Abruptly reconnected to reality, Virno's eyes flared with an eerie green glow -- the same glow that had burned in Greed’s eyes. A surge of viridescent energy coursed through his body, shattering the magical restraints that had bound him and ricocheting upward to strike Ballo's torturous incantation. The sigil above dissolved with a flash, releasing its oppressive grip on Virno’s senses. The sheer force of the release sent Ballo hurtling backward into the wall. Yet, with practiced grace, the elder slowed his flight and softly cushioned the impact against it, remaining unharmed.

  Virno: "I saw it... I-I still see it. I know where to find the sword..."

  He staggered to his feet, muscles aching as he slowly reacquainted himself with the freedom of movement.

  Ballo: "What happened, young man? What did you see?"

  Virno recounted everything Greed had shown him: the cradle of the world, the vision of Faya, and the locations they should reach in order to find the sword. Ballo listened in silence, his face etched with unease.

  Ballo: "Greed... So the curse has taken on your likeness and now speaks to you directly, guiding you toward the sword."

  His tone darkened, grave with warning.

  Ballo: "Virno, you must not allow yourself to be seduced by its words! For centuries, that accursed spirit has craved release. Now it has found you -- a host, a conduit. It will twist truths and manipulate your deepest desires to achieve its goals. Resist it, no matter the temptation!"

  Virno sank onto the edge of the bed, elbows braced on his knees and his head bowed, staring blankly at the floorboards beneath him.

  Virno: "He showed me the truth about myself, Ballo. Things I’ve always known but tried to ignore. He knows I need that sword -- knows exactly what I plan to do with it."

  He took a shuddering breath, his voice dropping to a whisper.

  Virno: "If there were any traps in his words, I must’ve already fallen into them. I’ll do whatever it takes to claim that blade... and Greed knows it."

  Ballo paced the room, his steps deliberate and slow, hands clasped tightly behind his back as he weighed his response.

  Ballo: "It’s not wrong to feel that way... In fact, it is necessary."

  He stopped mid-step and turned toward Virno, his voice heavy with conviction.

  Ballo: "To wield the sword of Greed, you must embody its essence. True greed is not merely hunger for material gain -- it is the pure, unyielding force of desire itself. It is wanting something so fiercely, so completely, that you would stop at nothing -- not pain, not fear, not even death itself -- to make it yours."

  Virno looked up at him, his brow furrowed with uncertainty.

  Virno: "Is that really the kind of person I should strive to be...? It sounds... extreme. I-I don’t know if it’s right."

  Ballo: "It sounds extreme because words distort the truth... They strip away the purpose behind an action and focus only on its cost."

  Ballo gestured sharply, as though slicing the air between them.

  Ballo: "Let me explain. Imagine throwing yourself into a battle you cannot win, enduring unimaginable pain far beyond the limits of one's body, still bracing for yet another devastating blow. Imagine wielding a blade to take the life of someone who has their own family, their own dreams, their own future... Doesn’t that sound monstrous? Doesn’t it sound wrong?"

  Virno’s eyes widened, his lips parting, but no words came. In those words, he saw a reflection of his own past deeds.

  Ballo: "I know, Virno... I know. And yet, would you not do all of that again -- knowing full well the horrors it entails -- if it meant saving the life of someone you love? Isn’t that who you are...?"

  Virno’s voice came softer now, but steady.

  Virno: "It is... and I’d never change that."

  Ballo: "And does it feel wrong to admit that?"

  Virno: "No... It feels like the only right answer."

  Ballo’s expression softened, his shoulders relaxing as he stepped closer.

  Ballo: "Then don’t let words dictate your morality. Words can paint a hero as a villain and a villain as a saint. Forget them... Instead, let what you feel guide your will. If your strongest desire is to protect the people you care for, then cling to that...! Let it burn bright and fierce, unyielding, and you will never waver."

  Virno shook his head, frustration brimming in his eyes.

  Virno: "I can’t, Ballo... Not anymore."

  His voice hardened, fists clenching at his sides.

  Virno: "You lost your damn eyesight because I couldn’t let go of my feelings. I’ve killed men who didn’t need to die because I couldn't let go. I’ve broken my body over and over again, rushing headlong into fights without a second thought because I *just couldn't let go*... I can’t let my emotions steer the ship anymore."

