The walk back was slow and blessedly free of monsters. Each step sent twinges through my hip while Roq worked hard on mending it. Hopefully, he wouldn't consume any of the corpses with gems inside.

  Eryn matched my pace, bow and arrow in one hand, the other wrapped around my waist. I bet she didn't want me to have to bring Roq out if we saw a monster, either, though I probably would have to. She was just as pissed at him as I was. If not even more so.

  I sighed.

  “So,” she adjusted her grip. “He can influence your emotions.”

  “During battle, yes. Apparently,” I grimaced, more from the admission than the pain, which was already starting to fade. “I didn't even notice it happening. Just felt this... warmth. It gave me the confidence to take on anything then and there.”

  “That's terrifying,” she said, her fingers tightening on my belt. “What happens next time, Ash? When Roq pushes you to take on something even bigger?”

  “I'm not going to let him.” The words came out harsh. “Nobody will have such power over me. I'd rather leave him in my storage for the rest of my life than letting someone take control over me.”

  My brow furrowed and I imagined the Platemaw trampling Eryn, and shook my head to dislodge the thought. Freaking Roq. Just because he was indestructible, didn't mean that us actual people were.

  “How can you make sure it doesn't happen again?” she asked, sounding genuinely worried and curious.

  “I know what he can do now, and how it felt when he tried to manipulate me. I'm pretty sure that I can either withstand it or just stash him away before he does any damage. If not, you can always bonk me on the head.”

  “Can you?” Her eyes searched my face. “Because from where I was standing, it looked like you were enjoying it. The fight. The danger. Even before we knew Roq was influencing you.”

  I opened my mouth to deny it, then closed it again. She wasn't entirely wrong as I had been longing for a greater challenge and a real fight. Maybe Roq wasn't one hundred percent at fault here, and he'd only amplified my own wishes?

  “Only part of me was,” I admitted. “There's always been that part of me that wants to prove itself. To be more than just a blacksmith's apprentice and to show that I can fight, too.”

  “There's nothing wrong with being a blacksmith's apprentice, Ash. Especially if it keeps you alive.”

  “I know that. But—”

  “But it's not enough for you.”

  I thought for a moment about to respond, but decided to go with the truth.

  “No, it is not. It's why I became a scavenger. To grow stronger and one day become an adventurer. I can’t do that if I don’t take risks.”

  “And isn't that what he used to manipulate you?”

  “Maybe, but I felt his shame through our bond and he apologized. He knows he messed up.” Even when I said it, I knew how stupid it sounded. “In all honesty, I don't think he's going to do it again. Being inside the storage is something he hates really bad, so just threatening him with it will do wonders.”

  “Or he wants you to think he feels shame.” She stopped, turning to face me. Her lower lip trembled as if she was about to burst into tears. “Ash, this isn't just about you anymore. We're partners now. When you rush into danger like that…”

  “I know,” I whispered, feeling a pang of guilt reach down my gut. I touched her cheek, feeling the dried sweat and dirt beneath my fingers. “It is not just my life I am risking. I don't even know what I'd do if something happened to you because of me.”

  “And there need to be consequences,” she said, her green eyes focused on mine. “If he breaks them, we need a way to force him not to do so again.”

  “Like what?”

  “Like—” She chewed her lip. “Maybe as you said? Keep him in storage for a while?”

  “Yeah, he'd definitely hate that,” I laughed, then winced as my hip protested. “You're devious, you know that? But we do have to face reality. Using any other weapon would prevent us from going hunting. At least this efficiently, and it would only bring us even more danger.”

  “Someone has to keep you boys in line.” She smiled, but it faded quickly. “I'm serious, though. We need to figure this out before we go on such a hunt again. The Shardfangs are dangerous, but if we don’t run at every Platemaw, we could do this every day. Get stronger like you said.”

  I nodded slowly, letting her words settle.

  “Thank you,” I said.

  “What for?”

  “Being you.”

  “Cheesy,” she said, rolling her eyes, but we started walking again, and this time we held hands.

  “I mean it.”

  “I know. That's why I forgive you.”

  “I don't think I deserve you.”

  “Probably not,” she chuckled. “But you're stuck with me anyway. For a long time hopefully. Maybe I give birth to a whole troop of blacksmiths and—”

  “Hold on now. Aren't you going a bit too fast?” I said in mock panic.

  Eryn just laughed and shook her head.

  The silence between us was easier, though I could tell she was still processing everything.

  “I hate to admit it, but it was actually pretty impressive what you did back there,” she said after a while.

  “The fighting?”

