Vitmori POV

The Miner's Guild smelting facilities turned out to be much more intricate than I had originally imagined. At first, I thought it would be some kind of warehouse filled with a variety of crucibles for melting ore in many small batches. What I was not expecting was a full-on two-story foundry complex that spanned around four city blocks.

I felt almost like some kind of VIP being escorted around the Foundry by Tilzim and some of his staff as they showed me around the place while guiding me to the station where I'd be working. From what I could tell, it was a rather odd mix of what appeared to be rather modern techniques and practices with frankly archaic equipment.

There were clearly painted lines all over the place, marking safe pathways and danger zones. Not to mention multiple sandpit stations and even specialized water runes with some kind of mana batteries with piping leading to key points around each section of the foundry that created what appeared to be some kind of fire suppression system. Despite that, most of the 'machinery' appeared to be man-powered; either by large levers and cranks connected to a simple array of large gears to move heavy loads from one level of the foundry to another or by these hamster wheel contraptions big enough for two men to run on and power what looked to be some kind of conveyor belt that moves processed metals to another end of the foundry.

At this time of day, the foundry's main floor has ceased production and has long since closed up for the day; with only a few members of staff going from station to station performing some kind of daily cleaning or maintenance.

Coming up to the station where I would be working, I was greeted by a team of fifteen workers who were all dressed up in surprisingly thorough amounts of PPE. Even the beastkin who I've noticed don't normally wear shoes were wearing some kind of thick wrappings that covered their various unique styles of feet. All of them were wearing tinted goggles and an assortment of face wrappings and shields that seemed both mass-produced and specially made for their various facial structures.

Tilzim took the initiative as he stepped forward and gestured at me, introducing me to the team before me. "This is Vito, an exceedingly powerful fire mage who is coming in to help work through the backlog of wolfram orders we've been unable to complete these last few weeks. He's only in town until tomorrow morning, so we must do our best to complete as much as possible before he has to go."

The team murmured their greetings, though I could sense an overwhelming amount of uncertainty and doubt coming from the lot of them. It didn't take long before a dogkin man piped up, stepping forward from the group. "How are you so certain he's the real deal? This isn't going to be like those other mages you've hired who quit before we got started because they couldn't handle the work, right?" He asked, turning his head to look from Tilzim and then to me. Despite the tinted goggles, I could feel his eyes scrutinizing me as if he didn't like what he saw. He then looked at Tilzim once more. "How much is he charging you for this work anyway?"

Tilzim merely frowned at the insult against my ability and honor, though I could feel him understand where his workers were coming from as he merely shook his head. "I asked him for his help, not the other way around. Besides, as for his pay I... I..." He went quiet after a moment when he suddenly had a realization, glancing up at me as he ran his fingers through his beard before chuckling a little sheepishly. "Now that I think about it... I don't believe we actually discussed the pay for your efforts today."

I merely smiled a bit before looking at Tilzim. "Don't worry about it, consider my payment the favor I asked of you." I suggest before looking at the workers. "With that said, I'll do my best to maintain the crucible's heat and stay out of y'all's way, my only experience in this place is fire after all, so I'll keep my focus where it belongs."

Now that does get the mood to shift a little bit as the workers look at each other, seemingly appeased by the fact that I wasn't a smug know-it-all or something along those lines. That's when Tilzim clapped his hands together, flashing a wide grin. "And remember, you all are getting one and a half times pay tonight, along with overtime if Vito is able to handle it. We're only getting this one chance to get back on top of things, so do your best." He explained as encouragingly as could, the workers cheering in response before Tilzim clapped his hands together a few times, doing his best to get their attention again. "With all that said, make sure to take breaks and play things safe. Nobody is going to praise you for pushing yourself past your limits and getting yourself and others in dangerous situations. Now then... To your stations!"

With that, the fourteen workers dispersed, pairing off and going to each station as they began going through the motions of their work. Though the fifteenth lingered nearby, it was a young man as far as I could tell due to their PPE, but not a beastkin. Tilzim then signaled for me to follow as he led me to a set of stairs that went up to the second level.

Now at the top, Tilzim approached a console of some kind with a few different panels and even some temperature gauges along with a few other meters, gesturing to it as he looked at me. "This will be your station, Vito, just run your mana through these two panels..." He said as he gestured to two red panels with handprints worn into the surface. "From there you will be able to heat the crucible and control the temperature without having to waste mana running your magic through open air or needing to make direct contact with the crucible itself. Keep in mind that this is not a matter of strength, but endurance. Do your best to maintain the high temperature needed to melt down wolfram and then maintain it. You'll of course be given breaks every two hours or as you need it. However, if you need anything between your breaks, just ask him." Tilzim says as he gestures to the young man who's stayed by my side. "His job is to support and watch over the crucible master, in short, he is your assistant. If you need anything from water to a mana potion, just ask and he'll fetch it for you."

