It had been four days since they had left Surasho, hitching a ride with a merchant crossing the border into Luminae. Alex had somehow convinced the trader to hire them both as bodyguards. The journey was quick, under the pair's vigilant protection, the caravan had to only stop once, and that was to sleep on a real bed. They had parted ways the previous day, and after convincing a surprisingly reluctant Alex, he hired a horse for them both, and they continued the last leg of the journey on horseback
Soon, they were barrelling through the woods, the rhythmic clopping of the horse's hooves on the unpaved road echoing through the air. The horse navigated the terrain with ease, effortlessly galloping over any obstacles in their path, all while maintaining a full gallop. However, for Elyza, the experience was far from comfortable. Since mounting the horse, Alex had clung to her as if his life depended on it, unleashing a barrage of random curses at the animal whenever they travelled over rough ground. Fortunately, or so Alex claimed, they were on the verge of reaching their destination.
Bursting into the light at the end of the tunnel of trees, Elyza was in awe at the scale of the Capital.
Before her sprawled an expansive clearing, the rolling plains stretching out dramatically, yet they looked flat next to the imposing presence of Mount Hrafnafjall to the west. Vast fields of crops radiated outward from the stone walls, forming a pattern that could only be seen from afar, with people bustling among the green like bees working for their hive. The walls themselves were colossal, towering behind the field as if formed for the gods themselves. They ate into the craggy rocks of the mountain, standing as stalwart guardians shielding the castle that ascended behind them—one of the few structures visible in the city's silhouette. Even at the break of dawn, a queue of carriages awaited entry, while locals traversed the gates, bearing freshly harvested produce.
The horse snorted, gradually easing from its spirited gallop, affording Elyza a chance to fully savour the breathtaking view. Alex's grip on her loosened as they trotted onward, and he finally broke his silence, his tone edgy, “Yes, yes, everybody has that look on their face when they first lay eyes on the city. Now, if you will excuse me, I have to get off from this lamentable example of evolution. I'll be waiting for you at the gate; do grab some oranges if you come upon them.” The horse neighed in apparent defiance, and Alex gracefully descended from the moving horse, all the while flipping it off as he sunk into the horse’s shadow.
Elyza gently nudged the stirrups, coaxing the horse into a swifter trot, and it willingly complied. The clops of the hoofs, the melody of the wind, the rustling of the crop, and the chatter of the people working them, all of them melded together to form a tranquil song for her journey down the main road. A handful of farmhands, their carts nearly empty, crossed her path, and she indulged in purchasing a couple of apples for 20 bronze coins from one of them. As they passed, many bowed respectfully, and she returned the gesture, only to notice a perplexed look spreading across their faces. Elyza could have used the rare moment of peace to digest the last five months, make sense of her thoughts, where she was going, instead Elyza chose to silence her mind and relish the simplicity of her existence.
Reaching the gate, she saw Alex waiting for her, snapping his fingers rapidly to keep himself entertained. Disembarking, she led the horse towards him, earning a teasing comment, “Took your sweet time, didn't ya?” he remarked, stepping to her side until Elyza found herself standing between him and the horse.
Suddenly, all of his peculiar behaviour from the past day aligned in Elyza's mind, and she realised a fact that seemed too good to be true. “Are you… scared of horses?” She said, smiling.
Alex replied, oh so matter-of-factly, “I don’t fear them, the proper term is ‘Loathe’,” His words became light-hearted, “And I’m disappointed it took you so long to notice. We’ve been stuck together for at least half a year.”
Elyza simply smiled as she fed the horse an apple, her mind already thinking of ways to use the information. “I needn’t remind you, but you can not adopt that monstrosity,” he said, continuing, “Firstly, because I would kill you, and secondly, we need to return it.”
“I recall, but I can enjoy her company till we get her back home,” Elyza remarked, giving the horse's neck a playful slap, and almost as if sensing her thoughts, the horse bucked wildly.
In response, he yanked on her arm, using her as a makeshift shield against the spirited animal. As soon as he did, Alex seemed to realise what she had done, pushing her back with the same vigour he had pulled her towards him.
“I have a pretty good memory, and you will come to regret that.” He said ominously, and Elyza wasn’t able to tell if he was joking or not. “Now,” he continued, a smile playing on his lips as he pointed to the horse, “Grab her, and follow me.”
Alex led them to a shopfront nestled into the Capital's wall, a brief walk away from the main gate, with about twenty stalls flanking the shop, half of them housing horses. Yet, only the smell of freshly cut hay was able to reach her. Approaching the empty front desk, he pressed down on the call bell, causing threads of white, glowing mana to escape as it rang. Elyza patiently waited for someone to arrive, but after two minutes, Alex's patience wore thin, and he began tapping the bell repeatedly.
Suddenly, a hole materialised out of thin air, and from within it, a high, gravelly voice screamed, "I'M COMING, GIVE ME A SECOND!”
