Glory woke up the next day exactly where he’d collapsed the day before. Groaning, he peeled his eyes open, groggy from exhaustion. His mind was taking a moment to fully awaken itself, staring blearily at the sleeping forge, which was mostly smoldering embers and a very low flame. When he wasn’t actively working,he let it run this way to conserve fuel and keep the room from overheating, but it did make the light source a little dull.

He’d have to decorate with baubles or something.

The thought of magic, though, reminded him of his task. Eyes snapped open and he peeled himself off the ground, staggering over to his armor. When he was there, a talon resting against the breastplate, he grabbed for the helmet, pulling it close. It was the last piece.

Still in a state of being half-awake, the magic barely budged. He signed, retracting his claws and sitting back to rub at his eyes. He needed to wake himself up! Come on, he was so close!

He took a deep breath and grasped the helmet again, holding it between his claws. As magic flooded the metal, that now familiar colorless glow met his eyes and the heat spread throughout his body. This was it, he couldn’t mess up now!

Still tired from the day before and feeling a deeper exhaustion he’d never felt before, Glory pushed the last of his magic into the helmet, protective fire magic that would allow him to burn safely. The glow changed to orange for a moment before going away. He sighed and set it down, leaning back for a moment.

He wanted desperately to take it for a spin, but he was exhausted. He didn’t think he’d have the strength to enchant anything else for a while. He needed food and water and rest. Once he was done with that, he could wear it and take it out for the world to see.

After taking a moment to catch his breath, he turned and stepped out of the forge to hunt himself a meal.

*exit