Chương 48: Chapter 45: Testing the Mettle

The large individual spread his arms open, saying something to them, and Aliata responded with a shake of her head.

"Cannot you hear, above the sky faller Demigod." The man winced, lowering his arms slowly and saying something else, which Aliata translated.

"Make hider sheath for the Mushki feather, glowing metal container Imprint? Burgeoning Memorabilia? Memorabilia?" He nodded, "Yea, Burgeoning Memorabilia." She looked at it with burning curiosity.

"How?" His brow scrunched "How… what? Hey, actually, can I sync myself to you as well to make it easier to understand?"

"Sync?" she asked.

"Yea, sync, like what you did with pinching my finger? Can I also do that?"

"Ooooh, yes! I am human perfect, good target. Know limit? Oh! Corruption limit seer. Know you the new?"

"Um… I'm not new to using Corruption… if that's what you're asking… yes, I know my limit," he said, shrugging. Clearly tired of their back and forth game, she didn't try clarifying either, holding her hand out which he pinched in the same way. Looking back, he was sure she did it like this to reduce skin-to-skin for her partner. He tried picturing what it was like to be her.

'Someone who's lived here their whole life, not knowing the surface world OR Floor 0-' Instantly, he felt the Corruption fill him at, frankly, shocking speeds, completely tilting the world away from what he was used to; he was so worried that he'd over done it that his hand jerked back as if he'd been scalded. She looked at him in concern, but to his surprise, there was no major change to him, and the notification only confused him further. {Corruption: 0} -> {Corruption: 1}'One?!'

"Are you okay?" she asked, and he hesitantly nodded.

"That was a lot easier than all the other times I've used Corruption." She once more recovered quickly from her surprise.

"Ah, Never tried to match with a human?" He shook his head.

"Is much easier!" she insisted, and he could only agree.

"When perspective change the sight and sound, you hear and see more with us. Not dangerous, unless with lots and lots. More different a thing, the more dangerous it has."

"So that's why I can hear you easily," he muttered, "Nosferain life is more toxic to me, as is Ishtar, but synchronizing with another human? I see…" It was like if he went from the U. S. to China or something. Yea, he was somewhere else, but he wasn't going to die. He shook his head, "Sorry, that's my fault, it took me off guard." She nodded understandingly, and he easily felt out the rest of the process, finishing up as much Corruption as he could without it becoming uncomfortable.

{Corruption: 1} -> {Corruption: 2}"This should be good," he said, and Aliata nodded.

"I believe so as well, Aaron-(Place, Demigod)""Woah," he said, shaking his head slightly at the odd implementation of knowledge. Now, he didn't hear her say the word "Demigod," but realized that she was adding some kind of suffix to his name that indicated his particular job or role in society which, funnily, was Demigod. He could also tell that it wasn't just the word demigod as well, it was an actual full-blown title of honor- like Baron, Elder, or Captain. A compliment, and sign of respect.

'Definitely flattery.'

"Can you hear me now? May I please see the feather, and maybe that metal thing? I might be able to do something with them," the four-armed individual said Aaron looked at the smith, "I'm surprised I can hear you, too, considering I only synched with Aliata-(See-person)," he said, and the four-armed man laughed. Aliata winced, "Is that what I said to you? I apologize, I am Aliata-(guard-scout)." The smith "Yes, a 'see person', I like that! Well met, Aaron-(Demigod), I am Ketzi-(bright-smith).

If it glows, I can dig my fingers in and see what its got going on, including with Memorabilia and the like- though I've had grievously few experiences with them." Unlike Aaron's title, he could tell that guard-scout and bright-smith truly were simple jobs, not titles, even if bright-smith sounded insane and pretty cool if he was being honest. But he hummed reluctantly, "I don't know if I really want to let them go.

Memorabilia obviously draw the eye of others, so I know they're expensive; I hate to be blunt, but I don't know anyone in Halisn, I only just met Aliata, and this is my only weapon." Aliata and Ketzi seemed abashed for not even considering what he wanted at the very least, but Ketzi quickly explained "I understand but rest assured that nobody will steal it from you. Theft for something like a Memorabilia can only end with a person being killed, and their belongings turned over to you.

