Irwin's Journey 477: One of many

"Make sure you stay in the house," Irwin said, as he looked at Rindiri and the two Yuurindi.

"We will, Captain," Rindiri said. "Good luck."

"Luck has nothing to do with it," Ambraz said happily, flying nearby. "Now, let's do this, kid! As soon as we are done, you can bring us out of here. As much as I love your soulscape, it's just so… empty."

Irwin nodded and floated up in the air before rushing to the volcano that indicated his third card and dominated the landscape of his soulscape.

It took only a second to cross the miles of terrain, which flitted below him, and as Irwin landed on the rocky, black ground, he looked back at the distant building. If he could move this fast in the portal gallery, its fast distances would be far less of a hindrance.

Ambraz thudded on the ground beside him, enlarging to his working shape.

"So, we have six tries today, so let's make them count," the Ganvil rumbled.

Irwin took a final glance at his house, sensing the three Yuurindi within it. Of them, only Rindiri had a soulcard, with the other two having only a pair of handcards each. It meant the card he would make for Rindiri would need to be far more complicated, but if he succeeded, it would also make her far stronger than the other two.

If? When! He told himself.

He turned to Ambraz, making one of the seed cards he'd made over the years appear in his hand. It was a simple quartz card that showed what looked like a burning coal. He didn't have to pick up his booklet to know exactly what it did, because it was the second cardseed that he could make without fail. He'd been practicing it for weeks nonstop and on and off over the years before that.

Name: Humming Firesteel Ore

Type: Quartz, [???]

A card that binds the wielder to a chunk of odd metallic ore found on the side of a legendary volcano.

Passive: Resistance to fire

A legendary volcano, Irwin thought, sensing the massive volcano below his feet.

He knew that the question marks likely hid the fact that the card held the seed to becoming a Crathanathair. Though how a quartz card could already hold such a powerful effect was beyond him. It had just started popping up a few days ago, and he had six of them now.

"Stop hesitating," Ambraz snorted. "Just reforge one and see what happens. Worst case, you wasted two weeks, and we try something else. You could still use the first one as the basis."

Irwin rolled his eyes and put the card on Ambraz's surface while summoning his hammer.

"I can't wait till we can use all four," Irwin muttered as he waited for his otherself to move most of its focus into the other of his giant bodies.

A moment later, both of his selves stood side by side, one with a guitar, the other with a hammer. Irwin looked at himself, something he still found strange.

"If you really want to use more of your bodies here, you might need to practice your piano skills again," Ambraz grunted. "Three soulstrum guitars probably won't increase the complexity enough."

"Yes, well, that's a problem for the next time," both of Irwin's selves spoke at the same time.

Irwin grinned as his otherself floated up in the air and to the peak of the volcano. From there, the sound of the soulstrum guitar would resonate better; they both knew.

A moment later, the first soft plucking of strings echoed down.

Irwin drew a deep breath and focused on his soulscape for a moment before singling out his third soulcard. The thing that made him a Crathanathair, and the first of his kind. Until now, the closest thing to him was Brecka, but that was because her first soulcard was based on all of what he'd been at that point, a Firesteel Elemental. He hadn't been a full Crathanathair yet, and thus neither was she. He knew she wanted him to make her third heartcard one, and he might, depending on how things went today.

A sense of almost joyous expectancy came from his third soulcard, and he pushed away his always present wonder if heartcards and soulcards were conscious entities.

"Let's start," he said, slamming his hammer down on the card.

The image of the card appeared above Ambraz, nearly completely covered in dark smudges and with only one tiny sparkling hole. The mere potential the card had put it among the top of those he'd ever seen, but it also meant it was incredibly difficult to reforge. Not that Irwin worried about that.

He pulled on his soulscape, letting the soulforce start to congregate around him. He knew that for Rindiri and the others, it would look like a massive storm was brewing around the volcano, as golden-edged black clouds circled its peak, and a mass of orange, yellow, and red smoke swirled across its surface. Someone with better soulforce senses might also feel the immense power that was gathering in a small area.

But to him? To him, it felt like his entire being was being condensed in a one-mile area around him.

'Finally!' Ambraz cried out, causing Irwin to grin.

He hummed louder, then began singing the wordless song he'd created with his friend. The song that felt like the simplest embodiment of what made up his third soulcard. The first energetic sounds from his Soulstrum guitar drifted down the mountain, and as if having waited for it for far too long, Ambraz joined in.

Irwin struck down again, letting his own soulforce flow into the card. It felt like he barely had to change it, or shape it, as the card seemed to willfully follow the song, almost preemptively resonating along with it.

Two hits. Five. Ten.

Irwin lost count after that, his joy growing as he felt the card and him almost echo each other.

