Cling... Cling... Cling... fzzzzzzzshhshsh....

  "Hmmm, this looks right. We might have done it this time...."

  "Hmmm, Tomi, you've said that so many times by now. What has it been, three years, five years? I've lost track of time helping you with forging my sword. I would never have guessed it would take this long," Era said with a sigh in her voice.

  "To make the right weapon for you, Era, it takes time. And with all these special materials, it takes time to refine them too," Tomi smiled. "But now I really think we've made a sword that can handle your skills and strengths."

  "Hmmm, Tomi, I hope you're right. This is getting boring," Era remarked.

  "Don't say that, my dear Era. You told me you are a wanderer, so you've got nothing but time," Tomi said, teasing. "How old are you anyway?"

  "Who knows, I lost count at some point," Era answered in a gloomy voice.

  "I see. Then let's go to the forest and test this sword," Tomi said happily, a wide grin on her face.

  Tomi handed over the sword to Era, the metal gleaming under the workshop's dim light. "This time, Era, it is a single-edge bde. It should be more durable like this. You might need to train with it and learn a new way to use it since it's not like the double-edge bde you used before."

  Era examined the sword closely, noting the craftsmanship. "I can see that, and it should be no problem. I've used something simir before," she said with a smile. She stepped back, giving herself room to swing the newly forged bde. The sword cut through the air with a satisfying whoosh. "Nothing else to do then but go to the forest in the mountains and hunt some monsters. Are you going to join me again, or are you too tired?"

  Tomi chuckled, shaking her head. "I would never miss it. I would love to see this bde in action, and with your skills, it should be a trip worth not to miss. Just let me finish the touch-up on the bde, and we can go first thing tomorrow."

  Era handed the sword back to Tomi, appreciating the weight and bance of the weapon. "Yes, you're right. We'll go tomorrow. It's getting te anyway. Don't want to walk back from the mountain in darkness."

  The two women shared a moment of mutual respect and excitement, the promise of the next day's adventure hanging in the air. The forge's warmth started to fade as Tomi carefully inspected the bde one st time, ensuring it was perfect for whatever challenges y ahead.

  The next day, the dwarven bcksmith and the human wanderer began their journey to the mountain. As they walked, the morning air was filled with the songs of birds, and the closer they got to the mountain, the more animals they could see. Squirrels darted through the trees, and deer grazed in the distance.

  As they progressed, they had a few small encounters with wolves. The wolves hurriedly ran away when Era unleashed her presence on them, her aura intimidating them into retreat.

  "Hmmm," Era frowned. "These creatures are too weak. We need to find a bearwolf or a direwolf at least for me to get a true test run."

  Tomi nodded, then spoke, "Well, we are only at the beginning of the forest, at the edge of the mountain roots. But I'm kind of wary about seeing wolves down here so early. There might be bigger prey further up the mountain."

  Era's eyes sparkled with anticipation. "Let's hope so. I didn't come all this way for an easy hunt."

  The two continued their ascent, the terrain becoming rougher and the forest denser. They moved with purpose, Tomi's eyes scanning the surroundings for any signs of more formidable creatures. As they climbed higher, the air grew cooler and the sounds of wildlife more varied, suggesting they were approaching the habitats of rger, more dangerous beasts.

  The promise of a true challenge y ahead, and both Tomi and Era felt a surge of excitement and determination, ready to put the new bde to the ultimate test.

  "Rawarararrrr" ... "Owooooooo"

  "Oh, listen to that!" Era excimed excitedly. "Sounds like there's a territory battle going on. Let's go check it out!"

  Tomi's face grew a little paler as she nodded. "Okay, as long as you can protect me too. This sounds like a bearwolf and a direwolf fighting."

  "Don't worry, Tomi. I've got your back. Just stay behind me near a tree." As the duo walked closer to the sounds of battle, they could see a giant bear-like wolf cshing with an equally massive wolf.

  "Wait a minute," Tomi excimed. "That is not a normal direwolf. It's some sort of mutated one."

  Era, observing the wolf with her keen eyes, frowned. "Hmm, it looks familiar, but then again, it's not him."

  "Not who?" Tomi asked.

  Era's gaze remained fixed on the mutant wolf. "I once met a wolf even bigger than these two beasts in front of us, but it's not him."

  As they watched, the bearwolf and the mutated direwolf snarled and lunged at each other with ferocious intensity. The ground shook with their movements, and the air was filled with the sounds of their battle. Era tightened her grip on her new sword, ready to intervene if necessary.

  "Stay alert, Tomi. This could get dangerous," Era warned.

  Tomi nodded, eyes wide but determined. "I'm ready. Let's see what this bde can really do."

  With that, the two prepared themselves for the inevitable csh. As the two beasts kept fighting, Era spotted a small puppy hiding nearby. Before Era could say anything, the mutated wolf fell down, lying ft on the ground, and the bearwolf now locked eyes with the pup, ready to strike it down.

