The glow of the Forge Reactor dimmed to a steady pulse, like the slow heartbeat of the workshop itself. Holographic data drifted above the control table, displaying complex graphs of mana harmonics. The last test file flickered green—successful.
Helios leaned back, arms folded. "That's confirmation. The model seems to show it'll hold under the strain."
The Victorian Moogle jotted notes in his hovering slate. "Three separate simulations, kupo. Each one ran within margin."
Another Moogle pumped his tiny fist. "Then it works! The Twilight Heart framework can be made, but only Orichalcum seems strong enough to be used!"
"Theoretically," Helios corrected, voice level but faintly pleased. He powered down the holographic console, its lights folding inward like petals. "We've proven the physical vessel can be created. Now comes the part where we need proof of whether it will function or not."
That silenced them for a moment. The only sound was the faint whir of cooling crystals.
Kurai stood near the corner of the room, half-shadowed, her arms crossed. "I've grown bored of speaking and hearing you speak, so let us leave now."
Helios smiled faintly. "We were just getting to the good part."
She didn't return the smile. "I don't like repeating myself. Let us go… now."
He didn't argue; he simply turned to the Moogles. "Keep every copy of our results offline. Also, if any of my friends from earlier or anyone else asks, just tell them nothing for now."
The Victorian Moogle hesitated. "Not even to the friends?"
"Especially not them," Helios said. "If they get curious, this entire project will meet with a mishap"
That made the Moogles stiffen, their pom-poms flicking nervously. Then, one by one, they nodded. "Mum's the word, kupo."
Kurai tilted her head. "Secrecy breeds suspicion."
"If you keep quiet, then there won't be any suspicion," he replied simply.
Helios reached into his jacket pocket, pulling up a blueprint he sketched. Two accessories were drawn with what seemed like charcoal—streamlined, intricate, covered in calibration notations. "Before I go, I have one more request."
The Victorian Moogle brightened. "A prototype, kupo?"
"Two," Helios said. "Synthesis accessories tuned for magical resonance amplification. One focusing on ice and water, the other on wind and lightning."
The Moogles perked up instantly, the earlier tension forgotten. "A dual harmonic series! Haven't built one of those since the first synthesis, although this one will be much better, kupo!"
Helios nodded. "Good. I'll need them before I leave."
They scurried toward the upper platform, their workshop wings fluttering. "Let's get to it!"
Kurai arched an eyebrow. "You're making something now on such short notice?"
Helios walked past her toward the reactor platform. "They're the best at what they do. I trust results."
"Is that why you waited until now?" she said.
"Exactly."
The room's lights dimmed automatically as the Moogles activated the Reactor. They then placed eight stones inside.
The eight stones floated in the levitation field—four Lightning Shards, two Lightning Stones, one Lightning Gem, and one Lightning Crystal.
The crucible pulsed alive. Concentric rings rotated around it, humming with a soft, metallic resonance. Tiny glyphs lit up along the containment rails.
The Moogles called out over the rising hum:
"Feeding Lightning frequency—stabilizing Volt resonance!"
"Lucid harmonics steady at point-eight-five!"
"Adjusting Gale alignment—Kupopo, watch the arc shift!"
Sparks snapped in the air. The shards disassembled into motes of radiant energy, plasma streams swirling together like miniature storms. The Forge's containment ring flared white, tracing the elemental spectrum of wind and lightning as metallic threads—fine as hair—wove themselves into shape midair.
The Victorian Moogle said, "Increase the feedback tolerance by three percent. The flow pattern's desynchronized by a fraction."
Helios watched quietly, eyes reflecting the glow.
The other two Moogles quickly adjusted the dials as one replied. "Right—three percent recalibration!"
At once, the field steadied. The light condensed into a spiral.
Cool Ether flooded the chamber, a mist of azure vapor that shimmered under the lamps. When it cleared, a bracelet floated where the plasma had been—a sleek, silver band engraved with storm runes. Arcs of faint lightning crawled across its surface like living veins of power.
"We'll call it the Stormbinder Bracelet, kupo," one of the Moogles declared proudly, scooping it up in padded gloves. "Careful though, static charge still singing!"
Helios nodded once. "Perfect harmonic containment. This is some high-level enchantment. Begin the second."
The crucible cycled down, then restarted—this time colder, slower, almost silent. The new ingredients—four Frost Shards, two Frost Stones, one Frost Gem, one Frost Crystal—floated into position.
As the reactor engaged, vapor rippled across the air, forming a light snowfall that melted before touching the floor.
The spectral arms of the machine moved gently, almost reverently, weaving light-blue energy strands into spirals. The temperature dropped until the Forge emitted a faint mist around its base.
The Moogles adjusted parameters in practiced rhythm:
"Hydro resonance rising—twenty-two percent!"
"Cryo pattern stable—keep it steady!"
"Flux point locked! Final spin!"
The Reactor glowed brighter, the frostline pattern sealing into a circular form.
When the light finally dimmed, a delicate crystalline bangle hovered in midair, glowing softly like frozen glass over water. Its core pulsed rhythmically, the sound like distant waves.
Helios reached forward, hand brushing its surface. A faint aura of cool air spread around his fingers, harmless but sharp. "Beautiful," he murmured. "It's a shame I couldn't learn how to do this. Looks like I lack a Moogle's touch."
The Victorian Moogle beamed. "We are the best craftsmanship in Traverse Town, kupo!"
Helios took both items, placing them into a black velvet case and closing it with a quiet click. "You've outdone yourselves again."
The Moogles fluttered in delight. "We do what we can, kupo! Will you be needing delivery?"
"No," he said. "I'll deliver them myself."
He turned toward the exit. "Keep the Forge on standby, and remember—no mention of the Twilight Heart to anyone."
As the door's seal disengaged, Kurai's voice followed him. "Two bracelets. I assume you're not planning to keep them."
Helios smiled faintly. "You assume correctly."
She stepped beside him, tone dripping cold amusement. "Gifts, then? For the girls who patched you up? How touching."
He looked over his shoulder. "Jealous, Kurai?"
"Of them?" she said, scoffing. "They still think hearts are noble things. I know better."
Helios chuckled softly as they stepped into the lamp-lit street. "Then you'll forgive me for indulging sentimentality. After all…"
He glanced toward the mist-drenched Third District in the distance.
"…gratitude is just another form of leverage."
Kurai's eyes narrowed, but she said nothing. Her silence was colder than her voice ever could be.
The door shut behind them with a hydraulic hiss, leaving the Moogles staring after their retreating figures.
"Do you think they're lovers, kupo?" one whispered.
The Victorian Moogle sighed. "If they are, I'd hate to see their arguments."