"No. This is something I need to do myself." Liam replied.
"Yourself? When did you start using hammers?" Tony asked.
"Quite recently actually. Maybe you should come down and look at my hobby." Liam said.
"Then you should mention before that it is an hobby. And here I thought I will be welcome with hands full of calluses." Tony said. Knowing that Liam had just got himself a hobby, he talked of other matters. He also spoke of how he was trying to figure out the shielding technology of BT and that he would patent it soon as this would be the game changer in the industry.
For the next few days it was absolutely a busy schedule for Liam. He had taken a brake from coming to the garage and was no focusing on his new love. The sound metal and the scorching fire was his primary attraction.
He bought steel and other alloys, and also some jewels. Of course Tony teased him when Liam bought jewels in the group chat of his, Yinsen and Tony. And Liam had to tell him off. Liam's only response was
"You will see the fruits of my labour some day."
Since the knowledge was already there and muscle memory was intact, it was quite easy to make weapons and armor. He had mithril which could blend with any alloy.
Liam stood in front of the forge, the heat of the flames licking at his face as he worked tirelessly. The rhythmic clang of the hammer meeting metal echoed throughout the workshop. The first item he decided to create was the hammer. It would serve as his foundation, a tool to forge the rest of his creations. Liam melted a blend of steel, mithril, and a trace of titanium, carefully controlling the temperature to ensure the perfect alloy.
As the metal cooled, Liam began shaping the hammerhead, carving intricate runes into its surface, symbols that reflected both his journey and the wraith-like power he now wielded. The handle was forged from a reinforced mithril core, wrapped in black leather for grip and adorned with silver accents. After hours of polishing and reinforcing, the hammer was complete—a weapon of both beauty and destruction. The runes he used in this hammer were explosion runes. Once hit there was a 80% chance of an explosion of fire.
Next came the armor. Liam sketched designs late into the night, drawing inspiration from the jagged, dark plates worn by Talion. He cut pieces of mithril-alloy sheets into overlapping plates, ensuring flexibility without compromising defense. Also he made sure that they were bullet proof. Each plate was shaped and etched with intricate patterns before being tempered to perfection.
The crafting of the swords came next. Liam envisioned a twin set: one blade sleek and curved for speed and precision, the other a bit broad and heavy for raw power. The smaller sword, he named it Vigilance, was lightweight yet razor-sharp, perfect for quick, decisive strikes. The larger sword, Dominion, was a beast of a weapon. Its blade was double-edged, with a glowing mithril core running through its center. Liam painstakingly engraved it with runes that seemed to shimmer when exposed to light, a subtle yet intimidating touch. The runes he attached to the swords were of ice in nature. These swords could freeze someone with one or two shots themselves.
The bow was a different challenge altogether. Liam combined traditional materials like fine steel, yew wood with mithril reinforcements, ensuring durability without adding unnecessary weight. Elves were known for their bows so Liam paid extra attention as he made sure the strings would last a very long time. He also added runes to it. Interchanging runes with fire and ice markings.
For a month, Liam poured every ounce of his energy into the creations. But when all of the products were finished, he was beyond rejoiceful. A month of tan was worth the sacrifice. Thankfully his new body was able to keep up with the work or else every beating of the hammer would have crumbled him. He had also made the armor in such a way that he could wear it over his Pilot suit.
And since it had been imbued with runes, the new armor could now block bullets, even the heavy ones too. It could even stop elemental attacks to a certain degree.
"I need the Vibranium. I think it will be soon time to visit Andy Serkis." Liam thought as he could already envision his new armor that he would make once he could get his hands on Vibranium. Or maybe someday off the body of Tiamat.
Liam really did have big dreams. During this month he had also received a news that made him a bit irritated. Obadiah had escaped. The case was in fast track and after proper evidence, Obadiah was found guilty on 47 counts and was given life imprisonment. In the most dangerous facility.
But during the whole transfer of Obadiah, a bunch of terrorists attacked the transport vehicle and made freed him. Tony was so angry that he personally went scorched earth and threatened the government with holding back funding and technology if they couldn't find the criminal and the organization within 3 months. It sent the whole country into awry as every department went into action, trying find the culprit.
But was it that easy to find a criminal of that size? Especially when secret organizations might have use for him. Liam had warned Tony about Obadiah and told him to keep a mobile suit with himself.
Tony took the advice seriously. And had made that famous suitcase armor which he carried now everywhere with Happy holding it.
---
Few days later
The sun was setting, casting long shadows across the school courtyard as Liam walked out with Chris and Bonnie. The trio was laughing about something Chris had said. It was a normal day for everyone present, but it was destined to be a eventful night.
"You! You ruined my family!" a shrill voice rang out from across the street.