In front of me, a pillar of scorching flames rose like an avenging tide except it wasn't going anywhere except up. The intense heat slowly smelted all the gathered materials into a single clump. A grayish black clump of metal with a chromatic gleam on its uneven surface.

After it solidified, [Water Magic] is cast by Luya to bring the clump of metal down to an appropriate temperature for transportation. That clump of metal with an abnormal shine to it is the legendary versatile metal, Onyx Steel.

For half a day, Engrande has been doing nothing but forging all the Onyx Steel needed for the Mondra and this one was the last batch. With this, Engrande slumped down into the shallow waters. It was a pond located a little bit to the west upon entrance of the Miracle Forest. Normally, he would had use the lake in the center of the forest but right now, the one occupying it is master.

"It's okay. You two can go ahead. I'll take care of Engrande here." Luya told me in her usual gentle voice. They way she gestured at us to go ahead was elegantly gentle. In fact, everything about her spells gentle but sometimes, she could be very desirable that I would have fall for her if it wasn't for Nilin at my side. She always pinched me when I fell too far.

"Of course, your Majesty." Djin said and proceed to dump all the piled up Onyx clumps into a provided basket. Um.... I know it had been cooled but I thought I heard a sizzling noise when Djing touched those metals. Djin is able to feel pain just in a different manner. Since he wasn't complaining about the heat, I guess it was okay?

Still, your Majesty huh..... Even the usually composed Luya was a little bothered by it but she was tactful and went along with it.

I wasn't the only one who was uncomfortable with how Djin addresses everyone. Even master was a little vexed on how Djin kept calling him "Lord Creator". It was Lady for Lady Senna which I had no qualms about it but he called Luya and Kirin, your Majesty and your Highness respectively. This was because he viewed them as royalty to nature with Luya being a queen of nature and Kirin being a princess. He addresses me and the others with Lord attached to our name. Maybe it's because it's my first time being called so formally and respectfully but it is very uncomfortable to be called a lord.

A few days has passed since the creation and the birth of Djin Sol. In a way, he was just like me. He inherited some memories of master in addition to his will. In other words, he didn't need to be taught from the bottom like a child. The first thing we all did was assess his strength and power.

To all of our surprise, the sacrificed Arcane Art, [Lightning Serration], the ability that was offered to Djin for his creation, it became a unique Arcane Art called [Scarlet Storm]. Essentially, it was still the same ability but only a different name and a different "policy" of inheritance. If anything, it is slightly stronger than [Lightning Serration].

To salt master's wounded pride, Djin's close range combat skills exceeded master's.

Of course, master didn't take that well but it can't be helped. It was due to the fact that Djin has an inorganic brain and there was no strain if he overthinks. Therefore, he processes information faster, as how Kai explained it. However, his magnificence lies in his ability to duel in magic and physical combat at the same time. Master and I belongs to the Battle Mage class, which excels in using magic for combat in both close and long range. Djin's class is Mage Fighter, a class which utilizes both magic and physical attack in both long and close range. Furthermore, Djin works well as a vanguard too due to the material he was made off. Engrande snorted at that mention.

Simply put, Djin is the most versatile member in our party.

I hate to admit it but he even fares so much better when he was sparring against Engrande than me and master.

"We shall be off now." Djin bid a discerning greeting before turning to leave with the basket in hand.

"My my, how tactful." said Luya with a stare filled with maternal instinct. What's with that gaze? He's not your child, you know?

I merely slightly nodded back and followed Djin behind. I'm still not used to Luya. Something about her always makes me nervous whenever she's around. The way she looks at everything so passionately is as if she would have her way with just about any walking and talking being.

"Lord Thomas?"

"Yes! What is it?" I screamed out when I heard my name being called.

As usual with a voice devoid of feelings and emotion, he asks "You have been in a daze since we left the pond, Milord. This one is just worried for the Lord's condition."

Although monotonous, I am still unable to retort with "It's because of your treatment to others, idiot." Ah..... This is so frustrating. I never knew I could get this annoyed. Is this how master felt from being teased by Kai?

As I went off into my own daze once again and my feet carrying me mindlessly but purposefully, we arrived at the lake located the center of the Miracle Forest.

Should I say I was late or right on time?

