CHAPTER 24

I woke up feeling like I'd been hit by a truck. No, scratch that – a whole fleet of trucks. No, scratch that — a whole fleet of trucks transporting dog shit. My head pounded, my mouth tasted like something had crawled in there and died, and the world spun. I cracked open one eye, immediately regretting it as sunlight stabbed my retinas.

"Good morning!" Effie chirped.

I mumbled something unintelligible, trying to burrow deeper into my bedroll.

"Oh no, you don't," she said, zipping around my head like an annoying, glowing mosquito. "We've got a busy day ahead. Up and at 'em!"

Reluctantly, I sat up, wincing as my stomach lurched. Fragments of the previous night flashed through my mind – the celebration, the endless toasts, the adoring crowd.

"Ah, shit," I said, a wave of embarrassment washing over me. "I might've gotten a bit carried away last night.

Effie snorted. "That's putting it mildly. You were like a fire elemental at an ice nymph's winter solstice gathering."

I had no idea what that meant, and I didn't care. I rubbed my temples, trying to massage away the headache and growing sense of shame.

"Come on! Lunarblade's expecting us, remember?"

"Right. The sword. Just give me a minute to get my shit together."

I splashed water on my face and tried to make myself look somewhat presentable.

Gilly and Plop were already waiting outside when we emerged. The axolotl man looked annoyingly chipper, while Plop... well, Plop looked like Plop. It was hard to tell if slimes could get hangovers.

"Morning, boss!" Gilly said, far too loudly for my liking. "It's New Sword Day! Ready to claim your new sword?"

I grunted in response, shielding my eyes from the too-bright morning sun.

We made our way through Millhaven's streets, which were mercifully quiet at this early hour. Still, the few townsfolk we passed greeted us with smiles and waves. Apparently, our heroic status hadn't diminished overnight.

Lunarblade's forge stood at the edge of town, a squat stone building belching smoke from multiple chimneys. The heat hit us like a wall as we approached, and I could hear the rhythmic clanging of hammer on anvil from within. Gilly rapped on the heavy wooden door.

"Oi, Lunarblade! We're here for the sword!"

The clanging stopped, and a moment later, the door swung open. Lunarblade filled the doorway, his massive frame silhouetted against the forge's glow. Intricate tattoos of celestial bodies swirled across his muscular arms, seeming to move in the flickering light.

"Ah, the conquering heroes return," he said, his voice like gravel in a cement mixer. "Come in, come in. Your blade awaits."

We filed into the workshop, the heat even more intense inside. Sweat immediately beaded on my skin, and I blinked rapidly as my eyes adjusted to the dim, smoky interior.

Lunarblade moved to a cloth-covered object on a nearby table. With a flourish, he whipped away the covering, revealing the most beautiful sword I'd ever seen.

The blade gleamed with an inner light, its surface etched with swirling patterns that seemed to shift and change as I watched. The hilt was wrapped in supple leather, inlaid with what looked like mother-of-pearl. A large, iridescent gem adorned the pommel, pulsing gently with an otherworldly glow.

"Behold," Lunarblade said, his voice filled with pride, "the Moonblade."

I stepped forward, drawn to the weapon like a moth to flame. As my hand closed around the hilt, a surge of energy coursed through me. The sword felt perfectly balanced, as if it had been crafted specifically for my grip.

A notification popped up in my field of vision:

[New Weapon Acquired: Moonblade]

[Quality: Legendary]

[Effect: Increases sword skills by 50%. Damage and accuracy boosted during nighttime hours.]

[New Skills Unlocked:]

[Lunar Strike: A powerful overhead slash empowered by moonlight.]

[Crescent Sweep: A wide, circular attack that can hit multiple enemies.]

[Moonbeam Thrust: A lightning-fast stab infused with lunar energy.]

"Holy shit," I whispered, marveling at the weapon in my hands.

Lunarblade nodded approvingly. "Treat it well, and it will serve you faithfully."

I gave the sword an experimental swing, marveling at how effortlessly it cut through the air. "This thing rules. I've never seen anything like it."

"Nor are you likely to again," Lunarblade said. "Each blade I forge is unique, imbued with a piece of Arcadia's essence, but this one is special. I suspect it has chosen you as much as you have chosen it."

"What do you mean?"

The giant blacksmith shrugged his massive shoulders. "The ways of magic are often mysterious, even to those of us who work with it daily. But I've learned to trust my instincts. This blade was meant for you, Stanley. Use it wisely."

"I will. Thank you, Lunarblade. This is beyond anything I could have imagined."

