The Sun had already dipped far below the distant mountains when Llew's convoy halted at a moderately large clearing situated within a great forest.

They had spent the entire day travelling at Llew's insistence, choosing to have their meals on horseback. And the journey itself had been uneventful. The United Sanctuary wasn't known as a sanctuary for nothing. Dangerous beasts and criminals were almost non-existent on the glorious plains and in the various towns of the country. The three Clans had made sure of that.

As they disembarked, Llew made sure to analyse their progress on the map. "We've done pretty well. I think we'll get there the day after tomorrow."

"Sounds good," Randolf yawned.

So much for an epic journey, Llew thought to himself. The whole thing was starting to feel more like an errand rather than a grand adventure to save Salome's life. Unclimactic, but at least it meant that his success was all but guaranteed.

He grinned to himself as he imagined Salome opening her eyes.

"Thinking about your girlfriend?"

Knocked out of his daze, Llew realised that Morgana had been watching him. "Sh-she's not my girlfriend or anything."

Morgana chuckled. "Just look at yourself, your cheeks are all red."

"Shut up," he mumbled, turning away.

"Aww, I'm a little jealous."

Desperate to escape her teasing, Llew dashed away to help the others set up camp.

Not long after, the group of Royal Paladins were basking in the warmth of a raging fire. The two High Dogs were already sound asleep next to each other, while Llew's pegasus and Mushi were tethered nearby, grazing upon the lush vegetation.

"Wow. I can't believe I'm actually on a mission with Blaster Blade," Epona spoke.

Llew stared at the blade at his waist. "Don't call me that. I.. still can't believe what happened. The only reason I'm carrying this is because I have no choice. I have no idea what I'm going to do after this."

"But don't you think it's incredible?" Randolf asked. "To be chosen by the greatest weapon in the world?"

"I…"

"Just shuddup, you two."

It was Morgana who had spoken up. She was staring darkly into the flames now, all the sparkle gone from her eyes.

"It isn't nice when the entire world just decides to go ahead and choose your destiny for you, yaknow. Stop treating him like he's some hero. He's one of us."

Randolf and Epona grew silent and focused their attention on their feet.

Grateful for the intervention, Llew was just about to thank her when the Knight of Roses stood up.

"You guys should get some rest. I'll take the first watch."

And without another word, she strode off.

Llew looked at the other two questioningly but all he got in return were their unknowing shrugs.

Wondering what had happened in Morgana's past, the young Knight rested his head on a pillow of bushy grass and closed his eyes.

The future seemed uncertain. Now that the Blaster Blade had chosen him, would he really have to take on the mantle of the legendary hero?

Did he really want to become a hero?

Did he even have a choice?

…

Darkness. Darkness everywhere. But deep within the abyss, he could recognise Salome standing a distance away from him.

She was waving, and even though it was muffled and unclear, he could hear her calling his name.

"Llew… Llew…"

"Salome!" He wanted to cry out, but no sound escaped from his throat.

Startled, he decided to to try and reach her. So he started running down the lane of endless darkness.

But the more he ran, the further away she seemed to be. He panicked. And the more he panicked, the further away she seemed to go.

His throat burned and his muscles ached with the extreme effort but he couldn't stop. He had to get to her. He had to save her.

Suddenly, the shape of Salome was assaulted by tendrils of stretching darkness. Trapped and immobolised, the sentient shadows stabbed her through the torso.

Llew wanted to scream.

But it didn't stop there. The darkness stabbed her over and over again. Unrelentlessly and unmercilessly. Until her entire form had dissolved and assimilated into the surrounding shadows. And Salome was no more.

Llew realised that he had fallen. But he didn't have the strength to get on his feet.

"You couldn't protect her."

A seductive voice echoed in his ears with a hollow clarity, as if the person speaking was both nearby and far away at once.

"You couldn't save her."

The voice seemed to permeate his entire being, intruding his body and snaking through his veins.

He shivered.

"You couldn't do anything."

The voice was right. Everything that had befallen Salome was his fault. Salome had sacrificed herself to protect him. All because he was too weak. Too useless. He didn't deserve her. He didn't deserve anything. He was being a fool for even thinking about trying to rescue her.

An image of the Blaster Blade flickered in his mind.

He didn't want it anymore. He wasn't worthy of it. It was just a stupid burden. If only he could get rid of it. If only someone would take it away from him.

"I can take it away from you.. I can solve all your problems.. I can give you everything that you want.."

Something caressed his face. It was cold, but strangely comforting…

Llew woke up drenched in sweat.

No one was there. No Randolf. No Epona. No Morgana. Not even Wingal or Flogal were there. Even their steeds were missing.

And even though he already knew the answer, he checked the belt around his waist.

The Blaster Blade was gone.

…

Morgana groaned as she forced herself awake. Her head throbbed violently as if there were a dozen thorns slicing into her brain and her vision swimmed unsteadily with colours and blurs.

Where was she? What had happened?

She couldn't seem to remember anything. Her last memory was of herself keeping watch at the edge of the clearing.

Keeping watch? For what? For who? …Oh! Llew! And the others! Were they here too?

Frustrated by her unexplained dizziness, she focused all of her energy, willing her eyes to see.

Slowly but certainly, her surroundings were revealed.

A wooden room, filled with a pungent and musty odour. Possibly underground. An eerie violet light seemed to radiate from all directions at once, bathing everything in the room sickly purple, especially the vast number of skulls of all shapes and sizes gathered in a gruesome display on the countless shelves. They all stared ominously down at her.

Wherever she was, she was certain that it wasn't a holy place.