The forge blazed with its usual warmth as Pa stood at the butchering station, running a whetstone along his favorite dissection blade. The metal sang with each stroke. I kept my arm wrapped around Eryn's waist while she leaned against me, both of us watching Pa as he prepared for business. It was almost like watching a musician tuning his instrument before starting to play.

  “Is Helena not joining us?”

  I shook my head.

  “Ma doesn't care for this part. She can handle it if needed, of course—has worked with plenty of monster parts. She just doesn't enjoy the blood and guts the way we do.”

  “Blood! Yes! The essence of life and power! When do we start?” Roq's eager voice echoed in my mind, and not just that, but I could feel the raw emotions he was giving off.

  “Give it a rest, Roq,” I muttered, earning a questioning look from Eryn. “He's getting excited at the prospect of blood,” I explained.

  Pa chuckled, testing the blade's edge on the nail of his thumb.

  “Helena prefers running the business side. She manages the books, handles negotiations, and keeps us all in line. I get to swing my hammers and cut things up. A fair trade if you ask me.”

  “Fair trade?” Eryn asked.

  “Aye. Steel and monster materials are simple to me. People? They can be hard to deal with.”

  “It seems you complement each other very well,” Eryn said, smiling. “The way you look at each other when you think no one's watching... it's sweet. Earlier, when she handed you tea? You both had this little moment.”

  “You should see us when no one's watching, lass,” Pa said and grinned.

  Heat crept up my neck, and I was about to apologize, but then figured we were all adults.

  “They've always been like that. Even after all these years, they still act like newlyweds sometimes.”

  “When you find the right partner, you hold on tight.” He looked over his shoulder, still not finished sharpening his blade. “Whose corpses are we starting with?”

  “Ladies first?” I said, gesturing toward the butchering station.

  “Oh, thank the bells.” Eryn pulled away from me and swept her Scuttler carcasses onto the workbenches along the wall with dull thuds.

  Pa leaned in, turning the blade this way and that.

  “Would you look at these leg segments? The flexibility is remarkable.” He tapped the joint with his knife. “The bowyer could work wonders with this material.”

  “You’ve never seen those before?” Eryn asked.

  “I have, lass, but usually in parts. Scuttlers are a big danger unless you have a mage in your party, and Ash was never that lucky.”

  “Until now,” I said with a grin.

  “Any gems?” Eryn asked, leaning toward Pa.

  He ignored her, focusing on a piece of chitin, slowly cutting a line underneath, and separating it from the flesh.

  “This plating is perfect for greaves. The natural curve would reduce the forge time significantly.”

  “There is one in the Scuttlers your father works on now.”

  “Are you sure?”

  “No.”

  “Then why'd you say so?”

  “I think there is.”

  “Then don't sound so sure.”

  “I'm pretty sure. More sure than you. That is a given. I am so much more than you.”

  I shook my head. Roq was definitely the type to fake it till he made it. Completely different from Ma and Pa.

  “Why do you think there is one?”

  Roq didn't answer as Pa separated another section.

  “These smaller pieces could reinforce gloves or gauntlets.”

  “Is he always like this?” Eryn whispered, nudging me, and I chuckled.

  “Every monster mucking time. He loves saving the gems for last. Unless we really pressure him.”

  “Please, Mr. Tharen?” Eryn bounced on her toes. “I just want to know if I got any.”

  Pa's shoulders shook with silent laughter as he continued his methodical dissection.

  “The structure in their legs could make excellent clasps for—”

  “Mr. Tharen!” Eryn's voice hit a desperate pitch.

  Pa turned, grinning.

  “Well, since you asked so nicely.”

  “We're about to find out if you're right.”

  “There's a ringing, Ash,” Roq said as Pa flipped the Scuttler on its face and plunged his knife into the tiny gap where the top and bottom shells met. “It is ever so softly on the edge of my awareness.” Pa wrenched the shell apart, revealing the Scuttler's innards. “Imagine four identical houses, and inside one of them stands a blacksmith tapping an anvil, but gently. Just on the edge of your hearing.” Pa shoved his hand into its meat. “So quietly you might just start second-guessing yourself if your partner tells you they hear nothing.”

  “Ah ha!” Pa withdrew his hand, a perfect mind gem gleaming in his palm, and I could only stare.