"You brought me the materials I needed and proved yourself worthy of wielding such a weapon. The rest was simply a matter of skill and time."

As we prepared to leave, Lunarblade held up a hand. "One more thing. The Moonblade's power is tied to the night sky. While it will serve you well at any time, its true potential is unleashed under the stars. Remember that when you face your greatest challenges."

Effie flitted around the sword. "Incredible," she said, running a tiny hand along the flat of the blade. "I've never seen enchantments like these before."

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Gilly clapped me on the back, nearly sending me stumbling. "Well, boss, looks like you're a proper hero now! No one can deny your status with a blade like that at your side."

Plop oozed closer, his gelatinous body reflecting the sword's ethereal glow. "Plop like shiny sword! Plop want touch!"

I quickly raised the blade out of the slime's reach. "Maybe later. Let's not goop up my new weapon just yet."

I lowered the Moonblade, still marveling at its otherworldly beauty. As I did, Effie zipped past me. She hovered near Lunarblade's workbench, her oversized glasses magnifying her already large eyes.

"Hey, what is this?" she asked, gesturing to an ancient tome lying open on the bench.

Lunarblade turned, his massive frame blocking out the forge's glow. "Ah, you've got a keen eye, little one. That's my latest research project."

Leave it to Effie to poke her nose where it didn't belong.

"Remember that Moonbloom Crown I mentioned earlier?" Lunarblade asked, stroking his beard. "Well, I've discovered some fascinating references to it in this old text."

Effie's wings buzzed with excitement. "Oh? Do tell!"

Lunarblade leaned in, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "According to this tome, the crown possesses incredible powers tied to the very fabric of Arcadia itself. I've always been curious as to how such a rare item could only grant +10 HP. It didn't make sense."

Now that piqued my interest. I stepped closer, the Moonblade humming softly in my grip. "What do you mean?"

"After doing more research, I'm sure it has hidden abilities beyond that," Lunarblade continued, his eyes gleaming. "It's the only explanation as to why it's so sought after."

Effie flitted around the tome, her tiny fingers tracing the faded script. "Hidden abilities? Like what?"

"That's the mystery. But I believe that finding the crown could be crucial in understanding and protecting Arcadia from unknown threats."

"Unknown threats? Come on, this place is already crawling with monsters and magic. What else could there be?" I asked.

But as the words left my mouth, I caught sight of Effie's expression. The usually bubbly fairy looked worried. Her brow was furrowed, and she kept glancing between the tome and Lunarblade with an intensity I'd never seen before.

"Effie?" I asked, my skepticism fading. "What's wrong?"

She startled, as if remembering we were there. "Oh, nothing! Just... fascinated by the history, that's all."

But I knew better. In the short time I'd known her, I'd never seen Effie look genuinely concerned about anything. Her obvious unease about the artifact's power sent a chill down my spine.

Lunarblade seemed to sense the shift in mood. He closed the tome with a gentle thud. "Of course, this is all speculation. Ancient legends are often more myth than fact."

But the seed had been planted. I found myself gripping the Moonblade tighter, its comforting weight suddenly feeling like a responsibility rather than just a cool new toy.

"So," I said, trying to keep my voice casual, "hypothetically speaking, if someone wanted to find this crown, where would they start looking?"

Lunarblade's eyes twinkled. "Ah, now that's the real question, isn't it?"

"Actually, hold up. Are we seriously considering chasing after some legendary crown? I mean, we just barely survived a witch encounter. This sounds way above our pay grade. Or experience level."

Gilly's gills quivered with excitement. "Are you kidding? This is exactly the kind of adventure we need! Think of the glory, the riches, the... uh, whatever else comes with finding magical crowns!"

"Plop find shiny hat!" he said, morphing into a crude crown shape.

"This is serious, Plop. This thing could be dangerous."

"Everything in Arcadia is dangerous," Gilly countered. "But we're heroes now! We can handle it!"

I turned to Effie, hoping for some backup. "Come on, you can't think this is a good idea, right?"

The fairy hovered silently, her tiny face scrunched in concentration. "I... I'm not sure," she finally admitted. "On one hand, if the crown is as powerful as Lunarblade suggests, it could be invaluable in protecting Arcadia. On the other..."

"On the other hand, we could get ourselves killed," I finished for her.

Lunarblade's deep chuckle rumbled through the forge. "You show wisdom beyond your level, Stanley. It's true, seeking such an artifact is no small undertaking."

I ran a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of the situation. "Look, I'm still trying to figure out how to swing this sword without lopping off my own foot. How the hell are we qualified to go after some reality-bending crown?"