  “No, the rock throw.” She bumped my shoulder gently. “Using Roq to create a barrage of projectiles like that? Smart thinking. Lucky as hell, so don't get complacent, but yes, it was a nice move.”

  “That was actually his idea,” I said.

  “Really?” She raised an eyebrow. “So he can be tactical when he wants to?”

  “Apparently. Though I think he just wanted to hit something really hard. Or set the Platemaw up for more bashing. You know Roq.”

  She snorted.

  We walked on until we returned to the spot where we’d changed into our extra gear, and she disappeared behind the same massive steelhusk tree.

  “One more thing,” Eryn said as I changed into the untouched gear and strapped the short sword on.

  “Mm?”

  “Next time we fight something that big, because let's be honest, there will be a next time.”

  I grunted, unable to really argue with that.

  “Yeah?”

  “Just try to avoid getting thrown quite so far?” She peeked out from behind the tree, tunic clutched to her chest. “My heart can't take watching you getting manhandled like a doll again.”

  “I'll do my best,” I said, putting my shield and other armor into the backpack we'd brought in case our storage was full. “Though technically, I only got thrown once. The second time was more of a controlled bump.”

  She chuckled.

  “Is that what you're calling a room-sized monster kicking you with its hooves?”

  “Would you prefer 'tactical repositioning'?”

  “I'd prefer you keeping your feet on the ground with ribs intact. How do you expect me to get all huggy and intimate with you now? Fool. You could have died, you know that? And who would get to enjoy all this then?” She waved a hand at her face, smiling.

  “Hah, yeah. Intimate was not what I had in mind when it broke my ribs, but fair enough. I'll try to be better.”

  After cleaning ourselves up, we headed back to Sentinel Station and reported our successful scouting mission. Although the watch commander seemed suspicious as to why it had taken so long, we looked healthy enough and fine, and he gave us a mission accomplished note to take to the adventuring guild in exchange for 10 silver each.

  We chuckled to ourselves as we headed through the rift, our spatial storages filled to the brim with treasures.

  “Three mind gems from one hunt,” Eryn whispered as we walked underneath First Steel. “I'm still mad at Roq, but it was a success.”

  “I feel the same. Imagine what Pa will make from the Shardfangs and the Platemaw.”

  “You think he'll butcher mine this time, too?”

  “Of course,” I smiled. “You're family now.”

  She bumped me with her hip, and I could feel the happiness radiating from her.

  “Family, huh? I like that.”

  * * *

  Ma served tea in our best cups, the ones with the intricate blue patterns she'd brought from her childhood home. The stairs were pulled up, turning our living space into an impenetrable fortress where we could speak freely.

  Pa sat across from me, his weathered hands clasped in his lap, worry lines creasing his forehead. The late afternoon sun slanted through the window and cast long shadows across the room, making everything feel more somber than usual.

  “Well?” Ma handed me a cup. “The stairs are up, so it's time to spill the... you know.”

  Eryn accepted her cup with a quiet “thank you,” her shoulder pressing against mine as we shared the oversized chair.

  I took a deep breath.

  “It's about Roq.” The name fell heavy in the quiet room. “Something happened today. Something concerning.”

  Pa leaned forward, his chair creaking.

  “Did the soul weapon break? Or lose its power?”

  “No.” I stared into my tea, watching the leaves swirl. “Worse. He influenced my emotions and decision making.”

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  The silence that followed felt thick enough to forge and Ma's hand froze halfway to her mouth.

  “What do you mean by influence?” Ma asked.

  I explained everything - the Platemaw, Roq's manipulation, how I hadn't even noticed until I got hit, the pain breaking the spell. With each word, Pa's expression grew darker, while Ma's grew more concerned.

  “And you're absolutely certain?” Pa asked when I finished. “That it wasn't just battle fever?”

  “I know what battle fever feels like. That’s what overtook me with the spider.” I set my untouched tea aside. “This was different. Like... like someone pouring warm honey into my thoughts, making everything seem possible. Making me want to fight.”

  “Want to?” Ma's eyes narrowed. “Or need to?”

  “Both? Neither?” I ran a hand through my hair. “It's hard to explain. Like he took my natural desires and amplified them several times over.”

  “Made them overwhelming,” Eryn added softly. “I tried talking him out of it, but he wouldn't have it. Ash was dead set on taking on the monster.”

  Pa stroked his beard, lost in thought.

  “And you said Roq just reached level five?”

  I nodded.

  “That's two levels above you now.” He drummed his fingers on his knee. “Makes me wonder.”

  “Wonder what?” Ma asked.

