Inside the cave, all was silent. Only the sound of air circulating from room to room before returning to the surface could be faintly heard. In the middle of the crystal cavern, Niris sat cross-legged with his eyes closed. He had been meditating for three days now. He had connected his energy channels to the outside world and was desperately trying to awaken what he had to awaken, but it was proving far more difficult than he had hoped. The angel had no idea what to look for, as he had never seen a Szifia, and he felt no presence in the cave.
Inimyar had been no help on the subject. Days went by, and only his frustration built up. After a few days, he began to lose patience and no longer even touched the meals Siti brought him. Exasperated by his failure, he suddenly cut short his meditation and sighed violently. Enough was enough. He opened his eyes again and stared at the crystals on the wall in front of him. Shoulders slumped, he let his mind wander, a little in despair. Then, in search of comfort, he took out the Gojiak and looked at it.
Pinched between his thumb and forefinger, the little bean opened every time he pulled it out. It had sprouted into a beautiful plant almost a metre high. It was cumbersome because he couldn't take it out anywhere like before. He'd even thought of planting it in a pot and putting it in his room, but he was depriving himself of being able to talk to Seiran when the mood took him. He didn't really like that. So he decided to keep it with him and was careful to make sure it had enough room to spread out when he took it out.
But he hesitated to call the demon. In fact, Niris was torn between his desire to succeed, and his hope of doing it alone, without Seiran's support. Lately, he had considered himself too dependent on the demon's affection. He wanted to detach himself from it in some way, no longer allow himself to be influenced by it, to become independent of it. But he was well aware that it was difficult for him to love Seiran and accept his love while rejecting it when he found himself in distress.
As he dithered, the bean began to glow faintly, and Seiran's voice drew him from his reflections.
"It's a bit early for our usual conversations," he quipped.
Niris raised his eyebrows. He'd lost all track of time since he'd entered the cave.
-Ah, I don't realize how much time has passed since I've been trying so hard to get in touch with this Szifia!" he said, dropping onto his back.
He closed his eyes. He had been waiting for the demon's answer, but as it was delayed, he opened his eyes and his heart missed a beat. Seiran was kneeling beside him, smiling. Well, a projection of Seiran, to be precise.
-But...what...what...how.... he stammered in the face of the angel-haired demon who was serving him his best smile.
The Gojiak wasn't big enough yet for them to use it in the form of projections. He didn't understand how it was possible, and wondered if he was hallucinating. To be sure, he raised his hand and placed it on the demon's cheek. He could feel the warmth of her skin against his palm. The demon laughed tenderly at Niris's amazement. He placed his hand on hers and squeezed.
-I asked around to see if there was a way to use it without waiting any longer, and this is the result! Impressive, isn't it?
Niris batted his eyelashes without answering. He was more moved than impressed, really. The demon's enthusiasm was touching. Adorable even, so far removed from his worries and dark thoughts. Without a word, and interrupting Seiran who had gone into a speech about life in Kampala, Niris raised his arms and threw them around the demon's neck. He nestled his head in her neck and sighed deeply.
Interrupting immediately, the demon let him, then responded to his embrace with tenderness. He stroked her back tenderly, feeling the angel hug him a little tighter. The angel was in worse shape than he'd thought. He'd done well to use his colleague's tavern trick to cheer him up. After a moment, the angel rubbed his nose against Seiran's neck, then detached himself from him.
-I miss you so much," he confessed, his eyes so sad that Seiran couldn't help but kiss him.
-I miss you too," replied the demon with a small smile.
They rested their foreheads against each other and stayed that way for a while, savoring each other's presence. This was one of the things Niris appreciated most about their relationship. They could spend time together without speaking, and exchange all the emotions of the world in these moments of infinite contemplation. It was soothing. Slowly, the anger and impatience that had seized the angel a few days earlier was going up in smoke at the mere touch of the demon.
Seiran straightened up and took the angel's head in his hands, gently caressing her cheeks as he went. He placed another kiss on her lips, then dipped his golden irises into hers.
You're doing a great job, I'm proud of you!" he said cheerfully.
Niris sighed and was about to argue, but the demon gave him no time.
-Persevere, I'm sure you'll manage to do what you need to do, even if it takes a little time," he reassured him gently. And you can count on us to support you, your friends, your master or me... We're all on your side. And you know, nobody expects you to work miracles. We all know very well that we'll have to fight with you, whatever happens. You're not alone in this fight, and everyone who fights alongside you does so because they want to. We're all willing to risk our lives to save our world, so stop torturing yourself as if you're the only one whose job it is.
The angel didn't move. He listened to the demon's words with enormous relief. In the month he'd spent at the forge of the gods, he'd realized how much he'd weighed the expectations of others on his frail shoulders. But no one was forged to carry the weight of the world alone. And Seiran's words had lifted that weight from him all of a sudden. He caught himself smiling, which worried the demon.
-What? Was what I said ridiculous? Don't you agree?" he said, a little offended.
But Niris shook his head. He put his hands on Seiran's, who was still holding his cheeks, and gave him his best smile.
