The dwarfs stirred and stood. They were shaken, and their olive-green skin was drained of blood. Brom assured them that their secret would be safe with them and that they would not tell a soul. They had never seen Foxkin before and thought she had crossed the veil with Ethan and Wendy.
Ethan thought it best to avoid correcting them. Ethan wanted them to respect Lucy as well. The dwarfs wanted them to stay for a feast in their honour. Brandy wanted Ethan to bless her tools, believing they would work better if blessed.
Ethan consulted Sophia and asked if he could do anything for her tools.
Sophia replied with a surprising answer.
"Alas, your essence, made up of little machines, could alter the weapon's durability and upgrade it to a higher-level tool. The tool would become heavier and more durable and gain superior effectiveness. Warn her that the tool would also change shape."
Brandy ran to the forge and grabbed a few hammers and other tools. She placed them on the table and stared at Ethan with a big grin.
Wendy and Lucy looked at each other and then at Ethan. Ethan could see they were wondering what he would do. If he did something to the weapons, they would consider him a deity. Ethan did not want to mislead his companions, but Sophia convinced him it was a necessary evil.
Ethan could feel his chest puff out, and he felt a sense of pride. Finally, someone wanted his help even though he was always considered the weakest, and his skill level was only suitable for hunting. He sighed. Ethan's neck was stiff, and sweat started running down his back and formed on his forehead like a man on death row. He felt the pressure to perform.
Ethan remembered the men in the village always talked about needy women, placing pressure on them to perform. Now, he finally knew what that pressure to perform felt like, and he felt sympathetic towards them.
Sophia spoke in his mind.
"Alas, do not overthink it. Just place your hand on the tools, and we will do the rest."
Ethan realised something: why did he only think of it now?
"Alas, Sophia, what do you mean by us?"
"Alas, Ethan, we are five cores inside you, and we are the system. You saw us when you visited your inner mind. Each one of us is here to serve you to our utmost ability. We would do anything for you."
Ethan could not think about such things now. He placed his hand on her hammer and called forth his essence. The dwarfs inhaled sharply in wonder. Their eyes were transfixed on the golden glow that flowed from his hand into the hammer. The hammer began to glow with a golden light, changing shape slowly. Time passed slowly, and Ethan felt drained.
Sophia spoke.
"Alas, you do not have enough resources to change another tool. It will become risky should you attempt another."
Ethan had to think fast. Ten more items were on the table. He had chosen her hammer because he knew smiths used them a lot. The glow faded, and a futuristic hammer of dark metal with ruins carved into it lay on the table.
Brandy fainted again as she looked at her blessed hammer. Brandy came to and stared at the hammer, too afraid to touch it.
"Alas, we are only allowed to bless one thing per area. You are now a favoured one, and please use it responsibly. You now have a one-of-a-kind hammer, the only blessed hammer in this realm."
She took the hammer, holding it like a holy object. Brandy thanked Ethan profusely and went to the forge to try out her new hammer. Brom thanked him for blessing his house with his visit. Brom gave them a bag of biscuits before leaving for the portal. They walked to the portal in silence. Ethan was worried that the girls would run away or fear him.
They stopped near the portal, and Wendy looked up at him.
"Hail, I knew what you were from the beginning. This changes nothing between us; I still owe you my life and will stay by your side till I die."
"Squee, it was a shock to find out, but my body is yours to plough or use as you please."
"Alas, let us take it one day at a time. There will be no ploughing at this stage."
Ethan could see that the girls were excited, and he felt it, too. Before they started training, he wanted to give them as much essence as possible. The farmer waited next to the field, handing them tomatoes, and just down the road, another farmer gave them cucumbers to eat.
They talked briefly, and Ethan realised these people were starving for conversation. An hour later, they arrived at the inn. Grace and Penny conversed in a corner, and Shaw played a board game with his seven daughters.
Melisa brought them red grape mead. It was cold and refreshing after the day they had. It was filled with new adventures, and they made new friends. Ethan thought briefly about warm chocolate and brandy, but it faded as he enjoyed this new drink with his friends.
They rested for the rest of the day on their single bed. Ethan held them in his arms as they fell asleep. Penny knocked on the door, and it was dinner time.
Ethan sat up, and Wendy and Lucy sat next to him. Ethan stared first into deep blue eyes and then into emerald-green eyes. They were silently smiling at each other as Ethan rubbed the back of his head. Ethan could feel they had formed a bond.
"Alas, when we return after dinner, I want to infuse you with essence."
"Hail, Ethan, anything you want to do, we will not complain."
"Alas, do not speak too easy; it might be embarrassing for all of us."
"Squee, will it make me stronger? If that is the case, please do not hesitate. I want to be the best tank ever."
They walked down to the main hall, where everyone ate and talked. The big fireplace was lit, and sparks drifted as the firewood crackled. The atmosphere was warm and inviting.
Ethan dreaded tonight after the meal. Penny joined them at the table, and the woman chatted about women's things. Shaw was busy with his daughters serving the patrons.
Grace walked in and made a beeline for their table.
"Hey everyone, would you mind if I sat with you, Penny? My dear friend, you look incredible."
Grace hugged Penny, kissing her cute fluffy cat ears. Penny blushed, her ears twitched, and her tail stood straight. Grace took the opportunity to sit beside Ethan, looking at Wendy and Lucy across the table.
"Alas, Grace, welcome. How was your day."
Everyone greeted her. A mug of grape mead was placed in front of her. Grace had a sinister grin. She looked at Penny, putting her mug down; she had drunk half of it.
"Penny, we are in luck. There are two sightings outside the city near the south. They have spotted two Catoblepas."
Penny's ears perked up, and she took Grace by the hand.
"Meow, tell me more. Can we get them before the other adventurers find out about them?"
Grace slapped her thigh and then finished her mug of mead. Grace slams her mug down on the table, her breasts jiggling, drawing Ethan's eye. Wendy and Lucy smiled at him when he looked at them. Wendy gave him a thumbs up, licking her lips. Lucy made sucking motions with her mouth, then giggled. Grace saw their tom foolery jiggling her breasts on purpose. Shaw came to Ethan's rescue, placing his hand on Grace's shoulder.
"Come now, Grace, those are lethal weapons. Give Ethan a chance to focus again."
"Shaw, you're no fun at all."
Grace pouted, and Wendy and Lucy pouted with her.
"Meow, best friends already, Grace."
Ethan felt horrified as Wendy and Lucy made their breasts jiggle. He had to change the situation, and people stared at them. Ethan thought about their food problem. Could this be an opportunity? Would it be too forward to ask, he pondered.