Chapter 37: Forging Excalibur
The forge crackled with intense heat as Reyn stood over his anvil, carefully inspecting the materials he had gathered for his most ambitious creation yet: Excalibur. This legendary sword, inspired by the Fate/stay night series, would not only carry immense power but also serve as a symbol of purity, strength, and justice. Unlike the invisible blade from the tales, this Excalibur would shine with an unmistakable radiance, a blade that would never be hidden in the shadows.
Beside him, Amber's flames burned brightly. Over their journey, Amber's flames had grown more powerful, becoming an essential part of Reyn's craft. The once-tamed fire now had an otherworldly quality to it, flickering in shades of gold and azure, as if infused with the very essence of magic itself. Reyn knew this would be the first time Amber's fire would be used to forge such a powerful weapon, and it filled him with both excitement and determination.
"Amber," Reyn said, his voice steady but full of anticipation. "We'll need your full power for this. Let's make something worthy of legends."
With a flare of heat, Amber's flames surged around the ore, melting it with ease as Reyn carefully manipulated the liquid metal, shaping it into the long, elegant blade. As he worked, he drew runes along the length of the blade—runes that would give Excalibur its legendary abilities: the power to channel light into devastating energy slashes, the ability to shield its wielder from harm, and the capacity to amplify the strength of those fighting for a righteous cause.
Sweat dripped down Reyn's brow as he worked tirelessly, hammering the blade into shape. Each strike of his hammer rang out with a sense of purpose, and the fire around him intensified, crackling and dancing like an eager partner in the process. The flames seemed to hum in harmony with his efforts, and gradually, the blade began to take its form.
Hours passed in the forge, and finally, it was time for the blade to cool. Reyn quenched it in a specially prepared mixture of enchanted waters, and the sword pulsed with an ethereal glow. He lifted the sword carefully, admiring the results.
"It's perfect," Reyn murmured to himself.
He stepped back, gazing at the completed sword. Excalibur, now in its finished form, was far beyond anything he had imagined.
The sword's blade was long, slender, and gleaming like polished gold. Its edge was impossibly sharp, honed to perfection, while the surface reflected the light with a brilliance that was almost blinding. The blade itself seemed to shimmer with a faint ethereal glow, as if alive with magic. The metal wasn't just polished; it was radiant, as though imbued with a celestial light.
At its core, there was a faint aura—soft, but unmistakably powerful—resonating from the runes that ran the length of the blade. Each rune was etched with divine care, glowing with a gentle golden light that seemed to hum with power.
The hilt of the sword was wrapped in dark leather, offering a firm yet comfortable grip. The crossguard was elegant, designed to resemble the wings of an angel, with intricate engravings that added a touch of otherworldly beauty. The sword as a whole radiated an aura of purity, strength, and righteousness, and anyone who laid eyes on it would understand that this was a weapon made for a hero.
Reyn gazed at the blade in his hands, feeling the immense weight of its power. This was more than just a weapon; it was a statement, a promise that justice would prevail. His fingers lightly traced the engraved runes, his mind running through the abilities the sword would wield:
1. Light Slash: Excalibur could channel beams of concentrated light, unleashing them in devastating slashes that could cleave through even the most formidable of defenses.
2. Divine Shield: The sword could create a magical barrier of light, defending its wielder from harm, whether it be physical or magical.
3. Righteous Fury: When wielded by someone of pure heart, the sword would amplify their strength and resolve, allowing them to strike with overwhelming power.
4. Light of Hope: In times of darkness, Excalibur could release a blinding light that would heal and rejuvenate allies, filling them with courage and strength.
"Amber," Reyn said softly, turning to the flames, "This sword... it will change everything."
The fire crackled in response, as though acknowledging the magnitude of what they had accomplished together. Reyn turned the blade in his hands, a smile tugging at his lips. The sword was a masterpiece—powerful, beautiful, and ready for its wielder.
Just as Reyn admired the completed blade, the door to the forge swung open, and Garrett stepped inside, his usual confident demeanor evident as he surveyed the room. His eyes immediately went to Excalibur, resting on the anvil, glowing with its divine radiance.
"That's quite the piece of work," Garrett said, walking closer. His voice was tinged with genuine admiration. "I thought you'd have something special for your first legendary sword."
Reyn nodded, his hand brushing over the hilt of Excalibur. "This one is for someone worthy—a holy knight. I believe she's ready for it."
Garrett crossed his arms, glancing over the blade carefully. "She'll be honored. But there's something else. Alarcus is looking for you."
Reyn's expression sharpened. "Alarcus?"
"Yeah, the mage from the tournament," Garrett explained. "He's been asking around, and I heard he wants to meet you."
Reyn paused, considering. His mind was already formulating a plan. "Tell him I'll meet him tomorrow, outside the city walls. Somewhere away from prying eyes—in the green grass fields."
Garrett raised an eyebrow but didn't press further. "Alright, I'll let him know."
As Garrett turned to leave, Reyn motioned to the crow golems, who had been waiting quietly at the side of the forge. "You," he said to one of them, "take the sword and deliver it to Seraphine. Make sure she knows it's a gift from the Blacksmith of a Thousand Tales."
The crow golem chirped in acknowledgment, its mechanical wings fluttering as it carefully grasped the hilt of Excalibur in its claws. With a flap of its wings, it soared out of the forge, heading toward the holy knight Seraphine.
Reyn then turned to the second crow golem. "And you, take this bag of gold and deliver it to the orphanage. It's for the children in need. Let Seraphine know she's helping even more lives than she realizes."
The second crow golem took the bag in its claws, carefully securing it before flying off in the opposite direction.
Garrett paused at the door, giving Reyn one last look. "Good luck with Alarcus. You might want to be careful with that one."
Reyn simply nodded, his gaze now fixed on Excalibur. "I will be. I just hope this sword's worth the trouble."
As Garrett left, Reyn felt the weight of what was to come settle on his shoulders. With Excalibur now on its way to Seraphine and a generous donation for the orphanage en route, it was time to prepare for the next step—the meeting with Alarcus, where even more challenges would await.