Days passed since the visions plagued his mind, yet he had long forgotten what was recalled–a blank slate, nothing to be recovered. During those days, Lilium worked with the blacksmith, day in and late into the night, his soft hands now filled with blisters and hardened by scars...

  Lilium stood on the bridge connecting districts to each other, looking downwards at the burnt district, the howling wind pushing him back ever so slightly near the edge, looking down at the building, their burnt, rotting husk of collapsed wood and stone, the faint sounds of screams echoing, and the sun-bleached bones of all who weren't buried under ash and sand. He looked at the District before turning around and walking away, passing countless people on the bridge walking by him; he didn't even recognise their faces; faceless they were to him. As he walked deeper down the road of connection, he was approaching the front of the city. After hours of walking, when he reached the front, he was denied access by a pair of guards dressed in engraved armour towering above all, their helmets bearing horns of wings and their chests engraved with the sun.

  Looking at them, Lilium pulled back. "Eh, ahem..." Clearing his throat, he spoke. "I'm here to see Ecce... a woman." The guards didn't look at him; their arms moved in a stiff motion, allowing him to walk by. As he passed them, Lilium looked at the guards, their helmets reflecting nothing but hollow darkness through the slits. Walking deeper into the nobles' front, he passed towering buildings of marble and glass. Walking down the stone-cut stairs, he took his first step down into the nobles' front. Walking around, he walked slowly, his eyes darting over to the engraved buildings and the marble patterns and ripples, each different from the last. Walking deeper into the Nobles Front, he passed the aristocrats, few of them, their entourage outnumbering them many to one, each servant cleaning them as they actively walked through the district... Lilium looked at them, their disgusting behaviours, the lack of self-control... "This is what I aspire to be like..." Stopping in his tracks. "This isn't what I had imagined... It's just self-indulgence," he whispered. "Self-indulgence is worse than my home in the Back District."

  Looking around at the depravity that circled him, he recalled the message from the woman, the thing in the forest. "Hubris..." He just voice-dropped. "No... Disgust." Pausing once more. "Hate... jealousy, resentment." Swallowing the saliva in his mouth, he took a step back before turning around. "Going to meet her isn't worth it..." Clenching his hand, he ran, running to the stairs. "I don't want to... I don't want this... This, this cage!" Passing the guards, they had moved, their heads turning unnaturally, almost fully, as he ran past them; he shook his head, running across the bridge of connection, past the other districts. Eventually his endurance runs out, as his movements slow down, leading to him walking. "Long I... Long I judged and hated... Admiring what isn't mine to admire, just something I... I was never supposed to see. No, it's something they want me to admire, to praise them for not lifting a finger. How... how disgusting." Resting a hand on his head, he walked down the bridge. Eventually meeting back in the slums, the towering buildings of marble and stone passed like blurs to him.

  His feet sank into the soft mixture of mud and gravel, yet there was no reaction on his face. Walking past brothels and collapsed buildings, he made his way to his home, standing In front of his door, he leaned near the door, picking up a bowl that sat floating in a bucket of water to wash his muddy feet off, the chill water stinging the cuts and bruises on the bottoms of his feet. Clenching his fist, he opened the door, walking into his home. Looking into the kitchen, he noticed an abundance of supplies, from dozens of packs of flowers, jugs of honey and fresh water, spices from the harbour just outside his house window, and aged meat. Tilting his head, he walked over to the kitchen. He saw his mother kneeling over in a corner, stacking firewood high. Her olive-brown skin was glowing with sweat, with the smell of perfume coming off her. Lilium turned up his nose. Clenching his jaw, he forced a smile, yet the boiling hate in his eyes screamed louder than his smile. "Oh, how I wish you were gone..." His voice was low, only heard by himself.

  Florins flinched, packing the wood slower than before, keeping her head down. She heard the sound of his footsteps on the wooden floorboards. "I know..." Her voice cracked, and she clenched the wood as she continued stacking them, brushing her hair out of her face occasionally. "I'm just trying to change." She paused. "But you'll never believe that... Would you, my dear Lilium?" Her voice echoed in the empty kitchen, knowing full well there wasn't anyone to answer. Upstairs, inside his bedroom. He looked at his wall, the wooden walls of his home, blackened by time, rotten with age. "Why... Why am I like this... She tries, and all I do is hate and lament my own suffering, judging others for merely existing." Switching his position on his bed, he turned to his side. "I... don't know what to think anymore... These thoughts are not mine but merely the thoughts of a boy too young to see the world." Grabbing his hair, he tugged at it. "This body given flesh... Worthless. Merely a toy for those who can afford it... But unlike her, I will not break under the pressure... I've cracked too many times." Forcing himself up, he placed both his hands over his face. "What am I even doing? After reflecting, nothing changed immediately; back to hating her, hating everyone! ... hating myself..."

