I DECIDE THE END MYSELF

VOLUME 1: ASCENDANCE

BOOM!

Another explosion echoed from Kael's backyard — the third one today.

Thud!

Kael crashed to the ground like a rotten jackfruit, the back of his head smacking the dirt with a solid thunk.

"Ughh... my head." He groaned, rubbing the sore spot.

Cough! Cough!

Smoke from the burst machine filled his lungs, and he choked on it, waving the fumes away.

"Fuh... If I didn't jump on time, I might be dead..." he muttered, still flat on his back.

The wrecked remains of his invention sparked in the grass beside him, a few metal parts still rattling from the force of the blast.

"Yeah... just a few more modifications and this creation is don—" Kael mumbled as he stared up at the rising smoke.

"KAEL!!! What is it this time, huh?!"

A familiar voice cut through the chaos like a sharp blade.

At the edge of the scorched backyard stood Elvareth — a middle-aged elf woman with long silver-streaked hair tied in a loose braid, arms crossed and fire in her eyes. Her expression could stop a charging beast in its tracks.

She'd lived with Kael for the past few years. A mother figure, sure... just with a slightly terrifying temper.

Kael sat up slowly, brushing ash off his clothes.

"Steady, Elvareth. I'm almost done. Just a few more tests and I'll have it working, I swear," he said with a grin that didn't help his case.

Elvareth's hands flared with a twitch of wind energy. "No, no, young human. What's done... is YOU." Elvareth shouted from afar

Kael ignored her completely. Heh, what nonsense, old elf," he muttered under his breath

His eyes locked onto the remains of his smoldering machine — one gear still spinning like it didn't understand the whole thing had already exploded

He shook his head and slowly stood up, squinting at the smoking machine in front of him.

His short black hair stuck messily to his forehead, singed slightly at the tips. His bright sky-blue eyes — always flickering with ambition and mischief — glimmered with excitement despite the chaos.

By height alone, he looked more like a child standing beside elves or dwarves. His clothes were stitched from humble, coarse fabric — something out of the middle ages — but laced with odd modifications: glowing circuits, metallic plating, and tiny, buzzing components that blinked and hummed with unstable energy.

Sparks crackled from one of the machine's vents. Kael crouched beside it, pointing at a fried mechanism near the base.

"Hmm... maybe I just need to fix this part."

Before he could grab his tools again—

CLANK!

"Ow—HEY! That hurts, old elf!" Kael yelped, stumbling forward.

A wooden plank had smacked the back of his head. Elvareth stood behind him, holding it like a weapon of divine justice.

"Alright, Mr. Human Inventor," she said, voice dripping with sarcasm, "time to pack up this weird piece of metal."

"Huh? Why?" Kael asked.

"Because it's been exploding since early morning!" she snapped.

"Oh yeah? And what are you gonna do if I don't, old elf?" Kael teased, smirking as he rubbed the growing lump on his head.

Elvareth's eyes narrowed. She raised a hand, drawing in a swirl of air. Wind gathered with a soft whoosh, circling Kael's legs and lifting him effortlessly off the ground — upside down.

"Now what, human?" she asked sweetly, a smug grin spreading across her face.

"Okay, okay! You win!" Kael flailed, waving his arms in surrender.

She let him gently float back to the ground and crossed her arms.

"It's time for work. You're late."

"Yeah, yeah... I know," Kael muttered. He dusted himself off and whispered under his breath,

"What is this, child labor? I'm only sixteen..."

Elvareth rolled her eyes and turned away as Kael stepped inside.

His house was small — a simple two-story wooden home that creaked with age. He jogged up to the second floor and entered his room.

Tools and half-assembled gadgets were scattered across the desk, wires hanging like tangled vines. On the wall hung an old photo — a younger Kael held up between two adults. Their faces were missing from the torn frame.

His bed sat beneath the window, modified with adjustable levers and cushion controls he'd built himself for extra comfort.

Kael glanced at an unfinished device on his desk also with some weird modification and features

"Hmm... maybe I can use this as a—"

"KAEL! Hurry up! Your friend's waiting outside!" Elvareth called from below.

"Coming, old elf!" he shouted back, grabbing his satchel and heading down

Kael immediately grabbed his satchel, tossing in a handful of tools — clunky, odd-shaped gadgets with blinking lights and gears that clicked in strange, unpredictable rhythms. Most people wouldn't even call them "tools."

But to Kael?

They were his pride.

His creations.

He slung the bag over his shoulder, gave one last glance at his room — at the unfinished machine on his desk, and the torn photograph on the wall — then darted down the stairs toward the door.

"I'm going, Elvareth!" Kael shouted.

