Heavy rain slammed against the rocky ground of Dwarven Ridge, soaking the roads in cold water. Airi walked forward slowly through the downpour, while Nova followed behind in silence, his eyes fixed on her back—fragile, yet still standing.
At last, they arrived in front of Hammer Hall, the greatest forge of the Dwarves. The glow of blazing furnaces leaked through the cracks of the windows, and the sound of hammers striking metal echoed loudly from within.
Airi knocked on the massive steel gate—slow, firm.
Tok… Tok… Tok…
The gate creaked open, revealing Zen—a dwarf elder with long silver braids in his beard, a muscular build, and a gaze both sharp and wise.
He raised an eyebrow the moment he saw her.
"Ah… Airi, isn't it? Haven't seen that face in a long time. What brings you here? What do you need?"
Airi lowered her head deeply, rain still dripping from her hair.
"Please… forge me a new sword."
"My previous one… was destroyed."
Zen froze. His expression turned serious in an instant.
"…What? Destroyed?"
"The sword we forged with dragon-core mithril… the strongest weapon of the Dwarves… broken?"
Airi closed her eyes, her hands trembling.
"I tried to cut someone's neck… and the blade shattered before it even touched their skin."
Zen exhaled heavily, as if realizing something dreadful.
"There are only a few beings in this world capable of breaking that blade without even touching it."
He looked straight at her.
"Who is your enemy, child?"
Airi bit her lip until it bled.
"…Zata."
Silence fell.
Even Nova could hear Zen's breath halt for a moment.
"Zata… the King of Invaders?"
"Then you've already stepped into true hell."
Nova stepped forward, his gaze filled with determination.
"Please help her. Without a sword… she has no reason to keep standing."
Zen studied them both for a long moment, then lowered his head and opened the gate wider.
"Come in."
"But I won't forge a blade for someone whose heart is already broken."
"Prove to me… that you're still worthy of wielding one."
For the first time, Airi met his gaze directly. Fear lingered in her eyes—but so did resolve.
"Alright. Whatever the trial is… I'll take it."
Zen gave a faint smile—the kind only a seasoned warrior could give upon seeing a flicker of fire in the dark.
"Then welcome… to the trials of the Dwarves."
The rain grew heavier, as if marking the beginning of a new chapter.
---
Inside the massive forge, the central furnace bathed the stone walls in a deep crimson glow. The rumble of steam engines and the thunder of giant hammers made the air feel dense and scorching.
Airi stood in the center of the hall, her clothes still soaked, her breathing heavy, her fists clenched tight. Nova stood behind her, silent but ready to catch her if she fell.
Zen stepped forward, lifting a massive hammer and striking the ground three times.
"All of you—listen! The trial of the forging heart begins!"
The dwarves stopped their work and turned toward Airi, their gazes filled with curiosity—and doubt.
"So that's the human who couldn't even hold onto her own blade?"
"What a waste of time. Why bother with someone who's already given up on life?"
Airi bit her lip, trying to hold herself together. Nova shot them a sharp glare, ready to step in—but Zen raised a hand.
"No one interferes."
"If she can't rise on her own… she doesn't deserve a new sword."
Airi clenched her teeth. Tears fell onto the stone floor.
"Why… am I so weak…"
Zen approached her, his eyes piercing.
"Your sword didn't break because the metal was weak."
"It broke because your heart was."
"You've lost your direction. Your courage. Your reason to fight."
Her shoulders trembled violently.
"If you want a new sword… forge your heart first."
Airi shut her eyes—and for the first time, she screamed.
"I DON'T WANT TO RUN ANYMORE!"
She grabbed the hammer with both hands and pulled with everything she had. Her muscles strained, veins bulged, and blood began to seep from her palms as the rough metal tore into her skin.
Behind her, Nova spoke softly—but firmly.
"Stand up, Airi… I believe in you."
And then—
The hammer lifted.
The entire hall fell silent.
Zen smiled faintly.
"Good."
"The first trial is complete."
Airi collapsed to her knees, gasping for air, her hands dripping blood onto the stone.
Zen then pointed toward the massive furnace blazing like hell itself.
"Second trial: The Fire That Defines Your Purpose."
"Hold that hammer in the heart of the inferno… for ten minutes."
"If you drop it… you fail."
