The night had been relaxing.
Upon waking, her hair a mess, she turned her head to the side and found herself staring at Ferinish, who was knitting a red piece of fabric.
Wait... knitting?
She asked why she was doing that, saying she had never seen her knit before. Ferinish replied that, upon receiving her new sword, she realized it didn't have a definite color, so she wanted to personalize it.
That tone, as if hiding something, didn't sit well with her. Aurora frowned, keeping her own theories to herself.
From the door came a knock. The hotel attendant, her voice timid and low before the two figures, announced that there was a delivery for the redhead. Aurora, surprised, asked how the sword could be ready so fast. When she turned to question Ferinish, she noticed that the Pillar of Combat had already left the room.
With an umbrella over her head, Ferinish observed the large sword before her. The attendant explained that she had tried to carry it, but it was far too heavy. Ferinish merely stated that this was exactly the point of having a large sword.
***
When the redhead entered the room with the sword slung over her shoulders, Aurora raised an eyebrow, asking how someone like Skyler had the strength to bring a weapon that size to the hotel. Ferinish shrugged, saying that the methods didn't matter, only the result did.
Sitting on the bed, Ferinish began wrapping the fabric around the sword's handle, leaving one end loose and fastening it so it wouldn't slip during battle. Aurora let out an "owww," noticing the sword's considerable visual change.
But when Ferinish placed her old sword on her lap, she gazed at the blade that had accompanied her throughout her life with melancholy.
She didn't realize that perhaps she should say goodbye to that sword.
Ferinish murmured that she didn't want to throw it away. Tilting her head, Aurora said that sometimes, in life, people needed to let go of certain things to move forward. Nodding, Ferinish stood up and headed toward the door. Aurora asked if she wanted company, and the redhead accepted.
***
In Inférius, standing before an abyss filled with lava, Ferinish raised the blade high, swallowing her tears. Aurora, beside her, wondered how much that old sword truly meant to her to make her almost cry, unaware of the long journey Ferinish had endured with that weapon.
"Goodbye…"
As she released the sword, memories of a lifetime flashed before her eyes, as if she were throwing a piece of herself into the lake of hell.
When it touched the molten surface, the sword slowly melted until it became part of the magma. Aurora placed a hand on Ferinish's shoulder, offering comfort.
"No matter how powerful your next weapon may be, never forget the memories you shared with the old one."
"I'll never forget, Aurora. Never."
That afternoon, Skyler was finishing delivering some products to his clients, preparing to return to his office work. But with the sound of bells, Ferinish entered the place.
She greeted him softly and asked if he had some free time. Skyler nodded, and without hesitation, she slipped a hand inside her kimono, just below her chest, pulling out a scarf and handing it to him, saying it would be useful against the night's cold.
With a small smile, he thanked her and wrapped the fabric around his neck, asking the reason for the gift. Ferinish explained it was her way of thanking him for being by her side during a vulnerable moment.
Without waiting long, she turned to leave. Skyler stopped her, noticing a hint of sadness in her eyes. Ferinish replied that saying goodbye to her sword hadn't been easy. The merchant gently placed a hand on the warrior's shoulder, telling her that everything would be fine and that her sword could finally rest after so much struggle.
Regaining a small smile, Ferinish thanked him for the comfort and left the place. Skyler sat down in his chair, arms crossed, deep in thought.
***
"Silence in the court!"
The judge struck his gavel. Beside him, a lawyer with a subtly malicious expression watched the woman, who faked tears like a professional actress. She displayed several bruises on her arms and face, exclaiming that the accused, Vector, was responsible and deserved to be imprisoned.
Vector lowered his head, desperate to prove the truth, but it was impossible. The evidence and tests, somehow, showed his DNA.
His lawyer, a serious man, whispered in his ear that if things got worse, there would be no way to defend him.
The judge looked at the woman with pity, believing her words and the evidence, but maintaining neutrality, asked Vector if he had any proof to defend himself.
He presented the only thing he had: a recording from a nearby bar, showing that when he left, a woman suddenly attacked him with her nails. Vector defended himself, backing away and ordering her to keep her distance, but the "victim" remained aggressive, forcing him to hold her more firmly, gripping her arm.
She screamed, calling for help, twisting in his grasp. Vector tried to keep control of the situation, restraining her with both arms, which made her scream even louder.
Due to the poor quality of the footage, it was hard to understand what was happening, and because of the video's age, the recording abruptly cut off.
Vector's lawyer sighed, aware that the only evidence they had was a poor-quality video, while the "victim's" evidence was detailed and convincing, even an injury in the groin area, where she claimed penetration had occurred.
Losing his temper before such well-crafted deceit, Vector exclaimed that he would never touch a woman inappropriately and that she had probably injured herself to frame him.
The courtroom fell silent. Then, with a victorious smile, the woman's lawyer raised a document above his head, revealing that tests had found cell samples proving the occurrence of a sexual crime, even without ejaculation.
Vector's lawyer lowered his head. The accused grew furious, but he had no arguments left. All that remained was the sight of the woman's satisfied smile, as if mocking him.
The final sentence was declared: the judge stated that although Vector had previously been released on bail of unknown origin, he was now convicted again, this time to life imprisonment, without the possibility of parole.
Unable to defend himself, even with all his strength, he was paralyzed by electric magic and had his arms bound to a structure stronger than steel. Thus, he was taken to the most dangerous prison in NeonyRain, his last sight being the faint smile of the woman who had accused him.
He would seek justice, the truth, no matter what he had to sacrifice to find it.