The hole grew taller, yet as Elyza curiously peered through, it only revealed a murky reflection of herself. Suddenly, a pink-skinned imp with ears larger than Elyza's and horns that rivalled said ears plopped herself onto the vacant chair behind the desk. The imp was notably small, especially compared to Elyza. Even sitting on a high chair, she couldn't elevate her head higher than Elyza's chest, yet her curly hair reached Elyza’s chin. She wore a fake smile, blinking away the sunlight. Her back straightened, and with a honeyed voice, she began to speak, “Welcome! What can I…” And then she saw Alex.
Her demeanour instantly changed; her facade dropped along with her posture, the smile dissolving into a suppressed grimace. She spoke with the same gravelly voice that came from the hole, “I was wondering where you had fucked off to, hoped my wish had come true. What do ya want, Alex?”
Unfazed by her biting words, Alex happily responded, “Just returning this horse. Here’s the paperwork to prove it,” pulling out a folded piece of paper from the lone pouch he bothered to carry.
“A horse?!” The imp exclaimed with surprise, jerking the paper from his grip, smiling as she held it towards the sky, checking it for forgery. “Did somebody take over your body? Again?” She abruptly slammed the paper on the desk, her eyes narrowing. “Who did you steal this from, and who the fuck is she?” Pointing her dagger like fingers at Elyza.
Alex responded with mock hurt, leaning casually against the desk, “I genuinely hired the horse. And the person you’re pointing to is Elyza, my new partner. She’s the one who forced me to do it.”
She glared at him, the same way Elyza did whenever she suspected him of lying. The imp's smile widened to a devilish grin as she addressed her, “Anybody who can force this man-child to do anything is good in my books. Name’s Vanya, pleasure to meet cha. If you stumble onto anything valuable, I can sell it for you—for a twenty percent cut, of course."
Elyza, feeling uneasy about Vanya's overly friendly demeanour, managed a polite wave. “I will keep that in mind,” she replied before asking the first thing that popped into her mind, “How long have you two known each other?”
Vanya chortled, her impish demeanour on full display. “Too long,” she replied before turning back to Alex. “I still have to confirm that you did, little Nemo, cause you lie as much as you breathe.”
Her claws glowed with a hot pink hue as she tore a hole through thin air, shouting into it, “JAKIE! YOU REMEMBER ALLOWING A DOUCHE WHO LOOKED LIKE HE DIDN’T WANT TO BE THERE TO RENT A HORSE YESTERDAY? TOSS ME THE MARKER FOR IT.”
A distorted noise emanated from the hole. “Specify,” it said.
“The one with black hair that looks like an oily mess of noodles tossed in tar.” Vanya replied, eliciting a chuckle from Elyza.
“Fuck you!” Alex shot back, sounding truly annoyed at her comment, immediately raking his fingers through his hair in a futile attempt to get it under control. The imp grinned triumphantly as a thin slab of metal landed in her awaiting hand.
Disappearing in a puff of smoke, she reappeared next to Elyza, standing on her toes to wave the metal piece in front of the horse's nose. The slab vibrated in Vanya’s tiny hands, reacting to the horse’s bit, causing the horse’s head to glow blue.
Glancing at the slab, Vanya spoke softly to the horse, patting her snout, “Okay, Beetroot, you can stay in any stall you want,” before vanishing again in a plume of smoke, materialising behind the desk. Beetroot gingerly nudged Elyza’s face, nickering to say goodbye, and Elyza petted her neck in return. As the horse walked herself to the far end of the stalls, the imp pulled out a dark oak wooden box, clapping twice to regain her customers’ attention. “I don’t want the elf to think I screw over the people I like, so pay attention.”
Dropping the case onto the desk, resulting in a loud bang along with a resonant clink of coins, Vanya slid the paperwork towards Alex. Elyza hurried over to the two, as the imp broke down the terms of the contract in a monotone, her face devoid of any emotion, her voice showing no sign of her rasp. “The base cost of hiring a riding horse from any ‘Maighstir Kelpie’ associated stables ranges from 50 to 150 silver per day. Since your contract was for two days, and you have successfully returned the horse within the limit, I am pleased to inform you that the security fee collected at the time of signing, set at two-thirds of the original sum, will be returned in full,” she rattled off the words, opening the case and placing a lone gold coin on the desk.
Alex seemed to wait for a moment before reaching for the money. Vanya instantly slammed her hand on top of the coin. “There it is,” he said.
A petty grin adorned her face as she continued, “However, we will be collecting the fee due to the following reason given to us by our employee: ‘Being a shitty friend, by not telling me when you would be returning to the city.’” Alex sighed with his whole body, clearly anticipating this, and gestured for her to continue.
