Zenon's humble abode was a quaint little hut which was daintily balanced on a hilly outcrop which stretched out over a lake of marvellously transparent water.

There was a small barn beside it, home to a pair of chestnut-coloured horses. Marron mentioned that they travelled to a nearby village every fortnight to purchase food and other goods.

Morgana was quickly settled down in a spare room where Zenon attended to her with a variety of herbs. All the while, Llew stood by and watched, the Blaster Blade held firmly in his hands.

There was a knock as the door squeezed open an inch.

One of Marron's eyes peeked through the slight opening, "Llew."

"What is it?"

"Come down and have your dinner."

Glancing at the window, Llew realised that dusk had already fallen without his notice. "Should I get Master Zenon as well?"

"No, it's fine. Master doesn't need to eat often."

Shrugging, Llew closed the door behind him and followed the boy sage down the stairs. Just then, a silver-haired man politely brushed past them.

"Who was that?" asked Llew.

"His name's Gancelot," Marron answered. "He's a senior knight from the Capital. He hasn't retired yet but he doesn't like being around too many people so he lives here with me and Master Zenon."

"Oh. By the way, where are the others?"

"All fast asleep. They're still feeling the effects of Nemain's magic."

The pair proceeded to an ornate wooden table in a corner of the building and took their seats. A bowl of piping hot minestrone had been left on its polished surface and Llew sunk into it gratefully, relishing each mouthful.

As the knight consumed his meal, Marron suddenly started speaking, "So.. that thing you were looking for in the forest. It was a sword?"

Llew nodded.

"And that sword is.. the Blaster Blade, right?"

Llew nodded once more.

"And.. does that mean.. you are Blaster Blade?"

There was a loud bang as Llew placed the empty bowl back onto the table forcefully. The spoon he was using clanged as it bounced against the ground.

"I'm full," was all he said as he stood and exited the building.

A beautiful full moon graced the world that night as Llew trod across the earthy meadow, casting the forest and its surroundings in a celestial illumination.

Arriving at the shore of the lake, he kicked a pebble into the silent waters, then squatted and gazed at the blade in his hands.

All he could think about was the trouble that it had brought, and the trouble that it would bring. He knew that owning it was necessary to saving Salome, and saving her was something he had to do no matter what. But the sword brought mortal danger to all who lived around it, and Llew didn't want Salome's life to be saved at the expense of another.

And he knew Salome wouldn't want that either.

What was the sword thinking anyway? He was just an ordinary child, an ordinary knight. He hadn't excelled specifically in any of his classes. His grades were average. He didn't desire glory or fame. All he wanted was to live a normal life.

With Salome.

He couldn't care less about the responsibilities of being a hero. He didn't want to become one anyway. And he didn't think that he could live up to the expectations of one.

There had to be some other way to save Salome. And he would find it. Definitely.

Anything was better than this.

Hesitating for a second, he aimed the point of the Blaster Blade towards the opposite bank, and launched it into the sky.

It fell into the lake with a splash.

Ripples formed on the water's surface.

But just as Llew turned to leave, he heard a deep rumble. A rumble stemming from the unknown depths of the lake itself.

Bubbles frothed violently at the very spot at which the Blaster Blade had pierced the waters, and slowly and inexplicably, a woman rose out of the lake.

Her skin was pale and lovely just like Nemain's, but instead of the cold tinge of death, hers was warm with the vibrant pink hue of life.

She was adorned with a dress constructed out of the most stunning collection of sapphires, but what was most fascinating about her was her rich blue hair which flowed as smoothly as silken water, just like a waterfall.

"I think you dropped something," she murmured melodiously with her eyes closed.

It was then that Llew noticed that she was cradling the Blaster Blade against her chest.

"I don't want it anymore. You can keep it," he retorted.

With her eyes still shut, the woman made a confused expression. "But the two of you are connected. This sword and you."

"..what do you mean?"

"The sword's voice. Can't you hear it? It's calling. Calling for you."

At that very moment, something stirred within the depths of Llew's heart. He could feel it under his skin. A sensation that was strange and alien, yet all too familiar.

He had felt the same thing before. A long time ago.

Clutching his chest, he moaned. "What is.. this feeling?"

"It is the soul of the Blaster Blade. The soul of the Planet Cray itself." The voice belonged to Zenon, who only then chose to reveal himself.

"Master Zenon?" Llew was shocked. "Were you following me?"

Zenon carried on, undisturbed by Llew's question. "For untold centuries, many stories have been told, all centered around this lake. Some speak of a witch who dwells within its watery depths. Some say that this very lake is where the Blaster Blade was first forged. In pursuit of the truth, I have lived here for years. Watching, waiting. But nothing has ever disturbed the silent waters of this lake. Until now."

"So.. what does it all mean?" Llew asked.

"Child, if I knew I would have told you," Zenon gestured towards the lady in the lake. "But perhaps all the answers that you seek, lie in her hands."

Llew stared into the distance for a moment. Then, he stood.

"Can you tell me? Can you tell me why the Blaster Blade chose me?"

The lady shook her head. "The only one who can give you the answer that you seek.. is yourself."

"I.. I don't understand."

"Know this, no other knows you better than this sword. And though you have yet to see it, no other knows this sword better than you. The two of you are connected by fate. And a man who runs from his destiny is no better than the vermin which crawls beneath the soil. Five stars you must seek out. Five stars to connect the scattered dots. Five stars to rule over all."

"Five stars?"

"It is a ritual that all chosen by the Blaster Blade have undergone," Zenon interrupted. "To travel to the five nations of this land, to obtain the five jewels that grant the Blaster Blade it's strength. Only by doing so will you truly become Blaster Blade."

Llew stared at his feet. "And you're saying that if I do all that, I will learn the truth?"

"Yes." The woman whispered.

"To be honest, I don't want to have anything to do with that damned sword." Llew chuckled. "But it looks like I don't have a choice, do I? I can feel it now. The bond tying me to that cursed blade. And I want to know why I feel the way that I do."

"So do you accept it?"

Resolve burned in the young knight's eyes. "I do."

The legendary weapon lifted itself out of the woman's arms and twirled in the air before making its way back to its true owner. Its true master.

"Welcome back.. partner," muttered Llew.

"And with that, my duty is complete," sang the lady.

"One last thing. May I know your name?"

"My name is Lien. The maiden of the lake." And with those words, she vanished beneath the water's surface.

For a while, the two men stood there in silence, deep within the worlds of their own thoughts.

"Let us go," said Zenon.

"Yeah."

And so they left, wondering if they would ever again lay their eyes on the mystery that was the maiden of the lake.