Chapter 40: New Armor

The first light of dawn casts a pale glow across the village as a small party approaches, led by Chief Lorka. His presence is unmistakable; tall and imposing, his every step commands respect from the villagers who recognize his strength and wisdom. Beside him walks his blacksmith, a wiry, sharp-eyed Vorran carrying a leather toolkit slung over his shoulder. Their arrival stirs a quiet buzz of excitement and reverence among the villagers.

Amara, spotting Lorka from a distance, approaches quickly, relief softening her gaze. "Lorka," she says, her voice laced with concern, "Is Loryn alright?"

Lorka nods reassuringly, a faint smile breaking his otherwise solemn expression. "She is well now, Amara. The healers did their work, and she's resting. That beast gave her quite a wound, but it will not keep her down."

Amara lets out a breath she didn't realize she'd been holding. "Thank the spirits. Loryn fought bravely alongside us. She deserves her rest."

Days pass with the sounds of hammers ringing through the village as Harek and Ruan, Lorka's blacksmith, work tirelessly to unlock the secrets of the creature's dense armor. The creature's exoskeleton, a material neither blacksmith had ever encountered, resists every traditional method they attempt—cutting, melting, and reshaping. Yet their determination grows with each failed attempt, and the whole village watches eagerly, hopeful that the breakthrough will come soon.

One morning, just as the first light hits the forge, Harek, with dark circles under his eyes and soot covering his arms, holds up a small shard of the creature's armor to Ruan.

"Harek," Ruan murmurs, inspecting it closely, "I think you've got something here. Look at how it's fractured… it didn't break, it split cleanly along its natural lines."

Harek's eyes light up as he watches Ruan hold the shard up to the light. "That's it," Harek says, excitement breaking through his fatigue. "We've been treating it like metal, but it's more like stone. If we follow its natural lines instead of forcing it, maybe we can shape it without losing its strength."

Ruan nods, turning to the large, intact sections of exoskeleton still lying nearby. "We need to heat it differently—not to melt it, but just to soften the outer layers. If we combine that with controlled pressure, we might be able to mold it into shape."

Just then, Lorka enters the forge, his gaze sharp as he notes the excitement on their faces. "Harek, Ruan. You've found a way?"

Ruan stands tall, holding up the shard for Lorka to see. "We think so, Chief Lorka. It's unlike anything we've worked with before, but with enough care, we can shape it without compromising its durability."

Harek nods. "This armor… it's like the creature itself wanted to be unbreakable. But now we know how to work with it. We could make shields and armor that could turn the hardest blows, stronger than anything we've crafted before."

Lorka's eyes gleam with satisfaction, and he claps a hand on Harek's shoulder. "You three have done well. If what you say is true, this armor will change everything for our villages."

As Harek and Ruan begin to prepare the forge for their first test, Amara steps into the forge, a look of curiosity on her face. "Is it true?" she asks, glancing between them. "You found a way?"

Harek grins, the confidence in his expression contagious. "Come back in a few hours, Chief Amara. If all goes well, you'll see the first piece of armor forged from that creature."

A few hours later, the sound of hammering stops, and the blacksmiths emerge from the forge, holding up the freshly crafted chest armor. Though it lacks intricate designs and gleaming polish, its sturdy, deep-gray surface is imposing in its simplicity. The armor looks plain but solid, a testament to its hasty creation and the strength of the material.

Amara eyes it with an approving nod and turns to Lorka, a spark of excitement in her gaze. "What are we waiting for?" she declares. "Let's test it."

Word spreads quickly through the village. Before long, a crowd gathers in the clearing, eager to witness their two chiefs in action. Excited murmurs ripple through the crowd, some villagers already speculating on the outcome. Chiefs don't often test each other's strength, so this is a rare spectacle, and anticipation thickens the air.

In the center of the clearing, Amara dons the armor, fastening it across her chest. She feels its weight, noticing how it sits snugly but not restrictively. She flexes her shoulders, settling the armor into place, and glances at Lorka with a challenging smile.

Lorka steps forward, drawing his dagger, its polished blade catching the early morning light. He's renowned for his speed in battle—a blur on the field, striking with precision. He nods at Amara, his expression focused. "Are you ready?"

"More than ready," she replies, planting her feet firmly.

Without hesitation, Lorka lunges, his dagger a swift, gleaming arc aimed at her chest. The villagers hold their breath, expecting a sound—a crack, a thud, anything. Instead, the dagger meets the armor with a dull, muted clink. Amara doesn't flinch; she doesn't even shift her weight. Lorka's expression flickers with surprise as he pulls back, examining both his blade and the armor. There isn't a scratch, a dent—nothing.

He raises his brows, impressed. "Did you feel anything?" he asks, voice low enough that only she can hear.

Amara, equally astonished, shakes her head slowly. "Not a thing. It was like the armor… absorbed it."

The villagers begin murmuring, surprised expressions crossing their faces. Whispers ripple through the crowd as Lorka steps back, gripping his dagger with more intent. He nods to Amara, silently asking for permission to try again, harder this time. She nods, bracing herself, but inside she feels an unexpected calm.

Lorka launches forward once more, faster and with all his might. The dagger strikes dead center, but the result is the same—no mark, no force, nothing. Amara grins, exhilarated.

Lorka finally sheathes his dagger, a rare grin spreading across his face as he turns to the gathered villagers. "It works," he announces, his voice booming over the clearing. "This armor can turn even my blade, and I could not even force her back."

The crowd erupts in cheers, admiration in their eyes. To them, the chiefs are already nearly invincible, but now with this armor, it feels as though they've been gifted a weapon by the very spirits themselves. Amara and Lorka exchange a look, both knowing what this means—not only for them, but for every Vorran who will wear this new armor.