Building A Better Foundation

[Ignatius]

Taking a hold of the hammer, I slammed it home onto a sword blank. Forging a bevel upon it. Flipping from side to side as I worked to slightly lengthen the weapon, while also reducing the amount of time required to sand and sharpen the blade. While there are many students like myself who are learning specifically how to create weapons, armor and work with metals on a daily basis, it are the other students who are not who need help. Part of our job was to forge out the blades as blanks so that they could come in, choose which one they wanted, and then form the crystal with it. This hastened the process of creating weapons for the students, while it also prepared us to make our own. While this was nothing for me as I had already created my Oathkeeper, I still did this because I was the fastest at it.

Ember had almost force me to become a student here at the forge after the creation of my own sword. Seeing as how I completely took over and created the sword almost from scrap. On the first try no less. Since then, I have been training myself to become better and to make other weapons that the other students could use. I had done some minor pieces of armor such as bracer covers or sabatons, but no chest plates or helmets. While ember stated that I would learn how to make them at some point, She wanted to show me something first. Hence why I was working on these blades. Idle hands are the devils work.

I had just started on beveling my fifth blade when she came out. Holding something behind her back. Setting the blade back into the forge to reheat it, I took off my gloves and wiped my face down with a rather dirty rag. The sweat was heavy upon the rag as I placed it back into my ruined pants that I wore whenever I came to the forge. Walking up to Ember, She was smiling brightly in a way that I knew something good was going down. Bringing forth to me a solid bar of a metal. It shone so brightly within the dark forge that I had to look away from it. I wiped my eyes of the bright shine as it reflected just about everything from it's surface.

"This here, is a metal called Songsteel. Its lighter than any other metal you will work with, but it has special properties. Ones that when put to good use, can be made into a very fine blade, or even ornamental armor."
"I can tell. Its reflecting every lightsource from here to tattooine."
"Oh shut it Iggy. Its a good metal and I think I want you to work with it."
"One, Iggy is not my name, and two, Why do you want me to work with it?"
"You are a good student, and you show a promise that I rarely ever see. Even with my own kind. So I want to give 'you the chance to work with this rare metal. I have plenty of it, and we can make something for you."
"You sound like something is already planned for me."
"I was hoping we could make armor. Can't have a student of mine die cus he can't block with his sword."
"I didn't expect you to stab at me with a hot stick!"
"Still, I think it would go best with armor. I have plenty enough for you."

Handing it towards me, I looked at her with eyes that I just couldn't accept this. I didn't want to take such a rare and valuable metal from her, and then ruin the armor. Taking it in my hand, I then proposed a compromise.

"Then you are going to help me make it. Cus I don't want to stuff this up."
"I wouldn't want you too either. That was the plan to begin with."

I rolled my eyes at her and turned around to place the bar in the open furnace. All the while. Ember was ranting on about how I was so good at rolling my eyes, that I should see the back of my eye socket and into my head because of how she couldn't see the pupils of my eyes when I rolled them. I looked at the bar of songsteel. Reflecting the soft glow of the furnace upon its surface. I toned her out. Letting my world fade into the bar of metal when I felt a hand on my shoulder. Turning around to see ember there. Still holding something in her hand.

The leather pouch was different. Looking at it, I knew that the items were very small. Taking it, I opened the pouch. As soon as I did, I could feel the force flowing into the room as though I opened the door to the flowing of the energy itself. Looking at her, the nod I received told me to continue. Reaching in, I pulled out one of a few crystals in varying sizes. Looking at them by tumbling them over in one hand, The deep purple of the crystal was strange to me.

"Force imbued armor?"
"Pretty much, but you know how your focus crystal seemed to make your sword feel like a natural attachment of yourself?"
"So what?"
"These are wild force shards. Cost a fortune on the black market. Got them a long time ago and I never used them. I never really see battle, so I don't need them. But with the promises you have, I know that a lot of people are counting on you even if they don't know it yet. You need to be ready for when that day comes. If that means giving these to you, then so be it."
"I didn't pay for these Ember. They don-"
"You have earned them by working for me. You are the first to come, and the last to leave. Every day you are in here, you work twice as hard as any student as though you have something to prove. You don't need to prove anything to me. I see what you are doing and what you can do."
"You are spoiling me Ember. You know even when I was taking the force crystals I said I would pay you back for them."
"I don't own them! They are easy to find and get and don't cost much. These I do own, and I want you to have. So take them, or I will make your armor myself!"
"They are as stubborn as you say."
"Watch it pretty boy. Don't make me ruin your face."