Vanya picked up the coin and slotted it back into the case, tossing it behind the desk, before she addressed Elyza, staring at her. “You’re exactly like he said; a strong, silent type, not because it’s who you are, but because you feel out of place, and that’s alright. Make sure he doesn’t accidentally start a war with a god, and as a citizen of ‘the city that connects the old and the new’, trust me when I say you’ll fit right in Pharus.” She smiled at the end, the same infectious one that Alex always wore, before ripping a hole in space and falling through it, holding up two fingers up as she did.
Elyza processed the words, contemplating their value. Turning to Alex, who was staring at her, she said, “I like her.”
“Of course you do, she’s one of my closest friends,” he stated, stretching his arms. “Can I ask you something?”
“Go on.”
“My hair doesn’t look that bad today, does it?”
“… I would prefer not to say.”
----------------------------------------
Overwhelming. That was the only way to encapsulate the essence of the city.
Having essentially lived in Chryse for a day and coping well with the noise, the people, and the unpredictability of the largest city she had ever been in, Elyza believed she could handle the Capital.
The process of being allowed entry was relatively straightforward. Thanks to Alex’s residency, she enjoyed the luxury of an expedited application to become a temporary resident. All she had to do was sign a document, solemnly swearing 'to not participate in any activities that damage the security of Pharus or its residents, or the Royal Family of Luminae. Failure to comply will lead to you, or the person’s under whose representation you have been granted residence, being put on trial.'
Never before had Elyza seen so many species at the same place. A company of orcs sang jovially as they rode with their wares, a centaur paladin with a mechanical leg walked behind, and a group of adventurers, consisting of a reptilian, a luin, a harpy, and a bakeneko, argued animatedly as they enjoyed some food. Not to mention the elves, humans, and dwarves—the crowd was as vibrant as the city around it. Despite the main road being divided into two sections – a quarter for pedestrians and the rest for horses – the crowd was bustling and tightly packed. It seemed irresponsible how crowded it was, even the sky was filled with those with the ability to fly darting across it. Yet, people entered and exited the crowd in a secret rhythm, rarely even bumping into each other as they walked.
The cacophony of sounds was relentless—a symphony of chatter, vendors haggling, the rhythmic clatter of hooves on the cobbled streets, the clanging of blacksmiths’ hammers and the occasional street performer's music. These clashed together to form a chaotic anthem that could never, and should never, be replicated. The air carried a medley of scents – the aromatic blend of various street foods that made her stomach rumble, the pungency of exotic spices and fresh produce making her mind wander, the earthy undertones of horse dung, and not to mention the aroma of the people themselves. The smells were so potent that Elyza could almost taste them, creating a tapestry of sensations that she found hard to ignore.
Even as she was guided through the crowd by Alex, who was quite literally lending her a shoulder, her hand grasping it tightly, Elyza was acutely aware of her surroundings.
Colliding with a group of kids darting against the crowd, she alerted Alex, “I think one of them just stole your pouch.”
Alex appeared nonchalant about the theft, “Did they? I hope to see him soon.”
“More importantly, how much farther must we travel? I am desperate to find a place to sit.”
“Telling you would ruin the surprise.” She could discern the mischievous grin in his voice even without glancing at his face. Thankfully, the longer they walked, the oppressive effect of the city started to wane.
Her knowledge of the city was limited to illustrations in books and maps, most of which focused on its layout. The main road cleaved the city into two; the majority of the city and its people lay to the left of the road, while most temples, embassies, guilds, and the Royal Palace were situated to the right, constituting one-tenth of the capital’s total area. Side streets extended out from the main road with alleys connecting them, forming a grid absent from the other side.
It was a shame that more people didn't talk about the city's beauty. The paved road beneath Elyza was unnaturally pristine for the number of people travelling on it. Vivid statues of historical figures, with plaques beneath them explaining how they fought for Luminae’s independence, adorned the different streets as they began. Most buildings that bordered the central road had eaves providing shade between the floors, and the architecture varied wildly per floor. It was not uncommon to find Elven designs beneath Dwarven construction, with hints of Olympic motifs. Yet, the buildings merged beautifully, following an unexplainable and hidden pattern. Anyone gazing upon the construction would realise that something extraordinary was at play.
Elyza was suddenly pulled into one of the streets by Alex, who was slicing through the crowds with the map of the city ingrained into his head, and it felt like she had entered another city. Instead of a constant stream of people, the wide street was now a lively hub, with people talking while relishing the diverse array of street food from bustling stalls. There were no doors to these shops; customers moved freely in and out, their voices mingling with the sounds of hawkers calling out their wares as they sat with them. Overhead, strings held up drying clothes, and many residents sat on their small balconies, savouring their meals.
As Alex suddenly stopped, Elyza, lost in the vibrant atmosphere, ran straight into him. As she looked ahead of him, he sighed, “I thought I was done with this shit…”
A commotion was happening around the shop called ‘Cloaks and Halberds,’ at least according to the sign above—an insignia of a crossed hammer and a needle, with the name etched below it. There was a tall orc standing directly below it, blocking the door, looking down at someone trying to get in. Judging by the orc's expression, he was irritated, but Elyza couldn’t discern at whom. Whoever it was, they were screaming something at the orc, jabbing their finger into their chest. She tried to make out what they were saying, but the murmurs of the crowd drowned out the voice
“Follow, and try to resist punching him in the face, but be ready for a fight,” Alex instructed as he walked towards the gathering.
