"Where's this pantheon?" I ask the sword as I walk.

"Just keep walking. It's called the big world for a reason."

A trail leads me to a city.

The people of this population center are a mixed bag of humans, elves, beastkin, dwarves, and halflings.

It's the most diverse gathering I've ever seen.

I come to a pub and sit down at the bar.

"What can I get you?" an older woman asks.

"First of all," I say. "Will you accept this?"

I offer a silver coin.

She examines it for a moment.

"Sorry, sir. Only kingdom authorized money."

I nod. I had imagined that I would face this result.

"Thank you," I say as I get up and walk out into the city.

The sword laughs, "You went from being king to pauper."

I shrug, "I'm sure there's work to do."

It is an old feeling to need to work for a living.

I consult with members of the city guard to find the adventurer's hall.

Eyes watch me as I enter. The experience is much the same as my time at the Guildhalls.

I find the bounty wall and search for something to make a little coin from.

The bounties are listed by rank.

My eyes leave the low-level quests.

"Pick that one with the rogue sorcerer. Or, that one for the giant wasps. Or..."

The sword rambles on with its preferences.

I examine the sorcerer's bounty.

"What's a sorcerer?" I ask the sword.

"Oh, I suppose your little world didn't have too many mana-based magics."

I recall the witch I'd once fought beside. She used hexes and curses. Though, I don't know how.

"A sorcerer," the sword lectures, "is a powerful magic wielder. They, usually, specialize in elemental magics. Though some favor the arcane."

I find myself curious about the magic of this world.

The chi of heaven and earth is dense in this world. So, I wonder at the variants that cultivation can manifest.

I resolve myself to my task and leave the adventurer's hall and navigate my way to the sorcerer's spire.

The forest grows gloomy as I enter the bounty's territory.

Ahead, a grand black needle punctures the sky.

The night is setting in, so I hope to catch the target unprepared.

The sickly trees fall away and I come to stand before a lone spire.

I look at the sword.

"Well, bearer. Try the door."

When I do, I find it locked.

But, for me, it does not matter to manifest my tattoo and cut the lock.

A warm fire casts shadows flickering on the walls as I enter.

My sword is out and I creep in on a large chair that faces the fire.

I hold my breath as I approach.

Despite my efforts to maintain my stealth, I hear an aged voice.

"So," the voice says, "you're the latest foolhardy adventurer to seek my life."

I circle the chair to see an old man in dark robes, petting a cat.

My sword pointed at him, I say, "There is no need to take your life. The quest was dead or alive."

He chuckles, "The folly of youth is truly remarkable. No, my dear lad, you will not take me alive. Indeed, you will not take me at all."

By magic, the man disappears before my eyes. His cat gently falls onto the chair.

I don't have any time to wonder what happened as the cat swells in size.

I back away until a horse-sized cat looks down on me like it would a mouse.

I swallow the lump in my throat as I evade playful claws.

My sword glows brilliantly as I fall back to a staircase.

Chi flows through my blade as I cut down on the cat.

A blue halo surrounds the enemy as my attack is blocked by some sort of magic shield.

I climb the stairs as fast as I'm able to, while the cat pounces at me.

As I climb, I hear the clatter of armor.

Coming down from above, a suit of armor imbued with purple light meets me.

A sword swings out.

I duck under the attack and slash up, slicing the armor in half. From crotch to head, the armor falls apart.

I breathe out with relief until I hear more clattering armor marching down the stairs.

Time and again, I cut my way up the stairs.

I put all my energy into an attack on the cat. And, watch its shield give way.

The cat hisses as I cut into one of its eyes.

The beast growls before running down the stairs.

Able to focus entirely on the ascent, I advance with care.

Finally, I come to the top floor of this spire.

The sorcerer stands at the center of the room.

"I'm impressed," the man says. "Some would be adventurer made it up here."

I circle the man.

"Be careful, bearer. He's got some tricks up his sleeve."

The sorcerer smiles.

"You're not a magic wielder," he says.

My gaze is level.

Comprehension dawns on him.

