Lou left her disciple without listening to his protests. From the outset, she knew he wouldn't appreciate her orders, but she had no choice. She had to lead Niris along the path to mastery. No matter how she turned the problem on its head, she couldn't see any other way to bring their fight to a successful conclusion.
As she went deeper into the forest, she mentally took stock of their situation. Soon, headhunters would flock to the little planet, and even if it was remote and difficult to access, they'd find a way to get there. But these people would be much stronger than any opponents Niris had ever faced. He wasn't ready. He had to build up his strength quickly, but he had to watch out for Niyarii's strength, which could engulf him at any moment, even if she was holed up in her spiritual lair for the time being.
His apprentice needed a solid foundation as well as infallible protection, both against himself and the outside world. Assimilating the fragments didn't look like it would happen right away, but he'd have a hard time being ready in time. And then there was Zorkiel... Lou frowned at the mental evocation of the figure. She couldn't shake the bad feeling that hadn't left her since she'd seen Seiran's mother in that strange capsule filled with green liquid. A capsule that wasn't at all strange to her, even if she couldn't make sense of its existence and its correlation with the strange creature that Zorkiel seemed to be.
All this, put together, had made her decide to take things to the next level. She had to make Niris more than just an apprentice, she had to teach him the way of the masters. She had to make him a master, even if it was against the law. And to do this, he had to forge his own weapons with his own natural energy, drawn from deep within himself, where the spirit of the master of blades would never lend him its strength. Then she had to make contact with the master spirit, Ebiru. And to do that, she had to regain her strength. All her strength. Her former strength, which had made her the famous last master of blades.
And to do that, she needed someone. Someone who had been hiding on this planet since the end of the era of the Masters. Someone who would not be pleased to see her. Above all, it was someone who wouldn't look kindly on the return of the masters. But she had no other choice. She had to convince this person no matter what.
She picked up the pace and began to run. Suddenly in a hurry to get things moving, which were in a state she didn't like, she began to split the air with an agility that defied gravity. No matter how much she told herself she wasn't the same as she'd been then, that her time was over, she couldn't help but feel the excitement sweep over her. No matter how many times she told herself not to lose track of reality, this body coming back to life was like a second life for her, a second chance after her first, too-short life. However much of a master she was, it was hard to give up this exhilarating sensation of feeling life coursing through her veins once more.
---
Meanwhile, Niris was still in the clearing, stunned by the announcement. Just like that, his master had left, giving him a perfectly banal mission: to forge his own sword. Of course he had! Of course! Easy as pie! Ha ha ha! He laughed nervously as Lipution's hand on his shoulder startled him.
"Niris? Is everything all right?
-Uh...yes...yes I'm fine. Roughly, he replied in an almost robotic voice.
-Are you sure?" hesitated Viknard.
The angel pulled himself together and shook himself.
-Yes, don't worry. I'm fine.
Viknard didn't dare ask for more. He glanced around, then questioned the angel again.
-Isn't Master Lou here?
-No, she's gone, she's got something urgent to do," replied Niris, gathering up a few belongings and putting them in a bundle, which he then hung on his back.
-So we're all on our own? asked Viknard, who wasn't quite sure what was going on.
-Yes, and we've got to get to the other side of the mountain as quickly as possible," continued Niris, who was also putting away the hammocks and rolling them into a ball, which he hung on a high tree branch strong enough to support his weight.
This way, the rest of their belongings would be safe while they were away.
-On the other side of the mountain? asked Viknard with surprise, wondering if he was still wide awake or if the angel had eaten something strange.
-Yes, I'll explain on the way," urged Niris, who completely forgot to tell him about his master's order to go to Kampalera.
He knew he was taking a big risk by going against his master's orders, but he really didn't want Viknard to leave now when he was attacking an important phase of his training. For all he knew, he might even find a way to open the sealed box while he forged his sword! Only if he could forge one... but he'd think about that later. For now, he was obsessed with the idea of reintegrating the Niyarii fragments that had cost Meica her life. He'd face the consequences when he returned.
-Grab your lunch, we're leaving now. You can eat on the way.
He didn't give her time to protest as he was already off to the other side of the mountain. To his insurmountable task of forging a blade that would be his and his alone. He took a deep breath and sank into the trees, followed by a recalcitrant Viknard, who tried to talk between mouthfuls of grilled fish, to no avail. Niris was focused. He knew where he was going, and why. He didn't want to lose sight of his goal, and Lipution had no choice but to follow.