Navigating through the crowd, they reached the centre of the commotion, allowing Elyza to hear the ongoing dispute better. “… and because you are housing that HALF SOUL… you have put ALL THE GOOD PEOPLE OF PHARUS in danger of having the gods inflict their WRATH on them,” the screeching voice echoed through the street.
Elyza emerged on the other side of the crowd shortly after Alex. Her gaze immediately drew to a dwarf standing atop a wooden box, struggling to match the towering height of an orc, only reaching up to his chest as the dwarf continued jabbing his finger into it. The orc remained silent, his face betraying no emotions. About eight guards were spectating the argument but weren't intervening. Their armor looked extremely shabby and cheap compared to the ones she had seen at the gates, the metal already rusting around the joints, even through the paint.
Feeling Alex’s elbow on her shoulder, she sensed he was waiting for the dwarf to turn. The dwarf continued his squawking, “I think the people ought to know,” starting to turn his attention back to the crowd. His arms flapped like a child’s as he continued ranting, “In the last month there have been FIFTEEN kidnappings, INCLUDING CHILDREN! Which all occurred around the homes of DAEMONS! It points to a greater conspiracy, orchestrated by these affronts to nature, trying to CORRUPT THE YOUTH! So, I urge you good, normal people to follow me and do what her parent’s shoul…” The dwarf's voice faltered as his eyes landed on them. Fear flickered across his face, eyes widening, and that was all it took to know that he had met Alex before. No one from the crowd stepped forward, but the murmuring began once again.
Elyza had crossed her arms in an attempt to dissuade them from punching the dwarf, and she was sure Alex was smiling as he spoke up, “I truly hoped that the next time, if ever, I saw your face, it would be grey and bloated.”
The dwarf, his face a mask of both anger and apprehension, concealed his fear beneath a veneer of rage. With a clenched jaw, he leapt down from the makeshift podium, his stubby finger jabbing accusingly at Alex as he bellowed towards the crowd, “Here is the man who has ATTEMPTED TO SILENCE ME not but a month ago!” He addressed Alex next, spittle flying out of his mouth as he screeched, “Unlike last time, I have the support of the city to enact the will of the silent majority!”
As the guards edged closer, Alex boldly approached the dwarf, shadows unfurling behind him to gracefully deliver Elyza's halberd into her waiting hands. With a dismissive gesture toward the approaching guards, Alex scoffed, “You want me to be scared of these bozos? Their armour is basically rattling itself to pieces, and don’t get me started with the paint.”
The guards were in range of Elyza, but she waited for some signal from Alex. A sly smirk played on his lips, “Though,” he added with a raised eyebrow, “it is astonishing that you were able to hire more of these goons. I suppose the previous bunch aren't in any condition to warn them, are they?”
A momentary pause from the guards gave Alex the perfect opening, and with a taunting grin he began, “He didn’t tell you, did he? He tried to do something similar about a month or so ago. Granted, he didn't go to the lengths of disguising those four as guards…”
Stolen story; please report.
“LIES!” the dwarf screamed, trying to stop him from continuing.
“Regrettably, what he says is true,” Alex admitted, turning his attention to the hired goons. “I may have been a tad hyperbolic. The previous group isn't dead; they just appear that way, with their broken necks and all, and that was just because they broke a window. Would you like to find out what I will do if you even lay a finger on either of us? And is it really worth it to go through all that pain for ten gold coins each?”
“Ten?” the lead goon questioned, glancing nervously at the dwarf while unsheathing his sword. “He promised us one each.”
“Oh?” Alex feigned surprise, placing a hand over his mouth for added effect.
Attempting to interject, the dwarf stammered, “H-Hang on, I neve-”
“The last guys did look stronger, but you do have more of a number advantage this time. Well, technically not, I do have back up as well,” nodding towards Elyza, “So, I guess you guys have a pretty good shot at winning.” Alex stepped forward, nonchalantly presenting his neck to the lead goon as if inviting a strike.
His casual demeanour unnerved the lead goon, who hesitated and looked around for someone else to strike him first. A silent conversation seemed to unfold among the hired goons, culminating in a unanimous decision. “We're out,” the lead goon declared, shoving through the dispersing crowd as they walked away down the street.
“And at the end of it all, the snake charmer stands alone…” Alex declared poetically, bowing theatrically to meet the dwarf's eyes. “Last time, I let you go after I knocked your little lackeys out, hoping our conversation would make you reconsider your beliefs.”
