—Magnificent.
Those were Gobann's words.
The axe, still resting on the anvil, had lost every trace of silver. In its place stood a pristine crystal-blue blade. The handle, once wrapped in cloth, had transformed into black leather, and the ox horns had become pure white dragon fangs. Even at the center of the edge, a golden dragon's iris gleamed.
Without a doubt—
It was no longer Babe.
There were no traces left of Paul's axe.
Now… it was mine.
—Babe, rest in peace with your bearer. This new marvel of ice-forged crystal shall be called Fjölkaldra. Does that name mean anything to you? —Gobann asked, extending his hand toward me.
I took a few confused steps back from the anvil—only to be caught by Rachel, who supported me from behind.
—Are you okay? —she asked, rubbing my arms—. Your hands…
—I don't know…
I looked down.
Both of them were frozen.
Or at least, that was the only way I could interpret it.
A deathly purple hue held them completely still in the exact position I had placed them on the anvil.
—Don't worry. Just a side effect. Step outside and come back in. It'll wear off.
I didn't make a scene. With Rachel's help, I left the shop—and just as Gobann said, the mobility in my hands returned instantly.
We exchanged a knowing smile before heading back inside.
Gobann was hammering my new axe with visible desperation. Each strike sent blue sparks bursting across the room. The cold radiating from it was terrifying. Even though I couldn't properly feel it, both Rachel and I were aware of the freezing mist spreading throughout the shop.
Gobann kept striking, frustration etched across his face.
—Damn it… what kind of story did you bring me, kid?
—The one about the axe forged from the scales and fangs of the Glacial Death.
Rachel and Gobann both froze, as if what I said made as much sense as Santa Claus being real.
—Just… a legend, I guess —I corrected quickly.
—Well your legend is freezing my forge —he snapped. Without hesitation, he grabbed the handle with visible pain and hurled the axe toward me—. It's yours. Calm it down.
Time slowed.
It was as if the axe was speaking to me.
Before I knew it, I had caught it by the handle.
The cold was immediate.
Even in my current state—unable to properly perceive sensation—I felt my hand freeze almost instantly. The cold spread up my arm, across my back, and into my right eye.
And then—
The vision before me was worthy of the Nexo.
My left side remained in the shop. Gobann shoved his hand into the forge for warmth. Rachel, unable to approach, was starting to feel the cold. She was saying something—but I couldn't hear her.
Because my right side was staring at something that had once only existed in a game.
—Frostmagnar…? —I thought.
The words never left my lips, yet they were heard.
His imposing figure stood before me. Scales like finely polished stalactites. Deep yellow eyes. Blue flesh beneath the scales, frozen like severe hypothermia given form. His very breath created the freezing mist that had filled the shop.
The cold radiating from the axe was overwhelming.
Embracing.
—How is it that…? —the dragon's voice echoed clearly—. How is it that I still exist?
—I… summoned you… —I said, trying to convince myself I was worthy of speaking to a being who, in his world, was a personified concept.
—You… know me. My tragedy. I can feel it… but I do not know who you are.
—Tristan. I'm Tristan…
—Tristan…
The dragon lowered his head. His massive wings extended, and what sounded like a roar erupted from him.
—That Tristan?! The fool who heard the truth and chose to ignore it?! The useless squire of Alexander?! Answer me—are you that Tristan?!
My body trembled.
I didn't know if Frostmagnar's presence was real within the Nexo—or merely a construct of my imagination, like Zapata's horse. I didn't know whether this cold could kill me—or if someone in the shop would freeze to death first.
Rachel and Gobann tried to touch me.
When had my body frozen to the floor?
—Yes —I answered clearly—. I was the general who helped Alexander hunt you and your kind… and I regret it.
The dragon burst into laughter.
—You regret it now that my world no longer exists. How very human.
—I… wanted to find another way.
—A third path? How ignorant. Did you learn nothing?
—I did. That's why I've always kept you in mind. Even in defeat, something can be gained. I firmly believe that even if that world ended, I can learn from it… and continue.
Silence.
The freezing mist condensed slowly around him.
—I want to prove to you that your resignation was the wrong path.
—My resignation?
—You let yourself be killed in the end… didn't you?
His tail flicked in uncertainty.
—You even sought a chance to die for your own species. When that was denied to you, you simply waited for them to come… all because you were bored.
—Do you think that is not a valid reason to die? —his voice deepened—. After dedicating your life to a cause with no escape, is there value in continuing to endure? Watching each generation of those you swore to protect see you only as a tyrant thirsty for their blood… do you truly believe it is worth it?
—I only know that as long as one lives, there is time to find meaning.
Frostmagnar did not look away.
—You should not have remained with humans. They are arrogant, foolish, hungry for power. When they could no longer devour one another, they sought another prey. In that moment, you could have done many things besides waiting for death. You could have flown away. Been free. Across the skies, the clouds, and the stars you once protected.
The threatening glow in his eyes softened.
A bright blue iris appeared within the golden depths.
He lowered himself.
The freezing mist finally vanished.
The cold ceased.
The axe grew light. Warm.
—I do not trust you —he concluded—. I will watch your actions. Use me for now. Show me you are worthy of my trust.
And just like that—
My right-side vision returned.
In a blink, I was back in Gobann's forge, its usual warmth restored.
—Thank you…
The words slipped from my lips as I held the handle.
—What the hell was that? —Rachel asked.
When I looked at her, my legs gave out and I fell to my knees. She rushed to my side while Gobann grinned widely.
—Now that's a Legacy. Babe almost destroyed the place too. I poured a good portion of my gift into that axe.
—It was a dragon —I said in an almost giddy whisper.
—What? —Rachel asked, kneeling beside me.
—The dragon I killed… has been reincarnated into this axe.
—I thought that was a lie? —she asked, stunned.
—Truth is ambiguous —I said before letting out a slightly unhinged laugh.
—You're awful —she punched my shoulder lightly, laughing with me.
—Thank you very much, Gobann.
—Thank me? Pay me.
And just like that—
My appointment on the Silver Floor came to an end.