting yourself."
With the knife carefully tucked into his hand, Hunnt ventured into the yard to find a sturdy log. He dragged it to the clearing, his muscles straining with the weight, before finally setting it on a flat patch of earth. Pyro padded silently behind him, ears pricked forward, tail swishing with curiosity.
Hunnt knelt, pressing the knife against the wood, and began carving. The first strokes were rough and awkward—the sword bent unnaturally, the shield warped with uneven edges. Hunnt groaned, wiping sweat from his brow.
This is… awful… he thought, frustration nibbling at the edges of his patience.
Pyro hopped closer, peering at the crude wooden tools, concern flickering across his golden eyes.
"Nyaah… are you sure about this, nyaah?"
Hunnt chuckled despite himself, running a hand over the mess of sawdust and splinters.
"Patience, Pyro… every great weapon starts as a rough idea. Watch, I'll get it right."
Hours passed. Hunnt's movements grew more fluid, precise, guided by his keen understanding of balance and form. The knife danced across the wood, shaving imperfections, smoothing curves, reinforcing edges. Sawdust drifted lazily in the warm sunlight, settling on Pyro's fur and Hunnt's hands alike.
Finally, Hunnt stepped back, brushing sawdust from his palms. Before him stood a beautifully crafted Sword and Shield. The sword's blade was straight and balanced, sharp yet safe, while the shield was perfectly round with a reinforced handle, ready to endure blows without faltering. Hunnt's eyes sparkled with satisfaction.
Pyro's tail twitched, ears perked forward, eyes shining with awe.
"Nyaah… it looks… perfect, nyaah!"
Hunnt picked up the sword, testing the weight in his hands. Balanced… solid… it felt natural. He lifted the shield next, fingers curling around the handle. The wood was sturdy, perfectly suited for defense. He glanced at Pyro, a grin spreading across his face.
"Look at this, Pyro. Can you believe I carved this myself?"
Pyro padded closer, sniffing and tapping the shield cautiously with a claw.
"Nyaah… it's incredible! I… I can actually use this?"
Hunnt nodded firmly.
"Of course! And you'll get better with it every day. The shape, the weight, even how it feels in your paws… this is a weapon we can train with. You ready to try it out?"
Pyro's golden eyes burned with determination, tail curling in anticipation.
"Nyaah… yes! Let's go!"
Hunnt handed him the Sword and Shield. Pyro tested the weight, swinging the sword in a cautious arc, raising the shield instinctively. A thrill ran through him—it felt like an extension of his body, a part of himself he hadn't known was missing.
Hunnt clapped, laughing, the sound bright and proud.
"See? Told you we'd make it perfect. Now… let's see what you can do!"
The clearing came alive with the rhythmic clash of wood and the soft thud of landing paws and boots. Hunnt watched closely, offering guidance and correcting posture, while Pyro's movements grew sharper, quicker, more confident. Each swing, each block, each pivot built not just skill, but trust and rhythm between them.
By the time the sun had reached its peak, both were panting, hair and fur matted with sweat, but their eyes gleamed with excitement. Hunnt leaned on his knees, smiling down at Pyro.
"You did amazing, Pyro… that's your first real weapon. From now on, we keep training and making it better together."
Pyro's tail flicked proudly, ears perked.
"Nyaah… I'll be the best with this! Just you watch!"
Hunnt chuckled, ruffling the Felyne's head gently.
"That's the spirit. Now, a short break—then back to it!"
Step by step, swing by swing, Hunnt thought. We'll both get stronger… together.