The Aetherveil's heart pulsed like a star adrift in the void. Its crystalline walls curved into infinity, alive with streams of light that looked like rivers of constellations. Here, time felt both endless and weightless, as though every world's fate intersected in this singular chamber.
Nibelo stood in the center, pom-pom glowing turquoise in rhythm with the forge's hum, wings fluttering nervously. Beside him loomed Nyx, arms folded, ever the soldier, his sharp eyes scanning the shifting threads of aether as though searching for threats even here. Sirius towered just beyond them, cloaked in light, his presence steady and commanding.
"This," Sirius said at last, his voice resonating through the chamber like a bell, "is where your paths expand. Not in one world, but across many. Every forge, every method, every truth of steel will be yours to walk."
The aether threads bent, weaving themselves into shapes — fragments of lands, castles, and forges from across Final Fantasy worlds. They floated like constellations, glowing with their own essence.
Nibelo's ears flicked upright. His eyes widened as a small paw pointed at the images. "Nyo-kup… all those places… for me?"
Sirius inclined his head. "For you, and for the future. Armies and kings may fight Chaos, but someone must give them the tools to strike. That is the hand you will become."
Nyx gave a low whistle. "That's one hell of a responsibility for a moogle tinkerer."
"I'm not just a tinkerer!" Nibelo flared, wings puffing. "I can fix anything! I can—" He paused, swallowing hard as the enormity of Sirius's words sank in. His pom-pom dimmed. "…but… all those worlds, kupo? Some don't even have moogles. What if they stare? What if I don't belong?"
Sirius extended his hand, and the bracelet Nibelo had forged earlier floated between them. Now empowered, it gleamed with quiet strength. "That is why you built this. The Bracelet of the Hidden Form. To them, you will appear as hume. To me, you will always be Nibelo. The gods may see through it, but mortals will not."
Nibelo's little paw clenched over his chest, reassured, though his ears still twitched nervously.
"Good," Nyx muttered dryly. "Means I won't have to explain why my partner's a fluffy ball of wings. Though, for the record, you're still easier to protect than a princess."
"I told you, kupo, I'm not a princess!" Nibelo huffed.
Sirius raised a hand, silencing their banter. "Listen now. I will show you the path. There are thirteen forges across thirteen worlds. Each will teach you something different. Each will test you. From first to last, this journey will decide whether you remain a tinkerer… or rise as the forgemaster who can arm gods and kings alike."
The chamber grew darker, save for the threads of light gathering in Sirius's palm. One by one, glowing runes ignited in the air around them. Each rune unfolded into an image, a vision of the place where Nibelo's journey would continue.
---
1. Holy Infusion (IV)
The vision shifted into a white spire rising above endless seas — Mysidia, the land of magic.
"Mysidia," Sirius intoned. "A land where magic and faith breathe as one. You will walk Kokkol's forge, where adamantite is reforged into sacred blades. Here, you will learn how to weave holiness into steel, to make a weapon more than metal — to make it divine."
Nibelo's wings twitched. "Nyo-kup… infusing holiness? Like… like a sword that glows in prayer?"
"Yes," Sirius confirmed. "And more. But beware — divine forges demand reverence as well as skill."
Nyx smirked. "Guess that means no swearing in the workshop."
---
2. Living Weapons (V)
The spire faded, replaced by a grand library — Surgate Castle, its halls lined with books and weapon racks.
"Castle Surgate," Sirius said. "Here you will study weapons that grow with their wielder. The Brave Blade. The Chicken Knife. Each shifts, evolves, remembers battle. You will learn the truth of living steel."
Nibelo gasped. "Weapons… that change on their own? Kupo, that's… that's amazing!"
Nyx shrugged. "Or terrifying. Imagine if your sword decides to quit mid-battle."
---
3. Magitek Fusion (VI)
The vision turned crimson — Vector's ruined Magitek facility. Broken tubes and shattered pods lined the chamber, but faint sparks of magitek still glowed.
"Here lies danger," Sirius warned. "Magitek — fusing magicite or aether directly into weapons. The power is vast, but so are the risks. Learn caution. What is gained too quickly often devours its wielder."
Nibelo's ears flattened. "Nyo-kup… this one sounds… scary."
Nyx muttered, "Good. Maybe it'll scare some discipline into you."
---
4. Materia Socketing (VII)
Green light spiraled around them, becoming Cosmo Canyon's flame and Junon's forges.
"In this world, materia is life. Crystallized aether, bound into steel. You will learn socketing — the art of making a weapon breathe with magic. Through it, you will wield elements at will."
