PTS Lore Drop: Celestial Weapons & Hakuryū no Hōkō

The first of the famed Celestial Weapons has a design! Once upon a time, this katana set was called Kokuryūnotsume, but it has since been renamed Hakuryū no Hōkō to better fit the design we ended up going with for its final form.

Hakuryū no Hōkō, or White Dragon’s Roar, is the famed “splitting katana” wielded by Tsukiya “Tsuki” Ryudo, one of only a handful of Angels to have inherited his weapon from a blood relative. Tsuki’s grandfather, Daichi Ryudo, was the first wielder of Hakuryū no Hōkō and maintained that position until his grandson successfully proved he had the skill to take it on himself. Having a rare talent for communicating with any Celestial Quartz regardless of his bond to it, Tsuki was sought after among the Forces and they were more than happy to select him for his grandfather’s weapon.

Since it’s been a while, let’s brush up on a few basics of Celestial Weapons and Celestial Quartz. Each Celestial Weapon, known as Tai-aht-kaina in the Xuaci language, is forged with parts of a cluster of Celestial Quartz (Sori-kaina) mixed into it. Most often the Sori-kaina is ground into a fine powder that is mixed into the metal the weapon is made of, but some weapons maintain whole pieces of their Quartz for useful or decorative purposes. As you can see in the above image of Hakuryū no Hōkō, it’s mostly decorative for this weapon. The physical presence of the Sori-kaina is what creates the psychic connection between wielder and weapon.

Why is the psychic connection between the crystal and the person important, though? Simple, by being linked in mind, they can function together and make each other better. The wielder of a Celestial Weapon feels like that weapon is an extension of themself and can use it as naturally as they’d use their arms or legs. This psychic connection also increases their senses, awareness, strength, speed. Being connected to a Sori-kaina almost makes you superhuman.

Sori-kaina are sentient, and therefore have personalities, preferences, etc. Each Sori-kaina is given a name by their wielder, chooses a name for themself, or workshops a name that both wielder and crystal agree on. Wielders who are unable to “talk” to their Sori-kaina tend to do the first option, while those who can do the other two. While most wielders can hear a Sori-kaina’s voice in their mind, a rare few establish a connection without words, instead communicating in images and feelings. (Yo Masuda is one of the few who cannot hear his weapon’s voice, for instance.)

So with all that in mind, let’s talk about these swords.

The soul within Hakuryū no Hōkō’s Celestial Quartz is known as Chihiro. Daichi Ryudo suggested this name when they first spoke, as the feeling Chihiro’s voice and presence evoked in him was that of a calm, regal woman. The Quartz accepted this name. Tsuki, having grown up knowing Chihiro, didn’t want to change their name when he inherited the weapon, so Chihiro kept their name. (Side note: Sori-kaina don’t have genders, regardless of how they come off to their wielders, so all of them are referred to with either they/them or it/its pronouns, depending on their own preference.)

Hakuryū no Hōkō is called the “splitting katana” because its special gimmick is that it goes from two katana to one double-ended katana by connecting at the tails of the dragons on the hilts. The katana can be wielded both ways to different effects.

Hakuryū no Hōkō, being one of the oldest Celestial Weapons, is more ceremonial in design than newer weapons tend to be, which lends to its legendary reputation among the Forces and fans alike.

Because Tsuki got the opportunity to grow up knowing Chihiro, the two are incredibly close. Tsuki trusts his weapon with his life, and they reciprocate that trust by allowing others Tsuki deems fit to connect with them and speak with them. This is rare for a bonded Sori-kaina, as most tend to stick to their wielders and other crystals, and won’t communicate with other people. Some Sori-kaina are so bonded with their wielders that they actively reject and hurt anyone else who tries to touch them, as is the case with Lázaro’s weapon, Devil in the Deep Blue Sea. In fact, Lázaro’s deep bond with Davy (the Sori-kaina in his weapon) causes even Chihiro to reject talking to him. Suzuka, on the other hand, not only talks to Chihiro, but their own weapon, Phantom Blades, is friends with Chihiro. The two get along quite well.

And that’s all for today! Keep on the lookout for some other Celestial Weapons in the future. ♥

Art by Xaika.