  “Could the level difference matter?” Pa said. “If being stronger than Ash makes it easier for Roq to influence him.”

  I hadn't even considered that. What if the difference in level played a part?

  “You think that's why it started happening now?” I asked.

  “It's a guess is all, but it does make sense, no?” Pa said. “From what we have seen so far, soul weapons are meant to be partnerships, but partnerships need balance. Right now, Roq's power is outpacing yours by far.”

  “So what do we do?” Eryn set her cup down with a decisive clink. “How do we prevent this from happening again?”

  “Keeping Ash's level ahead of Roq's might help.” Pa tapped his chin. “Though that might be easier said than done.”

  “You can have my mind gems,” Eryn offered. “I wouldn't have them without you, and it's Roq that's providing these in a way.”

  “No.” I caught her hand and squeezed it gently. “That would only work until level nine. Then I'd be stuck gathering money for a class gem while Roq rushes ahead. Besides,” I managed a small smile, “I want to grow with you, not leave you behind.”

  Her eyes softened.

  “As if you could leave me behind even if you tried.” She nudged me. “I can keep up with you just fine, Aldrich. You best believe it.”

  Ma set her cup down with that decisive clink I knew so well — the one that meant she had something important to say. Her brown eyes held mine.

  “It can’t just be about strength, Ash.” She straightened in her chair, her fingers laced together. “You need to be clever in how you treat Roq. You cannot afford to be fighting with your own weapon. Even I know that much.”

  She glanced at Pa, who nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes.

  “You'd never strike hot metal with a tool you didn't trust, would you, love?” Ma asked.

  “Never,” Pa agreed. “Tool needs to be an extension of your arm. Work with you, not against you.”

  “Exactly.” Ma's lips pressed into a thin line. “And I doubt there's any way to break Roq like a horse, even if we wanted to. Perhaps the levels matter, making it more or less difficult for him to influence you, but I think the right way forward is to find a way to make Roq want to work the way you want him to. Align your goals.” She leaned forward. “If you two are opposed, you'll be fighting all the way to sixty, if you even reach it.”

  I exchanged glances with Eryn. Her brow was furrowed in thought, obviously considering Ma's words.

  “Ma is right,” she said quietly. “We can't have you constantly struggling against your own weapon. It's too dangerous. And I'd be constantly on edge, unable to trust your judgment. I would find a way to work around it, but a full party? How would they react?”

  “The party wouldn't know of Roq, so that's beside the point, but you're right. Our goals need to be aligned, or we need to have an understanding. Though to be honest, I thought our goals were aligned.”

  Ma considered this for a moment, then turned to Pa.

  “Ash mentioned his shield was damaged in the fight. Why don't you take it downstairs and work on fixing that up? Take Eryn with you. She should learn more about maintaining her gear.”

  Pa's eyes met Ma's, and something passed between them - years of understanding compressed into a single look. He nodded and stood, his chair scraping against the floor.

  “Come on, lass,” he said to Eryn. “I'll show you how to check for stress fractures in monster-forged gear.”

  Eryn glanced at me uncertainly. I shrugged, as confused as she was but trusting Ma had her reasons. She squeezed my hand as Pa lowered the heavy stairs, and then followed him down, leaving me alone with Ma.

  “What are you up to?” I asked, watching her refill her tea cup with precise movements.

  “Think of your father and me,” she said, settling back in her chair. “Who is stronger?”

  “Pa?”

  “Who makes the decisions in our household?”

  I thought about it.

  “Both of you?”

  “Exactly.” A small smile played at the corners of her mouth. “That's what I want Pa, you, and everyone else to think. But do you honestly think there is anything, outside the forge, I can't get my way with?”

  I kept quiet, knowing better than to answer that particular question.

  “That's my clever boy.” Her smile widened. “I'm not manipulating Pa. That would never work. What I'm saying is we have found a way for our relationship to work for both of us. Find out what Roq wants and then see if you can give it to him.”

  “He wants to grow stronger.”

  “Is that truly what he wants, or does he want to bathe in blood or something else unhygienic? What matters most to him?”

  “I—” I licked my lips, suddenly unsure. “Don't know.”

  “Pa loves forging, and he knows me running the shop allows him to focus on that. I couldn't run the shop if he didn't forge items for us to sell, but without me doing the trading, he'd be stuck chatting to people, growing bitter and angry because he'd rather be hammering metal than negotiating.” She took a sip of tea. “There are certain things that matter to Pa. That gives me power despite him being the blacksmith.”

  “That sounds so transactional.”

