The blacksmith shop in question was nestled between two alleyways. It was open, and even in the cold, smoke poured out of the chimney above, and an aura of warmth came off it.
The building itself looked more like a stable that had been repurposed, only having a few railings that held it up instead of walls, and there were scraps of iron lying around on the tables. There was an old oak desk inside, and a tall, buff man with a bushy red beard was propped on his desk, reading a book.
"Oh, I read that one!" Olivia's eyes sparkled when her eyes scanned the cover of the book. "I love how it ends with the main character tragically dying!"
The blacksmith took a deep breath and then closed his book, sliding it away. "Thanks for spoiling it." Olivia felt her smile fade, and the man let out a grunt. "Now, what the hell can I do for you two? I'm not in the mood to craft anything right now, so if you're here for anything, you best be on your way."
In the modern age, blacksmiths were very important since they crafted magical swords and guns for Arcane Knights and the military. It was a noble job, one Davi looked up to since his own father had been a blacksmith.
"Row Shadow Vault." The man flinched back as Davi activated his spell, but he calmed down when Davi casually dropped a box of fresh fish on his desk. The man opened the box and whistled, finding the food frozen and perfectly preserved. "I was told by a merchant in Gladiolus to bring this to you."
The angry look on the man's face faded and was replaced with a grin. "Ah, so that bastard's still kicking, huh? How is Farkiss?"
"I never got his name." Davi shrugged casually. "Said he didn't want to head out here. I know why now."
The man's smile vanished, and he winced. "Aye. It's a dangerous time in Daisy right now, with everything that's been happening. That beast has been showing up every week now, and it'll be due tonight."
"Have you seen it?" Davi asked, raising an eyebrow.
The man shook his head. "Only guys that have laid eyes on it are the town guards and a few folks whose homes it broke into. It's fast and slippery. It never stays for long, always showing up and snatching someone away before it leaves. It can get into any house and always takes one person away each night it shows up."
"That's horrible." Olivia clenched her hand into a fist. "Why are you guys putting up with it? I get you can't call for an Arcane Knight since phones and computers aren't working, but can't you guys leave the town and get out of range and contact one that way?"
The blacksmith made a bit of a face. "Right, you two don't know, do you?"
"Know what?" Davi folded his arms, suddenly feeling worried.
"We can't leave." The man said, shocking both Davi and Olivia. "It started the day that snake showed up. There's a magical barrier around the land. Folks can enter, but people can't get out. Once you've stepped past the barrier, you're stuck, unable to escape. The dungeon's field is also bigger than the barrier is wide, which is why we can't get any calls out. We can't escape even if we wanted to. We're like a trapped animal, forced to wait for the snake to arrive and gobble us up one by one."
Davi looked back at the town, watching several of the guards patrol the streets. "They must be running out of soldiers if it's attacked so much."
"Nah." The man smirked. "They're all fine. Those boys are tough. Managed to all survive going toe-to-toe with it every night. They're the reason it is only able to take one person at a time. Still, they still aren't Arcane Knights. Only so much they can do."
"None of them have died?"
"They get a bit banged up sometimes, but Garon can use his fire magic to heal them." The man chuckled. "He can do a lot for us, picking up so many skills, all to help us out. It's thanks to him and the other guards that we haven't lost all hope yet. Poor guy must be going through a lot, though. He lost his wife recently, and his daughter has fallen ill. Now he's become the protector of our town on top of everything else. I can't imagine the stress he's going through."
"So not only has every guard survived, the town itself is never attacked, yet this creature always manages to steal at least one person away." Davi rubbed his chin, deep in thought. "Olivia, can you stay here for a bit? I want to go check something out."
"Sure, but where are you going?" Olivia asked.
"To pay Garon a visit."
"What are you going to see him for?" The blacksmith asked, a bit suspicious.
Davi glanced back and gave a lazy, apathetic look that didn't build confidence. "An Arcane Knight has come to save you all."
Davi left the blacksmith's shop, leaving Olivia behind just in case. It was still the middle of the day, and there were several hours before the sun would set and night would emerge.
Daisy wasn't small, but it wasn't that big either. Most people were still going about their day as they normally would, despite everything that was happening. He got a few odd looks, as well as some nasty glances, mainly from the mages, but he managed to ignore most of them. Eventually, he found what he was looking for.