  “You magnificent hammer! You did know? Or maybe that was just luck?”

  “Luck? Pfft! Don't insult me, welp!”

  Eryn squealed as Pa held the mind gem out to her and she took it. For a moment, it looked as if she was about to clutch it to her chest, but then she stopped and looked down at Ma's borrowed dress.

  “Oh! I should probably clean this. I'll be right back.” She patted Pa on the arm, careful not to get any goo on Ma's sleeve, before pecking me on the cheek and rushing into the house. “Helena! We got one!”

  “By the blessed portal,” I said.

  “Told you.” Roq's voice was exceedingly smug, and I didn't mind in the slightest. “Now, do your duty and duly inform your family about my superiority.”

  “You did tell me, but once might be luck. Let's not get their hopes up just yet. Three times is the charm.”

  “Unbeliever.”

  Pa turned to me with a knowing smile.

  “That one's special, son.”

  “Yeah, sure is, Pa.” Warmth bloomed in my chest, spreading through me like the first sip of Echo of the Rift. “She really is.”

  “Smart. Caring. Good head on her shoulders. And she actually managed to get me to check for gems first. Your Ma will love her backbone.”

  The door creaked and Eryn bounded back in, the cleaned mind gem nestled in her palm like a precious jewel. The swirling patterns inside caught the forge light, and I couldn't help but grin. A lesser man might be jealous or imagine himself taking that gem, but I wasn't that kind of person. I wanted her success as much as I wanted it for myself.

  “Thank you, Mr. Tharen,” she said, grinning.

  “You are most welcome.”

  “What do you plan to do with it?” I asked. “Use or invest?”

  She held it up, examining it.

  “Store it for now in case I need the rested buff later, or I'll take it when I get another since I'm two away from level five.”

  She swiped it into her spatial storage.

  “Ready for the rest?” Pa gestured to the remaining Scuttlers.

  Eryn nodded eagerly, leaning forward over the workbench.

  “Save her the anticipation,” Roq's metallic voice rang in my head. “These three hold no gems.”

  “Let's wait and see.”

  “The ringing is clear as the alarm bell. Or rather, the lack of it. They have no gems.”

  “You said it was barely on the edge of your awareness.”

  “And now I hear nothing. Is that too hard to understand for a biped?”

  Pa worked through the other Scuttlers, separating shell from meat with precision. True to Roq's word, there were no more gems.

  “See? I told you so.”

  Pride dripped from every word.

  “I have a name, hammer. And to be fair, statistically they shouldn't have any gems. This proves nothing.”

  Eryn beamed at the dissected creatures, ecstatic at the results, as she should be.

  “This is wonderful! A mind gem and all these materials.” She swiped one of the cleaned carcasses into her storage. “Victor will love examining this one. He's been working on some new formulas. Thank you again, Mr. Tharen. Not having to pay the guild fee leaves me a lot more to work with.”

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  “Call me Thomas, dear. And if you come back tomorrow,” Pa said, wiping his hands on a cloth, “I'll have had time to properly assess these materials. We can discuss what items might suit you best.”

  “I'd love that, Thomas.” Eryn said, then she smiled at me. “Your turn!”

  I smiled back and swiped out the five carcasses after Pa made space.

  “Two of yours have gems, by the way. The second and fifth from the right.”

  “What's the matter?” Eryn asked as I frowned at the carcasses.

  “Tell them. It'll be more fun that way.”

  “Why?”

  “They get to experience my superiority as it unfolds. A hammer is smarter than a biped. What a day to be alive.”

  “Fine,” I said, sighing.

  “Son?”

  I rolled my eyes.

  “Don't get your hopes up, alright? But Roq claims to be able to sense which carcasses have gems in them. He was right about yours, Eryn, and now he claims two of these also have gems.”

  Pa went completely still.

  “Do you believe him?”

  “What right has he to doubt me?”

  “I am unsure. That's why I didn't say anything earlier. The hammer might get an even greater ego if he's right.”

  “Why not? It would be amazing, no?” Eryn asked. “If he could actually make out what carcasses have gems, I mean. It would make our trips Riftside much more profitable.”

  “It would,” I said, exchanging a glance with Pa. “But I'm not sure if I want him to be right. As I said, he already has quite the ego. If he can actually point out what monsters carry gems? He'd never stop gloating. But more importantly…”

  Pa nodded, frowning as if he'd caught someone poking around the forge fire with his steel tools.

