Just like Fae and Rein, Astrid found herself in quite a predicament. After the black mist engulfed her and impaired her vision, she knew instantly that it spelled danger. Once the black mist dispersed, Astrid found herself alarmingly high in the sky, covered by thick, gray clouds.

 

Panic and fear clouded her mind. Not only was she about to fall to her doom, but her family was nowhere in sight. She was in disbelief at how fast things had turned for the worse, and the first thing on her mind was the safety of her siblings.

 

Thankfully, she had never let go of her sword. Even broken, it could still extend to a certain length, and she planned to use it to halt her terrifying descent.

 

It took an agonizing while before Astrid could see the ground below through the dense gray clouds. She spotted a mountain cliff far beneath her and immediately formulated a desperate plan. As soon as she hit a critical distance, she extended her sword and struck the blade into the nearby cliff face, using the friction to slow her fall. She managed to successfully escape her doom.

 

Astrid landed safely on the snow-covered ground. She was panting heavily, her heart hammering wildly in her chest. She took a moment to process everything that had just happened, but her body was suddenly overwhelmed by her frigid surroundings.

 

She resheathed her sword and looked around to identify her current location, but nothing felt familiar at all.

 

She was currently on a mountain that seemed to tower into the sky, its sharp peaks draped in a thick blanket of snow. The air was cold and still, with only the soft crunch of snow breaking the absolute silence.

 

It didn't take long for her thin clothes to fail against the low temperature. Her body began to go numb. She started walking around, hoping to find a nearby village for shelter and help. Hours passed, but she saw nothing.

 

Worry set in. If she didn't find shelter soon, she would freeze to death. She noticed the wind was picking up speed, and snow had begun falling in heavier amounts, a blizzard was imminent. Time was no longer on her side, and she rushed to find shelter as fast as she could.

 

Little by little, Astrid started to feel dizzy. She was about to lose hope when she suddenly spotted a two-headed gray wolf running away. She started following the creature, hoping it would lead her to its nest, and fortunately, she was right. The wolf disappeared underneath an enormous, snow-covered tree. She followed it all the way inside, intending to hunt it for its fur and meat.

 

The wolf saw Astrid entering its den and started growling ferociously at her.

 

“Sorry, but in this forest, it’s either kill or be killed,” Astrid said with grim confidence. It didn’t take her long to slay the creature.

 

Thankfully, she knew how to start a fire. She skinned the two-headed wolf right after. She used its thick fur as makeshift clothing to fight the freezing temperature. She also chopped its meat into portions, cooked it over the fire, and ate it. For water, she took a large leaf from the enormous tree, gathered snow, and melted it to quench her thirst.

 

Astrid secured food, water, shelter, and clothing just in time before the powerful blizzard arrived. She stayed safely holed up under the enormous tree until the storm subsided. It took an entire week, but the outside world finally calmed down. She then resumed navigating the snowy mountain, determined to find help.

 

Astrid hadn't gone far when she noticed something falling from the sky. She initially thought it was a huge bird, but it was emitting a strange, inorganic noise, and thick gray smoke was pouring from its tail. Curious, she followed the trail until she found the crash site.

 

Instead of a creature, she saw a large, makeshift object that was smoking and already in pieces from the impact. The object was clearly made of various metals screwed together and had two propellers attached on top.

 

Fascinated, Astrid approached the wreckage to get a better look. She then spotted a little boy trapped inside. A heavy piece of metal lay on top of him, and he didn’t have the strength to lift it himself.

 

The boy looked to be Astrid’s age and height, with short, wavy brown hair, freckles, and olive skin. He was thin, dressed in a weathered leather flight jacket. Goggles with tinted lenses rested on his forehead, and a scarf hung loosely around his neck. A leather holster and utility belt completed his rugged, mechanical look.

 

What stood out most, though, were the long rabbit ears poking from his hair and the round, brown tail to match.

 

“Uhm… mind lending a hand?” The boy asked Astrid politely.

 

Without a second thought, Astrid rushed to help. She lifted the heavy piece of metal just enough for the boy to crawl out from underneath.

 

“Phew! Thank you so much! I would’ve been a goner without your help!” The boy exclaimed gratefully. He shook Astrid’s hand and introduced himself. “The name’s Jules, and I’m a Cottontail.”

