The rock scorpion's body gradually cooled in the twilight. Tisk kicked the iron hammer at his feet, covered in slime, and suddenly pointed to the mountainside on the left: "Follow this stream for half a mile, and there's an abandoned dwarf outpost. When I was young, I sneaked into the mountains to forge my mechanical arm and hid there for three days." His goggles slipped to the tip of his nose, revealing the bruised purple bags under his eyes. "But let me warn you, there might be remnants of the furnace I messed up when I was twelve piled up inside."
The abandoned wooden cabin was nestled between two giant cedars, with rusted gears jammed in the wall cracks and a half-broken windmill hanging from the roof—the "iron windmill" that dwarf caravans used to power their furnaces. Tisk pushed open the creaking wooden door. Inside, the kang bed was piled with tattered leather blueprints, and the walls were nailed with a few twisted iron nails, their heads still bearing rust stains.
"Can we still light a fire?" Fa brushed over the dust-covered furnace, where half a piece of ignition crystal remained in the hearth. Tisk smugly shook his tool bag: "Watch the old man show off!" He bent a few mechanical parts on the ground into spirals, stacked them above the crystal, and lightly tapped the tips with his hammer. Golden sparks instantly flared up, turning the dusty iron furnace red-hot. "This is called 'Scrap Iron Rekindle Technique,' several times faster than traditional flint." As he spoke, he pulled out three pieces of processed rock scorpion meat from his backpack and placed them on an anvil slice to roast. "This meat has been specially treated; it smells amazing when roasted. I guarantee you've never tasted anything like it."
Arya leaned close to the blueprints on the wall and found they were dwarf runes altered with charcoal: "These are... defense array improvement diagrams?" Tisk paused, his ear tips reddening in the firelight: "That year, I wanted to design an array that could withstand thunderstorms, but the furnace exploded and blew a hole in the roof. When my father came to catch me, he thought I was forging some evil contraption to imprison demons." He suddenly kicked away an iron bucket at his feet, revealing half a mechanical wolf torso buried underneath. "Look at these wolf claws; they were supposed to have ejectable iron talons, but I mistakenly used volcanic crystal, and the claws shot out and melted through three trees."
As the three sat around the campfire gnawing on bread, Fa suddenly asked: "You said the animals in Red Ridge Mountain went berserk twenty years ago?" Tisk's hammer head struck the edge of the fire pit, sparking a few embers: "Yes. Back then, Silver Red Village and the Gold Merchant Fortress to the south had monthly caravans exchanging dwarf refined iron and various civilian goods. Until one day, the deer herds in the mountains suddenly attacked the caravans, with earth-element spikes growing on their backs—just like the rock scorpion we just dealt with."
Arya passed over the water skin: "Didn't anyone investigate the cause back then?"
"Of course they did." Tisk's voice lowered, his fingers rubbing the casting flaws on his hammer. "My father, the village chief, led a dwarf mercenary group to search the mountains for half a month. They found that all the berserk animals had tiny burn marks on their foreheads, like they'd been hit by some kind of light spot. But venturing deeper into the mountains brought thunderstorms and rockslides, making it impossible to approach the summit." He suddenly pointed to the thunderclouds outside the window. "Look at those rolling clouds; they've never dissipated in decades, like someone set up a perpetual lightning furnace at the peak."
Fa's star eyes faintly heated up. She noticed several rusted iron boxes piled in the corner of the cabin, with faded symbols on the lids—identical to the patterns on the rock scorpion's back armor. Tisk followed her gaze, his brows furrowing sharply: "These junk boxes are equipment crates left by the mercenary group back then; the amulets inside rusted long ago... wait." He suddenly brushed aside the straw in the iron box, revealing a palm-sized metal plate at the bottom, etched with dense star orbit patterns.