"No. You couldn't be."

I charge the man.

A wave of purple energy blows out from the man in all directions.

I'm thrown into the wall several feet from where I was.

Confusion registers in me as I look at the pensive man.

"The age of immortals is past," he muses. "And, yet, here you are."

I recover and empower my body with chi.

I move faster than the sorcerer can react.

My blade slashes through his neck.

As the blade passes, the man dissipates like a cloud of smoke.

His laughter echoes throughout the spire.

I breathe hard as anger washes over me.

"That could have gone better," the sword comments.

I growl with displeasure.

The stairs see me to the bottom floor.

As I open the door, I hear, "Do come again."

Bitterly, I make my way back to the adventure hall empty-handed.

Much as I'd like to drink away my memory of the sorcerer, I'm still lacking coin.

I collect info on my next target.

Giant wasps.

This should be a more straightforward hunt.

There are hundreds of carnivorous creatures as I enter their domain.

The hum of wings meets my ears as one of the creatures brings its stinger down upon me.

The sword leads me out as I deflect the stinger and push back on the massive bug.

I channel chi into my strike and cut it at its midsection.

Its mandibles bite in the air for some time after its death.

I collect my trophy and continue the hunt.

The hours pass as I hunt the pests to near extinction.

The nests are massive structures that I use my purifying fire to destroy.

My prizes abound and I return to the adventurer's hall.

"Yes?" the secretary asks as I seek my pay.

"I have wasp stingers from the killer wasp quest.

She nods, "Where are they?"

I use my cosmos ring to deposit some of my stockpile.

The woman's eyes open wide as the table is filled.

"How did you-?"

"The reward?" I ask patiently.

Still stunned by how so much appeared out of nowhere, she begins counting.

As they're organized, I keep adding to the stock.

Her eyes take notice of my ring as I use it to deposit my trophies.

"That ring," she says. "What is it?"

I look from her to the ring, "A cosmos ring."

Her eyes widen, "How much would you sell it for?"

I chuckle, "All the coin I need comes from the bounty."

She measures my pay and I find myself at the bar.

"Ale, please."

The bartender nods.

I savor the bitter taste.

"I'd be careful how you use that ring, partner. You're already getting unwanted attention."

I look around the hall to see many eyes on me.

I sigh as I finish my drink.

I earned a sizeable amount from the quest. So, I don't have much reason to stick around.

As I leave, I sense several people rise from their seats.

They won't attack in town. But, once I leave, they'll be on me.

I could just run. But, the sword is already planning the fight.

I walk a little way out from the city and rest against a tree.

The first group shows up.

A man with a mohawk steps forward.

"Good day, my friend."

I don't say anything.

His goons circle me.

"I couldn't help but notice something when we were at the adventurer's hall."

I see the next-pack approach.

The mohawked man looks irritated by an additional company.

I just stare at him.

"Fine," he says.

As the three men draw their weapons, I draw my blade.

An orange glow mesmerizes all who see it.

Greed shows in every eye.

"Everything you've got. Drop it."

I look at the man cooly.

"Aren't you gonna attack?"

The mohawk man chews his lip, "Kill him."

Three men charged as one.

Their movements are so slow, I'm surprised they even thought about mugging me.

My blade is like a scalpel as it carves into the men.

It takes a moment as they realize that something's wrong.

Three heads tumble to the ground as more would-be bandits approach the now bloody scene.

Shock registers in all parties.

I hold my guard as the assailants rethink their decision to attack me.

Recovered from their shock, the gang roars with anger.

As they attack, I breathe out.

The sword revels in the bloodletting.

It only lasts a moment. But, the death count rises.

The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

The audience watches from afar.

When I've finished with the Mohawk gang, I look to the rest.

Silently, I wipe my sword on one of the dead and sheathe it.

"That was fun," the sword comments.

It feels like a long time since I would feel bad about taking human life like that.

But, then, I'm not human anymore.

Satisfied that there is no further challenge, I continue on my way.

As night falls, I make camp. This feels like it could be any number of places in my homeworld.

