Rise of the Living Forge - Chapters 545-546

Arwin finished Anna’s new armor in just about four days of work. With Vix and Wallace backing him up, it turned out to be a fairly straightforward project. The hardest part had probably been ensuring Vix got a good feeling for what they were doing so that she wouldn’t have any surprises when they started work on her heart.

The relative ease of the armor had absolutely nothing to do with its very impressive capabilities. Arwin hadn’t used the original Bleak Wind chestplate that he’d made for Anna, but he had taken extensive inspiration from it. The result was a very respectable amount of magical energy swirling into Arwin’s core and a suit of armor perfectly suited for the Menagerie’s healer.

The three of them looked down over the finished set, watching the shimmering gold letters even as they started to fade from the air.  

Midnight’s Wake

[Soulforged]: Forged at the hands of a Forbidden Soulmancer, a Dwarven Master Smith, and a Warlock, Midnight’s Wake has been bound to the soul of a healer who walked for so long in the night that she almost forgot the colors of day. It will grow more powerful with every soul it saves from the brink of the abyss.

[Eternal Night]: Midnight’s Wake lends power from its reserves to its master when they are healing another living being. It will automatically assist in stabilizing a target’s health when they are close to death.  

[Toll the Living]: Midnight’s Wake will draw a small portion of current magical energy from all those it heals, storing their power within itself. Upon the occasion its wielder is severely wounded, Midnight’s Wake will use its stored energy to heal them.

[Crimson Memories]: When the master of Midnight’s Wake takes a serious injury, it will release Blood Fog at the cost of magical energy stored within the item. Living beings that the bearer of this item views as foes will be afflicted with visions of all those whose deaths Midnight’s Wake can recall. The effectiveness of these visions depend on the difference in Tiers between the target and this item’s master. 

[Flesh Like Metal]: Any damage sustained by Midnight’s Wake will repair itself, first by using stored magical energy within its reserves and then by drawing from its wielder. The duration it takes this item to heal depends on the extent of damage it receives.

[Soul Armor]: Midnight’s Wake is considerably lighter than the sum of its materials. Its status is unreadable to all but the ones who made it and its owner. If anyone attempts to wear it without permission from its owner, the armor will latch to them and drain magical energy until they either manage to remove the armor or perish. Midnight’s Wake is resistant to all forms of magic and will draw all power out of any necrotic magic targeted at it to store within its own reserves.  

The abilities that Anna’s armor lent were even more significant than those of Rodrick’s. Of course, a part of that was just due to the difference in purpose. Anna’s set was heavy plate meant for combat and survivability. On the other hand, Rodrick’s armor was meant to be flexible so he could adapt to just about any situation. Both sets were among Arwin’s greatest creations. But there was no denying that the piece for anna was certainly intimidating.

“Godspit,” Vix whispered as the final motes of gold faded from the air. “I can’t believe we made that. I didn’t even know magical equipment could be so active. Why do half of its abilities activate without needing its wielder to do anything?”

“Because the item isn’t just a tool,” Arwin replied, looking down at the jagged pitch black armor lining the ground before them. “It’s aware. This thing has a soul. It’s Awakened. No different than Caldera.”

“Your hammer is sapient?” Vix asked, sending Arwin a glance.

“Yes,” Arwin replied. “Have I not mentioned that? It’s quite aware. Tends to be happy whenever I kill or make things.”

Caldera purred in his mind. The hammer was pretty clearly happy with him. Arwin certainly would have hoped so, at least. He’d been feeding it pretty well as of late. Between the dungeon run and all the items he’d been making, Caldera was probably stuffed to the brim.

Vix just shook her head. “You know what? Maybe it just slipped your mind. Casual information. Nothing too important, right? Does everyone have a living weapon or piece of armor?”

“No,” Arwin replied.

“Just most of ‘em,” Wallace said.

Vix coughed. Arwin shot a sharp look at the dwarf, who grinned in return.

“What?” Wallace asked. “Am I wrong?”

“Not helping,” Arwin replied with a shake of his head. “To be honest, Vix, I’m working on getting everyone outfitted with good gear as quickly as humanely possible. We’re all going to need it more than ever. You’re next on the list with your heart, but it just isn’t something we can rush.”

