Rise of the Living Forge

Loud, echoing cracks rang through the Infernal Armory. The crystals covering Verdant Inferno shuddered and shifted as the metal surrounding them bubbled. Flashes of magma burst from within the weapon, licking out like sunspots, casting the room in molten light.

Arwin took a step back and raised his hands before his face. Waves of heat drove into him with such force that they threatened to singe his eyebrows. Each one was like a physical blow.

Pressure emanated from Verdant Inferno relentlessly. The crystals changed to a deep, shimmering black that was more akin to polished obsidian than their former form. Lines of lava wrapped up the handle.

The very shape of the weapon changed, turning squarer and stouter. Intricate designs made from patterns of still-glowing lava worked themselves into the surface of the weapon like it was a relic from ages past.

But Arwin could do more than just see the weapon. He could feel it. Something deep within him reacted to the presence of the hammer. This didn’t feel like he was seeing something new. It was more like he was finally witnessing what one of his oldest creations was always meant to be.

What could have been described only as existence passed between him and the hammer. It was familiarity and experience and thought and emotion — and yet, it was none of them. There were no words or images or sound.

It simply was. Like an extension of his own body with desires of its own, the hammer took the final step into reality. And in that moment, before the Mesh could even intercede with any information of its own, Arwin knew his hammer’s true name.

Caldera.

Arwin lifted his hand. The hammer slammed into it, and a wave of heat rolled through his body like he’d come down with a massive fever. It worked deep into his muscles and shook his very bones.

He held more than a mere weapon. Caldera was alive. It didn’t think in the same way that an organic being did, but there was no mistaking it. There was a foreign, yet familiar, presence alongside him…

And it felt right.

“Welcome home,” Arwin said, his lips stretching apart in a smile.

Even though the weapon didn’t give him an answer in the form of words, a mixture of thoughts and emotions all bundled up into a single, brief instant entered Arwin’s brain at once — and they could be summarized by a single line.

About damn time.

Golden letters exploded through the air before Arwin all at once, as if the Mesh was struggling to catch up with the events that had just transpired.

Achievement: [Mix and Match] has been earned.

[Mix and Match] – Awarded for forging a soul imprinted item with the core of a [Soul Guardian]. Let me guess, you still aren’t satisfied? Effects: One skill in your next Skill Selection has been upgraded. This achievement will be consumed upon choosing your next skill.

Arwin’s lips quirked up in amusement. It seemed the Mesh was just as pleased with his latest creation as he was. He looked back down at the hammer, waving the glowing achievement away, and took in the full glory of his newly created weapon.

New letters shimmered through the air as the Mesh finally revealed its secrets to him.

Caldera

[Soulforged]: Caldera bears the heart and soul of an erupting volcano. This item has acknowledged Arwin Tyrr as its master. It hungers to grow alongside him and will not absorb external magic. Instead, Caldera has taken on true life and will grow together with its one and only wielder.

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[Cataclysmic Strikes]: Caldera hungers to forge all that dare face its relentless wrath with the lava that churns within it. Every consecutive blow against the same target will deal considerably increased damage and melt a small portion of magic away from its target. After Caldera has gathered sufficient strength, it will unleash the full force of the magic within in a single blow. Changing targets or blocking an attack with this weapon will reset any power that [Cataclysmic Strikes] has generated.

[Caldera’s Fury]: This weapon has consumed [Soul Magma] to the point where its metal is permanently infused with its power. It will drink in [Soul Magma], increasing the amount and heat of the flame in its blows with it at the cost of magical energy. Striking a target after filling Caldera with [Soul Magma] will unleash Caldera’s full might in a wave of lava.

[Molten Core]: Caldera has been infused with the might of an erupting volcano. When plunged into sources of heat more intense than its core, it will absorb their strength and grow more powerful.

[Soul Weapon]: This item’s status is unreadable to all but the one who made it. Caldera will turn to molten lava should someone attempt to wield it without permission. It is resistant to all forms of damage, both magical and physical.

It took Arwin several minutes to fully read everything and make sure he understood the extent of it. Caldera didn’t have a rarity, just like the weapon that Arwin had made for Reya. It wasn’t just a weapon that could be ranked. It was so much more than that.

This was more than just a mere upgrade. It was practically a full evolution into something entirely new — and far, far more poweful. He could still see all the influences that had come from Verdant Inferno, but every part of the weapon had become leagues more.

Those new abilities… they sound incredible. If someone had told me a few months ago that a mere smith would ever have the chance to wield even a tenth of this power, I’d have laughed in their face.

Now it seems that I can’t find the limit no matter how hard I try.

Caldera might be the best thing I’ve ever crafted. It fits my current path perfectly. Like we were made to work together. Then again, I suppose that was quite literally my goal here. A soul infused weapon that has the core of A Soul Guardian in it. It’s basically the combination of everything I’m capable of.

“Stop staring at it like that,” the Armory said, a twist of red mist swirling past Arwin. “If you keep that up, then I might end up becoming jealous.”

Arwin lowered the hammer for a moment as he raised an eyebrow. “You can feel jealousy? But — wait. Was that a joke? Are you making a joke?”

“I am learning a great many things from the Devil’s Den. She has also informed me of the activities that humans partake at night. Were you aware that—”

“No!” Arwin barked, raising his hand hurriedly. “I don’t need to know that!”

A distant chuckle rolled through the Infernal Armory. “I was joking.”

Arwin squinted at the red mist. “I’m pretty sure the Devil’s Den is a bad influence on you. I’m also starting to feel jealous that it hasn’t talked to me.”

“She. Not it. And she does not speak with anyone other than me.”

“Understood. And not even Lillia?”

“They commune in other manners. She instinctively knows the desires of the Devil’s Den. Their relationship is different than ours is.”

“Interesting,” Arwin said. He hoisted Caldera, and the glowing lines of magma covering the weapon sent orange light dancing across the floor of the Infernal Armory. Arwin was surprised to find that he wasn’t actually as exhausted as he should have been.

It took him a moment to realize the reason why. Power was flowing into him from Caldera, refilling his depleted reserves.

Caldera added its power to mine. Holy shit. Does that mean every single weapon and piece of armor I make like this will also massively increase my reserves? If it does, I’ll be able to keep taking on bigger and bigger projects without basically killing myself in the process.

“Yes. The hammer is an immense boon,” the Infernal Armory said. “I felt your strength nearly double upon its completion. I greatly look forward to seeing what we can make with it. Our potential only continues to grow.”

Arwin just shook his head. For several moments, he couldn’t muster up any further thoughts. There were so many things he wanted to try — and a number of them involved running out to find the nearest dungeon and smashing the shit out of everything in his path.

Actually, why can’t I do that? We’re starting to run a little low on resources. I’ve still got to make Kien’s weapon, and it wouldn’t hurt to make a few more pieces before the tournament starts. I’ve got the rest of the day and two more after that.

If I spend the rest of today in a dungeon, that leaves one to make Kien’s weapon and another for whatever final things I want to top our teams off with.

Perfect. I think it’s time to take Caldera out on a test drive.

Another thought struck Arwin. His lips quirked up in amusement at the idea.

It’s been a while since Lillia and I have had some time together. It’s been a long time since we went into a dungeon together. I wonder how she’d feel about going on a little date.