SLAM…SLAM…SLAM the hammer hit the metal. She focused on her task, ignoring the heat in the room, which was pleasant warmth to her, a reminder of the origin of her magic fire level three…

  It was level two till recently, thanks to the blessed child potions. It pushed her over the edge, and she was happy with the change, as she was always trying to reforge new things into better things for her shop.

  Well, her dad's shop, but hers too. She was studying the bend of the metal, as it was a little off, she was about to try again, shaping it better, when a voice spoke to break her thoughts. “ur do in it wong, “ she scuffed

  “Ur ma teecher so ur do-in it, wong, “he puffs a grunt, still studying her work.

  She pushed him away. He hovered too much since she leveled her blessing. He was a big man, seven feet tall and built like a bearkin, though he was human. Maybe he had some of their blood?

  His muscles are solid as the iron which we forge.

  Her muscles were not bad, even though she could not match her dad's, she wasn't short or weak…

  And his hair the same blaze as the forge. I envied that color. mine was a mossy brown, and I hated it, made me feel less like his daughter….

  He saw her look and misunderstand her melancholy as his judgement of her work “ur fin child twas just nedin mor carer” he patted her shoulder his giant palm gentle even if rough she liked the feeling it was a reminder of the things they work with all rough and seeming wrong but they created something powerful that everyone desired… she wanted to be desired it was hard to find a boy when she was at the forge every day…. all day. She sighed.

  “It’s nut tat da “

  “An my wurk is fine, tis ur sloppee wurk that ned mor wurk.”

  The actual issues and why the metal was off, was putting the crystal in the work too early, wanting to embed it early, which was fine for any element but not earth…

  It fought her, and she had to fight back…

  It was funny. Her mom was Earth level two, she would have handled this easily… his voice broke her thoughts.

  “I cud do it duh-ter,”

  That annoyed her. He was treating her like a child, even as an adult. “da I luv u bu yur pisin me uff, so kindlee leeve”

  He stared at the work, and she unintentionally flinched, not from any harmful action he did, but from a look she hated. His blessing was Earth three…

  And he could bend metals like clay…

  It downplayed her work when he could just touch and redo it if he tried. But he conceded, patted her shoulder, “okie terra I luv u" and leaned to kiss her cheek “luv u to pa” she wasn't mad at him, just did not like her work being questioned.

  She knew it was time to eat soon, but she really wanted to finish this so focused. Instead, she increased the flame in her hammer, able to infuse her will into it and SLAM… ever so slightly, it shifted closer…

  She thought it was starting to bend like she wanted.

  Hours later still at the forge she gasped “bloody ell tat wus wurk” she manage to forge the piece it still needed polished and checked but it was done now she had time to think more and regret her impulse she learn real quick it wasn't just putting the crystal in too early it was the level of it…

  Level three earth crystal did not like to bend to another element and got as pissy as her having to be reshaped, but in the end, she smiled.

  We worked something out, you beauty.

  Knowing her body should feel more sore, but she still felt fine little drained, but that fire mana that burned threw her was amazing...

  It kept her strong well till the mana drain feeling kicked in, but that new kid's potions were gods send with it, she could work twice as long and just as fast!

  She wanted to kiss him. Hell, even date! Maybe... not sure if he was her type, but like her forge, they could smash things around a bit to see what worked.

  She smiled, lost in thought, when that annoying voice came back.

  “Stup drem-in it, tou much wurk neva gud fore the sull. “

  She conceded he had a point, too much work had drawbacks, and was thankful he made a stew for them to enjoy.

  She had a moment of respite and could not help but beam with pride at their shop. She felt nothing but joy at knowing they got in on the ground floor of this town's growing and no-weapon shop? Madness, and a dungeon literally half a mile away? By the gods, what a blessing. The boy's gift was just a cherry on top. They couldn't beg fast enough to have their shop built…

  And even more hilarious was their generosity! Nobody here knew the value of what they had… they kept sharing gifts like candy. It was more madness!

  The fools kept believing all crystals were equal…. EQUAL! Thier not… There is a rarity even to level one crystal…. Those fools.