I shook my head. Already smiling at the thought that I will now be creating armor for myself. I had no clue what shape it would take, mostly because Ember was leading me through this, and was just showing me how to do it so then I could, and help fix any mistakes I may have. Let's just hope that I can meet her standards.

 

[Ignatius]

I. Hate. Songsteel.

The metal is so difficult to work with. Slamming with my hand hammer takes forever to make any kind of dent in the billet. While its easier to use on the powerhammer and having many hundreds to thousands of pounds slammed onto the metal can really move just about anything, the metal cools off faster than anything else I have ever worked with. Durasteel at white hot could be completely moved into whatever shaped you desired within two the four heats depending on what you were doing. Songsteel? it took the same amount of heats just to fold the damn thing once. Even if I were to try and use my abilities with fire to keep it hot, I was expending so much energy, I would only give myself seconds extra of time while making myself throw up.

Ember was laughing at me the entire time. Knowing it would be this difficult to shape and form, let alone even changed to a desired thickness. I had to move much faster than what I was used to doing with simple steels. I was getting tired of swinging this left and right. Back and forth from the furnace and the power hammer. Having to vault over an anvil to get to the power hammer with how everything was set up, I had almost fallen over from it twice now. I was getting tired of using tongs to hold the metal, and with how short of a time period I was actually holding onto it, I had left them in place for my hands.

Twisting the metal a quarter turn for the hammer to smack onto one side of the billet, only to twist it back and have it slam another time. Doing so time and time again to make the metal more malleable. On my third fold when the metal wasn't quite so brittle, I had previously crushed up the attuned Wild force shards into the metal and used an oxidizer to prevent air pockets during the folding process. Completing the fold. And then performing the same fold using more crystals and oxidizer a few more times to get it saturated enough. After getting the bar done, I looked over to Ember who threw another bar of this songsteel at me. Proclaiming with an evil smirk on her face.

"Do it again Iggy!"

A stare that could kill, and a groan of defeat followed.

Taking the finished piece and setting it to the side, I slowly worked on the second one. The process for one bar alone took a couple hours. Ember, as she watched me, or did her own work, had handed me five more bars that I would be working with. These bars were not small. They were about a forearm and a half long, and twice as thick. Hefty buggers that I was learning very quickly, and for a long time, to loath. Finishing the second bar took a bit longer than the first, and the third bar took even longer. My strength was fading out a bit when I got to the point of actually tripping over the anvil I had to vault over. Ember stopped me. Placed a hand on my chest, and breathed in. Indicating I should too, I followed suit and calmed myself.

"You are the mahuka adept right?"
"Matukai, and yes."
"Didn't you climb up a sheer cliff and force yourself to push past your limits?"
"Yes. But that-"
"NO! It applies here as it does then. You and I both know that to make it work, you need to give it your all. So do it. Cus if you don't I will take this all back, and make armor for myself."
"Okay."
"Ignis, speak up."
"Yes Ma'am."
"Good. Now restart the process."

When she threw the songsteel bar at me, the look could have killed her. The stare I gave her now could have made a planet explode.

"Remember, balance in all things."
"Screw you."
"Speak up?"
"Nothing."
"Now do it again."

As she was walking away, I shook my head with a snarled lip and teeth shown. Gritting through my teeth and forced out between a clenched jaw,

"Kark you."

I then began my work all over again.

 

[Ignatius]

Performing the process once was tiresome. A second time was close to killing me. Much like after I had created my sword, I spent so much time in here, that Ember had left to return to her quarters to rest and sleep. Stating that I she would lock the doors to prevent anyone from walking in, but if I were to leave, to do the same after I left so no one would just walk in and injure themselves. By the time she had come back, I was still working on the metal. Already taking hours upon hours the first time, it was taking even longer due to having to focus upon the metal as it was being forged. I was completely oblivious to her entering as I was finishing the last bar that I needed. All of the were already set out and prepared for the next task as she was looking them over.

I had looked up to see her inspecting them as I was finishing the final touches on the billet to make sure that it was uniform enough to be used and shape for whatever necessary. Walking over to her, I handed her the last piece to look at. I wobbled over and about took a spill from the exhaustion. She caught me and let the bar fall to the ground. Simply shaking her head as she looped my arm around her neck and led me into the back room onto the couch she had. Laying me down in it and then pointed a finger at me to stay. Doing so, It was only a few moments later that I felt my eyes falling. I accepted the sleep and didn't dream.