Garon, as it turns out, was a kind man. It didn't take long for Davi to spot him, and when he did, he was taken aback by what he saw.
Garon was seated outside the library, with dozens of kids in front of him, reading them a fantasy book about the legendary hero Haru, the first Arcane Knight, and the Knight who helped defeat all the elves. All the kids were captivated, and several of the parents waited patiently for it to end. Despite everything that happened, the people seemed to have faith and trust in Garon, the same way they would have faith and trust in an Arcane Knight.
Davi silently watched Garon read to the kids. He stood in the darkness of the alleyway and kept his blank expression. He studied and watched the man until Garon finally finished the book. He wasn't able to talk to the man, though, because already Garon was moving on to somewhere else in need of his help.
Garon went to a local orphanage and donated a hefty bag of money. Apparently, he did it a lot, from the sounds of it. Next, Garon went out to a training field near the back of the city and spent some time showing the various guards how to properly wield a sword and helped them with their footwork. Then he helped a farmer set up a new fence around part of the town and also helped chop down some extra firewood for the endless cold. He went out into the woods and helped the hunters catch some rabbits, and he picked herbs used for medicine.
'He sure seems to be a likeable fellow.' Davi thought to himself. 'The people of his town won't stop gushing about him.'
Again and again, Davi followed, staying just out of sight, lurking in the shadows, and he watched Garon. Over and over, Garon would go around and help the people out, no matter the task. And the people seemed to love him and cheered him on as he did so. Eventually, though, as it began to get late and the sky turned orange, Garon finally returned to where he truly belonged once the streets started to empty out.
It was a large stone building placed directly near the baron's office. It was half of a guard's barracks and half of a police station. Inside were dozens of other guards going about their day, and a woman sat behind the desk looking over paperwork. Davi stepped out of the shadows, and he silently entered the building, taking in the calm atmosphere.
He tapped on the bell. Then he hit it a few more times just because he liked the way it sounded. The woman's eye twitched, and she shot him a nasty look. "Yes?" The woman asked.
"Yo." Davi kept tapping the bell. "I'm looking for Garon."
The woman's eyes narrowed. "Do you have an appointment?"
"I don't know, do I?"
The woman let out a huff. "If you don't have an appointment to see him, then I'm afraid you'll have to make one."
"Cool, how do I do that?"
"Maybe you should come back another time."
"Maybe you should do your job better." Normally, he would have kept those words to himself, but he was in a hurry.
"Excuse me!"
Davi peered past the woman and looked down the hallway, finding several doors, and one in the back looked fancier than the others. "I'm going to guess he's in there." He casually hopped over the woman's desk and began to walk down the hallway. Instantly, one of the guards took a step toward him, but Davi quietly whispered a spell, opening his Shadow Vault up. The guard's foot sank into the shadows, causing the man to yelp and trip, crashing to the ground. He closed the vault after that, and to everyone else, it looked as if the guy had just tripped over his own two feet. He wasted no time and shoved his way into the room.
It was a large office room, and only a single person was seated inside. "Can I help you?" Garon sat behind an expensive desk and looked amused as Davi broke into his office. He raised his hand, and all the guards who had been about to grab Davi stopped. "What brings you here, young man?" Garon raised an eyebrow. "You're an out-of-towner, right? I noticed you following me around. Do you have an issue or something, young man?"
Garon was extremely handsome despite being in his early forties with sleeked hair and an expensive uniform. His skin was flawless and perfect, and he had a fancy silver sword covered in a few gems. He had this air about him that was peaceful and calm and seemed like a good person.
Of course, Davi knew better than anyone that looks were deceiving. What often appeared as one thing was almost always the opposite. "I came to ask a few questions about everything that's going on." Davi closed the door and took a seat.
Garon kept his gaze fixed on Davi, his grin not leaving. "Of course. It makes sense you'd want to know what's going on if you just arrived. It's truly bad luck on your part that you showed up the way you did. I'm sure Daisy looks like it's in quite a mess right now, but let me tell you, our town is truly a wonderful place once you get past this small road bump."
"I wouldn't call this a small bump," Davi said flatly.
