(Time Stilled World, Skyshard City, Chaosbringer’s Office)

*Drip*

*Drop*

After concluding his meeting with Soron, Chaosbringer promptly returned to his office within the Time Stilled World, where a heap of documents awaited his return.

The sound of artificial rain tapped against the reinforced glass walls as Chaosbringer sat behind his wooden desk, his gaze fixed upon the documents marked as urgent.

"Barely gone for a few months, yet the bureaucracy has grinded to a halt without me..."

He complained, as he couldn’t believe how large of a stack his underlings had left for him in just these few days.

*Knock*

*Knock*

Just as he began to focus on his work, a knock on his office door interrupted him, as one of his aides stepped in, a young man in a grey uniform with the insignia of the Cult’s administrative division stitched across his shoulder.

"Seventh Elder," the aide said, bowing quickly. "A report just came in from the Lord’s Isolated Mansion.

Lord Shadow Dragon has reached 998,200 wins and is approaching the final stretch toward his millionth."

Chaosbringer blinked once, his expression unreadable as he turned away from the papers.

"Excellent! That is great news for sure..."

He said, as the aide nodded in agreement.

"The Lord has requested not to be disturbed for the next twenty days, no matter what happens.

His meditation chamber has been sealed, and all external communication lines have been disabled. Until he finishes his streak, no one is allowed to approach him, including you...."

The aide informed, as Chaosbringer leaned back in his chair, his hands folded beneath his chin as a slow exhale escaped him.

*Sigh*

"Good," he murmured softly.

"That’s how it should be. The Lord should definitely be left alone for this final stretch."

He concurred, as the aide nodded again and retreated quietly, closing the door behind him.

*Click*

Alone again, Chaosbringer’s gaze drifted back toward the report marked urgent on his desk, which was about a funding request for a stalled construction project.

And while under normal circumstances he would have reviewed it immediately, somehow tonight his mind felt elsewhere, seemingly consumed by far more pressing matters.

Soron had tasked him with finding the best blacksmiths within the Cult and sending them to Ixtal at once. Yet, as he considered the state of the forges and the artisans under his command, a deep uncertainty crept into his thoughts.

"The best blacksmith the Cult has is definitely Supreme Master Argo... but unfortunately, he retired a year and a half ago."

He muttered as he leaned back in his chair and shook his head slowly in disappointment.

In the entire Time Stilled World, only a few artisans could even work with an alloy as sacred as the Origin Metal, and while many were skilled, none had reached the level of precision and divine understanding that Argo possessed.

"The Great God Soron wants a perfect blade for vengeance... and Master Argo is the only one who could create something worthy of that purpose," Chaosbringer said quietly, his voice thoughtful and edged with concern.

"But will he even agree to it?"

He wondered as he turned slightly in his seat, his eyes drifting toward the rain-streaked window beside him.

The gray blur of the Skyshard City stretched beyond endlessly, its steel spires and humming streets far too dull compared to the wild, untamed beauty of Ixtal’s skies, as for a brief moment, he longed to be back there, back under the real radiant sun.

’Soon... we will be back out soon...’

He thought, as he closed his eyes and turned back towards his desk, his mind a mess of conflicting thoughts.

"In the end, it’s not my decision to make.

If Master Argo refuses to take on this project, I’ll send someone else. But I should at least try to convince him first...."

Chaosbringer decided, as he slowly adjusted the collar of his robe and rose from his seat.

"Angela, prepare a transport, I’ll be visiting the Forge District at once."

He ordered toward the comms console on his desk, as "Understood," came the crisp reply through the speaker, the aide already moving to carry out the command.

—--------

*CLANG*

*CLANG*

*FSSHHH*

The sound of steel striking steel filled the night air, ringing like thunder against the iron veins of Skyshard City’s heart.

The Forge District glowed in shades of crimson and gray, its streets alive with heat and movement.

Firelight spilled from open furnaces, painting the walls in flickering hues while workers moved like shadows between sparks and smoke.

The smell of molten metal mingled with oil, soot, and sweat, creating an atmosphere so dense that even the rain above seemed to evaporate before touching the ground.

Chaosbringer moved through the haze in silence, his boots clicking softly on the cobblestone path as he passed rows of glowing crucibles and roaring bellows.

The artisans bowed briefly as he walked by, their faces flushed from the heat, their hands trembling from exhaustion yet still working without pause.

This was where the soul of the Cult’s craftsmanship lived—amid sweat, flame, and unwavering discipline.

At the far end of the street, framed by a towering stone arch that read Argo’s Forge, stood a massive structure whose very walls seemed to breathe heat.

Sparks cascaded like fireflies every few seconds, and the rhythmic hammering echoed deep within.

*CLANG*

*THRUM*

Chaosbringer stepped inside, only for a raspy voice to fall in his ears.

"No, no, no, Emond!"

"I told you the steel needs to be folded seventy times before you plunge it into oil. Seventy times, not more, not less! If you lack the strength for it, then perhaps this is not the line of work you should pursue!"

Argo scolded, as "Yes, Master Argo!" came the flustered reply from a young apprentice, his arms trembling as he lifted the tongs once more.

"I-I’ll do it again, sir!"

He said, his face red from embarrassment.

"Do it right this time," Argo muttered, taking a long pull from a half-empty liquor bottle before sighing heavily. "These younglings... When will they learn? They all want to forge perfection, but none have the patience for it."

He complained, as he shook his head in disappointment, until the sound of approaching footsteps finally drew his attention.

"Oh?"

He said in surprise, as his expression brightened to see the Seventh Elder.

"Lord Seventh Elder! What brings you here?"

He said with a smile, as he put his bottle aside and stood up to greet Chaosbringer at once.