  But she loved them for it. The city they came from money was the only rule, and if you lacked it?…

  “u gut tha-t face, duaghter,” she started at her soup. What once was a nice stew now tasted bland “tis nu thin”

  Ur thin kin of hume?” she shrugged, saying nothing. They left for a reason… and this place was better, just she had nothing well about as much as she left with her thought. Theese peeple ar nut bad. "

  "I jus think thir fools, thay giv to much. he nodded at that, “thay trut too much, aye.”

  “But we wunted a gud hume… this is it.”

  She sighed, “jus tired da, still nee my sleep and not ur ugly fac tellin me whut I do wrung. “he grunted.

  “tis why u neva lern lik ur ma. Her demeanor turned somber because of his words, which he then regretted.

  Their mom passed a few years ago, but it still felt …. off.

  Thier mom was the bridge for them, always putting her foot down to make sure they both ate and spent time as a family, now? Everything felt strained, both wanting their own life in the shop but neither wanting to lose what was left of their family….

  She took her dish to the kitchen, washed it clean, and came back to her dad, still in the same spot, lost in his thoughts, sitting staring at his stew.

  Her gaze fell upon His ember eyes, native to their people, which held her captive. She leans in to kiss him.

  She could kiss his cheek, otherwise he was too tall. “night da u ned sleep to. He patted her leg supportively as she went to sleep, instead of worrying about things that could wait until the next day.

  She awoke early to the banging in the forge. It was a pleasant sound, and rare he usually just used his gift...

  She panicked a bit, wondering if he was redoing her work, and rushed to the forge, half dressed, where he was working on a pair of boots blending metal, surprising her why he did not just use his gift? She saw him come in and check on her. “u ok?" Although she nodded, she continued to stare at his work.

  “Why nut use ur geft? “Shaking his head “won’t wurk, tis win-based.

  So he was making wind boots? He saw the unspoken question in her eyes. “Beter fur movent gut to muve, earth tis a ruck nut a runer "

  She knew he meant wind to move and rock was defensive and unmovable…

  Now that she had time to calm down, knowing he wasn't touching her stuff, she wished him well while she went shopping.

  She fixed her hair in a new braid style, hoping to catch some eyes, and wore a long green dress. She did indeed get a lot of stares, but more seemingly our fear than wanting to court her...

  Which upset her a bit, but she recovered easily enough been used to the way people were.

  She went to the guild hall hoping they had some new stock of pelts or crystal. While things there were busy with a lot of random adventurers looking for work, when it was her turn, she was met with disappointment, it seemed crystal drops were out and the hunters had not been back yet to restock pelts, which would slow down her shop….

  She thanked them for their time and wandered around trying to act shy to catch a few eyes and more direct actions when they did not just run in fear.

  Neither got her someone to pursue her, but she knew nothing ventured nothing gained and accepted it as life for now…

  She stopped by a clothing shop and bought a couple of pairs of leather boots. She could at least use these as a base for a few simple works while they waited for more stock...

  When she got home, her dad was sleeping. No surprise, they both worked and slept randomly. Even if she made noise, he slept like a bear he was, but what she planned would be relatively quiet.

  She went to a spot near the forge with her extra sets of boots.

  She checked a shelf where they kept the crystals. There was still a small amount left with worth, but the good stuff they had long since used up.

  That earth one was their last good one… she opted for four of the level one wind crystals.

  It would take two per set, something that people ignored or did not know about crystals.

  Is that they respond to desire. The more your elements align with what you're trying to use? The easier it was to make it listen.

  Wind, even if a high level was very easy to work with, it did not mind change, so it broke and melded into the leather's hide easily enough.

  The trick she was using anyone could do, but it required an understanding of what you wanted. The magic itself could blend into boots, but you still need to keep it there.

  So with careful kneading, the crystal blended into the work.

  She was trying to copy what her dad was doing with his metal boots, just lighter, and less metal...

  It was a simple affair, but variety is what sold, not repeating one type unless they got a commission. Then it was different.

  Hours passed, making the magic stable. Her body was getting sore. She burned her inner flame, calming her mind and body once more.

  A small sigh escaped her lips. She was near done. Her dad awoke before she finished, but thankfully left her alone to finish her own work; it seemed he wasn't finished either.