Before long, the trees gave way to stones and they found themselves descending a steep mountainside path. The journey lasted several days in these conditions before becoming steadier again. They took a slightly wider path winding through thorny vegetation.
Then the slope became gentler. Gradually, the trees grew taller as their roots became more firmly anchored in the ground. But they still didn't reach their destination. With Viknard, Niris had to stop every night so he could sleep, but he continued to follow his master's recommendations to the letter. He had found a way to train while walking. At night, he slept barely three hours and trained the rest of the time. At any moment, he would go into a state of energetic meditation, while eating, walking or exercising. It had become a habit, and by forcing himself to do it, it became automatic and he didn't give it a second thought.
After almost two weeks of walking, they finally reached a forge. Lodged at the bottom of a crevasse, only the smoke protruding from it signalled its location. The location corresponded to what Lou had sent him. He ignored Viknard's pleas for a break and headed straight for the crevasse. He was just about to start the descent into the crevasse when he swerved at the last minute to avoid an arrow hurtling towards him.
Leaping backwards, he stopped Viknard from coming any closer to avoid injury by stopping him with an arm at waist level. The Lipution almost lost his balance, but obeyed and didn't move.
-Stay there and wait for me. Above all, don't move! ordered the angel, crouching on the ground, ready to pounce.
Viknard nodded without adding anything and swallowed.
Shortly afterwards, the angel tried a new approach and escaped another volley of arrows. His third attempt was again unsuccessful. Realizing that he wouldn't be able to penetrate the rift in this way, he took a step back and thought for a moment. He'd have to find a way through without being hurt by the arrows, or else stop them. But he'd noticed with his next two attempts that the arrows weren't just arrows. They weren't material. Rather, they were shaped projectiles of energy with something solid at their center.
He couldn't afford to even touch them. And stopping them would do more damage than anything else. He closed his eyes to draw from within himself an answer he hoped would rest deep in his soul. The angel remained silent for a moment, and it was while wandering in the depths of his being that an idea came to him as he touched Niyarii's natural energy. He had to use the surrounding pure natural energy. It was the only way to avoid the arrows without having to stop them.
He breathed in, and began to meditate, opening his energy channels outwards. Suddenly, he felt himself invaded by a new, uncontrollable energy. He regulated his openness to the outside world, and the influx became more tolerable. Contact with this new energy was painful, but it seemed to open up a whole host of possibilities that gave him ideas. His senses became sharper, and the outline of things seemed more defined.
He again approached cautiously, looking for the angle that would trigger the volley of arrows. They soon arrived. This time, however, he dodged them smoothly as he advanced towards the breach. Time seemed to have slowed down and he could see the arrows coming with incredible precision. He was about to release the tension and enter the rocky rift when an arrow deviated from its trajectory and flew towards his right flank.
By the skin of his teeth, he avoided it but collided with the stone wall, cutting off his momentum and sending him tumbling to the ground with no control over his fall. Reflexively, he placed his hands in front of him to protect himself, and a puff of air cushioned his fall, depositing him on the ground like a dead leaf weighed down by the rain. It took his breath away, but he was safe and sound. Immense fatigue overcame him.
-Are you all right?" came Viknard's voice above him.
His head appeared in the opening in the rock, haloed by the sunlight still high in the sky. Unable to answer, Niris gave a thumbs-up in the hope that he would see him, while wondering why the arrows weren't attacking him. But he didn't have time to ask himself any more questions when another head cut off his vision.
-It's been a long time since anyone managed to cross Rubicon," said the young boy with the long braid, leaning over the angel sheepishly.
-Who...are you?" asked Niris, still a little stunned by his fall.
-I'm the one who should be asking you that! Nobody should be able to get here anymore! And who told you there was a forge here?
Niris straightened up and dusted himself off, while Viknard tried his best to reach them by climbing down the wall as best he could, leaning on the protruding rocks that acted like steps.
-My master," replied Niris without elaboration.
-Your master?" repeated the young boy with the long brown braid, his eyebrows raised. What's his name?
-Her name is Lou.
The boy froze.
-Lou, as in...the last master of blades? he asked in a white voice.
-Exactly," replied Niris, who had finished putting all his paraphernalia back in place.
Just then, a door opened with a bang, and a woman of imposing stature stepped out, heading straight for the newcomers. Niris looked up as she approached. She was much taller than him!