  Closing his eyes, he looked at the ceiling of his home. "She cries... Every single night I think I cannot hear her. Yet with these walls hollow and rotten, quiet tears echo, and yet. What do I do to comfort the only person in my life? Wish her gone while I wallow in self-pity and hate." He shook his head. "No... There's nothing I can do. Like always." His thoughts drifted, and soon the world faded, and a blank and empty void was around him, yet the faint echoes of tears and heavy breath continued to assault his mind. Twisting on the bed, Lilium's eyes opened and closed, twitching. Eventually his eyes opened wide and darted around the room, with crickets chirping, frogs croaking loudly, and the faint sounds of moaning. Holding his head, he grasps the fur on his bed. "Goddamn this; that wretch of a woman probably has another client." He got off his bed, stretching, as he slapped himself. "Remember, Lilium, she is nothing to you; you deserve nothing; you are... nothing."

  The sound of the moaning increased; his eyes narrowed as he opened his door and walked out. Passing her door, his eyes glimpsed her, spread across the bed, as an older man was on her; her eyes welled with tears as the man's movements continued. Lilium let out a heavy breath, walking downstairs to the exit, ignoring everything around him. Opening the exit, he walked out into the morning sun, barely peeking above the slums. The soft mud was now cold and hard. He walked through the slums, passing people passed out drunk on the road, collapsed stalls, and glass bottles scattered around the muddy road. Walking through the slums, the darkness was oppressive, with strange men in the alleyways and women already wearing their best clothes for their next hustle.

  His eyes darted away from them. Walking to the Nobles View, he made his way to the marble stairs, going up them. Lilium's bare feet left imprints on them as he walked through, making his way through the waves of engraved, towering marble buildings. He noticed a figure not much taller than him making its way through the city alone. Lilium's hand reached into his pants pocket, taking out something. Looking at the wandering figure, his eyes locked onto them as he slowly approached, using the shadows to hide his advances. His hand gripped the item as he got closer and closer. His hand raised, standing behind the figure, their long platinum hair shining even in the darkness as the peeking sunlight highlighted a single-bladed weapon, Lilium's eyes were slitted as he brought his hand down with a force aimed at the figure's neck.

  Yet he stopped, dropping the knife, his eyes softening as he looked at the figure. They turned around, looking at him in shock. His hand was resting on their shoulders, yet only a few words escaped his mouth. "You lost...? Because I think I am" was all that escaped his lips; his face was pale as he swallowed a lump in his throat. The figure turned around, revealing a beautiful face, pale in complexion, having soft green eyes and a button nose, and wearing a golden neckband keeping their head up high. Their hands were scarred and bleeding, and their neckband had hints of red dripping down onto their white robes. "Hey, are you okay?" Lilium removed his hands from their shoulders. The figure grasped Lilium's hand, pointing to the neckband. Their face was drained of colour as they choked on their breath. Lilium looked at them for a moment before he grasped the neckband, helping them pull off the engraved golden band. His fingers moved between the top of the golden band, feeling around, before he pulled it, yanking their neck to him. Eventually, the band was removed. Lilium looked at it, the golden band, feeling the weight of it. "This... never have I held something so... valuable." He dropped it on the ground. "Nor do I want to." He turned around, looking at the coughing figure. "You, uh, alright?"

  They held their neck, turning to him, their green eyes wide and wild. "W-who are you?!" They stepped back, looking at the ground, looking at the blade on the ground, then back to Lilium's worn clothes and his scarred bare feet. "Why, why did you have a knife?" Their voice was soft and elegant yet rough. Lilium looked at the way their lips quivered and how they held their neck. "Tsk" was all that left Lilium's mouth. "Judge all you want; you aren't my problem anymore." He turned around, looking at the golden band for a moment, before just picking up his knife. "Not that I'll remember, but do you have a name, pretty girl?" He turned his head, looking back over his shoulder, his slit eyes locking with theirs. "I-I'm not—why do you have no manners!" The feminine figure's voice raised. Walking behind him. "Would you just stand still so we can have a decent conversation! Hey, wait!" Lilium stopped turning around. "What?" The figure clenched their fist. "I'm, I'm Ebur, Ebur Voluntarius. I'm from the Voluntarius family."

