The threat of the Mechanical Lizard

The forge was abuzz with activity. Waves of sparks lit up the workshop, accompanied by the incessant tinkling of metal being struck over and over again. The air was thick with heat and the smell of molten iron.

Lila, her hands covered in soot, held between her fingers the precious Sons of Artemis, an extremely rare material entrusted to her by Erd. Her eyes shone with excitement as she slipped them through her fingers like silver silk.

- It's incredible..." she breathed as she watched the material react to the light. This metal seems to be alive!

Erd, sitting on a wooden stool, watched her analyse the properties of the material with an amused smile. He had seen many blacksmiths at work, but none with the same obsessive passion as Lila.

- So, what can you do with it? Can you make something out of it?

Lila straightened up, her leather apron covered in dust.

- Do something with it?" she repeated, outraged. This metal is a gift from the gods! With this, I can create a blade capable of cutting through magic itself!

She grabbed a piece of parchment and began scribbling forge diagrams. Her enthusiasm was contagious, and Erd let himself be drawn into the discussion.

- I'll have to fuse it with an ether core to maximise its resonance... and maybe use a cold quench to keep it supple...

Erd nodded. He didn't understand all the technical terms, but he knew one thing: he'd soon have a weapon to match his ambitions.

But just as they were in the middle of their discussion, a shrill siren ripped through the air, drowning out even the sound of metal being struck in the workshop.

Lila gasped, dropping her parchment.

- What the...?

Erd leapt to his feet.

- An attack.

Without missing a beat, he left the forge, closely followed by Lila. In the streets, panicked residents hurried to safety, while the adventurers hastily equipped themselves.

A guard in heavy armour ran past them, panting.

- To the ramparts! All combatants must prepare for battle! A creature is approaching!

Erd didn't wait to hear more. He headed for the town's main gate, where most of the adventurers had already gathered.

The wind was blowing hard, kicking up dust as a massive silhouette loomed on the horizon.

It was a gigantic monster, a mechanical lizard covered in shiny black armour. Its glowing eyes pierced the darkness like infernal torches.

With every step, the ground shook under his colossal weight. His body was a fusion of flesh and metal, a monstrosity forged for a specific purpose: to destroy.

- What on earth is that monster...?! exclaimed one adventurer, instinctively recoiling.

Erd remained impassive, observing the creature attentively.

Around him, the squad leaders organised their groups.

- Archers, take up positions on the ramparts!" shouted an imposing warrior in steel armour.

- Support mages, prepare your defensive enchantments!

- Tanks, get ready to intercept his attacks!

The city's army deployed with speed and discipline, but Erd knew that their opponent was no ordinary monster.

The mechanical lizard stopped dead a hundred metres from the ramparts. A heavy silence fell over the city.

Then came a shrill sound.

CLANG!

The monster slowly opened a cavity in its back. A bluish light emanated from it, illuminating the night sky with an unreal glow.

Erd squinted.

- No, he didn't.

He realised immediately what was happening.

- Get back!" he shouted.

But it was too late.

A sphere of black energy slowly formed in the monster's back opening. The air around it distorted under the effect of a powerful distortion.

This was an attack on another level.

An antimatter blast.

The adventurers and soldiers, initially confident, paled as they realised the scale of the danger.

- We're screwed..." muttered a mage.

- It's... it's a weapon of mass destruction!

On the ramparts, a captain clutched his sword with a trembling hand.

- We must evacuate the town!

Erd didn't move. His gaze remained fixed on the enormous mechanical monster charging his attack.

He took a deep breath.

Then a smirk appeared on his face.

- No need to run... I'll take care of this.

The chapter ends here, with the image of anti-matter fire charging up, ready to reduce the city to ashes.