  She just needed to make sure it was stable and bound, much like how anyone could do alchemy. It required persistence and effort to get the results, even if using magic.

  She felt it grip the boots. Finally, she thought, smiling, the magic bound itself to the leather, accepting itself as one.

  She double-checks her work. These boots can help increase the speed of a user, but only in quick bursts...

  It was only level one, so nothing extreme, but good for short-distance needs, or getting away from a fatal blow. She took them to the front of the shop.

  They had many things on display, so she could keep this in the back, but wanted them as extras to add a bit of variety.

  She looked outside their large window in the shop. It was hard to see outside from all the items on display, but she could see random passersby, but no bites…

  She attributed the low sales to another failure because people believed their products were overpriced.

  Yet the people ignored what it offered, and it was difficult to make…

  It took time and effort, they would not sell themselves short to cheap people...

  Feeling defeated, maybe tomorrow she closed the shop for the day and went to work in the back with her dad banging away near the forge.

  Arlin was walking with his sister. “You sure this is where there is a shop?” he asked for the third time in less than a minute. “Brother dear,” his sister said with a sweetness.

  “Shut up,”

  “And trust your sister.” She was no longer interested in trying to be nice. He wasn't listening, anyway...

  As she watched him watching the girl pass by, which made her frown, “I thought you liked Leena?” he jerked at that, full attention. " She talked about me ?"

  "Even if she did, I'd tell her you let your eyes wander," he scoffed, "whatever."

  “I can look “

  “And we're not dating, so I got to keep my options open,” Arlin said casually.

  He went to explore a bit more, and his sister's ears twitched and kept doing so as if in a rhythm.

  She rubs them before speaking, " their close and working... a lot banging. "

  Arlin looked around, saw a few random buildings, and then spotted the items on display. "Hey, you're right!" he exclaimed, dashing forward. "Aw, come on!"

  “There closed? And midday that stupid…” he exclaimed.

  A few random observers heard his outburst but kept going, as he wasn't causing too much of a scene.

  He looked back and noticed his sister wasn't getting closer, her ears still flat, so he ran back to her. "Are you okay?" she nodded, but still looked pained.

  “It is not painful, just a tic in my head that keeps annoying me. “

  “I know there's banging in the forge, but it seems my hearing is sensitive enough that it affects me even at this distance. “She saw her brother frown. “ok their closed anyway. “

  “And I know how to get here now. He reassured her, "I'll try tomorrow."

  A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

  She nodded, happy to be leaving. When they returned to the guildhall, they were surprised to see their mom walking the mayor away from the entrance.

  The mayor nodded and left while she blew smoke from a pipe about to reenter. She saw her kids and smiled instead, waiting for them to come closer.

  They both nodded when closer and watched the mayor go. “What was that about?” Arlin asked.

  It wasn't rare that he had been showing up more with Wolf's dad, but he still liked to know details. "The usual," Mom said.

  “He thinks we have hidden supplies. “

  "Even when I told him he received everything first..."

  Arlin knew it was about the herbs. "There have also been more instances of monster hunting near the town, which worries him," she added casually.

  “What?!” that surprised him. “Why are you so calm?” Arlin asked annoyed

  She looked at him, confused. “They cannot hurt you, child, and that's all I care about. "

  He did not like that, and his sister patted his arm. “Mom means she knows where safe and the hunters are doing their job,” his sister ziala said.

  Trying to control the mood, but when he looked at his mother, he saw the cruel indifference and knew she meant just what she said.

  "What can I do to help?" He said he wanted to end the threat. "You cannot," Mom said again with cold indifference.

  That angered him. She inhaled the breath out to the side, watching a few enter the guildhall, ignoring the scene. "Again, child," she said pensively, "always trying to carry the world."

  “Even when it's not about you.” She smiled as she said it, and before he could retort, “but it is why I love you. He simmered his anger while waiting for her point. “We are building walls. The expansion is causing issues with where to place them.”

  “As they want to make sure it can last for whatever influx for the short term, so they can focus on other things long term.”

  "The fundamental problem is a shortage of supplies; they wish to expand trade to more cities, but their views on wealth cause tension in trade talks."

