Darkness in Disguise

buzzing with the revelation of his new powers, Malcolm felt a weariness deep in his bones, yet an exhilarating sense of

houlder, tugged lightly on his ear. "Master, before you settle in for the evening, there is someone you shou

blacksmith? I thought all

our power... it requires a more besp

cent of coal smoke, hot metal, and something else – a faint, almost metallic tang that hinted at raw energy. They arrived at a massive, squat building, its reinforced steel doors scarred

d the air throbbed with heat. Shelves overflowing with raw metal ingots, half-finished weapon components, and intricate machinery lined the soot-stained

ncredibly striking appearance. Her hair, wild and untamed, was a vibrant, almost luminescent green, a stark splash of color against the grimy backdrop. Her eyes, however, were

though not overtly muscular, showed the clear definition of someone who worked with t

in, carrying a low, resonant quality. She set down her hammer, picked up a pair

olm. And this is Sara." He subtly gestured to the tiny fairy

them before settling back on Malcolm. "Sara, hm? A high-level manifestation. And you're the

He wasn't used to being the subject of such direct at

I'm the head blacksmith here. And the resident expert on... unusual materials." Her gaze was level, scrutinizing him with an int

achinery, Alex," Malcolm ventured

d yes, he's a wizard with mechanics. Keeps all my automated presses and grinders ru

h a dangerous internal light. "Your standard-issue light-gun and sword won't cut it, Malcolm. Not with your power. The Dark Eater draws on and c

ed with traces of processed Cosmic Tree sap. It's still raw, still untested against a power like your

him into the bar. The black metal began to shimmer, a faint indigo light pulsing within its core. It warmed in his hand, then grew unnervingly hot, the surface momentarily rippling like disturbed water before settli

letely. This is... promising." She turned back to her forge, a newfound intensity in her movements. "Come back tomorrow, Malcolm. Bring your standar

smith, a woman as unique and formidable as the weapons she crafted. And he knew, with a certainty that settled deep in his bones, that Lucy Kuya, with her gr