Rurik quickly stood up, a determined look on his face.
"Give me a minute," he said to Michael before briskly exiting the room, leaving Michael alone with his thoughts.
Heading straight to the forge hall, Rurik entered a space where the air was thick with heat and the smell of molten metal. Several forges were burning hot, with flames dancing under the skilled hands of the blacksmiths working diligently at their anvils.
Upon his arrival, Rurik's presence commanded immediate attention. He raised his hands, signaling for everyone's attention.
"Alright, everyone, I need you to take a break. Clear out the hall and don't come back until I call for you," he announced authoritatively.
The blacksmiths and guards, used to following Rurik's orders without question, quickly complied. They gathered their tools and left the hall, exchanging curious glances but not daring to question the master blacksmith's instructions.
Soon, the forge hall was empty except for Rurik, the fires in the forges casting a warm glow over the now-silent room.
Michael, carrying the centipede bone, calmly walked into the now-empty forge hall where Rurik awaited him. The glow of the forges cast a flickering light across the room, highlighting the seriousness of the task at hand.
"What weapon do you have in mind, Rurik?" Michael asked, his tone indicating both curiosity and a test of Rurik's expertise.
Rurik, his eyes fixed on the bone, seemed deep in thought. Finally, he looked up at Michael.
"Considering your requirements, I believe a crossbow would be ideal," Rurik said confidently.
"The arrows for it can be carved from this bone. Given its properties, they should be able to penetrate any armor or shield."
Michael's face lit up with a smile, pleased with Rurik's suggestion. It was clear that Rurik's experience as a master blacksmith had led him to the same conclusion Michael had in mind. The idea of a crossbow, a weapon that could strike from a distance with deadly precision, perfectly aligned with Michael's needs.
"That's exactly what I was thinking," Michael admitted, his smile broadening.
"A crossbow is indeed the perfect weapon for what I need to accomplish," said Michael.
Rurik, recognizing the approval in Michael's response, nodded with a sense of satisfaction. His years of experience in the art of blacksmithing had once again proven invaluable, and he was ready to take on the challenge of crafting a weapon of such significance and power.
As the two master blacksmiths prepared to begin their work, Vedora hopped down from Michael's shoulder. The creature settled comfortably at a safe distance, its three heads watching the unfolding scene with keen interest.
Michael, gearing up for the task ahead, removed his black long coat and black turtleneck, revealing his godly, chiseled physique. His muscles rippled under his skin, each movement highlighting the strength and power he possessed.
Ayag, one of Vedora's heads, couldn't help but comment on the sight.
"Wow, look at him. He's not just powerful, he's hot," she remarked, her tone a mix of admiration and playfulness.
"Gaya is one lucky woman."
The atmosphere in the forge was filled with the heat from the fires and the anticipation of creating a weapon of great significance.
Rurik, taking the lead as the master blacksmith, began to explain their plan of action for the centipede bone. "First, we need to purify and treat this bone. It's not like working with ordinary metal. We'll have to use a special process to maintain its unique properties while making it suitable for forging into arrows."
Michael listened intently, nodding in agreement. With a clear understanding of the task ahead, he began to divide the work between them, playing to each of their strengths.
"Alright, Rurik, you handle the purification and treatment process. You have the expertise to ensure that the bone retains its strength and magical properties," Michael said, assigning the first critical task to Rurik.
"As for me," he paused for a moment before continuing,
"I'll prepare the forge and get the necessary tools and materials ready. Once the bone is prepared, we'll work together on shaping and crafting the arrows and the crossbow."
Their roles defined, Rurik and Michael set about their tasks with a sense of purpose. Rurik moved towards a section of the forge where he had specialized equipment for treating unique materials. At the same time, Michael began to gather various forging tools and inspect the forges, ensuring everything was in optimal condition for their demanding work ahead.
As Rurik and Michael delved into the forging process, their conversation flowed seamlessly between the technical aspects of their work and the broader implications of the weapon they were creating.
Rurik, focused on treating the bone, spoke up first. "We'll start by slowly heating the bone to remove any impurities. It needs to retain its inherent strength."
Michael, heating the forge and preparing the anvil, replied,
"Once that's done, we'll shape the arrows. They need to be perfectly balanced for accuracy."
"And don't forget deadly. Those arrows need to pack a punch," Ayag chimed in from her spot near the forge, her tone filled with excitement.
"Precision and power. The key elements of a weapon worthy of a god." Sarba added thoughtfully.
The forge was alive with activity. Rurik handled the bone with expert care, gradually heating it in the forge's glowing embers. Michael, meanwhile, selected the finest tools for the job, his movements precise and deliberate.