  "Nooooooo!" Era yelled, drawing her bde. "I'm your new opponent!" With that said, Era rushed ahead straight at the bearwolf.

  The bearwolf, momentarily distracted from the puppy, turned its massive head towards Era, its eyes bzing with fury. Era's heart pounded in her chest, but her focus was unwavering. She tightened her grip on her new single-edge bde, feeling the bance and strength that Tomi had promised.

  With a powerful leap, Era closed the distance between her and the bearwolf. She swung her sword with precision, aiming for the beast's shoulder to disable its powerful front limbs. The bde sliced through the air, and with a resounding impact, it cut into the bearwolf's thick fur and muscle. The beast roared in pain and anger, rearing back on its hind legs.

  Tomi watched from behind a tree, her hands clenched in anticipation. "Be careful, Era!" she called out, though she knew the wanderer needed no reminder of the dangers.

  Era dodged a swipe from the bearwolf's massive cws, rolling to the side and coming up ready for her next strike. She moved with agility and purpose, her new sword a seamless extension of her arm. The bearwolf lunged at her, but Era was ready. She sidestepped and delivered a swift ssh to its other front leg, causing the beast to stagger.

  The puppy, sensing a moment of safety, scurried away to a safer distance, watching the battle with wide, frightened eyes.

  "Good job, Era!" Tomi shouted, her confidence in her friend's abilities growing. "Keep it up!"

  Era, undeterred and fiercely determined, continued her assault. She aimed for the bearwolf's vital points, each strike weakening the creature further. With one final, powerful swing, she delivered a blow to the bearwolf's neck, bringing the beast crashing down to the forest floor.

  Breathing heavily but victorious, Era stood over the fallen bearwolf, her sword gleaming with the creature's blood. She gnced back at Tomi, who was emerging from her hiding spot, a look of relief and pride on her face.

  "Are you okay?" Tomi asked, her voice filled with concern.

  Era nodded, wiping sweat from her brow. "I'm fine. And the puppy?"

  Tomi pointed to the small creature, now cautiously approaching its dying mother. The pup nuzzled at its mother's snout and licked her, then howled out a sad cry.

  Era approached them slowly and spoke softly, "Your mother protected you well, little one. It is her time to leave this pce." She kneeled down, slowly reaching out toward the little puppy. "Don't be scared, little one," she continued in a gentle voice. "You don't need to be alone. You can come with me and Tomi."

  The puppy looked warily at Era, then back at her now dead mother, and finally back to Era. It moved slowly toward her outstretched hand. When it reached Era's hand, it started nuzzling it, seeking comfort.

  "That's it, little one," Era whispered, gently stroking the pup. "We'll take care of you."

  Tomi watched the interaction, her heart aching for the little pup but also feeling hopeful. "We'll make sure she's safe, Era," she said quietly, kneeling beside them.

  "Look, Tomi, she is a smart pup. Have you seen her race before?" Era asked, her eyes shining with excitement as she watched the little pup sniffing around curiously.

  "No, I haven't. It's a new mutated species of the direwolf, I think. You should name its race since we are the first to see it, and if we tell the adventures guild about it, it will get recorded," Tomi replied, kneeling down to get a closer look at the pup. Its fur was a shimmering silver, almost glowing under the light, and its eyes held an intelligent gleam.

  Era pondered for a minute, gently stroking the pup's head. "Hmmm, little one, what to call your race?" She watched as the pup pyfully nipped at her fingers. "Your mother reminded me of an old friend, a giant wolf named Fenrir. So, in his honor, I'll name your race Fenrir, and I'll name you Lumi," she said, smiling as the pup responded with a soft yip.

  "By the way, Era, how do you know it's a she?" Tomi asked with a smile, raising an eyebrow.

  Era ughed, "It's just a feeling I have. But we can check if you really want to know." She teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Oh, and Tomi, when I leave for my travels, I'll leave this little pup behind to guard you. She will be a great help for you when I'm not around anymore," Era said, her tone turning more serious.

  Tomi nodded, reaching out to pet Lumi. "I appreciate that, Era. She'll be a great companion, I'm sure."

  Era stood up, looking down at Lumi with a fond expression. "Yes, she's special. I can feel it. Take good care of her, Tomi."

  "I will," Tomi promised, watching as Era's gaze turned distant, already thinking of her next adventure. "And I'll make sure to tell everyone about the Fenrir race."

  Era smiled, her heart swelling with pride. "Thank you, Tomi. That means a lot."

  ...

  "Hmmm, what a fun dream of the past," Era murmured to herself as she woke up. It had been three weeks since they arrived in Everwood, and now it was time for the trio to leave the capital and travel east to seek out the Sapling.