"This is a fragment of the 'Star Positioning Disk'!" Tisk's goggles nearly pressed against the metal plate. "My father's notes mentioned that dwarf ancestors used this to track the trajectories of falling stars. But twenty years ago, research was suddenly banned, saying it 'angered the star spirits.'" His fingers slid over the patterns, suddenly stopping at a notch. "Look at this crack; it's like it was torn apart by powerful energy from the middle—could the mercenary group have actually found something back then?"
As night deepened, Tisk began tinkering with the dilapidated machinery in the cabin. He dismantled the windmill remnants into parts and assembled them with his portable mini-furnace, attempting to restore the unfinished defense array from years ago. Fa leaned against the doorframe, watching him squat on the ground muttering to himself: "Damn, these gears are more chaotic than an elf's abacus... Arya! Pass me the moonlight powder from your bag; I want to see if these rusted runes can be reactivated."
Arya smiled as she handed over the vial: "Master Tisk, are you sure this isn't destroying a historical relic?"
"Historical relic?" Tisk sprinkled the moonlight powder on the metal plate, and blue fluorescence instantly outlined the complete star orbit pattern. "True history shouldn't lie moldering in the dust. Look—" He pointed to the arrow at the end of the pattern, directing straight to a coordinate deep in Red Ridge Mountain. "The star lock runes from twenty years ago, the animal berserking, and this positioning disk fragment all point to 'Thunder Canyon' at the mountain's summit. And our path to Gold Merchant Fortress passes right through there."
The campfire gradually extinguished at midnight. Tisk curled up in the corner of the kang with his hammer, soft snores coming from under his goggles. Fa stroked the new lightning patterns on her short blade and suddenly noticed that the star orbits on the metal plate perfectly matched the runes on the blade—like two fragments burst from the same falling star. She leaned close to the door crack, gazing at the churning thunderclouds at the peak, vaguely seeing something flash in the clouds, like a suspended life form.
"When we pass through Thunder Canyon tomorrow, remember to stick close to the mountain wall." Tisk's voice suddenly came from behind; he hadn't opened his eyes, but he clutched his hammer tightly. "The thunderstorms there will rob you of your sense of direction, like an invisible hand repeatedly hammering your head on an anvil..." He paused, his voice so soft it was almost drowned by the wind. "The mercenary group members my father brought back all got 'Anvil Madness'—always feeling like there was a hammer pounding in their heads until they became barbarians who only knew how to swing iron tools."
Morning dew condensed on the dilapidated windows. Tisk had already sewn the metal plate fragment into the inner layer of his backpack. He kicked the mechanical wolf remnants by the door and suddenly said to Fa: "You know why I'm willing to join you?" Without waiting for an answer, he turned and walked toward the mountain path in the morning light, his iron boots crunching crisply over fallen leaves. "Because you make me believe that some scars hammered on the anvil can eventually be forged into a map guiding the stars."
The mists of Red Ridge Mountain churned beneath their feet, with distant rumbles echoing from Thunder Canyon. Fa gripped her short blade, feeling the blade and the metal plate fragment faintly resonating in her bosom—that was the whisper of iron fire and stars, the truth sealed by years of rust, about to be hammered anew into their anvil poem under the adventurers' footsteps.
The Trial of Thunder Canyon
Fa and her team arrived at the entrance of Thunder Canyon deep in Red Ridge Mountain before the morning mist had fully dissipated. The scene before them made them hold their breath—the canyon was crisscrossed with lightning, storms raging, and the air filled with a pungent scorched smell, the traces left by lightning striking rocks. In the distance, lightning snaked across the gloomy sky, illuminating the depths of the canyon and revealing hints of danger and mystery.
"This is Thunder Canyon," Tisk said in a low voice, his goggles reflecting the lightning's glow. "The only way to Gold Merchant Fortress, but also the most dangerous place. Are you ready?"
Fa nodded, her star eyes faintly glowing, as if responding to the intense energy in the canyon. She turned to Tisk and asked: "Your defense array—can it really handle the lightning here?"