  “It’s probably why we also lack supplies, as a astute few bought us out to sell elsewhere on top of us trying to expand, so it's causing growing pains,” his mom finished saying as He nodded. It was a lot to take in. However, this didn't mean he couldn't help; he'd wanted to train with Leena, anyway.

  So this is a chance for that, he thought, " I still want to train with my friend," he said.

  She looked over at him passively. “You are a poor tracker, ask me how I know…” Mom said

  he flinched at that. He was supposed to improve that, but had been lazy, enjoying his downtime or guard duty…

  “Coby can track he will be there,” his mom's head tilted, unsure who he was, his sister chimed in, “he was a hunter who helped us in the dungeon “. Her mom scowled at that, not liking that memory.

  “And what was it you were out doing today? Not playing, I assume, “ mom said as if she was trying to dismiss him... Arlin wanted to argue, but his sister spoke first as she shook her head, “We wanted to get armor and maybe a weapon for Leena."

  Mom tsked at that “give up child” that surprised them both, “why? “Arlin asked, she looked unsure as if not liking what she had to say, “most funds are tied to other things, so I can not help support you and what I pay you will not be enough…” Both Arlin and ziala were confused.

  “We did not even try yet. How would you know prices? She looked over at him, as if he were willfully ignorant. I adventured for years, giving me plenty of time to see costs and prices. “

  "Hunting beasts and monsters requires quality equipment, which costs money."

  “And those with gifts level three or more need nothing. "

  “It helps, but not for the cost, “ she said as an afterthought

  “Leena needs this,” he said with conviction as his mother watched. “Your sister mentioned the girl.”

  “Yet it changes nothing regardless of how you feel about her,” that embarrassed him. “Don’t talk about me when I'm not around,” he said to them both. His sister looked hurt, mom just laughed.

  “I can't talk about my son with my daughter? "

  "Who is the cruel one?" his mother mused.

  He felt a bit off admitting he was wrong. They had every right, and it was probably done out of love, but he did not take it back…

  "Son," she said slowly, "I know this town, and the church, raised you to care little for money, but other nations do not share that view."

  “It is a side benefit and a negative of the beast tribes joining with this nation. It devalues everything and makes giving freely seem better, but when we involve others …”

  “Let's leave it at that they take with indifference, and we need to draw a hard line, and it is causing growing pains to support the new system,” Mom said

  Unsure of her point, he continued listing, "Well, armor and weapons; usually, those using mana crystals are premium."

  “The child... Wolf?" She wasn't sure, but he nodded in confirmation.

  “Wolf will also need to price his goods much higher, lest others rob him through his generosity."

  He thanked his mom and sister for the info, but did not care because he did not like the new world they were making. It seems too much like Tommy's version and he wanted no part of it...

  Even if it was unavoidable…truth.

  They watched him go to his room to sulk. His mother, still smiling, ziala his sister with concern, spoke “his blessing should have been fire-based with how much passion he has. Darkness is wasted on him. "

  “Well, if you ignore the brooding…” mom mused.

  Ziala hated despite her knowledge. She couldn't help more and sighed. " I need to write another letter to Rock to make sure he is ok."

  "he says he is well, but always too brief in his replies. “She was upset she wasn't closer to either brother, and she felt a warm hand on her head.

  “You are a wonderful daughter and sister. “

  "They simply don't know how to express their love."

  "I'm afraid we've all been there," Mom said, ashamed.

  So ziala hugged her, saying thank you for the support, and went inside. Rosa was there with a little bearkin, surprising her. "Is that your son?" she blurted out.

  They both focused on her, Rosa with warmth and the little bear tall but young in face scowled at her she was surprised and Rosa saw her unsettled face and looked at the back her son's head “tyler “the bearkin tyler flinch “sorry mom “he replied looking downcast Rosa quickly explain her son's attitude wasn’t personal.

  "He is upset we are not hiring here."

  "he thought moving here would get him a job here in time."

  "We have enough staff, but he doesn't want to work with his dad because he's been behaving like a child," Rosa said in exasperation.

  Ziala could not help but bark a laugh, causing him to glare once more.