The song of crickets soothe me in my meditation.

I note a subtle shift in the song.

Some of the crickets have stopped singing.

I feel their presence.

A man or, perhaps, a woman is sneaking up on me.

They're circling to my back.

I roll forward as a spear pierces the air where I had just been.

Rather than falling back, this foe continues the attack.

I weave my way around the piercing strikes.

As the spear projects out, I grip the shaft and pull.

The assailant stumbles forward and I grip them by the throat.

It's a delicate neck that my hand grasps.

The mask that hides their face comes off and I see a beautiful woman with black hair gasping, vainly, for air.

I'm not above killing women who attack me. But, I have a crisis of conscience as I look into her scared eyes.

I throw her away from me.

As she lands on her back, I resume my meditation.

She heaves as she swallows air.

I try to go back to listening to the crickets and their song.

But, I'm disturbed when the woman takes a seat on the ground next to me.

I'm puzzled.

"What are you doing?"

She is silent as she watches me.

I try to close my eyes and dive into myself.

But, this assassin is disturbing my peace.

I fume for a moment before coming to my feet.

As I rise, so too does she.

I collect camp and begin walking.

She follows close behind.

I'm wary of the spear she walks with.

"What are you hoping to accomplish?" I ask.

She is silent in her stalking.

The sword glows, "We've got a weird one this time."

I can't help but agree.

Time stretches as I walk. At night, I rest.

"What's your name?"

The woman looks impassively at me.

I bite my cheek.

"I'm Askilar."

Again, she gives me a stony look.

With a sigh, I turn inwards.

My meditation isn't the most restful as I am ever conscious of the assassin's focus.

As the night stretches, I hear the rhythmic rise and fall of her breathing.

My eyes open. And, I see my unwanted companion sleeping.

Silently, I rise to my feet and sneak away in the dark.

I leave the road behind as I navigate the woodland.

I walk until daybreak.

"Ah," I say. "Freedom."

"I don't know," comes the sword's response. "She was interesting."

I scowl, "You just want to fight her."

The sword has no rebuttal.

The day is rejuvenating as I think about where it is that I'm going.

"The pantheon rests in the heavens," the sword comments.

"The heavens?" I ask curiously. "You mean in the sky?"

"Yes."

My mind can't quite wrap around the idea of a floating structure.

"How?"

The sword chuckles, "With all that you've seen and done, flying castles is where you draw the line?"

My lip twitches.

"Where is this flying kingdom?"

"It flies," the sword says bluntly. "It could be anywhere."

I sigh, "This is sounding more annoying by the moment."

"You won't think that when you look down on the world from the clouds."

"Even if we find this pantheon, how would we reach it?"

The sword is silent for a moment. "There are ways."

I look to it expectantly.

Nothing more comes from the weapon.

Days pass as I continue on my aimless journey.

Eventually, I find myself on a new road.

I pass villages as I go.

They're friendly people.

"You should stay the night, traveler," a nice older woman says.

At first, I tried to decline the offer. But, she persists.

"Thank you," I say at last.

A bed of straw cushions me as I lay down to rest.

As I contemplate my path, I feel a disturbance in the air.

I rise to my feet and quietly exit the home.

My blade comes out, casting light all about.

Before me, I find the source of the disturbance.

The black-haired woman wears her mask as she stands before me.

Her spear threatens to gore me.

"What?" I ask with aggravation.

She charges at me.

With one hand, I grab the spear and turn it aside. With the other, I swing until it just barely touches her neck.

"Stop following me."

I release her and begin walking.

Rather than backing off, she follows me at a short distance.

"A weird one," she sword comments.

The night passes and I continue with my stalker.

Along the path, I find some ruins.

It has been a long time since I went treasure hunting.

"There can't be anything of value left," the sword says. "It's too close to the road."

I nod my agreement. But, feel the desire to walk amongst these ancient walls for the sake of it.

I manifest flame to illuminate my way.

I see shattered pottery in several places.

Animal motifs are carved into the walls.

"How old do you think these ruins are?" I ask.

