As Bob continued to set up and organize different plans, I pushed on with my training, which was really the only thing I could do. I was worried about what was going to happen, constantly, wondering how close the ender was, and if I would be forced to flee soon. That was the most frightening thought, only second to death, although Bob did tell me I might be taken in alive, in which case, I would wish for death.

According to Bob, the current main plans were to increase my power and prepare to run. To run very far and very fast, essentially abandoning everything here on the Prime. That was not something I wanted to do at all, but I knew if it came to it, I would have to run. Better that than death or torture.

While I waited for the item I’d ordered to arrive, I tried to mend things with Zara, mainly by easing her mind which involved me promising that I would tell her something soon. With her ability to read my emotions, she could easily tell I was being sincere, and so that helped things. I did the same for Han and even Brooke, who I was seeing less and less of. A lot of her time was spent with the other orcs, and even Yolana was becoming a rare sight. She usually only stayed for the start and then handed off training to other orcs, sometimes foreign orcs, some of which had odd training methods.

It was hard, but no harder than what I’d already been through. I grew closer with Nick and some of the other orcs. Kolor still glared at me every chance he got, and Ivan kept asking for a spar. Finally, during one session, I agreed.

It went about as well as anybody expected, although, I managed to last a lot longer, and he had to work for it. My enhancements allowed me to actually hurt him, and he couldn't just overpower me. It was sort of terrifying how skilled he was. Similar to Axton, he didn't just rely on his size and great strength. No, he could fight and was incredibly skilled in many different forms of martial arts.

“You were using magic?” He asked, after helping me up with a hand. He rubbed a bruise on his shoulder. I was about to shake my head, but then I quickly nodded, remembering what Bob had told me to say if anyone asked. “Passive strength enchantment, I mean how else would I last.”

He laughed. “True, no fun if things end so soon.”

I ended up sparing with quite a few of the foreign orcs, and to my surprise, I won several times, though mostly because they never expected my enchanted speed of strength, which allowed me to quickly end things. So far, Yolana had mainly been teaching me basic martial combat, but also how to end things as quickly as possible. She had a preference for lethality and efficiency. She saw no need in drawing things out if not necessary. “Sometimes you will need to distract, and prolong, but most of the time, you want to end your opponent as quickly as possible.”

Brooke definitely took after her mother in that regard. Watching some of her spars, it was clear she was thinking along those lines. She struck hard and fast, and only the older orcs, were able to keep up, although Ivan and even Kolor got close.

Kolor relied on speed. He was much faster than he looked. His weapon of choice was a curved blade, similar to a scimitar. During one training session, he approached me, training blade held at his side. I glanced at it, then at Nick whose hand tightened on his bo staff. He got along with Kolor about as well as I did.

Kolor stopped a few feet away, and a small came to his face, though not a pleasant one. “How about a duel, sorcerer, me and you?”

I blinked. “A duel.” I glanced at Nick who shrugged, his hand loosening a fraction. “Sure… first hit?”

He nodded. “Killing blow.”

I followed him to one of the sparring areas, and a few of the nearby orcs stopped and turned to watch. Nick walked over. “I’ll referee.” Kolor stared at him for a long moment before nodding and getting into a basic stance. I did the same, my body facing left, the sword spear up at my chest, and both hands positioned in the correct place. It was a basic spear stance.

“On my mark. Three, two, one, fight!”

He launched himself forward, his blade coming in low as my spear stuck out. He batted it away, and sidestepped, before taking another quick step forward and bringing his blade back in. He moved fast, and If not for my enhancements, I don’t think I would have been able to keep up with him. I kept moving back, keeping my distance and striking when the opportunity presented itself. With his smaller reach and blade, he would need to get close, and it was clear he was trying to bait me. Yolana had made sure, I learned about feints, and all manner of tricks and such used commonly in combat.

He moved, his blade clashing with my own. I pushed, and he stumbled. I took a step forward and swung the spear horizontally. He was forced to use his blade to block. I pushed at the moment he did, and he frowned, taking a few steps back, He met my eyes. “Not bad, but not good enough.”

He moved closer, and I realized, he’d been testing me. The next strikes came faster, and harder, and under the ceaseless barrage, I eventually made a mistake. One of his blows sent my spear to the side, and before I could bring it back into position, he was up close, his blade coming in. I used the shaft to block, and thought I had done well, up until his fist met my gut, and I let out a wheeze. I didn’t drop my weapon, but it was over. I felt the edge of his blade against my neck.

“Kolor is the winner,” Nick announced. There was clapping, and a few shouts of, “Good fight.”

I coughed as Kolor left the ring, orcs patting him on the shoulder as he did. Nick walked over, smiling. “That was good.” A few other orcs agreed. The orc in charge of training today, Derrick, a younger orc, nodded. “You’ve been at this for what, two months? Being able to last that long against an orc like Kolor, is nothing short of impressive.”

“Yeah, but I still lost.”

After training, I headed to meet Zara, who was in her room, to my surprise. “No magic training?” I asked.

“Not today,” she said. “How about you, still going at it.” There was a slight bit of accusation in her tone. Then she sighed. “You ok?”

