The shadows lengthened as I walked the circular path that led toward the town keep. It had risen so fast that the outer walls already stood three stories high, steelhusk planks fitted together in overlapping patterns like dragon scales. What would have taken decades in stone had shot up in mere months, thanks to the foreign trees available riftside. The steelhusk wood was more durable than stone, but surprisingly easy to work with once builders had figured out how. Another interesting revelation was that despite being cut off from their roots, steelhusks continued regenerating for a very long time, though the trunks stopped growing past the point they were cut down at.

Workers descended from the structure, the hammering and hauling finished for the evening. The distinctive grey-purple bark of the steelhusk wood caught the light in metallic gleams. Once complete, the keep would shelter Dawnwatch’s civilians in case of a monster breach. The thought made my chest swell with pride – we were building something that would protect every man, woman, and child no matter how wealthy they were.

Enar lounged by the entrance, helmet tipped back as he enjoyed the last warmth of the day. He brightened when he spotted me.

“If it isn't the hero of Sentinel Station, huh?” the man waved lazily. “Heard you did damn good during that monster attack. The Commander even mentioned your name, and you're not even class-awakened yet.”

I grinned and raised a hand in greeting.

“Just did what needed doing.”

“Hold there!” The second guard stepped forward, hand raised. “Construction zone's off limits to—”

“Pipe down, Brian,” Enar said, rolling his eyes. “That's Ash. Thomas' kid. One of our top scavengers.”

Brian frowned.

“Still dangerous in there. One wrong step on the scaffolding and it will be our—”

“If he can't handle a construction site, he's got no business going riftside,” Enar snorted. “Let alone running dungeons, and yet he was there, and we are here. Making sure people don't walk the scaffolds.”

Brian's eyes widened in equal measure of shock and embarrassment.

“Wait, you run dungeons?” he asked.

“Went with Commander Edwin's group today,” I said, unable to help but bleed a bit of pride into my voice.

“Edwin himself?” Brian gasped, looking at Enar for confirmation.

“Even got a personal invite to his party for when I make adventurer,” I said and winked in passing.

He didn't move a finger to stop me.

Enar's approving smile and Brian's shocked response followed me as I grabbed the first rung of the scaffolding. The wooden framework crisscrossed the keep's face like a giant's game of pick-up sticks. I started climbing, testing each board before putting my full weight on it, reveling in the sensation of ascending. It was like fighting monsters in a way, a physical challenge, and I loved going up there.

The keep's walls rose around me as I climbed. Up close, the steelhusk planks and beams were even more impressive. Each one slightly curved, following the natural shape of the tree's bark. The metallic wood had been sanded smooth to deter monsters climbing but retained its distinctive rippled texture. The planks and beams locked together perfectly, creating a surface as tough as steel plate but far lighter. Arrow slits and murder holes had been carved at regular intervals, their edges reinforced with additional steelhusk strips.

My mind wandered to the soul gem as I climbed higher. Twenty-five thousand gold... it was enough to set up any business I wanted. Maybe even—my thoughts scattered as I reached the top level and spotted a familiar figure silhouetted against the sunset.

Eryn sat on the edge of the scaffolding, legs dangling free in the evening breeze. The dying light caught in the twin braids spilling over her shoulders. Her fair skin glowed in the sunset, making the small black corset she wore stand out in stark contrast. The white blouse beneath billowed slightly in the wind. She looked... right, somehow, as if she belonged up here above the world, watching over the people below.

And in a way she did.

Her green eyes lit up when she saw me, crinkling at the corners with genuine warmth, and my heart did that stupid little skip it always did around her.

“Ash!” She patted the space beside her, the movement making her braids dance. “Come join me in my crow's nest.”

I settled next to her, close enough that our shoulders brushed. Even through the fabric of her blouse, the touch sent tingles down my arm and I could feel just how warm she was.

“How are you holding up?”

“Oh, I'm fine.” She waved a hand dismissively, the gesture at odds with the shadows I could see lurking in her eyes.

I waited. After a moment, she sighed.

“It was too quiet in my room,” she admitted. “Every time I closed my eyes, I could hear the skittering of claws on wood. And Finn's scream—” She shuddered, her fingers unconsciously gripping the edge of the scaffolding. “If Alex hadn't been there to heal his hand, I don't think he would have—”

“Then he'd still be alive and fine because of you,” I cut in. “Not just your first-aid, but those arrows of yours helped him, too. You killed more than your share of those bags of crap.”

A soft chuckle escaped her lips and she smiled.

“They really did smell awful, didn't they?”

“Gods, yes. Imagine sneaking one under Logan's floorboards.”

We both burst out laughing at the thought of the mayor's reaction.

