Clang

The strike of the hammer against the surface of the metal echoes throughout the empty chamber. The crack of thunder is lost in the background; but the marble walls carry the low rumble as it reverberates through the dark room. It's only occupant pays it no mind, focusing solely on his task.

Clang

He strikes the lump of metal, turns it, strikes it, and repeats. And slowly, it begins to take shape, until he's finally satisfied. Raising the red-hot object, the man dips it into a nearby barrel of water, where it cools with a hiss, lost in a cloud of steam. When it dissipates, he's holding a round, golden brooch, with brown feathers circling a smoky quartz gemstone. He inspects it carefully, before closing a hand around it with a wry smile.

Slipping it into the depths of his cloak, he sweeps from the room, out into the howling storm. Head bowed, he hurries down a worn path, deep into a dark forest. He hikes along, only pausing to occasionally check on the brooch, before continuing on his journey, head bowed. The forest grows darker, the occasional howl pierces the night, but he pays no mind.

Emerging from the woods, he comes to a rocky outcropping overlooking a valley. An ancient looking altar sits atop, and he hurriedly climbs, reaching into the depths of his cloak to retrieve the brooch, as well as an eagle's feather. Placing them on the plain altar, he reaches up to pull back his hood, revealing a middle-aged mad with greying-brown hair. His grey eyes gleam, almost hungrily, as he lays the eagle's feather across the brooch, and waits for midnight.

He feels a subtle tremor run through him, and he knows the time has come. The thunder roars even louder, but he raises his hands to the heavens, chanting in an ancient tongue. The rain drenches him, trees bow to the wind, but he perseveres, finishing his chant with hands outstretched.

A moment passes. The wind stills, and all is eerily silent.

Suddenly, the wind picks up again, even stronger than before, and the dark clouds are parted by a bolt of lightning. It arcs down, striking the brooch with a flash, almost knocking him over. It's followed by more, repeatedly striking the brooch, until the man is forced to close his eyes from the flashes, lest he be blinded.

Eventually, the strikes cease, and he slowly opens his eyes, inspecting the brooch, which is steaming from the strikes. The feather has disintegrated, but the gemstone in brooch seems to glow with an unearthly light, and when he picks up the brooch, there's a flash, and a small creature appears, dropping into his hand. The being is semi-humanoid, with arms and legs (though they lack any digits), and is brown, with a white head, and has tiny wings sprouting from its back. Swaying slightly, it blinks disoriented, before examining its surroundings, itself, and eventually, the man holding him. Watches him with wide golden eyes.

The man smiles at his creation, but the smile is sly, almost hungry, as if not seeing the creature but the power it holds. Reaching up, the man strokes a finger down its head, before placing it and the brooch in the depths of his cloak. He pulls his hood up, look around him for witnesses, before stealing away into the darkness of the night, leaving nothing but a disintegrated feather, scattered in the wind.