"Perhaps that's precisely why you're suited for it," Lunarblade mused. "You bring a fresh perspective, unburdened by the assumptions many in Arcadia hold."

"So we're qualified because we're clueless. That's reassuring."

Effie flitted closer, her wings humming softly. "Stanley, I understand your hesitation. But think about it – if we don't seek out the crown, someone else will. What if it falls into the wrong hands?"

"Okay, fair point, but are we really the right team for this? I mean, look at us."

"Plop hero!"

Gilly threw an arm around my shoulders, nearly knocking me off balance. "Come on, boss! We may be an odd bunch, but we've got heart! And isn't that what really matters in these epic quests?"

"I'm pretty sure skill and experience matter too, Gilly."

Effie landed on the Moonblade's pommel, her tiny face serious. "Stanley, I won't pretend this isn't dangerous. But sometimes, the most unlikely heroes are the ones who make the biggest difference. We may not be the most qualified, but we care about doing the right thing. That counts for something."

I looked around at my mismatched team – Gilly's eager grin, Plop's wobbling enthusiasm, Effie's determined stance. Then I glanced down at the Moonblade, its surface shimmering with untapped potential.

"You really think we can do this?" I asked, uncertainty clear in my voice.

Lunarblade's deep voice cut through my doubts. "The question isn't whether you can, Stanley. It's whether you will."

"Fuck it, let's do it," I said.

Lunarblade's massive hand slapped my back, nearly knocking me off my feet. "Ha! I knew you had it in you, lad!"

I wheezed, trying to catch my breath. "Thanks. I think you just rearranged my internal organs."

The giant blacksmith chuckled, moving to a cluttered workbench. He rummaged through scrolls and parchments, muttering to himself.

"Now where did I... ah, here we are!" He unfurled a weathered map, its edges cracked and yellowed with age. "This rough chart shows the crown's suspected location. It's in a remote, magically-charged area of the forest."

We crowded around, peering at the faded ink. The map showed familiar landmarks near Millhaven, but as my eyes traced the path, the terrain became increasingly unfamiliar and ominous-looking.

"Whoa," Gilly whispered, his gills quivering. "Is that skull-shaped mountain real?"

Lunarblade nodded gravely. "Aye, that's the Necromancer's Peak. You'll want to give that a wide berth."

"Noted," I said. "Any other terrifying landmarks we should know about?"

The blacksmith's finger traced a winding path through the forest. "You'll pass through the the Mistfall Valley. Nasty place. Not only does the fog makes it easy to lose your way, it's also home to monsters adapted to hunting in low visibility. Then there's the Swamp of Sorrows, home to all manner of venomous creatures."

"Sounds lovely. I don't know why we were ever considering not going here."

"What about this area here?" Effie asked, pointing to a blank spot on the parchment.

Lunarblade's expression darkened. "That, little one, is the Veil of Shadows. No one who's entered has ever returned to map it."

"That's not where the crown is, is it?"

"That's where the crown is." The giant smith rolled up the map, handing it to me with a solemn nod. "If it exists at all, that is."

I tucked the map into my pack, trying to ignore the knot forming in my stomach. "Right. Well, I guess we should get moving then."

As we gathered our gear, Lunarblade's voice stopped us. "One more thing, Stanley. The path to the crown... it will test you. In ways you can't imagine."

I turned, meeting his intense gaze. "What do you mean?"

He stroked his beard, choosing his words carefully. "The magic guarding such an artifact isn't just about monsters or traps. It will challenge your very nature – your fears, your desires, your deepest truths."

"Great," I sighed. "So not only might we die, but we'll probably have an existential crisis along the way."

"That's the spirit, lad! Remember, the Moonblade chose you for a reason. Trust in it, and in yourself."

We stepped out of the sweltering forge into the cool morning air. The sun had fully risen now, casting long shadows across Millhaven's cobblestone streets.

I looked at my ragtag team – Effie, her tiny face set with determination; Gilly, practically bouncing with excitement; and Plop, well, being Plop.

"Everyone ready?" I asked, slipping the Moonblade into it's sheath.

"Ready as we'll ever be, boss!" Gilly grinned.

"Plop ready for adventure!"

Effie nodded, her wings humming with nervous energy. "Let's do this."

We set out, leaving the safety of Millhaven behind. The weight of our quest settled over us like a heavy cloak. As we reached the edge of town, I cast one last glance back at the smoke rising from Lunarblade's forge.

What the hell had I gotten us into?