"Father, your... your body... how is this possible?" Zeen stood frozen in place, his face filled with shock as he stared at his father—the protector of Aivendel and Master of High Mountains for a century.
Ed had undone his armor and outer garments, baring his chest—yet what was revealed was not firm, rock-like muscle, but actual stone: rock mixed with metal ores, mica, and quartz!
"We Shield Dwarves are born of solid stone, so dying in this way isn't so bad," Ed said, looking down at his own body, speaking with a wry self-mockery.
"Father, why? Haven't you recovered already?" Zeen's expression grew tense, his voice urgent.
Ed, however, answered calmly: "Months ago, in that battle, I sacrificed my life to wield the Rock Hammer to slay the Beastman Chief. What you see now is merely me being sustained by it..."
