The heavy doors of the throne room creaked open, and Atem's group was herded inside. The air was thick with authority, pressing down like a weight. Rows of armored dwarves stood at attention, spears gleaming in the torchlight.
At the far end of the chamber sat a man on a throne of black stone, his armor shining like silver, his eyes sharp as blades. King Gazel Dwargo. His very presence cut through the air, commanding respect.
The Oracle of Eternity whispered in Atem's mind.
"This man is no fool, Master. He is strong, wise, and carries the weight of his kingdom. Show him your strength… but temper it with wisdom."
Atem's gaze narrowed. "I can feel it. He's no ordinary ruler."
The guards shoved Atem and his companions forward until they stood before the throne. Chains clinked around Kaijin's wrists as he stood straight and proud beside Atem.
A court official waddled forward—a plump minister in silk robes, his smug smile dripping with arrogance. His eyes locked on Kaijin with cruel satisfaction.
"Your Majesty," the minister began with a deep bow, "these criminals disturbed the peace of our city. Among them, Kaijin—the blacksmith who dared defy royal orders."
Kaijin's jaw clenched. "I defied you, not the king. I would never disgrace my forge by creating that mockery you demanded!"
The minister's face twisted in fake outrage. "Insolence! Lies in front of His Majesty?!"
The dwarves lining the chamber muttered uneasily. Some frowned, others looked away. Clearly, this wasn't the first time the minister pulled such tricks.
Atem took a step forward, his presence filling the chamber like a storm about to break. His crimson eyes locked on the minister.
"Enough." His voice carried across the hall, sharp and unwavering. "From what I see, Kaijin's only crime is having pride in his craft. If refusing to make worthless junk is punishable, then perhaps you should be the one in chains."
Gasps rippled through the court. The minister went red, spitting words.
"Y-you dare speak out, monster?! You're nothing but a human meddling in goblin affairs! Do you know your place?!"
Atem's expression hardened. "Yes. My place is protecting those under me… and exposing fools who abuse their power."
The Oracle's calm voice echoed in his mind.
"Good, Master. Do not cower before him. Your words carry the weight of a king—even here."
The minister puffed up like a toad. "This creature and his beasts attacked adventurers in broad daylight! He's dangerous—a threat to the kingdom!"
Atem glared, his cape shifting behind him. "Correction. They attacked me first. I only defended myself. Unless your kingdom outlaws self-defense, I stand innocent."
The minister's lips curled. "Lies! No outsider—no monster—could ever show restraint! He deceives us all!"
That was the last straw. Kaijin's voice boomed, filled with rage. "Enough! I've known many men and monsters, but none with more honor than this one. Atem stood for me when no one else would. If he is punished, then so am I!"
The hall went silent. Dwarves exchanged uneasy glances. All eyes turned toward the throne.
King Gazel rose from his throne, the sound of his armor ringing through the chamber. His presence crashed down like a wave, silencing the room.
"You dare waste my time with your petty squabbles?" His voice thundered, cold and heavy. "Kaijin, your pride as a craftsman blinds you—but I see no treason in your heart. And you…" His gaze fell on Atem, piercing. "You speak boldly, with strength and restraint. Rare, for one in your position."
The Oracle whispered softly.
"He tests you, Master. Do not mistake his words for kindness. Show him you are no mere wanderer."
Atem stood tall, unflinching under Gazel's gaze.
The king's eyes sharpened. "But Dwargon will not tolerate chaos. Therefore… you are all expelled. Leave this kingdom, and do not return without my permission."
The minister smirked in triumph, but Atem caught the flicker of annoyance behind his eyes. The king's decision wasn't exactly what the man wanted.
Atem exhaled slowly. Expelled, not executed. Could have been worse.
Kaijin bowed low, voice steady. "As you command, Your Majesty."
Atem gave a short nod. "We'll leave. But remember—truth has a way of surfacing, no matter how much you try to bury it."
As they were escorted out, Kaijin leaned toward Atem. His voice dropped to a grateful murmur. "You spoke up for me in there. Few would've risked it against that snake of a minister."
Atem's eyes softened slightly. "What kind of man would I be if I stood by while injustice ruled the floor? A leader must protect those beneath him, even if it means standing against authority."