“Yeah, I’m fine. It hurts, but I’m getting used to it.” I really was, and it was becoming less and less something I dreaded or even disliked. Training helped focus my mind, and prove to myself that I was in control. Thoughts and words were all well and good, but sometimes you needed action to affirm to yourself that you were in control. Discipline was key, and without it, I wouldn’t have gotten this far. Definitely not. Motivation was all well and good, but without discipline, I would not be able to push myself as I did.

Stolen content warning: this tale belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences elsewhere.

“Here, sit down.” She patted the bed. I walked over, leaning down to give her a kiss before I sat. She smiled and leaned her head on my shoulder. “Ready to tell me?”

“Soon, I promise.”

“Alright, but you will also tell Han, right?”

“Yes, has she spoken to you lately?”

“She told me about an alchemist who came by.”

“Is that all”?

She nodded. “Mhm, why?”

“Well, an alchemist wasn’t the only thing that came by. A were came to her shop demanding your number. Someone called, Annalee? Know the name?”

“Annalee…” Zara shook her head, then her eyes widened. “Actually, I think there was a were with that name who lived nearby when I was in college. Light blonde, tall?”

I nodded. “That’s the one. I told her I’d give you her number. She seemed desperate to talk to you.”

“Therapy?”

I shrugged. “Maybe, she certainly seemed… on edge. Honestly, I think she might have attacked Han for the number.”

Zara frowned. “I’ll give her a call. Now, how about we relax before you leave? We haven’t had much time as of late.”

I smiled. “Sure.”

****

“Bob, you here?”

“Dick, you got here at the perfect time.” I frowned, glancing about the workshop. Then I looked up. “Bob, what the hell…” Bob was near the ceiling, drawing some sort of ritual circle.I felt a pull of my mana, and Bob let out a sigh as the circle was finished. He floated down. “Just finished a few things up.”

“On the ceiling?” I looked around at the clear floor.

“It’ll make sense soon enough. We’re almost ready to boost your mana pool once more, and summon some aid. By the way, I wanted to ask you, how do you feel about water?”

“Water? What do you mean?”

“Let me rephrase. How do you feel about the ocean?”

“It’s ok, I guess. Personally, I've always had a sort of fear of it. Not the water, but how deep it is. Why you asking this?”

“Just trying to figure out where we’ll flee to if need arises.”

“And why would my feelings for the ocean factor in?”

“Well, there’s a plane I’m familiar with, very quiet and out of the way place, but it’s like 90% ocean. It’s on the edges of what the Nexus Ascendancy controls. And, I’m pretty sure I’ve got one or two hidden pockets attached to it.”

“Couldn’t we just hide out in one of the more modern planes?”

“We could, but it would be a risk. At least, any of the higher-end planes would be. We could enter, and lay low. Maybe. I don’t think it would be a good idea to stay near the center of the Ascendancy’s power. Better we go further away.”

“But, they wouldn’t expect it,” I said.

“Probably not, but that won’t matter if we can’t hide ourselves properly. ”

“Well, can we?”

“Depends on if this summoning goes well, and how far you’re willing to go. Also, like I said, we need more magical energy to work with. There are other options we can take, but best we leave them alone unless we have no other choice.”

“Alright, Bob. I don’t really mind where we go, as long as we’re safe. I… I’d prefer if we don’t have to leave, though.”

“So would I,” Bob said. “But chances are we might have to, if we want to live. I am sorry, Rick. If I hadn’t wanted the page, then—”

“Leave off, Bob. I already said it’s alright. It meant a lot to you, and there is no point in looking back now. What’s done is done, and all we can do is try and prepare. By the way, how will we know if the ender has found us and we need to leave?”

“I have a few ideas in mind. Oh and you should know, the precog came by while you were training.”

“She did? How did she get in?”

I can open portals, Dick, and remember that basic circle I set up outside, near the door? She tripped it, and when I opened a small dot, I sensed her. She had another vision, one pertaining directly to us. I’m not putting much hope into them. She told me, then left in a rush, muttering something about her goddess. I have a feeling she’ll be back soon.” He sighed. “I should have made sure the contract forbid her from coming here and only using the link on The Pit.”

“What did she see?”

“Three outcomes, one of which was… pretty bad.”

That doesn’t sound good. “How so?”

“Well, in one the ender—”

“She saw the ender?” I interrupted.

“Not exactly. She saw a hooded figure, standing over a crying man. And I was there, or pieces of me were.”

“Who was the man?”

“She said she couldn’t make out any features, but considering what she else she saw, and figured out… The man is you, Rick.”

“What else did she see?” I asked slowly, trying to calm myself. It was just a possible outcome, not something that would happen for certain. I hoped.

“Well, she also saw—” Bob suddenly froze, his pages which had been fluttering, stilled, then limply fell down. “Someone’s knocking on the suite door.” A portal opened right next to me. “It's probably the package,” I said, stepping through the portal. It shut behind me and I walked over to the door. I pulled it open and found one of the staff holding a box. “This came for you.”

“Thank you.” I gave him a tip. When he was gone, I glanced down at the box. It had been pricey, although not as expensive as the protection charm. I hope this helps.