Where is this place?

There's nothing but darkness stretching until the horizon.

Is this a dream? It must be. My dreams have always begun with pure darkness for as long as I can remember. This is definitely a dream.

But whatever kind of dream is this, I will surely forget it when I wake.

Dream aside, there's nothing here.

No. There's something. Someone.

There's a person in the center of all these darkness. He's on his knees. Is he crying? Is he mourning? I can't differentiate.

As I got closer to the weeping person, I came to realize that person is Master.

His clothes are in tatters. Wounds cover his body. And most of all, his eyes.... they are gone. A scar right across his face had rid him of his sights.

A whiff of blood enters my nose. My face crumpled against the stench.

Hmm....? I can smell in a dream? How?

What the..... Just what is going on? Is this really a dream? It felt real.

My footsteps had been silent this whole time but it tapped when I got near to master. He twitches at that noise and turn to my way.

"Why....." Master asked with those bleeding hollow eyes.

I try to speak but no voice came out. What's happening?

"What have I ever done to you!?" Master screamed at me, flinging his arms at me. The blood flew from his stained arm and landed on my cheek.

Huh? I felt it. I can feel the cold trickle of blood on my cheek.

I.... I don't understand. Why did this felt so real? And why is master angry at me? I don't know.... Just what is happening? Am I truly dreaming?

As master stood up from where he knelt, the darkness around him parted, revealing the corpse it hid underneath.

I froze. Every essence of me, right down to a single drop of my blood, they all froze. And those weren't just any corpses. I knew their faces well.

There's Lady Senna.

Nilin.

Bartholomew.

Cormac.

Kirin.

Engrande.

There was a greatsword, broken into pieces. Made of metal but it bleeds like a flesh body does.

Fragments of what seems to be an iron Golem crumbled before master.

They all laid scattered around Master who was staring straight at me with his empty eye sockets.

"Why.... Why won't you leave me alone?" Master asked.

I.....

"Answer me..... Answer me. Answer me!! AEDROX!!"

The darkness under my feet turned into clear water. In the clear surface of the water, my appearance is reflected back to me.

My appearance....?

Is that even me?

It looks like me but.... dark purplish veins crawled all over my body. My eyes are glowing an intense purple. An obscure and transparent aura dances slowly but ominously around me.

My body then moved on its own without my consent. Even my voice came out without my will.

"Your fate could have been less painful, Harbinger. You forced my hands."

I told Master, in a distorted voice, a voice that wasn't just mine but there were other's. It was like ten or more people spoke in unison.

In response to my cruel words, master rushes at me with a cry. His skin sheds itself and revealing a black skinned monster underneath. A complete monster without the slightest resemblance of physical trait to a human. Similar to my current appearance, this monster before me was also covered in dark purplish veins.

Before our attacks clash, a soothing and soft voice echoed in the darkness. Our body ceased moving.

"Tom?"

This voice..... I know this voice....

"Tom?"

The voice kept echoing in the darkness from no where.

The echoes didn't stop. It only keeps getting louder until.... I felt something struck me across my cheeks. A stinging sensation came after. It also felt slightly hot.

The darkness and everything vanished into nothing. The emptiness parted before me to reveal the face of a teary-eyed girl with cyan hair tied into pigtails.

It's Nilin with her hand splayed just by my face. Did she slapped me? I assume yes. It would be weirder if she didn't.

But I couldn't care less about it as everything I'm seeing are swaying. My world is too unsteady at the moment to be worrying about other things.

"Tom, are you okay?" she asked. I can see she's trying to remain a straight face. She probably doesn't want me to figure that she slapped me. She's bad at lying though. If you moved your eyes like that, people will know you're lying, you know?

But I couldn't answer her, however. I couldn't find the words. I couldn't find my voice. The only response I could give is a simple nod. My brain hurts and it feels like it's convulsing.

Was it because of the dream I had?

Hmm? What was I dreaming about?

Huh, I don't remember.

I can't remember. It must be a very disorienting dream for me to wake up panting and covered in sweat but I can't remember anything.

It's frustrating but it can't be helped, you know. Dreams aren't meant to be remembered after all. Kai told me that if one could remember every dream one makes, it would be easy to confuse reality with dreams.

All I could remember was that I was having some sort of nightmare but the details are all a blur.