  “It also skyrockets his value and the danger to you both,” Pa said with a sigh. “No wonder adventurers keep soul weapons secret if they are able to identify gems. To many, they would be worth an ocean of blood.”

  “I like the sound of that. Find one and place me in it.”

  “Not only could we know which carcasses had gems in them,” I said, staring at Roq, “We could hunt until our spatials were filled with only gem-blessed carcasses. Just imagine the speed at which we could level if we didn't have to play the odds.”

  “Danger and potential,” Eryn said and nodded, understanding both sides of the situation.

  “Risk and reward,” I added. “A shortcut to power and wealth.”

  “Strength, power, and blood! Give me some blood! Yours will do, just so you know. Smash your hand and let me have a taste so I can see if you’re worth wielding me!”

  I closed my eyes and sighed.

  “I think this time I'll carve for gems first,” Pa said, stroking his beard. “And Ash? Close the doors.”

  I nodded and did as he said, before lining up with Eryn, nearly shaking from the tension.

  “Which ones did he claim contained gems?” Pa asked, his dissection blade held above the first.

  “Second and fifth from the right.”

  Pa slipped the blade into the first Scuttler's shell joint and separated the pieces. My heart pounded as he dug through the innards, methodically searching. Nothing. He moved to rinse and wipe his hands.

  Eryn exhaled slowly.

  “Told you.”

  “Statistically expected.”

  “Just wait.”

  The second Scuttler. Pa's blade slid home. Shell cracked. His hand disappeared into the creature's guts before emerging holding a perfect mind gem.

  The forge fell silent except for the crackle of burning coals.

  “YES! Did you see that!? Did you!? What did I tell you!? Who's the superior being now!? Tell me you're not impressed! Tell me I am your God!”

  Oh my God…

  I was glad I hadn’t let that thought slip towards Roq. He’d be insufferable.

  Goosebumps raced down my arms and spine. Eryn's fingers squeezed mine, hard. I couldn't tear my eyes from the gem as Pa held it out. The swirling patterns inside seemed to mock everything I thought I knew about hunting.

  I accepted the gem and swiped it into my storage.

  Pa moved to the third Scuttler without comment, his movements faster now. The blade slid through the shell and meat. Nothing. The fourth yielded similar results—empty.

  The door creaked. Ma's head poked in.

  “Why so serious? It's just magic, guts, and steel.”

  “Not now, love.” Pa's voice was gentle but firm, and Ma just rolled her eyes, having no idea what was going on.

  “Craftsmen,” she muttered to herself, not for the first time, closing the door with a soft click. “They're not grumpy, just busy building the world.”

  Pa approached the final Scuttler. My palm was sweating in Eryn's grip. The blade descended. Shell split. His hand disappeared into the creature and emerged clutching a mind gem.

  Pa's legs gave out, and he sat straight down on the floor, staring at the gem in his palm.

  “THRICE! Thrice I told you! Who’s the UNRELIABLE one now!? I am VANNASH KHAZEESH! I am POWER! I am divinity! Yes, you will PRAY to me, mortal! Worship my very name!”

  “You are amazing,” I thought, cutting off his rant. A smile spread across my face as the implications sank in.

  “Ash, this is nuts!” Eryn squeezed my hand again, beaming. “Do you realize what this means?”

  I did. The smile wouldn't leave my face as I stared at Roq, still clutched in my hand. When I'd decided to forge him instead of selling the soul gem, I'd known that things would change, but I had no idea just how drastic those changes would be.

  It was starting to dawn on me.

  * * *

  The setting sun painted the steelhusk framework of The Timberline tavern in shades of purple and gold.

  After the shock had worn off, we'd had a meal with Ma, chatted and planned, and she'd made me a linen pillow for Roq, who had reluctantly agreed to have a rest on it in my spatial storage, though he insisted I swipe a sword, mace, and axe, in addition to my shield, in with him so he'd have something to curse at. Something else than the coarseness of the linen, that is.

  Eryn's hand felt warm in mine as we climbed the inn's wooden steps, winding their way up the massive support beams. Dawnwatch's constant buzz of construction had died down for the day, and was replaced by the low rumble of voices and clinking tankards from above.

