Maksim had been staying in Tadeas' house ever since he had said Saer and Fierlo were the ones to have killed Hames. He was finding Tadeas' house much comfortable than living inside a tree all the time.

Every time he got in a tree, the tree lost its life and crumble like it had been chewed on by millions of mites. But it was how he had learned to escape.

Azmra was filled with trees.

Dense cities like Pryeg were an exception. Even though Maksim had been staying inside the house for few days by his own willingness, he doubted Tadeas had an itch to learn how he could get inside trees.

Tadeas had asked him how he had acquired his power just once but Maksim was sure more questions were coming at him. He had spotted the two humongous guards outside his room many times a day.

The noise of their armor clattering was loud enough to wake him up in midnight. He had tried to make conversation with them in several occasions but they were silent as a lifeless rock.

Good thing. At least I am safe from Nortze with these guards around me. He consolidated himself.

Maksim had seen stacks of gold coins in the house. His thief instincts were dead despite of the wealth waiting to be picked scattered around him. Not even a fragment of greed existed in his hear while being inside the house.

Someone knocked on his door while he was on his bed.

Maksim got off his bed and unlocked the door. "Hello Mrs. Tadeas." He said.

"Could you?" she mumbled.

"Oh! Sure." Tadeas understood what she said and opened the door wide.

She was holding a big tray which was covered by a cloth.

"I had had my food, madam." Tadeas said.

"These are clothes, Maksim." She smiled.

Maksim lifted the cloth to see some attired underneath.

"For you." She continued.

"It was not necessary though." Maksim was flattered.

"For the festival, it is more than necessary." She said, putting the tray on his bed, "Tadeas is expecting you to see in these. You would be surprised to know this is his pick."

"How will I doubt his taste?" said Maksim, taking out a neat torso.

Stolen novel; please report.

Maksim was going to change as soon as Tadeas' wife would leave the room.

"Have you been to here in festival days before?" she questioned.

"No. I am scared of crowd." He put the attire down, "But I have made my mind. I will see the crowning of three forces."

"It is always entertaining to watch." She said.

Both of them flinched after hearing a loud pop from Tadeas' working room.

"What happened?" Mrs. Tadeas was about to lose her breath.

Maksim sprinted out of there because the sound had come from the room where crystal ball was kept.

Tadeas and Maksim arrived in the foggy room at the same time.

When the smog settled, all they had to look at was the pitch black crystal ball. Tadeas rushed to it, attempting to see how relevant the ball was.

But it was as useful as a donkey's tooth.

"This fucking ball lost all its power!" Tadeas kicked the table in anger.

Ball rolled and hit the floor.

"You had captured Saer in this ball, didn’t you?" Maksim said, kneeling towards the black thing.

"This ball was the source of Fiend House." Tadeas sighed, "Now the magic is broken."

"Did your powers die too?" Maksim questioned.

"This stupid ball was never base of my powers." Tadeas growled, "Sorcerers and mages don’t need such things to regulate their arts."

"So what was this ball for?"

"To fool enemies. And most of all, to punish the cheats." Tadeas sat in his chair, "I shouldn’t have undermined the cracks." He put his hand on his forehead.

"Did Saer and Fierlo escape?" Maksim raised his eyebrows.

"Go and check." Tadeas commanded.

Maksim nod.

"And don’t go through banyan tree." Heard Maksim when he was looking at the two guards standing outside the door.

"Don’t you two speak?" Maksim asked one of those metal bedded beings.

The man in armor didn’t utter a word. Instead he pointed Maksim the way out from his stiff fingers. He didn't find it appropriate to leave without thanking him but showing gratitude to an emotionless person became difficult for him.

Maksim went by his finger when the guard lowered his hand and placed it on the sword hilt.