Team Reunion and Casual Chat
On the evening of the fifth day in Steelmelt City, the afterglow of the setting sun bathed the walls of this steel metropolis in a warm golden light, tinting the mithril alloy surfaces. Fa and her team regrouped in an inn near the royal palace. After days of individual exploration and learning, they finally had the chance to sit together and share their experiences. The inn's room was rustic and cozy, filled with dwarven specialties—roasted beef and lava wine—on the round table. The firelight illuminated everyone's faces, creating a relaxed and warm atmosphere.
Fa looked at her teammates, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes. Over these days, everyone had explored and learned in Steelmelt City, gaining much. Fa was the first to speak, breaking the silence: "How has everyone been these past few days? Any interesting discoveries?"
TISK spoke first, his rugged voice laced with excitement: "I learned a lot at the Royal Molten Forge Workshop. Master Grant taught me the 'Density Fire Control' technique and gave me a 'Burning Vine' warhammer. I plan to combine it with my 'Earthshaker.'" He patted the warhammer beside him, its surface entwined with iron vine patterns, emitting faint magical fluctuations. "This warhammer not only enhances my metal magic but can also release icy blue cold flames with astonishing power." As he spoke, his fingers traced the hammer's handle, a look of satisfaction in his eyes.
Rex followed, his mechanical eye flickering with blue light: "I found a book called 'Lost Mechanical Civilization' in the Royal Library. It records the 'Perpetual Pivot' technology, a device that converts magical pulses into perpetual kinetic energy. Though still in the research phase, I believe it will greatly benefit our future battles." His voice was calm and precise, showing his passion and dedication to technology. His mechanical arm hummed softly, as if responding to his words.
Arya smiled and said: "I met the elf Luna in the Iron Rose Garden. She taught me 'Iron Heart Therapy,' a healing technique that combines natural magic with magnetic fields. This will help me protect everyone in battle." A gentle warmth flashed in her eyes, clearly grateful for the learning. Her fingers lightly stroked her longbow, the five-element crystals emitting a soft glow.
Kayla held the 'Frost Iron Ore' in her hand and said softly: "I helped an old blacksmith, and he gave me this rare ore. I think TISK could use it to forge even more powerful weapons." She handed the ore to TISK, her eyes full of anticipation. The thunder claw at her waist hummed lowly, as if also looking forward to new possibilities.
TISK took the ore, examining it closely, a flash of surprise in his eyes: "This is Frost Iron Ore! Weapons forged from it will have extreme ice attributes, effective against certain enemies. Thank you, Kayla; this gives me new ideas to try." He gripped the ore tightly, as if already sketching the weapon's prototype in his mind.
Salsa's soul form faintly appeared beside her mechanical cat body, saying softly: "I wandered around the city, learning about Steelmelt City's customs and people." Her voice was gentle, with a hint of mystery. She shared amusing stories of price gouging in the market, eliciting light laughter from everyone and easing the tension.
Finally, everyone's eyes turned to Fa. She spoke, her tone carrying a hint of excitement: "These past few days, I found some clues about the Star Heart in the archives. It turns out the fragments of the Star Heart are scattered across the world, with three pieces hidden in the Lightfeather Dome, the Vortex Tide Sanctuary, and the Fierce Claw Empire." She paused, her gaze sweeping over the group. "I've decided that after the state funeral, we'll head to the Fierce Claw Empire to search for the Star fragment there." Her right eye—the Star Eye—flashed with silver light, showing her determination toward this goal.
Everyone nodded with smiles: "That's a great idea. Now that we know the locations, we won't be searching blindly. So the Fierce Claw Empire is our next destination, and Kayla's father and the Star fragment clues are both there; we might find some leads." Excitement for the future sparkled in their eyes.
Around these recent experiences, the group engaged in lively discussions, the atmosphere light and joyful. They shared their gains and growth, deepening their trust and rapport. However, Fa always felt a trace of unease in her heart. She recalled the massacre in the prison and the symbols left by Grum—"Doomsday Rebirth," "Dr. Zheng," and "World Rebirth." These three clues gave her a sense of inexplicable pressure, as if a larger conspiracy was brewing, but she chose to bury these worries for now, unwilling to shatter the current warmth.
"The state funeral for General Green is the day after tomorrow," Fa said softly. "We need to be prepared to ensure the ceremony goes smoothly."
Arya nodded, gently saying: "Yes, we'll stay vigilant. The state funeral is the highest honor for Green; we can't let any accidents happen."
TISK patted his chest boldly: "Don't worry; with me here, anyone who dares disrupt General Green's state funeral will get flattened by my warhammer!"
Everyone laughed and nodded, the atmosphere lightening again. They knew the day after tomorrow would be important, not just to commemorate Green but also to demonstrate their resolve and strength to the Steelmelt Alliance and the Fierce Claw Empire.