  "Lilium... Lilium Clamet, no noble family." He scratched his head. "I am leaving now." Walking away, Lilium put his hands in his pockets, feeling the knife in his hand. "Tsk... I am not worthy... To think I wanted to kill someone merely because of their birth – what type of monster am I?" Clenching his hand around the blade, the sharp edge cut into his flesh; he flinched. "This is pointless, utterly so." Walking away, he felt a soft hand on his shoulder; he turned around. "Thought you'd already left?" Ebur shook their head. "No, I wanted to give you this... for helping me, of course." They held the golden neckband. Lilium looked at the large piece of thick gold, his hand reaching out before stopping. "No... I'll prefer a favour instead. You'll hear about it later."

  Lilium looked at them, his cold blue eyes sending a shiver down their spine – that cold gaze. Ebur shivered. "Your gaze is as intense as the king's lineage," Ebur whispered under their breath. Lilium raised his hand. "Any poor folk with any scars would scare you." Ebur looked down, clenching the golden neckband. "No, I'm a squire that's training for knighthood!" Lilium clicked his finger. "Ah, so you are a boy." Ebur nodded, his movements slow. "Well, yes... No noblewoman is allowed to walk alone, you know." Lilium rubbed his nip. "So I've noticed. But you're a knight? That's like calling me a cheap whore, then. You are as weak as a kitten and, from what I've seen, equally as stubborn." Ebur stepped back. "Such crude language..." Ebur looked at him. "What favour do you want? Lilium looked at the new clear blue sky. "Would explain more, but I have to leave." Lilium walked away, leaving Ebur standing there.

  Walking over the stairs, he made his way to the bridge or connections. Reaching into his pocket, he took out a small piece of gold, a latch piece. "Hm, a favour and gold. Isn't today just lovely?" Lilium made his way to the merchant district, going to Aniame's hut. "Morning." He yawned, picking up his hammer and leather apron. "Lilium." Was all that the large man said, his voice grizzled and deep. "Good, you're ready to learn." The man picked up a pair of tongs, taking a burning piece of steel out of a massive clay furnace. "A noble family asked me to forge a what's-it-called for them, beautiful, they say; at least I think that's what they say." The large man picked up his hammer, hitting the burning red-hot metal, the sound echoing through the hunt as sparks fell into the group. "Eh, so I'm guessing you don't need me here today then, huh?" Animae nodded. "Perhaps, but unfortunately for you." He threw the forming metal back into the furnace. "You're making the handle of said weapon." Lilium raised an eyebrow. "What now?" A sigh exited his mouth as he picked up the carving tools.

  Looking at Animae, he picked through different types of wood. "What do they want? Hardwood or softwood? Greenheart? Maybe something like oak or willow." Animae waved his hand. "Use black wood; it was requested for the blade. And hey, Lilium, be careful with it; I can only afford so much of the limited wood." Gripping the tongs, Aniame took out the burning hot steel, using his hammer to mould the steel into a crude flat shape, vaguely looking like a sword, one metre long, and three inches broad. "Heh? A bastard sword? Or just a long blade?" Animae stopped putting the blade into the furnace. "A bastard sword–if it was a long sword, it'll be a bit bigger; the handle is going to be around, let's say, if both your hands fit around it, that's good." Lilium nodded.

  Picking up a jagged blade, Lilium used both his hands holding the black wood. "Yeah, this length will work." He held the wood down, sawing at it with the jagged blade; eventually it fell to the ground. "Kinda odd the handle is a bit smaller than others I've made, using your hand size." Animae shrugged. "It's like that sometimes; guessing this piece is for decoration or just their kid." Animae took out the hot steel with his tongs, once more hitting at the blade, over and over again. Soon the hot steel took shape, long and straight, ending in a point and having a double edge. He threw it into a batch of water; as it sizzled, steam surges up, boiling the water. Lilium continued working on the handle, using a series of different knives and carving tools to make a simple but refined handle. Picking up a hand drill, he made a series of holes in the top of the wood before picking up a thin knife to clean and clear up the holes, making it broad to fit the sword's tail.

  A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.