"Yeah, yeah!" she replied from the kitchen, her voice half-annoyed, half-affectionate.

Kael flung open the front door.

Waiting just outside was a short, wide- blacked eyed goblin with a mischievous grin plastered across his green face.

"Faster, human!" Nibsken shouted, bouncing on his toes. "We're gonna be late!"

Kael waved lazily. "Yeah, relax, goblin."

He bent down and strapped on his newest invention — a pair of shiny, steam-punk-like boots lined with tiny thrusters and gears.

Nibsken's eyes sparkled.

"Whoa... those shoes are shiny!"

Like most goblins, Nibsken had a thing for shiny stuff. A serious thing.

Kael smirked. "Of course. But don't try to steal them, sneaky goblin."

He pressed a button on the side of the boot.

Click.

WHIRRR.

The soles buzzed to life, emitting a soft glow. With a sharp hiss of air pressure, Kael hopped experimentally, rising a few feet higher than normal.

"Let's race, Nibsken!" Kael said, grinning with confidence.

"Oh, come on, human. You already lost ten times this week." Nibsken folded his arms, skeptical.

Kael laughed. "This time's different."

Suddenly—

SWOSSHH!!

Kael shot forward, kicking up a small cloud of dust as the boots launched him down the path.

"Ey—wait for me!!" Nibsken shouted, scrambling after him.

"No way, goblin!" Kael laughed, zooming ahead.

His speed was insane — clunky, jerky, but fast.

He zipped past a pair of elves, narrowly missed a cart of fruit, and caught air over a small slope "How come he's this fast...?" Nibsken muttered under his breath, panting as he chased Kael from behind.

"I'm already at my max Might-speed… Human brains are seriously unfair."

Kael dashed along the white-bricked road, wind brushing gently against his face.

The soft chirping of birds mingled with the rustle of the tree leaves overhead. The village of Kallidorra — nestled between hills blanketed in lush green — shimmered under the golden morning sun.

The cobbled path beneath his feet glowed faintly, crafted from polished white bricks, laid down with care to ease the way for carts, travelers, and beasts of burden alike. Market stalls flanked the road in full color — run by elves, dwarves, dragnoids, and the occasional odd-looking merchant from faraway continents.

Some vendors shouted prices. Others laughed and argued over fruit. Children from different races ran past Kael, laughing, weaving between the adults.

And Kael?

He zipped past it all — a blur of clunky speed and wild grinning energy.

People waved at him casually. Not because of his face... but because of his look.

The clinking, sparking, oddly shaped gadgets patched into his clothes.

The thruster boots that hissed when he stopped.

The soot on his cheeks from daily explosions.

To them, that wasn't just a human.

That was Kael — the weird inventor kid who ran through this road every day like a broken wind-up things.

"Morning, Kael! Want some fruit?" a female draganoid called from behind her stall.

"I'm good, thanks!" Kael yelled mid-sprint, waving over his shoulder.

Another voice chimed in: "Still inventing explosions, huh?"

Kael glanced sideways at a pale elf leaning against a cart.

"It's called invention, pale elf!" he shot back with a grin.

"You better not fry the village again!"

Kael gave a nervous laugh. "Nah, I'm not in the mood for that today!"

He kept sprinting through the market, dodging carts and waving to familiar faces.

Being the only human in the village — maybe the only one in the world — made him stand out. At first, it was uncomfortable.

But now?

Now they all knew him.

Maybe not always in a good way, but still.

The explosion kid.

The inventor freak.

The mightless boy with a genius brain.

SWOOSH!

His boots hissed louder as he and Nibsken reached the wide plaza near the town's center. The chase was still on — in Kael's mind, this was nothing short of an epic battle.

"HAHAHA! You're slow, Nibsken!" Kael shouted back, twisting his head to see the goblin stumble past a cart.

"You bastard human! Wait for me!!" Nibsken yelled, flailing as he tripped slightly on a loose stone.

Kael laughed wildly — then, suddenly—

BZZZTT!

BZZZT!

"Huh? Why's it buzzing...?" Kael glanced down at his boots.

Sparks burst from the soles — his newly invented shoes, overloaded with energy, began to whine and stutter. The lights flickered red.

BOOM!

A small explosion popped from the back of one boot, and Kael lost all control.

The propulsion failed.

He couldn't stop.

"Hey—watch out!!" Nibsken shouted in panic from behind.

"WAAAH!!"

THUD.

"Oof!"

Kael slammed into something solid — or rather, someone.

He stumbled backward and landed on his rear, clutching his forehead. The shock buzzed in his skull like a gong.

"Okay... that was NOT part of the design."