When I found my voice and bearings, I assured Nilin that I'm fine with her favorite head rub. I know she likes it but she doesn't show it. She is really shy, you know.

"Idiot." She said and buries herself in my chest. I continue brushing her hair as she breath into my skin. My clothes aren't thick enough to abstain her hot breath from reaching my skin. Not complaining though since it feels good, you know.

[See, you worried for nothing.] Master said. It wasn't directed to me but Kai. I was resting under a tree with Nilin after my training. From behind the old tree, master emerges while saying something without a setting.

Nilin went "Mou~." when she saw master. I can understand why. She wants to spend some alone time with me. She's fuming into my chest which kinda tickles but I don't dislike it.

[Is something wrong?] I asked back through telepathy.

[Nothing really. Kai detected some anomaly in your brain activity so he asked me to come and check up on you. I was in the middle of my training with Engrande.]

At this point, I can almost understand every weird words that came out of master's mouth.

[Were you having a nightmare, Thomas?]

Kai can even tell I was having a nightmare, huh. [I was but I can't remember.]

[Hmm....]

Oh? Is rare to hear Kai making a pondering sound. His replies and answers always came immediately. [Why? What's wrong?]

Master answered in Kai's stead. [Well.... we gained a new ability when I was fighting Engrande and at that moment is when your brain activity started going haywire. Or at least that's what Kai said.]

[A coincidence?]

[It would be good if it is because the new ability we acquired is [Clairvoyant].]

[Clairvoyant? As in the power to see the future?] I blurted out my faint excitement.

[Not necessary the case but something along that line. The nightmare you have might a premonition.]

When I heard the word "premonition", my skin crawled from some reasons.

[Can you remember your nightmare?]

[No, I can't.]

[Well, if he can't remember about it, maybe it's nothing important after all.]

[You are awfully optimistic for someone with your circumstances, Hyx.]

I agree with Kai. Master is too carefree. Not a day went by did he not smile. In fact, he's smiling too much now. Lady Senna finds it pleasant but Engrande and I are a little creep out.

Master sighed. [I believe it's called sanguine. It beats sulking which dampens the mood. At least if I drown, I'm not taking you all with me.]

Ah.... master.... don't let Lady Senna hear you say that.

[I understand what you're trying to do, Hyx, but please, do it moderately. You are sort of coming across as a psychopath at the moment.]

[Duly noted.] Master gave a dry retort.

A moan out of where broke the stale mood.

It was Nilin. She's fast asleep.

[You two are getting along quite well, isn't it?]

I kiss Nilin on top of her head. "Very much."

"So, when are you going to confess?"

According to master, this would what be known as throwing a straight ball.

To that question, I can only laugh and smile.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

----------------------------------------

It's a full suit armor of intricate design. The gleaming pale silver of the metallic surface resonates well with the calm and clear surface of the lake. It's around three meters in length if I'm not wrong. It looks heavy but it is able to float.

"Ara ara~ That's one exquisite armor." said a soft voice filled with passion.

"Aye, it is. Thanks for letting us use this place, Luamiraya." Engrande said.

"Of course. Anything for the Shepherd and his friends." The Ancient Dryad, Luamiraya responded with a slight bow and a gentle smile. She is the current master of this Miracle Forest and like Kirin, one of the world's remaining pure line of Spirit of Nature. According to master, she is over a million years old and apparently, this forest is where Master found Kirin.

There are a lot of hostiles in this forest but Lady Senna and master culled them all in a short amount of time.

We are now at the lake where Kirin was imprisoned. There was suppose to be a small grove in the center but it had disappeared sometime after Kirin was released. Master didn't press for any reason so neither did the others.

A magic circle is slowly expanding with the armor as the epicenter. Engrande, Lady Senna, and master stood surrounding the armor, only Engrade who was tall in height only has his feet submerged in the water.

Doing this whole thing in a lake wasn't for aesthetic purpose, as how master puts it, it was actually a safety measure. Engrande told us that the water is there to reduced the danger should it happen. We were also told that we might experience it first hand soon enough.

Master prayed that we don't.

As for me, I'm standing at the shore with the remaining others. Kirin and Nilin looks bored while Bartholomew and Cormac have the exact opposite reaction. If it weren't master's orders prior, they would have plunge themselves into the circle. They are getting excited for the weirdest things. Well, looking from a different view, this is kind of exciting.

