《T R I : The Relam of Illusions》 The black smith Chapter 1: The Last Blacksmith** The village of Eldoria lay nestled at the edge of the northern forests, a place where whispers of ancient horrors still lingered in the air. It was here, amidst the clanging of metal and the glow of the forge, that Thorne Ironhand toiled tirelessly. His broad shoulders and calloused hands bore the marks of countless hours spent shaping steel, a testament to his unwavering dedication. A few centuries ago, the northern forests had unleashed a torrent of monsters upon the continent, a cataclysmic disaster that left entire civilizations in ruins. Thorne, then a mere child, had miraculously survived the onslaught. Orphaned and alone, he was taken in by a master blacksmith, a man whose skill with the hammer was matched only by his kindness. Under his master''s grace, Thorne learned the secrets of the forge, the art of transforming raw metal into weapons and tools of unparalleled quality. The forge became his sanctuary, a place where he could channel his grief and anger into something tangible. As the years passed, Thor''s skill grew, and he became known as Ironhand, a name that spoke of both his strength and his craft. Now, at 29 years old, with his master gone, Thor stood as the sole blacksmith of Eldoria. Many had fled the village, seeking safety in distant lands, but Thor remained. He stayed not out of obligation, but out of a deep-seated desire to protect the legacy his master had left behind. The forge was more than just a place of work; it was a symbol of resilience and hope, a beacon of light in a world still haunted by darkness. As Thor hammered away at a glowing piece of metal, shaping it into a fine blade, he couldn''t help but think of the past. The memories of his master''s teachings and the horrors of the monster invasion were etched into his mind, driving him to perfect his craft. Each strike of the hammer was a promise¡ªto himself, to his master, and to the village he called home. The door to the forge creaked open, and Thor looked up to see a young villager standing hesitantly at the entrance. "Master Ironhand," the boy began, his voice trembling, "we need your help. The monsters... they''re back they will be here in two days." Thor''s grip tightened around the hammer, his eyes narrowing with determination. "Tell the others to prepare," he said, his voice steady and resolute. "We must protect the village." With that, Thor Ironhand, the last blacksmith of Eldoria, returned to his work, knowing that the battle was far from over. But as long as he had his forge and his will, he would fight to protect what his master had left behind. Thor''s journey to becoming the last blacksmith of Eldoria had been fraught with challenges. As a young boy, he had been found wandering the outskirts of the village, his clothes tattered and his eyes filled with a haunted look. The villagers had taken pity on him, but it was the master blacksmith, Haldor, who saw potential in the boy. Haldor was a towering figure, with a beard as thick as the iron he worked with and a heart as warm as the forge''s fire. He took Thor under his wing, teaching him not just the craft of blacksmithing, but also the values of perseverance, honor, and resilience. Thor''s early days in the forge were filled with mistakes and frustrations, but Haldor''s patience never wavered.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. "Every strike of the hammer is a lesson," Haldor would say, his voice a deep rumble. "Every mistake is an opportunity to learn. Remember that, Thor." Thor did remember. He remembered the nights spent by the forge, the heat of the flames warming his face as he watched Haldor work. He remembered the feel of the hammer in his hand, the weight of it becoming more familiar with each passing day. He remembered the pride in Haldor''s eyes when he finally crafted his first perfect blade. But most of all, Thor remembered the day the monsters came. It had been a day like any other, the sun shining brightly in the sky, the village bustling with activity. Then, without warning, the northern forests erupted with a horde of monstrous creatures, their roars echoing through the air. The village was thrown into chaos, and Thor found himself fighting for his life. Haldor had fought bravely, wielding his hammer with the skill of a seasoned warrior. But even he could not withstand the onslaught. In his final moments, he had entrusted Thor with the forge, his dying words a plea for Thor to carry on his legacy. "Protect the forge, Thor," Haldor had whispered, his voice weak but resolute. "Protect our home." Thor had vowed to do just that. And so, he stayed in Eldoria, even as others fled. He became the village''s protector, using his skills to craft weapons and tools that would help defend against future attacks. The forge became a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest of times, there was still light to be found. --- During his apprenticeship, Thor often accompanied Haldor to the nearby mines to gather raw materials. On one such trip, Thor stumbled upon a strange artifact found by mistakenly . It was an amulet, its surface covered in intricate runes and looked like iron with with little gold on surface . Thor felt an inexplicable connection to the amulet and decided to keep it, wearing it around his neck as a reminder of the mysteries that lay hidden in the world. The amulet became a constant companion, its presence a source of comfort and strength. --- The news of the