“Trust me,” Vix said. “I’m well aware. I was more surprised at the fact that the number of people in the Menagerie who have living weapons is higher than one or two. That’s… unsettling.”

Just wait until she sees Uriel in action. Hell, I’m almost looking forward to that myself. Not quite enough to actually want someone to attack us… but enough to know that when someone inevitably does try their luck on our home ground, they’re going to have a very, very bad time.

“Don’t worry. It’ll get worse,” Wallace said cheerfully. “I’m pretty sure I know the least out of everyone since I’m not officially even part of the guild. And to be completely honest with you, I don’t want to know more right now. I’m still processing a few things.”

“What kind of things?” Vix asked.

“The kind that I don’t process by talking out loud,” Wallace replied after sending a sidelong glancein Arwin’s direction. “I’m a dwarf, girl. We don’t get hardy by spilling our thougts across the ground like a can ‘o beans.”

“That doesn’t seem very healthy.”

“Never said it was,” Wallace said gruffly. “You’ve got your own problems to worry about. Don’t worry about this old man until you’ve dealt with yourself.”

The corner of Vix’s lips twitched. “I guess that’s a fair request. How much longer do you think it’ll be until we can make my heart?”

Arwin scratched his chin. That was a difficult question to answer. As far as materials went, they weren’t exactly wanting. The Armory had quite a few stored up from all the dungeon runs the members of the Menagerie had done in addition to the payments for comissions he’d gotten.

But having the physical materials needed wasn’t quite the same as actually being able to replace an entire heart. They’d need something fairly akin to a core. One that would be powerful and safe enough to completely replace Vix’s heart.

And in order to fix her issue… they were probably going to have to kill her. At the very least, it was going to be close. It wasn’t like he could replace a heart without taking out the old one.

“I’ll start working on the plans immediately,” Arwin said. “It’ll be something between a Soul Weapon and… well, something more. A core. But it’ll have to be one without a personality. I don’t think replacing your heart with something that isn’t basically just an extension of you is a good idea. It would be like Olive’s situation on steroids.”

“That doesn’t sound fun,” Vix said with a grimace. “But you can do it?”

“I’m confident we can,” Arwin said. “I’ll almost certainly need a lot more help from you than the previous pieces we’ve done. I’m talking flesh and blood. Literally.”

“You’ve got what you need. Just tell me what to do.” Vix held her hand out as if she were expecting Arwin to take a bite right out of it.

He suppressed a laugh. “I’m not Madiv. No need for me to go taking bites out of anything. You can keep your hand intact for now. What I do need you to think about is exactly what you want your heart to do.”

Vix stared at him. “…keep me alive?”

“It’s going to be a Soul Weapon with a core,” Arwin said. “It’s going to do a hell of a lot more than that. I don’t even think I could make it do less if I wanted to. Something this complicated and powerful isn’t going to settle for being just a replacement. The materials would be offended.”

“…right,” Vix said. “Offended.”

“Just trust me on it,” Arwin said with a wave of his hand. “Think about what it is you want this to do. And think hard. I don’t imagine this is going to be something you want to do multiple times.”

Vix grimaced. Then she inclined her head. “Yeah. I’ll think. Can you give me a day? Will there still be enough time to finish everything before the Auction?”

“Yes. That should be fine.” Arwin thought for a moment longer. “Just make sure Anna is also available. She’s been pretty busy as of late, but we’re going to need her help for this one.”

“I’d imagine so,” Vix said dryly. “Thank you. Again. I’m going to go do as you suggested. By this time tomorrow, I’ll have an idea of what I want.”

“Don’t rush,” Arwin said as Vix headed for the door. “I’d rather delay it a bit longer and work on something else first than rush something as important as this faster than we’re comfortable.”

“Don’t worry.” Vix gave them a firm nod. “I won’t.”

Then she was gone. Arwin and Wallace were alone again.

“Well,” Wallace said. “What now?”

“That, at least, should be obvious,” Arwin said with a chuckle. “Let’s get started on the blueprint. While Vix figures out exactly what abilities she wants this thing to have, we’ve got to figure out how in the world we stick a Soul Weapon into a living person.”

“Certainly not an easy task,” Wallace mused. “But if we can do it…”

“Vix might become just as big of a monster as her brother… or maybe an even bigger one,” Arwin finished with a smile. “I’m looking forward to finding out.”

