My mansion was not in a state of disrepair. Just a little rustic around the edges. The dwarves had honestly done a few add-ons since I was here last so I couldn't really complain. Though I could tell some things were newer than others for some reason. like the spackle around some windows was different due to what could have been an explosion perhaps. the chimney was different than originally installed and the door as well.
I began to have thoughts as I approached my home before a couple guards charged forwards to block my path. "Halt! State your name and business!" A skinnier dwarf shouted before he and his buddy leveled their spears at me.
I looked down before a crown of fire appeared on my brow. It's flickering light made the afternoon seem darker in comparison and I could see the guards faces gain a complicated look.
"I came home for the first time in over a century. Isn't it to be expected I would go in from a long journey in a foreign land?" I asked as I pulled dragons cry from my shoulders and placed it before me with gusto before leaning on it like a cane.
The other guard took one look at dragons cry and seemed to start babbling as he turned and ran towards the castle leaving a large cloud of dust and two confused people in his wake.
I looked back at the skinny one and nodded my head. "I am Ignis. Ignis Soulsmith. Now. Who are you to bar me entry into my home?"
He shook his head before pulling off his helmet. His skin was different than what I thought it would be. Normally dwarves have a darker skin tone almost like clay. But this one looked almost bronze. As in the literal metal bronze. His hair was silver and his eyes were moving and filled with gears.
"I am Omnius Soulsmith. Son of Hargo Soulsmith and Miriam Tannersdaughter. If you truly are who you say you are I would ask that you prove yourself. The god Ignis was a friend of my Fathers after all." He said as he held the helm at his side while strongly holding his spear.
My interest was piqued as I leaned down to get a closer look at him. "Seems to me that you were a soul put into an automaton. And I imagine that if I looked further the main metal in your construction is Soul Metal." I stood up straight again after I finished my examination. "And for your information your father gifted Sam and I a flock of Mechanical birds that sang various songs. Very beautiful birds. But the damn things broke down not long after my honeymoon." I said as a laugh echoed throughout the courtyard.
"A god damned mess you made of my birds at that! took me three whole months to make them birds. And you ruined them in a fortnite!" A familiar gruff voice echoed as a gold colored dwarf waddled away from the castle. My eyes grew as wide as dinner plates. "Hargo. Hargo! How the blazes are you still working? I thought you'd be a rusted pile of bolts by now!" I let out happily.
Omnius took a couple polite steps back as his father got to meet an old friend after such a long time. The large Dragon lifting his dwarf father around twirling in circles made a comical sight he wouldn't soon forget.
I set Hargo down after a minute and the dwarf grabbed one of my shoulders and pointed a finger at me in a perturbed manner. "Why is it your greetings are always so rough!? spinning my old joints like that might've knocked a cog or a screw loose!" He said.
I couldn't help but give him a smile. "But my friend..." I said as I placed a hand on his shoulder. "You and I both know you already have a few screws loose. Hahahaha!"
Hargo's face showed an unimpressed look as though he wished to facepalm but his son was there and he had to put up with it.
The fun was interrupted though as the sound of dozens of stomping feet could be heard approaching. I looked up to see a small battalion following who could only be the current king. If you saw him in any other way you wouldn't know it besides the crown on his head. The man was dressed in Smithing gear. A leather apron and gloves. A stout dwarf with muscles that made his clothes seem too tight in some areas at that.
The group stopped as the king (who was weezing and panting from having just run up a set of stairs from the smithy to see me) Slowly approached me before kneeling and bowing to show his respects.
"Ignis god of balance in the name of the humble city of Verst I greet you." He painted out as he bowed low.
"Great. More pageantry and Puffing. I'm looking for my wife and children. Tell me where they are Hargo. It has been a century and I wish to see my flesh and blood." I huffed out as I turned from the king to Hargo, my intent clear as day.
Hargo let out a sigh as he rubbed his forehead in frustration as he was known for when flustered.
"Here's the thing Ignis... your children are a bit.... what's the word? Um.... Gone." He rumbled out as he finally cringed back a bit as though waiting for an impact.
"Gone? Then where is my wife?" I asked interrogating the old dwarf. My size had shrunk considerably and my artifacts disappeared with acception to my crown.
Hargo let out an aggrieved sigh as I saw his body relax a bit before pointing to a hill close by. I knew what he was pointing toward. Sam and I had a favorite spot to look out over the city and the countryside. A place where the sun would shine just right at dawn to make the hills and mountains glisten from the ores reflecting the light.
I felt my heart brace for what I might see as I strode forward. My heavy strides thudding into the ground making the stones shudder slightly till I reached the softer grass covered soil. As I turned the corner i saw it. A mound of dirt with a well maintained hammer sitting atop it. And next to that was a woman I had not seen in a century. Made of opaque colored power. A shade of the woman I loved. Sam.