Chapter 2 - Blacksmith

“Who said that? Was it my imagination? It probably was so I’ll just ignore it for now. I guess for now I should just find out more about my new family. One problem, I seem to be getting tired. I can’t hold out much longer….” He thought to himself. He lied down as he slowly passed out.

He woke up early the next day. The day had yet to rise but he was ready to get up. He noticed that he had awoken in bed next to the woman he had seen and some guy who he then assumed was his father. He tried to get out of the bed but was stopped dead in his tracks as he felt an arm wrap around him.

“Where are you going you little rascal?” Blake turned his head and saw the sleeping man next to him had woken up. The man pulled Blake closer to a hug. “It’s still early in the day for you to get up. I’m about to get up to work; if you insist on not sleeping I can show you something cool.” The man had piqued his interest so he just nodded yes. “Ok son, let’s go. Just remember, don’t tell your mother about this.”

His new father grabbed him in his arms and started to walk through the rooms until he reached this beaten down door. His father opened the door and walked in. Swords, axes, shields, and other tools hung from the walls. “Listen Blake, your mother didn’t want me to show this to you until you were at least seven years old but I just can’t hold myself back so I guess six years will have to do. I am a blacksmith, pretty darn good one if I say so myself.”

He slowly let Blake to the ground and started to work. He lit the fire in the fireplace and grabbed a piece of steel with tongs and put it over the fire. After he took the steel out of the fire he started to swing at it with a big hammer. He kept going on for over an hour, but no matter how much the piece of steel was hit, it wouldn’t change its shape at all.

Blake was so confused when the steel wouldn’t change but that’s when he noticed it. There was what appeared as a blue pop up near the steel. There appeared to be writings on it so he started walking closer until he could read what it said.

                  Completion 90%

“What is this?” he thought. With every couple hits the number kept going up. Blake’s father kept hammering until it reached 100%. As soon as it hit that 100% his father stopped hammering.

“E novo mutare ipsum.” As soon as his father said that the steel started to change form. Before his very eyes the piece of metal had changed into a fine sword. His father held it up and kept looking over it until a smile appeared on his face.

“Look at that son. It took a while but I just finished making the sword. It’s a fine quality sword which I can now sell for money.” He put the sword down and tried to pick Blake up, but he refused.

“I want to learn how you did that dad.” His father’s face lit up with joy.

“That’s my son. I’m so glad that you want to learn more. I wonder if it’s too early though. Okay how about this. I tell you what I did and then you go back to sleep before your mother wakes up.”

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He then went on to explain that what he used to make that sword was a special skill. All blacksmiths start out welding just like normal, every hit changes the shape a little. However with every hit, with every tool that you make, you get experience. With more experience you can use more and better skills which you can use to make a weapon. His father expected Blake to forget everything he said so he didn’t go into too much detail. After he was done explaining he started heading for the door with Blake by the hand. “Remember Blake, don’t tell your mother.”

A figure appeared at the doorway. “He doesn’t have to. I already know.” Both Blake and his father just stared at the doorway without moving. His mother was standing there, tapping her leg, and with a scowl on her face. “Come Blake, let’s get you some food, but your father doesn’t get any.” Blake ran to her and she grabbed him by the hand and started heading to another room. His father started to follow after them.

“Aw come on honey. I couldn’t help myself. I just wanted to get him started. I love your cooking. Don’t make me eat mine. I might just die of poisoning.” She didn’t respond but she gave in and cooked for him.

As Blake was eating the food his mother had cooked for him. A realization hit him. His name was still Blake. It hadn’t changed even though he had been transported to another world. “Did God have something to do with it?” he wondered. “It was Aaron before.” Blake surprised looked all around him to see who could have said that but he saw nothing.

“What’s wrong Blake? You look shaken up.” His mother asked. She had a worried expression on her face. “Nothing.” Blake replied with a smile. It seemed to be enough to convince his mother.

“Well I’m going to forge some other stuff. If you need me. You’ll know where to find me.” Blake’s dad said. He quickly left the room. Blake was about ready to go too but his mother stopped him.

“Where do you think you’re going?” She asked him.

Blake pointed to the doorway. “Dad.” She walked over to Blake and picked him up.

“I know you want to go with your father but you can’t. I need to do some shopping. Come with me and I might buy you a treat.” Blake gave up easily as he was also curious about everything else. “I do want to learn more about blacksmithing though.” Blake thought to himself.

“You don’t have time to play with blacksmithing.” Blake looked all around again but there was nothing. “Did God send me a guardian angel? No I don’t think so, but I can’t explain where that voice is coming from other wise.” He thought. He worried but decided to deal with it when it comes. He was more excited to see how this world differed from his previous one. He followed his mother outside of the house.

He immediately noticed that there were two suns instead of one, but the temperature wasn’t any different. His mother went all around the town buying a variety of things: cloth, fruit, vegetables, meats, and jewelry. Blake never did get his treat but he was happy just observing the place. While observing his mother buy things he learned that the currency of the world consisted of just coins. “This really is like an isekai story huh. Mother used bronze and silver coins and I assume that there must be gold ones too.” He thought to himself. While they were going all around the town Blake decided to take a good look at the surroundings. The town wasn’t too small but it wasn’t very big either. You could see plains on every side. Not much could be seen in the distance besides heard of animals and in one particular direction a big city could be seen.

“Mom what’s that.” He asked as he pointed in the direction of the town.

“That’s the capital of our kingdom. A lot of people live there. It’s the biggest city you’re going to see here. I’ll tell you more when you’re older. Anyway it looks like I’m done shopping so let’s head home.”

As soon as he returned home he was drawn to the blacksmithing but he could do nothing in the presence of his mother. He conceded and decided it would just be best to wait until he turned seven.

Strange things kept happening. He continued to hear a voice say random things but it didn’t end there. As the days kept passing he started to have strange dreams, which turned into nightmares.