The next day, at noon, a strange calm reigned over the village of Neoras. While some noises had been reported by the guards the previous evening, nothing indicated an immediate threat. The day had risen without incident, and the streets remained deserted, frozen in an unsettling silence. The sun was shining brightly, but the atmosphere felt heavier than usual, as if the village was waiting for something.
Relia and Helydia walked side by side, their footsteps echoing in the empty streets. They were headed to the forge, where Relia had placed an order for new armor. The wind was light.
"I didn't think the chief would accept all of Samuel's requests for our help," Relia said, her eyes scanning the surroundings, but her mind was elsewhere, worried about the events of the previous night.
Helydia, arms crossed, walked at a more leisurely pace. She responded, "What intrigues me are those three adventurers the chief invited to join us. I wonder if they're really as strong as they claim to be." She raised an eyebrow, looking slightly skeptical.
"What's their names again?"
Relia looked at her, surprised by the question. She smiled slightly, shaking her head. "Didn't you follow any of the conversation last night ? I hope at least you remembered Samuel's plan. Alright, the man in the long black coat is 'Maro Taliga'. He's level 32, his element is 'tar'. The silent woman with the white chignon is 'Rasolina Rayir', level 30, her element is 'silver'. And finally, the pink fox, she's a celebrity here from what I've been told. Her name is 'Yuno, the Pink Cyclone'. She's level 33 and her element is 'wind.'"
Helydia nodded, absorbing the information. She didn't say more, but a slight glint of curiosity shone in her eyes. Then they arrived at the forge.
The warm air and the smell of heated metal enveloped them as they pushed the door open. The workshop was surprisingly calm despite everything. Sunlight filtered through the windows, creating beams of light that danced on the walls.
Inside, the woman with thick glasses greeted them immediately. She smiled as she recognized Relia.
"Ah, it's you !" she said, walking up to them. "Valar is in the back, finishing up the final details of your armor. It'll be just a few more minutes." She paused, then turned to Helydia. "And you, madam, how can I help you ?"
Helydia raised her hands in a gesture of refusal, a reassuring smile on her face. "No, no, I'm just here to accompany my friend to pick up her order. I'm not here to buy anything. And besides, I don't fight with regular human weapons."
The apprentice looked at her for a moment, likely noticing her red pupils and dark gaze. Then, with a slight smile, she replied, "But I know, madam, don't worry. Valar also forges for semi-humans. Wait a moment."
The apprentice moved behind the counter with a more curious expression. "I suppose you belong to a category of semi-humans called 'Metamorphs'. Why not show me your second form ?"
Helydia stared at her for a moment, surprised by the request, but after a brief pause, she decided to comply. Her eyes closed for a moment, and she transformed into her black semi-spider form, her long dark legs stretching out behind her.
Relia, smiling, observed silently as the apprentice, intrigued, watched every movement of Helydia.
The woman behind the counter raised an eyebrow and scratched her chin, seeming to appreciate the transformation. "A half-spider, huh ? Alright." She leaned down and disappeared behind the counter.
Helydia slowly transformed back into her human form, looking at the apprentice with a questioning gaze.
A few moments later, the apprentice reappeared with a large red ring holder. She placed it on the counter with a satisfied expression. The ring holder was adorned with about fifty rings: simple silver ones, others set with multicolored gemstones, and some in gold engraved with mysterious runes. The apprentice bent over, reading the labels attached to the rings attentively.
Finally, she pulled out eight simple silver rings and placed them carefully in front of Helydia. The rings were simple but decorated with fine and intricate gold engravings on the inside.
"Here," the apprentice said confidently. "These rings are made for you. They should fit perfectly with your transformation."
Helydia examined them closely, holding them in her hands. "They're beautiful," she murmured, touching the golden engravings.
Relia leaned in as well, admiring the meticulous work of the artisan.
The apprentice smiled. "I knew you'd like them." Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Go on, put these rings on all your fingers except the thumbs, and transform," she said, her tone filled with eager anticipation.
Helydia nodded, and without hesitation, she slipped the rings one by one onto each of her fingers except her thumbs. She closed her eyes for a moment, concentrating. Then, with a slight tremor, she transformed again, taking on her semi-spider form. Her black, sinuous legs unfurled, and suddenly, the tips of her legs, the parts that touched the ground, changed. The lower part of each leg became sharp, as if covered in silver blades, glinting in the light.
Helydia observed these new "weapons" with intense focus.
"These are what my space use to fight," she thought.
She tried a quick movement, swiping the air in front of her. The sound of the metal slicing through the air resonated softly in the forge. The sensation of power emanating from her metallic legs surprised her. With a slight smile, she repeated the exercise, slicing through the air again with agility and precision.
Relia, standing next to her, watched the scene with an amused smile, Helydia was like a child playing with a new toy. The apprentice, on the other hand, looked at her with a satisfied expression, carefully observing Helydia's transformation.
Then, after a few moments, Helydia transformed back into her human form. The silver blades that had adorned her legs retracted, merging back into her fingers, taking the shape of the rings she had worn earlier. She looked at her hands in astonishment, admiring the shimmering jewelry that had formed from the blades.
She stared at them for a few moments, impressed, before walking over to the apprentice, a gleam of determination in her eyes. "I'll buy them," she said, her voice calm but firm.
The apprentice raised an eyebrow, clearly pleased with the response. She turned to grab a small ledger from the counter, ready to write down the order.
Relia, still a little amazed by the scene, whispered, "They suit you well," almost admiring the contrast between Helydia's warrior form and her softer white dress.