-Thank you, Seiran," he said gently. Without you to keep me on my toes, I don't know what I'd do.
He reached out to kiss him when his eyes fell on something standing behind him, staring at them with folded arms. Some kind of cobra-headed snake with a totally immaterial body floating above the ground. Startled by the sight, the angel couldn't hold back a cry of panic and took a step back.
The demon watched him with intrigue, surprised to see the angel's bewildered eyes. As he saw that he was looking at something behind him, he turned and recoiled at the strange creature.
-W-Who are you?" stammered Niris, who couldn't believe it.
-I'm the pope and I'm waiting for my sister," replied the creature with a sarcasm that the two lovers didn't immediately notice.
After exchanging astonished glances, they turned back to the creature, bewildered. She rolled her eyes and uncrossed her arms, which he placed on her hips, obviously taken aback by her appearance.
-I don't know, haven't you been trying to summon something for days?
-S-si mais...hesitated Niris, who still wasn't sure what to make of this sudden appearance.
-But what is it? You've been trying so hard to contact us, and now that one of us answers your call, you're not happy? You should know better!
Niris widened his eyes.
-Wait...you're a...Szifia? he questioned.
The creature shrugged, rolling up his eyes.
-You weren't trying to contact the pope, were you? he replied to her remark.
-The what?" asked Niris, who obviously didn't understand a word he was saying.
-Well, you know, the guy who... well, never mind, we don't give a damn," gave in Szifia, who clearly didn't have much patience. As you may have guessed, I'm a Szifia, I answered your call.
-But I...began Niris, who was still a little confused. I wasn't calling you there.
-Obviously you did, since I'm here," replied the Szifia again, full of sarcasm.
Niris stood up and slowly approached the creature.
-Are you a Szifia? A real one?" he asked again, his heart pounding.
-It would seem so, yes? Unless there are fake Szifias and I don't know about them," replied the Szifia in the same tone.
A smile split the angel's face from side to side. He turned to Seiran, who had risen to his feet with hope in his eyes.
-Seiran! I've done it! I've summoned a Szifia!
Seiran stared at the strange creature, cautious. It was hard for him to imagine this vulgar being a vector for the power of the master spirits.
-You've come to help me forge my weapon, haven't you?
-No, I'm here to count daisies, as you can see, I've got my priorities straight," the Szifia couldn't resist replying.
But the remark didn't have the slightest effect on the gloating angel.
-I can't believe I've done it, I've been trying to contact one for almost a week, I was so close to giving up!
The angel couldn't stand still. It had become like a toy on a spring that had been wound up a little too much.
-Thank you for coming! Thank you for coming! The angel thanked him with a sincerity that disarmed the creature.
He looked away from the latter's effusive thanks.
-Ah, it's nothing..." he began evasively, before sighing at the angel's grateful eyes.
He had a way of touching people with his emotions that didn't leave him indifferent. He'd always had a soft spot for people like him, deeply sincere in everything they did.
You remind me of a last-generation master I knew a long time ago, an angel too, who fell in love with an elf. You angels are the only creatures who think inter-species relations are possible," he sighed. In any case, they were like you, very much in love and full of hope.
Seiran and Niris looked at each other in astonishment.
-Are you talking about Lou?" asked Niris, who was beginning to think about what Inmyar had told him about his master.
The Szifia looked at him pensively, leaving the angel and the demon in palpitating silence for a moment.
-You're Lou's apprentice, the master of blades, aren't you?
He continued when he saw Niris nod with eyes shining with interest.
-Why am I not surprised...
-How did you guess?" the angel asked excitedly.
Szifia sighed.
-You're so like her, I can see why she took you under her wing," he replied with his natural cynicism.
-That's the first time anyone's ever said that to me! laughed Niris, who couldn't help but find the remark hilarious.
-As great romantics go, I guess you understand each other," continued Szifia. You think you have to save the world when it's populated by billions of living beings, and the role of master clearly indicates that masters are outside the political and social structures of their time. I still don't understand how the Masters acceded to your Master's request when she should have made him a traitor according to the Master's code!
Niris, who had calmed down a little, looked at Szifia gently.
-But you helped him all the same and you're going to help me too, aren't you?
-Who said I was going to help you? I only appeared because I didn't like the two of you smooching in a place sacred to the spirits of masters," he mumbled in reply, unable to face the angel's gaze.
Niris laughed at Szifia's reply, while Seiran turned red.
-Thanks to you, we'll be able to save him once again," replied the angel, a little teasingly.
The Szifia didn't reply and continued mumbling under his breath.
-Are we going or what? It's not going to make itself this weapon! he retorted to hide his embarrassment.
-I'm with you!" said Niris, now full of enthusiasm.
-But he's got to go home, and say goodbye to him, because you won't be able to contact him any time soon! And you're liable to lose your skin the way things are going..." he interrupted.
Niris turned to the demon and took his hands in hers. They exchanged a long look that said so much they didn't need to talk any more.
-I'll be waiting for you in Kampalera, good luck with your forging, ft Seiran with a serene smile.
-I'll be back to see you as soon as I've finished! affirmed Niris.