  Ma laughed, the sound warming the room.

  “Oh, don't worry about it. I'm just using it as an example. Our marriage is built on love. If I didn't love those strong arms of his and the way he looks at me, I wouldn't be selling steel and iron hammered into weird shapes. But I happily do so because I know he loves it and while it hasn’t been easy, it has allowed us to build a life together.” She set her cup down. “You need to find out what Roq truly wants and then find a way to give him that at a cost you are fine with, or it will never work long term. He shouldn't stay out of your emotions because he is afraid; he should do so because he understands it is in his best interest.” She shrugged. “People, and soul weapons apparently, are self-serving. Align your interests.”

  “What if he still does it?”

  Ma stood and kissed me on top of my head, her touch gentle.

  “Then I know you will do the right thing.”

  “And what would that be?”

  “You will know if the time comes. Just keep in mind that anything you are not willing to give up becomes a prison.”

  Her words rattled around in my skull as I finished my tea, gave her a hug, and headed down into the smithy.

  Would I be able to give up Roq if it came to it? Leave him stuck in my inventory for the entirety of my life?

  My stomach felt queasy at the thought, and not just from the power I'd be giving up, but the thought of sentencing Roq to such torture revolted me. Despite what he had done, and how he went on and on about blood, I meant it when I called him friend. How broken would he become after being stuck for a lifetime in my storage?

  I pushed the door open to the smithy and made my way inside.

  “Hairline fracture here.” Pa's rough finger traced a nearly invisible line across my shield's surface, drawing my attention from troubled thoughts. “And here. Monster must've hit Ash harder than you two let on.”

  Eryn leaned in close, her braid falling forward as she studied where Pa pointed.

  “I don't see anything.”

  “That's the trick of it.” Pa's voice took on that teaching tone I knew so well. “You have to feel for it. Here.” He guided her hand across the shield's face. “Feel that? Like a cat's hair under your finger?”

  “Oh! Yes, I do feel it.” She glanced at me. “Everything good up there?”

  I nodded, managing a small smile.

  “Yeah. Or rather, it will be.”

  She held my gaze for a moment longer, then nodded.

  Pa set the shield down on a workbench further along the wall and rubbed his hands together.

  “Now then, you mentioned something about mind gems. Got some corpses for me to work on?”

  “About that.” Eryn smiled at me. “This time I'm leaving all the carcasses with you. Can't very well sell any myself. It would raise too many questions.”

  Pa nodded, reaching for his heavy leather apron.

  “Smart. I'll make gear and sell it. If anyone asks, I'll say there are a few adventurers who've found a good spot and sell directly to me.” He winked. “And no, I won't say who they are or where the spot is.”

  I couldn't help but smile at that. Pa had always been good at keeping secrets, especially when it came to protecting family. And then there was the guarantee that blacksmiths weren't forced to give up sources. Ever. They were too valuable to the adventuring community.

  “We've decided to split everything from our hunts equally, despite the difference in spatial storage space,” I said as we began swiping Shardfang carcasses out onto the floor and work table. “Our risk is equal, after all.”

  “Smart.” Pa nodded approvingly as he arranged his dissection tools. “Keep the relationship equal. That's important in more ways than one.” He picked up his thin, curved blade and began carefully separating the stone-like hide from the first Shardfang. “Now look here. Do you see how the armor plates overlap? Like scales, but more geometric. Could make for excellent reinforced joints.”

  The hide came away with a wet sound, revealing pale flesh beneath. Pa's expert hands moved quickly, separating usable parts from waste.

  “The tendons here? Strong. May be good for bowstrings or binding armor plates. And these crystalline growths along the spine,” he said, tapping one with his knife, producing a clear ringing sound. “Could work these into weapon hafts, maybe even arrowheads.”

  He worked his way through the carcasses methodically, his commentary becoming more excited with each new discovery. When he split open the third Shardfang's chest cavity, he let out a low whistle.

  “Well now, what do we have here?”

  The mind gem sat nestled among the organs, its blue-white patterns swirling lazily as Pa carefully extracted it.

  “That's one,” Eryn said, leaning forward eagerly.

  The fifth carcass yielded another. By the time we reached the last Shardfang, we were all holding our breath. Pa's knife sliced clean and sure, and there it was, the third mind gem of the day, glowing softly in the workshop's dim light.

  “Three mind gems,” Pa said, laying them side by side on a clean cloth. “From a single hunt.” He looked up at us, pride evident in his eyes. “Outstanding.”

