Limits

Fortunately, Crow was inside the city. I told him about my plans, my findings and a way to expose Eterians. "That is great news. If we have a way to disperse that mist, Eterians will be vulnerable. As for the weapon and armour improvements, I will gather the people and tell them about it" he said. I nodded, and asked him about his arm. "I don't complain. It works fine, even though it's a bit disproportionate. That doesn't matter though, do you want me to go with you? You might need some backup there". I declined, "No, stay here. Besides, I need to deliver all that stuff to Grey Lizards first. While they work on improving your equipment, I will go to the Land of Mirages".

He nodded, and silence filled the air. "I'm still worried though. Eterians made no moves… This is bad" I said after a while. Crow replied, "I think that is actually great. We had the time to improve and reconstruct our walls. With the addition of Scorpions, we are much better prepared now. You also mentioned that Vanauts gave up for now, and will stay at the Ruins of Ravan. This is also great news, Boltier has nothing to worry about in such case".

I still felt uneasy, as if I forgot about something. "War is not that simple Crow. Eterians are no idiots. If they are taking their time, that can only mean they are planning something big. This might look like paranoia to you, but I'm alive thanks to that paranoia. Prepare for the worst case Crow. Don't, under any circumstances, drop your guard down". He agreed, before leaving to gather the other Shades. I decided to stay at his place. Harlin was supposed to meet me there.

Before Harlin came over, I saw Lira enter the room. "Came to visit me?" I asked. Her expression was no longer cold and hateful towards me. She replied, "I… I should apologize". I raised my hand to stop her. "No, don't. You're watching out for Crow, I appreciate that. Take care of him when I'm not around". She smiled, and nodded her head. "Since you are here, you can leave your stuff with me". She nodded again, and passed me her stuff. "I still can't believe you actually found them" she said.

I replied, "Well, I almost paid with my life for that… actually twice. Anyway, they will help us, but make sure no one else knows about it. We can't have everyone know about the Grey Lizards. They wish to stay hidden, and I promised to respect that wish". She nodded, and then left to do her own things. Harlin came not long after. I explained to him everything, just like I did to Crow. He was much more shocked compared to Crow.

"You really did find them? Damn" he said. "Yes, but no one is to find out their location. Don't spread that around, especially to Royals. I don't need them interfering". He nodded, "That I wouldn't do. Royals are rather greedy, and worry about themselves a lot. What you said to me in the past… You were a hundred percent right. As long as I'm useful to them, they will keep me. The moment my usefulness disappears, I will be abandoned".

"Yea, I only wished others realised that" I replied. "You mean Lazar, don't you? He always had his own ways of dealing with things. Since Mira died, he always tried to protect everything" he said. I asked, "Suly's mother?". Harlin continued, "Yea. Mira meant the world to him. He changed after she passed away. You see, Mira was really sick, just like Suly. The Grey Lizards had no cure, and having Suly was already dangerous for her. Yet she still chose to have her. Lazar never forgave himself for that, as if it was his fault Mira died. He still talks about you, you know? You changed his life in a way, and he never forgot about it. Him and Suly managed to repair their relationship, only thanks to you. It's just that sometimes your actions are extreme for him".

"Yea, not just for him Harlin. Not just for him…" I replied. "It's fine, we will work it out somehow. First, we need to take care of this war" he added. That was true. I had to stop this conflict. Whether we use overwhelming strength or strategy, the sooner this war ended, the better for everyone. We waited for a while longer, before Crow returned. "I gathered all the Shades, they are waiting downstairs. I told them you will improve their equipment, and although they seemed a bit suspicious, I managed to convince them".

I stood up while replying, "Good. After I collect that, I need to repair my own stuff, and meet with a few other people. Then I will be off to deliver all that stuff. It will take a while for everything to be improved for sure, but you should be alright with the new walls". I looked at them both, then continued. "Watch out, and don't let your guard down. I know you might be happy about this temporary peace, but I just feel it in my bones… Something is coming, I just don't know how big that will be".

They nodded, and followed me downstairs. Loads of Shades waited there already, I didn't need to tell them what to do, and simply took out one of my empty bags. "Guys, make sure you label your stuff somehow. When I bring it back, you might have a hard time finding your things". A lot of Shades smiled, while one of them said "We already did that". I smiled, and nodded as well. With that taken care of, I took the bag back to the training grounds of Lizards and Atols.

I had to take those three bags with me, and run back to the Grey Lizards. 'Boy… I so wish for that Formation, which transported me to and from the Grey Lizards' base' I thought. I then visited the smithy, and repaired my armour. They fortunately had Flash Blurite in stock, so I used it to repair and remodel some of the parts. Although the leg and arm guards looked almost the same, I added a few mobility improvements, as well as more metal to certain parts for better protection.

'I just have to visit a few other guys, and I can be on my way' I thought. My first stop was the medical house, where the six Atols worked on perfecting their medicine or poison making. "How are you guys doing?" I asked. All of them told me about the improvements they made, as well as the state of various herbs. The rare herbs were growing well, but it would take more time for them to fully develop. This meant, none of them could be used yet. "Don't worry about it. When they are ready, store them for me". They agreed to do that, then returned to work.

I visited Ama too. She was enthusiastic about the new walls, and was preparing to repair the damaged buildings. "I have some more time now, since the walls are finished. If you need anything specific, let me know" she said. I didn't really need anything, and told her to focus on whatever she wanted. 'Although, there might be something' I thought. "Ama, can you build a basement… Or rather a shelter. In case we are attacked again, those who are not fit to fight, can take shelter under the ground. This could also serve as a place for treatment" I said.

She nodded, "That is not a bad idea. We can even go a step further, and connect the medical house to the basement. That way, we will have a supply of medicine to treat those in need". I nodded, but warned her. "Remember that there are sewers below Sedon. I'm not saying you can't use a part of that, but be sure that nothing gets obstructed". She nodded while telling me she knew.

I left her to do her work, and went back to the training area to pick up the bags. I could use my Storage Feather to some degree, but still wouldn't be able to fit everything. 'I guess I can fit some stuff there, it will always make it lighter. I will have to ask Grey Lizards about more of such items' I thought. With everything sorted and taken care of, I left the city and headed back to the wilderness.