As Rurik removed the now purified bone from the heat, he handed it over to Michael.
"Here, it's ready for shaping," said Rurik.
Michael took the bone, examining it closely before beginning the meticulous process of carving it into arrow shafts.
"These will be no ordinary arrows," he said, his focus unwavering as he worked.
"I've forged many weapons in my time, but this... this is something else." Rurik watched with admiration.
"You know, for a God of Darkness, you sure bring a lot of light to your work," Sarba, observing the process, couldn't help but remark.
Michael, without breaking his concentration, responded with a hint of a smile, contemporary romance
"No one said forging a weapon powerful enough to kill Rainar should be gloomy."
After some time, Michael, with a practiced ease, wielded his dark swords, their blades coated in dark flames, to meticulously carve out arrows from the purified bone. The dark flames enhanced the precision of his work, allowing him to shape the arrows with supernatural finesse.
Rurik, observing the process, couldn't help but comment on the eerie flames.
"Those dark flames of yours... they're something else. Can't say I've seen anything like them before. They freak me out a bit, to be honest."
Michael let out a chuckle at Rurik's remark, but he chose not to elaborate on the nature of his flames, focusing instead on his task. The sound of his swords carving through the bone was rhythmic, almost hypnotic.
Once he finished shaping the arrows, Michael handed them over to Rurik.
"Here, take these five arrows and work on them. Add the fletching and ensure they're perfectly balanced. I'll start preparing the rest of the bone to forge the crossbow." said Michael.
Rurik took the arrows, examining them with an expert eye.
"These are crafted with incredible precision," he noted, appreciating the craftsmanship. He then turned to his own workbench to continue the process, adding the necessary components to turn the bone shafts into functional arrows.
Michael, meanwhile, began the intricate task of shaping the remaining bone into the various parts needed for the crossbow. His movements were deliberate and skilled, a testament to his expertise as a blacksmith and as an Inventor.
As Michael continued his work on the centipede bone, he began to carve out intricate pieces to construct the crossbow. The bone, resilient yet malleable under his skilled hands, was gradually shaped into the various components of the weapon.
Turning to Vedora, Michael gave specific instructions to Ayag, Sarba, and Cain.
"I need you three to gather some additional materials. We'll need iron for strength, silver for its energy conductivity, and dragon heartstring for the bowstring."
The three heads of Vedora swiftly set about their task, moving through the forge with purpose. They collected the required materials, each element chosen for its unique properties that would enhance the crossbow's effectiveness.
Meanwhile, Michael meticulously worked on assembling the crossbow. The process was intricate, requiring both precision and a deep understanding of how each component interacted with the others. He fused the bone with the iron and silver, creating a framework that was both sturdy and enchanted. The dragon heartstring, known for its incredible tensile strength and magical properties, was carefully integrated as the bowstring.
The forging process was a marathon, taking a total of eight hours. Michael's focus never wavered, his every move deliberate and exact. The heat of the forge, the sound of metal on bone, and the faint glow of enchantments being woven together filled the space.
As the crossbow slowly took shape, its appearance was both elegant and formidable. The bone gave it an organic, almost primal look, while the metal components added a sense of refined craftsmanship. The intricate designs etched into the bone and metal glimmered in the forge's light, and the dragon heartstring bowstring sat taut and ready, promising immense power.
Even in its half-finished state, the crossbow was a masterpiece of blacksmithing and magical engineering.
After almost twelve hours of relentless work in the forge, the final piece of the crossbow was put into place.
"That's one fucking beautiful crossbow," Ayag's eyes widened in awe as she beheld the finished weapon.
Rurik, who had witnessed countless creations in his lifetime, couldn't help but express his admiration.
"It's beautiful," he said, his voice tinged with genuine respect.
The crossbow in Michael's hands was a sight to behold. It had a sleek, modern look, thanks to the black spray paint that coated its surface, giving it a matte finish that absorbed light rather than reflecting it. This finish not only added to its aesthetic but also served a practical purpose, making the weapon less conspicuous in the shadows.
Atop the crossbow was a meticulously forged scope, crafted using materials Michael had acquired from the system store. The scope was advanced, with a design that blended both mystical and technological elements. It was compact, yet its lenses gleamed with an inner light, hinting at enhanced capabilities beyond a standard scope.
The body of the crossbow, primarily made from the centipede's bone, retained the organic curves and grooves of its origin, creating a contrast with the smooth metal parts.
Overall, the crossbow was a perfect amalgamation of ancient craftsmanship and modern innovation, a weapon that was as deadly as it was beautiful.
"Now, let's go kill a god," Michael snickered with a grin.
done.co