Fallen Fate Online

Crackle.

The massive iron gates slowly opened as a young man in a precious red robe with glowing amber eyes stepped inside.

"Well, well, looks like someone's already finished their painful journey, doesn't it?" Alden smirked looking at Zayne, who was lying in a starfish pose beside the lake.

Zayne smiled bitterly, "So you knew everything... Damn, it was obvious. Did you really have to set me up a second time in a row? I'm starting to lose confidence in you."

"Hey, I just gave you the opportunity to experience the full range of emotions and it's better not to talk about such things. I assure you, the first time I was plunged into a lake, I thought I was about to be killed! Hahaha, that was a fun time." Alden chuckled.

Alden glanced at the lake and his eyes went wide, "Damn... I thought the effect would be strong in your case, but this exceeded my expectations..."

Zayne was puzzled as he looked at the water, "Ah...? Is something wrong? I figured it was normal that all the excess came out of me..."

Alden shook his head, "That's not what I'm talking about. The last time I took a dip in the lake, that was a year ago, there was just a little spot around me, which is the norm. However, in your case, the whole lake went black..."

Zayne felt uncomfortable. He didn't know what to say in such a situation, and Alden could tell by the confused look on his face.

"Hah, you don't have to worry so much, it's the opposite of good. In a few days, the lake will clear on its own. By the way, how are the results? I'm sure your purification must have peaked!" Alden asked with a curious look.

"Agh... About that, I haven't checked yet, but I think I might do a little practice right now." Zayne smiled slightly as a scarlet sword appeared in his hand.

Zayne took a deep breath, gripped the hilt tightly, and made several swings that Roland had taught him. He repeated them time after time until he reached the last movement.

"That's it!" Zayne swung his sword with a perfectly confident gaze, causing a light stream of wind.

Clap. Clap. Clap.

"Not bad, Roland is actually not a bad teacher, plus your talent, at this rate you will soon reach the skill level of the Knight Commander." Alden said sincerely, clapping his hands slowly.

Zayne smirked contentedly, accepting the praise. He looked at his sword and his eyes went wide.

Crackle. Crackle. Crackle.

White cracks quickly went through the scarlet blade, then the sword disintegrated into many pieces, Zayne could do nothing about it.

[One of your items, Three-Eyed Whistle, was destroyed! Restoration is impossible!]

"What the fuck...?" Zayne muttered in disbelief, looking at the hilt as the only thing left of his weapon.

"Khm... I guess it was to be expected." Alden coughed.

"What...? What the hell are you talking about? Why did my sword break right in my hands?!" Zayne exclaimed with a frustrated look.

"Calm down, nothing in this world is everlasting, and your sword is no exception. You fought Apostle, so do you really think your opponent's weapon was worse than yours?" Alden grew serious.

Zayne's eyes went wide as he stared at the shards on the ground.

"In a deadly battle, there's no time to think about little things like the durability of your weapon, but I think if you remember, you'll understand why your sword came to this state." Alden shook his hand.

After his words, fragments of his fight with Enar flashed through Zayne's mind, he fought like a wild beast and hit as hard and fast as he could. Every time he attacked his sword took tremendous pressure, especially when colliding with Enar's blades.

"Damn... I've only had this sword for a few days... I seem to be completely clueless about important things..." Zayne frowned, biting his lip.

"Don't feel bad. It might even be a good thing that this is happening right now." Alden smirked.

"Hmm? Are you trying to make fun of me?" Zayne tilted his head.

Alden inhaled, "Hey, have you forgotten that there's an auction today? I think you might be able to find something suitable there. What's more, now you have some experience with weapons."

"The auction...?" Zayne muttered, "It must be expensive... I'm not sure." Zayne scratched the back of his head.

"Hahaha, you don't seem to understand at all that you're richer than 90% of the people in this town at the moment! The money I gave you is more than enough, I assure you." Alden laughed.

Zayne nodded.

"By the way, what are you going to do with that?" Alden pointed to the sword hilt, "If you want I can buy it from you. It would be a nice addition to my collection."

"No."

Alden's eyes went wide since he was pretty sure Zayne would agree. He hadn't missed a single opportunity to make money before now.

"What...? Don't you need money? You know I'll offer you a decent price." Alden was puzzled.

Zayne shook his head, "Of course I do, but it's not worth it. I clearly understand that money can buy many things, but this hilt is memory and emotion, my memory and emotion... It's something I can't get for money."

Alden froze in place.

Zayne's ring sparkled as the hilt disappeared from his hands, then he looked intently at Alden, "When does the auction begin?"

"In a few hours..." Alden muttered.

"Fine, I look forward to it." Zayne smiled broadly.

...

Faint streams of wind passed by Zayne, lightly fluttering his hair, which had grown a little longer and thicker after the purification.

He sat on top of a hill outside the city and just enjoyed the silence and thought about the future, in his old place, on the roof of Roland's house, it was impossible to stay as every resident recognized him.

"The auction..." Zayne muttered, looking up at the slowly floating clouds and holding the Three-Eyed Whistle hilt above him, "I hope I can find a replacement there... I certainly couldn't have done it without you..."

A slight smile appeared on Zayne's face, "Well, it's time to see the result of the purification in numbers."

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