Limits

It wasn't easy to replace that arm. The connection looked rather weird, and because most of Crow's arm was gone, I couldn't really sculpt the new arm well. The results were, rather weird. His shoulder looked a bit thinner, but his arm was thicker. Comparing his both arms, it didn't look right. "That's the best I can do, with the arm I got. It should work in the future, but how well it will work… That I don't know. You might find it weird at first, but you should get used to it. After all, you got used to your new eyes".

Crow didn't really complain. He knew he would be left without an arm, if I wasn't there. I then told him about my plans concerning Irsa. "As I said, I want to use Irsa to our advantage. It may seem weird what I'm about to say, but I want you to let her escape. But before that, I need you to make it clear to her that I left this place. Of course not directly. Make it so that she can hear the news, while you discuss something with another person. You can figure this stuff out yourself". Crow wasn't even surprised, he said "I get the idea. You are hoping that Eterians divide their forces. Irsa is not a threat, therefore releasing her will not be a problem. Besides, without her arm, she is basically useless". That was true, she was an archer. An archer needs two arms in order to wield a bow, now she couldn't do that anymore.

With that taken care of, I left them to their own stuff. I still had a few things to take care of. Atols needed two or three more recipes for poison and medicine. I also wanted to give them one or two more antidote recipes, and make some medicine for myself. Fortunately, our private house was completed. There were no windows, and all doors had locks. Special rooms were designed to house the fields, on which I would plant the rare herbs from Apium. The six Atols had their own personal rooms, and although small, it would be enough for them.

With the new recipes in hand, I showed them how to care for rare herbs. I wouldn't be around to take care of them myself, and those herbs were quite crucial. With their help, I would be able to create the strongest medicine and poison I could. They picked up on the knowledge quickly, after all they were farmers. A day or so later, I finished my own medicines, poisons and whatnot, then left Sedon. I headed for Boltier first. Not only in order to find out the knowledge of old, but also to check up on Harlin and the states of the conflict there.

On my way, I experimented with my Auras. Due to the Unyielding Aura awakening, the poison was gone. I wasn't sure whether the poison would stay long in my system, or stop working after a while. Fortunately, I was able to use my Auras after the recovery. There was something else as well. Due to the… recent events, I broke through my Half Step, and became a part of an elite group of all races. I wasn't invincible by any means, there was always a sky above the sky. Although my strength improved a bit, the biggest difference were my Auras. I could now manifest my Auras, just like I did during the Sedon Battle.

The degree to which I could achieve that, differed. I might've touched the mastery in Arts during the battle, but my other Auras were not able to replicate those effects. 'Besides the basic manifestation of my Auras, I can't use such attacks at this stage. I need to hone my Auras and get more used to the new methods' I thought. Most of what I did during that battle, was instincts. Now, I had to do it by myself. From my experimentation, I was able to create three Aura Daggers. This number might seem abysmal compared to what I did in the past, but my Domineering and Bloodlust Auras were much, much weaker than the Unyielding Aura.

'This should be no surprise, but with time, I should be able to at least reach similar heights' I thought. Of course, if I could use my Unyielding Aura any time I wanted, I would have access to such strength straight away. I familiarised myself with my Auras a bit more, before I arrived in the Voltars territory.

The war, it was visible almost everywhere one walked to. The camp that used to belong to Vanauts, was all scorched and destroyed. Flames raging from one temporary tent to another. Loads of Lizards stood in the vicinity of the camp, as it burned. I walked up to them, and asked "All done?". One of the Lizards nodded, "Yes, but there are problems. Boltier… there is a plague. We can't enter the city, as we might be infected as well".

That was indeed bad news. Although the enemy camp was dealt with, Voltars could perish at the same time. "Where is Harlin or Lerion?" I asked. He pointed me further inside their gathering, and said "Both of them should be there". I nodded and left. I quickly found Harlin, and asking him about more details concerning that plague. He said, "I don't know the full details, but a lot of Voltars were poisoned and died. We know that it spreads from one person to another, therefore half of the Boltier is sealed to contain the plague. As it is right now, these people are waiting for death. Can you help them?".

I wasn't sure whether I could. I had my own personal antidotes, but even if they worked, it was nowhere enough to cure all Voltars. I replied, "I doubt it, but I can have a look. We don't want to encounter the same plague in other cities either, therefore finding an antidote would be a good idea. Whether I can help them or not, will depend on the type of herbs I need to use for antidote. If the herbs are rarer, we might not be able to do much". He nodded while saying, "In that case, head there and have a look. Giving it a try is better than doing nothing. With the stuff you always have, you should be alright with the plague". I agreed with that.

Before I left, I said "You can return to Sedon. We don't know when Eterians might arrive. Crow should've implemented my plan into action, but I'm not entirely sure how Eterians will act. Better safe than sorry I guess. Leave Lerion and a few guys here, I might need them to keep guard, or pass some information to you guys". He nodded, and gathered his people.

I on the other hand, left towards Boltier's gates. The gates were closed, and a few Voltars stood in front of them. They warned me that the city had a plague, but I explained "I'm here for that precise reason. I want to have a look at this plague". They looked at each other, while one spoke. "We can let you in, but you will not be able to access the healthy part of the city. We advise you not to enter, even if you are trying to help".

I waved my hand, and told him to open the gate. They opened it slightly, and let me inside. More Voltars stood behind the gate. They looked healthy, and probably not affected by the plague. I told them my reason for visit, and they directed me to a certain area. They said that I could enter, but leaving was a different story. If I showed any symptoms of the plague, they will confine me inside as well. This meant that before I could leave, I had to be confined for a few days for observation.

This was rather annoying, but understandable. I headed to the barricaded area, and noticed that a lot of the transport system for Voltars was not functional. Strong people could break out of confinement, but the guards were there for that exact reason. Inside, I saw people dying. Voltars were normally blue in colour, and usually surrounded by energy. The Voltars inside the plagued area, were different. Their skin dark purple, and the energy that used to be around their bodies, was nowhere near.

Those were the heavily plagued Voltars. The lighter shade of purple, or even a slight tint meant the Voltar was not that affected yet. Those who saw me enter this area, were really stunned. One healthier Voltar asked, "Human, why did you enter this death zone? You don't look like the plague affected you yet". I replied, "I'm here to try and help you. I'm not sure how strong this poison is, or how it was made. I need to… examine some of you".

He laughed, "What? I'm supposed to believe that. What sick ideas did those bastards up high come up with this time. We are dying here, and they send some Human to experiment on us?". I replied, "No one sent me here, and I don't give a shit about those you spoke of. I don't need your belief either. I'm here to check out the plague, and try to cure it. I will have to worry as well, if I can't cure it". He was taken aback by my direct approach, but I didn't speak to him anymore. Instead, I shouted out to everyone. "Listen up! I'm here to cure this plague, after all I entered this area myself. I will need to examine a few of you, especially at different stages of this plague. You can either help me, or I can do it myself. In case of the later, you will get no cure from me when I find it. It's your choice!".