  The time had come for a celebration.

  Heat and woodsmoke hit us as we stepped through the door.

  The massive steelhusk log stove dominated the center of the room, its chimney disappearing into the rafters. Adventurers clustered around tables made from rough-cut timber, sharing tales over steaming bowls. The Hunt Ledger board caught my eye – covered in fresh chalk marks from today's kills.

  Feels different being here with her.

  “Ash! Eryn! Over here!” Garrett's voice boomed across the room. “Got a beam claimed!”

  I spotted him waving from the second level, where cloth partitions created makeshift private spaces between the support beams. Eryn's fingers tightened around mine as we wound through the crowd.

  “Look who decided to show up.” Nina sat cross-legged on a pile of cushions, bandages visible beneath her sleeve.

  Finn lounged beside her, his healing hand in a sling, and his good one was wrapped around a tankard.

  “Heard you went out and nearly got lost in the woods. Almost made a bet a monster had eaten you whole.”

  We exchanged a glance.

  “Let's just say we had an adventure,” I said as Eryn released my hand and knelt beside them.

  “How are you all healing?” Eryn asked, ignoring Finn's jab.

  I settled onto one of the cushions as Garrett stretched, his weathered face catching the firelight.

  “I'm fine, just taking it easy for a few days after healing. Picked up some guard shifts at the keep to earn a few coppers while recovering.”

  Nina nodded, adjusting her position.

  “Same here. Been staying at the inn though, taking long walks. The fresh air and movement help with the back. Still hurts like a bitch, but I'm recovering in all ways that matter.”

  “Long walks, huh?” Finn's lips curved into a knowing smile. “Only when Alex is out adventuring. The rest of the time she's—”

  Nina's fist connected with his good arm.

  “Shut it.”

  “Careful,” Eryn warned, though her voice held more amusement than concern.

  Finn rubbed his arm, grinning.

  “I'm fine. Actually,” he said, his expression sobering. “Been meaning to thank you both. Eryn, you not only killed the blightwalker, but you stopped me from bleeding out. And Ash?” He shifted in his seat. “What happened in that dungeon could've gone real bad. What you did, let's just say that I owe you more than a drink.”

  Silence fell over our group. The crackle of the massive stove filled the space as memories of the Twisted Titan flooded back. The dungeon’s weird light, the chittering of monsters, and the metallic tang of blood. They sent the hairs on my back standing upright.

  Garrett leaned forward, voice dropping.

  “Speaking of the dungeon, did you get anything good from, the you know what?” he said, raising his eyebrows meaningfully.

  My muscles tensed. Beside me, Eryn went still. I glanced around, checking if anyone was within earshot.

  “No idea what you're talking about.” I met their gaze, one by one, before leaning back and saying, “But in other news, I now have the two mind gems needed for level four.”

  Garrett chuckled and wiggled his eyebrows. Nina and Finn exchanged knowing looks, nodding along.

  Thank the gods they bought it.

  I felt myself relax as Eryn shifted beside me, her thigh warm against mine.

  “That dress looks lovely on you, Eryn,” Nina said, smoothing her own tunic.

  Garrett raised his hand, catching the waiter’s attention. “Two more ales over here! On me!” Then he nodded at us. “Least I can do for getting us all out in one piece.”

  Not long after, a gentle clearing of a throat made me look up. Johan stood there in a pristine white apron, his black hair slicked back and a broad smile on his face.

  “Ash! Eryn!” His face was set in a wide grin. “Been hoping you'd stop by!”

  “Johan?” Eryn straightened. “What are you doing here?”

  He held up a finger, turning to Garrett. “Sorry sir, did you just order ale for these two?”

  “Yeah. Just add it to my tab?” Garrett started.

  “Well, save your coin.” Johan set the mugs down with a flourish. “These two drink for free. For life.”

  Eryn shook her head.

  “The innkeeper won't stand for that.”

  “Oh, but he will.” Johan wiped his hands on his apron, chest puffing out. “Since he's standing right here.”

  My jaw dropped.

  “You bought the Timberline?”

  “Sure did. Had more than enough of scavenging after that mess with Benedict. Figured it was time to settle down, do something a bit less... bitey. Used my savings.”

  “What about your Scuttler?” I asked.

