New Weapon

Kaz stood alone in his workspace, surrounded by the raw materials he would use to forge his new weapon. He knew he couldn't just create a simple spear; it had to be a conduit, an extension of himself, capable of harnessing and directing the Nexus energy that coursed within him.

The first thing he attended to was the inner core of the spear, where Nexus crystals would reside to create pathways for the nexus energy. These crystals were essential for their ability to channel Nexus energy efficiently. With meticulous precision, he arranged the tiny crystals in a lattice pattern, creating a series of interconnected pathways that would allow the energy to flow seamlessly through the weapon. This structure would form the central nervous system of the spear, a delicate network of conduits for the energy that would power it.

Next, Kaz worked on the shaft of the spear, which would house the crystalline core. Knowing the brutal forces a spear had to withstand in battle, he opted for a titanium alloy for its lightweight yet robust properties. This metal would act as a fortress, safeguarding the delicate internal structures from the harsh realities of the battlefield while ensuring agility in handling the spear.

As for the blade, a mere metal construct would not suffice. It had to be something extraordinary, a perfect blend of lethality and artistry. Kaz envisaged a blade that could harness both light and Nexus energy, allowing them to flow in harmony with the deadly intent of a warrior. He opted to forge the blade using a unique amalgamation of crystal and metal alloy, leveraging the crystal's clarity and conductivity while counteracting its brittleness with the flexibility of the metal. This collaboration resulted in a blade that was both beautiful and terrifying, capable of glowing with an inner light powered by Nexus energy.

Finally, Kaz created a specially designed chamber at a strategic point on the spear, where the Nexus heart would be housed. This would be the beating heart of the weapon, the point of convergence for all the Nexus energy pathways running through the spear. He designed it with a locking mechanism, allowing the heart to be securely fitted yet easily removed if necessary.

Kaz stepped back, examining his creation. The spear was no longer just a weapon, it was a symphony of materials, a harmonious convergence of different elements, all working together to create a masterful tool of destruction, one that would respond to his will with speed and precision, channeling the potent Nexus energy into devastating attacks. He was able to nicely and efficiently channel his energy throughout the spear, but next was implementing the Nexus heart.

What he had discovered working on his spear is that while it cannot create a will of its own, it can hold a will given to it. This would effectively allow him to program it to fight with him, using its energy in the best ways to assist Kaz. The last step was to put the Nexus heart into the spear and synchronize them to finalize the spear. As he put it into the socket on the spear, he locked it in and began to sync the pieces together. He focused his energy through the spear and all of its pathways, into the heart, doing so causing a resonance that felt almost as if it was beating and coming to life. As his energy was being accepted, the spear started to change. The color turned a slight crimson color, matching with the violet gem immediately made a name come to his mind.

'Rika…'

Suddenly the pulse quickened, and started to absorb his energy. He felt the pull, and didn't resist it. The spear continued until it took away 5 drops of Nexus then stopped. The spear hummed and began to float slightly, only to fall back into his hands with a satisfying feeling.

[A Nexus Symbiote has been created.]

[Congratulations Kaz, you have successfully crafted a Nexus Symbiote. A Nexus Symbiote is a weapon formed through the symbiotic fusion of Nexus energies and materials, bridging the gap between life and inanimate existence. It encompasses a deep, living connection between the weapon and its wielder, becoming more than a tool; it is a partner, a living extension of the wielder themselves, harboring a conscious entity within.]

[Thanks to the unique architecture and energy circuits integrating the Nexus Heart into its core, this weapon houses a sentient conscience, allowing it to harmonize with your intentions and desires, adapting and evolving alongside you. It stands as a testament to your understanding and manipulation of Nexus energies, a union of the evolved Nexus Heart and your craftsmanship to bring forth a being that is neither just weapon nor creature, but a harmonious amalgamation of both, capable of unprecedented symbiosis.]

[The Nexus Symbiote shares a deep-rooted connection with you, potentially able to understand and interpret your desires, instincts, and needs, thus forming a partnership where both the wielder and the weapon derive mutual nourishment and strength, fostering a bond characterized by unity, harmony, and shared consciousness.]

[Now, as its creator, it falls upon you to bestow a name upon this newly birthed entity, a name that would echo the symbiotic bond you share, the growth you envisaged, and the potential paths you will carve together in the future. Please proceed to name your Nexus Symbiote.]

Kaz stared at the weapon, almost feeling an instant connection with it. It brought about a stir of emotions, causing his breath to stagger slightly. He felt this familiar sensation that he could only bring one name to his mind.

"Rika…"

Kaz was brought back to the flashback he had when he walked back to his base, or when he had met Rika at first. Kaz had missed dinner due to having to continuously clean the floors over and over, almost as a hazing. His fingernails felt as if they would fall off at any given point.

"Hey, I brought you something."

Rika had stepped around the corner with a plate of food, almost causing Kaz's stomach to rumble audibly.

"Is it ok? What if he finds out?" Kaz's voice carried a tone of worry, as he glanced up and down the hallway.

"If you don't tell him then it's fine right? Besides, you are hungry right?" Rika pushed the plate forward as she finished her sentence. Kaz could see the marks on her hands, making them look slightly callus but also hands of care. Kaz went to take the plate and slipped on the still wet floor, bumping into her and causing the plate to fall and scatter across the floor with a resounding clatter. 

A set of heavy steps could be heard getting closer as Rick rounded the corner. "What the fuck is going on. Are you trying to feed him when he hasn't finished shit you little bitch."

Rick stepped forward and slapped Rika across the face, causing her to yelp in pain. Kaz instinctively stood up seeing this, catching Rick's eye. "Now you wanna be a fucking hero after acting like a little pansy all day, fine then, you can take her punishment."

Rick immediately came over and knocked Kaz down and threw the towel from the bucket to him. "Now Rika, get the fuck out of here before I change my mind, I gotta teach this little shit a lesson." Rick went to the closet on the side of the hall and grabbed a broom, coming back to strike Kaz in the leg, sending pain shooting up it.

"Get the fuck to cleaning." 

At this point, Kaz could smell the alcohol emanating from Rick. Kaz picked up the rag and began cleaning the floor again. This went on for about 2 hours of cleaning, being told it wasn't enough even though the floor was almost mirror polished now, only receiving strikes against his back. It finally ended when Kaz received a strike to his lower back causing his right leg to go numb, he knew something was wrong, as his pelvis and lower back radiated with pain, and he passed out, ending the suffering for him.

Kaz drifted out of the memory, and glanced at his leg that had originally been crippled from that incident. That kind of abuse made Kaz a numb person throughout his childhood, but Rika almost warmed him in those times, she somehow always smiled even at the worst times, giving Kaz hope. Kaz looked back up as a notification appeared.

[Your weapon has been named.]

[Due to the manner of its creation, your weapon has awakened a persona.]

[Persona: Rika]