Sword of the Sky had expected everything from Zain, but this truly exceeded his expectations.
To find a way to avoid the symptoms of the Devil Thorn flower is indeed something new; the rest of the world has changed.
This flower grew abundantly in the mountains and valleys; therefore, once humans discovered where it grew, they simply decided to stay away from those places.
But Zain walked the opposite path; by nature he was ambitious and curious about the world. He wanted to explore the seven kingdoms and find new discoveries that could change the world.
Sword of the Sky asked, "How were you able to pick that flower?"
Zain answered his question: "This is very simple — I picked it by acting against its nature."
Sword of the Sky was puzzled and said, "I do not understand."
Zain replied, "It is very simple. The Devil Thorn flower has a poisonous nature, and to fight a poison, shouldn't we use an antidote opposite to its nature?"
"Okay, I'll summarize: I used the properties of the marigold flower. Do you understand now?"
Zain continued, "Since the Devil Thorn is characterized by a poisonous nature, the marigold is characterized by medicinal properties and healing and soothing advantages. They are opposites, indeed antagonists to each other."
"I extracted a liquid preparation from the marigold and sprayed it over my whole body while I closed my nose, and that is how I was able to pick that flower — and many others besides."
Sword of the Sky mocked his own stupidity and thought, How did I not think of that? Most people are like that; unlike Zain, who is an exception.
"But how did we avoid its effect, I suppose? Didn't you use an antidote on us as well?" Sword of the Sky asked.
Zain replied, "I removed the effect of the fragrant scent from it. I extracted only the poison without weakening its effect; so don't worry, the matter is in my control."
"By the way, didn't I tell you I had picked it before when I told you the formula?" Zain added.
Sword of the Sky answered, "I didn't notice at all — forgive me for that."
Sword of the Sky realized something in that moment: he had thought he knew Zain well and knew the limits of his abilities, but the opposite was true that night. In fact, I still do not know him at all — his abilities are almost without limits.
My conviction increased that he will make the world's hope — weapons extracted from the blood of demons.
The matter had become very near.
Sword of the Sky showed his admiration and continued to praise Zain with every piece of information that entered his mind. But he stopped now; the mixture was already ready and he ceased to bother him.
Zain carried the cauldron calmly, wearing very thick gloves that helped keep the heat away from his hands. He poured the liquid slowly and carefully into both molds until the shapes solidified, then he poured water over them and began the forging.
Tap, tap, tap — the sound was very loud, and with every strike tongues of flame leapt from the polished piece, caused by the effect of the added magnesium. Zain finished hammering and proceeded to the next step: sharpening.
Zain took out a rectangular, smooth stone, placed it over the iron piece, then began to sharpen the spear's edges while continuously pouring water.
About half an hour passed and the spear was ready — I mean, the spear's edge was ready.
He set it aside and wanted to continue refining the arrow, but Zain stopped him and asked:
"Why did you only make the edge? Why didn't you make it completely from metal?"
Zain gave his answer: "Because simply we added the poison to the molten mass; therefore, if you complete it, you will need to wear gloves to avoid the poison's effect on the metal. Didn't you notice that I wear gloves while I touch it? As soon as I finish with them I will burn them and not throw them away because of their toxicity that could harm passersby."
Sword of the Sky mocked himself again: "Forgive my ignorance."
Zain replied, "It's fine; you are not informed. If you had known, you would not have asked."
Then they completed what they were doing. Tap, tap, tap — Zain continued hammering until he saw that the other piece was also ready to be sharpened. After finishing sharpening both pieces, Zain looked at Sword of the Sky before saying: "The choice is yours now."
"Should I finish the spear and the arrow with metal parts without poison, or will wooden shafts suffice?"
Sword of the Sky thought for a long time before making his decision: "It is better they be metal, given their hardness and strength and also their compatibility."
Zain did not object to Sword of the Sky's words; he began to implement them gladly because they were right.
It happened that he had solid iron shafts, so it was not difficult at all to refine them. Zain heated the head of the piece then placed it into the gap he had prepared to fit an axial piece beneath the spearhead.
Zain took great care in shaping the spear so that it became beautiful and terrifying at the same time.
The spear's handle had decorations in the form of two golden dragons, while on the lower edge of the handle there was a golden dragon head with red eyes made to look like gemstones though ordinary at the same time.
As for the spearhead, it was a translucent coppery green and shiny at the same time, with a silvery sheen and two sharp edges on it, spines on the right and left as if they were thorns you would never want to get involved with or touch; it truly inspired a terrifying feeling.
Sword of the Sky looked at it with admiration and eagerness to fight with it.
As for the arrow, it was very ordinary; its edge was distinctive because of the green-silver sheen on it. He had made many of them, by the way, because an arrow is lost once thrown.
Thus Zain finished the refining, and the time was indeed late; the night was at its peak now.
But does that really matter? Sword of the Sky and Zain wanted to practice archery together. Zain made a cover to enclose the spear and the arrows in case any contact might lead to death.
They set them aside, then took the bow and some ordinary arrows they had brought from the hunters' gear.
They set the target in front of them, which was a double-trunked tree in the middle of the desert with a red marking on it — that was the point, the target for aiming.
They distanced themselves from the target by about one hundred meters. Sword of the Sky aimed first, but he missed — not completely; the arrow penetrated the tree, but it was still considered a failure.
It was Zain's turn; his hands were trembling despite Sword of the Sky having taught him the basics of archery, for he remained an amateur. He released his arrow and it passed beside the tree; it was a complete failure. He felt some frustration but ignored it.
Sword of the Sky's turn came again; he shot his arrow and hit the target, even if not exactly in the center — it was still a success. Zain felt some jealousy and truly wanted to surpass him despite many failures and unsuccessful attempts.
Zain achieved his first successful shot and felt overwhelming joy. Sword of the Sky rejoiced for him as well, and they began competing to reach ten steady hits.
Sword of the Sky started first; he concentrated intensely, then released his arrow and it shot like a rocket toward its mark — a steady throw. Sword of the Sky achieved his first successful shot.
Zain followed, determined to win and excel; he launched his shot and it was steady as well. The score was tied.
Zain hurried and removed the arrows from the tree, then they proceeded to continue the challenge.
Successful shot for Sword of the Sky, failure for Zain. Failure for Sword of the Sky, success for Zain.
The tie returned.
The cycle continued: success for Sword of the Sky, failure for Zain. Things went similarly until the challenge was decided with Sword of the Sky winning ten to Zain's nine.
As for the number of failures, Sword of the Sky failed four times while Zain failed five times. The result was somewhat acceptable.
In truth, Zain was not too upset — he felt a little annoyed but he had indeed made the effort, so it was not bad
.
Zain cleaned up his mess while Sword of the Sky gathered the gear, and so they walked on the road back.