At some point, it finished, the border turning Amethyst, but he barely noticed.

The song had a short pause there, as if building into something more. Something greater.

As the card settled into amethyst, the pause ended, and Irwin struck down as if matching a beat only he could hear.

His lips were curled in a wide smile, and the part of him not fully focused on the forging knew one thing. Creating cards from the cardseeds that were part of himself, and letting them continue along that part, was one of his favorite types of reforging.

--

Ambraz focused on the card forming above him, barely believing the complexity of what he was detecting. Following the song Irwin was creating was becoming increasingly difficult, and when the card turned emerald, he could hear the song that would have to come. Joyful, almost boisterous. Explosive and with a deep undercurrent of something that he couldn't fully understand.

He better not continue after diamond, Ambraz thought.

What felt like an hour later, but was probably only half of that, the song's crescendo caused the surrounding rocks to jitter around them, and Ambraz knew he was reaching his limit. Something he knew shouldn't be possible, but which he'd feared might happen. The kid was just a monster, and now, focusing only on what was himself, he was unleashing the full might of it.

Fine. I guess that settles what my last skill will be, Ambraz thought, as the card settled into its ruby form.

"Stop!" he bellowed, before the brat's hammer could start the next step.

Irwin froze, blinking stupidly, before slowly lowering his hammer.

"Wha… t?"

"I need a moment," Ambraz grunted, wondering if he really hadn't sensed what he was doing. Probably not. Ever since the kid's first moment of getting lost in the reforging, Ambraz had known he wasn't always fully aware of what he was doing. It wasn't just skill, it was instinct. Following the flow of something deeply ingrained in him. Perhaps it was something all Galaldin had been able to do, but Ambraz doubted it. He and Irwin had found a plethora of music sheets from the ancient ancestors of Irwin and the others on Giard, and there was something… different about what they had done. Something that Irwin, Endil, and Zan did differently. Something he'd even noticed with Trimdir, even if he didn't use the same forging style.

"Ambraz? What's wrong?"

"Kid… I need a moment," Ambraz grunted. "It's time to pick my final rank-up skill."

Ambraz felt worry bubble below the surface of his bonded smith's thoughts, and he snorted.

"Yes, yes. I know I said I was keeping it for something important. But this is one of those things."

"Explain?"

Ambraz, not for the first time, wished he had eyes, so he could roll them like he'd seen the fleshies do. It was such a great way of nonverbally showing annoyance.

"You don't think when you smith," Ambraz said. "That means you move faster than anyone who does can follow."

He felt the confusion his words created, but decided he would explain later. They needed to continue, and he should have done this months ago, when he'd started noticing the problem.

Ambraz focused deep inside of his mind and being, on the part that would probably be a soulscape to any other being. He felt the options there. Dozens upon dozens, most the start of something that he knew he'd never pick. But there were also options that were complex and built upon the other skills he'd already picked up over the years. One he'd looked at, thought about, and almost chosen many times.

'Thoughtless resonance. I wonder which of my ancestors came up with the name,' Ambraz thought, as he let the details of the skill flow through his mind. If he picked this, he'd lose something. The ability to fully comprehend everything he and the brat would do. To be able to analyze every part of it… but if he didn't he was closing in on his limit. It was either this, or rank up to six as fast as he could, and then what? Either he would have to remain behind on Eluathar or bind to Irwin's soulscape and be physically locked in here until the brat could move him out, which would require far more soulforce than he had. It could mean he'd have to remain here until he became a world carded.

And it's so lifeless here, Ambraz thought, scanning the surroundings. He'd told Irwin many times about it, and there were some fish now living in the pyrofux lake and rivers that ran across part of the fiery mountains of his first soulcard's area. But that wasn't enough. If he had to stay here forever? There had to be intelligent life, or he'd go crazy.

He sensed Irwin's worry grow, and he held back an annoyed retort as he focused on the skill. It would lock him into the musical style of Smithing, but did that matter? He was already heavily invested, and it wasn't like he would outlive the brat. A sense of pride bubbled up at the knowledge that, unlike the others, he wouldn't have to worry about a Ganvils' biggest weakness. The slow growth after rank six causing their bonded smiths to die.

No, the part that was truly making him hesitate was that if he chose this skill now, he would have to wait for at least ten years to have another.

What is there even to pick beyond this, he told himself, scanning the different offensive and defensive options. He knew that others in his position would have picked those, worried they might be left without a bonded smith and thus defenseless.

Ambraz focused on the skill and chose it before he could rethink it again. Within moments, he sensed the ancient patterns flow through his mind, making incomprehensibly tiny changes, and vast sweeping additions.

