Author's Note:
Hi, I apologize for the previous chapter. It was a draft; in fact, this one and the previous one were one. My bad. Apparently, I scheduled it to upload, and when I tried to delete it, it already had about 28 stars. If I deleted it, people would get confused, so I tried to bring you this next chapter as soon as possible.
I have a goal of 45 stars for the next one since it seems people aren't supporting this story much anymore, lol. If I see that it doesn't even reach 30, I'll honestly abandon it. With nothing more to add, enjoy the chapter.
Let's continue.
The days passed, and Bismuth adapted quite well here. She got along best with Pearl and Garnet, along with Amethyst, who only spoke to her to learn a little about her past.
And well... here we were.
We were observing the forge. We were all there, except for Peridot, who said she was doing something more interesting than making useless weapons like some outdated Bismuth—though she said that sarcastically, it seemed.
Lapis was beside me, next to Amethyst, while Pearl, Bismuth, and Garnet were in front. The three of them were chatting animatedly as Bismuth opened the forge, showing us every corner.
We all went inside, but I noticed Lapis was a little nervous.
"Are you bothered by the heat, girl?" I whispered, tapping her on the shoulder.
"Yeah, the heat is driving me crazy," Lapis replied, watching her wings begin to release steam. Carefully, she folded them up to avoid the heat.
After walking around for a few minutes, chatting amiably, we watched Amethyst eating charcoal in a rather ungainly fashion.
Bismuth stopped abruptly in a semi-cave and gave a giant greeting.
"This is the forge, folks and gems. Welcome to my humble abode, which seems to have the same lock," Bismuth said, opening her arms proudly.
"Also..." Bismuth continued, creating a moment of suspense to pique the interest of those who didn't know her.
"This is where most, if not all, of the weapons and upgrades were created during the war," she added with a smile.
"Obviously created by yours truly and trusted Bismuth," she added with a wink.
"Incredible," Lapis said, looking around wide-eyed.
"I haven't seen a Bismuth since I was created," Lapis thought, a little admiring the gem's work, who kept introducing herself.
"Nothing's changed," Pearl commented, as she strolled around, occasionally glancing at Bismuth.
Bismuth looked around, a smug smile spreading across her face.
"That's the best part," Bismuth said, walking to the center of the forge and digging her fists into its base.
"This stuff burns, babe," Bismuth said.
Suddenly, a stream of lava erupted, running across the ground until it reached the main work area.
"Whoa," I said, watching the heat rise and making me sweat a little—a bit like a pig because the stuff was like peeled cassava at 1000 degrees.
"Incredible, isn't it?" Bismuth said enthusiastically, starting to melt some materials while explaining every detail of the process. Her mastery of blacksmithing was astonishing; every movement, every spark that flew from the metal, demonstrated years of practice and dedication.
"This... this is art, I always wondered what would happen without you in this forge," Pearl whispered, fascinated as she watched Bismuth mold the incandescent metal.
"But now I know that this place, with you here, will remain both peaceful and bustling," she added with a smile as she leaned against the wall, watching Bismuth work.
Bismuth smiled.
"Oh, and this is just the beginning," Bismuth said.
Quickly.
Bismuth showed us how she transformed basic materials into weapons, tools, and upgrades that had been essential during the war. Each piece she created seemed almost alive, a reflection of her strength and creativity.
"What blacksmithing does isn't just create weapons," Bismuth said as she raised a huge, scorching hammer, "it's giving each piece a soul, making each weapon have a purpose and a story."
Garnet and Pearl watched attentively, nodding at each explanation. Amethyst, though somewhat more relaxed, couldn't hide her fascination with Bismuth's skill.
Garnet, though quiet, couldn't hide the smile on her face as she looked at Bismuth without her glasses; she almost cried.
"Look how the metal behaves under the heat," Bismuth continued. "Each alloy has its own character. A sword isn't just steel; it's patience, technique, and heart."
"I've never seen anything like it," Lapis said, moving a little closer, still impressed by the heat and the scale of the forging.