 

“I’m Astrid, and I’m a human,” Astrid responded, gesturing to her head to indicate the lack of rabbit ears, a slight joke.

 

“Ha-ha… You’re funny, Astrid! I like you,” Jules responded happily.

 

“R-right… oh! Mind if I ask what that thing is?” Astrid asked, pointing at the crashed object. “It looked really awesome.”

 

“Oh, that! It’s something I invented myself. I was trying to create an object that people can ride on so they can traverse the sky. It was going well at first, but something blew up in the engine midflight, so I ended up crashing, as you saw,” Jules explained enthusiastically.

 

“Whoa… you invented that? Can I ride it?” Astrid asked, mesmerized.

 

“Of course! But it still needs refining and more research. I need to figure out what went wrong during the flight before I test it again,” Jules explained.

 

“Will you let me ride it then?” Astrid asked hopefully.

 

“You’ll be the first one to test it with me! But before that, help me salvage some useful parts first. I need to carry them back home so I can reuse them and make a new one,” Jules requested.

 

Instead of wandering aimlessly without a lead on how to get back home, Astrid happily agreed to help Jules. This was also her perfect opportunity to ask for directions back home. The two started taking the flying object apart, securing the useful pieces. They tied them together and started carrying the bundles back. While they walked, Jules, piqued with curiosity, started asking Astrid questions.

 

“I forgot to ask earlier, but what were you doing out here? As far as I know, no humans live nearby due to the cold temperature. The only race living in this steep, snowy mountain is us, the Cottontails,” Jules inquired.

 

“It’s a long story, but the gist is that I got separated from my family, and I’m trying to get back to them,” Astrid responded, a hint of sadness in her voice.

 

“I see… I hope your family is okay,” Jules said with genuine care.

 

“I know they’re okay. I trust each one of them,” Astrid responded with complete, unwavering faith.

 

The two continued conversing throughout the journey. Their conversation lasted for hours, and before they knew it, they were already at their destination.

 

“Oh… phew, we’re finally here,” Jules said, setting down his load.

 

Astrid looked around, but the only thing she saw was a small tunnel leading into the mountain. “Uhm… is this it? It’s kind of small,” Astrid said, a touch of disappointment in her voice.

 

“Oh, that’s just one of the many entrances that lead to our city. You’ll see… just follow me,” Jules said, excitement returning to his eyes. The two entered the tunnel, and after a short walk, they finally arrived at the city Jules had been talking about.

 

“Welcome to Buckheim, the home of the Cottontails and the city of progress and innovation!” Jules announced proudly.

 

Astrid was greeted with a view she had never even imagined. The city thrived inside an immense cavern, hidden deep within the heart of the steep, snow-covered mountain. Massive stalactites hung from the high, some hollowed out and repurposed into vertical workshops or observatories. The warm, amber glow of gas lamps and flickering furnaces illuminated the city, casting a constant haze of steam and smoke into the air.

 

Buckheim was a marvel of steampunk ingenuity, an endless, humming hive of gears and pipes. Buildings of brass, iron, and stone rose in mismatched tiers, with polished copper domes and rotating rooftop turbines chuffing steam into the air. Interlocking bridges and catwalks crisscrossed above the streets, forming a tangled, elevated web between homes, labs, and forges. Steam-powered lifts groaned up and down the cavern walls, moving crates of coal, tools, and passengers with rattling precision.

 

A wide metal bridge stretched through the heart of the city, echoing with the clatter of steam-powered carriages as they rolled past in a steady rhythm.

 

The Cottontails, Buckheim’s curious and clever inhabitants, bustled through the streets in oil-smudged coats, layered vests, goggles, and gear-adorned boots. Half-human and half-rabbit, with expressive ears that twitched with excitement and soft, round tails peeking from behind their coats. Some had prominent buck teeth, giving them a perpetual look of cheerful determination. 

 

Buckheim was not just a city, it was a living, humming engine of invention, a place where steam and brilliance rose together in plumes, and where progress was not just a goal, but a way of life.

 

“Whoa… this place is amazing!” Astrid said, completely awestruck.

 

“Oh, you haven’t even seen half of it yet,” Jules responded, soaking up her admiration.

 

While Astrid was admiring the city, a steam-powered carriage approached them and offered them a ride. “Hey, it’s you, Jules, need a lift?” The driver offered.

