Chapter 1416 (2/2)

So… this is the method of the Xyrt Brigade… Randidly’s eyes flashed. Both the Grim Chimera and the Stillborn Phoenix stirred in response to his rising rage.

Randidly- Vualla began, but Randidly released a wave of sternness.

Rest first. We can talk later. And Vualla... I've missed you too.

Randidly's eyes began to glow emerald as his inner world shuddered and Yggdrasil emerged to the fore of his mind. The two other images withdrew into the shadows, watching the process with a terrible stillness. All of his potent mental energy that had been tempered by the fight against Kaan, balancing three images at once, and manipulating Nether swirled and focused itself to empower this one image of healing. Nurturing waves of simplified growth formed a gold and emerald aura that surrounded Vualla’s soul. Almost instinctively, she released a sigh and leaned deeper against him mentally.

The effect was small at first, but desiccated and almost mummified portions of Vualla's personality began to shiver and stir after their long hibernation. As the healing accelerated, Vualla shared some explanation of her earlier statement, as well as her thoughts on the particular brand of brainwashing of the Xyrt Brigade.

Rather than trying to pin the trainees' loyalty to the organization, the Xyrt Brigade took an entirely different tack. They tortured and goaded the trainees to be the most powerful elites in the Nexus, but then also constantly exposed them to prove that even with their significant increases in power, they were nothing compared to the larger powers in this universe.

They showed the effects of the wars against Nether and told the Xyrt Brigade members the vast secrets of the Nexus Ways. These trainees were exposed to information that very few Nexus citizens would ever have access to, and all of it hinted at the impending disaster waiting down the line if the Nexus ever slowed in its expansion. They were exposed to the litany of threats that lurked beyond the edge of the Nexus territory.

Randidly was especially alarmed as Vualla relayed a story she had been informed about the one time the Nexus failed in its attempt to form a Cohort, and all those worlds and nascent images were pressed down into a single orb.

Hundreds of worlds, destroyed in an instant as the Aether architecture attempted to engage but instead simply crushed everything inward to a small ball. And the most disturbing part was that this orb occasionally would release ominous pulses of energy. Even now, there was an entire prison devoted to keeping that failure inert and harmless.

In essence, the Xyrt Brigade gave its trainees capability and then instilled in them a sense of lonely helplessness when there wasn't the force of an organization behind them. Then they were set free, allowed to do whatever they wished. And of course, in the trainees' minds, what organization was more capable than the Xyrt Brigade?

So even if the Xyrt Brigade didn't command their loyalty, it was only through the Xyrt Brigade that the trainees felt like they could address their helplessness... Many of those released elites slowly made their way back into the organization that trained them. And that was enough for the leaders of the Xyrt Brigade.

Only when Vualla appeared to have revived from the almost sleepwalking-state of determinedly surviving did Randidly speak again. He mentally reached out with remarkable gentleness, utilizing every point of his 1500 Control. We always knew it was going to be difficult. Trials and hurdles aren’t to be feared.

...yes. Exactly these preparations by the Nexus… That's why its worth doing.That proves we are on the right track. Again, a wave of light and emotion swept through Vualla's inner world. Seeing that wave of determination, a lot of Randidly's worries eased. Thank you. I had almost… lost something very precious here. I can see that now…

The why, Randidly whispered. Why you desire power. That should always be at the center of your decisions.

Exactly. Vualla’s inner world darkened, but not in a way that Randidly associated with weakness. Why I must tear everything down for what it has done to my family… and so many others before me.

With Vualla recovering, it allowed him to focus more attention on the area around him. Randidly quickly took in the sloping wall of the surroundings. It appeared Vualla was floating in the middle of a stone orb. The walls were covered in glowing Aether symbols. This is... a different sort of rest area?

Vualla snickered. Heh. Yea, I guess you could say so. After you last visited me, I might have... ah, mouthed off to one of my trainers. You put me in a very good mood, which isn’t well-received here. Since then... my sleeping time was taken away and I was forced in here to meditate instead. The construction of this place is actually quite interesting. It isolates you from the outside world... and also punishes you if your mind wanders. Any stray thoughts or images you release are reflected back at you as an attack by the room. Luckily, it seems this Nether Ritual of yours takes our thoughts to the connection between us and I don't need to face it. Certainly makes this place more restful.

Randidly smiled and continued to channel Yggdrasil energy through to Vualla. As her personality was restored to her previous state, he could feel her planning on taking revenge against the Xyrt Brigade teachers who had doggedly tortured her during her time here. And while Vualla's thoughts of revenge were much more thunder than lightning, Randidly already had the blood of Special Investigator on his hands. He privately swore to himself that when he gathered enough power to reach this place-

You've already done enough for me, Randidly. Vualla mentally poked him. Please don't try and steal my prey away. You don’t get to play hero all the time.

After chuckling awkwardly, Randidly began to withdraw his Yggdrasil image into himself. Then he paused and examine the surroundings once more. He didn’t recognize everything, but he could piece together the way this place functioned. Randidly’s eyes slowly brightened. This reflection room... do you think that they can observe what is happening here?

Vualla thought about it for a little while. Perhaps. But it doesn't seem likely. If the seal in this place wasn’t perfect, the effect wouldn't be so infuriating... I can tell when they are about to let me out because the reflection becomes much weaker.

After spending so much time in the past few days struggling to manifest three images at once, Randidly knew that he needed some extra pressure in order to progress to a steadier level. And just when he had that need, he discovered this place.

Randidly’s grin widened. What a lucky coincidence.

There was a sardonic sort of resignation in Vualla's tone. After barely speaking to each other for a month, now that we are reunited and have some privacy... you want to train.

Mentally, Randidly winced. Ah... well not immediately. How... how has your day been?

Oh, don't start that with me. Vualla waved her hand. Then a wave of enthusiasm burst out from her. In fact, this is perfect. I wanted to ask you to demonstrate this triple image fusion I could sense you thinking about, but I wasn't sure if it would be appropriate considering you were already doing so much for me. Hehe, but since you were the heartless monster that brought up training first... If you want to train, by all means train.

I never want you to think you can't be yourself around me, Randidly Ghosthound. And a part of who you are is that obsession with power. So, let's indulge it a bit. Put on a show for me.

Randidly studied Vualla for several seconds. She wasn't lying to him. In her soul, Randidly could feel his drive and ambition mirrored back at him. That sense of strangeness to her vanished as her warped personality was restored to its original state.

And seeing this Vualla, Randidly felt warm.