For a moment, nothing happened.
Everyone thought the great engraved door would remain sealed… until a mechanical rumble echoed through the hall. Ancient magical seals shattered with a thunderous crack, and the massive gates slowly opened.
Inside? No blinding light, no suffocating darkness. Just a bare, silent chamber, at the center of which stood a pedestal carved with fiery runes.
And planted within it: a sword.
Alex stepped forward, irresistibly drawn to the weapon.
It was a black blade, wider than a katana, etched with glowing red runes that shimmered like embers. The guard, shaped into a dragon's head, bit into the base of the blade. Beautiful, but not just for show—Alex could feel its danger, its perfect sharpness, and the burning energy within.
— A… dragon sword? he thought, already convinced the weapon had a name.
When his hand touched the hilt, a wave surged through him. The hall vanished from his mind, replaced by an inner space—a mental sanctuary where the same sword awaited him.
— It's inside me…!? Alex thought, stunned.
In an instant, the blade vanished from his grip. Focusing again, he managed to summon it back.
— I've… got some kind of mental storage? Like an inventory? That's so cool!
Everyone stared at him, mouths agape.
"Incredible, Alex! You wanted a magical weapon, and now you've got one forged by Ornna herself!" cried Nouna.
Willa roared joyfully in celebration.
Bruma clapped her hands alongside Little-White, the poro.
But Ornna's deep voice cut through the cheers:
"I didn't forge it. This sword belonged to someone else." Her gaze weighed heavily on Alex.
Then, softer: "I only inscribed fire runes into it. But… it was always yours."
Alex swallowed hard. "I… I have nothing to give in return."
"Yes, you do," Ornna replied, handing him a tablet. "Bring me ingredients. Enough to brew a good beer. It's been far too long."
Nouna, Willa, and Bruma immediately jumped at the chance:
"And us, Great Ornna?! Can we have something too?"
The demigoddess growled, but eventually relented.
"One thing each. Frojo will guide you."
The poro sighed, muttering a resigned "Poro po…" and gestured for the girls to follow.
Meanwhile, Alex was already testing his weapon. The blade ignited, releasing a burst of fire.
"You can charge it and release the flames," Ornna explained.
"These runes… they're magnificent, they radiate power," Alex complimented.
Ornna turned her head, but a rare smile tugged at her lips.
"You seem to know me?" Alex dared to ask.
She stepped closer, stroking his cheek. "You'll understand when you're older."
When the girls returned, each carried her chosen equipment:
Willa wore blue leather armor adorned with magic gems.
Nouna carried a white wooden staff crowned with a crystal of pure ice.
Bruma wore a simple lucky charm necklace—suggested by Frojo, who clearly still bore a grudge.
Once everyone had gathered at the entrance of the Hearth, Ornna produced a shovel—or perhaps a spear—and enlarged it along with herself.
"Get on it!!" she commanded firmly.
"What!? A shovel!?" Alex shouted in disbelief.
"It's a magic shovel. You won't fall. With it, you'll reach my sister's mountain in an instant."
"A flying shovel!? Oh my god!!!" Nouna squealed with excitement.
Bruma, however, paled. "Uh… a little dizzy… what if I join you later?"
Strange, given how easily she leapt great heights, but too late. Ornna didn't care—she grabbed Bruma with one hand and tossed her onto the shovel with the others.
"Alex! Don't forget the ingredients for beer!!!" Ornna shouted.
Then, with incredible ease, she hurled the giant shovel skyward at breakneck speed.
"OOOOOKKKKKkk…kk…k...k......…!!"
Alex's voice faded into the wind.
—
Well! Things are about to get hectic again… it's always like that with him. I should enjoy the calm while it lasts, thought Ornna.
—
"Woooow!!! This is awesome!! We're flying in the sky!!!" Nouna exclaimed, her eyes sparkling.
Willa roared in sheer joy, shaking the air.
Only Bruma clung tightly to Alex, clearly not fond of the shovel ride.
"Don't worry Bruma, Ornna's shovel has magic runes that bind us to her and shield us from the strong winds."
Alex stroked her arm as he leaned against her solid abs, his head resting between her massive breasts.
Looking down, an incredible sight unfolded:
endless snowy lands, frozen lakes, glittering ice spikes, and even a silver forest.
Flying creatures soared through the skies, while below, herds of colossal Behemoths grazed peacefully.
But the most breathtaking sight of all was the colossal mountain split in two, resembling a pair of multicolored wings.
"HANG ON!!!" Alex yelled, pointing forward.
"The excavator is heading straight for that platform in the ravine!! It's going to crash!!!"
They had no time to react.
BOOOOM!!!