It lasted for only a few minutes, and when it finished, Ambraz felt different. The part of him that was already focused on the musical smithing style had lost a tiny bit, an ability to fully grasp what was happening as it did, but it had gained something… incredible.

Ugh, so now both of us are going to zone out together, Ambraz thought, feeling a mixture of joy and annoyance.

"Ambraz… what did you do?"

"Nothing important, kid. Now, do you want to continue with this one, or should we restart on the next and continue this one after?"

Irwin stared at him, clearly not believing him, but Ambraz wasn't planning on explaining himself. The kid had enough troubles to deal with, and besides it wasn't like he'd have changed his opinion anyway.

"Let's restart," Irwin finally said.

Good choice, Ambraz thought, focusing on the changes to his mind. Although they felt part of him, he knew that was mostly his own mind playing tricks on him. In reality, he would need to practice to really internalize them.

Let's see how it feels to not think while you work, he thought.

--

Rindiri stood in front of the window, listening to the beautiful song that was swirling throughout the Captain's immense soulscape. It felt like all of it was resonating, and she could feel her own soulcard hum happily.

"How is this normal?" Dezri, the youngest of the two beside her, whispered.

Rindiri glanced aside to see that both young women were standing close together, shivering slightly.

"For the Captain? Exceedingly normal," she said, stepping closer to them, drawing their attention away from the window. "He is able to do things none of the cardsmiths that have taught you can. It's why I told you this is a great opportunity. You both enjoy the musical carsmithing style, right?"

"I do, but this is insane," Mazalin whispered. "The complexity and the speed at which he is reforging, how are we ever supposed to learn that?"

"Like he is?" Rindiri asked, her eyebrows shooting up. "No, no. Don't worry, I am not expecting you to do this. I am expecting you to become good cardsmiths, perhaps even great ones. Able to help our people go forward. I am not expecting you to become a one-in-a-generation monster like the Captain. Besides, there are already a few others who are attempting that."

"You mean Headteacher Trimdir?" Derzi asked, glancing at the window again.

"Among others," Rindiri said, as her mind flowed almost automatically to Irwin's daughter, Zan. Both Trimdir and Endil had told her that the girl was progressing at a speed they had never seen before, jumping an entire class in months.

"I… don't think the headteacher can do this," she whispered. "I mean, we are inside his soulscape. How can he even feed enough soulforce into this many cards?"

"He is doing a ruby rank reforge now," Mazalin said, putting an arm around the other girl and hugging her close. "If he continues and finishes it, he will have created a diamond card in a few hours."

Rindiri raised her eyebrows, poking the young girl's shoulder.

"Elder?"

"Are you not forgetting something else?" Rindiri asked, wondering how these two would have ever managed only twenty years ago, when their people were constantly on the move.

The girls looked at her, seemingly confused, and Rindiri held back a desire to snap at them.

"What cards is he making?" she asked calmly.

Mazalin frowned, cocking her head. "It's hard to be sure," she whispered. "I think something with fire, but without seeing the image-"

Derzi let out a soft squeal that cut off the other. Rindiri almost let out a breath of relief that at least one of the two finally seemed to realize what she meant.

"What?" Mazalin asked, looking around as if expecting to be attacked.

"Those are the cards he is going to give us," Derzi said, her voice louder as she looked at Rindiri. "Right, elder?"

"Exactly," Rindiri said. "Though if you two don't gather your wits, I might ask him to keep them for two others."

Derzi sucked in a breath before patting herself on the cheeks. "I- I'm sorry, elder. It's just so much!"

Mazalin's shoulders slumped. "I am sorry for letting you down," she whispered.

By Yilda, why couldn't I bring Zender, Rindiri thought, holding back an annoyed snort. She was starting to wonder if she was going to have to walk on eggshells for the next few weeks. Hopefully, they would start toughening up shortly after they joined the Captain's new Smith's Guild.

"It's fine," she said, not really meaning it. "Now, please calm down and stop looking like you are going to get attacked any moment. I've told you this, the Captain's soulscape is likely the safest place you have ever been."

The two younger women nodded, but clearly had to struggle to do as she asked.

Rindiri walked back to the window, listening to the beautiful song and letting it remove her annoyance. As had happened many times, her thoughts drifted to her children, especially her eldest daughter. The one she would likely never see again. Ibiri. The girl had left with many of her people to the offshoot world they had called Yuun, the portal of which had been closed semi-permanently for the next few centuries.

Ibiri, why didn't you just stay? she thought before her thoughts flitted to Zender. He had thought about it a long time, and ended up asking Irwin if he could focus even more on the Silfzeran metal of his current soulcard, asking if he could try and change him into something else. Irwin had agreed, though he had warned Zender that it might take a long time. The two children she'd been with the longest, and both were not willing to follow her lead. Only Earila had been willing, but not being a smith, she wasn't the best choice. Daubutim had been clear on that, and she couldn't blame him.

