Concept: Artifacts
The Artifacts are a class of Divine Objects, and are highly-sought after items for most of the lower-ranking Risers. These are distinct from the Innate Weapons bestowed to the Risers upon their contract with their respective entity, existing outside their normal arsenal.
Artifacts often take the form of famed weapons wielded by man even before the Age of Risers. Such weapons, being more famed than their wielders at the time, are able to constantly evolve and gain new abilities the more legends are told about them. These legends can range from mere rumors, to stories made in reference to them. Like the deities and demons (and by extension their fellow Risers), the Artifacts are thereby infused with multiple attributes of their own, including Basic Attributes, Semi-Unique Attributes, all up to Unique Attributes themselves.
It must also be noted, that there are some exceptions to the rule of only Human Weapons being Artifacts. There are some Divine Objects wielded by the Gods that can operate as Artifacts, and such a condition occurs when the Divine Object is mass-produced or replicated by human hands in some form, in turn making them register as a "human's weapon".
The Artifacts are divided into multiple ranks, from E to S, with each rank denoting how many attributes lie within them, and by extension how potent they are overall. Like many innate Semi-Unique Attributes, Artifacts often hold a trump card that drastically enhance their output and abilities, and more often than not causes them to rise by one rank.
While powerful, the Artifacts are not without flaws, most prominently being that were meant to only be wielded by beings weaker than the weapon. When held by, or facing beings just as powerful as the weapon, it becomes no different than a normal sword. Worse, if the wielder or the opponent is far above what the sword can handle, it can easily break and become obsolete. So far, only a S-Rank Artifacts don't have a problem with this.
With this in mind, Artifacts are seen as worthless to mightier races, who have a greater preference to Divine Objects that can fuse with the wielder's body and soul, or are able to manifest as a Bounded Field, which can grow with the wielder rather than weigh them down. This sentiment wasn't helped that weapons that could even accommodate them by this point were far between and few anyways.
<E-Rank Artifacts>
Artifacts possessing one to a few Basic Attributes. The maximum CRT to properly wield such weapons is II.
Moonblade (E-, E with Mana Burst): A deadly magical blade carved in into the shape of a scythe, forged from Moonstone and Necromancy. It secretes a spiritual poison able to permanently kill undead and demonic entities (subsequently trapping their souls in the blade), and replenishes the user's "Twilight Energy" when used for combat, which allows them to resurrect from the dead should they fall. Potentially, one can even generate potent energy slashes enough to either create rifts or massive explosions or summon elfshadows. Like a few other E-Rank Artifacts, it also has a standard Mana Burst function.
Ebony Blade (E): A Daedric sword that allows its wielder to become a Black Knight, and with it the ability to be highly resilient from death, steal their opponent's lifeforce and negate magic, at the cost of slowly driving the wielder to madness and bloodlust. It is said to be forged from Starstone Meteorite.
Flaming Swords (E): The signature weapons wielded by the Angelic forces of Heaven. These swords are forged in Empyrean Steel, but ignites in Holy Fire, which are powerful holy flames that are capable of extinguishing unholy beings of darkness into ashes, or even nothingness completely. This weapon can easily kill younger angels, lesser demons, deities, monsters, fairies, and other supernatural entities, and can sometimes even slay Higher Angels or Greater Demons, though they must send a well-placed strike at their vital organs to do so.
Sun Blade (E): A katana made of pure sunlight for the blade. Naturally, this makes the sword very useful against the Undead and the Vampires, and also quite lightweight (almost as light as a shortsword). Other than its heat and light, however, the blade is also malleable, able to stretch and swing for large distances, and seems to enhance the wielder's capabilities. However, this final ability can sometimes prove quite taxing for their wielder.
Ascalon (F to E+): The famed sword of Sir George which he uses to slay Dragons. The sword possesses various traits which are designed to allow it to be used in different ways, each meant to cut through the different parts of the dragon. Additionally, to further facilitate the process, the Magical Power of the sword and wielder can be automatically be channeled to the edge meant to initiate the attack. However, it also houses more potent capabilities as well, being able to tap into the fundamental forces of the universe, allowing it to cut into reality and space, bestow the wielder with great vitality and youth, along with a suit of armour, and absorb the strength and power of opponents who are stabbed by the blade.
Meteor Sword (E-, E to E+ with Trump Card): A sword that was created and forged out of a meteor by the Lagartans. This incredibly dense sword is far too heavy for most Humans and Lyrics to wield. Unlike most swords, it has a dull surface and edge and functions mostly as a bludgeoning weapon. It is said and believed that this sword gains more power from the wielder's rage. Its trump card takes the form of a two-stage evolution, firstly the Exploding Meteor Sword, that gives it enhanced durability and the power to absorb and redirect explosive energy. The second evolution is the Galactic Meteor Sword, which causes it to become dense enough to "slash" entire stars.