It ruins not only your life, but legacy and reputation as well."

'If they're caught.'

"And," Aliata added, "If it makes you more comfortable, we can watch Ketzi work, with you verifying that he's not doing anything suspicious." Ketzi frowned, but she quieted him with a look." And, in the meantime, you can borrow one of his weapons, if it makes you feel more comfortable."

"Hmm…" he was almost resigned, but he had one more thing to be sure of.

"What would he be doing to them, though? What change would there be?" Ketzi was the one to respond.

"Most of the time, Imprints and Burgeoning Memorabilia are raw materials- unrefined. They can be usable, but they don't realize their full potential; if a mirror shatters and you pick up a large shard to cut someone with, that is no knife, but it can be, if worked into a blade.

"In the same way, a Mushki feather is incredible as is… but, that is only by virtue of them already being absurdly sharp, the act of becoming a Burgeoning Memorabilia removing their only weakness: their fragility. Yet, for Burgeoning Memorabilia, they are still quite fragile.

"Once I work on it, I… well, a lot can happen. Imprints and Memorabilia will never be exact, just by virtue of what they are, but combining two Burgeoning Memorabilia is the only way I've ever seen a true Memorabilia be born.

'A true Memorabilia, you say.' That thought alone almost caved his last resistance. He knew that the Mushki feather and glasses case were both Burgeoning Memorabilia, and he wasn't sure how to reach the next step, but if Ketzi could do that… maybe Aaron could too in the future? But, he would also have to practice and learn more about it, not simply freehand such an important procedure on his two most valued items. He sighed, "Alright, can you promise that they'll at least survive."

"I can say that they won't be destroyed, but they will change, that much is a guarantee. Change and growth are simple facts of life."

'Not sure if that applies to swords but you'd know better than me.'

"I suppose that's the best guarantee I'll get… Okay, what kind of placeholder sword would I have, and how long will this take." Ketzi scratched his chin with one of his upper arms. Suddenly, a mischievous glint appeared in his eye, a sly look overtaking his face "Well… how strong do you want it." This content has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere. Aaron would play along, the man seemed to be building up to something.

"On the off-chance you betray me and try to use my Memorabilia against me? I guess pretty dang strong."

"Then I have just the thing… if you think you can handle it, of course." Aaron rolled his eyes at the obvious challenge, and said "Alright let's see what you have in mind." But Aliata quickly cut him off.

"No, Ketzi. No. Give him a normal blade."

"But all the strong ones do odd things!"

"And nobody ever wants to buy them because they're a pain! Literally, in some cases… I know you sold my husband the Madder, and he was dealing with hallucinations for weeks!"

"Bah, that one was harmless. Weak visions to the user in exchange for dangerously realistic illusions for anyone cut is an incredible deal." Aliata sighed, "Yes, sadly, he did still use it for weeks before finding a more stable one, but I believe something safer would be the best for Aaron."

"I don't know…" Aaron cut in.

"I kinda wanna see what kind of blade he'll give me." Aliata gave him an exasperated look, but Ketzi smiled brightly.

"I'm so glad to hear you say that!" he said, turning around, and pulled out a key, inserting it into one of the display cases that were hanging on the wall. Aliata seemed resigned to what was going to happen, and just stepped back. This particular one had a reddish metallic blade, with a dark black handle and crossguard, a stylistic pommel at the bottom.

"This!" he said proudly, "Is Muscle Crusher. It was made from an Imprint that was obsessed with taking control of the user, without ever fully altering them, leaving them in their own body. The blade, similarly, continuously tries to take you over to do its bidding. But, if you can control it, Muscle Crusher let's you manipulate the bodies of others in simple ways- like making them trip, turning their head, or twitching their arms at inopportune moments."