The dwarf's hands clenched, shoulders tensed, face reddening as he attempted to stare Alex down. He was about to punch him. But before he could, shadows shot up from the ground to restrain the dwarf’s arms as Alex grabbed his collar, yanking him up to make sure he listened, “But since you obviously don’t have enough space in your skull for anything else other than hate, I am going to try threatening you.”
Clearing his throat, Alex's smile faded as he began, “If I ever catch wind that you've threatened my friend or any other daemons in this city, I will tie you to a pole, use a dull knife to cut small pieces of your skin at a time, and then steam you alive. Flayed alive, trapped in the centre of an inferno, helpless to do anything but accept your fate – that would be a pretty horrible way to die. But you won’t get the relief of death. No, I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you stay alive, so you can experience exactly how it feels to be ostracised by others because they think you’re a monster. So, I hope you use your time in jail to reflect and realise where you went wrong.”
Releasing his grip, Alex allowed the tentacles of darkness to drag the dwarf into the shadows before he could respond, his rage-filled scream abruptly cut off as he disappeared into the ground. He stared at the spot for a moment, only to find himself lifted in a bear hug by the orc. Elyza would've reacted if not for the fact that Alex was grinning as he got squeezed between the orc's massive arms.
“Alex! My boy!” The orc exclaimed, swinging Alex around like a doll, “It’s been too long!”
“It’s only been a month, Kurven!” Alex shot back with a chortle.
The orc gently dropped him to the ground and then turned to face Elyza. For a second, she was afraid that he would try to hug her as well. Thankfully, he extended his hand instead, “And you must be Elyza. I’ve heard a lot about you.” His voice resonated with a deep and booming quality, like a father’s.
Relieved, she shook Kurven’s hand, and her mind went to work. He stood like a giant, at least fifteen centimetres taller than her, boasting fading green skin. His black hair, braided into a ponytail, showed traces of grey at the temple. Perched atop the bridge of his nose were reading glasses with darkened lenses, almost making his hazel eyes appear brown. Wrinkles were just beginning to appear on his rugged face, especially around the corners of his mouth, next to the fangs that peaked out from his lips. His body was well-built, though his arms weren’t as well-defined as a blacksmith’s would’ve been. Despite his strong grip, his hand felt softer than it should be for someone handling metal every day. He was wearing a long, loose red tunic that reached to his knees with a yellow pattern embroidered into it, along with cream pants, both of which were in pristine condition.
“I wish I could say the same.” Elyza confessed.
The orc responded with a deep chuckle, “I’m not surprised. But, don’t just stand there! We’ve been waiting for the past four days, putting the finishing touches on your surprise.” He exclaimed, emphasising the last word with a wave of his hands, and opened the shop's door for them both.
“Red up yet?” Alex asked as he stepped into the shop, with her following him in.
“She has been since last night,” Kurven answered. “Though, she put up the sign, so I don’t think she’s going to come up till she’s finished,” he added, ducking under the door and leaving it open for customers.
Alex sighed, and Elyza took the opportunity to glance around the shop. It was bigger than most other shops on the street, something she hadn’t noticed from outside. The left wall featured square compartments from floor to ceiling, which all held brilliantly dyed cloth and garments. On the right, a display of weapons ranged from pole arms to battleaxes. The combination of the metals used, and the intricate designs etched into the wood, made them seem otherworldly, crafted for gods. Below them were buckets which held the normal weapons—your standard swords, spears, knives, and axes—cheap but good enough to get the job done. The two sides were separated in the middle by wooden mannequins that wore a variety of armours, all with cloaks behind them.
While she was studying the design of a set of knight armour, Alex and Kurven were at the desk at the back catching up.
“I thought it would take more time for her to kick your ass.” The orc teased.
“Really? It took longer than I thought it would.” Alex replied, grinning. In a hushed tone, he added, attempting to keep his words from Elyza's ears, “I hope the you-know-whats are ready?”
The mention of whatever Alex had planned for a surprise, made her ears perk up, and she soon joined the conversation, “Yes, I hope they are.”
Kurven simply winked at her as he headed to a door behind him and pulled a chain next to it. The trio waited in anticipation, but after thirty seconds, Kurven decided to open the door himself. The loud banging of a forge instantly filled up the shop, echoing off of the walls, stopping for a moment as Kurven walked in. Two voices murmured back and forth before a soot-covered man hurried out, standing for a moment in front of the door, sweat trickling down his pointed face. He scanned the room briefly before lunging at Alex with arms wide open.
Alex held his hand in front of the elf’s face, stopping him from wrapping his arms around him. The elf protested with a squished face, “Can’t I even hug my own cousin?” His voice carried a melodic quality as he spoke.
“Not when you’re filthy, Adam,” Alex retorted, making sure he stayed away from the elf’s grimy hands.
Kurven stepped in and pulled Adam back by the collar of his white shirt. Holding him in place, the orc wiped the smut off of the elf's face using a piece of cloth before handing it over to Adam, and letting him go. As the elf started to clean the grime, Elyza took a second to take stock of him.