  “Time to level up,” I said, taking one of the mind gems from the cloth and popping it into my mouth. The familiar heat spread across my tongue and the world seemed to grow brighter. Then came the sensation of life surging through my body, refreshing me like a good night's sleep and a full breakfast combined.

  After asking Eryn to turn, I equipped all my adventuring gear, and the swiping motion Roq had taught me on my tattoo.

  My soul chart appeared, and there it was, clear as day.

  NAME: Ash Aldrich

  LEVEL: 4 (0/5)

  STRENGTH: 20 (+1)

  AGILITY: 12

  VITALITY: 16 (+1)

  MIND: 11

  TOTAL STATS: 59

  Simple. No fanfare. Just a different number. But I was one whole level closer to being classed and the power it would bring. Not only that, but I’d gained both a Strength and a Vitality from the days hunt. It had to be from fighting challenging monsters. I’d had over twenty killing blows in one day, including the Platemaw. Such gains were incredible. What had taken me years of hammering steel I’d gained in days of hunting monsters.

  Maybe it is worth the risk of wielding a temperamental soul weapon after all.

  I had to stop myself from reaching out with one hand and summoning Roq. Would wielding him feel different now? Was the level difference why he'd been able to influence me so easily before?

  Eryn picked up the two remaining gems, storing one and rolling the other between her fingers before consuming it. She smiled beautifully, the same warmth spreading through her.

  “Level five,” she winked. “Still ahead.”

  I pulled her into a hug, spinning her around once before setting her down. She laughed and pulled me in for a quick kiss.

  Pa cleared his throat, but he was smiling when we turned to look at him. He wrapped us both in a bear hug that lifted us off our feet.

  “Well done, both of you.” He set us down and reached into his pocket, pulling out two silver coins. “First round's on me tonight.”

  “Pa, you don't have to!” I said, knowing we could drink for free at the Timberline.

  “Don't you dare refuse.” He pressed the coins into our hands. “It's tradition. Besides,” he winked, “Can't have my future daughter-in-law thinking I'm stingy, can I?”

  Eryn's cheeks flushed pink, but she accepted the coin with a small bow.

  “Thank you.”

  “Now then.” Pa rubbed his hands together eagerly. “Wasn't there something else you wanted to show me?”

  Eryn and I exchanged glances, fighting to keep our faces straight. After all the times Pa had made us wait while he methodically butchered carcasses before checking for mind gems, a little payback seemed fair.

  “Oh, right.” I stretched lazily. “But there's no rush, you know? Figure you're tired and—”

  Pa's mock growl cut me off.

  “Don't you try that with me, boy. Show me what you've got or get out of my smithy.”

  “Well, if you insist.” I grinned, walking to Pa's sturdiest workbench and swiping out the Platemaw's carcass. It settled with a thud, the workbench creaking and sagging alarmingly. The monster's armored bulk barely fit, its legs hanging off the edges.

  Pa's eyes went wide, and for a moment he looked like a child on his birthday. His hands reached out, almost reverently, running across the metallic plates of its hide.

  “Beautiful,” he breathed. Then his expression sobered as he remembered how I'd gotten it. “Though I suppose 'deadly' would be more accurate.”

  He examined the joints and plate formations.

  “Look at how these overlap. And the way they're anchored into the flesh. This is incredible work. Better than any armor I've ever forged.” He tapped one of the plates with his knuckle, producing a clear ring. “How did you even kill this?”

  “Disabled the legs and then smashed the neck.”

  “Best way to get a knight or a tank.” He nodded, reaching for his tools and turning to potential uses. “Could make a full set of armor from this. No. Two sets. And these plates on the forehead? Might even work for a new experimental hammer.”

  I couldn't help but grin.

  “New hammer?”

  “Oh no you don't.” He wagged a finger at me without looking up from his work. “This one's mine. You've got your fancy soul weapon now. Let an old man have his fun.”

  Eryn and I shared an amused look as Pa continued his examination, his excitement growing with each new discovery. The methodical dismantling of the carcass continued, Pa pointing out interesting features and potential uses, until his knife struck something in the chest cavity that made a distinct clink.

  Pa went very still and he slowly extended the cut until he could peek inside.

  “Portal piss.” The curse came out in a whisper. Then louder. “Breach born monster muck!”

  “What is it?”

  Pa's hands shook slightly as he carved a large opening and reached in. Ever so slowly, he withdrew a rectangular crystal the size of a child's fist.

  “Three bells!” Eryn and I cursed in unison.

  It was the first time in my life I'd laid eyes on a class gem, and it pulsed with a soft red light in Pa's trembling hands.

  “A warrior's class gem,” he said.