The m sun shone brightly over the bustling town, casting its warm rays over the streets filled with merts, shoppers, and adventurers. The Rising Heroes, Li, Adrian, and Sera, set out on their ask: finding a new sword for Li. Her sword had been broken during their st mission, and she needed a rept before their adventure. After a long and frustrating search through various shops, each swords that were too expensive, poorly made, or apanied by suspicious shopkeepers, the group was disheartened. It was then that a cheerful dwarf named Doran Ironhelm approached them, introdug himself as a "Warriorsmith" and to craft Li a sword for free, but only if they agreed to hear him out. Now, standing in the bustling square, Doran looked at the group with a serious expression. "Before we go any further, I have a dition," he said, folding his arms across his chest. "I'll fe you a sword—but only if you let me join your team afterward."

  Adrian raised an eyebrow, his arms crossing iurn. "A smith wanting to be an advehat's… different." Doran straightened, his pride evident. "I'm not just a smith. I'm a Warriorsmith. I fight, craft, and protect. And I'm from the Ironhelm ." At the mention of the Ironhelm , Adrian's eyes widened. "You don't mean the Ironhelm , do you?" Drinned. "The very same. We're known across the nds for crafting ons that are sed to none. Kings, heroes, and legends wield our bdes. Every piece we create carries a bit of our soul." Adrian turo the others, excitement in his voice. "The Ironhelm is legendary! Their craftsmanship is unmatched. Their ons are more than tools; they're works of art."

  Sera, her curiosity piqued, asked, "If your is so famous, why are you here instead of in your fe?" Doran's grin faltered, but he quickly recovered. "Because I'm not just a smith. I want to be a warrior, to prove that a smith wield what they create. My didn't see things my way." Li tilted her head. "Did they… kick you out?" Doraated, then shrugged. "Let's just say I left on my own terms. Others might say I was 'enced' to leave. But that's not what matters. What matters is my dream—to prove that a Warriorsmith stand alongside adventurers, not just arm them."

  He looked down, a flicker of vulnerability crossing his face. "I've joined groups before uhe same dition, but they always left me behind after getting their ons. It's made me more determihough. I won't give up."The group exged gnces. Adrian looked skeptical, Sera seemed thoughtful. Finally, Li stepped forward, her expression resolute. "t, let's get yistered first." she said firmly. Doran blinked, surprised. "Wait, just like that? I haven't even fed the sword yet." Li shrugged. "You seem trustworthy. And everyone deserves a ce to chase their dreams." For a moment, Doran stood speechless. Then, his face split into a wide grin. "You won't regret this, I swear it!"

  The group took Doran to the adventurers' guild to officially register him as a member of their team. The guild receptionist, a tall woman with sharp eyes, raised an eyebrow at the young, beardless dwarf but pleted the paperwork without ent.

  ---

  As they left the guild, Doran walked slightly behind the group, his thoughts drifting to his childhood. He remembered the way his father's hands worked tirelessly at the fe, turning raw metal into tools and ons that seemed almost magical. Even as a boy, Doran had been captivated by the art of smithing, eager to follow in his family's footsteps. The pride of the Ironhelm ran through his veins.

  But there was one memory that stood out above the rest. He had been no older than twelve when he overheard his ualking about his father. It was a rare moment of quiet vulnerability from the usually stoic dwarf. "He wao be an adventurer, you know," his uncle had said. "But he stayed because of us, because of the . He thought it was his duty. And when the moment came, he didn't hesitate to fight."

  The words had struck Doran like a hammer to the heart. His father had died proteg a group of travelers from a group of ferocious and blood hungry beasts. Armed only with a smith's hammer, he had fought bravely, saving lives at the cost of his own. The story had filled Doran with equal parts pride and sorrow. His father had been a hero, but he had never been able to live out his dream of adventuring.

  That memory was what drove Doran now. Joining the Rising Heroes felt like the first real step toward fulfilling both his father's unspoken dream and his own. He had spent years trying to prove himself, but deep down, he khis was different. This time, he wasn't just f ons for others. He was f his own path. Li's words from earlier echoed in his mind: "A team starts with trust." For the first time in years, Dora a flicker of hope. He wasn't just another smith or another outcast. He art of something bigger now. And with this group, he believed he could finally prove what a Warriorsmith was truly capable of.

  With his hammer slung over his shoulder, Doran quied his pace to catch up with the others. A determined grin spread across his face. The road ahead might be uain, but he was ready to face it head-on. Together, The Rising Heroes and their eammate began the chapter of their journey.