Ansem practiced with his new sword, his cut finger wrapped up in cloth. It was light, yet extremely powerful. It could slice through the entire girth of a tree with ease.

"I wonder where this sword came from..." He brought the sword down vertically, and then horizontally, slicing through the air. "It's like there's an evil aura around it. I know it's a powerful weapon, but something is holding it's true power back."

With a heavy sigh, Ansem continued to walk. The path slowly began to dissipate and merged with sand. With no sure way to go, Ansem continued to walk forward into the silhouettes of buildings off in the distance.

Along the way, his foot brushed against a slim metal object. Ansem knelt down on the rough ground and examined it. "What...? A sheath?" He took it in his free hand and held it parallel to the sword. "They...go together." His eyes narrowed. "I'm walking right into a trap..." Despite his words, he continued walking.

After a long hour of walking in the dusty heat, a sharp voice split the silence. Ansem looked around, searching for the source of the somewhat feminine voice.

To his right, a tall shadow stood in front of the blinding sun, and started to make its way over to Ansem. He instantly took a defensive stance.

The figure took its time making its way to Ansem and finally stood before him. It was a man, and by the looks of it, an elf.

Long and perfectly straight blonde hair fell about his shoulders, parts of it tied in braids. He had an angular face and naturally narrow green eyes that went well with his blonde hair. He was two inches taller than Ansem, and was smirking at that fact. Of course, he had the long elvin ears. He was dressed in black slacks and a emerald colored dress shirt.

"Such odd attire for a desert..."

The elf smirked. "Don't you remember me, Ansem Tenrai?"

Ansem stared blankly, the image of the man before him not striking up any important memories. "Afraid not. You couldn't have been very important if we have met."

"I'm not surprised you don't remember me. I'm Retnes Higaru." He smiled pleasantly.

That's the same annoying smile Shenter gives... Ansem thought moodily.

"Shenter's brother."

And that would be why8WHAT?

"What? Shenter's brother?"

Retnes gave Ansem another smirk. "I won't let you put my brother in danger, so I'm going to help you on your little quest to pick the right road."

"And how did you find about this quest?"

Retnes winked at him. "I have my ways. I know everything about my brother, and I know everything about you."

Ansem growled. "Why should I trust you!"

Retnes placed the tip of a double-edged sword suddenly to Ansem's throat. All playful attitude was gone. "Because if you don't, I'll kill you."