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Waking up hurt. My entire body felt sore and swollen. My hands were tingling from being half asleep as Ember was sitting next to me in a chair. Already holding a hot soup and couple pieces of toast, and a very small glass vial that held a purple liquid that reflected the light into my eye. Raising a hurting hand to prevent it from doing so, I slowly sat up with the helpful arm of Ember. She then sat the food into my lap, stood up, and walked away. Shaking her head at me, I slowly ate my food. Eating too fast would make me more dizzier than I already was. It felt like a severe hang over with my entire body drained. After slowly finishing my food without a word, I moved into the Forge where Ember shook her head and pointed to the back room.

"You will rest until I say so. You completely tired yourself out. I can hardly feel your signature. If you try right now, you might cause irreversible damage."
"I need to get this done."
"Only when you are able. For now, rest. Go to different classes. Come back in two days and we can finish."
"Fine."

I couldn't really argue with her. She was right. My body was so heavy right now. I don't know if I could accurately swing the hammer, let alone hit it with enough force to move metal. Nodding my head, I went off to my own room to rest. I needed to recuperate. Soon Songsteel. I will overcome you.

 

[Ignatius]

I kept beating myself up about this armor. It was fighting me every step of the way. This was really becoming a hassle. Part of me wanted to just give up and let the songsteel be used for something else more appropriate. However, I had to do this. I felt like this was a rite of passage. To really become a Mastersmith, I needed to be able to do this. I wanted to do this. Even as I sat in my room and just laid down, sore and tired from the work, I was just laying there. Thinking this over. How difficult this must be to create armor this way. Slowly easing myself down a bit. Trying to calm my nerves, I finally fell asleep.

It was the next morning when I got to the forge that I could see it was empty. Normally students would be working on their jobs and what not. However, I saw that the sign on the door said that the forge was closed for the day. Curious, I knocked on the door as I entered. Out from the corner came Emberfall. She rushed over to me and closed the door behind me. Indicating the forge she then spoke easily.

"Come in and get to work. You have much to do, and little time to do it. All I could get approved was today. I got it closed down so you could focus."
"Um, thank you Ember. I'll see what I can do."

She nodded her head to me. Reaching over, she placed a hand on my shoulder, then walked away. Probably to grade some swords or something. Work on blueprints? Either way, I grabbed my gear and began to head over to the forge. Heating it up manually. Conserving my force energy for the actual creation of the armor.

Slowly I once more began to work the metal. Molding it and shaping it to be flatter. Creating plates that I could work with. However, to speed up the process, Ember came over and had me use the CNC mill to cut out the pieces instead of actually forming them by hand. As well, this would also reduce the amount of time required to work on them. However, I did have to work them into the right pieces and to shape them to fit my form. I had been working on simply shaping them close enough to fit my frame, when Ember made me take a break.

During that time, she measured my dimensions one last time. Implementing them onto the plates as I was told to do, I could slowly feel something poking me through the force. I tried to fight it for a moment, but over time, letting it slip in. Calming myself, I couldn't really do much more. I kept working on the metal. Shaping it over time, and using various rollers, and heating processes to flatten the metal as close as I could. Eventually I got to the point where I had to correctly shape the metal with various sized bits to fold the metal and create ridges.

While this process took longer than I thought it might have since I was working the metal cold, I had to really hammer down upon it. Using my own physical strength, as well as increasing the force with Matukai training of increasing your physical strength through the force. I hammered hard on the metal. Each strike was powerful enough to break through durasteel armor. Yet this was still resilient to moving. I was completely surprised with the strength of this metal, while also finding through experience how fulfilling it was to create something with Songsteel. How others who have worked on this really do earn it.

Ember came into the room and walked over. Slowly placing a hand on my shoulder. Suddenly, I felt fatigued. Like as though something had been removed from me. I almost dropped my hammer as she removed her hand. With a confused look at her, I was about to ask, but she answered already.

"Temporary mental link. You drew from my strength to keep yourself going. You need to let your body rest or otherwise, if I let you wear yourself out, you could black out. Take a nap on the couch in the back and get something to eat."

I, with heavy eyes and a groggy vision nodded. Taking a rather slow time to the couch, I didn't even eat. I just let my head hit the armrest, and fell almost instantly to sleep.