Tisk pulled out three circular devices made of metal and runes from his backpack, each centered with a shimmering crystal. He distributed them to Fa and Arya, saying confidently: "This is my 'Thunder Amulet,' developed over ten years of hard work. It can withstand 80% of lightning's power. Wear it on your body, and when lightning strikes, it'll automatically activate a protective shield."
Arya took the amulet and examined the runes closely: "This is truly a masterpiece of dwarf technology, Tisk. Are you sure it's reliable?"
"Of course!" Tisk puffed out his chest, a confident gleam flashing under his goggles. "It's crafted combining ancient dwarf runes with my improvements. Alright, no more chit-chat. Remember to stick close to the mountain wall and avoid open areas. Let's go!"
The three cautiously stepped into the canyon. The path was narrow and rugged, with towering mountain walls on both sides, and occasional rocks tumbling from above. Lightning shuttled through the canyon, emitting deafening roars, each strike on the ground sparking fire and dust.
However, Tisk's defense array lived up to its name. Whenever lightning approached, the amulets emitted blue light, forming a protective barrier that weakened the lightning's force. Fa and Arya were amazed to find that even the fiercest bolts couldn't penetrate this shield.
"Tisk, your invention is incredible!" Arya exclaimed. "It's more effective than elven defense magic."
Tisk grinned smugly: "This is the fruit of my years of labor, finally put to use today. But don't let your guard down; the dangers here might not just be lightning."
Arduous Advance and Teamwork
As Tisk had warned, the challenges in the canyon went far beyond lightning. Along the way, they encountered various obstacles: fallen boulders blocking the path, bottomless fissures stretching across, and even a sudden lightning storm that nearly disoriented them.
In one crisis, a bolt of lightning headed straight for Fa. Tisk shoved her aside fiercely, but he himself was grazed on the arm by the lightning.
Fa quickly helped him up, asking with concern: "Are you okay?"
Tisk gritted his teeth and waved it off: "It's fine, just a flesh wound. The defense array saved my life." He pulled out red iron healing ointment from his pouch and applied it to the wound, which quickly stopped bleeding and began to heal.
Arya watched the scene and sighed: "Your inventions are omnipotent; even the healing ointment is so effective."
Tisk chuckled: "This is a dwarf secret formula plus my own improvements. You know, in a place like this, traditional healing methods are too slow."
After hours of arduous trekking, the team finally approached the canyon's exit. Tisk's defense array and their seamless cooperation allowed them to overcome the numerous difficulties. In the process, the trust and rapport among the three deepened. Tisk occasionally guided Fa on using terrain to avoid lightning strikes, while Arya used her elven senses to warn of dangers ahead.
The Appearance of the Mysterious Figure
Just as they were about to exit the canyon, Fa suddenly felt an intense gaze upon her. She looked up and saw a mysterious figure floating above the canyon. The person was clad in a black cloak, face masked, wearing armor shimmering with starlight, their eyes emitting an eerie glow in the darkness.
Fa's heart skipped a beat; she could sense the powerful aura emanating from this mysterious person. She stopped in her tracks, staring at him, trying to discern his true identity.
The mysterious figure suddenly spoke, his voice deep and forceful: "Finally, I see you again, daughter of the star eyes. I didn't expect you'd grown so much."
Fa was stunned; she didn't remember ever meeting this person, yet there was a hint of familiarity in his tone. She asked: "Who are you? Why say 'again'?"
The mysterious figure didn't answer directly but continued: "Unfortunately, you're not strong enough yet to confront them. Keep going; when you have sufficient power to face them, I'll appear by your side once more."
With that, the mysterious figure vanished instantly from above the canyon, as if he had never been there.
Fa stood in place, lost in thought. She didn't know who this mysterious person was or what "them" referred to. But she could sense he bore her no ill will; instead, it felt like encouragement and a warning.
Tisk and Arya approached and asked: "Fa, what happened? Who was that guy?"