Garon let out a weak chuckle. "Yeah. I guess it isn't." The man gave a sad smile. "We're holding out the best we can, though. If you're new in town, let me reassure you, we will keep you and your girlfriend safe, just as we would anyone else. I'm here to personally defend everyone in Daisy."
'Girlfriend?' Davi shook his head and decided not to say anything. "I can keep myself safe just fine. I'm pretty strong. That's why I'd like to know what I'm dealing with. I was told you and the guards fought the snake."
"Yes. We have." Garon nodded his head and looked somber. "Every week it arrives; we've fought it back, giving it our all. Every time, well, someone goes missing." The man's lip quivered for a moment, and he shook his head. "We can repel the beast, but that's it. Somehow, it always manages to snatch someone away before it goes, no matter how many guards we have. We're all strong, but we're still not on the level of a Knight, and so there is only so much we can truly do to a beast such as that. I don't even know what this thing really is. It's so fast and strong, it's been impossible to get a good look at it, even in the middle of battle."
Davi nodded. He imagined most people would feel sympathy for the situation Garon was in, but Davi was far from normal, and instead, he was met with a wave of annoyance at the fact that Garon seemed to be just as confused as everyone else. "I know you guys can't leave Daisy because of the barrier, and the dungeon has shut off phones and computers, but wouldn't someone realize something was wrong with your town when this place stopped paying taxes to the kingdom?"
Garon's thumbs ideally began to play together, and the man looked bummed. "To be honest, this isn't the first time something like this has happened."
"It isn't?"
"Well, it's the first time our town has been in a blackout because of a monster, but Daisy is always losing power." Garon sighed. "The elder, he's not exactly competent. He inherited this place because he was the groomer for the king's favorite hound, thirty or so years ago, and I guess that's enough to equal baron status nowadays. The king gave this town to the baron, and even before that event, Daisy wasn't the best place to live. We've made do, but the kingdom is used to not hearing back from us for months. Not to mention, with recent world events, I doubt anyone would be looking our way." Garon glanced down, seemingly out of shame, and let out another heavy sigh. "I told everyone it's only a matter of time before a Knight arrives, but I honestly have no idea how long it'll be before one does show."
"I see."
"Oh, but don't get it twisted." Garon shook his head and forced his smile back in place. The man drew his sword, fire running along the blade, and he pointed it up. "I'm going to defend everyone with my life. I am the captain of the guard, after all. Arcane Knight or not, I'll save my people!"
"Well, you don't have to worry about this situation for much longer," Davi stated. "I'll help you guys slay the beast."
Garon shook his head and frowned, sheathing his sword. "I'm sorry, sir, but I can't accept that. You don't look like an officer or a guard, and you're just a kid. I can't just let some kid who showed up battle a deadly monster. I appreciate the gesture, but I'd be unable to live with myself if I allowed someone so young to get harmed. Please leave it to us, and the Knight that will eventually show."
"And what are you going to do when an Arcane Knight does show up?" Davi asked, raising an eyebrow.
"My guards and I will back them up to ensure they slay the magical beast. Need you even ask?"
"So when a Knight arrives, you'll help them?"
"Of course."
Davi let out a sigh. He wanted to avoid it coming to this, but if the snake was coming tonight, he'd fight it no matter what, so there was no point in hiding. "I'm an Arcane Knight. Row Shadow Armor." Ebony armor exploded out of his shadow and formed over him, coating him head-to-toe. Silence filled the room, and Garon's look completely shifted. Davi remained casually seated, his arms folded to his chest, a fiery blue light seeping out of his helm. Olis had told him not to do this. In the past, he had been accidentally claiming to be a Knight, but now this was absolutely a crime. Still, he had run out of options. One last time, he'd pretend to be an Arcane Knight.
He would be the Knight that this town needed.
Garon opened his mouth and then closed it. His smile was totally gone, and he almost looked nervous. "I could tell you were a strong mage. Your body has been leaking a ton of mana, quite intensely as well, but for you to actually be a Knight, I… I once tried out for them myself. Three times, actually..." Garon admitted, a little ashamed. "I wasn't able to make the cut, though, no matter what I tried or did. I was never good enough for your little group. So instead of living the good life of a Knight, I'm stuck here as a useless guard. How did you get here? What brings a Knight like you here?"