"Oh, that's it?" he asked, "That's easy, anything that tries to overpower my mind is gonna lose pretty hard… Actually, give it over, I want to see how I fare with someone else."

"Someone else?" Ketzi asked, placing it on the counter between them. Onward Evermore sent out a challenging pulse of excitement; it seemed his Primary wanted to test its mettle as well. On the table, Muscle Crusher vibrated, slowly scooting away from Aaron, and Ketzi looked at it in surprise.

"Yea, my own Imprint's a pretty feisty one, so it's always trying to take over," he said, snatching up the sword. A crippling wave of power exploded from the blade, rushing into him, and meeting his native energy- not even his Imprint energy. While it cut through easily, it found itself slowed, and the wall of his power quickly coalesced again around the invasive will- where it was promptly cut apart once more.

Yet, Muscle Crusher couldn't actually dissipate his energy, and all it did was cause pain when he failed, so Aaron just… kept throwing himself at it. The sword made it down to his elbow by the time he looked back up to Aliata and Ketzi.

"This might take a while honestly. I'm a lot better over time," he said, even as they could physically watch a reddish tint inch down his arm. Both of them looked at him warily, Aliata saying "How harshly does your Imprint fight you, and is there a risk of it breaking out now?" He shook his head, "Nah, it's not even trying right now. Besides, we came to a deal, and even if it succeeds, it won't hurt anyone."

"A deal?" Ketzi asked, "With an Imprint?"

"Yea." They looked at each other and shrugged, both saying "Demigods." Aaron laughed, "How many others have you met?"" I haven't but I think some of the Elders met one a while back. We have stories though- stories which Aliata can tell you after my work on the Mushki feather is done, so can we please get to it already?" the brightsmith said desperately.

"Sure, I imagine there's probably a forge or something you need to use to work on it?"

"Yes, there's the dark room. It's the best place to use Imprints without all the interference." Aaron nodded understandingly, glad that it wasn't just a skill issue on his part and that the locals also had to work around the history of the air. Muscle Crusher in one hand, he was forced to let Ketzi carry his Muski feather, while he held onto his glasses case for now. Leading Aaron to the back, through a door, and down some stairs, Aaron spent a moment contemplating if he really wanted to do this.

He'd put so much effort into preserving his case, it felt wrong to simply get rid of it now with ceremony. At the same time, he wondered if the alternative would be the right choice either. He'd fought to keep the glasses case, and was rewarded. That was enough for him to jump feet-first into the sunk cost fallacy and hold onto the case for as long as he could until it became something useful, simply praying that was how it worked. But, weighing the two… he wanted the glasses case to merge with his Mushki feather…

on one condition.

"You have control over the process, right?" he asked, and Ketzi stopped at the bottom of the stairs, opening the door and leading them through.

"Yes?"

"If I could make a request, is it possible to ensure that the case is dominant in the merge? If they're equal, I'd be happy with that, but of the two, the case is my favorite. I can always get another Mushki feather, but that case matters to me. A lot. It's personal, so if you have to sacrifice one to ensure the other remains whole, you know which to choose." He nodded thoughtfully, looking at the case, then the Mushki feather.

"May I ask why?" Aaron shook his head, "Nah, I'd rather not talk about it." Ketzi nodded, "Very well, but I warn you, the Memorabilia cary their own weight; they're changed by what they've gone through, a record of their past. In reforging them, I will understand more about both. Are you okay with this?" Aaron nodded, "If it's necessary, then I won't begrudge you that at the very least," he said, walking behind him into the basement room, Aliata behind him.

By now, the corruption from Muscle Crusher was up to his shoulder, but it could still only barely make him twitch- and even that was gradually getting suppressed. Onward Evermore hadn't joined yet, but was eager to, and he knew the fight would be over in seconds if he let it. Mostly, he was focused on the room though, as he stepped into a place with glossy black floors, walls, and a ceiling: ebon opal, if he was right. In the middle of the room, a bone-white anvil, in complete contrast to the rest of the room.