The young man in question just gave a small wave before speaking up with a rather muffled voice. "It's a pleasure to meet you Vito, I look forward to working with you." He said politely enough.

Tilzim gives a little nod of approval before looking at me again. "Now then, do you happen to know your measurements? We should get you some protective equipment before we get started."

I just shrugged before flashing a smile. "I don't, but don't worry about it. My mentor always told me that I'm like a dragon around fire, so it shouldn't affect me much, though I'd like to test my resistance against prolonged exposure to intense heat among other things." I explained vaguely as I went about shrugging off my cloak.

Tilzim looked admittedly unsure of my claims, and I could sense he wasn't sure what to address in particular when he was suddenly startled as he finally noticed my missing limb. "V-vito y-your arm?? W-what happened?" He asked, stepping closer as he looked over the limp left sleeve of my green shirt.

I made a show of acting as if I didn't realize what he was talking about at first, glancing at my missing limb before a look of realization came over my face. "Ah, that's right. Don't worry, it's just a prosthetic, see?" I mused as I took off my shirt, stashing that away before showing him the stump of my left arm. By this point, around half of my upper arm has grown back, so it'll likely take a couple of days for the whole arm to fully grow back on its own if I consider how long it took me to grow half a forearm and a hand. As for the stump itself, the illusion was covering the part of the arm that had grown back, but as for the part that was still growing, it seemed like the illusion magic wasn't sure what to make of it, so the wood was exposed for everyone else to see.

That seemed to calm Tilzim for a moment before he looked even more bewildered as another question came to mind. "Even if it is a prosthetic, what happened to the prosthetic? I could have sworn you had both arms last night." He asked as he looked me in the eye.

I just chuckled a little bit at his question before scratching the back of my head. "I uh... Turned it into a staff and gave it to a young mage who did me a favor."

Tilzim wasn't sure what to say to that, just flabbergasted by the sudden revelation before sighing as he looked me over. While he took his time trying to find his words, I could sense he was at least vaguely impressed with the array of scars that littered my body, though his eyes lingered on the old burn scars that ran across my right shoulder. "I thought you said you were resistant to fire, what are those?" He asked as he pointed them out.

I glanced over to my shoulder before smiling a little more. "Well they're burn scars, of course, I wasn't always as resistant to fire as I am now." I mused kindly before regarding my shoulder again. "They serve as a very important lesson to a younger me about the power and might a simple flame holds."

Tilzim just sighed softly before shaking his head a little, deciding to not argue all that much as he smiled a little. "Anyways, I'll leave you to it then. If you feel you eventually need some protective equipment, then just ask." With that he dismissed himself, making his way down the stairs.

I simply bobbed my head before looking at my assistant as I approached the console while placing my hand against a panel. "Now then, shall we get to work?"

Krys POV

Today has been a day unlike any other... It started out so normal at first, waking up before dawn and making sure his sister's medicines were in order, making breakfast, and eating with her before meeting up with his team. They snuck into the inner city using one of their usual routes and took their usual post outside the pawn shop.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

But now, their contact within the pawn shop was dead and they were being 'hired' by Vito, the man who casually made another grown man vanish into thin air.

On the other hand, they stole everything of value from the goatkin man's home and found over sixty gold pieces worth of silver and gold in a floor safe underneath a bag of beans in a pantry.

The amount of coin in that safe was staggering, as that much could change any of their lives, allowing them to live extravagantly for a week or very comfortably and modestly for several years without working.

It did make Krys wonder just how long that goatkin had been stealing from his boss, or how many other thieves he's worked with because as far as Krys was concerned, his team hadn't given the goatkin anywhere close to sixty gold pieces since they began working together.

Ultimately, Zax took the dragon's share of the coin in order to clear his family's debts with the Bank of Time. The look on Zax's face when Krys placed the pouch of coin in their hand was of tearful relief. The half-orc was ultimately unable to remain stoic as he was finally going to be free from the looming debts that came around due to the untimely death of his parents, and according to Zax, his parents' souls could now properly rest, knowing they are no longer troubling their son beyond the grave.

Surprisingly enough. the Bank of Time didn't care to ask how or where Zax got his sudden windfall, all they cared about was getting the coin they were owed. With that business done, and Zax freed of his debt, the trio split the remaining coin evenly amongst each other before splitting up for the day.

According to Vito, they'll all be heading for the capital first thing in the morning, and such a trip requires preparation. Thankfully, Vito said they could use the coin that was left after paying Zax's debts how they saw fit, as long as they gave him whatever was left over.