"Does it matter?" Davi hummed.
"R-right. Of course. I—" Garon closed his mouth and forced his throat to clear. The man sweated some more. It had been easy to look collected to a young teenager, but acting that way to a figure draped in bulky, shadowy armor was another matter altogether. Garon shivered slightly as the Knight stood imposingly over Garon, looking down at the man.
Davi's armor pulled away, dripping off his body, and slid back into the ocean that was his shadow. Garon stared down at the inky black mass in shock, and for a moment, he swore it almost took on the shape of a bird. He felt like prey that was about to be devoured if he made a wrong move.
"I'm going to stay up tonight and wait outside with your guards," Davi stated. "When the snake shows up, I'll slay it, and you can help me do it. No matter how strong it is, I should be able to manage it if all of you guys are backing me up."
"Great." Garon gave a nervous chuckle. "I'm glad it could all work out then." Davi looked back at Garon, and the two had a stare-down for a moment.
"As am I." And with those words, Davi left the room, leaving Garon behind.
Garon remained seated in his room and looked down at his hand, which was shaking. "T-that brat is a Knight?" Garon grabbed his head and groaned. "No, it doesn't matter. I'll get what I want and finish this damn deal. I have to. Knight, or no Knight, this all ends tonight."
Meanwhile, outside of the office, Davi left the station after that, still getting a few looks from the guards, but none of them did anything to him even after he flipped them all off and stole the bell off the mean lady's desk.
Davi walked down the path and toyed with the bell, ringing it over and over again as he marched down the street. Playing with the bell was a welcome distraction from the pain that was going through the left side of his face. His scar had been throbbing more and more ever since he stepped foot in Daisy.
Garon certainly looked like a nice man. He looked like the hero of the town and seemed to be doing his best. "I almost bought it for a moment." Davi drummed away on the bell and winced as the pain in the side of his face grew worse. "If not for how badly my scar reacted, I might have actually believed he was a nice guy."
He'd trust his gut feeling over how someone actually looked and acted any day. Garon was hiding something. Davi didn't know what exactly, but he knew that there was more to this puzzle piece than what had been revealed so far, and he was looking forward to getting to solve it.
"Oh, you're back?" Davi looked up and saw the face of the blacksmith. The man was reading a new book, one about superheroes and aliens called Lords. That wasn't all Davi noticed, though.
"Where's Olivia?" He asked. The white-haired girl was gone.
The blacksmith gave a lazy shrug. "She stepped out for something. Went in the direction of the academy."
"The academy?" Davi poked his head out of the shop and looked out at the town. Most of the buildings in Daisy were short and less than three stories tall. It was very old-fashioned looking and extremely narrow, so much so that there weren't any cars or motorbikes resting at the end of the street since everyone walked to where they needed to go. The only building that stood out was the magic academy. Like the last two he had seen, it was a jagged tower at the edge of the city. It went all the way up to the clouds above and was covered in hundreds of runes that danced across it. "Right, that place…"
No one knew where these buildings came from. They weren't built by humans, and all the cities were instead created around the tower. Some people thought the towers might have once belonged to the elves, or maybe the giants or dwarves. In the end, it really didn't matter since all those races had been wiped out during the time of Haru.
Haru had wiped out all threats to humanity, and it had been because of her that humans were able to master magic and make it to such modern times. She had also been the one to slay the Dragon Emperor and cause the dragons to all go extinct. Of course, despite the fact that dragons died out over a thousand years ago, people would sometimes claim they'd seen one, with the last notable recording of a dragon being a hundred years ago.
Davi glanced away from the tower and up to the sky above, which was starting to turn black. Night was rapidly approaching.
"Hey?" Davi turned to look back at the blacksmith, who had now set his book down. "Are you really an Arcane Knight?"
"Do I not look like one?"
"Well, your mana is… No. Never mind." The man shook his head, and his knuckles turned white as he squeezed down on the book he was holding. The man bowed his head down. "Make it pay. Kill it. Wipe that damn snake out of this world."
Davi looked back out at Daisy. "Of course."
He hated the cold. The snake made things cold, and so he hated it.
"It all ends tonight. Daisy will be free after this. You have my word."