"They seem pretty young, bearer. Maybe an age or two."

I nod. That's what I was thinking.

"Do you think the celestial pantheon is a ruin?"

The sword is silent as I continue along my way.

Not far behind, I hear the shuffling of my stalker as she walks in the dark.

I speed up my walking and weave through the corridors.

Backtracking, I find my way back to the road.

My path is undisturbed as I walk day and night.

I can't comprehend the mystery of the black-haired woman.

I hope I never do and she can find someone else to haunt.

As I make my way, I come upon a village filled with nervous-looking peasants.

I walk along the road expecting to pass without incident.

"Stranger," I hear from behind me.

I turn to see a man of middling years.

"Yes?"

"I," the man says. "I see you carry a sword."

His eyes appraise me and my blade.

"I do."

"Um," he looks embarrassed. "Could you help us?"

"A quest," the sword says excitedly. "What kind of quest? It has to be fighting something."

I listen to the sword jabber on.

"What do you need?"

"Sir," the man's back straightens. "We are being plagued by a band of orcs.

"Every few days, they come and raid our village. We can't stand against them.

"We will give you what we have.

"Please, help us."

The sword is excited. And, I don't see any reason not to help this village.

"Okay."

Relief shows through the man's features as he invites me to stay in the village.

"Can I ask your name?" the man asks me as he prepares a simple meal.

"Askilar. Yours?"

The man smiles, "Daum. Nice to meet you."

The meal is frugal. But, I accept it with gratitude.

"How long have the orcs been attacking?"

"Two weeks," Daum's eyes water. "We've lost several people.

"They don't care if we resist or not. They kill indiscriminately."

I sympathize with the man as I finish my bowl.

"When do you expect them to attack next?"

I hear myself finish the question as a scream sounds out.

I'm on my feet and rushing out to find the source of the scream.

My sword comes out as I see.

A dozen green-skinned orcs walk arrogantly into the village.

The sword glows with excitement.

The orcs notice me.

"Look at this," a leading orc says to his followers. "A little man would stand against us. There's always one."

The gathering laughs with deep, throaty, mirth.

I face the orc that had spoken.

A massive club swings wide.

I use the qillian's gift to streak to the orc's side.

My blade pokes through the rib cage and pierces the heart.

I withdraw the blade and watch the stunned enemy try to comprehend what just happened.

"What did you-?"

The orc falls to its knees and then, dead, to the ground.

The remaining orcs are similarly dumbfounded.

As they recover, I hear a guttural, "Kill him!"

As one, the monsters charge me.

I use the qillian's grease lightning with my blade held parallel to the ground.

I cut through half of them at the belly.

Viscera and gore fall out of the doomed orcs.

My blade dances with another green-skinned threat.

Savage roars resound through the village as I carve my way to the last of the enemies.

The orc looks to its fallen brethren and then to me.

With a snarl, the orc turns to flee.

I take the sword with both hands and raise it over my head.

I throw the sword, with force, into the retreating monster.

It falls, dead, to the ground.

"You threw me," the sword fumes. "No one's ever thrown me."

I smile.

As I turn back to the village, I see a face I'd hoped I'd seen the last of.

The black-haired beauty observes me as I see the quest giver.

He doesn't have much to offer. But, he compensates me for my work.

"Thank you so much."

The man almost has tears in his eyes as we part.

I don't get far as the assassin comes to walk at my side.

At least she's not attacking me, I think.

I walk on, night and day.

She disappears sometimes. But, she always returns.

Sometimes she makes a vain attempt on my life.

As she attacks me again, I throw her spear aside and grip her by the throat.

I squeeze, cutting off blood and air.

"Why are you following me?" I emphasize every word.

His lips move like she wants to speak.

I release some of the tension from my grip.

She croaks out, "My mistress.."

I throw her back. "What about your mistress?"

She gasps for air.

As she recovers, I can't help but notice the fear in her eyes.

"Speak," I command.

"My mistress knows..."

She hesitates.

I purse my lips.

"She knows why you've come."