Adam stood about as tall as Alex, perhaps slightly shorter. He embodied the stereotypical depiction of a High Elf, featuring a sharp face, long pointy ears slightly curving upwards, ethereal gray eyes, and fair, freckled skin. Some strands of his brown hair clung to his sweat-covered brow, while the rest were tied up in a bun, displaying subtle signs of turning white. Despite his lean build, his arms appeared impressively muscular under the white shirt. He wore a leather apron over the shirt, with a hammer and tongs neatly tucked into the pockets. Beneath the apron, he sported blue pants and steel-toed boots.
“Thank you, love,” Adam exclaimed as he returned the cloth, proceeding to engage Alex in another hug, which was readily accepted this time.
The embrace lingered longer than expected, prompting Alex to comment, “That’s enough.” Adam released him, only to swiftly redirect his enthusiasm toward Elyza.
“Elyza! It’s so good to finally meet you,” he exclaimed, ensnaring her in a tight hug. One palm held her neck, making the embrace an almost inescapable death grip, leaving her momentarily unable to escape. Strangely, it felt somewhat comforting.
“Adam.”
“Sorry, sorry,” the elf replied, releasing her from the hug. His cheeks flushed with embarrassment. “I just got excited to finally see who I was forging my best work for.”
“ADAM!”
“Forging what exactly?” Elyza inquired immediately, her initial discomfort overridden by a growing desire to uncover the surprise.
“These,” Kurven replied for the other two, standing behind a covered mannequin. As they all turned, he pulled off the cloth, revealing the surprise.
The mannequin was donning a bronze chest plate, whose frosted surface was barely able to hide the natural lustre of the metal. She moved closer to inspect it better, handing her halberd to Alex. Freshly forged, its surface was so smooth that it felt like running one's fingers over liquid metal, and its reddish-brown hue was vibrant. It was crafted with meticulous detail, every contour and curve flawlessly executed, creating a seamless and visually striking piece of armour. The breastplate bore intricate engravings that were filled in with ivy green and purple paint, depicting the mythos of Yggdrasil. The life tree’s roots emerged from the waist, weaving into its trunk, and rising as branches that extended up to the matching shoulder guards.
The guards held a forest green cloak in place. At a glance, it looked identical to Alex’s black one, but without a hood, only falling to the mannequin's waist. Yet, what the cloak concealed intrigued her even more. A set of bronze gauntlets peeked out from beneath, their plain design contrasting with the radiant aura of the breastplate.
Alex noticed her fixed gaze on the gauntlets and advised, “You might want to wear those for the next surprise.”
Removing her old steel gauntlets, which, after five months of diligent service, emitted creaks due to rusty rivets, Elyza handed them to Adam, who in turn left the room with them and went back to the forge.
Unlike her old ones, the bronze gauntlets were crafted to allow each of her fingers individual movement. The rivets felt buttery smooth. The most noticeable difference was that they didn't cover the tips of her fingers. Between the different plates, enabling fluid movement, tiny pieces of thin cloth were ingeniously placed to ensure they didn’t produce sound when Elyza moved her hands. She was about to ask why Alex had told her to wear the gauntlets, when her question was answered before being asked.
Adam emerged from the forge, holding in his hands what Elyza could only describe as the most beautiful halberd she had ever seen.
Just shy of two metres long, with the pole head making up a quarter of its length, the halberd was a masterpiece. At the summit of the shaft, a spear point extended out from staggered folds, the polished steel gleaming almost mesmerising. However, her eyes were more drawn to the intricate design etched into the blade of the halberd. From the central point of the head, the blade curved outward like the hull of a boat, bearing the gilded image of a bouquet of poison ivy leaves along its keen edge. Mirroring the axe-like blade was a wickedly tapered spike slanting downwards, the outer curve of the beak sharpened for maximum damage. Leather straps concealed the juncture where the metal of the pole head met the wood of the staff.
As Elyza held the halberd in her hands, the polished dark mahogany-tinted wood felt stronger than iron, and its smooth surface was perfect for maintaining a strong grip yet easily gliding between her hands. The butt of the staff was reinforced by some light steel, allowing it to double as a bludgeoning weapon. Unlike the pole arms displayed on the wall, there was no design etched into the wood of the staff.
Switching into every stance she knew, the halberd felt perfectly balanced, and as her hands ran across the shaft, the gauntlets formed a perfect defence for them. It felt like she was the only one who could wield it.
Elyza lost track of time, engrossed in the feel and balance of her new weapons. Only the comments from the others in the room reminded her of their presence. “I’m so glad she likes it!” one of them remarked as they watched her play with her new toy.
The quality of the work almost made her forget that real people had crafted it. Resting the halberd on her shoulder, she bowed. “From the bottom of my heart, I am thankful for you going through so much effort for me,” she expressed her gratitude to Adam and Kurven. Turning towards Alex, who was grinning as usual, she added, “And I can not believe I mean this… Thank you for surprising me.”