 

[Ignatius]

Waking up hours later, I just could not clear my mind. Ember had been attached to me the entire time. Having a link through the force to let me draw energy from her. Getting up, I made some nice soup with crackers, toast, and coffee. Taking my fill and easing myself into being up from my sore body. Looking down at my hands, I had bruises over my palms and fingers. My wrists were red, and my arms were bruised as well. Using them so much, and so forcefully that I was literally causing myself pain. It hurt to even move the spoon to my mouth.

Ember walking in looked over my hands gingerly. She eased my hand down then looked me over for a moment. Deciding on what to do. Sighing, she said something I would have never expected.

"Control my body."
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Use the force to take control of my body. You have beaten yourself raw and hard. Your body needs more rest, but we need to get this done. So you will combine our force pools, and use my body through a link, and thus I will act as a vessel for you to continue your work."
"But wouldn't that ruin the armor by having it attuned that way?"
"You are using the potential energy I have. Not actually using my force presence. We need to practice before we can work in the forge. So, take control of my body. Slowly try and learn how it moves and feels. Just, be easy."

I thought she had gone mad. However, the look on her face was serious. Nodding my head, I calmed myself. Centering my energies within my body. Closing my eyes and simply meditating. I needed to bring my mind and body to a state of nothingness. Slowly, I eased my mind into Ember's. I felt almost no resistance. Slowly, I began to open my eyes. However, I didn't see Ember. I saw myself. A battered and broken form. I could see the bruises and scratches and red marks all up my arms and chest and neck. Slowly, and gently, I moved my- our- hand. Attempting to grab the spoon from the bowl. At first I knocked over the bowl. As well as the spoon.

"Easy. Take it easy. Slow movements. You need to learn how to walk before you can run."
"Says the woman who dropped me into her classes like the deep end of a pool."
"You handled it well enough."
"Then it will be okay for me to run in your body. Give me a second."

All this talking was now done mentally as we were sharing the same mind. I gently got her to stand up. Walking around a bit and even balanced on one foot after some time. I took about an hour and a half to get used to the new shape and form of the body. Even using the combined strength of us both to lift my body and place it back on the couch. I didn't want my body to fall over if I were to faint.

However, from that moment, we went to work. She mostly left me to my devices. Letting me work on it alone. However would make a comment here or there to make sure I was on point. It was helpful because she was a second pair of eyes, and if I was going to mess up, she could prevent her body from moving. Kind of like learning how to drive. Much like how some vehicles had two sets of controls specifically used for training. or a Co-pilot who could take over when necessary.

I felt weird in her body. Having female parts and what not. I had accidentally side swiped one of her breasts when I had been working, and I could hear her cringe and take a sharp inhale physically and mentally. I also felt the pain. No wonder why women kept close care of their chests. Kind of like guys and making sure not to get kicked in their groin. Either way, We continued to pound on the metal. Shaping it and forming it. Using the Mill a few more times to finish the outlines, and using the sanders to finish up the surfaces. Concentrating upon it with both of our force energies was rather easy. I felt little to no drain upon my- our- body. it was nice for once being able to do this. Considering she had done this time and time again, I am more than sure she could withstand this kind of punishment.

This was weird, but over time, we both got used to it. Even when we got the plates done, and moved onto the details I stayed in her body. Forming up the ridges some more and making sure the pieces were all in order. Eventually I could feel some strain upon Ember's body. However, she told me to press on. She had indicated she was holding back her force energy a bit so it wouldn't overwhelm me. She was acting as a Dam of her force pool. Giving me just enough to work with, but not too much that it flooded me. A good idea on her part.

It took hours to finally get all the pieces done, but once it was. I felt so good. I drew back my mind from her. My own eyes opening into the back room on the couch. I could hear Ember enter my own mind and supply me with some of her own energy.

"You did it Ignis. The hard part is over. Once I get the rest of the cloths and what not, we can finish just piecing it together. Otherwise, the armor plates itself are done. You are free to go."
"Thank you Ember. For everything."
"You deserve it. I see much in you and expect you to go further. Just keep going and don't stop. Even if the world grows cold, keep fighting."
"On my oath, and promise. I will."
"I hold you to that."

Instead of moving, I allowed myself to fall asleep once more. My tired body falling asleep on the couch. I am sure Ember would be fine with that. I'll go to my room later.