“How long do you think it'd take him to figure it out?” Eryn wiped tears from her eyes.

“Knowing Logan? A few hours. One to blame last night's dinner, another to decide it's worth dealing with over running the village, and another to tear down his entire office.”

Eryn laughed so hard she nearly fell off. I grabbed and pulled her back to safety. Eryn shivered.

“Damn that was close…but those teeth, though.” She hugged herself. “The Blightpedes, and then that spider-thing. I've never seen anything like them.”

“They were nasty,” I agreed. “But think what we can make out of them all. I’m sure they’ll serve the town well.”

Stolen story; please report.

She turned to look at me, a soft smile playing across her lips.

“That's what I like about you, you know? How you can find the bright side of everything. Even a crap-filled bag with razor-sharp teeth has its upside in your world.”

My heart stuttered, and I smiled at her.

“Ah, so you do like me after all, huh?”

She shrugged and looked away quickly, still dangling her legs.

“Like, you know what I mean.”

I smiled out across the village, watching the sunset paint Dawnwatch in gold. I did indeed know what she meant.

“Beautiful, isn't it?” I said.

She leaned closer and rested her head on my shoulder. The scent of her hair – soap and sunshine – filled my nose. Slowly, I shifted my hand until it brushed against hers, and after she didn’t move away, I placed my fingers over hers. For a long moment, nothing happened. Then she turned her palm up, and our fingers intertwined.

We sat in silence as the sun sank toward the horizon. The soul gem's weight pressed against my thoughts. If I sold it, I could buy land right here and build a magnificent house. Set up a business – maybe a shop and a clinic? I could court and ask Eryn for her hand, provide guaranteed comfort and safety.

But if I forged it into a soul weapon instead, well, it would be the harder and more dangerous path where I’d face more challenges than I knew what to do with. It would also allow me to become strong. Really strong. What would a house do me good if the monsters did break through the rift? I'd never even want to imagine being unable to protect those close to me.

Who do I want to become? Someone enjoying a stroke of luck, but who was afraid of the future, or someone who could grab the future by the hand and pound it hot, forging it into his vision?

I glanced at Eryn, remembering her kissing my cheek. She hadn't done it because I was rich or had a full spatial storage. She'd done it because I'd chosen to fight for her and the others – and because I'd been strong enough to succeed.

That was all the answer I needed.

I smiled as the last sliver of sun disappeared below the horizon, my mind finally clear about how to proceed. Maybe, with a little bit of luck, I could get her in on the secret, and just maybe, the two of us could adventure together.

* * *

The sky was already dark as I headed home. Eryn's touch still lingered on my hand, and I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off my face. Despite neither wanting to admit it, there were some genuine feelings we could both draw on, but we both had reasons not to push it any further than what we already had.

I'd nearly asked her out before we climbed down, but I figured I owed it to myself and her to first figure out my own life. Once that was done, I would have no excuses. Pioneers didn't wait.

Voices carried through the night air as I rounded the corner to Steel & Scale. The raucous sound of laughter made me pause mid-step.

Is that... Harold?

I peered up at the smithy's roof. Two figures sat there, silhouetted against the stars. One was clearly Pa, his broad shoulders unmistakable.

“There he is!” the adventurer guild’s guildmaster boomed as he waved at me. “The young hero of Sentinel Station!”

Pa caught my eye and gave a slight nod. The message was clear – get up there.

I slipped into and through the smithy, the shop door locked, careful not to disturb anything in the darkness. The workshop felt different at night as the forge's dying embers cast a faint red glow across the floor.

The house proper was quiet as I climbed the stairs. Ma must have gone to bed already. I eased the window wider open and climbed out onto the flat roof.

Harold stood as I approached, wobbling dangerously, his arm windmilling. Pa's hand shot out and steadied him.

“What's going on?” I asked.

“You've done well, son.” Harold's words slurred slightly. “That's what this is about, and I've brought you a mind gem. Edwin's informed me all about the attack on the station. Never seen nothing like it, he said from a non-classed, well, scavenger. But!” He brightened suddenly. “That's why we built the base strong, eh? Strong walls, strong people!”

“A mind gem?” I looked to Pa who just smiled at me.

“Right you are!” Harold straightened, puffing out his chest. His hand twisted, a finger just managing to touch the spatial tattoo on his wrist, and suddenly he held a gorgeous pearly orb. “For services rendered in defense of Noros, above and beyond the normal call of duty.”

He presented it with exaggerated formality, and I gently accepted.

“Thank you, but—” I hesitated. “What about the others who fought? Not that I'm ungrateful, mind you.”

Harold chuckled and shared a look with Pa.

“He really is a good one, ain't he?”