A shadow loomed over him.

"My apologies, child," came a low, composed voice. Calm and deep — like wind blowing through ancient stone.

Kael blinked.

He looked up... and froze.

A towering figure stood before him — a High Elf, clad in stunning bluish-green armor that shimmered with the faint glow of starlight. His Crimson Red Cape with gold strips on his back. The Letter E on his Cape makes it even clearer that it symbolized his responsibility for the East Cardinals. His silver-grey hair flowed gently with the breeze. His eye green emerald eyes so charismatic. Long, sharp ears peeked through strands of hair, and his face held no emotion — just a calm, regal stillness.

Strapped across his back was a massive sword, Bluish gold and silver like forged lightning.

And on his right shoulder—

—a red dragonhead badge. 

Gasps rippled through the crowd like a shockwave.

Villagers, traders, children, even stall vendors stopped mid-conversation to stare.

Kael's breath caught in his throat.

"Th-that symbol..." he stammered, eyes wide. "You're... you're a Realm Protector…"

Whispers broke out.

"He's the real thing…"

"That Letter E on his Cape... He is the Commander of the East Branch..."

"That's a commander... a real commander!"

Even Nibsken, far behind, had frozen completely.

"No no no!" the goblin muttered in a panic, hiding behind a fruit cart. "I can't get near someone with that level of Might influence! I'll pass out on the spot!"

Might.

The energy. The core. The foundation of nearly every living being in this realm.

From the nobles of every race, to the towering Realm Protectors, and even to the lowliest beings like Nibsken—Might flows through them all.

It grants power. Control. The ability to shape the world around them.

With enough training and natural talent, what begins as a gentle breeze could become a storm, a tornado, a weapon of mass destruction.

And the stronger someone's Might level, the more their very presence suppresses and influence those beneath them—crushing pressure, like gravity on the soul.

But Kael?

That's exactly what he lacks.

No Might. No elemental affinity. Nothing.

Yet even without it, he keeps pushing forward.

Fighting to survive in a world built on power—armed only with wild inventions, raw stubbornness, and a brain that won't quit.

Machines to match what others are born with. Tools to defy the impossible.

This is Kael's hardest reality.

Kael's legs trembled. His knees threatened to buckle. Just being in the presence of someone so powerful was almost overwhelming.

But then...

The elf smiled gently and extended a hand.

"All good. No worries, child."

His voice was smooth and composed, like he was used to causing this kind of scene everywhere he went.

Kael hesitated — then took the hand.

The High elf pulled him up with ease, as if Kael weighed nothing.

And then, suddenly—

The high elf Realm Protector narrowed his eyes.

He tilted his head slightly, examining Kael more closely.

"Strange... I can't feel any Might from him..." He thought "This shouldn't be possible even the weakest beings give off some trace of might… but this kid? nothing.

A flicker of surprise crossed his face — brief, but telling.

He cleared his throat and asked, "If it's alright... may I ask your name, child?"

Kael blinked. "O-oh! My name?"

"Yes," He nodded.

"Kael... just Kael, Commander!"

"No need to be so formal, Kael."

The High Elf gave a soft, almost amused smile.

"My name is Commander Aeronis Ashvale. As you can probably guess, I'm the East Branch Commander of the Realm Protectors. I hail from the High Elf race."

His voice was calm and composed, but everyone within earshot was already buzzing.

"Did he say High Elf?!"

"He's a noble for sure..."

"His Might... it's so strong I can barely breathe!"

Several of the villagers looked pale, and even a few elders began to wobble on their feet.

Aeronis noticed it instantly.

"Tch... I forgot to suppress it again."

He quickly lowered his Might influence by easing his posture and breath even heavier, letting the tension in the air fade like mist.

"It's not good for me to linger here too long," he thought to himself.

He turned back to Kael.

"So, Kael... what are you?"

Kael straightened up and answered politely, "I'm a human, Commander Aeronis."

Aeronis blinked. "A human?" he repeated. "Hmm... I've never heard of that before."

Confusion flickered in his eyes for a moment, but he smiled again.

"Well, be careful next time," he said kindly.

"Yes, Commander Aeronis!" Kael saluted with both hands in a flustered pose.

Aeronis gave a short laugh.

"You're an interesting one, human."

Then—

SWOOSH!

He vanished in a gust of wind, leaving only a ripple in the air behind him.

"Wow... so fast!" Kael murmured, stunned.

"Kael! Are you okay?!" Nibsken ran up to him, panting.

Kael's eyes sparkled.

"Nibsken..." he said breathlessly, "I want to become a Realm Protector." Kael Really fired up inspired by Aeronis strength and charisma

For him Aeronis is

A Dream

A Hope

A Representator

"Kael! Are you okay?!"