Seiran let go of the angel's hands, then disappeared in a shimmer, leaving the glittering cave a little emptier, but Niris's heart well and truly swollen.
-Let's go, we've got work to do!" said the latter to Szifia.
-After you, my lord," ironized Szifia, who was definitely not lacking in spice.
But Niris didn't object. He was beginning to understand Szifia's personality, and to be honest, he liked it. A twisted, acerbic but sincere personality was always preferable to a bland, tasteless preening whose sole aim was to please everyone without ever getting wet.
-What's your name?" asked the angel.
-The Szifias don't have names. Call me Szifia if you need to talk to me.
Niris nodded.
-I'm Niris from Egea," he reciprocated.
-I was aware of that," Szifia replied simply.
They had started walking along the underground corridor towards the surface.
-I suspected you already knew my identity, but how did you find out?
-The Szifia are connected to the spirits of masters at all times, and therefore to anyone connected to master spirits," explained the Szifia. Your master is linked to the spirit of the master of blades by his appointment as apprentice and then master. You are linked to the master of blades, even if not officially as an apprentice... Having said that, your master recently made a request to that effect, so I'm not sure where that stands.
-A request to that effect? What do you mean?" questioned the angel.
-She made a request to the spirit of the Master of Blades for you to become her official apprentice," replied the Szifia.
Niris wanted to ask more questions, so piqued was his curiosity, but they were interrupted by the sound of a heavy object falling to the ground.
-He's done it! Master Inmyar! The apprentice has succeeded in summoning a Szifia! called Siti, who was standing near the entrance with a tray of food that now lay in a sorry state at his feet.
He looked shocked at the sight of the angel emerging from the cave with the Szifia, and ran to look for the blacksmith, who immediately ran out of the building to meet them.
-You've done it... she remarked with a touch of admiration in her voice.
Then, turning to the Szifia, she placed her clasped hands in front of her and bowed in deference.
-Thank you for answering his call, Reg'ein Szifia.
-Let's not waste time with formalities, we don't have much time," interrupted the Szifia, who clearly didn't appreciate this kind of distinction.
-Absolutely not! Follow me," said Inmyar, whose expression was serious.
Serious business was about to begin. They headed for the forge storeroom together, followed by Siti, who couldn't take his eyes off Szifia.
-We'll be quick," warned Inmyar. Once inside the building, we'll unhook our weapons and wait for the guard's signal to come out. I've called in my people to protect the forge, and they're all standing at the entrance. For the rest, the Organization has sent us a delegation of agents specialized in defense and siege. I contacted them when Niris began her meditation, and they considered the situation too serious for them not to intervene.
They entered the building and took the corridor leading to the huge, imposing door.
-The weapons are ready, so we'll just have to take them and wait for the signal to go out.
Inmyar stopped and opened the door. They entered, then immediately closed it behind them. Just behind the door, a display case held the staff and long katana. Niris picked them up delicately, and observed them for a moment before turning to the others, determined.
-Whatever happens, never stop forging," ordered Inmyar. The forge of the masters' weapons is protected by the power of the masters' spirits, and no one will be able to enter. The danger will be when you go in, then when you come out. But since you won't get out until you've finished forging your weapon, I'm not too worried. The first challenge is to guide you to the forge.
-What if you're taken hostage?" asked Niris, trying to imagine every possible situation.
Inmyar smiled confidently.
-I'm under a silence spell, nothing can make me open the door other than the presence of a Szifia.
-So I stay inside, forge my blade and come out when I'm done," summarized Niris.
Inmyar nodded vigorously. She was glad he understood the gravity of the situation and its inevitability.
-We'll make sure the forge is protected, the rest is up to you. Don't worry about us, my people are among the most powerful in the intergalaxy, and the Organization won't let us down. They'll send reinforcements if they see things getting complicated. And then your master will arrive to save us, I know it. She'll arrive in time to confront Zorkiel.
A luminous green circle appeared from under the door and began to dance in front of the half-giant.
-That's the signal, let's go.
She was more serious than ever. A crease marked her forehead and her arms were ribbed with swollen veins, her hand resting on her hammer and a leather-breaking cutlass in the other hand. She looked like one of those celestial warriors depicted in legends.
Niris couldn't help but admire her. This woman, full of unfailing passion and energy, was going to put her life on the line for the sake of the world. This was exactly what restored her confidence in her fight and her cause. All those people who rose up against the oppressor were giants of will and greatness whom history would surely forget, yet whose destiny was linked to that of the world.
Unconsciously, Niris tied a thread of history to Inmyar. The power to rewrite angelic history was at work. His admiration for Inmyar had provoked it. The world would know the story of the siege and battle of the forge of the gods. It would be counted throughout the intergalaxy and Inmyar would become a legendary goddess of war. The great battle of the forge of the gods would never be forgotten, that was what Niris was about to write in the collective past.
-Let's go," he said calmly and sternly.
He seized both weapons and stepped towards the great door, all the others behind him. A heavy click was heard as the blacksmith placed her hand on the metal panel. The door was open.