“That he is.” Pa's voice was warm with pride, and I couldn't help but feel a bit uncomfortable.

“Don't you worry about the others.” Harold settled back down, accepting his drink from Pa. “This is the tenth mind gem I've handed out today. Got another five to go. Never seen monsters drop so many! No point hoarding them when we can level up our people and make sure that our defenses are stronger the next time they come charging. More scavengers means more adventurers.” His voice grew wistful. “So much to see and do on the other side that—”

He touched the cup to the empty sleeve where his other arm should have been.

Pa clapped him on the back.

“Give yourself grace, old friend.”

“Grace won't help us.” Harold's voice turned grim. “We need more adventurers, and fast. The court won't acknowledge it, but the monsters... they're spawning faster. Not just here – everywhere. We're holding them back for now, but unless something changes, or we find out why, well, I'm not quite sure things will keep going in our favor.” He took a long pull from his drink. “We either get stronger faster, or we’ll start losing. Mark my words.”

“Maybe there's other ways of growing stronger,” Pa said carefully.

Harold's head snapped up.

“Oh?”

“Reminds me of something I saw once,” Pa said, his voice casual. “It was a soul gem if you can believe it.”

I went still as a statue. Harold leaned forward, nearly falling off the roof in his eagerness.

“You've actually seen one? Tell me more!”

Pa waved a hand.

“Hardly a story, really.”

“No, no – I insist!”

“Well—” Pa settled back. “Was butchering a monster for a high-level adventurer. Small two-headed drake, scales like the first winter snow. There, in its chest, was a soul gem beautiful and clear as day. Couldn't be anything else, though I'd never seen one before. I congratulated him and immediately handed it over, but—” Pa's voice darkened. “I saw murder in his eyes. Mid-level adventurer, you understand. Weighing his options – kill me and be wanted for murder, or risk being known to have a soul gem.”

Harold seemed to be completely enthralled.

“What happened?”

“Swore right then I'd never repeat his name and would take it to my grave. Thought for sure he'd kill me, but—” Pa shrugged. “He put ten gold on the table, swiped back the carcass, and left. I went inside, had a stiff drink, kissed my wife, grabbed a dagger, and didn't sleep for two days.”

“Gods above.” Harold shook his head. “Would've loved to have seen one myself.”

“Always regretted not asking to forge it for him,” Pa mused. “Would've done it for free, just for the honor.”

Harold nodded sagely.

“Would've been something, alright,” the guildmaster said.

“Wonder how they make soul weapons, anyway?” Pa's voice was carefully neutral.

“That's kept close,” Harold whispered. “All I know is the soul stone chooses the type of weapon. Don't just work with anything, they say.”

I caught Pa's eye, understanding flooding through me.

Clever old man.

I kept my mouth shut as I wasn't one of Dawnwatch's elite, not yet anyway, and I didn't want Harold to clam up.

“Chooses the weapon?” Pa pressed. “How's that even work? It's not like the gem's sentient and can choose what it wants to bind with, right?”

“No idea, to be honest.” Harold shrugged. “Shouldn't even know that much, truth be told.”

“Never heard anything else?”

“Only that during the forging process, it will bond with the one holding it. Whatever that means.”

“Fascinating,” Pa said, nodding slowly.

“It is, indeed. Look at Ash. To be that age again. No.” Harold sighed and his voice grew melancholic. “We're kindred spirits, you and I, Thomas. Supporting those who battle evil, but unable to go toe-to-toe with them ourselves anymore.”

Pa shifted uncomfortably, but Harold didn't notice.

Guess that's all he knows.

I stepped forward, drawing Harold's attention.

“Thank you again for the gem, guild leader. I will put it to good use.”

I gave him a small bow.

Harold blinked and seemed to notice the late hour, as he stood, though he nearly pitched off the roof again. The day's events must have hit the guildmaster particularly hard, and I couldn't blame him. We could have lost a lot of brave and strong people. Not just inside the dungeon, but also at the base. And if they’d broken through, it could have doomed the entire village.

“Careful there, old friend.” Pa helped him back inside.

Two more gems to level four.

I rolled the gem between my fingers.

And we now know something more about how to forge soul weapons.

Pa returned a minute later with Ma and more beer. Seems she wasn't sleeping after all but doing her part of getting Harold to talk. They settled on either side of me, Ma's arm slipping around my shoulders.

“Have you decided?” Pa asked softly.

I smiled, feeling the warmth of certainty in my chest.

“Going to use the soul gem, Pa. I’m going to become strong enough to never again lose anyone I care about. Ever.”

Pa's grin split his face. “Get some sleep then, son. Tomorrow we've got some forging to do.”