  He locked eyes with Ballo, his resolve unwavering.

  Virno: "But neither can I let others dictate my path. Not you, not Greed, not anyone. If I’m going to resist this curse, to stay true to myself, then it has to be my choice. I’ll pull back the veils that cloud my judgment, learn to see through them, and choose what I truly want. My path will be mine alone."

  A moment of silence stretched between them, the weight of Virno’s declaration hanging in the air. Then, slowly, Ballo’s lips curved into a smile.

  This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

  Ballo: "Fair... A fair proposition. All I ask is that you allow me to walk beside you on this journey. Let me guide you when the road is unclear."

  Virno returned Ballo’s smile -- genuine and unguarded.

  Virno: "Of course. I'm sure you've got plenty of tricks you can still teach me... But no more surprise torture sessions, old man. First and last, you hear me?"

  Ballo chuckled, his laugh warm.

  Ballo: "Rest assured, all future torture sessions will come with advanced notice."

  With their goals aligned, Ballo and Virno ended the night with much-needed rest. Though short, the hours of sleep proved peaceful and refreshing. After a hearty breakfast at the inn, the pair prepared to resume their journey to the sword's resting place. But as they gathered their things, they noticed an unsettling absence -- there was no sign of their driver. Concerned, they inquired with the inn’s attendant, who informed them the driver had already handed in their keys and left the premises.

  Virno: "He better not have left us stranded...! What if this was a trap? What if he’s reporting to Nox as we speak?"

  Ballo shook his head, his tone calm but resolute.

  Ballo: "I don’t believe that’s the case. Mysterious as our driver may be, one thing is certain: only Clavia and those she trusts implicitly would be allowed to pilot her inventions. If she assigned this driver to us, there’s a reason. We must remain cautious of what we share in their presence, but I doubt betrayal is their intent."

  Virno: "Let’s hope you’re right..."

  The two stepped outside and made their way to the vehicle lot. As they rounded the bend, they spotted the machine exactly where they’d left it -- or at least, most of it. The once-intact vehicle was now a chaotic mess of dismantled parts strewn across the ground, with their elusive driver rummaging through the debris in a frantic search.

  Virno: "What the hell?! He’s taking the whole thing apart!"

  Ballo: "That doesn’t bode well..."

  Quickening their pace, the two approached the grease-streaked figure.

  Virno: "Oy! What’s the big idea? We’re supposed to be chasing a lake, not playing scavenger hunt with your junkyard project!"

  From beneath the vehicle, the driver let out an aggravated grunt. Sliding out from under the chassis, they banged their helmet against the frame, the metallic clang ringing in the air. Virno smirked at the sound, though the driver wasn’t amused.

  Driver: "Funny, huh? Real funny. You know what’s not funny? This magic cell running on fumes, and no spares packed by Clavia! So unless you fancy pushing this thing yourself, we’re going nowhere. Broken apart or perfectly intact -- it doesn’t matter if it’s out of fuel!"

  They stood, wiping grimy hands on their already-filthy clothes.

  Driver: "I’ve turned this thing inside out, searching every compartment for a spare or *something* we could use as a makeshift replacement, but nothing. We’re stuck!"

  Ballo sighed, disappointment clear in his expression.

  Ballo: "You dismantled this machine... for that? I told you before -- I can synthesize more fuel. You only need to guide me in getting the composition right."

  The driver crossed their arms, skepticism dripping from their voice.

  Driver: "No offense, but do you have any idea how complicated these cells are? It took weeks of trial and error to perfect Clavia’s formula, not to mention the machinery required to make them. You can’t just mix ‘two-thirds wind and one-third fire’ and expect it to work!"

  Ballo’s eyes narrowed, clearly insulted by the driver’s dismissal.

  Ballo: "You underestimate me. I assure you, this isn’t a matter of guesswork. Now, where is this nearly-empty cell you’ve been fussing over? Give it here."

  With a sigh, the driver reached into a compartment near the driver’s seat and retrieved the magic cell. They held it up warily.

  Driver: "You want to blow yourself to bits? Fine, just do it far enough away so I don’t have to explain to Clavia why her ride is in pieces!"

  Virno glanced at the dismantled vehicle and smirked.

  Virno: "Too late for that... Looks like she’s already getting a full makeover."

