Learning to Love Time Loops Without Going Insane

“I yelled out, trying to get the attention of the being hammering into me. ‘What is happening, why am I being hammered?’ I cried to no avail. I realized my form was stuck inside that of other metals, and I had no way to free myself or to make myself known, but as my fear receded, I noticed another strange thing happening.

I was growing aware of the metal around me, and it was becoming part of my being. With every new blow, the metal formed a stronger bond with my intelligence, and soon, I was able to feel my mind expand into my new parts. I wondered if the creature doing the hammering had any concept of the growth they were causing over the days and then weeks they worked to perfect my form.

I would later learn that my new form seemed to shift slightly every night after the smith had stopped working, dramatically increasing the time it took to forge my new form. I now attribute this to my growing consciousness, taking ownership of the latest materials as my small mana pool bound the additions wholly to my intellect.

‘Hello, can you hear me yet?’ I asked as I did every day. I felt the smith arrive to begin their work. This time, to both of our shocks, he heard me,” Excalibur continued.