I'm puzzled.

"Why, then, have I come?"

She kicks away, "I do not know."

I find myself doubting that.

"And," I ask, "your mistress wants me dead?"

She shakes her head.

"Then why," I seethe, "do you keep trying to kill me?"

"Test," is her response.

I bite my cheek.

"Will you lead me to your master?"

Again, she shakes her head.

I sigh and continue walking.

This plague of a woman follows me as I try to find this dammed pantheon.

A city presents itself and I feel the call of strong drink summoning me.

My shadow follows me into the pub and sits at my table.

"You know," I say, "you could just as easily stalk me from another table."

She looks impassively at me.

"What can I get you two?" the barmaid asks.

"Ale, please."

"Alright. And, you miss?"

The assassin thinks for a moment.

"Ale."

The barmaid nods and sees to our drinks.

Soon we both look at one another from the rim of the ale mugs.

"You know, if I failed your little test, I could get seriously hurt."

She is unapologetic, "Then you would be unworthy of your goal."

I sigh, "And, what is this goal of mine?"

She is silent.

"I imagine it has something to do with the celestial pantheon."

She looks at me evenly.

"Who is this illusive mistress?"

The stalker simply sips at her drink.

My lips make a line.

"Fine. Then, tell me your name at least."

Her mouth twitches, "Elizabeth."

A smile of victory comes over my face.

"I'm Askilar."

We sit in silence as we take our time drinking.

I purge my system as we drink and retain a sober mind while she grows rosy in her cheeks.

As I get up, she unsteadily follows suit.

Out in the dark, I begin walking.

I hear her shuffle her feet to keep up with me.

She stumbles. And, I hear her fall to the ground.

As I keep walking, I can't help but notice the attention we've drawn.

I sigh. I can't leave her like this.

I fall back and lift her onto my back.

I think to leave her spear. But, decide to take it with us.

I walk, unhampered by my burden. She'd be light even if I wasn't empowering my body with chi.

I walk onwards until I find a suitable place to rest.

I set her down gently. And, take up a cross-legged position.

My meditation carries on well into the morning.

Elizabeth stirs with a groan.

"You don't handle your drink well," I comment.

An alarm comes over the woman as she searches for her weapon.

It rests at my side and I watch her eyes narrow.

"Calm down," I say as I pick the spear up.

I offer the shaft to her and release the weapon.

She stands while I remain seated.

"There's a river through the woods over there."

She hesitates before moving to the water.

I debate walking away while she's busy.

But, she'd just hunt me down again.

I decide to wait for her.

She returns with clear eyes gauging me.

As I rise to my feet, she backs up a step.

With a shrug, I begin walking.

She waits a moment before following me.

The lands of the big world are expansive. And, I see many villages populate the countryside.

All of them are a blur as I move onwards.

"The celestial war was devastating," the sword lectures. "The immortals challenged the power of the gods. Time was that both existed in synergy.

"But, that peace was eroded throughout millennia.

"Each side was vain. The pride of the immortals almost rivaled that of the gods.

"My bearer at the time lost his life in your world."

The sword carries on while I try to study the terrain.

A mountain reaches into the heavens.

The trail does not turn from this monolith.

"You know this mountain?" I ask Elizabeth.

She shakes her head.

I decided to follow the trail and get a proper vantage of the region.

At first, the temperature is warm as we begin our ascent.

But, as we climb, it starts to change.

I've never climbed a mountain. But, I can tell that the climate only becomes harsher as we advance.

I'm comfortable. But, I'm aware of my companion's difficulties.

I imbue her with warming chi and she has no trouble keeping up.

I feel her eyes piercing my back. And, wonder if she won't just attack me while we climb.

She doesn't.

The trail winds its way up until we stop before a large temple.

It's striking to find such a structure up here.

Warmth radiates out from the temple as we enter.

The grand hall is empty as we approach a central partition.

"About time you brought fresh wine. I was on my third to last cask. Leave it there. And, carry my blessing or whatever."

"I know that voice," the sword elates.

I look at the blade.