Chapter 546

Vanessa wiped the sweat form her brow and let out a satisfied sigh. She took a step back from the giant barrel and took a step back to give it a once-over. It bristled with the hilts of deadly cursed weapons like the back of a very malformed porcupine.

“Yeah,” Vanessa said. “That’s good.”

The barrel trembled slightly. That was probably a good thing. The weapons were voicing their approval of her sorting technique. At least, that was how Vanessa planned to take it. She had absolutely no desire to get anywhere near that particular barrel again.

“You done, girl?” Esmerelda’s voice came from across the store.

Vanessa was pretty sure the question was pointless. It always seemed like the old woman knew exactly when and where she’d finished her work. Perhaps it was just a courtesy. Either way, Vanessa didn’t particularly care. This job was enough fun that it really didn’t matter if her boss was spying on her.

It wasn’t any worse than anything her previous bosses had done.

“Yup,” Vanessa called back. “All sorted!”

Esmerelda squeezed through the tight shelves of her store to make her way over. She cast a critical gaze in the direction of the barrel that Vanessa had just finished up with. It was full of weapons ranging from daggers to mauls and everything in between.

 “What, exactly, manner of order did you implement?”

“I stuck all the ones that were assholes into that barrel,” Vanessa said. “I ordered it by whether I like the weapons or not.”

Esmerelda stared at Vanessa.

Vanessa stared back.

“Your chosen order was… whether you liked the weapon or not?” Esmerelda asked.

“Yes,” Vanessa said. “I do think that was what I said. Pretty good, right? This way, the assholes are out of the way and we can focus on dealing with the ones that don’t smell like rotting fish.”

“None of the devil weapons I own smell like rotted fish.”

“Yet,” Vanessa said. She sent a pointed look at the barrel. “You might want to stick that one somewhere far in the back. Where we don’t have to smell it.”

“Vanessa,” Esmerelda said. “Did you fill a weapon full of incredibly powerful and sentient devils with rotted fish?”

“No,” Vanessa said, affronted. “Of course not. Do you think I just walk around with a rotting fish somewhere on me? What kind of nasty woman do you think I am?”

“I’m going to avoid answering that,” Emserelda said. “But if it isn’t a fish—”

“Oh, it’s a fish,” Vanessa said. “It’s just not rotted yet.”

Esmerelda blinked. Then an amused snort forced its way free from the old woman.

“Stole it from Lillia?”

“Purchased,” Vanessa corrected. “I’m a reformed woman, Esmerelda. I work for the Menagerie now. You know this. And rule #1 for any thug is never steal from your employer. Great way to get yourself fed to a monster.”

“Wise,” Esmerelda said. She looked back at the barrel. “Did you really—”

“Yes.”

“Nice,” Esmerelda said. “Well, it isn’t going against the deal. If anything, it’ll motivate them to find a wielder sooner rather than later. I’m not sure if getting them out of my hair and into the world is a good thing or not, but it might be for the best. You’re going to have a number of devils that very much dislike you, though.”

“Meh.” Vanessa scratched the back of her head. “They should have thought about that before they cut me while I was sorting them. Don’t start no shit, don’t get no shit. I’m not going to let them push me around just because I’m weaker than they are.”

“Is that also—”

“Rule #2.”

Esmerelda’s lips pulled into a smile. “Very good. Devils will respect that. Having a backbone is good. It’ll keep them from crushing you like a bug. What did you do with the other weapons I gave you today?”

“Spa.”

Esmerelda paused. “What?”

“I gave them a spa,” Vanessa said. “There was some soap on one of your shelves. I found a big bucket and filled it up with water. Some of the weaposn were rusty and sad-looking, so I scrubbed them down and then fanned them dry in a bed of some spices I bought from Lillia. It was a bonding experience. Any good thug has paid at least one or two long visits to a spa, so I know my stuff.”

“I see,” Esmerelda said. Her brow furrowed for a second as if she were searching for the right words. “That’s… nice.”

“It was,” Vanessa agreed. “And none of them cut me. Carrot and the stick, you know? That’s my method.”

“Certianly an interesting one,” Esmerelda allowed. “Did Thane teach you this one? Or is it entirely borne from you?”

“Thane just told me which ones to be careful around. Apparently the devil in his sword has some grudges against a few of the other ones in the pile,” Vanessa replied. She shrugged one shoulder. “Seemed like her advice was good.”

