Egyptian Forge

Rahja and Kahmil looked at each other and conceded to Zale's request. Rahja shot a harsh glare at Zale, just out of view of anyone as he sank back into his computer. Kahmil led them through to the forge instead. There was a short hallway followed by what looked like a storage room with lockers. Zale thought it must have been one of the original rooms with its older worn stone.

Beyond that was the forge. Although Zale hadn't known what to expect, he was still caught off guard.

The room was a giant cube. The outer rim of roughly two yards all around the forge was a simple walkway. The forge occupied the center. Six spires of iron rose taller than Zale. They were all topped with different color jewels. They stood in a large hexagon around a central platform. On the far side from him, just past the back two spires, was a large iron chamber with size enough to fit a person. The chamber was also encrusted with jewels, which matched the ones on the spires.

In front of Zale was what looked like a three-foot-wide pedestal with strange etchings on it. Zale gawked, the image of the Altar of The God of Blessings, which was burned into his memory, coming to mind.

"It looks like an altar to God," he voiced.

"Indeed. We've long debated and searched for a connection, but the path always leads to a dead-end," Shai explained.

"I found the same. Mana and Blessings aren't related, as far as I can tell. I'm glad I wasn't crazy to think that."

Kahmil stepped forward to the machine, calling for Zale's attention. "This is the forge," she said, stating the obvious.

"I see. Not really what I imagine when I hear the word 'forge.'"

"Well, the term might not be entirely accurate, sir. But, neither is it inaccurate," she explained, walking to the pedestal.

"This is the consol, of sorts. It is fueled by ancient technology based around magic, the likes of which we cannot replicate. The principle, however, is similar to that of modern-day enchanting. Much like the people who enchanted the metal used to build our city's walls, this device will enchant items we place there in the crucible," she said, pointing to the platform in the center of the room, then she pointed to the chamber on the far side, "And it uses energy from whatever materials are inside the furnace."

Rather than the small altar platform used in the churches, the platform Kahmil called the crucible was large enough to hold a body, which Zale assumed was to accommodate everything from small rings to full body armor. "Rahja and I have been working on the operation process. We've not yet performed any tests, but the documents are rather detailed. We are confident in trying any time you are ready," she explained, the last part directed at Shai.

"When you said materials, what do you mean?"

"Sir, it uses the crystals and cores dropped by monsters or mined from dungeons."

"Shai told me before that the results are random. Is that true?"

"Not entirely. We can replicate a success so long as we use a previously successful recipe or materials. However, we do not understand the process by which the forge works. Therefore, we cannot predict what different results may come about from random recipes."

Shai nodded. "My ancestors used to experiment with different combinations while looking for new products, regardless of the cost. Many were failures, some worked, and a handful were disasters. That is why the forge was decommissioned many centuries before. Until now," he added with an upward tilt of his lips.

"How soon can you finish preparations for use?" Shai asked.

"So soon as we decide on the recipe and have everything brought in, my pharaoh. We will begin, of course, on your command."

Shai looked to Zale, raising an eyebrow in question. Zale nodded and simply asked, "Well, how do we choose?