Magic Beasts has been emerging from this forest for the past two days and they were all hostile toward us except Luya and Kirin. What I heard from master, these Magic Beasts are no longer sane due to the long years of desolation. Luya and Kirin are the only exception for some reasons.

They attacked us but casualties were only on their side. Bartholomew and Cormac have not been slacking off. They were steadfast in their quest of not letting any monster approach master, who was currently engaged in other affairs.

What affairs?

Master is currently "cultivating". I think that was the word. He is accumulating power for the creation of Mondra.

The first Mondra was created by multiple talents, not just one and all of them are talents among talents. So it was impossible for us to forge a Mondra with the limited qualified "personnel". That is if we go about the normal way. Which is why master is "cultivating".

Once the threshold is reached, the cultivated energy will be unleashed at a single fleeting moment. In this single fleeting moment, master's prowess and skills will received a temporary yet tremendous boost. Originally, Engrande volunteered for this part but master has the best Mana Control so the role naturally fell to master.

Lady Senna is sitting at the bank of the lake, looking deficient while gazing at master who was in a meditation position. A weird expression but I wouldn't know any other way to describe it.

Without master's company, a solemn air shrouded Lady Senna and she couldn't be bothered with the monster. In her state, she was vulnerable to monster's attack but that was only superficial. Any monster who got too close to her were vaporized by the aura she was subtly unleashing. The aura of desperation and deficiency doesn't even discriminate friend or foe.

It was no secret among us that Lady Senna is craving for master, especially during the nights. Especially-During-Nights. More than three days had passed since master began his cultivation and that's approximately two nights Lady Senna gone without being comforted during nights. Her self-comforts resonated well during the night but we weren't boorish to point it out, except for Cormac of course. Surprisingly, the one who reprimanded Cormac is Djin.

Despite his monotonous tone, Djin is someone who has emotions but he just doesn't have the ability to project it.

Yes, it's a he instead of an it. Since his personality is born of master, all of his orientation leans to the masculine side. Even the person in question himself twitches with unease whenever female etiquette was forced on to him. The culprit is none other than a certain million years old Dryad.

Lady Senna who finally noticed our presence, lazily glanced over her shoulder. "Oh. Everything's ready?" She asked.

Before my answer came, Cormac took down the final monster in the vicinity with an exaggerated ability. The sheer volume of that said ability drown out my "yes". Lady Senna wasn't quite able to catch it but she was able to discern it at the very least from my lips' movement. She nodded and went back gazing at master.

"Sorry." Cormac said as I glared at him. The black bow in his hands melted into his shadows. No matter how many times I have seen it, I'm still impressed by it, the racial skill of a Shadow Goblin, [Shadow's Embrace]. It evolved from his [Shadow Magic] shortly after Djin's creation. As far as I could know from appraising, [Shadow's Embrace] is just a more powerful version of [Shadow Magic] but with a few extra special abilities. One of those being [Black Concert].

It turns any offered articles into a part of [Shadow's Embrace]. The Mithril bow, Seeker is so far the only offered article to [Black Concert] and this was its status before being amalgamated.

Seeker

Type: Bow (Magic)

Power Strength: C

Mana Conversion Rate: C

Mana Threshold: D

Status: None

Innate Abilities

Strafe

Vital Pierce

Impact Shot

And this was the information I appraised after being amalgamated.

Seeker

Type: Bow (Spell)

Power Strength: B

Mana Conversion Rate: B

Mana Threshold: C

Status: Bound (Shadow's Embrace)

Innate Abilities

Strafe

Vital Pierce

Impact Shot

Dark Cluster (Unique)

It became a Spell Weapon from a Magic Weapon. The exaggerated ability just now was no doubt the unique innate ability of Seeker, [Dark Cluster].

"Tom?"

"Y-yes?" I answered back in a panic. I have to stop dazing off.

"The materials?"

To Lady Senna's question, I gestured at Djin to give her the basket.

"Isn't it too much?" She asked upon a glance into the basket.

"Lord Engrande assured us that it is the right amount."

"Well, if that's what he said, then it is what it is." said Lady Senna without any excitement. "I suppose." She added.

Seeing Lady Senna without a smile gave me a sense of insecurity. It was like a slip of a word would get me obliterated.