Nibsken's voice rang out as he sprinted over, worry plastered all over his green goblin face.

Kael groaned, brushing dust off his clothes, his sky-blue eyes glowing faintly—filled with something more than just light.

Something like… resolve.

He stood up, chest rising and falling with excitement.

"Nibsken..." Kael said, voice steady.

"I want to become a Realm Protector."

Silence.

The goblin blinked.

Once.

Twice.

And then—

"HAHAHAHAHA!!"

Nibsken doubled over, slapping his thigh like he'd just heard the greatest joke in the world.

"You?! A Realm Protector?!" he cackled.

"You've got no Might, Kael! NONE! And you say this every time we meet one!"

He wiped a tear from the corner of his eye.

"Still hilarious every single time!"

Kael didn't reply.

He just smiled—softly.

Because this time, he meant it more than ever.

Up on the rooftops, Aeronis paused.

He looked back toward the street — at the boy with soot-stained cheeks and malfunctioning boots.

"A human... who didn't even flinch under my pressure?"

He furrowed his brows.

"Don't tell me it's because... no. Maybe I'm just overthinking it."

Still, the unease lingered in his chest.

"That kid... is something."

Nibsken was still laughing as Kael dusted off his clothes. "You seriously think someone with zero Might can become an RP?! HAH!"

Kael ignored him, then suddenly realized—

"Crap! We're late!"

_

Panicked, Kael pulled out yet another invention — this one built more for mobility than chaos.

A pair of mechanical roller shoes, patched with little thrusters and stabilizers. He strapped them on quickly, hit a button—

Vrrrrmmmm...

The gears hummed to life beneath his feet.

"Let's roll."

Nibsken smirked and channeled wind beneath his feet, lifting slightly off the ground to boost his speed.

And they took off.

To others, it probably looked awkward. The boots clanked and jolted. Sparks shot out the back.

But Kael didn't care.

Other races flew, hovered, blinked through space with their Might.

Kael had none of that.

But he did have one thing God already given to him...

A brilliant, stubborn, relentless, and innovative brain.

The two continued down the cobbled path, side by side

toward their workplace.

The Kallidorra Forgehold.

And thus, Chapter 1 comes to a close—just the spark before the inferno.

Chapter 2(a): The Famous Kallidorra Forgehold (Part 1)

SWOSHH!

The sound of Kael's roller shoes echoed down the white-brick trail.

"Faster, Nibsken! We're late!" Kael shouted, grinning.

"I'm trying, human!" Nibsken huffed, dashing beside him with bursts of Wind Might. He was clearly struggling to keep pace.

They zipped side by side, the path beneath them shifting — from pristine white bricks to a muddier, worn-out road. The change meant one thing:

They were close.

Dozens of races filled the road ahead — some walking, others soaring with Might-powered wings or gliding using elemental bursts. All were headed toward a single destination.

A massive structure loomed in the distance, taller than the twin hills behind it. From afar, Kael and Nibsken could already make out the carved Golden colored Metal sign:

KALLIDORRA FORGEHOLD

They continued gliding forward. A few heads turned. A human and a Windborne speeding through the crowd wasn't something you saw every day.

"Yoo! Be careful!" an ogre barked, balancing a giant crate on his shoulder.

"Sorry, we're late!" Kael called out, weaving past him with practiced ease.

They slipped between elves, elementals, giants, beastkin, and even orcs — a rush of bodies, colors, and swirling energy.

Almost there, Kael thought, eyes locked on the forge's towering, open metal gates.

Beside him, Nibsken was panting hard but still refusing to fall behind.

Kael muttered under his breath, "These roller shoes are the best. Even if they eat energy crystals, at least they haven't exploded like my electric speed boosters..."

He glanced down at the whirring wheels beneath his feet.

"...Though those electric boots were more versatile. Works on any terrain. Unlike these — only good for white and mud-brick paths."

He frowned thoughtfully like a nerd. "Hmm... Maybe I need to fix the wiring on the electric boots later."

With a final push, they glided past the crowd, Nibsken barely keeping up.

And finally, they arrived.

SHEREETT!

The high-pitched screech of Kael's roller shoes echoed through the brick made of mud path, as he skidded to a stop, arms outstretched for balance. His boots — enhanced with magnetic micro-wheels.

"Kael!" Nibsken finally arrived, panting.

"We made it, Nibsken," Kael said with a grin.

"We? No—I almost died, human!" Nibsken snapped, glaring.

Kael burst out laughing. "Hahaha!"

