I stagger through the forest with the gear in a chest. The vines were growing more and more around me. They're like a cage. I can barely move. Every inch of my body's being held back by the vines. It's like walking through very wet and very dense mud. 

"I know you're here. You're always here." I call.

I stagger to the heart of the forest. The gears still move. I sit down. I can do nothing except wait. I look around. The winds were still which was a first for me. I lay down my sword. I do not wish to fight and I'm gonna show it. Plus, the thing is too heavy for me in my condition. 

I hear her footsteps coming closer. I see her as the horse. I watch as she prances around me. Then transforms back into her true form. Her monstrous form. 

"You must have a death wish to come here." She said.

"I do not wish to fight." I say standing up.

"Then what do you wish?" She leaned closer to me.

"To say I'm sorry." I say.

She stops. She looks at me with wide eyes. 

"What?" She says.

"I owe you an apology. Something I should've done long ago." I say.

I lay the chest on the ground. I open it. I take out the gear and reach my hand out to her. 

"I think I should've given this back years ago." I say.

She looks at me. She looks shocked. 

"You we're right. I was selfish and I still am." I say.

She took the gear in her hand. She turned to me.

"I've waited ten years for this. I thank you." She said.

I fall to my knees. Pain flashes in my body. A lot greater than usual. I spew out black ooze. She reaches her hand to me. The black ooze starts to float, and she absorbs it like a vacuum. She rips the black ooze from my chest. I watch as the vines around me turn to dust. The black ooze has left my body. The pain and the shadow are gone. I feel ten times better. I feel the strength returning to me. 

"Thank you." I say standing up.