“I’m sorry, could you repeat that? Maybe write it down so I can carry it around with me?” Alex teased, revelling in the moment, before continuing, “Do you honestly think the surprises are over?”
Perplexed, Elyza was forced to ask, “What else could you give me?”
“Hand me the halberd.”
“Why?”
“Because it's too big to carry downstairs.”
As Elyza let Alex store her halberd in his shadow, Kurven reminded him, “Uh, I did tell you the sign is up, right?”
“ It’ll be fine,” he waved his worry aside.
“Do you not remember what happened last time?” A trace of scepticism lingered in his voice.
“Hey! I put out that fire before it could reach upstairs.” Alex replied, grinning as he knelt down in front of the door to the forge
He reached down, his fingers tracing the wooden floor, before his hand stopped, pushed down on a plank, and the planks in front of it popped up. Pushing down on the other end of the plank led to a soft whirring emanating from beneath the floor, followed by the trapdoor opening on its own, revealing a ladder to the basement.
“Wait,” Adam stopped them, ducking back into the forge, returning again with a metal rod about a metre long, handing it to Alex, “She asked me to make this.”
Dropping the rod in his shadow, Alex confidently leapt into the darkness below. Elyza followed suit, sliding down the ladder like a normal person. The way downwards was similar to the passage in Bakelv, mercifully free from the pungent odour of rotting wood. As the ladder deposited them into a compact tunnel, a lone door awaited them at the far end. An ominous sign swung from the doorknob, its message blunt:‘I can not be held responsible if you ignore this and get hurt.’
Entirely disregarding the sign, Alex kicked the bottom of the door, causing the door to violently swing open. Elyza heard a big bang echo through the tunnel, and before she knew it, he had yanked her close to him, holding his cloak in front of them, shielding them both. The noise reverberated, followed by the distinct thuds of projectiles, but nothing pierced it, and the projectiles clattered to the ground. One of them rolled beneath the cloth; it was a small metal sphere.
“FOR FUCK’S SAKE, RED!” Alex bellowed, pissed off, letting go of Elyza and dropping the cloak simultaneously, allowing her to see who had attacked them. “You haven’t even met her officially, and you’ve already tried to kill her!” He directed his ire at a girl behind what appeared to be a handheld cannon.
The only 'demonic' traits on the daemon were her amethyst-tinted skin and blazing orange eyes. Otherwise, she looked surprisingly 'normal.' Her silver curls were cropped short, with the sides of her head shaved in a style tapering into her skin near the ears. Both ears were adorned with piercings, from tiny silver skulls to golden floral wreaths. Beneath her eyes were two white lines that curved upwards till they met the bridge of her slightly flat nose, before tracing its outline as they crept downwards along it. The lines then crept through her faded lips, down her chin, along her windpipe, before disappearing beneath a frankly filthy red shirt splattered with what Elyza hoped was just oil.
“IT’S YOUR FUCKING FAULT!” The daemon shot back, slamming the cannon down on the table to her right, causing another bang as more of the spheres shot out of it, hitting a magic barrier positioned a few metres in front of the table and disintegrating into dust. “Who in their right mind enters a room which says not to ENTER without even knocking?!” She growled.
A tense silence hung in the air as they engaged in a battle of stares, attempting to force the other to admit fault. The mood abruptly shifted when Alex started laughing. “Damn you and perfectly reasonable arguments.” He cursed as he stopped laughing, flinging the metal rod as soon as it emerged from his shadow, “Here, catch.”
“It’s always easier to come up with them when I deal with you,” the daemon retorted, catching the rod flawlessly, her scowl lingering. About the same height as Alex, she briefly glanced at Elyza before returning her focus to tinkering with the hand-cannon, as if apprehensive about making eye contact. “Uh, sorry… for almost killing you. Elyza, is it? I’m Red.”
Used to near-death experiences thanks to Alex, Elyza just brushed it off, about to speak, before the daemon cut her off. “My parents didn’t bother naming me, or sticking around for that matter, and the other kids at the orphanage, including that rat bastard next to you, kept calling me ‘Red’ so I ran with…” She stopped, wincing as if she had made a mistake, adding, “That wasn’t what you were about to ask about, was it?”
“I was curious about it,” Elyza replied, undeterred. “Why did the children call you Red?”
Seated on the table where Red worked on the hand-cannon, Alex chimed in, “I know this one. It was because whenever she got angry — and believe me, it didn't take much — her face turned a shade of scarlet that was so deep and that so looked unusual on her purple skin, our adolescent minds just started calling her that to annoy her even more.”
Red acknowledged with a wince, replacing the cannon's barrel with the metal rod, "It wasn’t entirely… undeserved.”
“You should’ve seen her back then,” Alex beamed, his eyes lit with nostalgia. “Even though she was younger than me, she thought she could order me around because I came to the orphanage after her.”