The Captain will probably become faster at a speed outpacing even Lord Daubutim's plans, she thought. With some luck, Earila would be allowed a slot soon.

Her mind swirled around until the songs finally ended and the swirling clouds of gaseous soulforce calmed.

"Alright, calm down and prepare," she said, turning to the young ones. "The captain will probably appear any-"

A translucent version of Irwin appeared, hovering in the middle of the odd room that was both a shelf in a room made for a giant and a library.

"- moment," she ended. "Captain? It seems things went well?"

--

Irwin smiled at his friend and navigator. "Things did," he said, holding up his hand and revealing five cards. Each was similar with only small changes. He technically had a sixth, but he would keep that to himself, because the sixth had gained a change he wasn't sure he should hand out. At least, not yet.

"They are diamond-rank," one of the younger smiths whispered, staring at the card in dismay and wonder.

"They are," Irwin said with a frown. "It took until then before they registered the ability we needed."

He summoned his small booklet, opening it on the page that showed one of the cards.

Card: Minor essence of the Volcano Titan

Type: Diamond, Amnathair Forged by Irwin Roddington

Owner: -

A card created by the first of the Amnathair himself, any who slot it will be unable to remove the card without shattering their soulscape. The one who slots it will become partially Amnathair, gaining the race's immense physical prowess and soulforce fortitude.

Passive: Greatly increased strength, constitution, and endurance

Passive: Minor constant growth. [The wielder will grow as they age]

Passive: All physical attributes increase with size

Passive: Soulscape size and stability increase exponentially with physical size

Active: Kinetic Energy can generate intense flames

Active: Volcanic earthquake

"Not all are identical," he said, raising the five cards. "These two have the Volcanic earthquake ability, while these have fire control. Beyond these, this one gives more physical growth and less immediate increase, while the others give a minor growth. My advice is to take those with a minor growth until you gain a true clone like I do."

The three Yuurindi stared at the description in utter horror.

"We can't slot that, Captain," Rindiri whispered. "None of us has the stability to… but you know that. What are you planning?"

Irwin grinned as he cracked his neck, pointing at two young ones. "The two of you both only have a single card, right? One that gives you a hammer and some increased sensitivity?"

"Yes, Captain," the woman said, copying what Rindiri called him almost automatically.

"Good. Well, I'm going to give both of you a heartcard with this as the base," Irwin said, raising the cards. "I'll add some general physical, metal, and stability cards in the mix."

"I… won't we shatter?" the one called Dezri asked.

"Nope," Irwin said. "I've learned a lot from my reforges of Earilla and Zender, and you will be fine. When you get it, however, you will need to remain heartcarded for a few years, so your souls can fully integrate with the card. After that, you should have little of your old issues left."

"What about…"

"You will have a far more common amount of offspring," Irwin said, before frowning. "Though we are going to have to be careful initially. There's no saying exactly how things have changed."

The three women nodded at him before sharing looks mixed with hope, horror, and awe.

"What about Elder Rindiri?" Dezri asked softly. "She already has a soulcard."

Irwin nodded, examining the card before looking at Rindiri. "How beholden are you to it?"

Rindiri snorted. "Not. You can remove it, or shatter it for all I care."

"Then don't mind if I do," Irwin said, having expected the answer.

"Captain, you can remove an existing soulcard?" Dezri asked, her eyes wide in disbelief.

"Yes, but only if the replacement is ready and it's not pleasant," Irwin said. "I need to slot cards to destabilize it, which will take a while. So, I'm going to start with the two of you and finish with Rindiri. After you have all slotted your card, who of you two wants to go first?"

Dezri stepped forward, her eyes gleaming. "I will, Captain. Can I have one of the cards that gives me fire control and minor physical growth?"

"You can," Irwin said, handing her one of the cards.

A moment later, he'd handed the others a similar card, with all preferring fire control over the earthquake ability. He didn't blame them.

"Now, one thing," he said, as he watched all three ready themselves. "There's a chance you will wake up much bigger than you are now. There's little I can do to change that. Also, there is no saying exactly what type of physical changes you will get."

"We will be fine," Rindiri said, before staring at the two younger Yurindi. "The two of you wait till I have slotted the card. If anything odd happens, at least you will know beforehand."

Not waiting for an answer, she slotted the card in an open slot. It flowed inside with a soft whoosh while an intense glow made the other two look away. Irwin, however, jumped forward instantly, barely catching Rindiri as her eyes rolled up.

"Don't worry," he said, smiling at the other two. "It's perfectly normal, and she will be fine when she wakes. Now, let's wait and see what happens."