monsters'' return spread quickly through the village. Panic set in, but Thor remained calm. He had faced these creatures before, and he knew what needed to be done. He gathered the villagers, organizing them into groups to fortify the village''s defenses. The time has come again to protect the village and home where he belonged to¡­ "We''ve faced this before," Thor said, his voice carrying a tone of authority. "We survived then, and we will survive now. Trust in each other, and trust in the weapons I''ve crafted. We will protect our home and family." The villagers looked to Thor with a mixture of fear and hope. They had seen what he was capable of, and they believed in his strength. Under his guidance, they worked tirelessly, reinforcing the village walls, setting traps, and preparing for the inevitable battle. As night fell, the village was shrouded in an eerie silence. The only sound was the distant howling of the monsters, a reminder of the danger that lurked just beyond the forest. Thor stood at the entrance to the village, his hammer in hand, ready to face whatever came his way. The first wave of monsters emerged from the forest, their eyes glowing with a malevolent light. Thor''s heart pounded in his chest, but he stood his ground. With a mighty swing of his hammer, he struck the first creature, sending it crashing to the ground. The battle had begun. The villagers fought bravely, using the weapons Thor had crafted to fend off the monsters. The air was filled with the sounds of clashing metal and the roars of the creatures. Thor moved through the battlefield with precision, his hammer a blur as he struck down one monster after another. Hours passed, and the battle raged on. The villagers were exhausted, but they refused to give up. They drew strength from Thor''s unwavering determination, fighting with everything they had. Finally, as the first light of dawn broke through the darkness, the last of the monsters was defeated. The village was left in ruins, but they had survived. Thor stood amidst the wreckage, his body aching from the battle, but his spirit unbroken. He had protected his home, just as he had promised. --- As the villagers began to clear the battlefield, Thor felt a sharp pain in his leg. Looking down, he saw a cluster of small, venomous spiders crawling over his boot. He tried to shake them off, but it was too late. The spiders had already sunk their fangs into his flesh, injecting their poison. Thor stumbled, his vision blurring as the venom coursed through his veins. He tried to call out for help, but his voice was weak. The last thing he saw before darkness overtook him was the concerned faces of the villagers, rushing to his aid , slowly his lifeless body fell in between monsters corpses . The amulet he wore as good luck charm started to glow and it would even blind onlookers and The T horne ironhand soul was sucked into the artifact he wore ¡­¡­. . The modern man The city was eerily quiet, a stark contrast to the bustling metropolis it had once been. Alex Carter navigated the deserted streets, his senses on high alert. The sun was setting, casting long shadows that danced ominously across the crumbling buildings. He tightened his grip on the baseball bat in his hand, the only weapon he had managed to find in the chaos that had erupted just days before. Alex had always been an ordinary man, living an ordinary life. He worked a nine-to-five job at a local bookstore, had a small apartment in the heart of the city, and spent his weekends watching movies or hanging out with friends. He was content with his routine, finding comfort in the predictability of his days. But all of that had changed when the first reports of the outbreak started coming in. At first, it was just a few isolated incidents, strange attacks that left the victims in a state of mindless aggression. The news channels reported on the bizarre occurrences with a mix of curiosity and concern, but no one could have predicted the scale of the disaster that was about to unfold. It didn''t take long for the virus to spread, turning the city into a nightmare. Alex had been at work when the first wave hit. The bookstore had been relatively quiet that day, with only a few customers browsing the shelves. The sudden sound of sirens and the distant screams had sent a chill down his spine. He had rushed to the window, his heart pounding as he watched people running in panic. The news on the radio confirmed his worst fears. The virus was spreading rapidly, and there was no known cure. The government had declared a state of emergency, urging people to stay indoors and avoid contact with the infected. Alex had quickly closed the store and made his way back to his apartment, his mind racing with thoughts of survival. -- In the days that followed, Alex had barricaded himself inside his apartment, hoping that the chaos would pass. He had gathered whatever supplies he could find, rationing his food and water carefully. The sounds of the city had changed, the once-familiar hum replaced by the distant moans of the undead and the occasional scream of a survivor. Alex had spent his days watching the news, trying to stay informed about the situation. But as the days turned into weeks, the broadcasts became less frequent, and the reality of the situation began to sink in. There was no going back to normal. The city was lost, and survival was the only option. Determined to find a way out, Alex had ventured out of his apartment, his baseball bat in hand. He had moved