(The Backyard Of Soron’s Castle, Supreme Master Argo’s POV)
The process of firing up a soul forge was truly unique and difficult, however, Argo’s subordinates were thankfully all trained in how to do so.
As unlike a normal forge, the Soul Forge was not a physical device that one simply switched on with heat, coal, or mana, but a ritual construct that needed to be awakened through layered inscriptions, spiritual alignment, and emotional anchoring.
The base required to form a soul forge needed to be about thirty meters wide, and hence that was where the process began.
Each apprentice knelt on the ground with a chisel of condensed mana, dragging the glowing tip slowly across the soil as the first ring of runes took form, while Argo supervised every stroke with the vigilance of a man who understood that a single mistake could cause the entire ritual to collapse and swallow them whole.
The outermost ring was a script of stability, etched in spiraling patterns that locked the physical world in place so that the forge would not accidentally bleed into the land around them.
While inside it came the second ring, carved with symbols that guided consciousness, allowing the forge to pull the blacksmith and his helpers into the in-between world where soul and matter existed freely.
The third ring was the seal of emotional resonance, linking every participant’s heart to the forge flame so the Soul Forge could draw from their will, their conviction, their memories, and even their fears.
"Keep your focus high, and arms steady, make no mistakes here."
Argo instructed, as the apprentices continued with their glyphwork for the next hour, until they finally constructed the desired engraving.
*FWOOM*
The engraved circles shone, first softly, then with increasing brilliance, as though a sleeping beast beneath the soil were waking up and stretching its limbs after centuries of slumber.
At the center of the runic formation stood the actual Soul Forge, a furnace that looked nothing like a traditional blacksmithing device.
It resembled a square anvil made entirely of black stone, its surface carved with layered murals of faces in agony, faces in triumph and faces frozen in serenity, which were all woven together in a symphony of raw emotion.
*Thrum*
The structure vibrated, as although it had no chimney, nor a visible fuel source, a faint smoke began to rise from its edges, which escaped straight towards the sky above.
*Step*
*Step*
Argo approached it slowly, placing his palm on the front panel as his apprentices gathered behind him in tense silence.
"Synchronize your breathing," Argo instructed, his voice low and firm, as his apprentices obeyed instantly.
They all took their places around the forge, some holding tongs, some holding shaping tools, as they steadied themselves for the task ahead.
"Prepare yourselves. Once we begin, the forge will pull on everything inside you. Your strength. Your fear. Your joy. Your regrets. Do not let your mind wander off the project or the forge will try to turn your own thoughts against you."
He warned, as the apprentices nodded, looking pale yet determined.
"It is time..."
"Activate the sequence."
He guided, as the apprentices placed their palms on the corresponding runes of their assigned ring.
*HMMMM*
A deep vibration rolled across the entire courtyard, the air thickening as the world dimmed by a single shade, while the runic circles ignited in unison.
*WHOOSH*
Light surged through the glyphs like water rushing through channels, before converging into a stream of spiritual energy that flooded straight into the forge.
*TRRR–*
A faint ringing filled the air, something not quite a bell and not quite a whisper, but something in between, that sounded eerie and ancient.
*Tremble*
The ground shook as a column of pale-white flame erupted from the forge’s mouth, spiraling upward like a pillar woven from memory and light.
The temperature did not rise. The wind did not stir. But every heart present felt the pressure.
Because what the soul forge emitted was not heat, but essence.
"The forge will tug on your emotions now," Argo murmured.
"Brace yourselves."
He warned, as the flames bent inward, swallowing the forge, before sweeping outward in a violent burst that washed everyone in a thin veil of shimmering light.
*GLOW*
The instant it touched their skin, the world around them shifted.
The castle in the background faded. The blue sky dimmed into a vast, hollow void, while the surrounding walls around them dissolved into a drifting silver mist.
"The Soulspace..." one apprentice whispered, awe shaking his voice as Argo nodded grimly.
Somehow, ground still existed beneath their feet, yet nothing felt physical anymore, as they stepped into the realm in-between.
"From this point onward, remember this. Every action in this world will demand a fragment of your soul. If you lose focus, if you lose conviction, the forge will seize more than you offer, and you will start to age rapidly..."
He warned, as the moment he finished his warning, the Soul Forge finally entered it’s final stage of activation, as it separated into two separate images—
One the physical anvil like structure, and another the white soul flame, which overlapped over one another, to create a truly unique work station.
*Crackle*
*Wobble*
The soul flame moved, as Argo gripped his forging hammer tightly.
In the physical world, it remained a plain tool.
But in the mirror image it projected inside the soulspace, it transformed into a luminous titan of a weapon that looked like a divine tool.
*Raise*
He raised both hammers—physical and spiritual—together, before then...
*SLAM*
Hammering them down, as his real hammer hit the base of the black anvil, while his soul hammer hit the projection of the origin metal within.
*CLANG*
For a heartbeat, nothing happened.
Then the impossible occurred—
as a tiny ripple ran through the Origin Metal.
"It reacted..." an apprentice gasped.
"It actually moved!" another whispered, voice trembling with joy, as they arrived at the conclusion that this method was effective in working with the metal.
However, Argo himself did not celebrate.
This small change was not enough for him to feel happy, as he struck the metal again.
*CLANG*
*BOOOOM*
Another ripple moved through its surface. And once again, another microscopic bend formed at its edges.
"By the heavens! It happened again! The metal reacted again!"
"We can do this! Together, we can forge it into the Lord’s desired blade!"
The apprentices cheered, as Argo fully locked in on the actual craftsmanship, now that he knew that achieving the desired result was not impossible.