"And the best part," Bismuth added, with a proud smile, "is that all of this is still useful. Every weapon you see here could return to action if needed. Every improvement, every detail, still has a purpose."
I just stood there watching, absorbing everything Bismuth was showing me. It was more than blacksmithing; it was living history, a reminder of what they had fought for and what they had created to protect themselves. Bismuth's passion for her work was contagious, and for a moment, I even forgot the heat and the sweat running down my back.
"This is... simply breathtaking," I murmured, watching Bismuth transform another block of metal into something that seemed almost magical.
Although I'd seen this in the show, here it was something else entirely. Feeling the intense heat emanating from the forge, the rumble of the hammers on the metal, the sizzle of the tools in action... it was mesmerizing. Every sound, every wave of heat, and every scent of molten metal enveloped me, and although I enjoyed it, I kept it to myself, silently admiring Bismuth's artistry.
"This is yours, Pearl," Bismuth said, tossing some metal spikes toward her.
Pearl reacted quickly, summoning her weapon and precisely positioning the spikes on it. An almost instantaneous upgrade, making her weapon more versatile and lethal. Her eyes sparkled as she fine-tuned the final details, feeling the difference in weight and balance.
"This is yours, Garnet," Bismuth continued, tossing two upgrades for her gauntlets. Now they were stronger and sharper, allowing her to strike with greater impact without losing control. Garnet couldn't hide the wide grin spreading across her face; she was both pleased and surprised by the usefulness of the upgrades.
"And what about you three?" Bismuth asked, turning her gaze toward us, observing each of us with curiosity and a spark of defiance in her eyes.
"I have this whip," Amethyst said calmly as she summoned her weapon and twirled it with dexterity.
"This will do," Bismuth said as she searched for something else, and suddenly launched small spiked balls at Amethyst.
"In the war, a gem had something similar, only longer. Remember, this takes practice, but it's useful if you know how to use it."
I just watched, assessing how Amethyst combined the new tool with her whip, how each movement felt fluid and powerful, yet precise. Bismuth's years of experience were evident in every detail: the balance, the weight, the way the tip could control attacks without compromising speed.
"And you, son of Rose, what do you have?" Bismuth asked, turning to me with a gaze that seemed to pierce right through me, assessing whether I was ready for something more.
"The same as my mother," I said as I summoned my shield. The metal shone with a pinkish sheen, almost warm to the touch. The shield seemed to have a life of its own, as if it recognized my energy and adapted to my movements.
"Hmm…" Bismuth said, observing intently, tilting her head slightly, measuring every detail of the shield.
"I think I have something for you," she added, rummaging through various pieces scattered around the forge.
Finally, she tossed me five spikes. Each one had a special glow, an energy contained within its structure.
"Each spike does the star thing, you know, like with the Crystal Gems. But… to be clear, avoid summoning them all at once. They're disgusting, if I remember correctly."
I crouched down, picking up each spike and examining them carefully. The texture, the shape, the density… each one was designed to complement my shield, allowing for offensive or defensive attacks without compromising my mobility.
"Each one has its function," Bismuth continued, walking between us.
"It's not just about brute strength. You have to learn to feel the metal, be the metal, feel the metal, lick the metal," he said, licking the metal and drawing a few beads of sweat from his brow.
After whatever that was.
I watched as Pearl adjusted the spikes on her weapon, Garnet tested the strength of her new gauntlets, and Amethyst twirled her whip with fluid precision. Each of them was focused, but there was a glint of excitement in their eyes. Even I, with the five spikes in my hands and my shield, felt a tingle of anticipation.
"Ready to try them out?" Bismuth said, with a satisfied smile.
"Remember, the important thing isn't just using these weapons... it's feeling them, knowing them, making them a part of you."
I nodded, looking at my friends. We were all ready, aware that what we had just received wasn't just equipment; it was confidence, it was history, it was concentrated strength in our hands. And as the heat of the forge enveloped us, I knew something new had begun.