I mean, we are witnessing the creation of a Living Doll, Golem after all.

Citra is neither with Bartholomew or Cormac but instead she's with Luya. She seems to have instantly taken a liking to the Ancient Dryad. She is happily nibbling on a small piece of apple given to her by Luya. Like Kirin, Luya also has the same power to summon plants at will.

For quite a while now, Citra has been making quite sounds while enjoying the pampering she's receiving from Luya. We're not here on a picnic, you know? And you two, Bartholomew and Cormac, stop looking so jealous.

And Nilin, you don't have to come if you're not interested, you know.

Just so we're clear, we are not forging a Mondra yet.

Before moving on to create a Mondra, Engrande suggested to master that it's better to start off small. So from creating a simple sword to now a Golem. Except a Golem isn't something as easy as a sword. A Golem is a living suit of armor that serves its master. Although artificial, as how master puts it, it is in a way, a living thing since it has a soul. It is how a Golem gets its alternative name, Living Doll.

The armor took some time to finish but it is now completed. All that's left now is the magic inscription and a soul which the former will be provided by Lady Senna and the latter would be by master.

"Well I did nothing." Even from here, I heard master grumbled while crossing his arms.

"Cheer up, boy. It's thanks to you that we have such a work of art before us."

"Indeed." Lady Senna affirmed Engrande's praise.

"All I did was the design. You were the one who forged all that metal."

"True but anyone could forge any metal. However, not anyone could come up with something like this."

Master laughed wryly as he looked away with his cheeks dyed red.

I agree. The motionless Golem floating on the water does have a very elaborate design. It is unlike anything I have ever seen. Somehow, it has a feeling of being ahead of its time. Is master's original world the future?

"So, what metal did you use?" asked Master.

"Ohoho, I'm glad you ask, Shepherd." Engrande let out a strange laugh while rubbing his hands.

[Shepherd or boy, make up your damn mind, old man.] Master complained through telepathy.

"Per you instructions and ideas, this Golem has three layers of skin. These layers have their own unique functions. The outer layer is Moonstone but coated with Pale Silver. This two metal are natural conductor to magic. So, the outer layer would absorb most of the magic attacks and preventing it from hitting the circuits inside. While its main function is to resist magic but it has a toughness to withstand some weight of physical attacks."

"Excellent." Master praised. I could be wrong but master's eyes seem like they are sparkling.

Lady Senna wasn't following or rather, she's unable to.

"As for the middle layer," Engrande continues. "A tri-weaved fiber dipped in a special latex. It has high tensile strength but it hardens in response to physical impacts. It can block most physical attacks. Most, not all, remember that. In addition, I have coated it with Onyx on top of the latex layer."

"You coated it with Onyx?" Master blurted out. "Why?"

"Well, Onyx Steel aren't exactly known for being shock absorbent but it does have some. Along with its own special properties, it could negate most impacts whether it's from a physical or magical attack. Not exactly your idea but I adapted all of the other ideas you proposed that were discarded."

"I'm honored?"

[This is very enlightening and interesting. You put a lot of thought into this didn't you, master?] Kai remarked.

Master ignored Kai.

"Lastly, the inner layer is where it gets interesting. I like your idea of having a last solid line of defense but I think Azunmite just won't cut it. It's too rigid and too heavy. The Golem will loose its speed and agility this way. So I stayed up all night and managed to create a new type of metal. It's not as not as strong as Azunmite but it is way stronger than a lot of metal and it's certainly many times lighter than Azunmite."

"A new type of metal.... Does it have a name?"

"Nope. I'm not big on names." Engrande said so with a laugh. He laughs a lot.

"So, what's next? Would I be of any assistance in the next step?"

"Settle down, boy. I know you're eager to contribute but you done a lot just by thinking up the designs."

"I might have contribute to the design and architect but you made the materials, all of them."

"Anyone with a little bit of time and determination can forge some good steel but not anyone can turn those steel into something amazing, you know. You're due some credits."

[A wolf in the sheets but a sheep on the streets.]

I understand what the phrase means but how is that in any way relevant?

[Shut up, Kai.]

Despite there being a good distance between us and them, I can hear all of their conversation, not just the ones in my mind, thanks to my keen hearing.

[I didn't know making a Golem was so difficult.] I said.