 

“Oh, great timing, Mister! I need a lift to Master Joe’s tavern so I can ask him to make new parts for my project,” Jules answered.

 

“I see… so you’re still working on that flying object you’ve been telling everyone about? Good luck with that, kiddo,” the driver responded cheerfully.

 

“Let’s go, Astrid. With this, we’ll be able to get to our destination in no time,” Jules said.

 

Instead of immediately following, Astrid was frozen in place, her eyes sparkling with joy and curiosity. “Whoa! How is that carriage moving without a creature pulling it?” She asked, genuinely perplexed.

 

“It’s not a carriage, it’s a steam-powered vehicle,” Jules explained.

 

“How does that work?” Astrid pressed, her curiosity overriding her fatigue.

 

“It’s really complicated. I’ll explain it later. For now, let’s just proceed. I have so many ideas running in my mind right now, and I want to start as soon as possible,” Jules responded, eager to get back to inventing.

 

The two rode the steam-powered vehicle and proceeded to Joe’s tavern. They arrived quickly due to the vehicle’s speed. 

 

Upon arriving, the two were greeted with a welcoming atmosphere, full of laughter and a sense of shared purpose. Situated between two towering workshops, Joe’s Tavern stood out with its weathered wooden frame and steep, triangular roof. A crooked chimney released a steady stream of smoke into the cavern air.

 

Inside, the tavern was dimly lit by hanging lanterns. The air was thick with the comforting scents of roasted food, coal smoke, and old ale, while a constant hum of quiet conversation created an atmosphere of warmth and familiarity. 

 

Upon entering the tavern, the customers greeted Jules warmly, establishing his popularity. Astrid was wary at first, thinking she would feel unwelcome as a human, but none of the Cottontails seemed to mind her presence since she was with Jules, whom they all trusted.

 

“Let’s keep going. The master is just behind that door,” Jules pointed out.

 

The two continued walking, passed through the bar area, and entered the door behind it. The door concealed a long staircase leading to the basement of the tavern. It took them exactly a hundred steps to arrive at the room where Jules’ master was located.

 

Upon entering, they were met with a small, rectangular room with low stone walls, darkened by soot and years of smoke. The air was heavy with the scent of iron and coal. A single forge sat against the far wall and a sturdy workbench ran along one side of the room, cluttered with hammers, tongs, and metal scraps. 

 

Inside the room was an old man hammering a piece of freshly heated metal, creating a huge shower of sparks with each strike.

 

The old man, Joe, stood at five feet tall, his build surprisingly muscular for his size, a testament to a lifetime of labor at the forge. His dark brown skin was smudged with soot, and his long gray hair was matched by a thick, unkempt beard. Long gray rabbit ears drooped slightly behind his goggles.

 

Though quiet and reserved, there was a steady confidence in his posture, a calm, unshakable presence shaped by years of hard work and discipline.

 

“I’m back, Master Joe, and I brought a friend with me,” Jules greeted. He proceeded inside his workshop to put down the pieces he and Astrid had salvaged earlier.

 

“Welcome back, boy. How did your little project go?” Joe asked while still hammering the hot metal.

 

“As usual, it exploded again, but this time I think I figured out what went wrong,” Jules responded with a hint of excitement.

 

“Sigh… what do you need this time?” Joe asked wearily.

 

“Just two or three parts, but let me sketch the blueprint first so I can add the changes I thought of earlier,” Jules responded. “Oh, I forgot! I almost died earlier, but Astrid here saved me. She also has some requests, so do you mind hearing her out?”

 

Joe’s hammer almost slipped from his hand upon hearing Jules. “You brat! You should’ve started with that!” He shouted.

 

“Tee-hee, sorry, Master. I’ll be busy for the next few hours, so please entertain Astrid in the meantime,” Jules requested. He immediately took his pen and paper and started sketching.

 

Joe took his goggles and heavy gloves off and took a brief break from his work. “Sigh… that boy of mine is such a headache.” He then approached Astrid and bowed his head slightly. “Thanks for saving him. He’s a good kid, but he’s quite reckless.”

 

“O-oh, it’s nothing really,” Astrid responded, looking flustered by the formality. “Also, I don’t plan on staying long. My family is probably worried sick, so I have to get back to them as soon as possible. I came here because maybe I can ask for a ride back home,” she added, getting straight to her goal.