Before the stale air could get any staler, a shift in the atmosphere made us turn our heads. It was master, he's out of his cultivation. In a split second, he was now right in front of us. Through Mana Vision, I can see his body is brimming with a lot of power but it was stable, in a sense. It's a lot of power though. It felt like an over-inflated balloon and it would popped with the slightest wound.

"It's enough?" I asked. I meant the Mana he accumulated of course.

His eyes was on the weeping Lady Senna but he answered "Yeah. More than enough."

"My One True Beloved!" Lady Senna cried out and lunged at master but she was stopped by Djin. She cocked her head to the Golem like a rusty cogwheel. "Yes~!?" She asked with a cramp and twitching smile. Is that a vein twitching on her forehead?

"Calm down. Djin is just doing what he's told." I'm guessing master told Djin through telepathy? But why didn't I hear it? Is it selective?

[Yes. It is.] answered Kai.

Oh.

"Heh!?" Lady Senna turned to master, looking like she was betrayed. I believe the word I'm looking for is "dramatic"?

"An unprecedented amount of energy is cultivated within me. It's best for me to not be disturbed it, okay?"

Her lips were convulsing like she could cry at any moment but she took a deep breath and regain her usual calm composure. "I understand but after this....."

Her index finger which she is using to point at master is trembling.

"We will be doing it for the whole day."

Um..... Should I be listening to this?

Master raised an eyebrow "Does our relationship boils down to revolve around such activity?"

Crossing her arms with a flushed face, she looked away with a scoff. "Well, you're other option for atonement would be eating my destruction spells straight on and...."

"The whole day sounds good." Master cut in and said.

Atonement.... I see. Lady Senna is angry for not being spoiled by master. You're not a child, you know? Nevertheless, Lady Senna calmed down and returned to normal.

[Are we to proceed as planned?] asked Djin through telepathy. Oh, how nice of you to include me this time.

[Yes.] Kai answered. Since Djin's mind is also linked with master, it goes without saying that he knows Kai too. In fact, Kai's existence was imprinted as one of the basic memories.

Master lifted the clumps of Onyx Steel out of the basket with [Psychokinesis]. There were more than a dozen. Isn't it a bit too much for a weapon? These aren't ores but just unrefined metals, you know?

My voiceless question was ignored as master teleported back to the center of the lake. Drawing ripples on the entire lake, feeling the shift of pressure in the air, master began the forging of a Mondra.

"Citra?" I called out and out she popped from the leather armor of Cormac.

"Kyu~?" She tilted her head at my call. I don't know when and why but lately, she's getting kinda cute. I involuntarily patted her. After that, she put up a barrier that was even more powerful than the last time.

"It's here. Get ready." Lady Senna grumbled.

Our eyes were focused on master and the levitating clumps of Onyx Steel. A magic circle formed underneath the floating metal chunks and a pillar of blistering heat erupted. The scalding heat seared into the metal and it slowly deformed the metals into their molten state.

At that same moment, a magic circle inscribed with runic languages, just like the one used in the creation of Djin, manifested and expanded across the surface of the lake.

We are hit by a tremor that was all too familiar. Even few days gone by, the memory was still fresh. In fact, this time it was even more tremendous than the time when Djin was created.

Hmm? How strange. The runic inscriptions weren't absorbed by the Onyx Steels in an instance. They were flowing like water being drained down a hole and I have the feeling that this isn't how it should be.

"Something's wrong." Even Lady Senna felt it.

At that moment....

[Thomas, dodge!] Kai screamed and an image flashed into my mind. It was the image of master's aura flared up and it scattered arbitrary in every direction.

A second after, that premonition came true.

A sharp cry resounded from master, followed by a massive amount of energy spike. His unleashed aura scattered without a care in forms of bolts. They weren't too small nor too big but I can feel its sheer intensity. Citra's barrier won't be able to block something so condensed.

I conjured up a spear of shadow flames. I leaped out of the barrier and voices of caution trailed behind me but now's not the time for sentiment. I thrust the spear at the incoming bolts of condensed Mana. The second the tips touched, an explosion threw my back against the barrier conjured up by Citra.

