There still existed a trial in the depths of Logrum Forest deserted inn. The inn might have been abandoned but the trial was alive as ever. Traces of carts and hoofs were everywhere. Sometimes Saer would find fingerprints in the trial which disappeared in the forest.

Perhaps it had always been like this but, Saer delighted, nonetheless. He had returned to the land where he was born and raised. Even though his reunion with his homeland was bound to be short, he cherished as he would live rest of his life walking by the foggy forests.

He had missed the blue hills of Azmra in the yellowness of Winstrova. And he had missed the life and wholesomeness of his land. While returning to Azmra, he had seen many travelers. He had walked with them, eaten and talked with them.

But none of them mentioned Wukte's arrival. Wutke's effect hadn’t reached Azmra yet. Nor had the words about it. And he wasn’t there as a messenger.

He had come there for his sword.

The sword which was in the broken inn infront of him. For a while, he stood at its doorstep, feeling the light rain fall on his body. Saer was aware of Tadeas' body in there. The thought of seeing the decapitated corpse kept him outside till the rain became heavy.

When the forest pattered in fierce rain, he got in.

He felt the dampness of the inn as soon as he stepped in. The place was pitch dark with the windows. A little bit of light was coming from a crack on the ceiling which leaked.

Saer walked on the floor covered in moss, guided himself to the nearest window from the light above him and opened the jammed window.

The brightness coming in fell everywhere in the room. Including a man in there.

"You came here for this sword, didn’t you?" asked the man carrying sword on his shoulder.

Saer quickly drew his sword he had brought from Winstrova.

"Who are you?" Saer said.

The thin man walked forward, stepping on the rusting armor parts on the floor ahead of him. With every step the old man took, Saer thought he had seen the face before. Even the man's voice sounded familiar.

"Fierlo." Saer's jaw loosened.

Fierlo swung his sword, almost hacking Saer's head off. Fierlo slashed his sword gain but Saer blocked the blow by his sword.

Saer felt a kick on his abdomen. Then another swing came looking to tear him. He hadn’t anticipated the blow. Somehow he ducked but lost his balance.

He was on the floor ready to get up when he saw the blade descending upon him. Saer blocked the swing by holding his sword from both ends. His hand wrapped around the sword bled and went deeper into his flesh as Fierlo applied more pressure.

"Fierlo, I don’t want to kill you." Saer grunted.

Saer roared, pushing himself up to his feet. He spun and went behind Fierlo, in an attempt to disarm him. Fierlo turned on his heels with the sword, taking Saer by surprise.

Blade of the sword missed him but he fell on the floor regardless. He felt something crack below his back as he landed.

A headless skeleton had cushioned him and it was its ribs he had plummeted on. He extended his arm to reach the fallen sword which Fierlo kicked away.

Fierlo raised his sword and whipped it down. The falling blade sank into the headless skeleton.

"I am sorry." Saer breathed heavy.

"Sorry for what? Using me? Betraying me? Robbing my youth?" snapped Fierlo.

Saer didn’t say a word.

"Your tongue is frozen now, isn’t it?"

"I am trying to redeem myself." Saer said.

"You are irredeemable."

"Fierlo, I have chosen peace now."

"You say you have chosen peace. Yet, you come here seeking the sword."

Saer's eyes enlarged.

"You knew what the risks were." Saer mumbled, "The path we were in required sacrifice."

"But it didn’t require betrayal."

"Then you choose a fitting punishment." Saer looked away, "I already share my nature with Metal Mage. She stole it from me."

"If so, I am not the one to choose the punishment." grinned Fierlo, "I am the one to watch it."

"What?"

"I know you. No matter how much you lie to yourself, you will choose violence again and justify it as a part of your duty." Fierlo said, "Metal Mage will then feed on you, turning you cripple and grotesque. You will beg for death but death has its own time. Killing you now will you spare from all the misery coming."

Fierlo dropped Saer's sword and it clamored beside him.

"When the day comes, I will choose a fitting punishment for you." Fierlo marched towards the door.

"I won't let it happen." Livid Saer clutched his sword.

Fierlo watched him get up with the support of the sword, screaming, "I won’t let it happen."

Fierlo shook his head and walked into the rain.

*************