WM [40] The Armored Merchant

WM [40] The Armored Merchant

The monster hunters haggling with Joel finally gave in to his price with the pressure of the monster horde approaching. They ran out of the shop cursing a few times about being ripped off.

“Hmm, a monster horde this close to town is rare,” Underrock said, with more irritation in his words than concern. “Well, it is a good thing your armor is done, it might be a good time to test it out.”

“Yeah. How much?” Tanisha asked.

“No additional charge. With how much infused metal you made for us we still owe you. Consider the additions to the armor a retention payment for your services when you eventually return to Yuhia.” He placed a coin purse on the counter. “This is the rest of your payment.”

“Thanks, Underrock and you too Joel,” Tanisha said as she placed the coin purse into her inventory. “Joha can you help me out with the armor?”

Adelheid spoke up, “Are we going to fight?”

Joha sighed. “Practical combat would help solidify the lessons, but after this we are heading for the border.”

Joha blew out a stream of red maya which flowed around Tanisha and across the counter with the armor. Everyone’s eyes were fixed onto her as the crimson tide swirled around her like angry thunder clouds. Tanisha could feel the armor materialize around her as Joha’s manipulation of the maya masterfully changed her outfit.

As the maya dissipated it revealed a transformation nothing short of awe-inspiring. Tanisha was fully clad in the black suit. The metal seemed to drink in the light around it giving her an aura of mystique. The quillstrike feather infused blue steel looked as if gleaming like veins of molten gold traced along the armor. The contrast between the black and gold almost gave a touch of sinister regality.

Tanisha raised her hands to look at the armored gauntlets as she surged her mana activating Chain Breaker’s Mantle. The armor responded to her power, resonating with the infusion of the quillstriker’s essence. Ghostly feathers of golden light began to materialize around her, drifting into existence with a soft, radiant glow mirroring the color of aether. As the feathers touched the ground, they dissipated into the air, leaving behind a faint shimmer before vanishing completely.

The room was silent as they took in the embodiment of power Tanisha had become. The armor pulsed with life, a living extension of her will. As she stood there for a brief moment her mind shifted back to the true name of her soul. The name she had only spoken in the words of mages and magic not the tongue of mortals. Something about how the armor resonated made her want to speak the name again.

“Valkyrja,” she whispered with a smile on her face as she closed her fists, dispersing her magic.

Underrock, the creator of the armor, allowed himself a small, proud smile as he observed the way the armor responded to Tanisha’s magic. Bjorn closely examined the falling feathers while Joha and Joel walked around Tanisha to get a better look at the work. They couldn’t see Tanisha’s face or her wide grin through her full face helmet that was perfectly designed for her head and tiara. What they could see was her long tail swaying side to side in glee.

“A monarch this far in Yuhia? How did it cross the border?” Adelheid questioned.

“Nothing confirmed so far, but it looks like the armored chrysalis didn’t cross the border.” Alfred said.

“Are you saying it manifested here,” Tanisha asked. “How?”

Alfred sighed, “Like I said, nothing is confirmed but we are getting reports of elevated levels of ambient mana similar to an anomalous zone shift.”

“A what?” Tanisha asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

“It is what happens when places that had pretty normal and stable ambient mana experience spikes in levels. Over the past few months, I’ve been suspicious. We’ve been seeing more and more monsters around here, so it checks out.”

“But I thought Yuhia’s ambient mana was stable.” Tanisha said.

“It has been, yes, but these shifts, while rare, aren’t unheard of.” Alfred rubbed his chin. “How about you all follow me? I am putting together a team to kill the monarch before it gets too close.”

“I will stay here.” Joha’s deep voice rumbled. “I will make sure your people don’t get overrun.”

“Wh-what why?” Adelheid blurted out in surprise. “I am sure you could kill the monarch alone.”

“Probably, but that would not give Tanisha or Bjorn the room they need to grow. They have been training hard, and now it’s time for her to put that training to the test. Besides, I trust either of them could handle the monarch. I want you to go with them, Adelheid.”

“Fair enough, Joha,” Alfred said without missing a beat. “The camp’s in your hands. If it were anyone else, I’d be worried.”

Tanisha looked at Joha for a long moment, her eyes obscured by her helmet but the weight of the moment was clear. She then nodded, this was her chance to go into battle on her own volition. Joha trusted her, and she trusted his decision. She was the one that needed to get stronger, not him.

“All right,” she said, her voice firm. “I won’t let you down, Joha. Bjorn, Adelheid lets go slay a monarch.”