Rise of the Living Forge

“It’s not about how I can give you a Quest,” Arwin said, leaning against the table as his body shook off the effects of suddenly losing a wave of magical energy. The power was already trickling back into him, but it would be a few hours before it returned completely. “It’s about if you want it. This isn’t some instant path to power.”

“I’d start at the beginning again,” Kien said, his eyes flicking through the air as he read a notification visible only to his eyes.

“Not exactly the beginning,” Arwin said with a shake of his head. “You’d have your Titles — and whatever I make you.”

“But it is a start.” Kien swallowed. His eyes sparkled with something for the first time since Arwin had met the man and his head jerked in a stiff nod. “I… was not expecting to survive this. Defeating someone who bears my powers felt like an exceptionally unlikely outcome. But this gives me a chance. I accept your Quest.”

“What exactly does it offer?” Lillia asked. “I’ve never seen one of them before. Is there a drawback if you fail?”

“Presumably, I will die.” The corner of Kien’s lips quirked up in what could almost have been a smile before his weary expression took control of his face once more. “It has given me the location of a powerful monster in the vicinity of Milten. I am to defeat it. Alone. Should I succeed, I will earn a class.”

Sounds like the consequences of the Quest aren’t expressly in the Quest itself. Not sure if that’ll hold true for other Quests or not… but getting killed is a pretty significant consequence. Unless your name is Elias, that tends to be permanent.

“Well, that’s certainly straightforward,” Arwin said. “At least you don’t have to do things hoping the Mesh will give you a class. You’ll do it, then?”

“Of course. I have fought monsters before. I thought I would be fighting the next one without a class and with only stolen power. If I can earn it for myself again… I will not accept failiure. I am Kien of the Twin Blades. This opportunity will not be wasted.”

There was a fervor in the man’s voice that hadn’t been there a few mere moments ago. Even though he looked just as tired as he had been a moment ago, it was as if strength had been breathed straight into his lungs.

The man looked alive again.

“Then I look forward to working with you,” Arwin said, extending a hand to Kien.

The other hero took the offered hand and they shook.

“As do I,” Kien said. “But you must tell me… what are you? Who are you? This is not the power of a smith.”

“I am Arwin — or Ifrit. Depends on if I’m working at the time or not. For you, I’ll be Arwin. If your fight is with the Adventurer’s Guild… then you’re joining the Menagerie in all but name.”

“The Menagerie is your guild?”

“It is,” Lillia said. She fought to keep a smile from forming on her face. “Did you really not know that? That’s honestly a bit hurtful. I thought we were doing a good job building up our name.”

“I’m sure I heard it somewhere, but I have been… preoccupied. I only came this way because I ran into some helpful bandits. Is the purpose of your guild to take down the Adventurer’s Guild? What grudge do you have against them?”

Something about the way Kien said the word helpful made Arwin suspect that the bandits had not enjoyed their encounter with the hero very much.

“That’s a long story. Not one that I’ll be sharing today,” Arwin said. “Let’s just let it suffice to say that the Adventurer’s Guild is our enemy. There’s a lot you’ll want to hear… but that information needs more than just an agreement. We need trust.”

“I understand that more than most,” Kien said. His features darkened. “Trust seems to be something in great demand these days. It seems to be getting more expensive. I will not press. The only request I have is that you make my weapon sooner rather than later. There is an opportunity for me to halt my mistakes in their tracks that rapidly approaches.”

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“I’d advise you to play on the side of caution,” Lillia warned. “You’re weaker than you were. Killing yourself to get revenge a few months faster is a poor trade — but what opportunity are you talking about?”

“The Proving Grounds,” Kien said grimly. “Hein will be there. I know it. I will attend — and I will kill him. I have an invitation to them.”

He’ll be in the Proving Grounds? Is Hein planning to use that weapon on everyone in the fight? This is for ranking, so the tournament shouldn’t be until death. What’s his plan here?

“Do you have a team as well?” Arwin asked. “Even if I make you a weapon in time for the tournament, I don’t think you’re going to be able to solo your way through everything. Everyone else will have groups of three.”

