Black Forge

″ 997 , 998 , 999 .. ″

The bright summer’s sun pierced through the crumbling white clouds . The light gently laid on David’s skin as he did his handstand push ups .

He was drenched in sweat , each droplet reflected off his chocolate brown skin - only his lower half had not been seen by the sun . His ink-black dreadlocks hung low , reaching for the tall grass below

″ 1000 ″

With a loud thud David hit the floor ,the tall grass felt comforting , like resting on a bed of clouds . He had been training even before the sun showed it face to Midburrow . To his left was the sword his sister used in battle . Despite the many battles , the sword had endured - remaining as firm as the day it was first forged .

″ I promise I’ll bring you back … somehow ″ he says , gripping the sword tightly . David went to the Star Piercer Guild , it stood out from rest of the other guilds in the kingdom due the sponsorship of the Hawthorne household - the sponsorship was a mutually beneficial , by supplying the funds for the guild , the guild would assign adventures to protect their land from monster attacks or raids .

The guild stood as a testament of the kingdom’s strength and magnitude. The towering monument pierced the sky , covered in the banners of the Hawthorne chest .

The air was filled with a bustling of adventures - different voices flooded the room , some of joyous laughter , plotting and arguments - others roamed to and fro the guild . Memento’s of great battles and noble deeds dressed the walls . On the notice boards were names of criminals and their bounties . The guild members were adorned with great armor , cloaks and weaponry forged by the finest of blacksmiths . It was a place where both warriors and strategists shared a table in unity .

David walked up to the receptionist’s desk , noting that there weren’t any new adventures like the previous day . The receptionist recognized him , she smiled softly - desperately trying to hide her sadness. Among everyone in the guild she stood , not because of her beauty or uniform - she stood head and shoulder above everyone in the guild . At first glance it would’ve been hard to believe Melissa was not an adventurer .

″ David , it’s … it’s great seeing you again , ″ her eyes filled with joy and sorrow .

″ I heard abou- ″

″ Thanks you , Melissa ″

After a brief silence , she regained her steadiness . She lays the adventurer’s application in front of him .

″ So what brings you to the guild ? ″

″ any quest available ? ″

″ About 35 km to the east , close to a mining village . I take it that your level is high enough ? ″

″ I’ma be fine , thanks Mel ″ He yells running off .

″ You forgot to sign ! -″ she sighs ″ just forget about it ″

***

The next day rolled around , bringing with it a pale light of dawn spilling of the jagged edge of the mountain reach . The village became silent , what was once a prosperous town filled the joyous laughter became quiet , only giving way to the sways of the leaves of the trees . Hidden between towering mountain ranges , with snow adorned peaks in the distance . Stoneveil was located next to a river , between the village and mountains laid a thick massive forest .Year round the town is layered in a light snowfall , with haunting screams of the wind through mountain pass .

″ Elder , it can’t continue like this ″ One of the village said angrily , ″ We can’t rely on Gabi to protect us ″ They all congregated into the town hall , despair and fear hung over the wooden building . ″ Settle down , everyone ″ the orange bearded blacksmith said .

″ Thank you , Charles ″ the old man said before standing up , ″ I understand how and why you are terrified ″ he says pausing briefly ″ An adventurer from The Heavenly Piercer guild should be arriving any moment - ″ , like it was divine preordained , David opened the town hall’s old wooden doors , as he walked through toward the elder he could hear snippets of conversations ″ Is he who the elder requested ? ″ , ″ it can’t be look at him ″ , most were curios to who this mysterious warrior was .

The once- polished armor he wore tarnished , it didn’t look durable enough for any adventurer , the various marking and dents and make shift repairs stood as witnesses . On his back he carried a black sword , the Raven Blade a legendary sword that was forged with rarest metal of them all , black steel .

″ I am truly thankful you arriving so soon ″ the old man said .

″ I tried gettin’ here quicker .. ″

″ It’s okay , sonny ″

″ What has happened ? ″

″ Strange things has been happening lately , it’s been weeks since the first body appeared - the whole family was found dead ″

″ An animal ? ″

″ That’s what we all thought but they all were as pale as ghosts with two little bite marks on their necks , most folk have been on edge ever since that day ″

″ When do ya think it’ll attack ? ″

″ Probably tonight ″

″ It could be a vampire , but if it is , how’d it get past the barrier ″ he thought before turning around , some still gossiping among themselves about David , ″ Where’s the towns priest ? ″ he asked , a young girl emerged from the crowd , her eyes were as oceans honey bathing in the sunlight , soft and inviting . Naturally the village was suppose to have a church where masters would teach apprentices how to create a barrier but due to their fortune , monsters never populated the region until recently .

″ Why didn’t set up a barrier ? ″ his voice gentle but firm , his gazing unwavering .

The question pierced right into her soul , she could feel a lump forming in her throat as she tightly gripped her golden staff , the thought of explaining her own incompetence and why she couldn’t save those who she considered her own . She knew exactly why - the fear became too great and she froze .

