016 Reunion

I continued to tease Otto with a great big smirk on my face. It was too easy.

Out of no where he took out hammer from his back pocket and threw it towards me with precise aim.

It was effortlessly dodged.

"You ass! Do you know how much suffering I've gone through because I thought you had died?!"

"A lot?"

Otto's face quickly turned bright red in anger and I couldn't help but laugh at the sight. It was unbecoming of him.

He continued with his rant.

"Here I am minding my own business again. Just trying not to get found and killed then you show up out of no where, somehow alive after all these years!"

"Yes, I did do that...only because I missed you though."

"I've successfully avoided persecution and death for five years. I swear one moment with you and I'm under threat of heart attacks. You will be the end of me I just know it! But don't you for one second think that death will stop me from beating you senseless."

"It's nice to see you too Otto."

I flashed him the biggest grin I could.

"And why do you look different? What's with this new look? You go out and paint your hair white and blind yourself."

He pointed to the black cloth around my eyes.

"What has gotten into you?! And what's that blue thing on your head? Kids these days I swear do the stupidest things."

BLOPPP BLOOOPP BLOOP

Clearly SB didn't take too kindly to Otto.

"Relax old man."

I held my hands up to placate him.

"I'll tell you everything I promise. Now will you let us inside?"

The emotion that fueled him dissipated and he stepped out of the way to allow Ven and I to enter. He closed the door behind us and pulled a lever. The sound of flowing water could be heard. My guess was that he was filling the well back up to cover any possible suspicion.

Truly the intellect of this dwarf never ceases to astound me.

Otto motioned for us to follow him.

The three of us walked through a dimly lit brick tunnel. Both Ventus and I had to duck as we walked because it was clearly not made for anyone above four feet of stature.

Eventually we arrived to a massive room with a high enough ceiling that we could stand up normally again.

I was taken back with how spacious it was. Otto had created a massive living and sleeping area to the right of us. It was sparsely furnished with a bed and a couch. On our left was a table and chair. A lone mug sat atop the table accompanying an empty plate.

Despite having the bare minimum of furniture. It didn't take an expert to tell that the level of quality was absurd.

Finally as I directed my sight forward, I was able to catch a glimpse of the crowning jewel of this underground retreat.

Ottos crafting area.

A hammer and anvil were next to a forge. Several barrels full of different ingots and other metal contraptions were nearby.

From where we were standing, we could see the beautiful forge. It may not be the biggest one but instantly I could recognize it had any and everything blacksmith could dream of.

The shocking thing about it, I knew it was burning extra hot because of the white flames dancing out of the forge, but no heat could be felt coming from it.

I'll have to ask Otto about it later.

Across from the forge was a wood working station. A tanning rack with a stack of hides and leather strips lay sprawled about.

To the other side of the area lay several pieces of high level grade wood.

I would be shocked to expect anything less from Otto. A master craftsman should have top notch materials after all. The only thing I couldn't see in all this was all of his finished products.

Dwarfs were notoriously proud of their creations and would show off everything in their possession when presented the opportunity. I guess his stash must be hidden somewhere.

I turned over to Ven and she too was entranced by the scenery around us. Speechless was probably the best word to describe how we felt at seeing all this. That and bewilderment. How could all this function underground?

More questions for later I suppose.

Otto gestured at us to take a seat on the couch as he sat across from us on his bed with his head tilted and eyes closed.

I assumed he was gathering his thoughts or just trying to form the million questions he probably had. As usual, he was direct at to the point.

"We know what happened with me, The Kings attacked and I fled and hid. Don't bother asking me any more cause not much more happened."

"I wasn't gonna ask you at all..."

"You shit!"

After a few moments Otto regained his composure and continued.

"What happened Em? Last I heard from you, you were heading out to the 85th. Something about a secret dungeon that opened up? Then afterwards I get news that you died."

I knew this would have to happen the moment I arrived here. With a deep sigh I began to regale Otto about everything that's happened to me since.

He was and is an old friend so I left nothing out. He sat in silence emotionless along with Ventus as I shared my full tale.

"And that's when we arrived here and well you know the rest."

"I see."

Otto was caught up in some thought.

"Why come to me first though? You could have just gotten your supplies and gone off on your revenge quest. What's going on?"