  Animae looked at it and raised an eyebrow. "Eh? Not what I was expecting, but then again, it'll be buried under layers of leather wrapping." Lilium threw it at him. "Yeah, the rest is up to you, mostly the markings for where you want the pins." Animae nodded, taking out the now cooled blade and fitting together the bottom; he inserted the tail into the making, marking the wood using a piece of scrap metal before throwing it back at Lilium. "Here, make the holes here; two pins should be enough." Lilium caught the wood. "Got it." He picked up the hand drill, putting it on the markings, before twisting the handle as the drill tip entered the black wood, pushing wood shavings out.

  Animae changed the blade shape, laying it flat. It was flat on the ground. He looked at the crude blade before nodding. "Good." He muttered under his breath as he began heating up the sword's tail, using a pointed chisel to make puncture marks on the blade before cooling it in the same batch of water. "Lilium, how is the handle coming along?" Lilium looked over his shoulder. "All good, Animae, just making it smooth." Animae nodded. "Good, good." Walking over to the grindstone, Animae picked up the crude blade. Spinning the grindstone with his feet, he pressed the blade into the rolling stone. Soon the sun dipped, turning a warm gold, and Animae was finished with the blade; he set it down, the once crude and unpolished blade now shining sharp, pointed, and deadly. Picking up the finished pieces, he first got the hilt, followed by the black wood handle, using pitch to glue them together, followed by two golden pins, and lastly, he attached a round solid piece of steel. He attached it to the bottom using a hole in the round steel; he attached it using a pin.

  Lilium sat on a bench, his hand holding a thick, hard, tan leather moulding it into shape, using tools to make puncture marks throughout before using thin leather twine to tie it together, making a sheath. He took a cloth before soaking it in oil, rubbed it over the leather, revealing the dark tan hide colour, and walked over to Animae, handing it to him before yawning. "I guess we're done for today?" Animae nodded. "Yes, but we have to deliver the blade for payment." He yawns before going over the Animae. "Then let's go then." Animae shook his head, putting the wood in a greenheart box lined with red silk. "Lilium, this wasn't just a blade; it was the fruit of your labour, showing pride in your work no matter how grand or small it is. That's how one truly grows." Lilium nodded, grabbing the box, but Animae slapped his hand. "No, no, you'll dirty the box. Wash up your hands, and I think I should have had a change of clothes for you." He looked at Lilium's bare feet. "And also there's a pair of shoes for you; I've had them for a while—just old things, really." Lilium looked down. "Uh... Thanks. I didn't really need it, but thank you."

  He walked over to the corner of the hut, washing off his hand and face, and soon picking up the clothes and the pair of shoes, making over to a corner, he began changing out of his old clothes, putting on the new ones – a pair of black pants and a black shirt. He picked up the throw, a long brown coat, before putting on the shoes; they were leather, black, and ended in a blunt tip. "Wow." He looked at his reflection in that water, noticing that the clothes seemed new. "Did he?" A small, unnoticeable smile formed on his face. "I guess he did." Walking out, he approached Animae. "How do I look?" Aniame looked at him, his gaze darting up then down. "Like a craftsman, now let's leave; we have a weapon to deliver." Animae grabbed the box, and they walked out together.

  The sun slowly drops over the city's towering walls and buildings, casting deep shadows over them. Animae's eyes darted over to Lilium before looking back on the cobblestone path leading to the bridge of connections. Going up the stairs, they made their way over to the nobles view. "Animae... What should I do?" Lilium's voice dropped as he walked next to the towering man. "What you have to do, and what seems right." He nodded, eventually reaching a sprawling estate made of cured wood, marble and bricks. Lilium looked up at the building with that engraving stretching far, wrapping around pillars, to the very top, engravings shaking the sun, then a man and woman followed by more of that same repeating pattern with dates that mark 03 to 67, ending with the founding, the most recent showing an engraving of a new family, a man and a woman and four children, three boys and one girl, with more numbers, the most recent one reading 127 of the seventh moon, fourteen cycles in. Animae, nudge Lilium's shoulder. "Focus." Lilium's eyes moved to his; he nodded, fixing his new coat.

  Animae walked to the door, pushing his hand through a steel hoop that ended in a rounded bottom; it had etchings around it. Lilium looked at it for a moment before the sound of rapid hitting echoed in his ear. Shaking his head, he looked at Animae, who was already walking into the grand estate. Lilium hurried behind him, the wooden bottom of his shoes echoing in the pack but large empty spaces of the estate. "Hey Animae, a moment!" Hurrying behind Animae, he looked around the estate; hunting trophies lined the walls, from animals he had never seen before, from elks to elephants down to predators like lions and tigers. Behind Animae Lilium's eyes wander through the seamless halls of luxuries and furniture, from harps to chandeliers stretching dozens of metres.