Even as the others left to immediately begin their preparation, Krys couldn't bring himself to get started, without going home first. After all, this decision won't only affect him, and if she doesn't want him to go... Well... He'll have to figure something else out, he always has in one way or another.

He made his way home soon enough, arriving at the apartment complex in the outer ring that has been his home for the last five years. Making his way past a few of the other residents, he made his way up to the second floor before procuring his key as he made his way inside.

Opening and shutting the door behind him, he could hear somewhat frantic shuffling coming from the living room as his sister called out. "W-welcome home Krys!" She says in a rather distracted fashion.

With his curiosity piqued and worries momentarily set aside, he stepped further into the apartment, looking around the little living room as he spotted his sister, the twelve-year-old girl frantically yet carefully stashing away what looked to be some planks of wood underneath the cushion of their couch. The coffee table, which usually doubles as her study area, was still covered in paperwork that looked to be some kind of homework or something, he wasn't too sure. "Ren... What are you doing?" He asked, not exactly sure what to make of the scene that was playing out in front of him.

She meeped nervously, her fluffy burnt orange and black tail swishing nervously behind her before she slowly turned to look up at him, flashing a little smile as she scratched her cheek. Her pale skin was covered in black smudges that were littered around her hands and arms. "Nothing..." She said, slowly dragging out the word as her vulpine ears waggled.

"Uh-huh... So there's nothing to see under that particular couch cushion you're hovering over, right?" He asked, flashing a small smile as he shrugged off his cloak and hung it by the door.

"That's right." She said more confidently before slowly shifting around to sit on the couch, doing her best to further conceal whatever she was hiding. "Anyways, you're home early... Like really early... Did something happen? Are you in trouble?" She asked, narrowing her gaze as she did her best to change the subject.

Now it was his turn to stall a little bit, his tail curling close behind him as he went over to the kitchenette, grabbing a fruit before polishing it on his shirt. "Well... I'm not in trouble, I don't think." He admitted before taking a bite of the fruit.

"So something happened?" She asked, quick to grab onto that detail as she watched him intently from where she sat.

He leaned back against the counter, stalling as he took his time savoring the bite he was working on before eventually responding. "I uh... Got a new job." He said, not sure how else to say it when he took another bite.

She tilted her head curiously at him, her right ear flicking in thought. "Like a job job? Or is it a job?" Of course, she knew he was a criminal of some kind. But he didn't usually share and she never really pried.

Krys just shrugged, now scratching the back of his head with his free hand as he stared at the fruit before glancing over to Ren, gazing into her eyes from where he stood. "I... Don't actually know?" He said, unsure of how to describe it since Vito didn't exactly give them too much on the details and he was too scared to really ask.

"So what's the problem? Or what's the catch?" She asked, leaning into the arm of the couch now as she watched him. "Is it because of me? Do we need more money for something? Did the healer say something to you?" She continued to ask, her mind running away with possible issues that came to mind as her brows started to furrow with worry.

He set the fruit down on the counter, walking across the room to gently pat her head to get her to stop her rambling. She went quiet at his touch, looking up at him as their eyes met. It wasn't hard for him to see the anxiety in her eyes. "It's not your fault, and it's not because of you... Well... What I do tomorrow morning will affect both of us, and I want your opinion since this is now a family matter."

She nodded, seemingly calming down for the moment before pulling away as she stood. "Give me a second." She said simply before hurrying off and going into her room. It was the only other room aside from the bathroom in this apartment, as he usually slept on the couch.

He watched her go, though he glanced to the couch curiously, wondering what she was hiding from him. Ultimately he left it alone, she was entitled to some secrets after all. While he waited, he walked back into the kitchenette and collected his fruit, taking another bite from it.

He could hear things being scooted around in her room, which he didn't think much of until he heard the sound of a lot of coins shifting around in a pouch. Ren came back soon enough, carrying a weighty pouch that jangled with every step. "Here, if we need money, I'm more than ready to contribute where I can." She said resolutely as she held up the pouch.

Krys' eyes went wide, not sure what to make of this as he glanced between her and the pouch. Setting down his fruit again and taking up the pouch, he peered inside to see a lot of copper pieces and even a few silver here and there. "W-where'd you get all this? Are those silvers?"

She flashed an almost mischievous smile, her tail swaying behind her as she stood as tall as she could manage. "There are seventy-six copper pieces and three silver pieces in there." She mentioned while looking a little smug. "I've been working too ya know. For the last couple of months, I've been writing letters and documents for our neighbors, and they've been paying me for my help."

Krys wasn't sure what to say, looking between her and the pouch again. "Wow... All this just from writing words on parchment?" He couldn't help but be impressed, he had to put himself on the line every time he went out to bring home coin so she could be comfortable. Yet she found a way to make money without the risk all on her own.