  The driver shot him a glare, then grabbed a wrench and returned to the mess of parts.

  Driver: "Laugh it up, funny guy. I’ll put it back together *exactly* as it was... She won’t notice a thing. Now go -- get out of here. You’re just slowing me down!"

  With a huff, they slid back under the vehicle, muttering to themselves as they tinkered with some bolts.

  Ballo: "Come, Virno. Let’s find a suitable spot to work... Perhaps somewhere that’s not under a collapsing heap of ‘modern ingenuity...!’"

  His sarcasm didn’t go unnoticed as he turned on his heel, leading Virno toward the surrounding woods.

  Driver: "Hmph...!"

  After a short walk, they found a secluded clearing amidst the trees, far from prying eyes. The quiet rustle of leaves and the distant chirping of birds set a tranquil backdrop as Ballo rolled up his sleeves, the nearly-empty magic cell in hand.

  Ballo: "Alright, Virno. First things first -- figure out how to open this thing. I need to get a feel for the essence inside."

  Virno turned the nearly depleted magic cell over in his hands. The device was intricately designed, a marvel of both magic and engineering. Its cylindrical glass core revealed a faint glow of blue particles -- a few tired, firefly-like specks ricocheting lethargically off the glass walls. The metal ends featured a series of latches and mechanisms, clearly meant for controlled refueling or energy release.

  Virno: "Right... To open it..."

  After a few moments of fumbling with the cell, Virno pressed down on a series of small latches. A soft click echoed, followed by a tiny opening at the base of the cell. A thread of glowing magic began to seep out, the faint luminescence casting a gentle blue hue on his fingers.

  Ballo: "Ah, there it is! I can feel it now..."

  Ballo clasped his hands together, capturing the escaping magic in a sphere of swirling grey energy. The sphere hovered in mid-air as he began rubbing his palms in slow, deliberate circles, causing the sphere to rotate and pulse. His expression grew serious, his brow furrowing with intense focus.

  Ballo: "You see, Virno, it’s not just about identifying the elements at play. The real challenge lies in understanding their sequence, their balance... and the artistry behind replicating them."

  He spread his hands apart, and the sphere expanded, glowing brighter as flashes of energy crackled within. Sparks of fire, droplets of water, and gusts of wind swirled together, colliding and breaking apart in a dazzling display of controlled chaos.

  Ballo: "But I am no mere replicator. I will *enhance* this formula -- to prove to our ever-doubtful driver just how wrong they are!"

  Virno watched in awe as Ballo’s hands moved with precision, injecting elements into the spinning sphere.

  The interplay of fire, water, air, and earth produced a kaleidoscope of colors, each adjustment adding a new layer of vibrancy to the mixture. Grey energy rippled through the sphere like veins, imbuing the particles with an undeniable vitality. Slowly, the chaotic maelstrom began to stabilize into a homogenous sea of glowing blue particles -- each one brighter and more dynamic than the dim firefly-like flecks they started with.

  Then, with a final surge of power, the sphere condensed into a tightly packed mass of shimmering magic, each particle thrumming with energy.

  Ballo: "... It’s done. I only hope I didn’t enhance it *too* much -- if this fuel is too potent, Clavia’s precious machine may not survive its own power."

  With a delicate motion, Ballo sculpted a thin nozzle on the sphere’s surface, narrowing the flow of magic. He turned to Virno.

  Ballo: "Bring the cell here. Make sure the opening is wide enough to fit the nozzle snugly."

  Virno pressed down on the latches again, opening the cell’s inlet. Carefully, he guided the nozzle into place.

  Virno: "Alright, it’s in. Let’s do this!"

  With a subtle pinch of his fingers, Ballo removed the nozzle’s cap. The compressed magic burst forth like a flood, surging into the cell. The blue particles swirled wildly for a moment before settling, the cell glowing with newfound vigor. Virno sealed it shut, holding the device in his hands with a look of satisfaction.

  Virno: "Well, old man, you pulled it off. Not that I doubted you, of course..."

  Ballo: "Of course."

  His voice was dry, but a faint smirk tugged at the corners of his mouth.

  The cell was glowing with a renewed energy. Warm to the touch, it practically radiated magic, and seemed to make for a fine source of fuel. Pleased with the outcome, Ballo and Virno make their way back to the inn, to hand the refueled magic cell back to their driver.