PUREFORGED

Long ago, during the darker ages of man, there was an even darker and sinister cult. Equipped with a tome full of unfathomably power spells, they defiled the bodies and humanities of all they came upon, and raged a treacherous war across the land. A battalion of knights were selected to set off and battle members of the Cult. However, the weapons the cultists weilded were unlike anything they had ever seen. Weapons, often glowing in a dark light, with human features in their designs. Evil men and women who gave up their human forms of flesh and blood, and melded their souls into weapons of death and destruction. They were seemingly unbreakable and unstoppable. The knights could not win against these forces of evil.

However, it was soon learned that a weapon made of a soul that was pure of heart could defeat those of evil. Thus, it was decided that necessary sacrifices would have to be made. The knights, who had raged war and had harmed many in the name of good, had their souls tainted by the terror of war. So they roamed the land, looking for those of pure heart, that never had done harm. And whether by their volunteer, or at desperate times by conscription for the greater cause, these pure ones would be made into their weapons. And so the cultsade began - the crusade against the vile Cult. With their weapons of good, the knights fought to keep the cult at bay, and save the land from the evil that had fallen upon it!

~~~~~

THE TALE OF ESMERALDA AND SAMUEL

Joining the ranks of these knights was the young Samuel Escher. Long had he wanted to do battle with the Cult that ravaged his homeland and brought chaos to the countryside. He knew there was no room for their abominable acts and creations in this world. He was all too aware of how dangerous their monsters can be - he barely escaped with his life after an encounter with one of their vilehounds on the road one day. He was fortunate his wife, Esmeralda, was there to help the loathsome beast off of him, before they both trampled the creature under their boots. As evil as it was, but still very much a creature with a skull that could be crushed.

Samuel and Esmeralda shared a happy life regardless of what ill air might linger throughout the countryside. They had a son and daughter whom they loved with all their heart. While Samuel delighted spending time hanging out with friends and using his charm to sway the ladies, his heart remained true to his Esmeralda, and she knew that all too well. They were also quite strong in their faith, and attended church regularly. But in recent times, the church was attacked, and the elf priestess who ran it was mortally wounded. With what life she had, she let herself become a pureforged weapon for the knight she had looked after. Such a noble act by such a holy person inspired many women to consider joining their husbands in the fight against the Cult. But Esmeralda wasn't too keen on it...to permanently become a living, sentient weapon, even in the name of good...was something she found a bit unnatural.

But then tragedy struck. When Samuel returned home from training one day, he found Esmeralda sobbing. Their children were no where to be found. Spotting a piece of tattered cloth, Samuel recognized it to be that of a cultist's robe - his children put up a good fight. But they were still gone.

Remembering the choice the priestess had made, Esmeralda looked up to her husband, and informed him that she will help him get them back. She will become their instrument of justice and life. While Samuel had doubt in his heart regarding this, loving his wife as much as he did, he understood what had to be done, and knew that she will be there with him at his side. He went and performed the Forging Ritual. Her body faded into a misty version of herself - her soul - and reshaped into a solid green longsword with her head and shoulders situated near the bottom of the blade. The emerald necklace - her birthstone given to her by Samuel on their wedding - was amalgamated into her form, further empowering her with life and vitality which she can bestow upon Samuel or whomever may need it.

And so, with his beloved wife in hand, Samuel and Esmeralda went off and and found the cultist encampment where their children were held. With his notable training as a knight and swordsmanship, and her power and strength, they cleaved through the cultists who stood before them, and saved their children. While the children were a bit shocked at first about what happened to their mother, it was nothing compared to the happiness they felt for their parents rescuing them from the evil cult.

Their family together once more, their lives have settled down and returned to normal. Well, not quite the same as it used to. But when the time calls, the children know that their father and mother shall do great things together for the good of them, and for the good of everyone in the kingdom.