My travel over the following days relieves me of the burdens of my mind.

It's spring. And, wildflowers bloom in their yellows and violets.

I come upon a village with squat houses built into the sides of small hills.

Weaving through the main road, I observe a community of halflings

They either work their gardens or watch me over their corncob pipes.

I smile at a few when I make eye contact.

Hobbits are an odd people.

They love to sing and dance.

They love their ale and smoke.

But, they are wary of the other races.

I've known a couple. And, there's a sense of superiority that stands in stark contrast to their short stature.

I identify the village's general store and approach it.

Curious eyes follow me the whole way.

I have to stoop over as I enter the building.

The tender looks surprised to see me as I come in.

"I think you're a size too big to buy here,": the man says. "There's a human village only a few hours on the road."

I feel the subtle hint that I should leave.

I sigh.

"What the hell, bearer?" comes the sword as I turn to leave.

"Stand up for yourself," it berates me as I walk out of the town.

"That's just how halflings are."

"Xenophobic bigots," the sword spits.

"It's fine. I can wait till I find the next village."

The journey to the human village is a few hours long. But, I'm able to stock up on supplies.

The village has an inn where I'm able to find strong drink.

The sound of raucous laughter meets my ears as I order an ale.

I'm surprised to see a group of halflings laughing alongside humans.

"What brings you here, stranger?"

I look down at the bar to see a dwarf man with a magnificent beard appraising me.

"Just passing through."

The man takes a deep drink from his ale.

"So, you're not hunting the qillian?"

"Qillian? I've never heard of it."

"Qillian?" the sword says excitedly. "Sacred beast. Quest accepted."

I flick a finger on the hilt of the sword.

The dwarf looks to me conspiratorially.

"A mythical creature. The horns alone are worth 10 times their weight in gold."

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I nod, "How's the hunt going?"

The dwarf man looks down into his drink.

"It's almost myth with how rarely it's seen.

"I've decided," the dwarf man says reluctantly, "to give up the hunt."

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"Ah," the dwarf says. "It's nothing that ale won't fix."

The laughter carries over the bar until I call it a night and find my way upstairs to my room.

"A qillian," the sword says repeatedly.

"Yes," I say, "a qillian. Now calm down."

"You don't understand bearer. To subdue such a sacred beast would be a boon to you in every way."

I settle down on the bed. Meditation can wait for another night.

"It sounds like it doesn't come out in the open very often."

"Oh, that's no worry. I can identify its territory when we search."

I sigh, "I didn't agree to hunt this creature.

"Come now, bearer. It's not like you have anything better to do."

I concede its point and bid it a good night.

The following day, the sword pushes the point.

"Fine," I say with annoyance.

The sword glows in its scabbard.

The forest is dense as I leave trails behind me.

"What are we looking for?" I ask.

"Don't worry about it. Just keep searching."

The day grows long in the fruitless hunt.

I meditate on my soul world as night comes over the world.

My soul floats through an open meadow.

I look down and see a yellow flower shining at me.

As I watch the flower, I notice a string that binds the flower to me.

The chi of this single flower flows into me through the tether.

I find myself contemplating to flower's nature.

"That's the dao," I hear from some distant source.

"The dao," the sword continues, "is the nature, the way, by which it lives."

The flower seems so delicate. Like it could be plucked at any moment.

"You're close," the voice says. "There is creation in death. And, soon, you will refine this spiritual world. It will be like harvesting a flower."

I find the notion tragic.

This world is my world. And, to harvest it seems an injustice.

I come out of my inner journey.

"What do you mean by refining the soul world?"

The sword glows from within its scabbard.

"The soul world is a stage of growth. Not an end.

"You'll find spirits in the realm, like that of the flower.

"These spirits are a facet of your dao.

"When you are ready, you will convert this world into energy. For now, you absorb a fraction of what is available.

"It will be as the harvesting of wheat."

"The soul world will be destroyed?" I ask.

"There are sacrifices on the path of immortality, little mortal."

It's day and my meditation is over. Once more, I take up the hunt for the qillian.

We wander for hours until the sword calls out, "There! To the right."

I look. And, see nothing.

With a shrug, I walk down a path like any other.

I detect the strong scent of musk as I delve deeper into this domain.

"Just keep walking," the sword says. "It'll show itself."

No sooner does the sword speak before I hear a low growl.

I look for the source of the sound. But, can't find it.

The sword comes out and I wait for the creature to show itself.

I catch a streak of electricity.

This happens over and over until I grow dizzy trying to keep up with it.

Then, it charges me.

"Behind you!" the sword calls out.

I barely manage to block the savage teeth that seek my throat.

What I see before me is an odd creature. I can't tell if it's a wolf or a tiger.

But, it has horns that look ready to gore me.

I shove the beast back and hold my guard.

The qillian turns into a streak as it charges me.

Vertigo hits me as the sword takes command of my body.

The lightning streak is met by the blade faster than I can comprehend.

The assault stops, and the sword begins a sequence of strikes that rapidly draw blood.

At first, the beast roars with anger. But, soon, it cries with pain.

I watch as deep gashes are cut into its face and neck.

At last, the sword comes down in a wide arc that stops just short of its skull.

"Submit!" I hear myself command.

The qillian is breathing hard and bleeding from many cuts.

It moans sadly as it drops to the ground, lying on its belly.

"Give me your blessing," the sword says with my voice.

A low growl escapes the beast's throat. But, stops when the blade is leveled before its eyes.

"Do it," the sword commands.

The beast lets out a deep breath and a static charge sparks along its fur.

The lightning focuses between the qillian's horns before exploding into me.

I fall to the ground, tremors wracking my body.

When I finally regain control of my body, I find the creature gone.

The sword glows from the ground as I stand up.

"You're welcome," the sword says.

"For what? Getting me electrocuted?"

"That was the boon of a qillian. Worth far more than some paltry stack of gold."

"What do you mean?"

The sword sighs a long-suffering sigh, "I'll show you."

The sword in my hand once more takes control of my body.

I watch as the sword uses my body to move like a streak of lightning.

One step and I've cleared the open space.

The sword practices a few times before releasing control.

I'm numb as I imitate the sword and almost teleport straight ahead.

"You're welcome," the sword repeats itself.

After a moment's hesitation, I say, "Thank you."

The sword glows with pride.

I continue my journey without objective.