Limits

When the Avian left. I started to change my clothes. I wanted to test out the new set of clothes right away. After putting all the clothes on, I noticed that although they seemed a bit rough, the fitment was excellent. Besides the fitment, the comfort was not very bad either. 'These clothes are much better than anything, I could make by myself. Even the clothes I took from the people I killed, were not this good' I thought.

When I took a more detailed look at my new clothes, I liked them even more. 'There are reinforced parts in areas that has the most wear, and are the most vulnerable. My elbows, shoulders, knees and even back, has an additional hardened protection' I thought. Not only was the protection in crucial areas better, it didn't restrict my movements either. The gloves didn't look reinforced, but I was wrong again. When I put them on, the gloves fitted very well and had some additional protection for my knuckles and palm, although not visible from outside. 'This set is amazing. For an Avian to create such clothing, he really is talented' I thought.

The neck piece, or rather a sort of half mask, that came with the set, fitted very snuggly as well. It didn't obstruct my breathing, movements or vision. It also masked my face, to some extent. 'This will be useful in the future, I'm sure' I thought. The black colour of my new set, allowed me to hide better as well. It was pure black colour, and thanks to the Formation placed on it, it would stay that way for a long time. I wanted to test out my new set, but I didn't want to damage it. 'I guess, it will be tested out, when I need to fight seriously' I thought, and headed towards the habitat of those Flaming Apes.

I wanted to figure out, why these apes possessed 3 eyes, instead of 2. My goal was to either kill one or make one struggle to live, and use that eye, or at least show me something, I didn't know . 'When one's life is at danger, one would use whatever they had, in order to try and survive' I thought. I soon arrived at the location where I saw those Flaming Apes. I spotted one very quickly and moved towards it.

The Ape was very lazy, it didn't bother with me whatsoever. I started running towards it and immediately noticed the improvements in my speed. It was due to the Lightness Formation, that was placed on my clothes. When I was in front of the tree, I jumped.

The trees were not that tall, in that Valley. With my strength, I could easily jump over it, and with the added bonus of my new set, I could jump even higher. I landed in front of the Ape. The Ape stopped being lazy and opened its mouth. It wasn't doing so to yawn, but to release some fire at me. The fire was supposedly quite weak, but I still evaded it. When the Flaming Ape released the fire breath, I moved to the side. The flame was hot, this I could feel. Although, it was nothing in comparison to the heat of the explosion, when I blew up the Leader of Corpse Dogs.

I moved in and caught the Ape by its throat. The flames stopped coming out. What I saw in its two eyes, was panic, but the 3rd eye was calm. I took out a dagger and placed it at the Ape's head. It panicked even further, but I was only interested in the 3rd eye, which seemed calm, as usual. What happened next, stunned me a bit.

I wasn't standing on the tree anymore, I was someplace else. 'This is illusion' I thought calmly. Then the image of me standing in front of a large and imposing volcano, disappeared. I took a look at the Ape and said "So, that is your ability. The 3rd eye, is for creating weak illusions". I let the Ape go and said "Tough luck for you. I've seen much stronger illusions". This was very easy for me to figure out. I knew immediately, that I was in an illusion. When that Eterian created an illusion, which combined reality and my memories, I believed it at first. Now, I was much more experienced, such weak illusions, wouldn't work on me anymore.

The Flaming Ape seemed confused, but then it quickly picked itself up and ran away. 'I don't intend to kill them anymore. I now know the purpose of that 3rd eye. Even if I could extract it, I would never implement something like this on myself…. Wait! Maybe there is a technique involved with that eye. If I could learn something about that, maybe I could add it to my stealth, or my dagger skills!' I thought.

The Flaming Ape ran away, but I was much faster, than an Ape could ever hope to be. I quickly gave chase, and found the Ape no problem. When it saw me, it panicked again and started making noises. I caught up quite quickly, then grabbed it by its tail. I said "Wait a minute. I'm not going to kill you". The Ape still made some noises. I said "I'm not going to hurt you, calm down". The Ape was still frantic but didn't make any more sounds.

I said "I just want you to show me those illusions again. I want you to teach me. I will not hurt you, if you want, I can help you catch some of those Grand Moths in exchange. How about that?". When the Flaming Ape heard the name "Grand Moths", it stopped struggling and started listening. I said again "Just use your illusions on me, I want to find out, if I can learn something. In exchange, I will catch couple of those Moths for you, whenever I learn something or not. So, do we have a deal?"

The Ape thought about it and nodded its head. I let the Ape go and said "Alright, show me how you use that ability of yours". The Ape started staring at me, while I focused on the Ape's eyes. After a while, I found myself in a place full of lava. I knew it was an illusion, but I still had a look around. The place seemed real but there were couple of things, that gave away the fact, it was an illusion. The lava surrounding me, didn't burn or feel hot at all. There was also nothing but lava around me. 'This, to someone experienced enough, would suggest that it is fake'. I thought about leaving that place, and the illusion dispersed.

I asked the Ape "How are you able to do it? I know you have a 3rd eye, but is there some sort of technique, that goes with it?". The Flaming Ape started to motion with its hands and make noises. I had no clue, what it tried to convey. Then I got an idea. I took off my coat and looked at my right arm, that contained the lizard tattoo. I said "Hey, come out, I have something for you to do".

The tattoo started to move and then disappeared. The Water Lizard appeared in front of me, with a questioning look on its face. I said "Can you understand what that guy says?" and pointed at the Ape. The Ape seemed stunned, so I explained "That is my friend, don't worry. Try to explain how your technique works to it". The Ape nodded and started communicating with the Lizard. I didn't have much hope, but it was worth a try.

The Lizard and the Ape communicated for a while. When they were done, the Lizard turned towards me and started motioning something. 'I think I'm going to get a headache here' I thought, and said "Let me ask questions and you can answer". The Lizard nodded, so I asked "Can I learn what that guy is doing?". The Lizard nodded its head. "Good. Now, how can I learn it?". The Lizard went into the fit of motioning again, I asked "Can you draw?". The Lizard shook its head.

I thought about it for a while and asked "Did the Ape explain all the things needed to practice that?". The Lizard nodded this time. I asked "Can you remember it?". The Lizard thought about it and nodded again. I said "Good. Remember it then, when I figure out how to communicate with you properly, you can then explain to me how". The lizard nodded and jumped onto my shoulder, then changed to the tattoo on my hand.

I put back my coat and said "I will get some Moths for you. Do you want to go with me?". The Ape nodded its head. I said "Alright, follow me then, I will get some for you".