  “Sorry," she said, still trying not to laugh. “It's just you reminded me of my brother. “

  “He is the same way headstrong and brooding, “ziala said. Tyler looked away.

  Shamed, he was seen threw so easily. Tyler spoke, “Dads mean won’t let me cook and just has me clean…”

  “You know he like his food made a certain way” his mom tried to console him defeated he did not want talk about his personal life with stranger and told his mom he see her later at home Rosa still smiling agreed to see her son later ziala was amused at finally knowing her son beyond random talks.

  But things quickly calmed down to a normal day, and she went to write the letter.

  Hello brother,

  I hope this letter finds you well; you are still missed, and we will welcome you anytime you wish to come back.

  Brother is still chasing a girl he cannot have. Mom is well and asked about you. We are facing growing pains both for the town and our lives.

  But I’m sure it is the same for your brother. know that you are loved and missed. Write me when you have time, love your sister.

  She wanted to write something more or deeper, but feared it would be meaningless as rock took things at face value and left them at that.

  Terra awoke late. She did not care. Nobody ever tried to buy from them and even when they did cheap asses tried barter too much...

  She walked over, about to open the door for the day, and noticed an odd sight: a shadow man was walking toward the shop from the window...

  Well, he was a normal man, a little handsome beyond that outline of shadows. He seems to be brooding, which made her smile.

  He approached the door, tested the handle, discovered it was locked, heard his curses, and departed.

  Panic seized her. She never unlocked the door! She rushed over, fumbling with the handle.

  “He was already halfway down the street, annoyed, walking fast. “HULD SUN,” she blurted first words she could think, then chided herself son? That stupid… she saw him look back more confused than anything, and others watching the scene, which made her blush a bit, but fortune favors the bold …

  "Cume ow u left to soun “she saw him look even more puzzled and not moving.

  Bloody accent made it hard as a foreigner to grasp their words, so she tried a sexy pose and becking him in, and she saw him slowly backing up, which sparked a bit of fire in her…

  “BOIY U DUN’T BEE RUNNIN…” she started coming toward him and saw his shock, unsure how to react.

  She put her arm in his, happy to have the boy's attention even if forced “u came tu shup”

  “Soo shup!” she said with a bit of pride.

  He was easy to pull along. She felt his muscular arm, which was nice, but he still had a small frame that could use a little bulking up, but nothing she couldn't work with...

  As she happily pulled him inside to start trying to win over a sell or more...

  Those on the outside observing just saw a very tall girl yelling odd words and grabbing a nearby Shadowman, pulling him into the shop.

  They were not sure which was more concerning, the shadow walking as a man or the tall girl who embraced him as a lost friend…

  She was strong… Arlin could pull himself free easily with a shadow form, but part of his pride refused to run from a girl…

  Even a slightly taller one. She had messy brown hair and red eyes, which froze him for a bit.

  It was the same as his mom's, so he wondered if she smoked or did something with the fairy herbs like his mom did.

  Yet as he was trying to focus on his thought, she kept yapping and showing off the shop...

  He tried harder to focus, and this time he did almost bolt a very large beast of a man with hair like flames and eyes that burn with a depth of those flames...

  Stare him down, offering only death. “U gud terra? " Her dad asked.

  “DA! SHOU” terra panicked, embarrassed.

  “Yur scarin my frend “Arlin wasn’t sure where she got that idea but he did not want to piss that guy off “sir “he bowed.

  She laughed. “GEE PA”

  “YUR A SIR NUOW” he blushed at that and she covered her mouth, trying to hold back, not wanting to mock him.

  The dad, seeing the man was harmless, gave a curt nod and murmured, "Bee gud," to his daughter, though his eyes flicked to Arlin, causing a fresh wave of anxiety.

  He nodded “boiy” and left to the back. Arlin wasn't sure what was happening, but she broke the silence.

  “Da wurkin metils eurth three blesin. He nodded, then really glanced around. He had a moment to gather his thoughts there was indeed a lot of weapons.

  But as he looked at the prices, his blood drained from his face, he remembered what a potion cost. When he was a kid, these prices were higher…

  She saw his distress and deflated a bit. She knew their stock cost money, but it was quality work...