Kaijin chuckled, shaking his head. "Hah… You're more kingly than most kings I've met. In that case, Atem… let me serve you. My forge, my skills, my apprentices—we're yours, if you'll have us."
The Oracle whispered warmly.
"A loyal craftsman. This is the first of many who will gather under your banner, Master. A cornerstone for the nation you are destined to build."
Atem allowed himself a small smile. "Then rise, Kaijin. From this day forward, we forge our path together."
And so, Atem left Dwargon—not with supplies as he'd planned, but with something far greater: an ally whose craft would shape the very future of his people.
The gates of Dwargon shut behind them with a deep metallic clang, the sound echoing across the mountain road like the closing of a chapter. Atem stood with Kaijin and the three apprentices just outside the towering stone walls, the cold mountain wind tugging at their clothes.
For a while, no one spoke. The apprentices—Garm, Dord, and Myrd—shifted awkwardly, eyes cast back at the gates of the city they had just been exiled from. Dwargon had been their home, their pride, and now it was gone with a single decree.
Kaijin, though, looked oddly calm. He stroked his beard, then turned toward Atem with a small smile.
"Atem… you've got a village, don't you? Somewhere out there in the forest?"
Atem tilted his head slightly, his cloak swaying with the breeze. "Yeah. It's still small, but it's a start. Why do you ask?"
Kaijin's eyes lit with determination. "Then let us come with you. My hammer, my forge, and my apprentices—we'll serve you from this day forward. I've had enough of bending to corrupt nobles. I'd rather create for someone I respect."
The apprentices' jaws nearly dropped.
"Master, are you serious?" Garm barked, his deep voice carrying shock.
"You mean… we're leaving Dwargon for good?" Dord added, pushing his glasses nervously up the bridge of his nose.
Myrd scratched the back of his head, muttering. "Well, the king already said we can't come back, so… guess the choice is kinda made for us."
Kaijin turned to them firmly. "You don't have to follow me. This is your choice. But my decision's already made."
The three dwarves exchanged glances, the weight of their decision settling in.
Garm folded his arms with a grunt. "If you're going, Master, then I'm coming too. Someone has to keep you from drinking yourself under the table."
Dord's hands trembled slightly, but his voice steadied. "If we can create freely… if we can make things with our own hands instead of following orders… then I'll follow you too."
Myrd sighed heavily. "Yeah, well, I'm not gonna beg for scraps in a city that tossed me out. Count me in."
Kaijin chuckled, pride swelling in his chest. "Good. Then it's decided." He turned to Atem and lowered his head respectfully, a hand to his chest. "From this day forward, Atem, we're yours to follow."
Atem looked at them with a faint smile. "Follow, huh? I'm not asking for servants. I want to build a place where everyone stands side by side. If you want to come, then work with me. Build with me. You'll be free to do what you love—forge, craft, and shape the future."
Inside, though, his thoughts raced. Blacksmiths, tools, weapons, armor… this is more than I ever expected. My village won't just survive now—it'll thrive.
The Oracle of Eternity spoke softly in his mind, her voice like flowing water.
<
Atem smirked faintly, replying in his thoughts. So even destiny's giving me a helping hand now, huh? Guess I'll take it.
With their decision made, the group set off down the winding mountain path. The cliffs gradually gave way to dense forest, where birdsong replaced the echo of Dwargon's forges.
Atem walked at the front, his cloak brushing against the grass as he thought of what was to come. "First step… proper equipment. Then some real houses. And after that…" He glanced back at the dwarves and grinned. "A bathhouse. You guys can handle that, right?"
Garm laughed, shaking his head. "Trust me, we'll make it better than anything Dwargon's got."
Dord pushed up his glasses again, his eyes gleaming. "And I already have ideas for tools we can design to speed up construction."
Myrd just shrugged. "As long as I get a roof over my head, I'm happy."
Kaijin walked with his head held high, his voice filled with conviction. "Atem, you've given us a second chance. We won't waste it. By my hammer, I swear it—we'll make your village thrive."
And so, though Atem had left Dwargon without the supplies he had originally sought, he returned with something far greater: loyal companions, skilled craftsmen, and the spark of a future that promised to reshape the world.