Chapter 103 103 – Not A Pity

"Stop. Let's rest." Darren gave orders to Ayre, who was holding a giant pincer. The shapeshifter was dipping a freshly forged knife into the water.

"I can still keep going." The shapeshifter removed the thick gloves she was wearing, then wiped the sweat off her forehead with the back of her hand.

Darren chuckled, using his cane to stand up. "Well, you continue making a knife again, then."

"Can we not move on to the next stage. I've made too many knives, sir."

"You can quickly absorb lessons from me, but the knife you made is not perfect. Your way of making it is still not refined." Darren approached the woman. "So, move your butt and make one more knife while I make lunch."

"How about I make lunch instead?" Faye came to the smithy area behind the shop.

"Hey, Faye. Long time no see." Darren raised an eyebrow. "If you want to join us for lunch, feel free, but I don't need your help."

Faye held a wooden shaft supporting the roof with both hands, then gave a wink and smiled. "Until when do you want to be stubborn like that? I really just wanted to help you."

"And I'm telling you one more time, I don't need that." The blacksmith then entered his house.

Faye took a deep breath when Darren was out of sight. "That man is really not to be expected. Even though I was willing to care for him, why does he always reject it?"

"He doesn't even want me to help him with the house chores." Ayre chimed in while preparing some unused metal to be smelted.

"I'm worried that the disease will get worse, and there is no one to take care of it." Faye looked at the open back door of Darren's house with a sad expression.

Ayre stopped what she was doing. "Have you two ever had a relationship?"

"He and I almost got married." Faye gave a bitter smile. "However, he canceled it because he was suddenly sick…. Even though I don't care and am willing to take care of him..."

The witch gasped but widened her smile.

Ayre was silent for a moment, thinking about something. "Does he always trust you?"

Faye frowned upon hearing Ayre's question.

***

Darren and the two women gathered in the small dining room, enjoying mashed potatoes and soup. Darren ate with shaking hands. He seemed to have a bit of trouble doing it.

"What if I said I was from the future, sir?" Ayre suddenly muttered. "And the reason I'm training with you is to be able to make something that helps me in time travel."

Darren froze and, moments later, laughed. "What the fuck are you talking about!? Time travel!? What bullshit is that!?"

"That's what my friend meant by coming home." The shapeshifter general continued. "We are stranded in this era…."

"Funny!" Darren was still laughing. "I didn't know you had a great sense of humor behind your blank expression."

Faye intertwined her fingers and made it a chinrest. "She's serious, you know. I'll even be leaving tomorrow for another city to gather the information that can help them."

Darren's chin dropped. His gaze was fixed on the female witch. "Why do you sound so serious?"

"Because I'm serious." Faye looked back at the man. "You've known me for quite a while. You can see when I'm lying, right?"

"Holy shit." Darren looked at Ayre. At first, he seemed serious too but then laughed again. "Well, even if they are really from the future, that's none of my business!"

Ayre put her spoon and fork on the plate. "It's my business, sir. You have no idea how important one of my best friends is. She also has the surname Morgan like you. You don't have any other relatives, do you? If you don't have at least a descendant, then her existence will be erased."

Darren shrugged. "There are a lot of people who have the surname Morgan. The possibility of me being the ancestor of your best friend is very little."

"She is a gifted witch like Faye, and her mother has the same disease as you." Ayre continued to press that man. "Yes, all of that is not enough to prove you are the ancestors of my best friend. However, I will take any opportunity to maintain her existence."

And Ayre meant her words. Lexi Morgan was a crucial individual in what Vorn built.

Darren rubbed his face. His breaths started to become wild. "So, you're asking me to fuck with Faye, is that it?"

"Could you stop being stubborn, please?" Faye began to shed tears. "I told you I don't care about your illness."

"I don't need your pity!"

"This is not pity, Darren!"

Suddenly Ayre grabbed Darren's collar, then spoke with trembling lips. "Don't you realize how lucky you are to have Faye? I've often heard of people like you dying alone and rotting because they couldn't do anything."

Ayre's words were indeed a lie. She had never heard of people like that. But the important thing for her is that her point is conveyed.

"So, let me die like them then." The man hissed.

"And let your father's knowledge die?" Ayre replied again. "You're still willing to accept me because of those words of mine, right? That I will teach your children later?"

The blacksmith laughed again. "But, in the end, you will go to your era. You never intended to train my kids."

Ayre removed her hand from Darren's collar, paused for a moment, then answered. "No, most likely, I'll be stuck here forever. So, I will have plenty of time to teach your future children. The art of forging from the Morgan family will live on."

Darren looked into Ayre's eyes. "Why?"

"I can't say the reason for now. And please, don't talk about this with my friend."

Faye stood up and wrapped her arms around Darren's neck from behind. "Please, Darren. If you let me wait longer, you will become even less attractive."

"Later on, I can only lie in bed." Darren massaged his head. "You know that, right?

Faye chuckled as a single tear rolled down her cheek. "That's why you need someone willing to clean your piss and shit."

Ayre turned and left that place. Her last words were true. Most likely, she would have stayed in this era for a reason. And she has yet to be able to tell Lord Vorn.