Hell's Glitch (initial draft)

2:26 Tsurugi

"Have a seat," the short auburn-haired woman said after pulling two chairs up to a small square table in the front corner of the room. She was about five four and had a body stacked with lean muscle. Before taking his seat, Sam stared at his confiscated weapons sitting over on another larger table across the room. He felt naked without his gear, but there were weapons all over the room and should she try something, he'd just grab one of the nearby swords. He'd still have to worry about that strange looking golem she commanded to guard his gear though.

Immediately he noticed the tiny specs of fire hidden in the brown of her eyes. Did that mean she was cursed by Phoenix too?

"I can't believe that you were the one who defeated Arachne. That demon has weakened over the years, but I honestly still can't see how someone like you defeated him."

"Well believe it, cuz I did."

She sat down across from him and he couldn't help, but notice that she wasn't holding any weapons, nor were there any on her body, not even a dagger. She was wearing a black leather apron on top of a grey blouse and brown trousers. Her hair was pulled back into a small bun and sweat dripped from her brow, which was understandable since it was so hot in this room.

"Impossible."

"Are you a blacksmith?"

"Were the hammer and forge not enough of a clue for you?"

"I didn't see them until now. Too busy with trying to make sure you and your golem don't try to kill me."

"First, don't call that kind lass over there a golem or I will show you to a real one. Second, if you're scared of me and Lassy, then you certainly couldn't have defeated Arachne and have no business in this castle."

Sam looked at the golem in the corner and did see a resemblance between it and the village golems. Like the villagers, it—she—was made of smoother stones that were all the same color and consistency, only her bricks were dark grey, same as the castle. She was much smaller than all but the smallest golems he'd seen so far.

"I apologize for my rudeness. Actually, I think you're one of the people that I'm looking for. I need a sword of mine fixed and I was told to come find a smith named Tsurugi. Is that you?"

The woman stood up suddenly and was in Sam's face, "Who told you that name?"

"Easy! I was told to come here by a mutual friend."

"Who?" she asked as she grabbed him by the collar.

"She ... her name was Ji. I lost her in the fight with Arachne."

She let go of his collar and stared at him, confusion painted all over her face.

"Lost her?"

"She died. Arachne killed her."

"That woman is not one to be killed easily. How did the demon manage that?"

He hesitated.

"She sacrificed herself so that I could get the killing stroke."

"That sounds more like her. It's understandable how someone like you could defeat the demon. But you are a cursed man, why does her death cause you so much pain? Ji was cursed just like you. Death means nothing to a man cursed by Phoenix."

"She was turned to stone by Arachne's Dust and crushed. She's nothing but a pile of pebbles now. There's no way to bring her back."

"I see. I'm sorry that you have lost a friend. I can see that you care about her deeply."

"Will you help me?"

"I will forge whatever you need me too, but it will be for market price. Pity has no place in my shop."