Airi stared into the raging flames.
"Airi… are you ready?" Nova asked quietly.
"…I have to be."
"If not… everything I've done will be meaningless."
She stepped toward the fire.
---
The heat roared as she entered the furnace's core. The air burned her skin. Seconds felt like eternity.
One minute… two… five…
Her arms trembled violently, her breathing ragged. Blood dripped from her palms as the heat and weight pushed her to the brink.
"I can do this… I have to…"
But the pain kept building.
At seven minutes—
The hammer slipped.
It crashed onto the ground with a deafening clang.
Silence.
Zen watched, expression firm but calm.
"…You failed."
"But don't despair. This is your first attempt."
"Many warriors failed countless times before conquering this fire."
Airi fell to the floor, covering her face, her body shaking.
"I… I'm not strong enough…"
Nova knelt beside her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder.
"It's okay. This isn't the end."
"You tried. That alone matters."
"Every failure is just another step forward."
Zen placed a hand on the fallen hammer.
"If you want that sword… you must conquer your pain."
"Your body is exhausted. Your heart is exhausted."
"But if your heart gives up… the blade will never be yours."
Airi looked at Nova, tears still in her eyes—but a spark had returned.
"I'll try again."
"This time… I won't give up."
Nova smiled faintly.
"That's what I wanted to hear."
---
The rain had long since stopped, but the fire still burned fiercely.
Airi stepped forward once more, gripping the hammer. Her body trembled, her breath uneven—but her eyes were different now.
"Focus… don't let go," Nova whispered.
She entered the flames again.
This time, she steadied her breathing. Her thoughts calmed.
And then—
She saw them.
Faint, glowing figures within the fire.
Her eyes widened.
"Dad…? Mom…? Sis…?"
Her older sister stood among them, smiling gently.
"You're not alone, Airi."
"We're always with you."
"Your strength doesn't come from your body alone… but from your heart."
Warmth spread through her.
The fire no longer felt unbearable.
The hammer no longer felt impossible.
Nova noticed the change, though he couldn't see what she saw.
"You can do it…"
Time passed.
Five minutes. Six. Eight.
Her body still shook—but she endured.
"I won't lose… not anymore…"
Ten minutes.
She held on.
"I… did it…"
Zen stepped forward, a proud smile on his face.
"Good."
"Now… it's time to forge your new blade."
---
In the heart of the forge, pure metal glowed beneath the raging flames. With every strike of Zen's hammer, the metal transformed—red and blue light intertwining with each blow.
"This is no ordinary sword," Zen said.
"It is the result of your pain… your trial… your resolve."
"Its name… is Crimson Resolve."
Airi gazed at her new blade, its crimson glow reflecting in her eyes.
"With this… I can stand again."
"I can protect… and I won't fear Zata anymore."
Nova smiled.
"Good. You've conquered yourself."
"Now it's time the world sees… that Airi is back."
---
The rain had stopped.
But as they walked home, Airi's body began to give in.
"…Almost there…" Nova murmured.
Step by step—
Airi collapsed.
Nova caught her instantly, holding her close.
"Hey… don't go now…"
He carried her carefully, placing the sword on his back, walking steadily toward home.
"You've already conquered hell… don't let exhaustion take you now…"
---
At Arou's house, Nova gently laid her on the bed, brushing her hair aside.
"You're safe now… rest, little warrior."
Crimson Resolve rested beside her, glowing softly in the evening light.
Nova sat on the floor beside the bed, watching over her… until his eyes slowly closed.
---
The door creaked open.
Feeth walked in, holding a cup of tea—and froze.
"…What is this? Nova… sitting under the bed watching Airi?"
Behind him, Arou, Shion, Nora, Rei, and Emi entered.
Emi raised an eyebrow.
"This looks like… a drama scene."
"What is going on here?" Arou muttered.
"They do look… peaceful," Shion added.
"They're just sleeping," Nora said casually.
Feeth sighed.
"…Fine. But tomorrow, they're waking up early. And you, Nova—don't spoil her too much."
Emi stepped closer, her gaze soft.
"They've been through a lot. Let them rest."
The room fell quiet as the last light of sunset faded.
One on the bed. One on the floor beneath it.
Two warriors—finally at peace, even if just for a moment.