Work Text:
Kris dumps out their ITEM pouch onto the counter, its contents far exceeding the capacity one would assume it could hold, given its small size, no bigger than a handbag. There is a loud clatter as dozens of weapons and armors tumble out, steel and wood ringing against the scarred table, some pieces sending up tiny sparks as they collide.
The harsh scent of oil and metal wafts through the air while the glint of polished blades and battered armor fills the bakery with flashes of cold light. All the gear the Fun Gang has accumulated over their adventures now lies in front of Malius, his eyes glistening from the sheer potential of what he could make out of this.
“Hah!” Malius shouts out, his excitement barely contained at the sight of the equipment, sparks of inspiration already dancing behind his eyes. His thick, calloused hands twitch eagerly, as if itching to grab and examine every piece. “What a bounty you’ve accumulated! This is the sort of treasure a craftsman dreams about while hunched over the anvil in the dead of night! I tell you, my heart’s hammering like a smith’s bellows! One can only hope you’d let ol’ Malius tinker with your tools! I have not seen such promise since I forged my very first weapon, and that was an ugly little thing, let me tell you!"
Kris nods, explaining that they have much work for him. “Is there any way you could combine each weapon type together to make more powerful ones for us?"
Malius guffaws heavily, his brain already cooking with ways to fulfill this request. “Of course, of course! I’d be thrilled! You’re too kind to give me this opportunity! For this, I’ll have to break out the big guns!” With a theatrical flourish, he sweeps open his soot-stained jacket, revealing an assortment of mysterious hammers and tongs, each etched with odd runes, and all clearly well-used. “These beauties have made legends before,” he boasts, voice swelling with pride.
Malius glances occasionally at an old, leather-wrapped book marked with strange symbols, and mutters, “Never hurts to consult the old masters, eh?” as he readies his workstation- and his head- for the upcoming battle of instruments.
Malius begins his process with Kris's signature weaponry, the swords. He lines them up across the table, humming an off-key tune to himself, and gives each blade an affectionate tap as if greeting old friends. With practiced hands, he breaks them down with his tools and shovels the pieces into the bakery’s furnace. He shuts the door, ignites the furnace, and states, “Surely Top Chef won’t mind if I commandeer his furnace, heheh… Never let it be said Malius doesn’t put a kitchen to its best use!”
The furnace begins heating the pieces, combining them into a magical slurry of melted parts, infused with the attributes of its contents. As the metals and woods dissolve, the unique powers from each relic are drawn together, weaving them into a single bond. The process is not without risk - if the balance of magic tips, the new creation can become too unstable to wield, so Malius watches closely for any flicker in the flames.
Rough hands open the furnace, a large colorful flame bursting out of the door before settling, and insert the Black Shard into the melted liquid. As he lowers the heat, the molten mass begins to form around the blade, reinforcing it with the magical parts of the weapons contained. Malius uses tongs to remove the newly formed Black Shard NEO from the furnace, quenching it in a bucket of oil. He sets the blade down onto the table.
“Ha-HA!” Malius exclaims, chest puffed out and arms flung wide, as if presenting a masterpiece to royalty. “A nice challenge for Malius, and here you are! A weapon infused with the magic of blades that came before it. You’ll not find its like this side of the Dark World, I wager!” Malius’s grin is infectious, eyes twinkling with pride as Kris picks up the newly formed weapon and inspects it.
He stands on tiptoe to watch Kris's reaction, barely able to contain his anticipation. It shines with a mystical, dark glow, and Kris can feel the power emanating from it as they grip the hilt; a faint hum vibrates through their palm, and images of each previous sword's memory flash for a moment in their mind.
When Kris swipes the blade lightly through the air, it shifts shape, sometimes long and slender, sometimes broad and heavy, as if responding to their intent. Sparks of energy dance along the edge, all at a thought. If Kris focuses just enough, they can channel any of the unique abilities from the swords that make up its core, commanding the weapon to adapt perfectly to whatever challenge stands before them.
Malius is already bustling around, wiping sweat from his brow with a sleeve, his mind racing ahead. “Now!” he calls out, voice booming, “If you give me some time, I’ll be able to replicate the process for the axes and armors, too. Maybe even spend some energy knitting together those scarves and ribbons, haha! Nothing’s too strange for ol’ Malius, just give me a challenge, and I’ll turn it into legend!”
Malius eyes another weapon sheathed on Kris's waist, the Aqua Knife. He points it out, “Do you want me to infuse any power into that small blade there? I easily could!”
Kris shakes their head, stating, “I’ll just keep it as a backup, for now. I like the way it looks.”
“Suit yourself! I’ll get to work, then!”