Then Kael bowed down and tapped the roller mechanism on his heel. "Should've picked better enhancement." He then clicked the wheels off and strapped them back into his backpack. From there, he continued on foot, wearing only his regular shoes.

In front of them two are distinct sections, divided by an invisible force field — a barrier made from Wind Might. It wasn't visible to the eye, but its presence could be felt like a thin wall of resistance in the air, strong enough to stop even a charging ogre. 

One side bustled with noise and chatter — the customer section. A long queue stretched back, filled with beings of every race, shape, and color. The other side was quieter, structured, and guarded — the workers' section.

Each section was lined with four distinct Metal doors, sized precisely for the realm's many races. The tiny door, barely the height of a barrel, was meant for pixiekin and halflings. The small door fits humans, dwarves, elves, goblins, and gnomes — all within a manageable range of size. The medium door accommodated the bulkier races like orcs, cyclopes, ogres, and trolls. Then came the large door, crafted for the towering forms of giants and titans. 

Kael and Nibsken immediately sprinted toward the worker section.

A pair of Draganoids and a hulking ogre stood guard near the four Metal doors reserved for workers. As Kael approached, one of the red-scaled Draganoids cracked a grin.

"Guess who's late again?"

"Hehehe... sorry. Had some problems," Kael replied, scratching the back of his head.

"Watch your time, Kael. I'm not mad — but the boss will be."

"Yeah, I know."

Kael walked past them with a quick nod.

He looked up, squinting under the bright morning sun.

KALLIDORRA FORGEHOLD.

The massive letters were etched in thick Gold colored metal and shimmered faintly with magic — each stroke pulsing like the heartbeat of a titan.

In front of him stood four massive Metal doors — each crafted for a different worker race. Forged from condensed Metal Might, these doors were uniquely attuned to racial signatures and power thresholds.

"Nibsken!"

"Yeah, yeah — hold on. Still talking to the gatewatch."

Kael wanted to enter the Metal door but It would've been nearly impossible for him to do that alone — being Mightless, he lacked the energy signature needed. The door simply wouldn't recognize him. Only those registered with Might — like Nibsken or the Forge's workers — could activate it. 

After a moment, Nibsken stepped forward and pushed open the small, Metal-framed door sized for their kind. It responded to his energy signature, creaking open — heavy, yet smooth in its motion.

The Metal door groaned as it opened.

TING!

A sharp bell chimed above them, its clear tone echoing through the vast chamber beyond.

Kael and Nibsken moved quickly through the nearly deserted workers' section. They were late — and the last thing they wanted was to be labeled as stragglers.

The area was just as dull as always: black-and-white walls, massive metallic pillars, oversized barrels, and long rows of iron cupboards where workers stashed their tools or hung their gear before their shifts. Everything felt cold, efficient… lifeless. The workers were already gone — off to begin their tasks for the day.

This section served only one purpose: a place to store the workers' belongings before descending deeper.

But where exactly did they go?

The worker section was separated from the customer side for more than just practical reasons. After a full day's labor, most workers were coated in soot, sweat, and coal dust. In contrast, many customers were nobles — and no one wanted the two groups mingling. The barrier wasn't just about order; it maintained appearances, reduced congestion, and preserved a sense of refinement on the customer side.

Kael hated this section. Nibsken, as usual, didn't seem to mind.

Just beyond the separation barrier, visible through a translucent curtain of green, water-infused Crystal Might — lay an entirely different world. This inner barrier served the same purpose as the outer one: to separate zones. But this time, it was made of denser, more opaque Crystal Might, thickened by water essence, making it harder to see through from the other side.

Kael could see through it, but those on the other side couldn't see back. It was a one-way view, a deliberate design.

And what Kael saw always made something twist inside him.

The customer section.

Through the translucent barrier of green Crystal infused with Water Might, it looked like a shimmering membrane — semi-transparent from their side, but completely opaque from the other. A magical veil crafted by expert Might manipulation.

And beyond it, they could already glimpse it.

A place that shimmered with motion, color, and energy — a stark contrast to the grey, lifeless monotony of the workers' side.

It was shiny, mesmerizing, and filled with enchanted items that made Nibsken's goblin instincts twitch with excitement. The customer section buzzed with life — vibrant races flaunting rare gear, exotic styles, and power levels Kael could only dream of.

So, Nibsken smirked.

"Hehehe… it's time to pull our trump card, Human."

Kael responded with a sly, evilish grin. "Hehehe…"

Nibsken then pulled a small blade from his pocket — the Might Splitter. A sneaky little tool Kael had invented just for him using a rare, neutral-element Might Crystal — one that didn't favor any elemental affinity. This made it incredibly useful, as it could absorb and disrupt any element of Might it touched.

