Orion awoke to an unfamiliar yet undeniably appetizing aroma. His instincts guided him to the living room, where he was met with a table overflowing with delicacies: sizzling bacon, golden eggs, fluffy pancakes, juices of vibrant colors. Nothing like any meal he had ever known.

He frowned, eyeing the feast with suspicion.

— “What is this?” he muttered, hesitant.

Chloe laughed at his confused expression.

— “It’s called breakfast. You’ve never seen pancakes before?”

Orion picked up a fork and poked one as if he were analyzing an unknown enemy.

— “Never seen any of this.”

Ellie struggled to hold back her laughter while Chloe sighed in disbelief.

— “Seriously? You don’t even know what a waffle is?”

He took a bite, and his eyes widened the instant the sweetness spread across his tongue.

— “It’s… sweet!?”

Chloe burst out laughing.

Beside her, Vlad, ever the observer, smiled discreetly.

— “Looks like we’ve found the young master’s weakness.”

Even with suspicion, Orion devoured everything. In the end, food was food.

After breakfast, Orion stood and put on his coat. His serious gaze contrasted sharply with the lighthearted atmosphere of moments ago.

— “I’m going to Nidavellir. Only those with permission can enter, so the two of you will stay here.”

Chloe and Ellie exchanged looks.

— “Wait… Nidavellir actually exists?” Chloe crossed her arms, skeptical.

— “Do you think I’d joke about something like that?” Orion retorted.

Vlad walked over to a bare wall and retrieved a golden key adorned with runes. With a precise gesture, he pressed it against the surface. Instantly, ancient symbols lit up, and a magical door materialized before them.

Chloe and Ellie stood slack-jawed.

— “This is… unbelievable!” Ellie exclaimed.

Without hesitation, Orion and Vlad stepped through the portal, vanishing in an instant.

The Hero’s Return

The moment Orion set foot in Nidavellir, he was struck by an uncanny sense of familiarity. The metallic scent of the forges, the rhythmic sound of hammers striking steel… Nothing had changed.

Yet, the dwarves around him halted their work the instant their eyes fell upon him. A heavy silence engulfed the place. Within seconds, one dwarf ran off.

— “Call the king!”

Soon after, a robust dwarf with long white hair appeared. His eyes widened in recognition, and without hesitation, he fell to his knees.

— “It can’t be… You’re alive! My ancestors told stories about you… about how you saved our people!”

The surrounding dwarves whispered among themselves, torn between disbelief and awe. Orion held a faint smile.

— “I thought I was dead too.”

After the introductions, Orion asked only one question:

— “Where is Norik?”

The king lowered his head.

— “He left us many years ago… But his bloodline remains. Come, I want you to meet someone.”

Before following, Orion made one request.

— “I want to see his grave first.”

Before Norik’s resting place, Orion remained silent. His expression was unreadable, but those who knew him understood he was not a man of empty words. With a respectful nod, he paid his homage. Only then did he follow the king to one of the grandest forges in the realm.

The Young Blacksmith

Inside the forge, a young dwarf with silver hair hammered fiercely at a glowing blade. His gaze was focused, unwavering.

— “Nor! Come here!” the king called.

The boy set down his hammer and lifted his eyes. When he saw Orion, his eyes widened.

— “You’re… Orion?”

Orion simply nodded.

Nor nearly dropped the hammer.

— “This is incredible! You’re the legendary warrior from the stories passed down through generations!”

He stepped closer, excitement brimming.

— “Tell me, what do you desire? I’ll forge anything you want!”

Orion smiled.

— “I’ll leave it in your hands… but you’ll have to work with the material I provide.”

He raised his hand and opened his Item Box. Dozens of radiant gold ingots emerged before the dwarves.

But this was no ordinary gold.

The dwarves recoiled, their jaws dropping.

— “This is… impossible!”

Nor touched one of the ingots and felt the pulsing energy flowing through it. His hands trembled.

— “This… this is the finest material I’ve ever seen! Give me two days! I’ll create something worthy of your legend!”

Orion nodded.

— “I’m counting on you.”

After leaving his materials, Orion bid them farewell and returned to Chloe’s apartment. His gaze was as impenetrable as ever. But deep inside, he knew something monumental was about to be born.