Chapter 748 (1/2)

Randidly stopped as Kurag raised his hand. Rejt also paused. They exchanged glances in the dimly lit stone corridor. Then, as one, all three listened.

“Paths emerge because you look for them. For too long, we have chased the same dream without questioning its validity. So much is possible right here. And you would have us go a-conquering to another world? No, Talim. The same dream elsewhere is still useless. It is time for us to imagine other dreams. Perhaps then our people’s children will sleep less fitfully.”

In the darkness, Randidly could feel Kurag smile. “Well said, girl.”

But Randidly was looking past the words to the forces that were colliding. One had been clearly threatening to overwhelm another, and then… and then an image had arisen that allowed Allica to continue on.

What was most disturbing, and illuminating, was that the image was not one of Randidly’s.

It came from Mrs. Hamilton.

Although the voice was low, Randidly’s hearing clearly picked up the rumbling response. “It is not your decision to make. Without you, without the money even, Earth Golems are drawn toward glory. Despite your madness, blood will show through. When the High King rides on a Crusade, the people will follow.”

“I’m sure your procession of ghosts and orphans will strike fear into the hearts of your enemies.”

Randidly felt that shard of Mrs. Hamilton shine brightly, infecting all that was Allica. There wasn’t a construct of Aether at her core, as the Soulskill wasn’t truly a thing of energy or images, but Randidly knew that she was being altered.

Very quickly, he spared a glance for Rejt, who was staring intensely toward the door to Allica’s office. Then he was… Alana…?

But a few seconds of examination instantly ruled out that option. This wasn’t Alana’s hand, this was Sam’s. Ritual and refinement. To forge a more perfect instrument.

Carefully, Randidly’s gaze slid back toward the wall. The silence continued to grow and build. In it, the mess of Randidly’s thoughts slowly assembled themselves into something akin to understanding. And with it, it felt like a bomb was dropped in his mind.

I’m not alone.

Because of Neveah and the connections of Aether he had made, energy and images were flowing into and out of him. Compared to the huge amount that Randidly drew each day, it was not as impressive individually. But as he continued to make new connections and help those people grow with his images…

They would provide images back to him. Even under the strain of the Ashen Image, his world would persevere. He didn’t need a way to solve ash in the short term. He would manage with help from others until he could create the image he needed.

The realization was basically just a reassurance that taking the time to figure things out wouldn’t be damning, but that was an incredible relief. In the dark passageway, Randidly grinned.

Kurag noticed his expression and nodded approvingly. “Truly, the girl says some things that fill the heart with boldness. If I was seventy years younger…”

Both Randidly and Rejt twitched. Luckily for Randidly, Rejt was more than willing to jump onto that grenade. “Errr Kurag, how old…. are you…?”

Just as Kurag’s face twisted into a scowl, the door slammed open. An absolutely gigantic Earth Golem filled the threshold, glowering down at them. After a second, Kurag snorted, and some of the derision and frustration fell away from the new arrival’s gaze.

“...ahem, you must excuse me. This meeting did not go as I had planned, Sir Kurag.” Gigantor said quietly. Then he reached up and scratched his neck before saying, “Am I to understand that my sister’s position is yours as well…?”

Kurag folded his arms. “Honestly, I am deeply suspicious. But I will follow Allica to the end of this experiment. She can give the people hope.”

To that, gigantor had no response. He briefly scanned Rejt and Randidly, but then just brushed past them. Very quickly for his size, the Earth Golem disappeared in the branching tunnels.

“So,” Kurag said without missing a beat. “I assume the two of you have something to report, considering you have left your assignment several hours early. Well? Let’s hear it.”

Randidly and Rejt stared helplessly at each other. Just as Randidly was resolving himself to saying fuck it to hiding his powers so he could just clear the entire chapel out in one go, a voice rescued him.