The process of my recovery was not that long. When I recovered enough energy, I used it to repair my body. I didn't want to overuse medicine, so I took it very moderately. Fortunately, Eterians didn't arrive throughout that time. Fox was also moved to Obsidian Mountains. That place had much less chances of being attacked. Harlin left for Boltier, while Crow visited me regularly. As soon as I got better, I asked him for the arm I cut off of Irsa.
He told me not to worry, but I insisted, and told him to bring Lira. Crow return with Lira and the arm shortly after. I had to "trim" the arm to fit Lira's, but that wasn't a problem. As long as I had the other arm for reference, it was quite easy at this stage. She was scared of me doing anything to her, but Crow reassured her that I was the best doctor he ever saw. After preparing some poison, I started the procedure. It wasn't any different from Crow's procedure, and I had experience doing that already.
About an hour later, her new arm was properly attached. "Don't try to use your arm for a while now. Keep it stiff and let it properly heal". She nodded while thanking me, but then asked. "What about Crow? Can you not fix his arm?". I smiled, "I need an arm for that. He asked me not to go hack people's arms off for him, and I don't know anyone who deserves such thing. I can't do it later either, the nerves can die off, and he will never be able to use this arm again. If you want me to fix it, I can, but I need an arm". She stood up, and replied "I will get you an arm". Crow tried to stop her, but I must say he did a half assed job at that.
I smiled, "You had the ability to stop her, yet you didn't. I don't know who will be the lucky guy, that will lose his arm". Crow sighed, then replied "I know. Lira was in difficult situation before she joined me. The other Shade was stronger than her, and abused her. Now that she is stronger, she will try to get his hand". I asked curiously, "And you are going to stand there, waiting?". He replied with a snort, "She is also stronger than me. I'm only at about her level, because of you. Not only due to the medicine, but also your tips. I focused on my training more, that is why there are such results".
I nodded while saying, "I will be leaving soon. I know there might be more spies inside Sedon, but we can make use of Irsa". Irsa was caught, and Crow kept the gates closed after that. No one was able to leave alone, only in larger groups. This was to prevent spies leaving. The groups were also assigned by the council, not chosen by Shades. That was why, no one could alarm Eterians before the battle. He asked confused, "What do you mean?". I replied, "Eterians want me dead, and I mean it. I have two choices as well. I can leave or stay inside Sedon. In case of the later, Eterians will concentrate their forces on Sedon, because they don't need to search for me. The former option, is a bit different". He asked, "In what sense?".
I continued, "Well, there are two possible outcomes when I leave. One, they still attack you guys with full force. Or two, they attack you, but they also search for me. This means their forces would be divided. That is why I want to use Irsa". He nodded, but asked something else. "I sort of don't get it. Why would they be after you so much? I understand that you folded their plans a few times, but would they divide their forces just for you?". I replied, "If what I saw is correct, I will be their priority. I also know why, but I myself wasn't aware my nature… my Aura was so special".
I continued, "In the past, someone told me I had an unyielding will. The Aura that awakened inside me, it's like I was born with it. Not something I learned, like other Humans. The Unyielding Aura, they fear it. I know why as well. From the display alone, you should too. Besides, they actually poisoned me. Eterians created a poison, which could seal my Auras… All Human Auras, except one. At least one, but judging by the shock on their faces, there shouldn't be others".
He laughed, "I knew you were not an ordinary guy, but this? So you want to leave, but where will you go?". I grinned, "I want to find Grey Lizards". Crow tilted his head, "Grey Lizards? Like that Alicia, or Suly?". I replied, "Yes, exactly like them. You might not know, but Alicia and Suly are not some freaks. They are Lizards, and highly intelligent Lizards at that. Why am I confident in saying that? Because they delve into Formations. Before Suly met Alicia, she never experienced Formations. Now, she can do so many things with them. Sure Humans, Shades and whoever else might have some talented people, but I don't believe that to be the case".
He asked confused, "Why?". I continued, "Because if you take any odd Shade or Human, the chances are they have no talent for Formations. I believe that Grey Lizards are not like that. I believe all Grey Lizards have aptitude for Formations and knowledge. I also think that this was one of the reasons Royal Lizards banished them. If I manage to find them and get their help, we can destroy Eterians. Scorpions? Picture those things shoot out fireballs, not arrows".
He asked stunned, "Are they that amazing?". I replied, "Those are my speculations. I don't know how many of them are there, and what they are able to do exactly. But even Harlin told me they are damn good with Formations. I also know they are hiding underground". He laughed, "That narrows it… Do you want to go around digging?". I shook my head while replying, "No, I need the old knowledge. Oldest written stuff of the North. I will visit cities along the way for sure, but I will try to find other clues elsewhere. For one, the Ruins of Ravan might provide some answers".
Crow looked at me seriously, "You are aware that this place is home to Vanauts?". I replied, "Vanauts don't give a shit about such knowledge. Besides, I know of a way to… Let's just say walk around that place unnoticed. I never wanted to use it, but if I have no choice, so be it". Crow asked what it was, and I simply told him I would become a Vanaut. He was confused, but I didn't want to go into details. This was Nathan's skill, the ability to skin any adult Human to wear their skin. Unfortunately for me, I was able to go a step further, and even wear the skins of humanoid creatures.
That was thanks to my master in energy and body control. I could change my shape a bit, to accommodate some races. Vanauts, were one of those races. Vanauts came in two or three different forms. Some were straightened upwards, just like Humans, but had the head and bodies of a rat. Others had more of a flat faces, like hamsters. Although they were a bit hunched, they would serve their purpose.
I didn't visit Ruins of Ravan in the past, this place was totally unknown to me. Crow asked, "What if you don't find anything? I mean it would be great if you did, but what if you don't? What do we do then?". I replied, "Do think I will be simply walking there, doing nothing? I need to complete the masteries of my Arts. Now that I broke through, there is nothing stopping me. That is the second purpose of me leaving".
Crow was about to ask something, when the doors opened. "I have the arm". I replied jokingly, "It's the wrong one". She didn't buy it though, and replied "Yea, nice try. Anyway, can you repair his arm now?". I nodded, and grabbed the arm from her. "The guy was a bit more muscular than you Crow. Fitting that will be a pain". Irsa and Lira had similar body dimensions, which wasn't a problem matching those arms.
But when the arm was thick, and Crow was thin… It wouldn't be easy to match them, it would look… weird. "I can give it a try, but I promise nothing" I said, and invited Crow to sit down.
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