Nearby dwarves paused in their work, curiosity rippling through the forge like a shifting wind. Hammers stilled. Sparks died mid?flight. Eyes turned toward Tim, some intrigued, some suspicious, all drawn by the strange human wrapped in living metal.

  Thazil leaned back, grin never faltering.

  “Don’t worry, lad. Ye’re welcome here.”

  His gaze drifted to the X?O frame, amusement fading into fascination.

  “This X?O frame, ye called it? A marvel, that. A blendin’ o’ worlds. We’ll find out what makes yer armor tick. And together, we’ll make sure it’s ready for the battles ahead.”

  Elor stepped closer, his tone carrying the weight of truth and prophecy.

  “This human,” he began, glancing at Tim, “was found wandering our lands with no recollection of how he arrived. He claims to hail from a place called Earth, a realm beyond our own, where the very fabric of reality differs.”

  He swirled his ale, the amber liquid catching the forge?light.

  “Despite his bewilderment, he has proven an adept pupil, mastering the elvish blade as if born to it.”

  His voice softened, touched with quiet awe.

  “Yet his true potential lies within this armor. We believe it is not merely a gift, but a key, a vital piece in Morefell’s battle against the demon lord.”

  He gestured to the X?O frame, its nano?structure shimmering under the candlelight.

  “He was summoned from another world. To fight. To protect. To win.”

  Thazil’s brows knitted, his expression darkening with thought.

  “Ah, summoned, ye say?”

  He stroked his beard, taking a contemplative sip.

  “A human clad in Moradin’s own craft… well, if that ain’t a tale as tall as these mountains.”

  He exhaled slowly, fingers tracing circles on his mug.

  “But I’ve heard whispers. They say Moradin chose fifty heroes from this ‘Earth’ to fight beside us.”

  His eyes swept over Tim, measuring him anew.

  “Aye, I’ve heard o’ them. Some wield swords o’ light. Some staffs. Even bows forged from pure energy and flame.”

  A grin tugged at his lips.

  “And now ye bring one to my doorstep.”

  He leaned forward, curiosity sharpening his voice.

  “Show it to me, boy.”

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  With Elor’s nod, Tim reached for the cylinder at his side. The weight was familiar, comforting. His thumb brushed the rune, ancient, pulsing faintly beneath his skin.

  He pressed it.

  A hiss split the air.

  A blade of pure blue plasma erupted from the cylinder, bathing the chamber in cerulean fire.

  Thazil’s eyes widened, the glow reflected in their depths.

  Tim activated the shield on his left arm, a disc of shimmering energy unfurling like a living thing.

  “So far, I’ve learned of these,” Tim said, “and this scanner.”

  A blue screen flickered before his eyes, displaying environmental readouts.

  Thazil’s laughter died.

  His mug froze midair.

  The dwarf looked truly astonished.

  The plasma blade’s fierce glow carved sharp shadows across his face, making his beard bristle like a creature of its own.

  Slowly, reverently, he lowered his ale with a dull thunk.

  “Lad,” he murmured, voice heavy, “have ye tried the other runes?”

  It wasn’t a question.

  It was an invitation.

  The chamber seemed to shrink, the stone walls leaning in to listen.

  Dwarves held their breath.

  The plasma blade crackled softly, like a storm waiting to break.

  Tim deactivated the blade and shield. The cerulean light vanished, shadows retreating to their corners.

  “I was hoping to get more information,” he admitted, activating the scanner again.

  “But some runes don’t register. And a few…”

  He exhaled, meeting Thazil’s eyes.

  “They’re red. Back home, red means danger.”

  The words hung in the air like a warning bell.

  Thazil listened, silent and measured. His gaze never left the armor.

  “Aye,” he finally said, voice edged with ancient caution.

  “The crimson ones… those hold power even the gods might hesitate to wield.”

  He leaned back, beard brushing carved stone.

  “But fear not, lad. We’ll uncover the secrets o’ yer frame, one step at a time.”

  He gestured to the tomes and scrolls scattered across the table, eyes gleaming with the thrill of discovery.

  “Let’s start with the ones that don’t glow red.”

  The air crackled with anticipation.

  Tim exhaled, stepping back, fingertips brushing the runes on his gauntlets. They shimmered faintly, each one a promise of unknown power.

  “Alright,” he murmured.

  He pressed a blue rune.

  A soft vibration pulsed through him, then the ground fell away.

  Tim hovered a foot off the floor.

  Repulsers active. Jump distance set: 200 feet.

  his scanner confirmed.

  His heart pounded, exhilaration and fear tangling together.

  “It seems to allow me to jump long distances.”

  He deactivated the repulsers, landing lightly. The energy dispersed with a quiet hum.

  Elor watched him with a flicker of awe breaking through his composure.

  The forest had whispered of the X?O frame’s power, but witnessing it was something else entirely.

  “Thazil,” Elor said, urgency threading his voice, “your wisdom will be invaluable. Let us delve deeper. I believe this armor is the key to our survival.”

  Thazil slapped Tim’s shoulder with the force of a hammer strike.

  “Keep goin’, lad! Try another!”

  Tim steadied himself and pressed another rune.

  No patient to heal.

  “I guess that one’s for healing,” he said.

  Thazil nodded approvingly.

  “Aye. Useful.”

  Tim pressed a rune that pulsed like moonlight.

  Spatial Displacement: Return to previous coordinates - Whispering Forest Village.

  The world fractured.

  Light swallowed him whole.

  Colors twisted.

  The ground vanished.

  Reality snapped back.

  Tim stood in the middle of the elven village.

  The great trees whispered ancient secrets.

  Golden morning light filtered through emerald leaves.

  For a heartbeat, he swayed, unsure if he needed to vomit or collapse.

  He forced himself upright and waved casually to the stunned elves.

  Silence fell.

  Every elf stared, wide eyed.

  Elora’s breath caught upon seeing Tim literally wink into existence.

  Her basket of berries tumbled from her hands.

  “Timotei!”

  She sprinted toward him, the crowd parting like water.

  The forest itself seemed to whisper his name.

  Her embrace hit him like warmth after winter, grounding him, steadying him, pulling him back from the disorientation of the jump.

  “Amazing,” Tim breathed.

  “It’s like fast travel.”

  He looked down her, smirking.

  “Hello, Elora. Did you miss me.” The elves around them murmured in amazement, their whispers threading through the air, their eyes flickering with curiosity and amazement.