Chapter 1255 (2/2)
“I’m thinking about splitting, finally,” Obyrn interrupted before Delilah could finish. Better to distract her then let her talk about Dozer’s gas.
“Splitting?” Delilah asked.
Reaching up, Obyrn rapped on his thick skull with a wry expression. “Heads. You know how generally the more powerful ogres have multiple heads? It’s because when you split your heads, your strength gets divided in two. But then your Skill Levels can grow almost twice as fast with two minds working on them…”
“Then you should definitely do it,” Delilah said seriously. She patted Obyrn’s shoulder complacently. “Less shoulder space for me if there are suddenly two heads up here… but strength is the most important thing! Hmph, as if I would obey you all if you weren’t stronger than me.”
That earned Delilah a glare from Obyrn, but she gave him a nonplussed look that conveyed something like ‘what? That’s just the way that it is. I wouldn’t listen to you if you were weak.’ After seeing that his glare had no effect, Obyrn could only shake his head helplessly and then continue talking about the other issue. “Splitting provides a long term benefit. However, there is a period of weakness after splitting your heads; most of your Skills fall by about a hundred Skill Levels each… and there is a possibility that the new personality in the head won’t get along well with the first head… It has just… never seemed like it was the right time to split for me… and now with Nordawn about to invade...”
Delilah patted Obyrn’s shoulder again. “If you are scared, just delay. Someday I’ll be so strong I’ll solve all of your problems for you… as long as you play hide and seek with me now!”
And without a second thought, Delilah launched herself off of Obyrn’s shoulder and dashed into the coniferous forest around the edges of the Ogre Gorge. After sparing a long glance at the entrance to the Ogre Gorge, Obyrn heaved himself to his feet and proceeded to follow after Delilah into the woods.
Because he knew that it was not due to his presence that the deligation from Nordawn waited… Perhaps it was pride that had kept him here, but Delilah’s childish antics were enough to shake him back to wakefulness. He shouldn’t just be sitting here, driven mad by the anxiety. He should be preparing.
Perhaps preparing for the worst.
Pushing that thought from his mind, Obyrn threw himself totally into the game of hide and seek, pursuing his quarry until the forest was filled with the shrieking laughter of Delilah and the ogre guards watching over the gorge smiled fondly at the sound.
Nothing lasts forever, Obyrn sighed to himself.
*****
Sydney sat very still as she looked down at Drake. “Is there truly nothing that you can do, Regina?”
Regina Northwind’s face was tight with strain. It was clear that the last several hours of energy surgery had not been easy for the woman. “Unfortunately, curbing the chaotic influence of his Fate is the most I can do for Drake. And even managing this much is only because of some tips that Nathan taught me… without reshaping his Fate, there is nothing more we can do. And as Nathan said while he examined Drake… Drake is currently engaged too closely with his Fate. Remaking it before he recovers would be… dangerous.”
“...then thank you for your help.” Sydney’s left hand twitched. Hidden from Regina’s vantage by the bed between them, ice began to creep across her fingers. The elemental focai on her rings began to glow. “I would like a bit of time alone with Drake, if you please.”
Regina gave Sydney a long look then turned away. Although she probably sensed something wasn’t right from Sydney’s tone, she was still currently on the clock in Donnyton’s hospital. There were always more patients. The System improving people’s Endurance and Vitality didn’t mean that people didn’t get injured anymore, just that the injuries were even more serious when they required a doctor. So Sydney was soon alone in the room with Drake’s silent form.
For several seconds, Sydney looked contemplatively at the IV that fed powerful tranquilizers into Drake’s body. She abruptly wanted to rip the needle out of his arm and wait by his side while he regained his lucidity. Then, when he had recovered… perhaps she could reason with the beast that Drake had become.
Instantly, Sydney’s gaze darkened. Perhaps it would have been possible to resuscitate his original mentality if she had set out immediately to find Drake after he had disappeared, but she hadn’t. Since then, not only had Drake been influenced by spending an inordinate amount of time around Roy, but he had also then gone into the clutches of the Toad Lord, who had tortured him in amusement upon discovering his loss of sanity…
“No…” Sydney’s frost-covered hand reached out and touched Drake’s fingers. Some ice bridged the gap and began to spread across his skin. With her control, it was relatively simple to keep the ice mild and cool, rather than the suffocating sea of power that it could transform into at a moment’s notice. “Now is not the time for you to wake up. First I’ll find the ones responsible… perhaps the beast ruling your heart will be placated by blood.”
On the hand not touching Drake, lightning danced across Sydney’s knuckles. When she stood up and walked slowly out of the hospital, Sydney carefully reflected on what she knew about the recent movements of the Nemesai.