"Kyu~!" I heard her cry when I'm smacked against her spell. Doesn't she have a clairvoyant-like ability? Why was she surprised then? How weird.

From the time I received the premonition and to the time I acted, everything happened in more or less two seconds. A total of ten seconds went by after master began and everything was already falling apart. Was this doomed to fail?

Oh damn. More stray bolts of Mana were coming here and I don't think I could recover in time to fend off the next wave..... but I didn't need to. I forgot about one particular person among us.

With a flap of her wings, the strayed bolts perished in the gust produced by Lady Senna. The aura she emitted resonated with the aura master gave out, in a terrible way. Their aura collided and tides and waves rose from the lakes, the leaves and scattered from the gusts.

I don't know if she defused the situation or magnified it.

I'm glad Nilin and Kirin wasn't here. They weren't combatants and having them here would only increase the burden. Forgive me for saying this.

We managed to trick them away by tasking them with food foraging. Kirin would probably be at least of little use in this situation since she could strengthen the barrier but I can't say the same for Nilin.

None of us said anything but Nilin contributed next to nothing recently, at least for the current moment. After the stupid door is unlocked, it will be all up to her to guide us out of here. Engrande, Kirin, and Lady Senna might be able to but it had been more than two thousands years. Who knows what might have changed.

"Just what is happening?" Lady Senna asked. To that, I shrugged.

[Master, is everything alright?]

No response?

[Master? Kai?]

No response.

Something definitely went wrong. Nothing was happening like how Engrande told me.

The heated molten steel of Onyx had yet to take a form. They were just undulating erratically while levitating before master.

Master was just closing his eyes and kneeling on the water surface on both of his knees. Not a word of response came from him but his face which was twitching in pain only affirms my brimming premonition.

"Is master in danger? I cannot imagine anything that would be difficult for such a versatile master." When Bartholomew said "difficult", I swore I could have saw his eyes glimpsing at Lady Senna.

"Couldn't be, right? Master is strong after all."

I wish I have Cormac's optimism but since I have a special link with master, the truth might not be that bright.

Djin and I exchanged our gazes. We signaled to each other to brace ourselves for the worst that could happen.

Master's face distorted further into pain. His breath became ragged. His tightly curled up fist drew blood from his nails. The rampant aura was only increasing its range of influence. Even behind the barrier, we were pushed back. The circle of runic languages was fading. The inscriptions was loosing its form.

Just what the hell is going on? Was it too much master? Did master made a mistake somewhere?

Damn it. Why does it have to be so complex?

Creating a Mondra is different from making some common magical article. The most important process of creating a Mondra is the Incarnation Process, where the quality of the product will only be as good as the creator's will and resolve. If the will and resolve is too weak, the outcome of the product would be just another normal Magic Weapon.

The soul infusion comes after the creation of the weapon but if the weapon wasn't on par with the right quality, the soul infusion will not succeed.

Amidst the chaos of the rampant aura, my ears caught the sound of leaves and grass rustling and twigs and branches snapping. When I drew my eyes to these noises, my spine shivered. Monsters of this forest was enclosing around us.

Strange. Why are they attracted to it? They were actually afraid of the aura during the creation of Djin. They didn't dare to come close. What's the difference this time? They weren't just coming for us. There were even some monsters approaching master that sprouted from various spots.

"Cormac, Djin, don't them let them get close to us. Senna, protect master."

Cormac and Djin nodded to my shout of orders while Lady Senna looked a little perplexed. Um.... hello? We're in the middle of something here? It is no time to be dazing off, you know?

Fortunately, Lady Senna snapped back to reality immediately and assented to my orders. Was she just surprised at my sudden loud voice?

However, my worries for master were needless. The moment the monsters set foot into the water, they were vaporized. Seems like the lake is infused with volatile aura master is emitting. Just like last time.

"Well.... that was.... disappointing." Lady Senna said while retracting her wings. How is that disappointing? If anything, it worked to our favor that we didn't need to worry about master getting attacked by monsters.

Trees tumbled aside and monsters squashed under its foot, a Treant of approximately five meters tall came charging at us.

The corner of Lady Senna's lips curled as she prepared a spell which I suppose that it could destroy the gigantic Treant. But before she could act, multiple red lightning bolts overtook her and turn the walking tree into splinters.