  Yet for him, she was willing to try to barter a bit. “We du huv optins fur bargin,” she smiled, hoping it would catch his eye.

  “Even a fraction of the cost, I fear it too much for my friend…” Arlin lamented as he walked around, still admiring the stock.

  He never cared for blade or armor. The shadows serve him fine. She did not want to give up that easily, and it had been a long time since she was able to get close to a boy without them running.

  Yes, he tried to … but he also stayed, so it was still a win! Even if he had a reason beyond just staying for her.

  “Do u huv cryals? Ur mayee munster palts? "She asked, trying to get closer.

  “What?” he squinted, unsure

  “U no cryals an palts, “she repeated. He looks like she slapped him six ways to Sunday and it was Monday!

  He finally, after a moment of thinking, said, "Crystals and pelts? Like monster pelts and dungeon crystals? “Still lost he asked.

  “AYE,” she got excited. She knew her tongue was not used to their speech, and their words were still slurred, but she was trying to stop it, as was her dad.

  He spoke, breaking her inner thought. “Um…”

  “Even if I wanted to barter, I have nothing like that, least not yet…” he looked away, conflicted. “Do… do you trust me? "

  Her heart skipped a beat. O MY, he was going to ask her out so soon! This went better than she thought as she brushed her hair back. Trying to look a little nicer, she got self-conscious. She did not try to look pretty today. She must be a mess, gods. What was she thinking?

  “I would like…” O GODS HEAR IT COMES her thoughts near overloaded with excitement about to burst “to get a loan and pay you overtime.”

  her smile broke and everything stopped, his shame of asking stopped him from looking, or he would very much to see her confusion and her not knowing what was going on...

  But she recovered quickly, so she jumped too fast and fell short on how he felt. It was ok.

  She still had him on a hook. The issue was that her dad wasn't going to just give away stock on a promise.

  And he was cute, but even for her it was pushing trust...

  “I ned sumthin mur thain just ur wurd. “Though crestfallen to have said it, she knew it was the truth.

  To her surprise, she saw that he saw this as a positive outcome, the fact that she was willing to listen.

  And she felt a spark burn a little brighter watching him go from slouching in defeat to a pride of going to fight for a desire.

  Maybe I could be that desire?

  She longed for that, but when he spoke, it proved he was on another page than she. “I can fight. I solo hunted dungeons up to level three and reached level five."

  “Though that went poorly at five, three, I’m good.” He said. She nodded, amazed she knew people who got hurt even with their gear at depth three, and he soloed it without gear?

  He was turning into more of a catch as time went on, and she did not want to let this juicy fruit go...

  She tried moving closer to show interest, and he moved back an equal amount. “Mayee wee cun hunt togeter?” she tried. She never got to hunt dungeons, but she trusted their armor, and she could infuse weapons.

  She saw him grimace, and that hurt a bit. “I got a team, dunno how it works with more people,” he said, pondering.

  She was unsure herself; he had a team, but soloed? Well… more people were better and her dad would be more likely to agree, but she wasn't stupid. “wut tha catch?” she asked. Watching carefully.

  He smiled, liking her quick wit. “your definitely smart. “She blushed, 'won't wurk smooth taulker.”

  “The cautch” she stared waiting

  he smiled even broader, and she was about to give in if he kept up the bold, cocky self regardless of catch…

  “My friend needs at least a sword and shield. We can work on paying off that, then try for more if it works.” Arlin was full of hope that this could work.

  “I don’t want to pretend there won't be any issues, but… I want to help her,”

  her? that word sour her a bit but she was the one jumping into his life and fast as possible...

  can't be shocked when he has his own game plan going, though it did add needless complication … “okie tomurruw “she said slowly

  “I need tulk to da ferst “

  He nodded. Neither one of them got wanted they wanted today, but it was a start for them both.

  As he was leaving with her, lost in thought, he stopped at the door. “Um… you going to be open? And what time…”

  She laughed at that. “Aye, I be upen turmurruw,” she thought for a minute.

  “arund thus tume,“he smiled, and to her surprise, he shadow blended out the door. She wasn't sure if he was showing off his gift or just was used to doing a thing like that; either way, she was amused and wanted more…