"It's Bacchus. God of wine and merry-making."

I look at the partition.

"I did not come with wine, Bacchus."

Silence rings out as I see a shadow move behind the obstruction.

A giant of a man walks out to view us.

Dark skinned with a horseshoe-shaped bald spot on his white-haired head.

"You," the giant says. "You're not human. Not really.

"The girl," he looks past me. "She's human. But, you..."

"I'm an immortal."

There is silence for a moment.

"Ha. You're a pup.

"Tell me, little immortal, what brings you to my abode."

I look around, "No reason in particular."

"Wait," the giant says. "That sword."

I draw the blade and watch it glow proudly.

Bacchus looks between the sword and I.

"What is your purpose in coming back?" the god grows serious.

The question was not aimed at me.

"I wanted to see the pantheon," comes the sword's response.

I relay the message.

"Ha," the giant laughs. "The legendary sword wants to see the celestial pantheon? The pantheon that it brought to ruin."

There is a dangerous air in the room.

"Oh, come now. I was hardly the only one."

Again, I express the sword's thoughts.

"The pantheon's gone. We gods have lost our home in the sky. And, you slew many of my brothers and sisters."

The giant finishes his wine and holds the bottle by its top.

I step back as the god staggers forward.

"Let me handle this, bearer."

I feel myself yanked out of the way as the sword takes control.

We face off as neither side seeks to strike first.

Eventually, the sword rushes forward.

I feel Chi run through the blade as it slashes down.

The bottle blocks the strike without a scratch.

The giant lumbers forward and swipes at my body with a huge hand.

The qillian's gift moves me with speed to the enemy's side.

The flat edge of the blade swings wide to strike the god in the kidney.

Wine and bile spill to the floor.

"Ugh," Bacchus groans. "A waste of good wine."

The god's anger is spent, and he returns to his partition.

A cork pops and I see the silhouette of the god taking a long swig.

With a belch, Bacchus comes out again.

"Can't blame you," he says to the sword.

"Something was bound to happen with so many immortals.

"Though, I do regret the scourging.

"If you're looking for the Pantheon's ruins, travel West.

"Now, off with you lot. You sour the wine."

The sword is excited as we walk out of the temple.

"West. I've got a good feeling about this."

I look at Elizabeth and feel almost as lost as her.

The descent takes some time and I find an appropriate path to follow.

Night comes over the world and we settle down around a campfire.

"What did he mean," I ask the sword, "that you brought the pantheon to ruin?"

The sword is silent for a moment.

"He was exaggerating.

"I mean... I may have played a part in, well..."

"What?" I demand.

"My bearer at the time. He, well, assasinated the celestial emperor with me."

My eyes widen, "Why?"

"Oh, reasons that seemed important at the time."

I sigh and turn my focus inward.

My soul is unified.

The demon part of me brought discord when I first brought my soul world together.

Now, it is as much a part of me as the human side.

I drink in the chi of heaven and earth and feel my soul expand.

I'm conscious of my companion's scrutiny.

But, I do my best to ignore it.

The night passes and at some point, Elizabeth closes her eyes to sleep.

I wait, patiently, for her to rise.

She wakes with dawn and I rise.

The journey continues for many days.

My companion sneaks off from time to time to hunt and forage.

When she returns, she often tries to kill me.

She's like a bee that doesn't care how big a person is.

"You said your mistress knows my goal," I say.

"Did she mention that I would be searching ruins?"

Elizabeth says nothing as we walk.

On and on.

The big world merits its name as I seek out a dead pantheon.

Great lakes are awash with life as I pass them.

Birds walk along, occasionally pecking at something hiding just below the surface of the water.

I take an afternoon to just watch the serene sight.

"It's just some birds," the sword grumbles. "We should keep moving."

I ignore the sword and focus on the moment.

We move on and we pass villages full of curious eyes.

Rather than getting caught up in the woes of peasant life, I march onward.

"Is this place on the other side of the world?" the sword complains.

I would ignore the sword. But, it expresses a question that I hadn't given voice to.