"Forgive me. My ability was much more efficient. My strength alone is more than enough for this rude guests. So just be at ease, Lady Senna. This servant will handle it."

I could feel rage from Lady Senna who had her prey taken but after hearing such words from Djin, she couldn't decide on how she should response. I know her feeling.

While such minor details were happening, a voice echoed in my mind.

Stronger. Stronger. This is too weak.

It's the voice of master.

Need to be stronger. At this level, it wouldn't change anything.

No. It's enough, Hyx. It's more than enough.

No. It's not enough. It's good enough for a Mondra but it wasn't enough for a Void Demon. It needs to be stronger.

Master.... what are you doing..... Did you deliberately caused all this?

Stop this, Hyx. You're hurting everyone and messing up everything.

I have to do this..... Otherwise, if that happened again, everyone would die..... A simple Mondra is not enough. This one needs to be different.

Hyx, calm down. You doing it again. You loosing yourself. Hyx. Listen to me! Enough.

I can't. I can't let it happen again. I need to create a weapon that kill even an aberrant among absurdity. A blade that could cut the illogical. A tool capable to deny such existence.

Hyx. Don't do this! You are straying further and further away. You will bring nothing but more suffering. We're not here to create a weapon of mass destruction, for fuck's sake. We're here to create something better than that. Something that isn't just use for destruction. Hyx, did you forgot what you were told about Rising Valley? Do you think creating a bloodthirsty weapon would make the door open for you?

No.... I.... But this is our only chance to make something that could defeat an aberrant existence. We can make sure no more lives will be lost if I...... if I can just make it into something..... The door wouldn't matter if I can just make it into..... into....

I see. Master wasn't satisfied with the original intended result. Before we began all of this, we have decided on how much is enough but it seemed master had a change of mind. Was master tempted by the possibilities and promises of greater power?

No... that's not it. The truth is actually quite simple and pathetic.

Master.... You're still afraid. The past still haunts you. You never let it go. I understand now. I can feel it. The fear of master. The fear which he is trying to decimate by creating a weapon that could kill what he wasn't able to.

A blade that could prevent your traumatic history from repeating itself. With such weapon, you would no longer fear but.... what will you loose in the process? Have you thought about that?

Would it be worth it?

No matter how much you tried.... you just can't let it go....

Your biggest trauma.

Your worst nightmare.

The first time you met Aedrox. Due to how things went, you were forced to take a life of your own ally to preserves the lives of your other allies. A girl you long to meet but only to have your expectation to be betrayed. A betrayal born of a misunderstanding.

In the end, those traumatic experiences, you weren't able to bury it....

Master. Why didn't you tell us?

No. I'm being naive. It only make sense that master didn't tell us.

I mean, how could you tell us? How could you tell us that you were haunted by the same nightmare at your every wake? You have so much responsibility. Everyone had hopes for you. Everyone relied on you. Of course you couldn't tell us something that will make you sound weak.

Nevertheless, you put on a smile and live on anyway.

So hear me, master.

Please, hear me. Don't do this.

We're here to show that that we are different from the ones who sealed away Engrande, Lady Senna, and Kirin for their own benefits. If you create something like that, you will be no different.

So please, hear me.

.....

Have I failed?

I can't hear anything anymore. I could tell master was still in conflict but I could no longer hear their voices.

But in return, I'm assaulted by fragments of images accompanied with a sharp pain. Memories? Is that what they are?

"Thomas? What's wrong?"

I could hear Lady Senna's voice but my mind wasn't attending to her but the flooding images.

Yes, they are definitely memories. Some of time were familiar. I remembered now. I remembered what I dreamed about but somehow, I'm sure I would forget it once this is all over but.... I want to know just what these dreams are. How do these memories all fit together? I want to know.

I need to know. For master's sake. Even if I will forget about it later, I'm sure Kai would do something about it, like he always had.

Like Lady Senna said, being with master is just one surprise after another. One miracle after another. Surely it would be a miracle if I were to remember what I forget.

So come on, whatever nightmares that encompassed these memories, I'll accept it all.

Master's burden, I will take them on.

Master, know this, you're not alone.

We're here with you.

We will make it to the surface.

So please, do the right thing.