Erend walked away from the bustling forge, the heavy scent of metal and the rhythmic clanging of hammers fading behind him. His mind was still clouded with thoughts about the strange attraction he felt towards the sealed box containing the rare and precious Starsteel. The sensation was unlike anything he had experienced before.
As he navigated through the intricate tunnels and grand halls of the Dwarven kingdom, his mind raced. He had felt a pull, an almost primal urge that seemed to emanate from deep within him. It was as if the very essence of the Dragon inside him had awakened at the presence of the Starsteel.
The corridors were alive with activity. Dwarves hurried about, carrying tools, weapons, and materials, their faces focused and determined. Erend barely noticed them, lost in his own thoughts.
"Why did I feel that way?" he muttered to himself, his footsteps echoing in the stone passageway. "Is it really the Dragon inside me reacting to the Starsteel? But why? What does it mean?"
His thoughts turned to the immense power and responsibility he carried within him. The Dragon's power had always been a part of him since his he got the System, but this was the first time it had manifested in such an unexpected manner.
The attraction to the Starsteel felt almost instinctual, a deep connection that he couldn't fully understand.
As he continued to walk, he passed by various sections of the kingdom. He saw Dwarves meticulously crafting armor and weapons, others engaged in animated discussions about battle strategies, and a few training in combat techniques.
Erend finally reached a quieter part of the kingdom, a place where the noise and bustle seemed to fade away. He found a bench carved out of stone and sat down.
"I need to understand it better."
He took a deep breath, trying to calm the storm of thoughts within him.
Erend was still lost in thought, staring blankly ahead as he sat on the stone bench. The sound of approaching footsteps barely registered in his mind until Adrien and Billy appeared in his line of sight, their faces etched with concern.
"What's going on, Drake?" Adrien asked.
"Yeah, you looked stressed. What's bothering you?" Billy asked.
"I'm… okay," he said, but the skeptical looks on Adrien and Billy's faces made it clear they weren't buying it.
"We're not blind, Drake," Adrien said firmly. "Something's up. Just tell us. Usually its something important. Or even dangerous."
Billy nodded in agreement.
After a moment's hesitation, Erend relented. "Fine. It's... it's the Starsteel. That box in the forge, the one containing the rare metal. I felt this...
pull towards it. It was like something deep inside me was drawn to it."
Billy raised an eyebrow. "The Starsteel? You mean the precious metal the Dwarves were working with?"
Some time ago, Billy also met a Dwarf who took his time to explain about a sealed box and what was contained inside it. So he knows about that.
Billy had also explained about the Starsteel briefly to Adrien earlier when they were walking towards Erend.
"Yes," Erend confirmed. "It wasn't just a passing interest. It felt instinctual, like a part of me recognized it and wanted to be near it."
Adrien and Billy exchanged glances, their expressions turning thoughtful.
"You think it might be your Dragon instincts kicking in? Maybe your Dragon side knows that Starsteel is a powerful material, something that could be used to make a great weapon," Adrien said.
Billy nodded in agreement. "Yeah, it makes sense. If your Dragon side is reacting to the Starsteel, it could mean it's recognizing the potential in that metal."
Erend looked at his friends, appreciating their insight. "You might be right. This is the first time it's reacted so strongly to something . If the Starsteel is as powerful as it seems, it could be useful in our fight against the Great Calamity."
Adrien placed a hand on Erend's shoulder. "Then we need to figure out how to use that to our advantage. If the Starsteel can help us, we'll need to make sure it's put to good use."
Billy grinned. "Besides, who wouldn't want a weapon forged from such a rare and powerful material? It could make all the difference in the battles to come."
Erend felt a renewed sense of purpose, bolstered by the support of his friends. "You're right. We'll need to speak with the Dwarves and see what we can do with the Starsteel. If my instincts are correct, it could be the key to forging a good weapons we need in our war."
After that, Erend, Adrien, and Billy made their way through the bustling corridors of the Dwarf kingdom. They finally reached the chamber where Saeldir was diligently working with a group of Dwarf smiths, poring over ancient texts and blueprints.
Saeldir didn't notice their approach at first. His brow was furrowed, and his fingers traced the lines of an intricate diagram.
"Saeldir," Adrien called out, trying to get his attention without startling him. But Saeldir barely glanced up, too absorbed in his work.
"Not now," Saeldir muttered, his voice edged with irritation. "I'm in the middle of something important."
Erend stepped forward, determined to make his case. "Saeldir, this is important too."
The Archmage finally looked up, his expression a mix of impatience and curiosity. "What is it, Erend?"
Erend walked closer to him and whisper.
"It's about the Starsteel. My Dragon instincts are reacting to it."
Saeldir's eyes widened slightly. "Your Dragon instincts, you say?"
Erend nodded. "Yes. When I was near the Starsteel, I felt a powerful pull towards it."
Saeldir's irritation melted away, replaced by a keen interest. "That is... intriguing. It could mean that the metal holds properties we haven't fully understood yet."
Adrien chimed in. "We were thinking that maybe Erend's Dragon side knows that the Starsteel can be used to forge powerful weapons. Weapons that could help us in our fight against the Great Calamity."
Saeldir stroked his chin thoughtfully. "That makes sense. The Starsteel is incredibly rare and possesses unique magical properties. I'll speak with the Dwarf king and see what we can do. This could indeed be the key to creating the weapons we need."
Erend felt a sense of relief wash over him. With Saeldir on board, they were one step closer to unlocking the potential of the Starsteel.