Chereads / Etarion Online: Rise of the Void Sovereign / Chapter 13 - Forged and skill

Chapter 13 - Forged and skill

Nova followed Sorev through the city, which was surprisingly busy despite being so early in the morning, while trying to keep up with him, Nova could not help but notice how fast and long his strides were despite his small stature, his presence commanded respect, which was not something that was easily gained by his type of people. 

Nova observed him carefully, his every action exuded a tough confidence that stood in sharp contrast to Nova's cautious behavior. A big hammer hung at the dwarf's side, its head gleaming with an almost unearthly glow, and a leather apron, soiled and discolored from innumerable hours at the forge, adorned his broad back.

Eventually, they arrived at a more peaceful part of the city, where the smell of oil, ash, and metal filled the air. The streets were lined with rows of workshops, each resonating with the steady clang of hammers hitting anvils. Nova's attention was caught by a big yet plain-looking shop with a heavy iron door. Sorev's forge was written on a plain sign above it.

"No time to waste boy, get in," Sorev said gruffly, as he opened the door to the building with an iron key and pushed it open, motioning Nova to follow him. 

The moment Nova entered the building, he was struck by a wave of heat. The forge's interior was an exquisite display of craftsmanship. The room was filled with racks of armor and weapons, each piece radiating a subtle aura of magic, and tools of all sizes and shapes hung neatly on the walls. 

The workspace was dominated by the forge itself, a huge construction with coals that glowed and beat like a living heart. In addition to the subtle hum of enchantments buried in the walls, the air was filled with an odd combination of earthy and metallic smells.

"So, Crevan thinks you're worth my time, eh?" Sorev said, as he took off his apron and carelessly tossed it onto a work bench nearby. "Let's see if he is right. What do you need, lad?"

"I need a weapon, one to be rebuilt, one to match my class as a necromancer," He said, his tone firm, as he met his gaze. 

Sorev's brows shot up in surprise. "Necromancer, eh? These days it is not exactly a common class. The majority of people avoid it because they believe it to be all doom and gloom. However, I will tell you that it has potential."

Sorev stroked his beard, thoughtfully, while looking at Nova, then he turned to face a cabinet in the room's corner. He opened it and saw a jumble of shiny, dark materials—blackened steel, crystals that seemed to absorb the light, and a few shards of obsidian.

Sorev pulled out a piece of obsidian that shimmered with faint, ghostly hues. "These are the kinds of materials we use for necromancer weapons." 

"Dark magic can be effectively channeled by obsidian. It has a dreamlike ability to hold enchantments and is strong and sharp. However, it goes beyond the materials. A weapon must seem like an extension of the person wielding it," He said, with his eyes narrowed. 

"What do you want your weapon to do, boy? Tell me. Power is one thing, but what about accuracy? It is where the magic takes place," He said, as he turned to Nova after setting the shards of obsidian on the workbench. 

Nova gave the question some thought. His words were slow. "I need something versatile," he said. "I need something that will help me channel my spells and protect me in close quarters. I have discovered that this world isn't forgiving of people who can't adjust, so I don't want to rely solely on magic."

Sorev gave a nod of approval. "Wise response. So, a staff—one that has a little bite to it."

The dwarf began gathering the materials that were needed, muttering to himself as he worked. He selected a length of polished blackened wood with an intricate design, sturdy yet lightweight, and began shaping it on his workbench. 

 

He added silver inlays along its length, embedding runes into the design with precision that spoke of years of experience, as the staff was being crafted, it glowed faintly as the runes began activating. 

The forge seemed to hum with energy as he worked. Nova was captivated by Sorev's unwavering focus and the skillful movements of his hands. The dwarf was not just a blacksmith, he was an artist and a master of his trade.

"There are many materials around here, be it simple ore or limestone, as long as it has the elements needed, anything can be forged, do you have something to give me or shall I make the final touch?" Sorev asked, while he glanced up at Nova for a brief second. 

Nova nodded and handed him the small pouch containing the remaining remnants from the staff. He hummed a little as he picked up the fragments and the dust, examining its particles. 

"I can see why Crevan sent you here, this could hardly be recreated by anyone else here in this city and runic magic is the key," He said, then continued working quietly, without saying another word. 

After what seemed like hours, Sorev finally took a step back and wiped the sweat from his forehead. With its dark surface shining in the light from the forge, he extended the completed staff to Nova.

The runes along the length of the staff glowed with a faint, rhythmic light, and the obsidian shard pulsed faintly, while the stone that had shattered from the previous nightshade staff, was now recreated and placed at the top of the staff, glowing, as if alive.

Nova stood there, staring at the new staff in awe, it looked similar to the original nightshade staff that Crevan had shown him the day before at the headquarters, if not a bit better and quite easy on the eyes, seeing his reaction made a smirk appear on the dwarf's face, knowing the young man was content with his work and he did not need words to see that.