 

“I see… I can arrange that for you,” Joe responded, nodding.

 

“R-really?!?” Astrid asked, excitement bubbling up.

 

Before Joe could elaborate, a loud sound of a glass bottle breaking echoed from the tavern above.

 

“Ugh… what is it this time?” Joe asked with disappointment. “Your request will have to wait, kid. I have to check this out first,” he added. He then proceeded toward his tavern to check the commotion. 

 

Astrid followed him to see what was going on.

 

Upon arriving, Joe and Astrid saw a tall Cottontail woman standing in front of the bar area, surrounded and ganged up on by several drunk Cottontail men.

 

The woman stood an imposing six and a half feet tall, her dark cloak masking everything but her most striking features. Her skin was a deep, rich brown, contrasting sharply with her short, puffy white hair. Pale brows and lashes framed her deep green eyes, sharpening her quiet, piercing gaze. Like all Cottontails, she had long, snowy rabbit ears that twitched at every sound, and a round white tail hidden beneath her cloak.

 

Her presence was quiet, yet undeniably commanding, shrouded in mystery, and impossible to overlook.

 

The drunk men were hurling insults at the woman, but she remained silent and still, not fighting back.

 

“Hey, what’s a coward like you doing in here?” One of the drunk men slurred.

 

“You’re killing the vibe here, coward. Get out before we kick you out ourselves!” Another man added aggressively.

 

“I won’t be long. I’m just here to talk to Joe,” the Cottontail woman responded calmly, her voice steady.

 

Even though the woman was calm and composed, the drunk men were quickly escalating the mood. Astrid noticed one of the men sneaking up behind her, ready to smash a glass bottle over her head. 

 

Astrid intervened immediately. She drew her sword, extending the blade and pointing the tip toward the throat of the sneaking man as a sharp warning.

 

“Hey, she clearly doesn’t want to fight, so why don’t you all leave her alone?!?” Astrid shouted angrily, her voice ringing with authority.

 

Everyone in the tavern was surprised by Astrid’s sudden action, but the one who was most surprised was Joe the moment he laid eyes on Astrid’s sword.

 

“T-that sword, I-I’ve seen that before,” Joe muttered, a look of profound surprise on his face. The commotion inside the tavern made it hard for him to concentrate, so he decided to close his establishment immediately. He climbed up onto a nearby table and shouted as loudly as he could. “Everyone! Get out!”

 

Everyone’s ears rang from Joe’s loud voice, and they knew how scary he became when he was angry and serious, so they obeyed without question. It took only seconds before the tavern was emptied. The only ones left inside were Joe, Astrid, the bartender, and the woman who had been ganged up on.

 

“Kid, can I take a look at your sword?” Joe asked, his voice now low and serious.

 

“O-okay, but please be careful with it. It’s already broken, after all,” Astrid responded, handing it over.

 

Joe held the sword in his arms, his eyes sparkling with curiosity and excitement. “I knew it! This sword is exactly what I think it is!” He jumped in excitement. “Where did you get this sword, kid?”

 

Astrid was hesitant at first, but she sensed that Joe meant well, so she answered him truthfully. “That sword once belonged to my big sis.”

 

“Hoho… Fascinating! I’ve studied this sword through books my entire life, so I know there’s no way I’d mistake it for something else! This sword dates back millennia, and it’s the legendary weapon of the hero who liberated the world from the tyrant demon king. This sword is so powerful that its abilities can only be unlocked by the hero himself, but he died a long time ago. If you can use this sword’s abilities, then that only means that you’re related to the hero, probably his descendant,” Joe hypothesized, his voice filled with reverence.

 

Astrid was stunned by Joe’s revelation. She never imagined the broken sword she inherited held such importance. “You must be mistaken. Me? A hero’s descendant? That’s impossible! I’m just a girl from the slums,” Astrid responded, her lips curling in disbelief.

 

“There’s no denying it, kid. Anyone can touch this sword, but only the hero or their descendants can unlock its full potential. If you can wield this sword’s powers, then it only means that the hero’s blood runs through your veins,” Joe concluded firmly.

 

Astrid was in shock that a girl like her, who grew up in the slums, had such an interesting past. She felt a surge of happiness, but the moment she looked down at her sword in its broken state, it broke her heart and shattered her newfound confidence.