cautiously, avoiding the undead and searching for supplies. It was during one of these excursions that he had encountered a group of survivors who had taken refuge in an abandoned warehouse. The group had welcomed him at first, grateful for the extra pair of hands. Alex had done his best to contribute, helping to fortify the shelter and scavenge for supplies. But as time went on, tensions began to rise. Resources were scarce, and the group started to see Alex as a burden rather than an asset.The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. --- One evening, as the group gathered around a small fire, the leader, a stern man named Marcus, stood up and addressed the group. "We''ve got to make some tough decisions," he said, his voice heavy with the weight of responsibility. "We can''t afford to keep anyone who isn''t pulling their weight." Alex felt a knot form in his stomach as Marcus''s gaze settled on him. "Alex, you''ve done your best, but we need people who can contribute more. I''m sorry, but you have to leave." The words hit Alex like a punch to the gut. He had tried his best to help, but it hadn''t been enough. With a heavy heart, he gathered his belongings and left the shelter, the cold night air biting at his skin. He felt a mix of anger and despair, but he knew he had no choice but to keep moving. --- As he wandered the deserted streets, Alex''s mind raced with thoughts of survival. He needed to find food and water if he was going to make it through the night. He moved cautiously, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. The undead were slow, but they were relentless, and a single bite was enough to end it all. He spotted a small convenience store in the distance, its windows shattered and the door hanging ajar. It was worth checking out. He approached slowly, listening for any sounds from within. The store was dark, the shelves mostly empty, but he managed to find a few cans of food and a bottle of water. He stuffed them into his backpack, his heart pounding in his chest. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a noise from the back of the store. He froze, gripping his bat tightly. The sound of shuffling footsteps grew louder, and a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman, her clothes torn and bloodied, her eyes vacant and lifeless. She let out a low growl and lunged at him. Alex swung the bat with all his might, the impact sending the woman crashing to the floor. He didn''t wait to see if she would get back up. He turned and ran, his heart racing as he sprinted down the street. He needed to find a safe place to regroup and plan his next move. --- As he ran, Alex''s mind raced with thoughts of the glowing shard he had found in the rubble a few days earlier. It was unlike anything he had ever seen, its surface etched with unknown symbols that seemed to pulse with an inner light. He had tucked it away in his backpack, intending to study it further when he had the time. But now, with the city in ruins and the undead everywhere, he wondered if the shard held some hidden power that could help him survive. He reached an abandoned building and slipped inside, barricading the door behind him. He pulled out the shard, its light casting an eerie glow in the dim room. "What secrets do you hold?" he muttered to himself, turning the shard over in his hands. He felt a strange connection to the artifact, as if it were calling to him, urging him to unlock its mysteries. The sound of approaching footsteps pulled Alex from his reverie, and he quickly tucked the shard back into his backpack. He needed to stay focused if he was going to survive. With a deep breath, he prepared to face whatever challenges lay ahead. --- Alex couldn''t shake the feeling that he was being watched. The city was eerily quiet, the only sounds the distant moans of the undead and the occasional rustle of the wind. He moved cautiously, his senses on high alert. He spotted a small grocery store in the distance, its windows boarded up but the door slightly broken .It was worth checking out. He approached slowly, listening for any sounds from within. The store was dark, the shelves mostly empty, but he managed to find a few cans of food and a bottle of water. He stuffed them into his backpack, his heart pounding in his chest. Just as he was about to leave, he heard a noise from the back of the store. He froze, gripping his bat tightly. The sound of shuffling footsteps grew louder, and a group of zombies emerged from the shadows. Their eyes were vacant and lifeless, their movements slow but relentless. Alex swung the bat with all his might, the impact sending one of the zombies crashing to the floor. But there were too many of them. He fought valiantly, but the undead overwhelmed him, their cold, clammy hands grabbing at him from all sides. As he fell to the ground, the last thing he saw was the glowing shard in his backpack, its light casting an eerie glow in the dim room. The shard began to pulse with a golden light, emitting a strange noise that seemed to resonate through the air. Alex''s vision blurred, and he felt a strange sense of peace wash over him as the darkness closed in. --- The Mysterious Arrival of the 3rd The city was shrouded in darkness, the once-bustling streets now silent and desolate. Zara Voss moved through the shadows with the grace and precision of a predator, his striking green eyes scanning the area for any signs of danger. His raven-black hair was tied back, revealing a face marked by determination and a