  Animae continued walking, his face pressed in a thin line, his eyes not looking at anything as he continued onwards. Eventually meeting a door a few metres high, he pushed it open, revealing a man dressed in a deep blue robe with rings scratching around it, followed by small dots ending with him in the middle, followed by a woman wearing a black dress and a white veil over her head and four children–three boys wearing the same white robes and golden neckbands around their necks with engravings of the sun etched on their clothes going up to their necks and one girl dressed like her mother, but she was dressed in all white. They were all sitting at a large table with too many seats for the family. "Oh, you are here, Animae." The man spoke, his voice low as he brought a piece of meat to his mouth. Lilium watched as Animae set the box on the table without a word. "Always so silent." The man sighed, putting down his fork. "You forged all my sons' blades, yet you never truly stayed to chat... Animae Vita–" His eyes darted to the man. "That's enough, Dux. Provoking me will get you nothing."

  Dux raised his hand. "Hey, hey, calm down; just making small talk. You are always so... interesting, yet you always refuse to train it or teach my boys." The man's eyes darted over to Lilium standing next to Animae. "But yet you took him under your wing." His hand reached for his fork. "A little disappointing but fair; a man like you must have seen something in him... So eager to do charity work." Animae stood silent. "Ah, where are my manners? Join us, my family, for the meal." Animae's eyes narrow at Dux, followed by forced laughter from Dux. "I'm jesting about the charity work, but come join us." Animae looked at him before taking a seat, raising his hand for Lilium to leave the room. "Let the boy stay, heh? I got my son's here as well; this is just a casual conversation. No need for all this."

  Lilium turned around, looking at Animae; the older man nodded as Lilium took a seat next to him, sitting on the plush chair. "Who is this?" Lilium whispered under his breath. "Dux Voluntarius, founder of the Silk Road leading to Lutum." Lilium nodded before his eyes darted over to the brothers, spotting the feminine boy he met early in the morning eating comfortably. "Ebur..." he muttered, and Animae eyes moved over to Lilium. "You know of him?" Lilium nodded. "Not really, just met early this morning. Nothing special, really."

  He watched as Ebur ate, then his eyes moved to his fingers; the scars on his fingers were healed. Dux watched Lilium closely. "Ah, boy! So you have spotted my son Ebur? Eh, something caught your eyes?" Lilium turned to look at Dux; his cold blue eyes, empty, looked at Dux's emerald green eyes. "No, observing." Dux swallowed the saliva in his throat. "My, you and your mentor got quite the glare." Dux took another cut of meat, placing it in his mouth. "Can't help but notice you both aren't eating anything." Animae nodded. "Yes, because we already left before leaving." Dux nodded. "Always so practical, I guess... But since you're here, how about we have Lilium and Ebur, my dear little boy, duel?" Animae raised an eyebrow. "And why would I allow my student to wield a blade when I do not wield one?" Dux raised his hand. "Animae, they are both boys; don't be on edge. You have my word this isn't a ploy; I want to see how my son fights." Animae tapped his fingers. "He has three brothers to help with that." Dux shook his head. "They are years older than Ebur; it'll be unfair." A deep breath left Animae's mouth. "And him fighting Lilium is fair? Considering Lilium is taller than him and most likely stronger."

  Dux tapped his fingers on the hardwood table. "Well, I see what you say, but at least test that weapon you brought." His hand moved over to the box. Animae looked at him before turning to Lilium. "Fine, he will test the blade in combat with Lilium." That entire family stopped eating; the three brothers looked at Lilium before bouncing back to their meal. Ebur's eating pace slowed, his hand moving things around his plate. Lilium just looked at Dux. "And why should I? My mentor clearly said he doesn't want me to wield a blade. Who am I to go against his wishes? That's me just being selfish at that point." Dux nodded. "Well, that's fair... But just consider it." Animae nodded. "Fine, be done with it already; the boys shall spar." Animae got you walking over to Lilium; he placed a hand on his shoulder and muttered under his breath. "Win." Before walking off.