I looked at Lapis, who, for obvious reasons, had already explained to Bismuth that they didn't have any Lapis Lazuli in the war, so she would do something different another day.
"Anything goes for me, gem," Lapis said calmly.
"Although…" she added quickly.
"I'll show you some really cool tools that might be useful for you."
Bismuth smiled as she nodded.
"Oh, I wanted to, of course I accept suggestions," she said, pointing to some pictures that looked like rather crude weapon designs.
"Each one of those," Bismuth said.
"They're suggestions from the previous gems, so go for it."
Lapis nodded excitedly.
Looking at her, I more or less knew what she was thinking.
"I hope she doesn't suggest a Minecraft sword," I thought, beads of sweat forming on my brow.
So we headed to a sandy area where we could train a bit.
Hours passed, and we all tried out the weapons. Honestly, I didn't remember the original Steven having spikes on his shield, but these were retractable, forming a circle inside the shield, and he could activate them from within when needed. It was a perfect combination of defense and attack.
The training continued like this until everyone left, except for Bismuth and me. Bismuth wanted to give me something extra, though Pearl gave me a look that clearly said, "Be nice to her or I won't cook for you, you son of a bitch."
Now we were in an area filled with lava, and I could feel the heat starting to affect me a little.
"Hey, not to be a bother, but I'm half-human. If I stay here too long, I'll get dehydrated," I said cautiously.
Bismuth nodded absently as she searched for something among the tools and materials in the forge.
"Hey, I have a question," Bismuth said suddenly.
Steven just raised an eyebrow, as if to say, "Go on."
"Do you remember... do you remember anything about Rose? About her gem?" Bismuth asked, her tone more serious than before.
I saw what was coming and decided to be honest.
"I remember bits and pieces... it's not a complete memory. It's like... you know when you see something on TV? Sometimes you experience it in the first person, other times in the third," I explained.
Bismuth nodded, not quite understanding how that could be similar to anything.
"I remember you from somewhere... but I didn't see how he put you in the bubble, to be honest," I added, looking into her eyes, noticing her tense up slightly.
Bismuth took a deep breath and softened her posture a little.
"That doesn't matter, it was just a disagreement," she said clearly, making it clear she didn't want me to delve any deeper into the subject.
I nodded, perfectly understanding her position and respecting the boundary she had set.
The silence became comfortable for a few seconds, as we watched the embers and the lava that sparked around us. It was a strange moment, a mixture of tension and curiosity. Bismuth continued searching through her tools while I remained alert, aware that what came next depended on her decision.
"You know," Bismuth finally said, "there are many things I didn't understand at the time... but now I can try to help you in the best way I can."
"I know," I replied calmly, watching her hands move through the materials, focused. "I just want to learn and understand... and I think I can do that with you."
She nodded.
As the lava sparked around us and the heat enveloped us, we both knew that this moment would mark the beginning of something bigger. There was no rush, no judgment, only the present and what we could build together from what remained of the past.
But a question pulled me from my thoughts.
"What do you think about shattering gems?"
I looked up and saw that Bismuth was now holding a weapon I recognized immediately. I had seen it before, though never this close.
"Break gems?" I said, feigning ignorance.
Bismuth nodded slowly.
"Yes. Let's say if Homeworld comes... would you break their gems?"
I stared at her for a few seconds. It wasn't a difficult question to answer.
"No," I said clearly.
Bismuth opened her mouth to ask why, but I spoke before she could.
"Some gems from Homeworld came recently," I continued. "You met Peridot, didn't you?"
Bismuth nodded immediately.
"Well, she was one of them."
I could see the surprise in her expression, not at the information itself, but at how easily we'd ended up bringing someone from the other side.
But I wasn't finished yet.
"The other gem... Jasper," I said, looking down slightly.
"Let's just say she wasn't the best visitor on this Earth."
I remembered the pain too clearly, and it made me clench my fists while cursing whatever higher power was for making this Jasper even more of a bitch.
But I calmed down.
"She gave me the worst beating I've ever received," I added. "She forced Peridot to fuse with two corrupted gems."
