The old man walked to a table and placed his strange sword on it. He observed Pepe's torn clothes and the blood seeping from the gash on his arm. He pointed to a chair, "Sit," he commanded. Then, he turned to Cassandra, "Bring me the toxin-curing gel for spiders' venom and bandages."
Cassandra complied. She placed the pistol on a nearby table and retrieved a small jar and a roll of clean bandages from a shelf.
Marcus grabbed Pepe's arm and inspected the wound. "Deep, but it'll heal," he commented and applied a cool, numbing gel to the cut.
Pepe flinched at the contact but relaxed as the pain subsided. "Old man, your sword... I saw it command the lightning. How can it do that," he questioned in curiosity.
Marcus raised an eyebrow at being called an old man, but he dismissed it. "It's an elemental weapon. One of my creations," he clarified and glanced at the sword on the table. He finished applying the gel and wrapped Pepe's arm with the bandage. "That one can manipulate and channel lightning. They're dangerous in the wrong hands. That's why I don't let just anyone touch them," he explained and glared at Cassandra.
Cassandra looked down, and a flicker of guilt crossed her face. "I'm sorry, master. I just wanted to join The Guild," she apologized.
"I know, my dear, but you still have much to learn about control," Old Man Marcus replied. His expression softened as he looked at her. He finished tying the bandage. "There. That should do it," he declared and turned back to Pepe. "Now, what is a boy like you doing fighting a giant spider all by himself in the Dark Depths? The Guild is gone. You're not a member, are you?"
Pepe shook his head. "No, I'm not. I'm... I'm the new protector of the forest now. I have to keep everyone safe, but I lost my way in the depths. Luckily, I found my target," he proclaimed with purpose. He thought of the two hunters and the child who had died. "I failed today. I couldn't even scratch that thing," he remarked with disappointment.
"A protector," Old Man Marcus repeated. He looked Pepe up and down, and a thoughtful expression formed on his face. "You're brave, I'll give you that, kid. But bravery alone won't save you from the monsters in the depths. You need skill. You need discipline," he emphasized. He sighed and stood up. "I'll be right back. Cassandra, warm up the place for him," he motioned.
Cassandra nodded. "Follow me, Pepe," she urged.
After a while, Pepe sat by the forge. His arm throbbed dully, but the gel had numbed the worst of the pain.
The warmth of the embers felt comforting against his chill from the rain.
Cassandra stood nearby and glanced at him. "Do you really think you can protect everyone," she asked.
Pepe looked ahead and nodded. "I have to try," he responded.
An oversized jacket suddenly fell onto his shoulders. The leather was heavy and smelled of smoke and metal.
"You'll catch a cold. Put it on. It will help keep you warm," Cassandra suggested.
Pepe grabbed the jacket and put it on. "Thank you," he muttered.
Cassandra sat next to him and fiddled with her strange pistol. "I wanted to join The Guild. I heard they were heroes," she confessed.
Pepe looked at her. "You can still be a hero. You helped everyone during the Jumbopede attack," he reminded.
Cassandra sighed and lowered her head. She raised her head and aimed her pistol at the forge's weak fire. She pressed the trigger. "I want to do more. My master is very protective of his creations, but he doesn't understand. I need to use them to help others."
A small, concentrated ball of fire shot from the pistol. It struck the forge and intensified the flames.
"Wow! The thing is so cool," Pepe commented and watched in amazement.
Cassandra lowered the pistol and smiled. "It's an elemental pistol, one of master's creations. It can channel and shoot fire," she explained. She turned to Pepe and apologized, "I'm sorry for aiming it at you earlier."
Pepe waved it off. "It's okay. I would have done the same thing," he replied. He looked at the pistol with a new level of respect. "I wish I had something like that. How did you learn to wield it," he sought to know.
"My master trained me. He's my uncle," Cassandra revealed.
Pepe raised a brow and inquired, "What about your parents?"
"My mom... She passed away. I came to live with my master after that. He's the only family I have left," Cassandra divulged with a solemn face.
Pepe's eyes widened in surprise. "I'm sorry to hear that. I'm sure your parents would be proud at how strong you've grown," he sympathized.
Cassandra did not answer. She sadly looked at her gun and expressed, "My father is still alive, but I ran away from home. He doesn't care about me. I'm just a burden to him." She looked at Pepe with a determined expression. "But I won't let that stop me. I will become a great hero, just like him," she promised and gestured to Old Man Marcus.
In the meantime, Old Man Marcus grabbed a bowl from a rack. His stern expression had faded to a comforting look.
Pepe looked at Cassandra, and he felt a connection. He had also lost his father, his own hero, and he knew what it was like to feel alone. "I understand," he replied, and he paused with a slight certainty. "But I'll be the hero of The Sacred Forest, Cassandra," he challenged.
Cassandra looked at him, and a small smile formed on her face. "Alright, Pepe, but I won't let you surpass me so easily," she responded with a smirk.
Just then, Old Man Marcus returned with a bowl of hot soup. "Here. Eat this, kid. It'll help you regain your strength," he instructed and handed the bowl to Pepe. He also handed a map to navigate back home in the morning.
Pepe's eyes glimmered in excitement, and he took a sip. He had not eaten since the morning, and he was starving. "Thank you, Old Man Marcus," he mumbled with a mouthful.
Old Man Marcus grunted and sat down. "Don't mention it," he responded and patted his niece's head. "You don't have to keep everything to yourself. Are you alright," he questioned knowingly.
Cassandra nodded. "I'm alright, master. I've already told you everything," she confirmed.
Old Man Marcus understood with a nod.
"My family abandoned me. It's not fair," Cassandra declared and shot her gun at the forge's fire.
It exploded into a large flame.
"But it won't stop me. I'll become stronger. My parents will have no choice but to recognize me for who I am. My dream is to become a great warrior. A hero for all," Cassandra proclaimed.
Instantly, Pepe smiled and clapped in awe.
Cassandra, stunned, glanced back at him.
"I believe in you. Work hard," Pepe, amazed by her ambition and resolve, encouraged.
"Mind your own business," Cassandra, embarrassed, urged with a slight frown. She lowered her gun and became flustered.
Old Man Marcus smirked and stroked her head in approval.
Pepe finished his soup in a few gulps and weakly tugged on Old Man Marcus' clothes. "Old Man Marcus, can I be your second apprentice," he requested with a pleading look.
"Do you want to learn how to fight from me," Old Man Marcus inquired.
"I do. Cassandra told me you've trained her," Pepe affirmed and stood up with conviction.
Old Man Marcus looked at his first apprentice, Cassandra, and thought about her having a rivalry. It would be good for her to get to know someone her age. "If you can pass a trial, then, I will take you in as my second apprentice. I'll give you an elemental weapon under one condition, as well. They are only to be used to protect," he insisted.
"I accept. Wait, can you train my brothers, too," Pepe excitedly sought to know. He continued in a stutter, "And... I'm still hungry. Is there more of that delicious soup?" His eyes darted past Old Man Marcus, and his stomach rumbled.
Cassandra stared at Pepe in wonder and confusion.
Old Man Marcus chuckled and handed Pepe a second bowl. "Eat up, kid. Your trial starts at sunrise," he declared with an amused smirk.
What was Pepe's trial? Did he succeed? If so, what kind of weapon did he receive? What are the elemental weapons? Will Old Man Marcus even be willing to take in more apprentices?