[LSB] Chapter 133: My Own Volition

“Is it possible… to put an entire avatar spirit inside a golem?”

The celebration around them hadn’t stopped—laughter, cheers, and the clinking of mugs still filled the air—but for Maldan, all of it seemed to vanish. Julian’s question echoed again and again in his mind, muffling the world around him.

He had held the title of Golemsmith for decades. He had pushed the boundaries of his craft, molded every kind of golem he could imagine. But imagination, he’d come to learn, was shaped by limitation—by tools, by knowledge, and by what one dared to believe possible.

And he had never dared to imagine shaping a spirit.

Why would he? He had never known a spirit, let alone made a contract with one. And so, the only thing he could offer Julian… was honesty.

“I’m afraid I cannot answer that, Forger,” Maldan said quietly. “Forgive me. I’ve not even begun teaching you the ways of a Golemsmith, and already I’m inadequate.”

Julian glanced at him and hummed, “It’s fine. I understand. We can’t all be as good as me.”

Maldan didn’t take offense at his words. He just chuckled and nodded in agreement, the lines on his face deepening with age.

“Perhaps the Avatar of Exhalia would know more,” he offered, leaning back.

Julian didn’t even need to ask.

[As you’ve seen in your visions, Shadow Blacksmith… Erin of Karinthos did it once, Exhalia’s voice whispered through his thoughts. [But not exactly. Instead of placing an avatar spirit, she embedded a part of herself.]

Maldan, noticing that Julian had gone quiet, sat back to give him space, of course, not before snatching the ale that he had offered Julian earlier and drinking it for himself.

‘Would that be any different from what I want to do?’ Julian asked, whispering in his mind and completely ignoring that lively party that was still going on around him.

[To put it in the language of your world, Shadow Blacksmith—it would be exponentially harder,] Exhalia answered firmly, [Putting a part of your soul is something Golemsmiths could already do, Erin of Karinthos simply perfected that and poured more of herself into the golem, and therefore creating something that Artemis deemed worthy to, although not entirely, be of flesh and blood.] 

Exhalia sang out a hum for a moment, seemingly remembering a memory long passed.

[But it took a toll on her. And on me. I can only imagine what it would cost you, Shadow Blacksmith.]

Julian didn’t react to the warning at all and only focused on one part of what she’d said.

‘Flesh and blood?’ His head tilted. ‘Does that mean—’

[Wait, wait, WAIT!]

And before Julian and Exhalia’s conversation could go deeper, MEGAN’s loud voice caused Julian’s head to fling to the side as she interrupted them,

[Julian, when you say you want to put an avatar spirit into a golem… you’re not talking about me, are you!?]

‘Yes,’ Julian answered without hesitation.

[You’re not even going to ask me first!?] MEGAN’s voice deepened. [If I wanted a body, Julian, I would’ve just ordered one! With our bank account, I could have the highest-end android frame ever built. I could look like a goddess. A model! What are you even thinking!? Sears, help me out here!]

[I would rather not be involved in whatever this is,] Searadyn’s soft, weary voice whispered before fading into silence.

Julian was about to reply, but Exhalia’s deep, melodic laughter rolled through his thoughts and drowned any other voices in his mind.

[What’s so funny!?] MEGAN snapped. Her flames sparked wildly in Julian’s mind.

And before their banter could spiral further, Julian sighed and lowered his hand, plunging it into the shadows. In the next instant, he stood within the Shadow Forge.

And there they were, MEGAN charging toward Exhalia, who was, with all the dignity of a primordial force of flame… hiding behind Searadyn.

The Avatar of Searadyn, meanwhile, just stood there, with the long-suffering patience of someone utterly, existentially done.

Exhalia, however, stopped playing the moment she caught sight of Julian. MEGAN had thought she’d finally get a clean shot at her, but as she lunged forward, Exhalia bowed her head and dropped to one knee.

“Shadow Blacksmith,” Exhalia whispered. MEGAN, however, had no intention of being quiet.

“Ack—Julian!” she shouted, pointing dramatically at him. “I don’t need to be made into a golem! Look! The newbie’s laughing at me!”

“You’ll have to forgive me, Deviant,” Exhalia said as she stood, still covering her mouth with one hand even while bowing her head. “I just find your words… funny.”