Bismuth's eyes widened. She clearly remembered the corrupted gems she'd seen in Garnet's room.
"How disgusting, like, what the heck?" she said with obvious revulsion.
"I know," I replied, looking at her again.
I was silent for a moment before continuing.
"Believe me, the thought of breaking her crossed my mind," I confessed.
"But no... I don't want to."
The lava flowed in front of us, slow and steady, and my eyes followed it as I spoke.
"I have my reasons," I added calmly.
A few seconds passed before I spoke again.
"I feel her pain."
Bismuth looked at me, visibly confused.
"If you were to shatter here," I continued, now looking directly at her,
"I would feel your fragments trying to piece themselves back together. Begging each other, wanting to become whole again... unable to."
Bismuth's eyes widened even further, this time with something different. It wasn't surprise, it was unease.
"I wouldn't wish that end on anyone," I concluded.
"Not even my worst enemy," I said, staring up at the ceiling.
Silence filled the room.
It wasn't uncomfortable. It was heavy. Dense. As if even the lava had quieted down to listen to us.
Bismuth didn't say anything immediately. She just lowered her gaze to the weapon she held, as if for the first time she doubted its weight, its purpose.
And I, from where I was, understood that this conversation had left a mark. I didn't know if good or bad, but real. And sometimes, that was more important than any answer.
"You're different from your mother," Bismuth finally said as she holstered her weapon, the breaking point she had held so tightly now resting at her side. Her voice was softer, almost thoughtful, as if she were weighing each word before speaking.
I raised an eyebrow.
"I thought you were her," she said, trying to hide the mixture of surprise and relief she felt.
"You were just pretending, but with that answer... well, now I know she's really gone."
Bismuth looked down for a few seconds, as if reviewing her thoughts. Then she looked up again, a slight blush on her cheeks.
"I'm sorry about that... I just wanted what was best for everyone. That you... I mean, Rose... wouldn't leave something like this unresolved."
Her voice trembled a little at the end, as if she was struggling to talk about the past.
"Did you think it was possible?" I asked, crossing my arms as I watched her expression, trying to understand her perspective.
"Yes," she answered without hesitation, firmly. Her eyes shone with the certainty of someone who had seen much, someone who had survived the impossible and still maintained an unshakeable moral compass.
I couldn't help but let out a soft laugh and shake my head. It was curious, I thought, how every gem I had met possessed that inner strength that set them apart. And Bismuth was no exception. "You're staying here, right?" I finally asked, wanting to confirm what I suspected.
"I like it here," Bismuth said, her gaze sweeping over the forge, the tools, the heat of the nearby lava, and the metallic scent that permeated the air.
"Although don't doubt that I'll be heading back to the base later. I have things to take care of, and I don't like leaving anything unchecked."
"Understood," I replied, giving her a simple nod of agreement and respect. For a moment, we both remained silent, listening to the crackling of the lava and the echo of our breaths, the atmosphere heavy yet tranquil.
I realized that, unlike so many other times, there was no tension between us. No conflicts or judgments, only mutual understanding.
Finally, Bismuth took a more determined step, her posture relaxed, and a small smile appeared on her face. "Thank you for trusting me... even with your complicated family history."
"It's something I have to accept," I replied.
"And you're part of this now, even if in a different way. That's why I wanted you to know how things stood."
She nodded, as if she understood perfectly, and we both remained silent for a few more seconds, watching the lava flow slowly, feeling the same peace we had so often sought in the temple and the celestial arena.
With that, I knew the conflict, at least for now, was resolved. Steven took a few steps back, letting Bismuth settle down and catch her breath. There was no need for extra words; everything was clear. Trust had been established, and mutual understanding gave way to an unexpected calm.
"So... goodbye, Bismuth," I finally said, with a peaceful smile.
"I'll stay here... for now," she replied, a soft laugh escaping her lips.
And so, avoiding any unnecessary conflict, the situation was resolved quietly, trusting that the future would have its own answers.
End of Chapter 68.