hint of weariness. Zara had arrived in the city under the cover of night, his arrival marked by a series of strange and unexplained events. Zara was a man of mystery, his past shrouded in secrets that he kept closely guarded. He was 60% cyborg and 40% human, a product of a world where technology and humanity had become inextricably linked. Zara hailed from the outer layer of the zones, a place known as the slums. It was a harsh and unforgiving environment, where dead bodies littered the streets and proper hygiene and sanitation were nonexistent. Zara¡¯s early life had been one of hardship and struggle. As a beggar in the slums, he had witnessed the worst of humanity. The stench of decay and the sight of death were daily occurrences, and survival was a constant battle. Zara had learned to fend for himself, relying on his wits and instincts to navigate the dangerous streets. It was in the slums that Zara¡¯s latent psychic abilities began to manifest. He discovered that he had the power to manipulate certain objects with his mind, but his abilities were limited and came with strict conditions. His psychic powers were unusable on living things, and he had to be in a state of extreme focus to harness them effectively. Zara¡¯s life took a dramatic turn when he was picked up by an assassination organization known as the Black Veil. The organization saw potential in Zara and took him in, training him to become a skilled assassin. Zara underwent rigorous training, honing his combat skills and learning to control his psychic abilities. When the Black Veil believed Zara had reached his limits, they began replacing parts of his body with cybernetics. His limbs were enhanced with advanced technology, giving him increased strength and agility. His eyes were augmented with cybernetic implants, allowing him to see in the dark and detect hidden threats. Zara became a formidable weapon, a blend of human and machine.Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. During one of his missions for the Black Veil, Zara stumbled upon a strange artifact. It was a shard, its surface etched with ancient symbols that seemed to pulse with an inner light. Zara felt an immediate connection to the shard, sensing that it held a power beyond his understanding. He took the shard with him, keeping it hidden from the rest of the organization. The shard became a source of fascination for Zara. The world Zara lived in was one of constant conflict. Nations waged wars against each other, starting with nuclear strikes that devastated entire regions. The country of Cleane had hired scientists to create super soldiers, but their experiments had gone horribly wrong. Instead of creating enhanced humans, they had unleashed a monstrous being known as the Chimera Lord. This creature led an army of chimeras and evolved species, wreaking havoc across the globe. In response, humanity had retreated to fortified safe zones, strongholds where chimeras could not enter. These zones were the last bastions of human civilization, but life within their walls was far from ideal. The inhumanity of the people inside often rivaled the horrors outside. Zara, like many others, was seen as a consumable resource, used and discarded by those in power. As Zara¡¯s power and influence within the Black Veil grew, so did the jealousy and resentment of his peers. One leader in particular, a man named Darius, saw Zara as a threat to his own position. Darius was a powerful psychic, capable of restricting the movements of others with his mind. He began to plot against Zara, seeking to eliminate him before he could become too powerful. Darius gathered a group of loyal followers, all of whom shared his jealousy and fear of Zara¡¯s growing power. Together, they devised a plan to ambush Zara and take him down once and for all. Zara¡¯s final assignment for the Black Veil had been a success. He had completed his mission with precision and efficiency, but as he made his way back to the safe zone, he was ambushed. Darius and his followers had been lying in wait, ready to strike. The ambush was swift and brutal. Darius used his psychic abilities to restrict Zara¡¯s movements, rendering him unable to fight back. The others attacked with lethal precision, their cybernetic enhancements giving them an edge in the battle. Despite his own enhancements and psychic abilities, Zara was overwhelmed. As he lay on the ground, mortally wounded, the shard in his pack began to glow. Its light pulsed with a golden hue, emitting a strange noise that seemed to resonate through the air. Zara¡¯s vision blurred, and he felt a strange sense of peace wash over him as the darkness closed in. In his final moments, Zara¡¯s mind was filled with thoughts of revenge. He closed his eyes, imagining the destruction of the entire organization and the cruel deaths of those who had betrayed him. The shard¡¯s glow intensified, as if responding to his anger and desire for vengeance. No one else saw the shard¡¯s glow or heard its strange noise. Zara¡¯s death went unnoticed by the world, just another casualty in a world torn apart by war and chaos. But the shard remained, its secrets waiti ng to be uncovered by those who would come after him. In the Relam Throne ironhand Thorne is on the battlefield, fighting valiantly to protect his village from an invading monsters. The monsters is overwhelming, and despite his strength and skill, the situation looks dire. Thorne sees a group of big poisonous spiders advancing towards a group of villagers trying to escape. He charges forward, using his blacksmith¡¯s hammer as a weapon, determined to protect them. He fights bravely, taking down several monsters, but is eventually surrounded. Despite his injuries, he continues to fight,till he kills the last standing monsters . As he takes a fatal blow, he sees the villagers reaching safety. With his last breath, he feels a sense of peace, knowing he has fulfilled his duty. The battlefield was silent, the clash of swords and cries of the wounded fading into the distance. Thorne Ironhand lay on the ground, his body broken and bloodied. The last thing he saw before darkness claimed him was the glowing shard in his hand, its light pulsing with an otherworldly energy. ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Alex Carter Alex is in the midst of the zombie apocalypse, trying to protect a small group of survivors taken him under their wing. They are holed up in an abandoned building, but the undead are closing in. The group is running low on supplies, and Alex kicked to venture on his own out to find food and water. He knows the risks but is determined to keep the others safe. As he searches the city, he encounters a horde of zombies. He fights them off as best as he can, using his wits and agility to stay ahead. In a desperate attempt to lead the zombies away from the survivors, he lures them into a trap. However, he is bitten in the process and knows his time is limited. . Alex closes his eyes how the world was cruel to him¡­..If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. In a different world, Alex Carter took his final breath, the bite of the undead searing through his veins. He clutched the shard he had found, its glow a beacon in the darkness of the apocalypse. As his vision blurred, he felt a strange sense of peace ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª Zara Voss Zara is on a high-stakes mission to take down a powerful figure who is threatening the balance of power in her futuristic world. She is deep within enemy territory, relying on her skills and enhancements to stay hidden. Zara infiltrates the enemy¡¯s stronghold, using her psychic abilities and cybernetic enhancements to bypass security and eliminate guards. She finishes her target, but it turns out to be a trap. The enemy has anticipated her move and has set up an ambush. Despite her best efforts, Zara is outnumbered and outgunned. She fights fiercely, taking down many of her attackers, but is eventually overwhelmed. As she lies wounded, she uses her last moments to screaming to heavens inwardly , A vouch of revenge cruel than monsters ¡­. Zara Voss, deep within ambushed territory, fought valiantly against overwhelming odds. Her cybernetic enhancements flickered as she took her final stand. The shard in her pocket glowed brightly, its light the last thing she saw before everything went black ¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ª The Soul Realm All of a sudden, they opened their eyes in an unknown place. Alex looked down at his body, which was bright but also transparent, like a soul. His light dimmed as he heard a sound, familiar yet distant. He tried to move but found himself unable to. When he thought about moving, his soul drifted towards the sound. He found himself in the center of a vast, ethereal realm, where two other figures stood. Thorne and Zara, their forms also glowing and transparent, looked around in confusion. Despite the differences in their worlds, they could understand each other perfectly. ¡°Who are you?¡± Alex asked, his voice echoing in the void. ¡°I am Thorne Ironhand,¡± the blacksmith replied, his voice filled with strength and honor. ¡°And you?¡± ¡°Alex Carter,¡± he said, nodding. ¡°And you?¡± he asked, turning to the third figure. ¡°Zara Voss,¡± he replied, hidvoice calm and composed. ¡°It seems we are all connected by this place.¡± As they introduced themselves, they noticed a strange, otherworldly object in the center of the realm¡ªa pentatope, its geometric form glowing with a radiant light. Drawn to it, they moved closer, their souls guided by an unseen force. When Alex greeted Thorne and their hands touched, a flood of memories surged through them. They saw each other¡¯s lives, the good and the bad, the triumphs and the sorrows. It was as if they had lived each other¡¯s experiences firsthand. The three of them held hands in unison, and their memories continued to pour out, intertwining and merging. They felt a deep connection, a bond that transcended their individual lives. After several minutes, they looked at the pentatope, which had begun to spin and rise into the air. It divided into three doorways, each showing a glimpse of their respective worlds. ¡°If fate gives us a chance,¡± Thorne said, ¡°we will meet again.¡± They each stepped towards their own doorway, their souls returning to their bodies. The artifacts shard they had held began to melt like water, absorbing into their chests and forming a tattoo of a Sierpinski triangle. Back in their worlds, their bodies began to convulse and change. Thorne¡¯s body glowed with magical power, Alex¡¯s with biological energy, and Zara¡¯s with psychic force. Golden light emanated from them as they opened their eyes, reborn and transformed. Thorne . Alex''s . Zara¡¯s there bodies changed by their resurrection and they were stronger than previously and sharper than usual They each thanked fate for giving them a second chance, unaware that they were on a journey so epic the stories will spread throughout the land .