-What are you singing to me now, little angel? The last master of blades hasn't been with us for years, so how can she be your master?
-She's been "awakened", replied Niris, a little defensively.
She was most impressive. She could easily take him down with a torgniole if she felt like it. He didn't really feel like rubbing shoulders with her without his weapons.
-So it's true...the last master of blades has returned... his eyes began to twinkle.
The angel said nothing, not wanting to disturb the tall, imposing woman, and waited for her to resume.
-I am Inimyar, the blacksmith of the gods, and this is Siti, my assistant," she finally said, extending her hand. You're welcome to my home, Niris of Egea!
Niris shook her hand, not surprised that she knew his name. He was now actively wanted and his face was to be plastered on all sites not subject to the organization's regulations. The young man bowed and gave her an enchanted smile.
-Pleased to meet you Inimyar, Siti," replied the angel deferentially.
-I suppose you've come to forge a blade," Inimyar continued, crossing his arms over his chest.
-Exactly, my master ordered me to forge my own sword," he nodded.
-Mmmh," said the blacksmith. And who's he?" she asked, pointing with her chin at Viknard, who had finally managed to join them.
-He's accompanying me on my journey for a reason I can't tell you," replied Niris, a little tense.
He had noticed that the huge woman didn't like the presence of Lipution in her forge.
-Only masters and their apprentices may come to the forge of the gods, no one else is allowed. You can only set foot on this soil if you can cross the Rubicon, and this one just took advantage of your interception to sneak in.
-I'd make myself very small, master blacksmith... Viknard began, scratching his head, but Inimyar wasn't fooled.
-Whatever your reason for coming with the young apprentice, you can't stay here. You can set up camp outside while you wait for the blade to be made. This is non-negotiable.
Niris cast an apologetic glance at Lipution, who sighed in resignation.
-Fine, then I'll stay outside. You know where to find me Niris, and I'll need supplies - I don't know how to feed myself.
-I'll give you something to eat every day as usual," the angel reassured him. Take the opportunity to rest, the last few days haven't been easy for you.
-And because of whom! he retorted, glowering at him.
Niris was annoyed and tried to reassure his friend, and the Lipution finally agreed to go back up and set up camp near the entrance. The angel hadn't thought for a moment that Lou had told him to send him back to Kampalera for technical reasons alone. He felt bad imposing this on Viknard, but knowing the fragments were nearby reassured him.
He returned to the blacksmith and her apprentice, who ushered him into the forge. The wood-and-iron building was huge. Hydraulic hammers at least twice its size jolted the air with their regular, deafening crash. Fires raised the heat of the place significantly, and soot flew around the immense building, creating a kind of black veil that dirtied everything. Niris was captivated by the fervor emanating from this place. It was both mysterious and physical.
Inimyar led them to a smaller building adjoining the large forge, where all the tools were kept, then down a maze of corridors that took them right up to the rock on which the house was built. Here they passed through a living room and a dining room before arriving at a series of dormitories. A huge room in which beds were lined up like in a military camp.
-You can take any bed you like. I don't have many helpers at the moment, so you can put yourself wherever you like," said the blacksmith. Siti will give you what you need for washing and daily work. The day starts at 5.30am and ends at 2pm. You're free to spend the rest of the time as you please, and the area around the forge is freely accessible.
She was about to leave when the angel stopped her.
-Wait, how long will it take me to forge a blade? he asked in a panic.
The blacksmith shrugged.
-A week, six months, two years, I don't know! It all depends on you, my good man.
Niris looked at her with his mouth wide open. He hadn't planned on learning to be a blacksmith at all! He couldn't waste months trying to forge a sword! Seeing all the questions in the boy's eyes, Inimyar sighed and put his hands on his broad hips.
-Listen, you don't forge a master blade like you roast a pig! You have to start by extracting the materials you need, then work them at the forge to make them usable. Only then can you forge a sword. It all depends on how quickly you find the materials you need, which takes the longest. If you're lucky, it'll only take a few weeks. Now get ready, because tomorrow we start dry!
Niris didn't have time to protest before the blacksmith had already left. He turned in despair to Siti, who gave him a radiant smile.
-I'll show you where the conveniences are, just follow me.
He complied, inwardly cursing his master for sending him here without giving him any information. But he had to get used to it. A master worthy of the name had to have a beautiful sword, and he was going to forge this legendary sword and give it a name. The task itself didn't excite him, but he knew he'd be proud of the result.