State Funeral Eve: The Arrival of General Mias
On the morning of the sixth day, Steelmelt City was enveloped in a solemn atmosphere. Black ribbons hung on the streets, iron rose bouquets placed in every corner, symbolizing mourning for the deceased. The city's residents and soldiers wore black attire, preparing for the state funeral tomorrow. Meanwhile, the envoy from the Fierce Claw Empire—Firegun Mias General—arrived on his "Wolf Fang"—a hell wolf—with five hundred elite beastman warriors and ten investigators. Their purpose was to attend the state funeral and assist in investigating the prison massacre.
Fa and her group heard early of Mias's arrival in Steelmelt City, so they waited at the palace entrance for him to emerge. General Mias wore ornate battle armor, a Fierce Claw Empire badge on his chest, exuding authority. He led his subordinates and investigators out of the palace hall after meeting with King Secretforge Titan. When he saw Fa and her group at the entrance, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, especially upon seeing Kayla, where a rare smile appeared on his face.
"Kayla, are you alright?" Mias stepped forward, gently patting Kayla's shoulder, his tone full of concern. His voice was deep and warm, carrying an elder's deep care for a junior.
Kayla nodded, a touch of emotion in her eyes: "I'm fine, Uncle Mias. Thank you for your concern." She straightened her posture, trying to hide her inner excitement.
Mias turned to Fa and the others, saying solemnly: "Thank you for your help in defeating Grum and his remnants. The Fierce Claw Empire has begun purging Grum's remaining forces, and General Balg has returned to the border to guard the land." He paused, his gaze falling on Kayla, his tone gentle and affectionate: "General Balg asked me to relay a message to you, Kayla. He said: 'Child, you've grown up and become stronger and braver than we imagined. Your father would be proud of you. No matter where you go, the Fierce Claw Empire will always be your home; we'll wait for your return.'"
Upon hearing this, tears welled up in Kayla's eyes. She took a deep breath, trying to control her emotions, but tears still slid down her cheeks. She said softly: "Thank you, Uncle Balg; I'll remember his words." This message was not only an affirmation of her courage but also an inheritance from her father, making her feel familial warmth and support. She wiped away her tears, a flash of determination in her eyes, resolved to continue forward and not disappoint this expectation.
Fa stepped forward politely: "General Mias, do you have time this evening? We have some matters we'd like to consult you on."
Mias nodded readily: "Of course. What do you want to ask?"
Fa smiled: "We saw on the palace scrolls that the Fierce Claw Empire once possessed a Star fragment, but you said it was taken by Kayla's father. Do you know where he went?"
Mias furrowed his brow, pondering for a moment: "This is a confidential matter; even I don't know the details. Perhaps only the king knows. Do you plan to go to the Fierce Claw Empire to search for clues?"
Fa nodded: "Yes, we hope to get the king's help to find the Star fragment's whereabouts."
Mias nodded: "Alright, after the state funeral, I'll take you back to the Fierce Claw Empire to meet the king. But before that, I must first arrange the investigation into the prison massacre."
Fa said gratefully: "Thank you, General Mias."
State Funeral Ceremony: A Solemn Farewell
On the morning of the seventh day, the six city gates of Steelmelt City featured massive dwarf statues standing silent like iron-cast mountains. These thirty-meter-tall statues wielded warhammers or raised shields, their eyes glowing with gentle blue light, weapons edged with faint mist, as if sighing for this funeral.
Entering the central square inside the city, an even taller statue stood in the center—that of the first king of the dwarf alliance—still solemn, but today its chest plate was draped with a black ribbon, and its scepter replaced with plain iron. The stone base at the statue's feet was engraved with strange floral patterns, said to gather the statue's power and support a massive protective shield over the city.
Today, all the statues' eyes burned like red flames, and seven colorful light bridges connected their scepters and weapons, forming a massive star pattern over the square. Two hundred thousand people crowded the square, the stone paths beneath their feet changing based on who walked: for dwarves, silver iron roses sprouted from the cracks; for humans, the stones rippled with silvery light like water; for beastmen, glowing grass grew on the stones; for elves, sparkling light vines twined around their ankles—truly magical.
The altar was built at the foot of the central statue, with seven tiers of steps, each layered with different colored stones and sparkling crystals. General Green's coffin was placed on the top tier, made of mithril, engraved with glowing patterns inlaid with blue crystals, occasionally emitting wisps of white smoke that turned into Green's shadow in the air. Around the altar stood twelve massive metal guardians, armored like the statues, their chest crystals pulsing like heartbeats.