  Lilium sat there; he clenched his fist and nodded. "Yes." A smile formed on Dux's face as he got up, the chair leaning all the way back before collapsing onto the ground. "Wonderful!!! Now let us go to the courtroom, Ebur, and collect that blade... You'll need it." Ebur swallowed, and getting up from his seat, he walked over to the weapon, picking up the light blade, his hand wrapping around the hilt just a few inches longer than his grip. A heavy breath escaped his nose as he walked out of the lavish estate to the courtyard, followed by his father and other family members. Stepping outside the court years, he spotted Lilium standing there under the moonlight of the dark endless abyss of the night sky. The pale glow of the moon illuminated his cold blue eyes, locked with his as his legs became heavy, each step forced. He clenched his jaw, walking closer into the field, looking at the boy, who stood there looking at him, and behind him was Animae, standing there alone, freezing the air. "Dear gods..." he muttered, approaching Lilium slowly.

  Lilium reached into his pocket, taking out a pocketknife. He looked at Ebur, who raised his sword at him. "A knife... What?" Ebur's voice dropped, looking around the courtyard; the darkness was nigh enclosed when the flickering of torches reached the centre of the courtyard. Lilium walked into the dark spot, just a figure vanishing; only a pair of glints was seen in the shadows as his irises reflected dim lights. Ebur charged, both hands resting on the hilt of his blade; it was pointed outwards at the barely visible figure in the darkness. Then he spotted movement in the darkness before a fistful of sand was thrown in his face. Ebur fell back, rubbing his eyes and shaking his head, before collapsing onto the ground. A cough escaped his mouth, followed by gagging as he held his stomach, feeling a hand there still. "How... I-I" He felt his world spiral before he fell on the ground. Holding his stomach.

  Lilium knelt on the ground, taking the bastard sword from his hand. Ebur looked at him, his face obscured by the darkness, only feeling the movements of his hands. Lilium walked out, the large blade resting on his shoulder. "Well, that was something." Lilium cracked his neck walking out of the darkness until he felt something grab his legs; it was Ebur. "Hold on!" The boy coughed, his platinum hair falling over his emerald green eyes. "I-I'm not finished yet!" Lilium pulled his leg away, walking away until Ebur grabbed his legs with both hands, pulling him onto the ground. "I'm not done! I'm not that pathetic!!" As Lilium fell, he threw the sword; it fell out of the darkness, landing in front of the small group of people. "Why you!" Lilium stomped Ebur's face; a sickening thud echoed as Ebur clawed his leg, dragging himself up, holding Lilium's leg, blood running down his nose, tears falling from his eyes. "I can't; I won't lose!" Lilium curled up his hand into his fist, punching Ebur over and over again. Ebur's face got swollen before he hit down on Lilium's side. "AhHH!" A scream echoed from Lilium; Ebur tightened his jaw, reaching his hand into Lilium's pocket, taking out his knife, and then straddling him.

  Raising the knife above his head, he looked at Lilium; Lilium's eyes reflected something that caught his; those cold blue eyes flicked. "Do you yield!" Ebur's voice echoed feminine, broken but sound and clear. Lilium looked at him, nodding slowly. "Yeah... now get off me." A smile slowly formed on Ebur's face as he got off Lilium and walked to his family; Lilium lay there in the sand looking up at the night sky. "I don't really know how to feel." He muttered to himself. "That desperation, the way he crawled and cried just to win..." He scratched his hand out in the air. "Can I truly ever have that level of determination... Even if I let him win... I know I could have used my knife, or that sword... Maybe I didn't want to cause more harm than I did... Maybe not ... I don't know." He rubbed his face. "I thought I'd end it easily, but he wanted to prove a point to whom? His father, me, Animae... Eh..." He scratched his head. "All he needs to believe is that he won; I couldn't bring myself to do it... hurt someone weaker than me; maybe I am pathetic... But I feel better." His thoughts run off as the sound of crickets and toads echoes through the night.

  Animae walked over to Lilium, looking at him lying on the ground, before nodding. "You did good, Lilium... Glad to know I made the right choice in my apprentice, someone who sees beyond, when I told you to win... I meant it, Lilium; you did win with the clarity I wanted you to have." Walking around Lilium, he stretched his hand out. "Remember that question you asked me? Well, I think you have the answer now." Lilium grabbed his hand as Animae pulled him up. "You did good work, boy... Now how about you get home? It's late." Lilium nodded, looking back at the Voluntarius family. Ebur looked at him, mouthing something at him with a smile plastered on his face. Lilium nodded as he and Aniame exited through the backyard onto an alleyway.