For a few precious seconds, it would completely sever magical flow — a perfect tool for bypassing enchanted barriers, disabling wards, or just causing a little chaos.

He and Kael had used it more than once when they desperate 

But the Might Splitter had its limits.

Once the neutral crystal reached saturation — filled to the brim with absorbed elemental energy — it could no longer disrupt or sever anything. Worse, if pushed beyond its limit, it risked shattering… or even detonating in a burst of unstable Might.

That's why Nibsken always kept a close eye on the glow at the blade's hilt — a faint ring of color that changed depending on the amount and type of Might it had absorbed.

Right now, it still pulsed faintly grey.

Still safe and useful in all the right ways.

With a swift slash, he carved through the translucent barrier. A ripple of green and blue light spread outward, hissing slightly as the Might membrane split and opened. A perfect opening, just wide enough for the two of them to slip through unnoticed. The Might membrane will recover itself in a few minutes so Kael and Nibsken need to be quick.

Kael stepped through first.

They had some time to kill, after all.

Why not enjoy it?

End of Chapter 2

I split this part so you guys can read better

don't worry the second part already out

Chapter 2(b): The Famous Kallidorra Forgehold (Part 2)

The moment they stepped into the customer section…

The world transformed.

from the dull monochrome of the workers' bay… to colorful, chaos, and craft.

Heat. Light. The sharp tang of magic-infused metal wrapped around them like a forge-born storm.

This wasn't just a room — it was an experience. A living, breathing monument to fire and wonder.

The interior stretched wide and high, like a cathedral of industry and arcane wonder. Towering metal pillars lined the hall, each one etched with glowing runes, pulsing faintly with enchantments. The very air shimmered with residual heat, as if the walls themselves remembered every weapon ever forged here.

The customer section color palette was a striking blend of polished silver with blue and gold strip.— from the ribbed walls to the vaulted ceiling that seemed to reach the clouds. The floor is made of clean white porcelain and quartz.

Every section of the customer section was crafted with care for every race across the realm: reinforced stone counters for dwarves, floating platforms for elementals, massive walkways for giants, and elevated ramps for winged beings.

This wasn't just a forge — it was a monument.

Wider than anyone could imagine. Taller than most castles.

A place where every weapon forged carried not just power — but legacy.

The interior of the Customer section stretched out before them — a vast hall of craftsmanship and legacy. High ceilings crisscrossed with might-pipes. Walls lined with crystal glass chambers made with Might, each one containing an armament glowing with runes or shimmering under enchantments.

Swords forged with dragonfire.

Spears etched with thundercall.

Armor plates layered in blessed obsidian.

Gauntlets that pulsed with kinetic memory.

And spell-catalysts forged from cores of fallen stars.

All of them are made for Realm Protectors.

The forge was alive with murmurs and motion.

Nobles walked with quiet awe.

Mages traced runes with trembling fingers.

Merchants of every race — from furred to scaled

The customers wandered through the aisles, chatting excitedly and admiring the quality of the gear on display.

"Hmm, this one's built for speed," one noted, testing the balance of a dagger.

"Such craftsmanship…" another whispered, running a hand along the polished metal.

"This blade is razor-sharp!" someone said with a grin, clearly impressed.

All the items were placed within Might Crystal Glass Chambers — elegant displays reinforced by a delicate yet powerful energy. Customers could slip their hands through the shimmering barrier to touch or examine the items freely. But the moment someone tried to pull an object out without permission, the barrier would harden instantly, locking the item in place with unyielding force.

There were no workers stationed here — only customers. So how did they pay? Simple. Each chamber displayed a listed price, and once the correct amount of coins was deposited into the slot beside it, the Might Crystal barrier would dissolve momentarily, allowing the item to be taken.

This seamless, self-service system was introduced by Kael himself — designed for the comfort and privacy of nobles from every race.

As Kael and Nibsken walk many regular customer from different races starting to look at them especially Kael

Then slowly... heads began to turn.

From dragonoids with polished horn-helms to dwarves in soot-stained aprons, elves wrapped in flowing starlight cloaks, and even translucent-bodied elementals — dozens of powerful beings turned to look at Kael. They greeted him.

"Morning, human."

"Yeah Morning Dragon!". kael replied

"Hey Kael! Still blowing stuff up?"

Kael grinned, raising a casual hand.

"Not everything I touch explodes."

Laughter rippled through the nearby crowd. A few clapped him on the back, others nodded in greeting — like they all knew him.

Because they did.

Kael wasn't just some human.

He was the one who fixed, broke, improved, and occasionally accidentally launched half the prototypes that came through the back of the forge.

