Blacksmith of the Apocalypse

Another master-level blacksmith, especially if they could only create legendary items from already legendary or special materials, was actually no hot news across the Pathworks. It was an important piece of information for power looking out for these kinds of characters, but in general, a Master Blacksmith was not in the focus of the public.

As a consequence the news spread rather slowly outside of Urth, apart from the power that paid special attention to Urth and Minas Mar. it was one thing to simply hear of another master blacksmith in a different world, it was different with the context of knowing what Minas Mar had already accomplished.

The army of Oathguards clad in relic-rated armor sets was an open secret, only visible to those who could actually identify relic-rated items. As such, while the people of Urth were excited for a single legendary item, the powers like Chrona, Spatia, and Arget Nore, were watching Minas Mar because of the high production volume of high-tier gear.

To the people in the know, the reveal of the legendary item was a message, that they were ready to step on the big stage. However, even those not in the know would come to realize what this day meant, the Minas Mar decided to reveal their potential.

For now, Seth became known as a new master and this reputation slowly trickled to other worlds.

…

---Ora---

Sitting in a warm armchair, sitting beside a cozy fire burning in an old furnace, an old dwarf was chuckling to himself. He was reading a letter he from Nädel that recounted the news from Urth. Tored himself, didn't watch or read much news, he was always too busy with work.

“Haha, I knew he would be able to make it quickly. Maybe I should really consider taking his offer and going over there. He seems to have built quite the organization over there,” the dwarven master mused to himself.

Although he was one of three masters in Ora's inner dwarven city, he sometimes felt lonely. After all, he was the only one of them, who had mastered all three, <Blacksmith>, <Goldsmith>, and <Enchantment>, in this place. There was no one here he could talk with, about the cross application of the skills. If it was Seth, maybe he had also reached this stage?

“If I'm really going, I think I should bring a present. I should try persuading Nädel to come, too. He has been stuck for too long in this place. Me too, things have become boring again, after the demons in the north calmed down...”

Nodding to himself, Master Tored started making plans for the future.

…

--- Arandith --

“Please let me go, Grandfather!” Polter Onyxheart was kneeling in front of an ancient dwarf, reclining on an ostentatious throne. After reading the news of Urth, the dwarf was hellbent on emigrating and joining the Pythian Games.

The dwarf had hit it off well with Seth during the short time they spent together during Chrona's Evaluation. However, after the initial delivery of <Ithildin>, Polter had no longer been allowed to leave their home world.

As the grandchild of the King below the Mountain, he had many responsibilities to take care of. Right now, more than ever, since their world was also going through great change, like Urth, as it had also only recently been added to the Pathworks.

Although saying it was as bad as Urth was too much, just the dwarfs had a lot of trouble with random portals and dungeon opening in old mine shafts and unexplored caves. Despite having quickly come up with countermeasures, they could help the things happening outside their range of influence.

Ever since his return, Polter was busy closing dungeons, that had spread to the point that they connected to their mines and cities. The people on the surface were even worse off. Despite this busy schedule, Polter was kneeling before his grandfather for a chance to leave.

When it was not just about visiting a friend and business partner, but to defend their pride, spread their name, and maybe attain a legendary armament, then maybe his grandfather would allow it. Polter was nervously waiting for the old man to raise his voice. The longer the wrinkly old man, with his sharp ice, stared at the back of his head, the weaker became his hope. Finally, the king sighed.

“Fine, I know I pushed you and your father a little too hard for the past weeks. If these old bones were still able to break bones and crush flesh, like they used to, I would have given you all the free time in the world, “the old geezer started reminiscing.

Polter could only look up awkwardly. What was this old fart even saying? His arms were still thick as tree trunks. The younger dwarf had no doubt that the king could crush an ordinary man's skull with his old decrepit claws.

“Anyways, I guess those excuses are good enough to make the ministers shut up about your little vacation,” he concluded his verdict.

“This means I can go?” Polter asked, looking surprised at his grandfather.

“Yes, it means you can leave to take part in the Pythian games when they happen. But you would better get ready to get worked to the bone until the day of your departure.” the king warned him, but it was no use.

“Yes grandfather, I will do my best!” he cheered, jumping up on his feet.

….

---Cinema Dimension---

There was a new addition to the pocket dimension designed to look like a cinema, where the incarnations of gods gathered to watch the first master of blacksmithing, enchanting, and goldsmithing of Urth.

Following the recent trend of betting, the addition was a massive blackboard to the right of the screen. In white chalk, it bore witness to the bets the gods had placed on a myriad of different things that were currently happening on Urth, surrounding Minas Mar and the recent announcement.

Most prominent of all were the ones surrounding the reaction of the other forces to Minas Mar's announcement. To be exact it was what of the things would happen first. Would Arget Nore pick a fight over the business with the hammer and drop their agreement, or would they swallow their pride for a sweet deal? Would the Sister of Kova finally make an appearance?

Who would be the first to realize that Urth now allowed entry of legendary beings and breaches in there? Spatia? Chrona? Someone else? Would a legendary beast appear somewhere in Urth that would alert everyone to the new possibility?

As almost 4th-dimensional beings, the gods were able to see many possibilities of the future, however, they couldn't be sure which would be right. Especially when they deliberately didn't try to take a peek, so as to not spoil their fun.

There were also many bets concerning the Pythian Games and Mike's Divine Quest. As Maahes and Wepwawet had ultimately decided to join the business of Hades, Hephaestus, and Seth, the other gods could also access this POV from the cinema.

“Whoever is the first to bring in their legendaries and pick a fight with Minas Mar, they will be in for a rude awakening,” Persephone pondered, replaying the scene of Ceres fighting the young Rainbird. The Rainbird had almost crossed the threshold to become a legend but had barely a chance against the creation of the little blacksmith.

Taking into account that foreign legends would suffer a small suppression effect when entering a foreign realm, a young legend would probably not fare much better. Now that Ceres itself had crossed the threshold, the chances were even slimmer.

And Minas Mar had two legends on their side, as far as the gods knew.

“If they come after the Pythian games, they will probably have to face three legends..” Apollo commented with a slightly sour face. Although the revival of Python's Legend was not without benefits for him, he couldn't help feeling sour about it. After all, he still held quite a grudge for the beast of back then, despite knowing that Seth's creation had nothing to do with the original.

“Kuku, Forgebrand would really bite his own beard, if he saw with what ease the little blacksmith accomplished his ultimate goal,” Hades gave a rare comment about his champion and predecessor of Seth on Urth.

“You really won't tell me Forgebrand's goal?” Hephaestus asked for who knew how many times he had already asked this question. Hades glanced at the screen.

“I told you, I don't want to ruin the reveal. I'm sure it isn't too far off.” the god of the underworld said with a knowing smile. A smile so tiny, that only his significant other beside him could catch it. Although Hades was a serious man, Persephone knew that he also had a slightly childish side to him, that would peek out from time to time.

“Just enjoy the show, Hephaestus.” she joined her husband in telling the blacksmith off.

“hmph, fine,” he said, reigning his curiosity in, for the moment.