When the city's clock tower struck twelve, the six gate statues simultaneously raised their weapons. Though they didn't move, the air rang with metallic clashes, and the ground trembled lightly. A low rumble came from the square's distance. King Secretforge Titan rode in on an iron-armored mechanical war elephant, its skin plain iron gray, eyes glowing with gentle gold, saddle wrapped only in coarse cloth, without a single gem. The king wore a black robe, sleeves and collar embroidered with fine iron rose patterns, no crown on his head, only a simple headband of iron leaves.
"Today, we bid farewell to a man who guarded this land with his life," the king's voice echoed through the statues' amplifiers, no longer with metallic resonance, sounding unusually aged. "He was a warrior, a general, and more importantly, our family."
With that, he waved his hand, and the war elephant's trunk curled around a bouquet of iron roses, gently placing it beside the coffin. At that moment, ripples surged through the crowd around the square—two hundred thousand people raised their iron roses and tossed them toward the altar. Countless black and white iron roses floated into the air, petals blooming with tiny light points like countless tearful hearts, finally gathering above the coffin into a flower rain, slowly descending.
Then, a door beside the altar opened, and sixteen dwarf elders in iron hats carried in a wooden box. Inside were many old items: broken swords, chipped shields, rusted warhammer fragments... When these were placed on the altar, the seven statues opened their palms, sprinkling silvery powder like star ash, drifting down.
General Amber was the last to ascend the altar. She wore no uniform but a faded gray cloth dress, her hair disheveled over her shoulders. As she reached out to touch the coffin, everyone saw the iron chain on her wrist, hung with half a worn bracer—that was from when Green saved her in the molten mine as a youth, a memento of his lava burn.
"We grew up in the blacksmith's forge; you always said you'd forge the mightiest warhammer and become a general with me," her voice trembled, barely able to speak, tears falling in large drops onto the coffin. "Later, you did it, but your warhammer was never for destruction... it was to shield us from all dangers."
Suddenly, a holographic image appeared in the air: two young dwarves covered in iron slag sitting side by side at an anvil, Green holding a freshly forged iron rose in a daze, Amber leaning over to tease him, "Blacksmiths shouldn't be so sentimental," the boy blushing in annoyance, stuffing the flower into her hand and running off red-eared. The image faded, and Amber suddenly collapsed to the ground, hands covering her face, shoulders shaking violently, letting out heart-wrenching sobs.
Fa turned away, unable to watch. She felt Arya's hand gently wrap around her waist, emanating warm heat, as if conveying strength. TISK turned his back, rubbing his eyes hard, even his beard trembling; Salsa's mechanical cat body nuzzled his leg gently; Rex's mechanical arm slowly raised and lowered, finally just standing quietly.
As the flower rain subsided, the central statue's scepter suddenly cast a soft white light, enveloping Amber. She looked up through tears and saw a transparent phantom emerge from the statue's palm—that of young Green, smiling and waving, offering an iron rose before gradually dissipating in the light. Amber sat collapsed on the ground, tears surging again, but no longer desperate wails—instead, like a child, releasing all her longing.
Fa ascended the altar, silver light flickering in her Star Eye, no longer sharp as in battle. She gently touched the iron rose on the coffin, saying softly: "We'll remember everything you taught us, go to the Fierce Claw Empire, find the star fragments... But more importantly, we'll remember how you lived—with iron-like strength, guarding flower-like softness."
With that, she placed her iron rose among the bouquet beside the coffin. Connected to all the iron roses' light points, it wove a carpet of faint glow on the altar. Arya raised her longbow, shooting an arrow without a head, its tail trailing a long iron rose fringe, arcing across the sky and bursting into countless light points, sprinkling on everyone's faces.
At the end of the state funeral, no one left. The mechanical war elephant carried the slowly rising coffin toward the heroes' cemetery. The six gate statues bowed their heads simultaneously, warhammers, shields, anvils... all weapons lightly touching the ground, emitting low resonances like countless sighs. The crowd on the square automatically formed two lines, watching the coffin depart. Some hummed dwarf elegies softly, the song mixed with sobs and the mechanical war elephant's footsteps, extraordinarily poignant.
Kayla watched Amber's collapsed figure on the altar, suddenly recalling a phrase her father once said: "True strength isn't never crying, but crying and still moving forward." She turned to Fa, seeing the tears glistening in her captain's eyes, suddenly understanding—this funeral wasn't an end, but a beginning, one teaching everyone to continue onward with love and pain.
As dusk fell, Steelmelt City's lights gradually lit up. The seven statues' eyes turned to warm yellow glows, like seven eternal lamps illuminating the path of the departed hero. On the altar, Amber still sat there, hands tightly gripping the half bracer, the iron rose bouquet before her swaying gently in the wind, as if Green had never left, just accompanying his beloved girl in another way.
That day, no one spoke loudly, only soft sobs and the sizzling of light flowing on the statues. When night enveloped the city, the statues' radiance remained bright, just like General Green's spirit, which would never extinguish.