Nibelo whispered, awestruck, "Kupo… little gems that make swords shoot fire…"
Nyx raised an eyebrow. "Sounds useful. Long as you don't put Fire in your socks."
---
5. Refinement (VIII)
The vision shifted again — Balamb Garden, with its Junk Shop humming with tools.
"Here you will refine scraps into strength. Nothing wasted. A broken gunblade, a bent dagger, a pile of screws — all can be reborn."
Nibelo's pom-pom glowed brighter. "Nyo-kup! That's what I already do! Fixing trash into treasures!"
Sirius's lips almost curved into a smile. "Then this lesson will feel like home."
---
6. Synthesis (IX)
Lindblum's airship towers unfolded before them. Synthesis shops bustled, gears and smoke filling the vision.
"Synthesis," Sirius said. "Two become one. Items sacrificed to birth something greater. Every creation demands a price. Learn what is worth giving — and what must never be thrown away."
Nibelo gulped. "…Does that mean I'll have to… break things?"
"Yes. Sometimes, to build, you must destroy."
Nyx clapped him on the shoulder. "Tough luck, kid."
---
7. Customization (X)
The Luca stadium came into view, followed by temples glittering with sphere grids.
"In Spira, weapons drink the essence of monsters. Fangs, wings, scales — each embedded for unique strength. You will learn to take from foes and turn it against them."
Nibelo scrunched his nose. "Kupo… that sounds messy."
Nyx laughed. "Get used to it. War's messy."
---
8. Guild Discipline (XI)
Bastok's Metalworks blazed into being, guildhalls filled with smiths hammering steel in rhythm.
"Discipline. Recipes. Skill ranks. In Bastok, blacksmiths work as one, their forges never silent. You will learn humility — no smith is above the guild."
Nibelo fidgeted. "…Even me?"
"Especially you."
Nyx chuckled. "Better get used to homework, little guy."
---
9. Bazaar Alchemy (XII)
Rabanastre's market glittered into view, its stalls overflowing with hidden recipes.
"The bazaar teaches patience," Sirius said. "Hidden trades, secret routes. Weapons that unlock only when merchants are trusted, when alchemy is disguised as commerce."
Nibelo's eyes sparkled. "Like… secret shop codes? Nyo-kup! I love secrets!"
Nyx rolled his eyes. "Yeah, you would."
---
10. Component Growth (XIII)
Palumpolum's factories rose, sparks and gears hissing with steam.
"Here, weapons evolve by feeding. Components, catalysts, circuits — growth through sacrifice. One part nurtures another."
Nibelo twitched nervously. "Feeding… weapons? Kupo, like they're alive?"
Sirius nodded. "Steel always hungers."
---
11. Relics & Materia Melding (XIV)
Limsa Lominsa's harbor and guildhall surged into view. Relic blades gleamed like suns.
"In this world, forging is precise. Materia melded, relics attuned. Fail, and both shatter. Succeed, and you craft weapons that live in legend."
Nibelo gulped. "…No pressure, kupo."
---
12. Weapon Modding (XV)
Hammerhead's dusty garage unfolded, Cid's tools spread across benches.
"Modding. Taking relics and scavenged parts to restore or improve. This is not divine or alchemical — but practical, inventive, bold."
Nibelo's pom-pom glowed with delight. "Nyo-kup! That sounds like me already!"
Nyx smirked. "Maybe you'll finally be useful."
---
13. Dominant Forging (XVI)
The vision darkened into Blackthorne's forge, burning with Dominant aether. Weapons roared with power.
"Here is your final lesson," Sirius said. "Dominant forges. Weapons infused with living Eikons. Few can even touch them. But you… will forge them."
Nibelo staggered back. "Kupo—forge weapons… of gods?!"
Nyx muttered, "Hell of a final exam."
---
The visions faded, but the chamber still hummed with energy. One by one, the glowing runes sank into Nibelo's bracelet, etching themselves into its hidden core.
Sirius lowered his hand. "The path is set. From first forge to last, this bracelet will guide you. It will glow when a new world is ready. Fail, and the path closes. Succeed, and you will become the smith who arms the Fallen."
Nibelo clutched the bracelet tight, trembling between fear and awe. "…Nyo-kup. That's… a lot. But… I'll try. I'll really try."
Nyx stretched, cracking his neck. "Guess that means we're partners in crime now, kid. First stop — Mysidia, huh?"
"Yes," Sirius said. "Aether will take you. Go, and begin."
The chamber brightened, threads of light wrapping around Nibelo and Nyx. The forge of worlds opened, and their journey truly began.