She hummed in confirmation before making her way to the couch and pulling out the planks she had hidden. They appeared to be some kind of placards, advertising a new deal at a food cart. "Mister Ray even commissioned me to draw up some advertisements for him. He's gonna pay me a silver for each of them. I've been working on them all day and I'm nearly done."

The placards in question look really well done, with very neat and big writing accompanied by illustrations of a few different types of food along with a smiley face here and there. A silver for each, and she had four of them just about ready to go. In just one day, she was about to make double what he was able to bring home after half a day of freelance fishing. Tears began welling up in his eyes as he turned away, bringing his hand to his face as he couldn't help but feel pride at how much Ren had matured while also despairing at how she felt that she had to step up to help their situation.

Ren still hadn't noticed the state Krys was in, looking over one of her placards as her ears waggled with delight. "Miss Iliza says that if I refine my penmanship more, she can probably introduce me to some merchants or a guild in a year or two, then maybe I can work as a scribe or some kind of receptionist." She enthused as she finally looked up to Krys with a smile. "Isn't that great?" Though her smile wilted a little as she noticed the expression on his face. "Krys, is something wrong?"

Krys did his best to suppress his emotions, at the very least he tried not to break down in front of her. He sighed softly after a moment longer, a shuddering breath escaping his lips as he wiped at his eyes before anything could show. "Nothing... Nothing is wrong... I just can't help but think how amazing you are." He said as he offered a smile before draping his arms around her, and pulling her into a deep hug. She was still so small, especially for her age. He still can't help but see her as the frail little girl who was sick every other week. She was better now, but nowhere near where she should be or anywhere like the other kids.

Ren was a little surprised by the hug but managed to wrangle one arm free and returned the hug with as much vigor as she could manage, her tail swaying with delight behind her. "I know, I am pretty amazing, aren't I?" She mused, preening a little under the praise.

He pulled away from the hug soon enough, wiping his eyes again as he stepped away from the kitchenette while looking over the placards again. "So... Like I said, I got this job." He mentioned while moving to the living room as he sat on the floor by the coffee table.

Ren followed, sitting across from him as she set the other placards down on the table before taking up a small bottle of black ink and a brush. "Uh-huh, an important decision that will affect the family, right?" She asked, reiterating what he mentioned earlier as she went about adding the final details to the fourth placard she had been working on before he came home.

"Yeah... As far as I can tell, it's going to be a long-term job, and I likely won't be back for several weeks, if not months." He explained, running his hands through his hair before scratching the back of his head.

Ren's eyes went a little wide with surprise, though she slowly nodded intently. "Wow... That's a... A very long time." She said softly as she watched him closely. "How much are you going to be paid?"

Krys shrugged a bit, he wasn't sure of that either. "I uh... Don't know..." He admitted rather sheepishly.

Ren quirked a brow at that, her left ear waggling with uncertainty. "So you don't know anything about the job, how long you're gonna be gone, or how much you are going to be paid? What do you know?"

Krys huffed a bit, knowing how bad it sounded before looking over and meeting her eyes. "If I work for him, he said he'll heal your body. Don't ask me how, but I believe he can actually do it."

"Oh..." Was all she could say to that.

"Yeah, so I don't really care what I have to do... If I can give you a future without having to worry about your health, I'll do it. No questions asked." He said, resolving himself already as he stared into the middle distance while looking at the table.

Ren was silent for a time, not saying a word before standing as she walked around and draped her arms around Krys, hugging him from behind while resting her chin atop his head. "You do so much for me already... I couldn't possibly ask you to do more."

Krys just sighed a bit, before offering a smile as he accepted her embrace. "What else are big brothers for? Anyways... What do you think? Like I said, this is a family decision, and this is affecting you the most."

"Well... Where are you going?" She asked as her tail slowly swayed behind her.

"The Capital... I think. I don't know if it's our only destination, but that's what I've been told." He mentioned with a small smile. That was the only other upside to this job, he'd lived his whole life in this frontier town and had no real reason to leave before today, and now he was going to the Capital.

"Wow! Really?" She exclaimed, pulling away to sit beside him now. She then hummed thoughtfully, tilting her head side to side as her ears waggled some more. "Well, if I'm going to get better anyway... Think I can come along? We should stick together at the end of the day, and there's no safer place for me than by your side."

Krys wasn't sure what to say to that, his own ears flicking thoughtfully. "I... Don't actually know." He considered before looking over at her and smiling a bit more. "But I'll certainly ask... For now, how about we do some shopping? I'll make something extra special for dinner." He said as he stood, holding his hand out to her.

At that, Ren just smiled with delight, taking up his hand as she got to her feet. "Sounds good to me!"