And whether they admitted it or not… most of them liked him

As Kael was walking steadily with nibsken through the forge. Focused entirely on greeting every familiar face he saw, Kael didn't even notice the massive figure ahead… until it was too late. Just as he took another step—

Thud.

He bumped into something massive.

"Ouch!"

Kael stumbled backward, arms flailing for balance.

Before he could even steady himself, the massive figure turned around.

"Hmm?!"

The voice that rumbled from the figure sent a shiver down Kael's spine — deep, thunderous, and so unsettlingly close.

Kael's eyes widened. Standing before him was a giant of an orc, towering over him with tusks like gleaming swords, biceps as thick as stone columns, and a face carved out of pure ferocity.

The entire room seemed to hold its breath.

Then, in a slow, deliberate motion, the orc reached out and picked Kael up with a single hand.

Kael flailed, his legs dangling. "He-Hey!"

From the corner of his eye, he could see Nibsken, who had stopped dead in his tracks. The goblin only offered a smug grin, arms crossed, as if Kael was about to become the main event of a show he'd been waiting for.

The orc Realm Protector turned Kael from side to side, inspecting him like a peculiar object.

"Hmm…" He spun Kael around, his face scrunching in thought. "Too small to be an elf. Too tall to be a dwarf. What are you? Some weird hybrid?"

Kael's voice came out awkwardly, scratching the back of his neck as he squirmed in the orc's grip. "I'm… just a normal human, I swear."

The orc grunted, seemingly unconvinced,

before a voice from nearby spoke up.

"Oh! So you're a human!"

Kael's eyes darted over to see a tall female high elf Realm Protector standing elegantly a few feet away. Her emerald eyes glowed softly, Her Silver long beautiful hair and her presence regal as she giggled behind her delicate hand.

"They're so small... and cute!"

Kael blushed furiously, his face turning as red as the molten metal that surrounded them. "I-I'm not cute..." he muttered under his breath, feeling his pride take a hit.

The orc chuckled deeply. His voice was like thunder in the forge. "So you know this creature?"

The elf RP nodded gracefully. "Not really sure, but they said this little guy is the only one left. He's rare!" She smirked, clearly enjoying the moment.

The orc's eyes gleamed with sudden interest. "Rare, huh?" He looked Kael over again, his gaze intense and calculating. "Maybe if I sell you, I could make a high price."

Kael's eyes widened in horror. The idea of being sold was the last thing on his mind, and he started wriggling harder in the orc's grasp. "Let me go!"

The orc bellowed out a hearty laugh, shaking Kael gently like a ragdoll. "HAHAHA! No worries, hooman. Nobody's gonna buy you anyway!"

Laughter echoed around them. Nibsken doubled over, holding his sides as he snickered.

The other Realm Protectors, who had been watching the whole spectacle, chuckled too. Some shook their heads, others raised a brow in amusement. Kael couldn't help but feel a mixture of annoyance and embarrassment. Still, despite the situation, he couldn't help but let out a reluctant chuckle.

"You think this is funny, huh bald goblin?" Kael glared, but his friend only grinned wider.

"Yeah human! it's kind of funny," Nibsken said, his voice filled with mischief.

"Alright, alright. You've had your fun," Kael muttered, trying to recover his composure.

The orc gave him a knowing grin, his tusks gleaming. "Oh, don't worry, hooman. Next time, I'll just make sure I sell you for a good price. Maybe to one of those high-class nobles." Kael was still dangling awkwardly from the orc Realm Protector's massive hand, legs kicking slightly like a cat being held by the scruff.

Kael rolled his eyes, trying his best to look unbothered, though his heart was still racing. "Yeah, yeah whatever.

As they laughing at Kael clumsiness.

Suddenly—

"KAEL!"

The orc froze mid-laugh, tusks twitching.

Every head in the shop snapped toward the voice.

From the rear corridor stormed a short but thunderous dwarf, beard thick and white as frost, apron stained with soot and grease, and eyes sharper than any blade on display.

Durmuk.

The legendary smith.

Owner of Kallidorra Forgehold.

And Kael's boss.

The orc glanced sideways, tusks twitching. "Who's that short, mighty dwarf stormin' over?"

Kael, still dangling awkwardly in the orc's grip, replied quickly, "That's my boss."

The orc's eyes widened. "Oh... my bad." The orc gently lowered Kael like he was made of glass.

Kael than stabilize himself

"COMING!!" Kael called out, scrambling forward and nearly tripping over his own feet as he rushed toward the dwarf.

Durmuk didn't wait — he grabbed Kael by the scruff like an annoyed uncle.

