Legendary Shadow Blacksmith

“Go away, shoo! Guards, call the guards!”

“Please! We just want to ask one question! One question, and we’ll leave!”

The shouts of the nurses echoed through the hospital hallway, the clattering of feet accompanying their cries as they chased away a crowd of disguised reporters. News had broken about the Daemon attack, and rumors had spread about a mysterious blind man involved in the incident. The vultures had come swarming, trying to pry into Julian’s involvement, looking for any story they could get their hands on.

Julian lay still in his hospital bed, listening to the chaos outside his room. MEGAN’s voice buzzed in his mind.

[Reporters, huh? Guess the news got wind of the Daemon attack. That, or they’re here for the rumors about a blind man surviving the attack when many others did not.]

Julian didn’t respond. He simply kept his face turned toward the ceiling, feeling the ache in his muscles. His body was still healing from the battle. But he was calm, quieter without the adrenaline of combat coursing through him. His demeanor was different now, softer.

The door opened, and a nurse stepped in, his heavy footsteps alerting Julian before he even spoke.

[What the!? Why is this guy even a nurse!?]

“You alright?” The nurse’s voice was deep, gruff—Julian could almost feel the bulk in the man's build through his voice. MEGAN wanted to tell Julian that the nurse looked more like he belonged to the gym, but she refrained herself. “Don’t worry about those reporters. We’ve got them handled. You just rest.”

Julian nodded lightly in thanks, his lips curling into a brief, awkward smile. He didn’t say much—he rarely did when he wasn’t holding a weapon in his hand. The nurse stayed by his bedside for a moment longer before heading toward the door.

But Julian’s mind wasn’t on the reporters or even his aching body. His thoughts had already drifted back to the Otherworld. The itch to return to it had been growing since he left the hospital. He needed to get back there. The real world felt too slow, too heavy compared to the rush of battle in the Otherworld.

[I don’t even need to hear you to know what you’re thinking about going back to that Otherworld thing of yours! Don’t you even think about it.] MEGAN’s voice cut through his thoughts, sharp as ever. [You have cracked ribs, a body that needs rest, and let’s not forget—you were just unconscious from exhaustion! What do you think people are going to say if you suddenly start walking around like nothing happened?]

He didn’t respond, which was enough of an answer for MEGAN. [Absolutely not! I swear to God, Julian, if you even think about it right now…]

Julian shifted slightly in bed, remaining silent. He felt fine, or at least good enough to push through. But MEGAN was relentless, launching into an hour-long tirade about responsibility, health, and what would happen if he exposed his unusual strength to the world.

Her lecture droned on and on, but Julian’s mind drifted again, this time to the battle. The thrill of it, the pulse-pounding excitement. It had been dangerous, yes, but there was something about it that made him feel alive. He was beginning to reflect on what had driven him there in the first place, when the door to his room creaked open again.

“...Ellie.”

Julian froze. He didn’t need to hear the footsteps or wait for the voice. He knew it was Ellie. Her scent filled the room before she even stepped inside. There was a sweetness to it—familiar, calming, but also painful.

Her presence filled the room, but she didn’t speak right away. Julian felt the tension in the air, the way her breaths caught in her throat. Her shoes scuffed the floor as she slowly approached the bed. Then, finally, her voice broke the silence.

“Why…” Her voice wavered, and Julian could hear the strain behind it. “Why the fuck would you do this to yourself? My god. You... you...I knew you would have a hard time adapting since I've always held your hand and did everything for you. But this...?”

Her tone was laced with frustration, but Julian could hear the sadness beneath it. He stayed still, his lips tight, his mind racing as guilt washed over him.

“I can’t stand it anymore,” Ellie’s voice cracked. “You’re moving in with me, Julian. You can’t stay here—living like this.”

Julian’s jaw tightened. He didn’t like the idea. “Ellie, you don’t need to—"

“No!” Ellie’s voice cut through the air sharply. “You are acting like a child! You sold everything to play in that damn Otherworld, you live in The Below, and you’re getting into more and more trouble. I can’t—"

Julian swallowed his response, feeling the weight of her words press down on him. He knew it was his fault. He knew that their breakup was because of his choices, his obsessions. He had been reckless. But even now, he couldn’t see himself living anywhere else but The Below. It was where he belonged—among the shadows and forgotten corners of the city.

“Thanks... for visiting,” he finally muttered, his voice low and unsure, ending the conversation, “But I’ll be fine. You and MEGAN are right... I need to learn how to live by myself. Otherworld... can give me that chance.”

There was a long pause. Ellie stared at him, her frustration boiling over, but beneath it, there was something deeper—hurt. She didn’t say another word. She stormed out of the room, but not before placing something on the bedside table. Julian could smell it—his favorite meals.