[It's not.] Master replied my curiosity in brief. [That is if we are looking to create a mindless husk. What we want is something that can think for itself instead of blindly following orders. It maybe hard to create a living sentient armor but it is doable in the long run. Plus, a Mondra isn't just a weapon. It is a person too in a sense. If we can't create a Golem with a free will of its own, we sure as hell can't make a Mondra.]

Master's explanation is long. That is very unlike master. Kai was usually the one who give such long winded explanation but lately, master has been able to do what Kai could. I see master truly has been working hard.

"So, what's next?" Again, dryly, master asked. Where did the dignified master went?

"Senna, if you would kindly?"

Lady Senna nodded and that was when the circle finished its expansion. With a chant of language I am not acquainted with, the whole lake then lights up brighter than the sky, words and languages of magic write themselves around the circle. After the full inscription have being written, the words converged onto the suit of of armor, searing themselves unto its palish gleaming surface.

Following a surge of Mana, the armor moved. A subtle displacement.

"Did it just moved?" Master asked what was on my mind. Actually, I think that's what is on everyone's mind.

"It did but it's only twitching from the sudden surge of energy."

"Okay, if you say so." Master shrugged. "I'm guessing I'm next?"

Engrande nodded.

My mind begin to stir after the Colossus nodded. It caught me off guard and I winced in my mind.

[Thomas?] Kai called out to me.

[It's nothing. It's just.... my mind is stirring for some reasons.]

[Ah, sorry.] master apologized.

I didn't ask what master has done but the answer is probably something I couldn't comprehend. Master and Kai really do have a world of their own.

Master begin his chant in a low whisper. It was low enough to not be heard by either Engrande nor Lady Senna but my mind is linked with master's. I heard every word of his chant clearly. It is a spell specially synthesize by Kai for this occasion. It is a compound spell of various forbidden spells. Master and Kai were being very vague with the amalgamated spells but master was willing to let me know that it was thanks to some of his resurfaced memories.

Apparently, master was very much into magic and not just alchemy, prior to his "aminisa", I think that's what it's called?

This is a magic of unknown origins, it is what I was further told. A very corrupted base it was founded on. The spell to fuse, bind, assimilate, or merge two or more entities together. The more complex the structure of an entity is, the lower the rate of success. A spell that is considered by Engrande, Lady Senna, and Kirin to have the potential to reach a tier higher than forbidden, and that is Divine.

[Mana Overseer (Unique): Synthesize]

This newly compounded spell is given a name that underwhelmed its capability and potential. By the way, who came up with this name?

[Our lovely and venerable master of course.]

[Kai.]

[Yes, milord?]

[Your silence and absence has been difficult for me in these recent days but it gave me the opportunity to be a little bit more independent from you with various issues. I have learned a lot. I have learned to do what I can't without assistance before. So, hold your tongue or get synthesize with the crap you spout, got it?]

[O-Of course.... Hyx.]

[Good. Now keep quiet and let me concentrate.]

That was new. For a moment there, master seemed to have switch personalities with Kai.

Despite having a fight in his mind, master didn't neglect the chant in present time. As expected of master to be able to split his thoughts.

{....the long awaited dawn, a world where home will be, a blind miracle. The devils we will be to turn such unfounded hope into reality. Entwined the fate of two into a singular destiny, Synthesis.}

It was a Helix chant and probably the first time master has ever chanted for a spell.

Both of his hand splayed. Red lightning burns rigorously on his left and an ethereal blob of energy coiled around his right. His hands spread, he drove both of his hands unto the chest piece of the armor suit.

[Wait... Is master....] I know what master is doing.

[Yes. It's just the same as that time.]

[B-but... But why?]

[A life is a miracle. Creating life is creating a miracle but all miracles doesn't come without a cost. Getting out of this place is a miracle, wouldn't you agree?]

[I.... it is. Getting out of this place sure seems like a miracle. A dream.]

[Which is why, for such miracle, he will gladly pay the cost.]

The red lightning wasn't just shocking the armor. It was devouring the armor like a snake would to its prey. The soul in his right hand, which was one of the long-dead researcher's soul, melded into the armor like sand seeping through cracks.

Just as Kai said, it's just like the time when Master resurrected me. Now, he's doing the same. This time, a soul was offered and a legacy Arcane Art was sacrificed.