"Where've you been, ma boy?! I've been looking for you in the worker section! We've got a backlog taller than you!"

"Sorry, Boss! I had… a little problem this morning."

"Yeah, your problem," Nibsken muttered behind him with a smirk.

Durmuk let out a heavy sigh. Not the angry kind — the kind that carried years of patience, pressure, and reluctant affection.

"I know you've been pouring your heart into that damn 'machine' of yours…"

He jabbed a thick finger at Kael's chest.

"But this forge doesn't run on dreams, boy. It runs on sweat. Now move."

Kael nodded sheepishly. "Yes, sir."

Durmuk turned with a grunt and stomped toward the back.

Despite the gruffness, Kael smiled.

Durmuk was loud. Strict. Terrifying with a hammer.

But to Kael? He was the wisest man he knew.

And one of the very few in the world…

who truly believed in him.

"Stand here," Durmuk grunted.

"Yes, Boss," Kael and Nibsken replied in unison, stepping exactly where he pointed.

Then, with a single stomp of his legs, Durmuk activated his Ground Might. Then he raised his right hand toward the white porcelain and quartz beneath their feet, activating Wind Might.

The floor trembled. The the porcelain and quartz floor shifted, then rose — reshaping itself into a smooth, floating platform. With a soft hum of pressure and air, it lifted them off the ground and began gliding forward. Effortlessly, it carried them across the vast expanse of the Forgehold, weaving past towering pillars, molten channels, and rows of roaring furnaces, all the way toward the rear of the hall. Durmuk's thick beard swayed gently in the air as they floated forward, the breeze stirred by the moving platform tugging at its coarse strands.

Gliding steadily through the customer section, the trio neared the edge of the Kallidorra Forgehold's. Durmuk guided the platform closer and closer to the boundary separating customers from the worker zone — the same green crystal water membrane Nibsken had split earlier using the Might Splitter. As they approached, Durmuk extended his hand. With a subtle pulse of his Might, a green, transparent membrane shimmered into view — then parted with a soft swoosh, allowing them to pass through.

This membrane wasn't some ordinary fixture. It was forged by Durmuk himself using a specialized Might Enhancer — a rare tool that amplified and stabilized his power. Without such an Enhancer, creating a barrier of this scale and resilience, especially within a colossal forgehold like Kalidorra, would be nearly impossible. This membrane can also heal itself within minutes after being cut by a Might Splitter or split apart by Durmuk.

The membrane split open with a quiet shimmer, allowing them to pass through entering back to the dull and boring worker section.

"Sigh… this place again," Kael muttered under his breath.

"Hm?" Durmuk's eyes narrowed. He looked annoyed.

Kael straightened up immediately. "I mean—yes, work!"

Nibsken chuckled behind him, clearly amused.

They continued onward until they reached the far edge of the worker section, where a massive metallic platform sat embedded into the floor — more like a giant elevator than anything else. So big that it covers almost half of the worker sections.

Durmuk lowered his Wind Might, and deactivated his Ground Might making their floating stone platform slowly melted back into the forge's floor.

"Alright, you may go down, Kael," Durmuk said, gesturing forward.

Kael stepped off and approached the steel platform. Followed by Nibsken and Durmuk.

The trio then stepped onto the elevator-like construct.

Durmuk then slammed his hand onto the cold, metallic floor of the elevator.

A dull echo rang out beneath his palm — the hidden Might Crystal Core embedded beneath the platform stirred to life, resonating with his might ability.

The entire elevator shuddered, followed by a deep grinding rumble.

Glowing lines traced along the platform's circular edge, pulsing with ethereal light as the ancient mechanism awakened. Then.....

A grinding sound erupted immediately:

KRNNNNNK—CHHHHK—GRRRRWWWWNNK...

The platform shuddered violently, gears grinding as ancient metal scraped against stone, the noise echoing down the long shaft like a beast clearing its throat.

This contraption, surprisingly, was one of Kael's earliest inventions — and somehow, it was still operational after all these years. It ran on a chaotic fusion of magic, machinery, and an unhealthy dose of stubborn optimism.

The platform groaned, lurched once, then began to descend with a clunking whir.

And as it dropped lower and lower—

The true Forgehold came into view….

End of Chapter 2

What lies beneath the Kallidorra Forgehold?

Why has Kael been assigned to work in the underground levels instead of on the surface?

And why did Durmuk bring him here — now, of all times?

What secrets await in the deepest layers of the forge?

Will Kael discover familiar faces in the shadows… or only echoes of the past

Author note:

Thanks for reading guys! chapter 3 will drop soon! Leave a comment and review! I wanna hear opinions from you guys!

Stay connected