The TCA forge wing smelled of metal and ozone, same as always. Nathan walked the familiar corridor, the Pyre Wyrm's Heart Core warm in his Inventory. He could hear the rhythmic clang of Vex's hammer before he reached the door.
She was hunched over her workbench, Ember the Molten Sprite dancing around her shoulders. A half-finished blade cooled on the anvil. Sparks flew with every strike. She didn't look up.
"You again." Clang. "What is it this time?" Clang. "Another bow? Armor?" Clang. "A ring for your other finger? Matching earrings? A tiara?"
Nathan placed the Pyre Wyrm's Heart Core on her workbench.
The orange-gold glow filled the forge, washing out the blue-white of the mana-forges. Ember chirped and dove toward the core, circling it with obvious fascination. The rhythmic clang of Vex's hammer stopped.
She pushed up her goggles. Her red eyes fixed on the Heart Core. For a long moment, she just stared.
"Is that what I think it is." She whistled.