It was one of the only places in the city that he could definitively say was magical, with no Overworld equivalent. Now that he was in, he could also tell that his Sensitivity had cleared up a bit, though not as much as had been on Bwurzix, disappointing him slightly with how weak the effect was.

"Close the door behind you," Ketzi said to Aliata, and the door locked into place with the rest of the walls, the only sign being an indent and handle hook and pull it open again. Holding his hand out to Aaron, he motioned to the glasses case, and Aaron looked down at it one more time, running his hand over the cuts and dents, now glowing and hidden beneath.

'I kicked the Mushki's ass, now it's your turn little buddy,' he thought, handing it over. It'd been with him through each of his fights, but now it was its turn to do battle. He had no idea how merging magical items worked, but if it was anything like his Primary, there would be one main, and a few subsidiary features. He wanted his case to be the main feature, not giving the spotlight away to some random feather.

Ketzi held the case with a ginger, reverent grip, placing it and the Mushki feather on the anvil together.

"I will narrate what I'm doing so you can follow along easily, but please, remain silent, I need to focus. For now, I will do the reading… and, are you comfortable with Aliata hearing anything I might see?"

"How personal will it be?"

"I cannot be sure, but likely vague; an emotional echo of what it has suffered."

"Then… sure."

"Very well," he said, starting with the Mushki feather.

"In this I see… the birth of a star, as all mushki feathers do. I see hope, a shining beacon. A fight for survival. Triumph, a powerful march… an incredible battle, with the one of its origin… the mushki…? You fought and were victorious over a mushki…? Not just any… but one that was obviously powerful… in this feather, I foresee supremacy." Aaron's eyebrows rose.

'Supremacy, that was the stat from the throne, right?' He put the feather down, lifting the glasses case with significantly more care.

"In this I see…

"... Grief. Despair. A hollow soul, with no tether to the world, faint and flickering. I see the spark of life, hidden beneath. I see… calamity. Apocalypse. Power descending onto the planet, tearing all it touches to pieces. I see a glimpse of what shouldn't be seen.

"I see durability, strength- inside and out. I see a battle fought only through erosion, a continuous slog towards victory, a light forever out of reach.

"I see care, learning, reflection, and joy.

"I see ambition.

"I see an angel's tears, infinite darkness, the Abyss clawing forth.

"I see security, protection, shielding, and love.

"I see… the end. Death. Life.

"I see rebirth.

"I see… a victorious shout triumph. The scream of agony. The mumbling of insanity.

"I see a voice, seldom spoken." He leaned back, shoulders drooping slightly.

"I see now why you care more about the metal object- case, you called it. It is clear this means much to you, thick with history.

"I will now commence the reforging. Pay close attention, few will ever see such a thing." Laying the Mushki feather so that it was fully atop the anvil, he placed the case at the base of the shaft, where Aaron tended to hold it. WIth a flicker of his hand, a white hammer appeared, and Aaron sensed him send a spark of energy out to the floor of the room, kicking off a chain reaction.

Spreading out in a wave, the shadowy room became darker, leaving them in an empty void, only Ketzi and his anvil visible; most shocking was the air, and his Sensitivity. Every sound was siphoned away, even those not physical. His Primary, Secondaries, own energy, and all the Underworld fuzz in the room went completely silent.

He fought back a choked cough as history itself felt like it'd been severed; worse than the thinner air atop Bwurzix, Aaron stood at the precipice of deep space, completely void of air, his sensitivity desperately seeking out any history at all- finding only that which was on the anvil, his Memorabilia a detailed map before his eyes. Within each was a jagged cracked pattern, similar to the one he'd seen when he was peeling back the Imprint for Peacemind Vapors, though more… rigid.

Not wriggling, as his Imprint had been. Ketzi took the white hammer in his hand and, rather than slam down with all his might, gently tapped at the thin edges of each pattern, shifting them in certain ways, joining those of his case to those of the Mushki feathers in a surprisingly delicate display for his figure and tool of choice. Aaron quickly fell into deep focus, studying the process intensely.