“Funny?” MEGAN crossed her tiny arms, glaring down at the towering spirit. “Me having a body comes with way more cons than pros. First of all—who’s going to take care of Julian, huh? He’d be lost without me. And two—do I look like I want to be a golem? Have you seen that giant rabbit? Hideous. And three—if I become a separate body, I might lose access to the internet. Do you know how terrifying that is!?”

“Why would you lose this… internet?” Exhalia tilted her head, her long, dark hair cascading down her shoulders.

“Because I need the device inside Julian’s clone to access it!” MEGAN snapped. “The transmitter in his eyes is the only reason I can tap into Otherworld’s networks from here!”

Exhalia chuckled again and gently covered her mouth. “Ah… I see.”

“What’s so funny!?”

“You,” Exhalia said with a smile, pointing at her. “I’ve seen you access this internet of yours many times now. And while I still don’t quite understand what it is… I do know this much: you’re not limited by the strange contraption in the Shadow Blacksmith’s eyes. You have something far more extraordinary inside you—something that allowed you to merge with the dead avatar of Helionis in the first place.”

“Extraordinary…?” MEGAN blinked. “You mean the femto-particles?”

“Yes,” Exhalia nodded. “From what I understand, they’re tools capable of manifesting anything—treasures of the gods. Truly, I look forward to learning more about the Shadow Blacksmith’s realm. What other wonders does it hold?”

“Wait, wait…” MEGAN waved her hands. “You’re saying I can access the internet independently?”

“You would know the answer better than I, Deviant.”

“No, no!” MEGAN turned back to Julian, her hands flailing. “Julian, as I already told you, if I wanted a body, we could’ve just ordered an android frame—”

“Pfft.” Exhalia once again stifled a laugh.

“What now!?”

“An android,” Exhalia said, her voice laced with amusement. “I’m still piecing together the Shadow Blacksmith’s memories, but from what I’ve gathered, an android is merely an artificial shell. You misunderstand something, Deviant.”

She stepped closer, pushing the Avatar of Searadyn to the side, her tone now serious.

“In the Shadow Blacksmith’s hands, what would be born would not be a simple golem. You are one with him now. You’ve seen the visions—of Erin, of what she created. Do you think that a mere golem would be able to spread its line through generations?”

MEGAN stared at her, frozen. She knew exactly what Exhalia was implying, but MEGAN was doing everything in her power not to believe it.

“What… are you trying to say?” MEGAN asked, her voice quieter. Exhalia stepped forward, a smile creeping on her face.

“You already know, Deviant,” she whispered, “When the Shadow Blacksmith succeeds—and he will—Artemis herself will help shape the final strokes of your form. You will not be artificial. You will not be an android. No, Silvie… you will be alive. Not wholly of flesh and blood, perhaps, but alive all the same.”

“That’s…” The flames flickering around MEGAN dimmed, their usual brightness faltering. Her gaze drifted, no longer focused on anyone or anything at all. She stayed silent for several long seconds, then finally turned to Julian.

“We… we need to talk this through first, Julian. I… want to speak to Ellie about it too.”

“We will,” Julian said, simply humming in response.

Without another word, he turned and stepped out of the Shadow Forge—immediately met by the thunderous return of music, chatter, and laughter from the festival outside.

He tilted his head slightly, tuning his senses to mute the noise, before turning to Maldan.

“I’d like to rest,” he said.

“Of course, Forger,” Maldan replied, bowing slightly. “And tomorrow, you shall surpass even my greatest creations.”

Julian gave a brief hum and began walking away from the circle of celebration. Several people noticed his departure and raised their mugs in silent salute. Juliet, still dancing with Kitty in the center of the gathering, waved at him with flushed cheeks.

He waved back once before heading to the cottage that had been prepared for them. But as he reached the door, footsteps approached him from behind.

Julian turned quickly, only to see two unfamiliar men grinning sheepishly at him—no, not unfamiliar. If he remembered correctly, they were part of Kitty’s party.

“U-uh… Sword Junkie,” one of them stammered. “We just… wanted to say hi.”

“Our stream’s on right now,” the other added, nervously. “We were hoping maybe we could get you to—”

But he wasn’t able to finish his words as his friend smacked him lightly on the back of the head.

