Hagan Colins owned a quaint handmade souvenir shop nestled in the heart of the village. Where every piece he created was a work of art, meticulously crafted, imbued with subtle enchantments, and designed to ward off evil spirits, Feyfiends, and other malevolent entities.
Mr McVeigh often relied on Hagan's expertise, requesting special items that could aid in their fight against darkness.
The Crystal Sword was his masterpiece, a weapon forged with rare crystals and ancient magic, capable of sealing away the most dangerous of foes.
Ansel, desperate for a solution, spoke up hesitantly. He suggested, referring to one of his friends. "What about my friend, Andrew?"
Although Andrew's ability to make objects was still far behind. But he believed Andrew would definitely help him.
Lorena's expression darkened instantly. She knew Andrew well, and her doubts were deep-rooted. She said bluntly. "All the things he made were horrible."
Ansel's hope flickered but did not die. He chuckled, mocked himself for choosing Andrew. "But we had no other choice. I'm sure he can. It's very difficult to find someone who can make Crystal's sword."
Lorena sighed, the tension in her shoulders easing just a little. She had no better candidate to suggest, and the truth was, the time was ticking.
She said reluctantly, her voice was softer now. "You have a point,"
Mr McVeigh, who had been quietly observing the exchange, finally spoke with a tone of resolve. "There's nothing wrong if you give Andrew a chance. Making the Crystal Sword can make him learn and sharpen his ability to create objects better. However, there must be someone who can replace Hagan Colins."
Ansel nodded, feeling a mixture of hope and apprehension. "Then does Mr McVeigh have the crystal?"
"Now we have found the person who will make the Crystal Sword. Only one more thing needed, Crystal." Lorena picked up the thread of his question, her voice low and cautious.
Mr McVeigh's face darkened as he spoke, the weight of the past pressing down on him. He said softly. "There is one crystal that we have. It was buried in Lorena's old house. That's why a feyfiend appears and kills all your family."
The room fell into a heavy silence. The revelation hung in the air like a shadow, a painful reminder of the cost they had already paid. Lorena's eyes glistened with unshed tears, memories flooding back of the tragedy that had shattered her world.
After all the Lorena family was slaughtered, she decided to move and sell her house. For her, it was the best way to erase that tragic memory.
"But the house has been sold. Then how to get the crystal?" Ansel said, his voice tinged with concern and uncertainty.
Lorena's eyes darkened with a mixture of resolve and sorrow. Because she had once lived in that house, the burden of retrieving the crystal fell squarely on her shoulders. She straightened her back and said firmly. "Just leave it to me."
"Are you sure you can do it?" Ansel asked cautiously, not wanting to sound harsh but unable to hide his worry. Deep down, he didn't want to burden Lorena with such a dangerous task.
Lorena caught his gaze, and for a moment, her eyes flashed with a hint of offense. Sensing this, Ansel quickly softened his tone and added. "I mean, I just don't want to bother you. I know you are busy. If you can't do it, you don't need to force it."
"Don't worry. I have a lot of free time." Lorena's expression softened, and a small, almost wistful smile touched her lips. She also hoped that the new owner had absolutely no idea about Crystal's presence. So the crystal was intact.
After everything had been laid bare and the path ahead made clear, Ansel knew there was no turning back. He had to do what was necessary.
What destiny demanded of him. The first and most urgent task was to dedicate himself to mastering material art. Every day, without fail, he trained relentlessly, pushing his body and mind to their limits.
Each movement, each breath, was a step closer to preparing himself for the inevitable confrontation with Heka, who was destined to transform into a terrifying Feyfiend.
The weight of this responsibility settled heavily on his shoulders, but instead of crushing him, it ignited a fierce determination.
The second task was equally daunting. He had to seek out Andrew, the reluctant craftsman, and persuade him to create the Crystal Sword. This weapon was their only hope to contain the Feyfiend's power, and without it, their fight would be hopeless.
He no longer saw death as an inevitable end looming over him. Instead, he saw a path forward, illuminated by hope and the promise of victory.
The fears and worries that had once plagued him, the dread of a bloody marriage, the haunting visions of death and despair. It began to fade away.
All of that had turned into courage. Moreover, there was absolutely no death that he saw for himself. So he had nothing to be afraid of. Because Ansel had found a way to fight it all.
He had discovered a strength within himself that he never knew existed. A fierce determination that burned brighter than any shadow of doubt. The key was not in avoiding the darkness but in embracing the light that could pierce through it. With every step he took, the weight of his past fears lifted, replaced by a newfound clarity.
He envisioned a future where his choices would no longer be dictated by fear but by the strength of his convictions. The promise of victory was not just a distant dream; it was a tangible goal, one he could reach if he stayed true to himself.
And so, with steady breath and unwavering heart, Ansel stepped forward into the unknown, not as a man fleeing death, but as the one who had mastered the art of living. Yet, armed with his resolve, he was ready to confront them all.