"Is that everything?" Lady Senna asked, dubiously.

The armor twitched.

"I presume so. I could be wrong but it just twitched didn't it?"

The armor twitched again.

"Yeap." Master said.

"Then, that's everything. Now, time to see the results."

Its fingers, its toes, its head, little by little, it twitched. The small twitches slowly went into violent trembles. Even from here, I can clearly feel a highly potent force amassing.

Ouch.

Nilin dug her fingers into me. I couldn't blame her. The energy was too much. To those without a tremendous amount of Mana pool, it would be suffocating. Despite being over a thousand of years old, Kirin has unexpectedly low Mana pool.

Bartholomew and Cormac would have been in the same situation but Citra's barrier have negated all that effect. She's really amazing, isn't she?

[Snap. That may have been too much.]

"Ara~? Isn't that too much Mana? The poor armor doesn't seem like it can contain it." said Luya, sharing the same observation with Kai.

I can see the leaking energy is turning into sprouts. The armor, as it shudders without restrain, began scorching its vicinity from the overloaded energy. Even the water began to boil from it.

"Engrande, Angie, get out of here." Master's shout snapped me out of my daze at the sudden turns of event. Master is desperately trying to contain the volatile energy. His skin is coming off scrap by scrap after it was charred.

The armor isn't just trembling from the amassed energy, it is overloading from it. The heat emitted from the energy vented was only getting more and more intense.

"What about you?" Lady Senna asked, her calm face has crumbled from the sudden shift of happenstances.

"I'll be fine." Master said and injected himself with a vial of purple liquid. I remember that potion. It was made for master himself exclusively, to boost his self-healing powers. His skin healed back as soon as it was scorched. Not the perfect solution but it was the best one master have.

With reluctance, Lady Senna nodded and teleported away with Engrande from the bursting armor.

I then feed Citra a potion that boost one's spell effect. After ingesting the transparent liquid, Citra's barrier extended until it covers all of us.

[Hyx alone won't be enough to stabilize the energy. Thomas, I'm sorry to ask this of you but....]

[I can do it.] I gave him my assent before the request was even spoken. After being with them for so long, I can already guess his next words. It goes without saying that it will be a definite yes. [What do you need me to do?]

[.... Put up all your defense abilities and come here. You will help in the stabilizing.]

[Wouldn't Lady Senna be a more appropriate choice for this?]

That was a moment of silent between Kai and master. I recognize this silent.

[I don't want to speak ill of the person who can literally level this whole place but Senna's the cause of this. She had made an error in how much Mana was needed.]

[Shouldn't we tell her that.]

[She knows. Engrade does too but now's the time to push the blame. Her mastery of Mana control only extends as far as to herself. She's not suitable for this. Engrande could but the accumulating damage would turn him into dust when it's all over. Kirin is an option but do you want her to do it?]

What kind of question is that? Of course not.

[Therefore, you are the perfect guy for this job.]

[Then....] Struggling, master spoke. [Get your arse over here.]

If this was a few days ago, master wouldn't have even think of involving me with something so dangerous but that was few days ago. Things have changed.

We have changed.

As I stepped out of the barrier and set foot into the water, I am stopped by Lady Senna.

"Where are you going? Why are you going there?" She asked in a fluster.

"Because master requested me to."

"A...." She wanted to retort but a realization must have halted her words. Instead, she nodded at me and stood back.

It wasn't because she believed that I was able to do it, rather, she believed in master. Which was why nobody else objected. We have come to trust each other. To the ones standing behind in the barrier, I replied to their good faith with a nod.

I can do this. It is why master asked me to.

I invoke [Exalted Skin] and activated [Wrath of Oni]. I'm only halfway to the armor pulsating with volatile energy and I can already feel the scorch. It hurts but it is nothing. With [Wrath of Oni] activated, pain is only a state of mind. My skin is shedding from the blazing heat produce by the bursting energy but it reveals not some mere flesh but raging shadow flames.

When I have reached the armor where master was breathing harshly from the stabilizing, my whole body is wearing these peculiar flames like a suit. Simply put, the whole skin of my body had been burned off by the energy heat.

I can see the whole lake bubbling from it. Now I know what Engrande meant.

Now, time to do this.

To quote my venerable master --

-- All in a hard day's work.