Her heart raced even faster , she tried to calm herself , to think of something to say , anything , anything that would fix her mistake . But no words laid on her tongue , her mind was scrambled . Before she could even realize she had said what enchained her heart . ″ I … I don’t know , ″ she had whispered it , barely loud enough for herself to hear , ″ I don’t know why i couldn’t ″ her eyes became watery .

She felt everyone staring at with pity and silent criticism , even if they said nothing she knew what they felt and thought , ″ Why didn’t you put up the barrier , Gabi ″ . Her breathing became shallower , she had to go somewhere far , just anywhere from here . Before they could comfort her , her legs moved on their own , her feet echoed through the wooden lounge . She ran , and ran until she had no sight of the village .

She hid in the shadow of the giant oak tree beside the snow , her tears vigorously flowing ″ after all this time i still can’t do it ″ she whispered to herself , ″ Why am I so useless ? ″ She hugged her knees to her chest , wrapping her arms tightly around herself . ″ I’m sorry ″ replayed in her mind . She knew her apology wouldn’t be enough , nothing would ever bring them back .

***

The afternoon sun sat lonesome in the sky , on a canvas of orange and red . The cold winter’s wind , carried clean scent of fresh pine and damp earth . She had cried herself to sleep , the faint warmth of the fire wrapped itself over her , awaking from her slumber . She slowly opened up her eyes , her world still very muffled . She had never left her spot , her body only in an awkward position she likely slept in - but before a the flames reached with its orange tips toward the heavens . ″ why did i run so far into the woods ? ″ she though while desperately looking for something familiar .

And then she noticed it . A heavy cloak draped across her , it was far too large for her frame , smelling faintly of smoke , battle and leather . It still held heat , a stark contrast to the ice snowy of the Odlheim winter . She gazed back into the fire , it reminded of David question he asked her earlier - the one question she no answer too . Why didn’t you put up the barrier ? The guilt and shame blossomed again , this time sharper than before . ″ I’m still so useless , when they needed me the most i failed them . And now . I’m just … hiding ″ .

″ I don’t think so ″ David voice rumbled behind , causing her to stiffen . Her heart skipped a beat and her muscled tensed as she was about to flee again . ″ I … didn’t mean . I didn’t know.. ″ she tried apologizing for earlier , but she only stumbled over her words . She wanted to explain why she had run away. Her world began to shrink , the air became heavier . She wanted to make everything stop . She tried desperate to cling to warmth of the fire but there was no escaping . Not without facing it .

″ Sorry for scaring ya ″ he says laughing awkwardly after taking off his helm , revealing their how similar in age they are . For a moment , she blinked , her mind processing the image before her . Her feature were not what she expected . From the depth of voice and how battle hardened he seemed , it all suggested a man far older then her , experienced . She viewed him as a towering warrior , figure of strength .″ He’s … just like me ?″

″Is there somethin’ on face ? ″ he asked her , slight blushing . ″ n-no″ in trying to respond she choked on her own saliva . He let out little laugh , his face radiating with life and youthfulness . She had looked at her own hand finally realizing her own youth and inexperience . His expression soften ″ You ain’t useless ″ slowly she turned from him . His tone not harsh but stead and reassuring , ″ I won’t be able to stop the vampire without your help ″ he said before added the rabbit he had caught onto the fire .

In his voice was no anger nor judgment , she tried saying something - anything - but no words escaped her mouth . She felt her shoulder sagging , as if the her load had lost a little of it’s weight .

″ It’s my fault their dead ″ she whispered , barely audible . ″ when they needed me the most I let them down ″

The was a long pause . He didn’t rush to reassure her or to tell her that everything was going to be all right , because he knew - she needed to come to that conclusion by herself .

″ Just cause you’ve fallen doesn’t mean you can’t get back up ″

She stared at him for a long moment , the sting of guilt was still raw but for the first time there was something else - something more , a faint ember of hope . She wasn’t sure if she’ll could ever live to the exceptions she had failed to meet but somehow being around him made it seems a slightly possible .

For a moment neither of them spoke , Then breaking the silence his deep voice rumbled , like lighting , calm and steady .

″ We haven’t introduced ourselves, right ? ″ he said , handing her the roasted rabbit . ″ I’m David Gideon . ″ . Her stomach roared , the excitement of finally eating overwhelmed her - her face became crimson with embarrassment . ″ I’m Gabi … Gabriela Alira . ″ she replied, drooling from her waiting for her food to cool down .″ Nice to me ya . Gabi ″ he says, laughing a little . He leaned forward slightly , spreading the rough map he made of the area , hovering his finger over all the possible locations of the creature . ″ We are here and If i was a vampire I’d probably be by the graveyard ″ Gabi nodded at him , still munching on the roasted rabbit ″ This is so good ‴ she thought .

″ You think we can ? ″ she said , trying to see the map . He glanced at her , grinning a little ″ Only if we work together ″