Fa shook her head: "I don't know him, but he seems to know my past. His words... might be hinting at future challenges."
Arya frowned: "He said 'confront them'—what are 'them'? Creatures like rock scorpions?"
Tisk pondered: "Maybe, maybe not. From his aura, 'them' could be something more powerful. For now, we can only press on, find the fragments of the Heart of Stars, and unravel these mysteries."
Fa nodded; she knew the road ahead would be even tougher, but the mysterious figure's appearance strengthened her resolve. She believed that as long as the team worked together, they could overcome any obstacle.
Discovery in the Depths of the Canyon
Continuing forward about a mile, Tisk suddenly halted, his eyes widening under the goggles: "Wait, the energy fluctuations here are all wrong." He pulled out a complex instrument from his tool bag, its needle swinging wildly.
Fa's star eyes began to heat up as well; she saw ancient runes carved all over the rock wall ahead, strikingly similar to the patterns on the metal plate Tisk had found.
"These are... star orbit guidance runes?" Arya said softly, her fingers lightly tracing the carvings. "Elven ancient texts mention such runes; they're said to guide stellar energy."
The three examined the runes closely and found they formed a massive guidance system, channeling the canyon's lightning energy in a certain direction. Tisk took out paper and pen, quickly sketching the arrangement of the runes.
"This could be the key to unlocking Thunder Canyon's secrets," Tisk said excitedly. "If I can crack the principles of this system, I might create even stronger protective devices."
As they focused on their study, a tremendous roar suddenly echoed from the canyon's depths, and the entire mountain began to shake. Massive rocks tumbled from above, and an especially thick bolt of lightning struck down, aimed right at their position.
"Watch out!" Fa shouted, her star eyes flashing brightly as she predicted the lightning's impact point. She shoved Tisk aside while drawing her short blade, guiding the lightning energy to deflect its direction.
Arya quickly chanted a spell, forming a green protective shield around the three that blocked the falling rocks. Tisk swiftly pulled out several metal rods from his backpack and inserted them into the ground to create a temporary lightning diversion array.
After a heart-pounding series of coordinated efforts, the crisis passed. The three panted, exchanging smiles, their rapport deepening further.
"That was a close one," Tisk said, wiping sweat from his forehead. "If not for your quick reactions, my old bones would've been done for here."
Fa smiled as she sheathed her short blade: "We're a team; protecting each other is what we do."
Arya nodded in agreement: "Exactly, and this experience has given us a deeper understanding of each other's abilities. Tisk, your temporary lightning array was surprisingly effective."
Tisk puffed up proudly: "Of course; it's my latest design. Once we reach Gold Merchant Fortress, I'll find a workshop to improve it properly."
After a brief rest, the three continued onward. As they delved deeper into the canyon, the lightning grew denser, but with their increasingly skilled cooperation and Tisk's inventions, they always turned danger into safety.
At a turn, Fa suddenly stopped, her star eyes fixed on a rock wall ahead: "Something's glowing over there."
Approaching, they found a peculiar blue crystal embedded in the rock wall, its surface flowing with lightning-like veins. After careful inspection, Tisk said in surprise: "This is 'Thunder Stone,' an extremely rare ore that only forms in places subjected to long-term lightning strikes."
He carefully removed the ore and placed it in a special container: "This is a treasure; it can be used to enhance my inventions. Looks like this perilous journey wasn't in vain."
Finally, at dusk, the three emerged from Thunder Canyon. Standing at the exit, looking back at the perils they'd just endured, they all felt as if it were a lifetime ago.
Ahead, the outline of Gold Merchant Fortress was faintly visible, its city lights twinkling in the twilight, heralding the start of new adventures.
Fa gripped her short blade tightly, feeling the energy resonating with her star eyes. She knew that no matter how many difficulties lay ahead, with her companions by her side, nothing was impossible. And the mysterious figure's words would become the driving force propelling her forward, to uncover the ultimate secrets of the Heart of Stars.