Chapter 73 (2/2)

For the first time, the city seemed quiet, and Randidly enjoyed the peace of it. Even the job criers were absent, although there were several shouting people calling for volunteers for the Freedom Fighters operation today. But it seemed like the euphoric effects left a long hangover, and even the most dedicated volunteers were still struggling out of bed.

Shaking his head, Randidly trotted out of the main part of the city into the edges, sneaking past a guard and earning himself a level in Sneak, and finding an abandoned home out past the vertical farms, and even further, beyond the defensive line.

Although one day was fine, it wasn’t good to go any longer without training certain skills.

Randidly withdrew his spear, the large bone monstrosity made from the spine of the sphinx, and began to move through the basic moves taught to him by Shal. Then he began to accelerate, moving faster and faster, until his body blurred, pushed to the limits of his physique.

When he would tire, he would take a short break and spend his mana on Incinerating Bolts. Then he would return to the spear work, enjoying the physical exertion.

After a few repetitions of this, in which he gained 2 Lvls in Incinerating Bolt and 1 in Spear Phantom’s Footwork, he stopped, and checked his satchel. He still had plenty of potion materials that he had gathered on their trip South from Donnyton.

Honestly, Randidly was mostly annoyed that he had been so stressed and focused that the only way he tried to improve his potion making was by refining these further. But he had been so fixated on this lead on Ace and Sydney…

Hopefully Cassie would remember speaking to him and assist in his search. Otherwise, Randidly was slightly at a loss about how to find them in such a large town. Even if they were here, among 50,000 people… and there were still restricted areas, mostly belonging to the government and Freedom Fighters where they might be…

Randidly chuckled involuntarily, trying to imagine Ace putting up with the swaggering attitude of the Freedom Fighters he had met. Then he sighed and shook his head. One thing at a time. Besides, his enthusiasm for finding them was diminished slightly, the more he thought about them. They had been a beacon that had kept him focused throught he dungeon, but now the sheer size of the area he had to search to find them was discouraging.

Besides, Randidly had to survive long enough to find them. Although that didn’t seem like it would be a problem, Randidly knew that the thing that would be able to kill him wouldn’t announce its arrival and give him enough time to prepare.

So Randidly left his small hide out and went in search of some necessary tools. It was time to return to the skill that had changed it all, that had earned him the spot as Shal’s Disciple, and made him the man he was today: Potion Making.

****

“Hey,”

Lyra stilled, recognizing that voice, but barely able to believe it. Not only that, but this was her secret spot, deep in the forest. How did he…?

She turned, finding a smiling Randidly looking at her, his expression affable.

Something clicked into place in her mind, but still she smiled back at the figure. “Hello.”

Randidly stepped closer, his gaze suddenly turning serious. “I’m sorry to follow you like this. I’m sorry for everything… But after I left, heading to Franksburg, I realized something. I need you-”

Randidly paused there, gazing down at the glowing sword of mana that was sticking out of his chest.

“What gave me away?” The creature taking on Randidly’s shape inquired.

Lyra considered. There was the mana fluctuations she had sensed watching Donnyton the entire night. Images of different monsters, but all hanging back the same distance, that she had seen over the course of the battle. The fact that Randidly would never, could never, sneak up on her. The dumb grin it walked up with. The sweet lines it used. How she sensed only a deadness from this creature, whereas Randidly burned with a strange, musky emerald life.

“The apologies. I have never heard Doggy apologize, even when he’s being an idiot.” Lyra said sweetly. Randidly dispersed before her very eyes, leaving only a shapeless blob of grey-purple laying on the ground. Above its head floated a foreboding label.

Kim-Lath, the Tribulation of Many Faces Lvl 35

“Would you like to fight now?” Kim-Lath asked, its voice oddly flat, as if a computer was speaking. Randidly reformed, this time holding a spear. Lyra just shrugged.

“If you want. But it really is good to see him.” With an exaggerated calmness, Lyra walked over to the shapeshifter and touched his, its, face. Although she appeared casual, her attention was stretched to its limit, prepared to blink away if necessary.

But the fake Randidly tilted its head to the side, and nodded.

“Would you like to share a meal?” It asked, its voice no longer artificial sounding, but also not quite Randidly.

Lyra nodded.