“Then why did you go along with it, fuck face.” Red poked him with the barrel. “Off, I need to get the spell ready.”
“Absolutely shocked you remembered,” Alex retorted, grinning as he slid off the table.
As her mind shifted out of fight mode, Elyza had a chance to survey her surroundings. The room resembled a graveyard for mechanical devices, with hanging crystals casting a direct glow over the three tables in the centre, cluttered with various tools and half-finished contraptions. Engrossed in conversation, Red and Alex cleared the table, methodically collecting every piece of metal and depositing them in a pile, while carefully storing the mana crystals in a sack attached to the table.
“Any closer to getting this thing to work?” Alex asked the daemon, as Elyza made her way to the opposite side of the room, avoiding stepping in any of the dark splotches on the floor. She stood in front of a bookshelf, though it held no volumes. Instead, it showcased an array of devices, ranging from transparent hollow cubes containing crystals to a baton with two small, blunt spikes protruding from one end.
“Ugh… Just push that table against this one.” The daemon replied.
Elyza picked up a small silver sphere that had a seam down the middle, her interest peaked. “What does this do?” She asked, turning around to catch Red crouching under the table and pulling out a scroll.
The daemon shot a glance at the mirror hanging above her. “Elemental bomb sans the crystal.” Elyza twisted the two halves in opposite directions, revealing a chaotic array of machinery orbiting around an empty stand within it.
“That’s the new design?” Alex inquired, having finished pushing the tables together. A single look from Red silenced any further questioning. “Alright, I was just asking,” he said, gesturing to Elyza, “Come on, it's time for your final present.”
She reached the two just as the scroll was fully unfurled on the table. Red secured the canvas by nailing it down with her open hand, which seemed to transform into gemstone as she slammed it down. A complex design of straight lines and circles adorned the surface. Elyza recognized that part of the scroll contained a binding ritual, and that worried her.
“What does this spell do?” Elyza asked, trying to make herself sound not reluctant.
“Watch.” With a snap of Red’s fingers, the lights dimmed and candles lit up all around the room. Cold steel rubbing against her fingertips, her halberd gracefully floating up from her shadow, presenting itself for her to grasp. She obliged, sensing the shift in its weight as it ceased being suspended by the void.
“Lay your weapon upon the scroll.” Elyza did what she asked, placing the pole arm down so it fit between two parallel lines stretching the length of the scroll. Alex popped up next to her, holding in his hand four rings.
“Choose a vessel to inherit its spirit and to carry with you to the end of the world.” Red instructed.
Alex whispered to her, “Just pick whatever you think looks the coolest.” Heeding his advice, she selected a jade ring with a serpent gracefully winding around it. A glowing circle appeared on the scroll, and instinctively she set the ring within it.
“Pour your blood upon it so that it may be bound forever to your soul.” Elyza was concerned, but she still followed the instruction, pulling out her knife and grasping its blade. Holding her hands above the glowing circle, she drew the knife downward, letting her own blood spill onto the ring.
The canvas did not absorb the blood; instead, the ring rose, releasing more droplets onto the scroll. The red liquid moved on its own, tracing the ink and seeping into it. Elyza felt her mana being sapped as the halberd started to float. Gradually at first, the halberd began to spin violently, tearing itself apart, with shards of wood and metal flying in all directions. The shards were stopped by the ring, which sucked them in, creating layers upon layers on top of its surface, concealing the serpent. As the halberd disintegrated, its outline remained, forming a brilliant glowing replica that shone intensely, temporarily blinding its onlookers. But the glow faded, and soon the spear was gone, the ink of the scroll fading as the spell ended. The ring appeared stuck in air, only for a second, before its layers were sucked into the serpent, and it fell on the desk.
From the corner of her vision, Alex extended a health potion, but Elyza ignored it. Instead, she picked up the ring, now subtly glimmering. It was oversized for her fingers, but she still slipped it over her gauntlets and around her right index finger. The ring suddenly shrank, constricting through the metal till it fit perfectly around her finger. A sudden understanding struck her, and she instinctively knew what to do next.
Her right hand shot up towards the roof, and with a simple thought, her halberd materialised into her grasp, as silent as a late winter’s night and radiating a gentle bronze glow.
With a clap from Alex, the room returned to normal. The flames extinguished, and the crystals shone once again. Red seemed impressed, her brow raised. “She catches on quick.”
Elyza noticed something different about her halberd. The once plain mahogany wood now bore a jade serpent, resembling Jörmungandr, spiralling up from the butt of the staff and stopping just below the pole head. With another thought, her halberd shrunk back into the ring, the sensation of it winding around her finger palpable as it settled.
“Interesting,” she declared, turning back to Alex, who was beaming. “What do you have planned next?”
He shrugged, acting sorrowful, admitting, “Unfortunately, my bag of gifts lies empty,” before a grin quickly got plastered across his face, “So, how about we go get some breakfast, and then get you registered with the Guild?”