Kurikara (E, E+ with Trump Cards): A demonic katana that serves as a weaponised gate to Gehenna, being able to seal demons (or demonic objects) inside the realm with a well-placed strike, best it be their heart (or core), and is also extremely durable. However, it's true worth is only unleashed after it has sealed a demonic object. Unsheathing Kurikara after it has already sealed a demonic object will allow the wielder to partially obtain the powers of one, and from there, they are able to channel the demonic powers into its blade for powerful attacks. Kurikara also has two trump cards that are unlocked after devouring sufficient demonic objects, the first being Wyvern Mode, where it transforms into a Dragon Shikigami that can obey the wielder's commands, and the second being Incarnation: Fudō-myōō, where it summons the power of the titular deity into the wielder's body.
Rebellion (E, E+ with Mana Burst): A demonic sword. Its main ability is to awaken the demonic blood in Cambions, fusing their human and demonic selves. However, it also has two side effects, of being able to be further empowered by the absorption of ambient Mana, along with the user's hatred and vengeance, potentially releasing a Mana Burst in the process.
Soul-Devouring Swords (E, E+ with Trump Card): A class of bio-mechanical swords, sometimes physically fused to the wielder. Swords of this kind forcibly pour the Magical Power of the wielder into it, granting them extreme cutting power. In exchange, however, this will inevitably cause the wielder to have very low defense, having discarded any defensive Magical Power to pool it all into attacking. These swords also have a rather destructive trump card, such that it can forcibly consume the wielder for even more power, but inevitably making them berserk before destroying them in the process. Swords of these kind include the Benizakura and Soul Edge.
<D-Rank Artifacts>
Artifacts that possess multiple Basic Attributes, or a single Semi-Unique Attribute. The maximum CRT to properly wield such weapons is VI.
The Crucible (E, E+ to D with Trump Cards): A broadsword powered by Hell Energy, able to cast seals on those stabbed by its blade. With this ability, it garnered a dreadful reputation of neutralising Titans. Naturally, it also has an energy absorption function to also power its massive power requirements. However, its true worth comes in the form of its Trump Cards, such as the Array Mode, that allows the wielder to gain full control over synthetic life, and even make them merge with organic beings, to empower them to reach a "perfect form". This Array Mode can also be used for more destructive means, such as generating a potent beam of electromagnetic energy across planetary range. An even more destructive trump card comes in the form of the Reality Bomb, that cancelled out the universal electric field holding atoms together, causing destruction on a cosmic scale.
Dragon Swords (E+, D with Awakening): A set of swords forged from the fangs of the Dragon Gods. As such, these katanas and broadswords contain their essence, and can command lesser Dragons. The sword, like the Murasame, can kill biological beings with a single strike, and absorb their power for the wielder's pleasure. Should the wielder be at full vitality, the Dragon Sword can also exude a massive aura rivaling the original Dragon God that the sword came from. Additionally, if the wielder already has Draconic abilities, then the Dragon Sword improves them further. Interestingly, however, most of the Dragon Swords are actually incomplete, and need an eye from the Dragon Gods to truly awaken their full power, becoming True Dragon Swords in the process.
Blade of Tathagata (D): A katana used mainly by the Buddhas and Taoist Gods. This katana, while already demonstrating immense cutting power in base, can become even sharper and durable in response to their desire. The more the wielder wants to cut down the obstacles in front of them, the tougher the sword becomes to be able to grant that wish. Possibly a limited and weaponised form of Akhvarta Sraosha.
Worldbreaker (D+): A polymorphic weapon that has taken the forms of a cudgel, a sword or even a tank or world shaper. If the wielder desires to make it cut, crush or pulverise anything in its path, this weapon will respond and perform so without mercy, even if it is the entire world. Like the Angelic Swords, it can also manipulate Holy Fire. Its most powerful form is as the Twister of Reality, a flagship able to project its destruction and flames on an interplanetary scale. It is likely an advanced form of the Blade of Tathagata.
<C-Rank Artifacts>
Artifacts that possess multiple Semi-Unique Attributes, or a single low-level Unique Attribute. The maximum CRT to properly wield such weapons is VII.
