Chapter 56: Shattered rest
Irwin dully gazed at the trickle of smoke running from between Ambraz's lips.
"I ruined another one," he muttered, thinking about the simple utility card that had just shattered—the third of the nine Daubutim had brought.
"Don't act so surprised," Ambraz grunted. The Anvil flashed dimly and returned to its smaller shape, floating shakily to Irwin. "That's all I can take for now. We will practice more tomorrow evening.
Irwin sighed as he nodded and moved to the table. Daubutim, head resting on his arms, was back to sleep while a small stack of the remaining six cards lay below his hand.
"I don't understand how I'm supposed to hit exactly at the right moment if the moments keep changing," Irwin said, feeling closer to an anger tantrum than he had in a long time.
Ambraz landed on his shoulder, grunting angrily. "Orwin, you are able to sense the vibrations better than most prospects can that had months of preparations and a year of metal refinement practice. If you continue like this, you will be able to reforge a card within a month. That's a great accomplishment."
Irwin sighed and leaned his head on his hands. "Yes, but I need to get my cards to rare before I combine them… right?"
"Fine, yes, that would be for the best," Ambraz agreed with obvious hesitation.
They sat in silence for a bit, Irwin staring listlessly ahead. Part of him wondered why the Anvil seemed uncertain, but for the most part, he was angry with himself for not being able to do what he wanted. There just wasn't any flow, rhyme, or reason behind it! Or at least none that he saw! So all he got were the occasional solid hits, which weren't enough. It was almost as if he was missing something.
Ambraz sighed deeply. "There is a thing we could try… but I really won't like it," it grunted.
Irwin forgot all about his worry and sat up more. "What is it?"
"If I eat another of those cards, I can use its energy to boost my own ability for a short while. It will let me partially guide your strikes. It would probably be enough to reforge one of your cards while giving you an idea of how it should feel… but…"