Limits

I used to think otherwise, but it seemed that Auras were much more than some fancy methods of affecting an opponent. Auras were part of Humans, and therefore not something that should be dismissed. But, that didn't mean I became a master. Realising something, and accomplishing it, were two different things. While on my way, I tried manipulating my Aura. I tried making shapes, I tried materialising or manifesting my Auras. But I couldn't do it. It wasn't because it was impossible, it was because I lacked something.

'Is the requirement to break through? I already experienced the Auras of those that broke though their Half Step. Does that mean, I need to break through too?' I asked myself. Although my Auras were able to affect the reality in a very slight way, it wasn't enough. My Auras needed to be stronger, much stronger for me to completely master them. I was a bit disappointed. After all, I thought I had something new. Something that could help me immensely.

"I can't simply wish to break through, and it will happen. The Blood Yarn is useless to me now. I could probably try to break through, with the use of Earth Grabbing Sprout… Although the 5th Diagram is completed now, I'm not sure if I will be able to break through… Maybe if I had the 6th Diagram, it would be different" I said to myself. The 6th Diagram, was the last diagram in that Manual. My knowledge wasn't enough to modify it. No matter how much I tried, it seemed beyond my capabilities. I missed something more, much more than what my medical knowledge could account for. 'Maybe I will find out in the future, but for now, there is no way for me to use the 6th Diagram' I thought.

After a few days, I made it back to Sedon. Even though I tried breaking through, I didn't succeed. On my way though, I hunted two more Ognars for their tendons. We needed more of them, and I could only retrieve six tendons from each Ognar. Back at Sedon, the production of Scorpions halted, precisely due to lack of tendons. I quickly made some medicine, and soaked the tendons inside.

We had six Scorpions fully assembled, and on the walls. With the additional tendons, we would have twelve more. A lot of parts were ready, therefore the assembly could take place, after I delivered the tendons to them. I focused on something else though. I had to make arrows. First the wood had to be shaped into shafts, later we would need to make loads of arrowheads and attach them to those shafts.

'I hope that Crow returns with supplies, we are already running dry on Ore' I thought. The army of Mordars would be here soon as well. Time was not on our side, but we had to manage somehow. We couldn't give up.

As soon as Scorpions were assembled, they were transported to the walls. We prioritized the walls that faced the Wilderness, after all that was the direction from which the Mordar Army approached. I was making arrows like crazy, while Atols worked on poison and medicine for the whole city. We worked like this for a few days, and when we lacked tendons, I told Lerion to go and hunt some Ognars.

The walls soon became filled with Scorpions, and when I made over 300 arrow shafts, Crow finally returned from Obsidian Mountains. "What are the news?" I asked. Crow smiled, and replied "Well, you were wrong. Here are our reinforcements". Crow pointed towards the gate, where an army of Lizards marched forwards. I laughed "They agreed? That is great news then. With the additional manpower, we have bigger chances. What about the Ore?". He nodded, and told me not to worry about it. He also mentioned that a few blacksmiths came from Aranagard, they would help us with the weapons and whatnot.

I was really surprised, but it seems Lizards changed their mind. 'This can work now. We could've saved a lot of time, if everyone cooperated like this from the beginning' I thought. With that out of the way, I said "I've been outside, and scouted the army of Mordars advancing towards us. They will be here in about a week now. That huge Mordar though… It's bigger than what I faced. Did you get my new weapon?".

He shook his head, and asked me to follow him. We went somewhere more quiet, where Crow said "Alicia is still missing. Nex, did you destroy Golems?". I wasn't even surprised he found out. I replied "Yea, it was me". He grabbed my shoulders, and continued "I'm not judging you. I'm sure you had a reason". I nodded, and said "Golems became our enemies. I know this may seem a bit crazy, but consider this. Vanauts are attacking Boltier. Mordars are attacking Sedon". He realised what I meant, and asked "Golems were supposed to attack Obsidian Mountains?".

I replied, "Yes. They were running out of the energy source, and Eterians promised them a new source. I have a feeling, the new source was supposed to be that Crystal in Boltier. Moreover, a Golem I knew told me about it. He knew we would become enemies, and with two cities being attacked, Golems would attack Obsidian Mountains. I couldn't allow that". He replied, "No, you are right. We would be in even deeper shit, if Obsidian Mountains were under siege… Suly is pissed at you though. It might be because of that Fox. I'm not sure what happened between you two, but was that the reason you asked me those questions before?".

I sighed while replying, "Yea, pretty much. Destroying Golems would appear as ruthless move to anyone. But as you can see, I had my reasons. We would have to fight them anyway, lose more people. If it was inevitable anyway, I decided to get rid of that problem beforehand. She didn't take it lightly". Crow said, "She was blind in that case. More blind than I was without my eyes. Me, Lazar and Harlin… We know you can make some crazy decisions sometimes, but it was always for the better. We still consider you as our own, we will never abandon you either. You have my word". I grabbed his shoulder, and said "I never doubted you guys. Now, let's prepare to kick some Mordar asses". He smiled while replying, "Yea, let's!".

We returned to the Scorpion assembly area, where the Royal Army waited. Harlin was there, he came over and grabbed my shoulder. "Long time no see. You changed this place a lot. New weapons, herbs growing everywhere. We are here to give you some help, and from what I know, it is thanks to you we don't have to deal with Golems. Tell us, how can we help here?". I thought about it, and replied with a smile. "We need to make weapons. Anyone strong enough, can make ingots. While experienced blacksmiths will make weapons for Atols, Shades and you guys. We need to upgrade the soldiers as much as it is possible".

I then turned to Crow, "Bring the Shades who will also defend the city, we need to give them new weapons too… It will be busy, but we can do it". He nodded, and disappeared. I continued, "I will take care of the arrows for the Scorpions. If you guys want to get yourself familiarised with our new weapons of war, they are placed atop the walls. Go have a look, you will be operating them". Harlin and his soldiers went to have a look, while I spoke to the blacksmiths. "The workshop is small, but we can set some things outside, and work there. There are only two furnaces, so we will have to share somehow. Take orders from Shades and Atols, as the Lizard weapons are mostly alright. If we have time, we will take care of the Royal Army". They nodded, and went straight to work. I followed them as well, I had to make loads of ingots and arrowheads.