Vajra (E, D with Decompression, D+ to C with Trump Cards): The favoured weapon of Indra and the Bodhisattvas. This weapon is absurdly sharp at the tips, can conjure lightning at their opponents, and can operate as an all-around decent multi-tool. Vajra is also a Compression Weapon, able to take a larger form, also known as the Asura Judgement Vajra. This weapon also has three trump cards, the first being the Mode: Vajra, which fuses with its wielder and encases their body with metal (akin to the Heavy Metal Basic Attribute) and enhances their physical abilities. Second is the Frontier: Vajra, which summons forth countless bio-mechanical insectoid beasts from a spatial rift. These beasts are extremely advanced, able to convert energy attacks to useful energy for themselves, can travel at instantaneous speeds via Folding Space, and even fuse with each other for more size and firepower if necessary. Lastly, is the Dragon: Vajra, that transforms the wielder and weapon into a Nirvana Dragon.
Ruyi Jingu Bang (E, D with Ignition, C with Trump Cards): The famed weapon of the Monkey King, Sun Wukong. It is able to freely change its size and length to the wielder's commands. If necessary, it can turn from a regular staff to a giant column of magma, implying it to be a form of Ignition Weapon. It is also a potent conduit for Senjutsu and Yojutsu, and also ridiculously durable. Perhaps most terrifyingly, it has the trump card of Absolute Shattering, that allows it to break through all defenses, and deal the same damage no matter where it hits, or in other words, unavoidable true damage. Another trump card is Yeouiju, where it reveals its true form as a weaponised Dragon Core, able to grant wishes up to a certain limit. It is said that outside of the Ruyi Jingu Bang, there are multiple more converted Yeouiju out there.
Spear of Longinus (C): Also just known as Longinus, this is the spear said to have struck Jesus at his side at the hands of the titular Centurion. This Spear has the power to always reach their opponent and annihilate them in one stroke, crossing godless distances in an instance, breaking apart any barrier between it and their target, and annihilating them thoroughly. Another side effect is that the spear heals the wielder from any potential wounds with every successful kill. Its full potential is even able to reshape reality, washing away the old world and bringing forth a new order. The fallen foes would also become hit with a Stigmata, joining the wielder's personal Valhalla and becoming extensions of their will. Normally a one-of-a-kind weapon, it has eventually been mass-produced.
<B-Rank Artifacts>
Artifacts possessing multiple low-level Unique Attributes. The maximum CRT to properly wield such weapons is ∞.
Gungnir (E, D with Ignition and Decompression, B with Trump Card): The famed spear wielded by Odin. Aside from being able to create potent gusts of wind and generate massive EMPs, it is also able to warp reality. Additionally, it is also both a Compression and Ignition Weapon, meaning that it is able to "ignite" itself for more power, up to three stages, with each successive stage increasing output in exchange for a smaller time of usage (though it needs a key, i.e. the wielder needs the Ignition Mode attribute to ignite Gungnir). As for its "decompression", it transforms into an Ice Dragon. For further power, it can resonate with Philosopher's Stones and Absolute Power to achieve a Golden Mode. Normally a one-of-a-kind weapon, it has eventually been mass-produced.
Mjolnir (E, D with Ignition, B with Trump Card): The famed lightning hammer of the Norse God Thor. Aside from its standard abilities to manipulate the weather and lightning, it can also absorb energy for enhanced attacks. It also has the ability to cast Armour Mode, which bestows a potent armour to the wielder, that is highly resilient, and an Ignition Mode as an Ignition Weapon. Its ultimate trump card is the God Blast, which allows the user to tap into their most primal essence, or their "God Energy" (implied to be the same energy that powers the Godheads), becoming "one with the hammer" and releasing a massive burst of power in the process, able to knock down enemies normally far above their weight class. Normally a one-of-a-kind weapon, it has eventually been mass-produced.
<A-Rank Artifacts>
Artifacts possessing an extremely-high level Unique Attribute. The maximum CRT to properly wield such weapons is Ω.
The Zenith (B, A with Ignition): An amalgamation of multiple swords and weapons, including Excalibur. On top of having all of their functionalities, it possesses other abilities, such as strengthening the electromagnetic field of a celestial body, and negating all debuffs cast on the wielder. It was said to be used by the Celestial Dragons in eons past. It also has multiple stages, being able to further boost itself in the form of the True Zenith, followed by the Ultimatum Zenith. Being able to take sentient form, it is likely an Ignition Weapon.
<S-Rank Artifacts>
Artifacts possessing countless high-level Unique Attributes. There is no known limit to who can use such artifacts, even those in the Inaccessible Vastness Tier.
Ultimate Weapon (S): As its name suggests, it is the ultimate weapon, made from the amalgamation from countless pre-existing superweapons. In turn, they are quenched with countless attributes, and fittingly seen as the pinnacle of the concept of a "weapon" as far as it goes. It is said to take the form of a Red Gauntlet, though it can expand to encompass the wielder's entire body. The possibilities with such a weapon is endless.