“Well… good job,” Esmerelda said. “I think. I’ve never tried such a method before. But I tend to avoid spending too much time with the devils. They’re a poor influence. Too rash. Too angry. There are better ways to seize control.”

“Couldn’t agree more,” Vanessa said. The two women fell silent for a few seconds. Then Vanessa scratched the back of her neck. “You want to go to a spa sometime?”

“Is there even a spa in Milten?” Esmerelda asked.

“Lillia’s inn has some big tubs. It’s kind of the same thing.”

“Is it really?” Esmerelda asked.

“No,” Vanessa said. “But I’m a thug. We make do.”

“Rule #3?” Esmerelda guessed.

“No,” Vanessa replied. “That’s Rule #4. Rule #3 is don’t shit where you eat, if you catch my drift. That one gets broken a lot.”

“Unsurprising,” Esmerelda said. She was silent for a second. Then she clapped Vanessa on the shoulder. “Go take a break. You’ve done enough for the day, and you’ve been working every single day since I brought you on.”

Vanessa blinked. “What? But there’s still more to do. The list of tasks you gave me is only around half-done, and we have to get all of it finished before the auction. There’s only around a week left before that.”

“I am aware,” Esmerelda said. “And I am also aware you have been working practically every waking moment. A tired warrior is a dead warrior. I have no need of you working yourself to death. Enough has been done for the time being. The devils are used to far less attention than what you have given these past few days. There’s no need to spoil them.”

“Oh,” Vanessa said. Her brow furrowed and she shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “So what do I do?”

“Whatever you want to,” Esmerelda said. “What did you normally do when you had free time? Just do that.”

“Got drunk. Slept with hot people. Second part is optional. There are some real attractive—” Vanessa coughed, then cleared her throat. “Well, you know how it is. But I don’t want to do that right now. I like the work. It’s a good change of pace.”

“Then see if Lillia needs any help in the Devil’s Den,” Esmerelda said. “And take some time to spend the coin you’re earning. What’s the point of working this hard if you don’t use any of it? Go buy something. Or get a good meal.”

Vanessa’s brow furrowed. Esmerelda was being strangely insistent today. She’d never been this concerned about how Vanessa spent her time before.

Did something happen? Maybe Lillia needs assistance with something she’s working on? But if that was the case, Esmerelda would have just straight up told me. Maybe this has something to do with the devils.

Maybe they didn’t like my spa—

No. That couldn’t be it. Nobody knows how to spa like a thug does.

“Okay,” Vanessa said slowly. “If you’re certain. Are you certan that nothing is wrong?”

“Nothing is wrong,” Esmerelda said with a wave of her hand. “Who do you think I am, girl? I don’t need to protect you from anything. This is just ensuring that you’re able to continue at a sustainable pace. We don’t want you burning out.”

“Right,” Vanessa said. “Okay. If you say so.”

“Don’t speak like that,” Esmerelda grumbled. “Your tone is implying you don’t believe me. I take offense to that. Do you really think I would need to lie to the likes of—”

“How long are you going to make me wait?” a voice called from just outside the shop. “I have been here for minutes, you cranky old bag. Let me in!”

Vanessa’s head tilted to the side.

She recognized that voice.

It was Madiv.

Vanessa hadn’t seen much of the vampire since the Coffin had been erected several days ago. She’d been under the impression the rest of the Menagerie had been in a similar spot. But now things were starting to make more sense. Evidently, not all of them had been equally deprived of Madiv’s presence.  

The corners of Vanessa’s lips pulled up into a knowing grin. “Ah. I see.”

“No,” Esmerelda said. “Stop that.”

“Understood,” Vanessa said, giving Esmerelda a sharp salute. “I’m on my way, boss. I’ll stay out of here until some time late tomorrow. That should be more than enough time, right?”

“I told you to stop,” Esmerelda snapped. “Don’t go around implying—”

“Have fun,” Vanessa said, raising a hand in farewell as she beat a hasty retreat for the door. It had been a while since she’d properly caught up with Thane. Now was a good time to find out what he’d been up to.

Either way, she couldn’t be here anymore. Her presence was getting in the way. She couldn’t have that.

After all, that would be breaking Rule #5 while Esmerelda broke Rule #3.