Earthborn: Kovenn

Chapter 2

"Alright kid, this is one of my easier orders, got plenty to spare with the metal. Want to give it a shot?"

I made a face and glanced away.

"Don't worry, it's just a training sword." Dad checked the receipt then skimmed through his different metals, I shook my head.

"I think I messed up enough swords this week." I muttered, I could feel dad look at me sadly, he sighed quietly and nodded his head.

"Alright, if you're sure."

I sighed, how pathetic. I can't even properly make something as easy as a damn training sword? Dad always makes it look so easy. I guess it's because he was literally made for this, the god of blacksmithing and imprisonment, all that jazz. I don't even know why I keep comparing. I'm not a god, just his kid trying to learn. It feels discouraging watching him though, he creates the lava from his hands, beats the swords and finishes it all within minutes. No one can really live up to that huh? But I want to. I just want to make him proud, it's the least I can do after disappearing like that.

We both looked up as the shop bell rang. A taller male walked in, he had a scythe in his hand, a very elaborate one. His curly hair was braided at the top and the rest pulled in a messy bun, his chiseled face shimmered from the lights off the glass, his most defining features were his mouse ears and tail and the vitiligo on his face and hands, i've never seen that around here before, the animal features of course. He wore a flowy elegant shirt with high waisted fancy pants. He's a rich boy, new client?

He smiled and bowed his head respectfully the smiled charmingly, dads hands began to glow around the metal as he looked at the other male, his cheeks were slightly red but hard to see from this angle, he snapped out of his stare after the melted metal thudded on the ground.

"Hello? Is this the blacksmith place?" he had a thick accent, hes from the surface, interesting.

Dad cleared his throat, "oh- uh. Yes. Can I help you?"

The male smiled and held up his scythe, "need a repair..." he tilted his head, his ears twitched. "Say, you look familiar?" he tapped his chin, "wait, i know those eyes anywhere, Tartarus?"

Dad blinked and looked up, "huh? I'm sorry , do i..?"

"Oh uh, we went to high school together." he chuckled and rubbed the back of his head, "i uh, i was the small nerdy kid your friend always picked on."

"..." Dad took a minute then nodded, "yes, i remember you, i asked to borrow your book when you were done and you kinda just threw it into my hands immediately."

"Heh! Uh! Yes. that was me." his cheeks heated up and he scratched at his cheek.

"Well, um, it's certainly wonderful to see you again, uh, you um, certainly matured-'' Dad glanced away, I held down a laugh that came out as a small snort and avoided dads look.

"Oh, uh thanks." He smiled then put a hand to him, "Mateo, Mateo Brown."

Dad took his hand gently, the smaller male had a quick look of pain on his face before dad quickly pulled his hand away and shook it to cool it down. I dropped my head on my knee. Good on him though, he took that like a champ.

"Sorry, sorry, Uh, how have you been?" dad asked, taking the scythe gently, "what would you like repaired?"

"I've been good, I work at the school nowadays... oh, um the blade is a bit loose and dull, can't cut anything."

"Well that's good, and an easy fix." dad nodded and laid it down, he began to do his usually inspection on the weapon while Mateo shook his hand as soon as he could.