As the door clicked shut behind her, MEGAN broke the silence.

[Wow, you guys are so toxic,] she said dryly, but there was a softness in her tone as if she knew the pain running through Julian’s mind.

Julian lay back down, trying to rest, but it was impossible. His mind was racing. He knew Ellie was right. It was all his fault they broke up. He’d pushed her away, consumed by his obsession with the Otherworld, with his craft, and his need to fight. Ellie deserved better. She deserved someone whole, not a man chasing shadows and monsters.

He sighed deeply. Rest wasn’t going to come to him. Not like this. His mind wouldn’t quiet down. Julian sat up again, running a hand through his hair–a habit he had rarely even done before for himself. He started doing it when he was in Artemia since his long, disheveled hair was preventing him from seeing properly.

[Can’t sleep, huh?] MEGAN asked gently. [You’re thinking too much. Why don’t we check your body to make sure everything’s healing properly?]

Julian hummed and got up, feeling the pull in his muscles as he moved toward the mirror. He stood there, removing his hospital gown and feeling the cool air on his bare skin. His muscles were more defined than before, even more toned than when he had first entered the Otherworld.

[Holy—] MEGAN’s voice was filled with awe. [You’re even more muscular than before. And, uh, more handsome too. My boy, all grown up! I’m so proud of you!]

“Hm…?” Julian hummed at her words, but before he could respond, the door creaked open again.

A figure stood in the doorway, pausing for a moment before stepping inside. Julian tensed, unsure of who had entered, but he heard the heavy footsteps. They were slow, deliberate.

“Well, well,” approached a whispering voice, amused. “Looks like someone’s been keeping in shape.”

"Huh...?" Before Julian could react, the sound of fabric rustling filled the room.

The figure moved closer, and Julian could hear the distinct sound of a shirt being pulled off. Then, the voice continued, even more amused than before.

“You know… it’s a shame you can’t appreciate this masterpiece we’ve got going on here. But I’ll tell you—it’s a work of art.”

It was the male nurse from earlier.

But while Julian could not see what the nurse was actually doing…

…MEGAN can see everything… everything.

[What the… Close your eyes!] MEGAN bellow in Julian’s mind as the nurse posed in front of the mirror. [This gorilla just stripped right in front of you, Julian! What the!?]

"Wanna touch?" the nurse asked with a grin, flexing his chest muscles, the sound of his pecs pumping audible in the quiet room.

MEGAN continued to scream in Julian’s mind. [This cannot be ethical! Not at all! Julian, help!]

Julian just stood there, dumbfounded, a bemused smile tugging at his lips while making sure that MEGAN was seeing everything.

“You ever need tips,” the nurse continued, “or protein shake recommendations, you know where to find me.” He let out a hearty laugh, flexing once more. “Here’s my number, man. We should talk muscles sometime.”

Julian just nodded awkwardly, letting out a weak laugh as the nurse handed him a piece of paper and flexed one last time before leaving the room.

“...What just happened?” Julian whispered. Maybe, sometimes, being blind has its merits.

[Ugh… I need to wash my eyes!]

***

The following day, Julian was discharged from the hospital. He wasted no time in getting back home and slipping into his bed. The first thing he did was grab his LinkGear, sliding it on his head, eager to return to the Otherworld.

As his consciousness was transferred, the weightless feeling returned, pulling him into the virtual space.

And there she was. MEGAN’s avatar appeared before him, arms crossed, a deep sigh escaping her lips.

[Really? You’re already doing this again?] MEGAN sighed, shaking her head in disapproval.

Julian chuckled. “Sorry.”

[Seriously?] MEGAN crossed her arms, slightly pouting as she bent forward to make sure Julian knew she was pouting, [You have superpowers, and the first thing you do is go back to Artemia!? We should investigate this more!]

"There's... nothing for me to do there," Julian sighed.

[Uh... be a blind superhero!?] MEGAN placed her finger right on Julian's face, slightly shocking him as his vision blurred, [You'll be like a jacked-up Daredevil or a blind Spider-Man!]

"I can't even save my relationship."

[That...] MEGAN almost glitched.

"And I have another reason to be here," But then, Julian's tone grew more serious. “MEGAN…

…Can you show me what the Daemon we killed looked like?”

MEGAN hesitated for a moment before she stepped to the side – and as she did so, the air around him grew heavy. Shadows twisted and formed, slowly manifesting the Daemon, its monstrous tentacles and glowing eyes glaring at him.

Julian’s breath hitched, a gasp escaping his lips.

"We… killed that?” His voice was barely above a whisper.