Hero of Darkness

Throk and Kahn faced Helsi who had a miserable and crestfallen look on his face. Based on their senses as Saints, they already noticed his presence but didn't show any hostility on their faces. 

"And why are you here?" asked Throk in a serious voice. 

"I… just found out that it was master Tawerik who messed with the duel by joining hands with the High Elders. 

I had a big argument with him and now… I have left his tutelage." spoke Helsi with a guilty expression. 

"And? Now that your new master has thrown you out like a dog, you want to return to my master?" asked Kahn with a suspicious gaze. 

"No… it's not that. I just wanted to explain things with the master first. About why I left back then." he said. 

"Shut it! I don't want to hear anything. All I know is that you betrayed me right when I needed you the most. And now you think that making some excuse will make me forgive you?!" shouted Throk as his blood boiled in rage after remembering those moments. 

When he was dealt with a low blow, even his most trusted disciple from the past 3 decades abandoned him and joined the enemy side. This was a memory that was etched in his mind. 

"No… I'm not deserving of your forgiveness." Helsi looked up while still kneeling on the floor, two big teardrops poured down on his cheeks. 

Soon, Helsi started citing his end of the story and explained why he did what he did. 

To summarize… Helsi was a talented blacksmith even before Throk took him in as one of his disciples. 

He had his aspirations, his talent came through a lot of hard work. He lived and breathed for this craft, unlike others who only wanted fame and make riches out of it. 

Under Throk's mentoring, his talent reached a whole new level and soon, Throk became an idol for him in many ways and Helsi wished to even surpass Throk one day. But after Throk's beef with Rogis happened… It also scared him to his core. 

Even someone like Rogis couldn't kill Throk because he was a famous person in the empire. But what about innocent bystanders like him who lacked both strength and standing? 

He was a common citizen with no connections or backing. A blacksmith with no skills or abilities to fight against someone. Hell, he couldn't even protect himself. 

People like Helsi often died as a medium to set an example or collateral damage in the feuds of the powerful. On top of it, Helsi had to look after his parents, his wife and children. He wasn't someone who could afford to risk his life when many people depended on him.

Because as things appeared back then, Helsi felt that his life would be forfeited or he'd be ruined sooner or later. 

Thus he became even more afraid for his life because messing with an imperial prince was no different than a death sentence. 

Sniff! 

Sniff! 

"I'm sorry master… I am a complete failure. Both as a Blacksmith and as a Dwarf of honor. 

Instead of standing on your side in turbulent times… I ran away like a coward. I have repaid your kindness with nothing but betrayal. 

Someone like me doesn't deserve any redemption." spoke Helsi as the tears poured like raindrops. 

Although he was forced to betray his master due to the circumstances back then… it didn't change the fact that he had broken the trust Throk had in him. 

"After this… I will quit blacksmithing and leave Nidavellir. 

These hands of mine do not deserve to hold a hammer again. My feet do not deserve to walk into a forge again. This part of my life is over." said Helsi and got up on his feet. 

"Farewell master. Thank you… for everything for me even though I have only let you down." he said and wiped off his tears. 

Even Kahn could see the conflict in his eyes. 

Grown men did not cry until they could no longer bear the suffering. This was something Kahn also experienced in his previous life on the day when he committed suicide. He had been completely broken down because of his miserable circumstances. 

[At least try to talk it out with him.] said Kahn to Throk. 

[What do you mean? You want me to mend differences with this traitor?! You think I'm a forgiving person, boy?] retorted the old dwarf. 

[This is not my place to speak. But you're no saint either, old man. 

Remember the first day we met…] Kahn rebuked and continued with a somber expression. 

[Although I have a habit of repaying kindness ten times and enmity hundredfolds… sometimes circumstances force you to do things that go against your morality and creed.] he spoke to Throk. 

[Also, you too should've swallowed that insult by Rogis and thought about the people who work for you. 

You also forced him to make that choice. You said he was your most prized pupil but you did not think of the consequences before you burst out in rage.] he reminded the old blacksmith. 

Throk was a person with anger issues and a loud mouth back when Kahn met him. 

[It's not like he's entirely guilty… but he isn't innocent either. 

But Helsi was never part of the plot set by Tawerik and the Dwarven Council and still adhered to the rules of smiting and teachings you taught him. Throughout the duel, he only wanted to win with his own skills and talent. I never sensed any hostility or malicious intent from him either. 

He too was a victim just like you back then. Think of this whole development as him being lost for a while.] iterated Kahn. 

"Alright, I will leave you two alone. Talk it out or kill each other, that's up to you both."

Kahn then walked out of the room and closed the door. Some people deserved a second chance unlike many but forcing his own opinion on Throk wasn't a good thing either. 

Whatever happened from here... Whether Helsi gets his chance at retribution or not would be decided by the duo of former master and pupil. 

YAWN! 

Kahn yawned and decided to leave the colosseum. 

Just then… a mysterious red hooded figure appeared in front of him along with a group of people. 

Kahn was quickly taken aback because the group of people included Venessa, Hector and the Hero's Party. 

"Kahn Salvatore, you have been summoned." spoke this hooded figure as he revealed his face. 

An old and bald fireborne revealed his face. 

[Careful boy. He's a 5th stage saint.] warned Rathnaar. 

"By whom?" asked Kahn as he spoke in a scared and bewildered voice to maintain his appearance of a weak human. 

To his question, this old fireborne replied in an authoritative voice… 

"The Emperor."