Master Of None

Walker looked for other materials after taking the immortal tree branch. He didn't want to store away the branch because the spirits were so entranced with it. He chose to ho,d it and allow them to flay and explore it instead, which was a delight to them.

"These are some giant man eating clam pearls but they are weak to wind elemental mana. These are phoenix feathers but they are weak to water elemental mana. These are the fangs of an abyssal serpent but they are only light and darkness elemental affinity. Bonding other elements with them are near impossible." 

Walker was torn inside. He had not seen the monster materials of an abyssal serpent before. He had Onyx with him in his party and was glad that Onyx was helping Su at the moment. If he were here Walker would be completely beside himself with what to say and do. 

"Why do you look so pale? I know humans have a hard time adjusting to the caves at first. You can head to the surface for some sun if you need to." The elder assumed that Walker was ill. 

"It's just the first time I have been offered monster materials that are the same as a member in my party. My little brother Onyx is an abyssal serpent. I have used and seen dragon materials even though Midnight is in the party. But for dragons, it is normal that the weak dragons would be defeated. From what I have read it is part of their culture. But for an abyssal serpent...I'm not sure." 

The elders' face shown with understanding. He turned from the materials and pointed toward the next adjoining room. "Follow me, I will show you something very unique to my people. It may make you understand our thoughts on materials and why we would use any material possible." 

Walker was still a little put off that he had seen some fangs from an abyssal serpent. He could only fear that this could happen to Onyx or Midnight one day and shiver. It was not something he had considered. He was a human and Midnight and Onyx would easily outlive him. This was a terrifying thought to have since he never wanted them to feel alone. 

As Walker struggled with this internal affair the elder walked him through a few storage rooms and to a smaller room. There were many pegs on the walls each holding an engraved necklace carved from a white material. "This is the history of every upstanding leader or honored warrior. Those who invested their lives or soul are here. Those who have caused great growth. They are all here." 

Walker wasn't understanding what this meant. He could feel traces of mana coming from the necklaces, each was unique and different. The elder had paused with a sad but proud look on his face. "These are carved from their bones. It is a right if burial for a dwarf. The family, leaders, or even master craftsmen will take part of their bone when they pass away and carve a necklace. Their mana will be bonded inside and they will have a unique rune pattern carve in to it." 

"But...is that really alright?" Walker was shaken that he was in a room full of pieces of dwarven bones. 

"Yes! This is an honor for what they have done in their lives. Families will feel the connection to their loved ones. The leaders will always be recorded and remembered. The bones are materials, but they are more than that. Dwarves value crafting higher than any other race we know. Being remembered in this way is something we take solace in." The elder was firm and spoke with power. He did not want any misconceptions about why the dwarves cared for their passed on members in this way. 

Walker nodded as he accepted this, "I think it will take me time to think the same as you. But how I feel won't matter. It would be up to how my party members feel about their bodies being used as materials. Midnight doesn't care because of her culture. But I don't know about Onyx. It is something I think is unique to every race and person." Walker's statement was very true and the elder accepted it without argument. This was something everyone would think about in their lives at some point. 

"Well, I do not expect a human to adapt to the dwarven ways in an instant. I am not a fool. Come, let's return to the high forge and see if we can get a design made for your staff. I can not craft it since it will require some specific skills. But I can make the metal parts that will go with the wooden, elemental mana crystals, and other such pieces." The elder knew this would be a distraction from the deep thoughts that could come with death and the dwarven burial.

The pair slowly made their way through the treasury. The spirits had found hiding places in the branch of immortal birch that Walker carried. Every once in a while they would pop out trying to distract Walker making him realize just how kind elemental spirits were in the world. Even they had been caught and trapped for so long, yet they were already bright and happy to explore and forget the misdeeds against them. 

When Walker saw the snoring Midnight he couldn't stay in his head any longer. He instead gave her a pat on the head to bring her back to the waking world. "Midnight, where did that ash marks and dust on your scales?" Walker was worried that Midnight had gotten in to trouble and surveyed the room. Naturally, Midnight pretended not to know anything while Walker brushed her scales off to bring them back to the black glisten they normally had. He had no idea of her adventures. 

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