“No,” Kien admitted. “My team… I can’t even let the Guild know I still live. I will have to go in disguse. You are attending?”

“I am not, but my guild is.”

“Our team is full, though,” Lillia said. “And swapping someone out would be too difficult.”

“More than difficult,” Arwin said. “Impossible. I have made them armor that is meant to work specifically in conjunction. Our team is set.”

“I see,” Kien said. “Then I will find another way to deal with this. UIntil then, I will seek out this monster that your Quest has assigned to me. Once I have claimed my class, I will be able to begin preparing to grow once more.”

“I can try to have your weapon made shortly,” Arwin said. “I’ve got a lot on the plate, but this won’t take too long. What do you use? A sword?”

Kien arched an eyebrow and Lillia sent Arwin a pointed look.

“Kien of the Twin Blades,” Lillia said through a snicker. “What do you think he uses?”

Arwin coughed into a fist. “Ah. Right. Yes, I can make something like that.”

“Then I will retrieve it after the monster has been defeated.”

“You don’t want to wait?”

“No.” Kien shook his head. “Your weapon will be gracefully accepted, but I will defeat this monster with what I am, not what you give me. If I cannot do that, then I do not deserve victory.”

That’s a stiff way of looking at things. The only thing that matters is winning, not how you do it… but I’m not going to tell him how to live his life. More challenge should mean the Mesh rewards him more appropriately as well.

“Just don’t push yourself too hard,” Arwin said. “You look like you’re about to keel over. It isn’t going to help anyone if you get yourself killed before you even get a chance to accomplish your goals.”

Kien let out a snort. “I am aware. Do you have a cloak I could borrow? I wish to explore the town without showing my face. Someone may eventually recognize me.”

“Reya should have some spares,” Lillia said. “You can wait in the basement for now. It’s out of the way. Just don’t touch the demon tree growing there. It might kill you.”

“It… what?” Kien stared at Lillia, waiting for her to laugh, but she never did.

“What? I’ve gotten into gardening. Gods forbid a woman have hobbies,” Lillia said. “Feel free to wait on the streets if you prefer.”

“I am certain the demon tree will be perfectly acceptable company.”

Lillia smiled and rose to her feet. “Good. Off we go, then. I’ll get you a cloak once everyone else is up. Shouldn’t be too long.”

She led Kien from the table and out of the common room. A part of Arwin was tempted to follow after them and get a look at just what Lillia was talking about — but his thoughts were a bit too cloudy to let him move from his spot.

I’ve got a pile of puzzle pieces, but I still don’t know where they go. The Guild is stealing classes for some reason. I don’t know why, but I suspect Kien and his brother might be the chink in their armor. We’re so close to the truth. I can almost taste it.

Arwin needed to get his hands on the dagger that Hein had used to steal Kien’s magic. But to do that, they were going to need to beat the man in the tournament. If they were lucky, he’d have the dagger on him. If they weren’t… they’d have to find a way to make him share the dagger’s location.

I don’t even know why Hein would be in the tournament in the first place. The guild wouldn’t put him there for no reason. They have to be aiming for something. I just wish I knew what.

Either way, if Kien plans to take out his brother, he’ll need a team. There’s no way he’ll be doing it on his own.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Arwin blew out a short breath. Answers were close. Closer than they’d ever been.

He refused to let them slip through his fingers.

The door creaked open.

He paused, pulled from his thoughts, and turned to the entrance. It was a bit early for anyone to be paying the tavern a visit. Lillia hadn’t even started making breakfast yet.

But it wasn’t an adventurer that stood on the other side of the door.

Arwin blinked.

Waiting just outside the Devil’s Den was Art, and behind him, Vix.

“Good morning,” Art said, inclining his head in greeting. His eyes glistened as a faint smile pulled at his lips. “I know you invited us for dinner, but I hope you’ll excuse me for showing up early. I’d like to take you and Rodrick up on that offer you made.”