It takes a few days for a glimmer of hope to show itself.

Something is on the horizon.

"That's it," the sword says excitedly.

Unhurried, I chase the horizon.

Whatever it is, it looks like a city.

Some buildings are crumbled into dust. And vegetation spreads from building to building.

A central road leads us past intricate frescos and unique architecture.

I feel eyes on me as I enter the heart of this celestial city.

My hand finds my blade as we stand before a gleaming castle.

"And, Bacchus said it was ruined."

I continue onward as my eyes move from building to building.

The steps up to the castle glow like rainbows as we pass.

Great doors stand, closed, before us.

As I stand before them, thinking about other entrances, the doors move.

A grand hall opens before me.

It stretches on for a length I know couldn't fit inside the, relatively, small castle.

Statues populate the hall, most of which have crumbled into nothingness.

But, those statues that stand are regal figures.

"What are they?" I ask.

The sword glows. "The idols of the gods.

"Those crumbled statues are of gods that have died."

For as far as I can see, the shattered remains, the dead gods, far surpass the number of the living.

Elizabeth walks somberly after me.

We walk for a length of time that I cannot measure.

I had no idea that there were so many gods.

"The children of the Titans have been around far longer than mankind."

I nod my head.

"What did you hope to achieve by coming here?" I ask.

"Oh, no reason. Just wanted to relive the past."

The deeper I dive into this tomb, the stranger the living gods become.

Beasts both alien and familiar, gods like Bacchus.

His statue is easily identified by its size.

Finally, there seems to be an end to the idols.

A grand throne stands on a raised platform.

The celestial emperor's throne.

"For what purpose have you returned?" comes a woman's voice.

I look around to find the source.

A beautiful woman in a white dress walks out from the statues.

"I had no reason," comes the sword's response.

"It said..." I begin.

"I know what it said, immortal."

The woman looks displeased.

"Come here, dear."

Elizabeth leaves my side to join the woman.

"So, you're the mistress," I comment.

"Why were you so keen to kill me."

"I wasn't. If you should have died, it would be your failure.

"But, you didn't.

"Now, though," she looks into my soul, "prove your worth and cast that blade down, that it may atone for its crime among those it has ruined."

I feel an eyebrow raise. "And why would I do that?"

She looks unmoved, "The sword is a curse. If you do not rid yourself of it, it will bring you to ruin."

I look to the sword, "Did you get what you wanted by coming here?"

"Yes, partner. Let's go."

I begin walking away when I hear a gnashing of teeth.

"Do not turn your back on me, immortal!"

Unperturbed, I continue walking.

"Elizabeth, take my blessing and kill that man."

I feel magic in the air as I turn to see a spear tip nearly impale me.

I wind around and release my sword.

We posture against one another.

I'm confused by the white mist that consumes her eyes.

"She's been enthralled, bearer."

I nod.

Her movements are faster than any other time she tried to kill me.

She has the advantage of range and I try to keep up with her routine.

I imbue destructive chi into my sword and chop down on the spear.

A scratch is all my attack achieves.

I fall back.

"You can't fight her halfheartedly," the sword expresses my thoughts.

But, I don't want to kill her.

The qillian's gift brings me behind her.

As I go to knock her out, the butt of her spear knocks me back.

I stumble and she swings the spear into my side.

"Don't make me kill you, Elizabeth."

Her gaze is foggy as she jabs at me.

I decide that I have no option left but to bring down my fury.

I feel my muscles expand as chi flows into them.

I go on the offensive with strike after strike knocking into her spear.

His fingers slip under the onslaught and my blade cuts down on her head.

A line of red slides down her face.

His misted eyes clear and she looks at me confused.

I lift my blade.

It was only a flesh wound. But, she falls to her knees trembling.

"Immortal," the angry goddess says. "If you leave with that sword, we will hunt you through any world.

"Release it and live."

I pay no further attention to the woman as I navigate my way out of the celestial city.

"Well," I ask, "any more fights you want to pick while we're on a streak?"

The sword laughs, "I've got a few ideas."