Chapter 413: Realm Guardian Onda

Chapter 413: Realm Guardian Onda

Hello, a young, almost child-like voice said.

There was always something magical in hearing the first words of a guardian. Even veteran awakened relished the moment knowing that their efforts had gained form. Often, theyd spend seconds, or even minutes, disconnected from the world, focusing on the item just created. Dallion didnt have that luxury. Barely had he heard the voice than he gave instructions to the guardian how to shape its realm.

Eleven instances had failed to match the correct moment. Nine proceeded with the instructions, although in three cases, the new guardian was too confused to follow them adequately. At this point, only six remained.

Did you think of that? The guardian asked, as it moved the molten metal while it hardened. Thats really cool.

Cool? Dallion wondered. He knew that the newly created guardians were close in character to their creator, but this was a bit too much. Strictly speaking, guardians were not created; according to Nil, the moment a new realm came into existence, all of them were attracted to fill it. The actual process by which a guardian was selected remained a mystery. Supposedly, those who mirrored the personality of the creator had a greater chance of showing up, but that wasnt always the case. At present, it almost seemed as if one of Dallions echoes had claimed the realm.

The molten metal moved about as it hardened, crackling in the process. This was unusual, but Dallions forging skills told him that everything was going on as expected. Every now and again unfortunate bubble would form, ruining the shape, and causing another instance to be discarded.

Just a bit more! Dallion split into eighteen new instances.

Had the dream been a warning about this? Forging was surprisingly close to forging a province. The only difference was that no people or politics were involved here. Sadly, that didnt make it a lot easier.

The seconds passed slowly and tensely with Dallion using his focus, as well as music and forging skills to monitor the guardians progress and instruct him when needed. Instances faded away by the dozen, only to be replaced by more.

Sweat covered Dallions forehead, caused just as much by the heat as by the pressure. Time ceased to have any meaning, all that mattered was to construct the hammer head according to specifications. Then, finally, it was done. Out of habit, Dallion kept on splitting for half a minute more, to be certain that there were no surprises. Then, once he saw that nothing bad had happened, he lay on the floor, grabbed hold of his kaleidervisto, entered into the item, and promptly collapsed.

The first thing Dallion noticed upon waking up was the blanket of blue flames that covered him. Lux, in typical fashion, had made sure that he remained warm and healed, even if the realm was by no means cold.

Thanks, Lux, Dallion stirred. Instantly the firebird moved off from him, taking its avian form. Did anything interesting happen while I was asleep?

There was no telling how much time had passed. If Dallion were to guess, hed say hours. Not that it mattered. The only reason he asked was because he wanted to have a rough estimate of how angry Nil would be with him. The old echo was far from overprotective, but got especially annoyed when basic logic wasnt followed. In this caseforging until fainting.

Lux flew around Dallion, forming the number nine.

Nine hours? Dallion, thought. Thats not too bad.

Taking a few steps to adjust, he then returned to the real world. With only the moment passed, the hammer head was still scorching hot, even if it had gained solid form. Now was the time for it to be quenched. Since the hammer head was made of sky silver, there was one peculiarity. Quenching wasnt done in oil or water, but the air itself. That was another of the reasons why the metal was so durable.Fôll0w current novÊls on n/o/(v)/3l/b((in).(co/m)

Taking a pair of large tongs, Dallion pulled out the hammer head from the sand mold. Seeing it for the first time brought mixed feelings. The hammer glistened with raw brilliance, making the already unusual shape look as if it had been cut out of with a laser. Unfortunately, it was slightly small for a hammer. That was another of the reasons that Dallion wanted to give it a quicksilver core.

Dont be nitpicky, Nil grumbled. Its good.

Is that a compliment? Dallion asked, carefully examining the edges of the hammer-head. They were pleasantly sharp, almost crisp. Any onlooker would describe the piece as a misshaped triangular prism with a hole in the middle. Technically, they wouldnt be wrong. The hammer was triangles, but where others saw an irregular prism, Dallion saw seventy-two faces of different lengths and angles with which to strike. And there wasnt just one hold, but two: one for the handle and one to pour the quicksilver in.

Feeling okay? Dallion asked the hammer piece.

Perfecto, the hammer replied. In his mind, Dallion almost imagined it giving him a thumbs up.

Okay, lets get you tempered a bit more. He put the hammer head in the oven.

Twice did Dallion return the item to the oven and twice he quenched it in air. Each time it became slicker and slicker. Euryale would probably grumble that it would need a few areas ground down, but all in all Dallion was pleased with the result.

Once the hammer head had fully cooled down, it was time for phase two. With extreme care and attention, Dallion poured the quicksilver into the head. This time, he only used half a dozen instances. Luckily for him, there were no incidents.

When the liquid metal had filled its container to the brim, he removed his leather gloves and touched the side of the sky silver.

Statistics: 100% Health

Skills:

-Water control

-Forging

-Carving

-Guard

-Attack

Weak Spot: Unknown

Did you? the guardian repeated his question.

Yes? Dallion wasnt sure whether that was a good thing or not.

Sweet. The nymph grinned. Cool design. Havent seen something like this in ages. You must have an idea of ferrofluid behavior.

Huh? Dallion blinked. While he knew that the past ages might have been far more technologically advanced, he didnt expect his hammer to be versed in modern physics. His body wasnt shimmeringwhich meant that he wasnt from another worldand yet he didnt seem to belong in a medieval setting in the least. Then again, Vihrogon was also a lot more modern that the current age supposed.

Sorry, old habit. I was a gearworks apprentice in the past. he looked at the floor. You have no idea what its like to end up in a realm such as this.

Youre aware that youre a hammer? Dallion asked.

Hey, no ones perfect. Besides, so much thought went into creating this that I wouldnt call it just a hammer. Anyway, when will you link me to your realm?

Quite the pushy one, arent you, Dallion thought.

When I get you a handle, he said reluctantly. Keep in mind there are a few other guardians linked already.

Nice. Any nymphs?

One. Shes a harpsisword.

The eagerness that filled the guardians chest suddenly vanished, replaced by equal parts fear and uncertainty.

Combat gear, the guardian said. I can work with that.

Ive also have, a companion shield and youll see when you join he realm. I also have an old echo, whos the resident librarian. Feel free to chat with him on any topic, though most of all forging. I plan to start making items pretty soon and Ill rely on you for assistance.

I figured as much. Dont worry, Ill be here to help you out. He took a few steps to the edge of the terrace and looked at the horizon. Combat gear and a companion shield. It wont be boring, thats for sure.

You have no idea Dont worry though, I wont take you on the trips in the wilderness. Youll be entirely focused on crafting things.

And for starters, Ill see how good you are at shaping an emblem.