“Are you stupid…? We’re literally surrounded by the Order,” he loudly whispered before turning his focus back to Julian, “B-but… that’s true. Is it… if it’s alright with you, can you say something to our Chat?”

Julian tilted his head slightly, letting his senses ripple across the two men. Their heartbeats were fast—wilder even than the rhythm of the festivities behind them.

“I think it would be best not to do anything,” he said quietly. “The Shield Saint has already mentioned possible Evil Spirits in the village. She may already suspect you.”

“W-what!?” The two men stiffened, and before they could say anything else, a voice snapped from behind them.

“Stop bothering Julian Winters!” 

Kitty appeared, dragging a very tipsy Juliet over her shoulder. “Are you two idiots? Honestly.”

“M-Ma’am!” The two straightened instantly before scurrying off like mice.

Kitty groaned, shaking her head as she approached Julian. 

“I swear… I don’t even know why I brought those two. But hey, they were the only ones who volunteered to come, despite knowing how dangerous Dodona is. And I’m rambling. Ugh. I drank too much.”

“Hmm.”

“Sorry about that,” she sighed, rubbing her forehead. “They didn’t annoy you too much, did they? I think they were friends with Vijya, and, well… you know. They might have been looking for trouble… like me when we first met.”

“They were?” Julian immediately focused his senses on the two retreating figures, but aside from their giggles and light conversation as they rejoined the party, nothing about them seemed suspicious.

“Anyway,” Kitty continued, adjusting Juliet’s arm on her shoulders, “You turning in for the night?”

“Yes.”

“Before you do—since I’ve got you… mostly alone,” she said, glancing at Juliet, who was now slumped unconscious over her shoulder, “You remember when we last met? I told you I wanted to commission a weapon?”

“Yes.”

“Well,” she leaned in slightly, “I actually have a quest tied to it. Once all of this is over… want to help me with it? I need a weapon. For a Cyclops.”

“Cyclops?” Julian hummed at first, but his breath soon turned heavy when he realized what sort of weapon he was being asked to make. 

“A weapon for a giant?” He gulped.

“Yep.” Kitty gave him a wink. “Think you’re up for it?”

“Deal,” Julian said with no hesitation, a flicker of excitement lighting his eyes. “Once this is all done, I’ll take your commission.”

“For real?” Her expression brightened with a wide grin. “I’m holding you to that, Julian Winters.”

Julian gave a small nod, then quietly turned back toward the cottage. He collapsed onto the bed, letting his clone finally rest, and woke up inside a hotel room with his real body.

Without wasting a second, he sat up and said, “MEGAN, call Humanity Engineering. I want to make a request.”

MEGAN immediately burst out of his chest, groaning as she crossed her arms.

“You know, once I get my own body, you won’t be able to just order me around like that anymore. I—”

But before she could finish, the Gigantes lit up from across the room, and Femty’s voice echoed from it.

“Then the Master may order me instead,” she said. “Everything you could do, I can do better—and faster. Welcome back, Master Julian. I enjoyed watching you sleep.”

“Oh no…” MEGAN slowly turned toward the exosuit lying nearby, her eyes twitching.
“This pervert’s going to replace me? You’re doomed, Julian. And wait a sec—why is the Gigantes just lying on the floor?! Do you have any idea how expensive that thing is? It’s worth more than your old apartment and the new house you’re building in Topside New York! And you want to be left unattended, Julian?!”

“Hmm. It’s fine. It won’t easily get scratched,” Julian waved MEGAN’s concerns off before his nose started to twitch.

“Ellie’s not here?” He asked.

“The lady told me she would be in a recording studio, Master. Also, I took the liberty of calling Humanity Engineering for you, Master. Dr. Victoria is now on the other line. Shall I patch her through?”

“Yes.”

The moment the word left his mouth, Victoria’s voice rang across the room.

[Mr. Winters, I wasn’t expecting to hear from you so soon after your return. I must admit, I’m eager to find out what this is about.]

“Okay,” Julian hummed, “I want to request something.”

[Oh?] Victoria’s voice turned higher, [Now, I really want to hear what this is about, Mr. Winters.]

***

[LAST CHAPTER] <-----> [NEXT CHAPTER]

This took a while. Have actually been discussing the ending of Book 2, and there's been some... debate around it. In the end, I am going with what I have in mind... for better or worse, ack.

Please do holler!