And so, Hephaestus Wept

Pawed, pounding hands impacted against the earth, the currently half-cat smiling ear to ear before immediately grinding to a halt... Followed by a horizontal tumble.

"What the fuck was that!?" Sato shouted.

"WE FORGOT THE SWORD!" Lulu cried as March took to his feet and patted himself down.

"Damn, and it's probably too late to ask for it... Well, it's not like we can't take care of ourselves..." With a playful kick, he was back on his way, "Plus, an abandoned castle means gear. Gear means metal, and metal means-"

"We're gonna have everything we need to make a somewhat dependable weapon," Sato said before groaning.

"Sato?" March called out as he mentally dived into his core.

Within the confines of his soul, he could feel the ebb and flow of his Dark Half and his Partner. As a consequence of just what he is, when he first experienced Dark Digivolution it did not draw from Lulu's psyche, (though she developed her own fairly different problems). Instead, the Dark digital transformation had ripped his Id away from him; creating SkullSatamon.

As a result, though divine light would never harm March because of Lulu, should she ever be caught unaware or lose consciousness... Any divine light no matter how weak would harm him utterly.

And so...

His core had been hurt a fair amount, nothing a day's rest couldn't fix... But neither the Blacksmith nor the Moon Deity could let their guard down again. Once his consciousness was once more focused upon the waking world, March held a hand over his chest, "Rest up, Sato. We'll take it from here."

"Do I look weak to-" Once more Sato groaned as he sighed, his bony frame shrinking and becoming... Fuzzy, "I hate taking this form..." Within the confines of his soul, March's Dark half had become a four foot brown furred koala like creature, two single scars adorning his face over each eye, two small horns atop his head, a pair of comically small crimson bat wings upon his back and an elongated tail tipped with a steel arrowhead.

Partner and Blacksmith chuckled as they ran, Lulu now petting the weakened demon while holding him like a plush toy, "Now now, Sugar... is being a grumpy pants how you say thank you?"

"I didn't ask for your head pats!" Sato shouted... Before humming softly, "Hah... Thanks Lulu..."

"You're wel-"

The rustling of leaves caught their attention, March sliding to a successful stop this time as he slowly turned to the source of the noise. Ear twitching and swiveling, he took a feral stance as his claws began to glow a soft gold.

"We're not alone..." And nay, they were not. A wolf made of leaves and tree bark pounced from before him, hollowed eyes glowing green with the force of nature, wooden teeth bared to sink into his flesh.

"Signature Move!: Neko Scratch!"

Only for the foolish creature to be sliced evenly three ways across their body. With a clattering thud, the wolf was felled...

Sighing in relief, the Blacksmith allowed the glow to fade, "Glad to know the monsters here are pushov-" Only for him to step back as the wolf's paw attempted to claw into his leg, the scattered beast now reforming, "Guess we'll have to pull out a custom move."

"Oh?~ Are we using that?" Lulu questioned with a smirk, March preparing himself as he mirrored the mental smile.

"Hey, I watched anime just like any other kid... So here goes!" A blazing orange flame soon covered his right paw, his steel like claws now tinged with the raging flame, "This hand of mine burns... And ROARS! BURNING-"

As he pulled back his claw, torso turning with it as the wolf once more lept so as to strike...

"FINGER!"

The wolf yelped, it's wooden body erupting in an uncontrolled burst of fire as the light of its eyes dimmed and faded, the "corpse" now a pile of coal and ash.

The blacksmith shook his clawed hand, the fires dissipating gently as his eyes scanned the area.

"There are more..." He murmured as he slowly turned a complete three hundred and sixty degrees.

"They're watching us," Lulu replied, "Should we stay and fight?"

Nodding, both claws were now covered in flame. Understanding the situation, the sounds of pounding paws echoed softly before fading entirely.

"Guess they weren't hungry," March said with a chuckle, fires snuffed before making his way to the castle once more.

He took note that someone or thing had hoisted a bridge over the massive gorge leading to the ruins at some point once he drew near, eyes quickly appraising the woodwork and found it more than satisfactory.

"Think this is a trap?" Sato asked, voice holding a bit more strength.

"I don't sense any magic," Lulu offered as the bridge was crossed.

Not wanting to jinx his luck, March kept his mouth shut as he ran across the bridge and towards the ruined castle.

Underneath the light of the sun, the aged, shrub covered brick worked structure appeared rather... Nostalgic to Blacksmith and partners.

Slowing to a leisurely walk, March placed a hand upon the entrance, "Reminds me of..."

"Home."

The trio spoke as one, the stone doors pushing inwards as March took in the sights of damaged tapestries, scattered rubble and debris and several holes in the roof.

"Yeah... Shit hole looks almost as crap as our castle..." Sato murmured.

"Yeah well... Now we get to rebuild this castle," Lulu offered.

Sighing, March slowly made his way to the throne room, "Never had to build a house before... Guess now would be a time to learn," Taking a seat, his form reverted as he was once more human shaped, "Somehow... I'm just not excited."