Chapter Text
Flame awoke to the smell of cooked meat.
Damn, it smelt good! He threw himself out of his bed, rushing into the kitchen to see Spoke and Parrot already sitting at the table as Wemmbu placed all different cooked meats in the middle of the table.
Wemmbu looked over to him and smiled, "Morning, Sundrop. Happy birthday!"
"Happy birthday, Flamey!" Spoke bounced over with a handmade card.
Flame took the card and looked it over with a grin, ruffling his baby brothers hair, "Bro! This actually looks really good! Thanks, Spoke!"
Spoke grinned and ran back to the table, Flame close behind him.
Parrot brushed a wing against Flame's back before passing him a wrapped box, "Happy birthday, Flame."
Flame opened the box, gasping at the sight of gold jewelry inside. They were specifically made to go on his horns and tail and they were so shiny!
That might be his instincts talking at the end…
"Thanks, Parrot!" he'd need to put them on when he got changed after breakfast.
"No problem, bro." Parrot grinned before turning back to the food.
It was all of Flame's favorites, steak, bacon, pork, lamb and the distinct smell of golden apple juice. A feast that Wemmbu had likely been cooking for the past few hours. And where did he get enough golden apples to make a whole juice?!
Flame grinned up at Wemmbu as the man ruffled his hair on the way past, "Thanks, Wemm!"
Wemmbu smiled as he sat down, "You'll get your gift from me after breakfast, now dig in!"
The brothers sat and ate their breakfast, talking and giggling about past stories and future dreams. Eventually, the food was gone and four full brothers split off to get ready for the day.
Wemmbu - already dressed and cleaning the dishes - yelled out as Flame ran to his room, "Put on your training clothes! You'll need them!"
Flame was excited, that implied that he and Wemmbu would be sparring this morning! He quickly changed his clothes and put on his new jewelry from Parrot, grabbing his sword and rushing out to the place he and Wemmbu sparred the other night.
Parrot and Spoke were waiting by a nearby tree. Parrot had a book in his lap as Spoke sat next to him, talking his ear off. They both looked up as Flame came over, placing his sword up against the tree. They started chatting as they waited for Wemmbu to come out of the house.
"Boys!" Wemmbu's voice called out as he walked over, a long box in his arms.
He sat down and patted the grass next to him for Flame to settle down. Once all of his brothers were around him, he placed the box in Flame's lap. It was the biggest present Flame had ever gotten from his brother, so he hesitated. This had to be expensive, was that why Wemmbu had been working so much?
Flame slowly opened the box, only to gasp at what was inside. A long sword sat inside with a purple sheen of enchantments alone it's netherite blade.
Flame snapped his gaze to Wemmbu, "Really…?"
Wemmbu laughed, "Really. Come on, let's give it a try!"
Flame grinned, taking his new sword and running out to the front yard, giving some test swings as Wemmbu made his way over. The sword was surprisingly light and it channeled his fire easily. This was so cool!
Wemmbu swung Nightrider as he stood in front of his brother, "Ready?"
Flame chuckled, "Yes!"
Wemmbu didn't wait, swinging directly at Flame's face with absolute certainty the teen would dodge. And he did, flying to the side before pushing up a cloud of dirt as he threw himself at his brother. Their swords clashed in a mass of sparks, his new sword covered in fire.
Nightrider sang happily, like a choir in a church. Wemmbu's golden eyes seemed to glow in a faint purple color, perfectly matching the magic flowing off of his sword.
A slight humming noise buzzed in Flame's ear, but he ignored it in favor of the thrill of the fight. He met every swing of his brothers head on, clashing in sword and strength. His heat drummed in his chest at the rush of adrenaline and he laughed in pure joy.
Wemmbu was insanely fast, he was practically hovering around the field, dancing through the air with a type of elegance that really didn't belong on the battle field. There was something magical about watching Wemmbu fight, Flame couldn't really describe it. He just knew that his brother shouldn't be able to move in the ways that he does.
His new sword suddenly sang in his hand, the feeling of joy filling him that wasn't really his own, but was at the same time. It was confusing.
It was fulfilling.
~
Wemmbu let a gentle smile cross his face as his brother and his new sword bonded in front of him. He remembered all three times he bonded with one of his weapons.
First was Nightrider, his very first proper weapon. His sword was a gift from his best friend, Egg. Egg didn't live in the village, preferring to be more of a nomad, coming and going as he pleased.
The sword had been something he came across in the chilly mountains, far north of the village. It was originally frozen completely, covering in clear crystals and letting out a chilly fog. He had presented it to a then thirteen year old Wemmbu and when asked why he just smiled. Wemmbu had long since grown used to his friends weird behaviors, he had decided to just accept the gift.
The moment he touched the sword, the ever-present ice melted away to reveal a shining, netherite sword that sang in his grip.
It was kind of funny really, he hadn't even swung the thing and it had decided to claim him. At least, that was what Mane had managed to get out between his cackles.
Wemmbu had found Gambit himself, hidden in an old oak tree at the back of the cottage. It was a dead tree that Wemmbu hadn't gotten around to chopping down, eventually falling over in the middle of the night. It had startled Parrot and Flame, causing both to wake up crying.
After calming both of his brothers down, Wemmbu have gone outside with a lantern to check if the house was damaged. Imagine his surprise at the giant hammer-like weapon sticking out of the tree stump.
It was surprisingly lite, he remembers thinking as he picked the thing up. Then, a familiar song had filled his head, the voice higher than Nightrider's.
Mane had thought that it was the funniest thing. He had laughed himself until he cried, rolling on the ground by the fallen tree.
Asshole.
Crucible was his hidden gem. Something that he had told no on about having, not even Egg. Crucible was a mace - like Gambit - but it worked differently. It had different enchantments that weren't compatible with with it's twin.
Wemmbu had found Crucible simple laying in a field of flowers just outside the village. Wemmbu went there whenever he was feeling overwhelmed with life - which was often. It was calming, sitting in flowers and doing absolutely nothing.
Wemmbu hadn't even reacted at the sight of the weapon, just sighed and picked it up. Sure enough, a song filled his head, even higher than Gambit's. Together, the three weapons sang a lovely song. Honestly, it was a shame that only he could hear it.
There was no laughing from Mane that time. Wemmbu had three kids to take care of and had already cut ties with the lion. Just Wemmbu and his weapons.
…
Anyway!
He watched the wonder and joy fill his younger brothers face as his weapon sung to him. Flame now had a weapon to rely on, something bonded to him and made him stronger.
Everything was going to be alright.