 

"If what you're saying is really the truth, then I don't think I deserve to wield that sword. My sister who once wielded it took great care of it, but when it became my turn, I ended up breaking it in half," Astrid said, her voice heavy with sadness and disappointment.

 

“Hmm… Do you mind telling me how it broke?” Joe asked gently.

 

“It broke during my last battle against someone who was threatening the safety of those I love,” Astrid responded sadly.

 

“Then I see nothing wrong with it, kid. You used it to protect, not to hurt. Broken or not, it's your purpose for wielding it that's important,” Joe assured. He then placed his hand gently on Astrid’s shoulder.

 

“Kid, I thought I’d die without ever seeing this legendary sword, but now I’m holding it with my own hands,” Joe said, his voice filled with reverence. He carefully cradled the broken blade. “You just made one of my most cherished dreams come true, and as a gift, I promise that I’ll fix this sword for you no matter what,” he added with powerful conviction.

 

Astrid’s eyes sparkled with overwhelming joy. She had never once considered that her sword could be repaired. “D-do you mean it, Joe?” She asked, her excitement visible on her face.

 

“Bwa-ha-ha! Of course! I’d be honored to fix a legendary sword such as this, but I’d need your help to make it happen,” Joe responded, his energy infectious.

 

“I’d do anything! Just tell me what to do!” Astrid declared, her determination returning in full force.

 

“That’s the spirit!” Joe said. He gently handed the sword back to Astrid. “Listen, kid. There’s a specific rock I need to repair your sword. It’s a shiny black mineral called Prismanium, and it’s the most special and precious rock there is,” he explained.

 

“Oh, easy, I can do that! Just give me the location and I’ll go get it for you,” Astrid answered with confident zeal.

 

“It won’t be easy, kid. None of us has ever successfully retrieved a piece of that precious mineral because it’s at the deepest part of this enormous cavern,” Joe cautioned, his expression turning serious. “The worst part is that it’s where the golem’s nest is located. Individually, those golems aren’t strong, but there are a thousand of them down there, so you’ll eventually get overwhelmed. Another issue is that the path you’ll be taking will be treacherous, and it will take you three days to get there on foot.”

 

“By foot? Can’t we just ride a vehicle to speed it up?” Astrid asked, thinking of the steam-powered carriage.

 

“You can’t. The path you’ll be taking is very narrow and incredibly steep, so vehicles can’t cross it,” Joe explained.

 

“I see… that does sound like a problem. If that’s the case, then I don’t think I can handle it on my own,” Astrid admitted, her confidence momentarily wavering.

 

“Don’t worry, kid, I already have a solution,” Joe responded with a knowing smile. He then walked over to the tall Cottontail woman who had been insulted earlier, addressing her casually, as if they were old friends.

 

“Hey, Coney. Mind accompanying this kid to the golem’s nest and getting me a chunk of Prismanium? I’ll clear your tab if you agree,” Joe negotiated, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial tone.

 

“I’ll pass. It’s too dangerous. Plus, I’ve run out of decent swords, so I wouldn’t be able to fight anyway,” Coney responded flatly, without a second thought, her gaze still calm and intense.

 

“Don’t worry. I have thirty short swords in my basement that you can take right now,” Joe countered immediately.

 

Coney took a long moment to respond, considering the offer, before finally caving in. “Tsk… you’re lucky I have nothing to do at the moment. I’ll do it, but with one condition. If you’re going to fix this kid’s sword with the Prismanium, then you must make me your best sword out of the Prismanium as well.”

 

“Fine, it’s a deal,” Joe responded instantly, shaking on the agreement. He then shifted his attention back toward Astrid. “Good news, kid, Coney here will accompany you. I’m confident in her ability, so you have nothing to worry about,” he assured her.

 

Joe immediately went to prepare the thirty short swords that Coney would be using. Meanwhile, the bartender prepared all the necessary supplies, like food and water, that the two would need for their three-day journey. After all their gear was ready, Coney and Astrid prepared themselves to depart for their destination.

 

“We’ll be heading out now,” Astrid said, looking at Joe with renewed determination.

 

“Good luck out there. Bring back that Prismanium!” Joe responded, a huge grin spreading across his face.