"Because you're quite senile so I was worried."

"What did you just say!" The dwarf shouted.

I rolled my eyes and continued.

"You were always there for me Otto...I had to make sure you were ok."

I looked straight into his eyes.

"Since you always operated out of the first floor. I figured you would have hidden somewhere here so decided to check on you."

"Well your sentiment touches me I guess." He replied.

He stood up from the bed and hobbled over to me and laid his hand on my shoulder.

"I'm glad your back kid, just promise me no more dying. I don't know that my heart can take anything like that again. When I lost you...it was as if I lost my own son."

I patted his hand.

"Don't worry old man. I don't plan on dying... anytime soon."

Ventus was silently shedding tears at this reunion. The situation was getting too mushy for me so I decided to spice up the mood.

"Well I suppose I can finally put you to work again right you dog?"

"Bastard we had a moment! How dare you ruin it!"

I chuckled.

"Because I have a present for you my man."

"Presents from you only mean work for me you idiot. How am I suppose to enjoy that!"

Otto grumbled as he swiped at my head.

Once again, the attack was dodged effortlessly.

"Well let's be honest old man, if it wasn't for all the work I swung your way over the years, you would never be as good as you are now."

"How dare you! You insolent little...."

Ven giggled at our interaction. A much needed relief from all the mushy tension Otto was causing.

"Anyway, what did you bring me this time?"

I reached into my pocket dimension and pulled out all the harvested pieces of dragon I had acquired.

Dragon scales, fangs, horns, and the eye I had taken back poured out and landed on the floor.

Otto's eyes became wide with shock as he saw all the materials being poured out.

"I have a work area over there idiot! Why would you cause a mess on the floor?"

Otto pointed over to his work station.

I guess this time I did mess up.

"Well you asked to see the stuff."

He slapped his forehead.

You know what, I probably will be the death of him.

"Anyway where the hell did you get this Em? Didn't you say you've only been on the first floor?"

"Yeah, like I told you earlier we fought and killed a dragon on the way here. Were you not paying attention?"

I pointed to its remains.

Otto ignored my comment. He was too entranced with the items before him. The dwarfs voice was filled with awe at the sight of high quality of the materials.

"You didn't just defeat a dragon. You do realize this is a special species of dragon right?"

"Ummm are you sure it's not just a regular dragon? It doesn't look special right Ventus?"

Otto hit me in the back of the head.

This time I failed dodge in time.

As she saw this, Ven shook her head indicating she wanted no part in the beating I just got.

Otto continued with his explanation.

"It's an Ancient Ebony Arch Dragon."

"So not a normal dragon?"

He hit me again.

"No you idiot! You can tell by the shape and color of the scales you have here and the engraved patterns on the horns."

Otto lifted the materials to get a closer look at them.

This time it was Ven who spoke.

"Wait so you mean to tell me we didn't just fight off a regular dragon?"

"Like I told this idiot over here no. What you guys took down was a much stronger opponent. The scales don't lie."

Turning away from the mountain of loot and back to me Otto continued.

"What do you want me to do with all this?"

"Full Armor sets for the both of us and weapons. You know what I use and like. Ventus here is a full blown Magician. Keep that in mind as you make her armor."

"Nothing too difficult, honestly you never give me a challenge. Anyway, Do you have money to pay?"

"Really old man! You can't do me this favor?

"No."

"Fine, whatever is left over keep it as payment for your work."

"Will you want it to be enchanted?" He asked as he gave me a smug grin.

"Really? Is that even a question you senile dwarf."

With now a full blown smile Otto started grabbing everything and moving it over to his work station. He was beginning to fall into his element once more.

"How much time?"

"Give me three days tops. Use that time to get your shit in order, the both of you, feel free to rest here at night. There is a loose brick on the well that drains the water and let's me know you both are here. I just gotta warn you now, I'm loud when I work so don't expect to get any meaningful rest."

I smiled back at him.

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

As he started to concentrate on his work I turned to speak to Ven.

"Let's go Ven we have to go to the market now and stock up on essentials."

Her face perked up at the comment.

"We get to go shopping now!?"

Horror filled me at her reply.

Oh goddess what did I just unleash.