  Johan's grin widened.

  “Getting it mounted as we speak. Going right above the bar. My first and hopefully last scavenged monster.” He gestured vaguely toward the ceiling. “Reminder of why I'm better off serving ale than hunting the damn things.”

  “Smart man,” Eryn said. “And thank you, too, Johan. For getting Edwin.”

  He nodded appreciatively.

  “Well, I'll leave you to your friends.” Johan adjusted his apron. “Need anything, just holler.”

  As he disappeared into the crowd, three pairs of wide eyes fixed on us.

  “What in the bells happened out there?” Finn whispered.

  Nina leaned forward.

  “Yeah, since when do you know the new innkeeper?”

  Garrett just stared, mouth slightly open.

  Eryn and I exchanged glances, a smile tugging at my lips. I grabbed my mug and settled back, my free arm moving around her. She shot me a smile before turning to the others.

  “So,” she began, “Benedict invited us to partake as scavengers, making it seem like Edwin was leading the party...”

  * * *

  Sometime later, I stared up at the stars as Eryn and I walked hand in hand out to Dawnwatch's outer ring, the ale's pleasant buzz softening our mood and our step.

  “I remember my father's laugh most clearly,” Eryn said, her voice quiet in the darkness. “Deep and rich and safe. He'd throw his head back when something really tickled him.” She squeezed my hand. “Mother was different. She was the serious one, really, and, precise. But she always had a snack for me, as long as my father wasn't watching.”

  “Why?”

  “Then he'd eat it all,” she said, smiling. “God, that man could eat.”

  The buildings grew shorter and cruder as we walked through Dawnwatch, heading further from the rift. Wooden structures replaced steelhusk, then gave way to half-finished frames silhouetted against the star-filled sky.

  “What happened to them?” I asked.

  “Monster surge.” She shrugged. “I was fourteen.” Her voice stayed steady, but her grip tightened. “They killed half the caravan. I'd be dead too if I hadn't been visiting our healer. Learning about herbs and how to use them to stop bleeding. He took one look at the monsters, uncoupled his horse, and rode straight away, me thrown over the saddle.”

  She swallowed and I pulled her closer, wrapping my arm around her waist. She leaned into me, her head resting against my shoulder.

  “I'm so sorry,” I said.

  “Me too. Wish they were around to see us. They'd be so happy.”

  The Hollow Hearth's familiar shape emerged from the darkness. One of the sleeping halls, frequented by workers and those who didn’t yet have their own house in the town. It’s massive central fire casting dancing shadows through gaps in the walls. We stopped outside, and I turned to face her, taking both her hands in mine.

  Eryn's green eyes caught the firelight, bright and alive. My heart thundered in my chest as I pulled her into a tight hug.

  “No monster will hurt you as long as I draw breath.”

  “That is so cheesy,” she said.

  “I know, but that doesn't make it any less true. I mean it.”

  “I know.” She hugged me closer. “Thank you, Ash.”

  “Huh? For what?”

  “Making me feel safe, among other things.”

  I put a finger underneath her chin and gently raised her face towards mine. Her breath hitched as our lips met, soft and warm. Her fingers curled into the back of my shirt, pulling me closer.

  When we finally broke apart, her cheeks were flushed and breathing uneven. Mine wasn't much better.

  “Tomorrow?” I asked.

  “Can't wait,” she said, brushing a strand of hair from her mouth and smiling.

  Then she squeezed my hand once more and slipped inside the sleeping hall. I watched until she disappeared behind the privacy curtains before turning homeward, floating on a cloud. If I had the voice, I'd be singing.

  The night felt magical.

  Everything was changing. Eryn, Roq, and the wealth of monster parts waiting at home. I had enough mind gems to reach level four. A grin spread across my face as I swiped Roq from my storage.

  “Finally,” Roq grumbled. “That linen pillow is dreadful. Like sleeping on needles.”

  I chuckled.

  “How can fabric hurt a steelhusk hammer?”

  “You wouldn't understand. The weave pattern creates microscopic valleys of discomfort. It's a matter of geometric precision and material resonance.”

  “You just made that up.”

  “Satin, Ash. You promised me satin.”

  I spun him in my hand and laughed as we walked home through the quiet streets.

  “Satin is expensive, but we'll work on that, Roq. I promise.”