Von awoke to people speaking around him. Opening his eyes, he could see a large number of white-robed healers of all races standing within the forge. Thoroughly looking around, everyone was still present, but the pulses seemed to have stopped yet through the milling healers, he could distinctly notice the sword remained on the workbench exactly where it was.
He tried to sit up but was still too weak. One of the older healers, a strange woman with tusks and green skin noticed his movement. Pointing at Von, in a gruff voice she announced, "This one is waking up." She rapidly stepped to Von.
Placing her hand on his head and pushing a hint of aura into him, she felt a jolt and quickly stopped. "Fine then. How do you feel, boy?"
Von rolled over to his stomach and made a failed attempt to rise. "Sore. I hurt everywhere, and I feel weak. Is everyone else alright?"
"Fool child." She said bearing her tusks even more. "Worry about yourself first." Her voice then softened. "You are the first to wake, so I guess you'll have to tell us what happened."
He looked over at her and again asked, "Is everyone alright? Are they at least alive?"
"Oh, they'll live. They'll hurt for a while, and they'll feel weak while they reabsorb essence into their bodies and aura, but they'll all live." Then more firmly she looked at him and asked. "Now, will you explain what happened?"
As Von listened to the healer's assessment, a wave of relief washed over him knowing his companions were alive, albeit weakened. Gathering his thoughts, he recounted the events in detail just as they had transpired within the forge, from the initial imbuing of Marshfang to the subsequent pulses of green energy which ended up engulfing them all.
He described how Mistress Hellyne and the other mages attempted to neutralize the vampiric influence of the sword, only to be overwhelmed by its power. He recounted how he had pushed himself to the brink, pulling the door shut against the surging pulses of vampiric energy in a desperate bid to contain the spreading darkness.
As he spoke, Von could see the concern etched on the healer's face, her brows furrowed in deep thought. When he finished recounting the events, she nodded slowly, her expression grave.
"It seems you've caused a bit of a mess and all you have been through quite an ordeal," she remarked, her voice tinged with sympathy. "A large number of citizens also succumbed to the green waves, but none were unconscious and most awakened within the first ten minutes. In your defense, you did well to contain the darkness and protect the city from further harm. Now, rest and allow your body to recover. We will tend to your companions and ensure they receive the care they need."
She placed her hand to his brow again in an attempt to force unconsciousness on him but again, she received a jolt of something which seemed to sap her energy and immediately ceased her actions. "Quite a defensive aura you have there, boy. Can you tone it down a little so I can help you sleep?"
"I don't want to sleep. I want to check on the others." With this, he again tried to stand, but couldn't get his body to cooperate. "Can you help me stand?"
Snapping her fingers, she motioned to a very young-looking half-elf toward a leather satchel sitting on the workbench near the dagger, Felinblade, and Marshfang. The small boy, no bigger than Von himself stepped quickly to grab the satchel and bring it to the green-skinned woman. She nodded approvingly as the young half-elf retrieved the satchel and brought it to her, then scanned its contents with practiced efficiency.
She withdrew a small vial filled with a shimmering liquid and handed it to Von. "Drink this," she instructed, her tone firm yet reassuring. "It will give you the strength to stand and check on the others, but remember, it's only temporary. You mustn't overexert yourself. Even with little exertion, it will only last an hour before you must rest."
Von nodded gratefully, accepting the vial and quickly uncorking it. With a deep breath, he swallowed the liquid in one swift motion, feeling its effects coursing through his veins almost immediately. As the strength returned to his limbs, he pushed himself up from the floor, steadying himself against the workbench for support.
"Thank you," he said to the healer, his voice filled with gratitude. Looking around, he saw more white-robed healer examining and making notes than mages, then he glanced through the now open door to the shop and saw Grimdon being placed onto a chair and a deep brown tea-like substance being slowly poured into his mouth. The others in the shop were being given the same treatment.
Taking in everything around the shop, he could see gawkers peering through the windows trying to discover what happened. Seeing him standing inside and looking around, some of them recognized him from the challenges and pointed to the others. A few magic students could be seen staring as well whispering to the others whose mouths dropped in awe of the young boy inside.
Feeling the weight of the curious gazes upon him, Von straightened his posture, determined to project an air of calm authority despite the chaos that had unfolded. He took a moment to gather his thoughts, focusing on the task at hand: ensuring the well-being of the master smiths and his companions and understanding the full extent of the situation.
With a renewed sense of purpose, Von began to make his way toward Grimdon, his steps steady and confident since the effects of the healing potion bolstered his strength. As he approached, he could see the dwarf grimacing in discomfort as he reluctantly swallowed the dark brown liquid being administered to him.
"Grimdon, are you alright?" Von asked, concern evident in his voice as he reached out to place a reassuring hand on the dwarf's shoulder.
Grimdon looked up, his expression a mixture of pain and gratitude as he met Von's gaze. "Aye, lad, I'll be fine," he replied hoarsely, his voice strained from the ordeal. "Just a bit shaken, is all."
Von nodded, relieved to see Grimdon conscious and coherent despite his obvious discomfort. "I'm glad to see you were too tough to let an evil sword take you out."
Grimdon shook his head and laughed as he returned the smile. This small lad had his own kind of healing, lifting one's spirits which was better than just healing one's body. With a reassuring smile, Grimdon turned his attention to Vorolen in an attempt to examine her. Seeing she was still breathing and in the care of the healers, much as himself, he returned to the chair and watched as Von reentered the forge.
Von took a few moments to examine each member of the party visually and ask the healers about their well-being before finally deciding to examine the cause of these problems. Moving back to the workbench, he picked up Felinblade and channeled his weakened aura into it allowing the blade to offer its strength to him. The effect of the dagger on his body was almost immediate.
He felt a surge of energy course through his veins, invigorating his tired muscles and sharpening his focus. The familiar sensation of the dagger's magic enveloped him, offering its strength, agility and enhances senses to support him as he sought to understand the events that had transpired.
With renewed strength, Von turned his attention to Marshfang, the source of their troubles. As he approached the sword, he could feel the pervious malevolent aura was now gone, and a certain kinship with Felinblade's magic had become more pronounced.
Taking a deep breath to steel himself, Von extended his hand toward Marshfang, hesitating for a moment before making contact with the blade's hilt. Instantly, he felt a jolt of raw power surge through him, sending shivers down his spine, but unlike before, the sensation was different—less draining, more empowering.
Closing his eyes, Von focused his thoughts, probing Marshfang's essence with his weakened aura. He sought to understand the nature of the sword's magic, to unravel the mysteries that lay hidden within its dark depths.
As he delved deeper into Marshfang's magic, he sensed a presence—a faint whisper of consciousness lurking within the blade. It felt very familiar, but at the same time, it was as if the sword itself possessed a will of its own, a sentient intelligence pulsing with life despite its inanimate form.
He touched it with his aura attempting to attune to Marshfang and felt the familiarity become stronger as his aura suddenly strengthened as the abilities of the sword burst forth into the back of his mind and the familiar sentience was absorbed from the sword.
With the strange will now inside Von's body, he realized it was his own. During the imbuing and naming process, he had lost part of his own spirit and aura placing it into the sword. Unlike before, he now felt whole again and back at full strength, maybe a little better as the full capabilities of the sword could be felt in his body and mind.