Murai had time and Will to learn and dive into remembrance. A lot of things were like that, closing on dreams, terrible nightmares, or simple ideas. Now, when his Will and craze started to show some results, his opportunity rose to another level. It wasn't because of others, himself, or some things beyond this world. It was part of the process.
Taking Bagus for granted wasn't something Murai wanted to keep, though it wasn't terrible either. His help in that chasm was splendid, and through Will, he had multiple opportunities to display some sparks. He talked to him behind Lisa's back, or...well, it wasn't because of privacy, or something similar. She was always listening, thinking, and plotting something.
Bagus had no way to send his Will to Murai, so he mostly spoke to him in the human tongue, which he learned a long time ago. David must have helped with it too, or maybe Bagus' sensible base came from his Bloodline, crashing Walls, changes of his years, and the passage of time.
Some of those facts surprised Lisa because she didn't consider David to be a good teacher, but the rest was sensible. Griffins were a great species. Any of their advanced sub-species were worth some care or knowledge, even if they weren't as big if one saw the broader Skies.
A lot of things changed in more than fifty years, it seemed. People grew, hearts changed, froze, or softened. David would disagree. People never changed. Perceptions changed or developed, concerning new knowledge, ignoring or cherishing the past, or finding a way forward in a bid for respect. The heart was the most impressive variable, for they could change, betray, and see lies and truths in veiled intentions.
Unless bliss or tragedy happened, minds were often closer than one would see.
Bagus was a good fella. Murai learned most of the politics of this Gate in their flight and odd conversations. Lisa chirped in their talks here and there, giving Murai or Bagus her idea which didn't seem to be outdated thanks to David and their discussions in Helltrim City.
Sectors and this travel were important as well, while Scorching Light was a halfway point of the Hellscape or their specific target as a whole. It was going for many kilometers ahead, surrounding the cave from left and right, and even the walls and ceiling were dry, turning into scorched color. The environment of this cave didn't help with the heat or anything. Being underground and under the pressure of no proper Sky, it was a true hell where heat couldn't escape anywhere.
It was one of the many places in the temple which was truly lawless. In the Hellscape as a whole, it was average for most of the Challengers and almost all denizens. Those saw the Scorching Light as an immense opportunity, work, and self-interest. Most orders and worth in place were taking up mines, mountains, and various politics that Overlords managed, or some gangs or individuals owned.
No Gods, or even Levandis thought of them too much, even if this place was a kind of sensitive structure in a special part of this temple or the ground. It wasn't there before, so many wondered why Levandis created it. It wasn't for nothing. That was for sure.
Most Gods wouldn't give this much care to their hopes of influencing others. Her Gates were one of her finest tools to influence others, creating things, tools, and ways to see her subjects and handle part of this world. She worked with a lot of them, and others let themselves be influenced by her place because they wanted or desired it.
Murai regarded this temple as one of the less unique places if he considered his high, or deep memories. However, its meaning, politics, and surroundings were something else. Those, he didn't mind much. There were interesting places, people, histories, and Hells of this world were quite plentiful and greater than usual. It must be because of the struggling Gods, stories that Bagus described with great words, and how Hells and Skies were eyeing each other like dogs and cats.
He kind of liked discovering such depths and secrets. Unfortunately, Bagus didn't mention much about the lower floors, specific Gods, or rumors that he wasn't sure about. Bagus liked facts and Murai preferred them too.
There were also a bunch of unspoken rules. Not talking to Surface Challengers about the lower floors was one of them, even if rules changed, and Hunt collided against them. Bagus wasn't that sincere to that rule, but knowing that Mindarch must be watching, looking, spying, he kept some things for himself. Speaking to Murai about it would hardly change a thing, since rules were rules.
If one wanted to live in this temple, one had to think of them in one way or another. Thus, there were pending troubles that Murai felt were distant and unimportant. He hoped his group as a whole wouldn't drift apart in the potential threats and mess that awaited them.
David fell into silence after hearing Lisa's idea. Scorching Light was fine to be their priority, but he was thinking of what was the best choice around it, or inside it. For example, should they separate again? He doubted it was fine, considering Ultium's appearance, and knowing how prideful and stubborn his heart could be.
He was playing it tough, but his injuries weren't the lightest. David at least didn't know how his journey went, whom he met, or killed. But he stunk of some loss for sure, which poised wonders who forced him to this state of heart.
If things got too tough, David thought he could forfeit his Helper status and no longer adhere to this Hunt. Price would be heavy, however, though the rules were lax or unseen because of the Encounter. Usually, Hunters could forfeit and flee, bearing punishment decided by the Wheel of Pain set by Mindarch and Levandis.
Hunted were different, and David knew those bounties made them into something else. Murai and Lisa were outsiders. He and everyone else were set in a corner.
This ideology was part of the Surface, Wars, or lower Gates, where rules set reputation, power created options, and decisions had to be made. Wheel of Pain was a simple punishment, depicting how many times one found, became a wall against some Challenger, or pushed the boundaries of Hunted and Hunters apart.
It put dangers to most choices since punishment could be mild, or harsh, coming from the Depths, Gods, or places like a job. Those could be even rewarding because one can't seek this Wheel for no reason. Punishment had to be validated by potential helpful reminders, and threatening uncertainty.
Dangers came with chances and opportunities. That was one of the spoke rules of many Depths. Dungeon Delving was all about overcoming dangers, enemies, and problems arising in shadows or great magical histories.
David didn't follow this principle. He was too old and shrewd for that. lost In a sense, his edge wasn't fitting for this because he wasn't alone. But for Ultium or this group, he was willing to bear some costs. Giving up was an idea that only appeared in his mind twice so far. Each time, it happened for less than a second. The opportunity of the Encounter was too big to pass, even if the Will of the Battleworld was not working no matter what.
But it somewhat did for them, so David no longer cared for the outside world. Interest in the Will of the Battleworld or some outer Gods was not enticing to his presence, for he hoped for a change that wouldn't come in this Hell. He and Ultium long decided to see the end of their choices regardless of giving up or seeing that Wheel. It wasn't something neither of them wanted to relinquish.
But Bagus or Itrosh could. That was why David wouldn't mind if they gave up. It wasn't wrong for someone to preserve their life. Neither of them spoke of it before Murai or Lisa.
Lisa knew it though, believing that betrayal was heavy and nigh, and people or power couldn't be trusted.
Murai didn't, but if it hadn't been for them, he would have had a much harder time. So he was glad that Will of the Battleworld had some form, giving them some good deal as Helpers, and that Bagus wouldn't fly away for nothing. Similar to David, he didn't care for the current problems with the Codex or the problems that were outside of their understanding.
“You are right, Lisa. Let's get to the main place faster, even if it could be dangerous and tolerable. We can always change the course of plans. Fools and enemies always depend on it.” David said, eyes gleaming with resolution and certain decisions.
Once again, he looked fairly impressive, which Lisa took in silence. “It's fine if you have some worries. It makes us sharper. Danger sense and other things are important. Hunters will get nasty for sure, but not like neither me nor Murai complain that you are all here.”
Lise turned, glancing at everyone present, Ultium included.
“Too late for regrets,” Bagus said. “Killed fools that want and cherish grudges. Hunt or not, it isn't set like we are wanted, but the moment our faces were up there in the sky, our lives and choices became much more interesting. I like it.”
“Or cursed.” Itrosh reckoned with a sigh as she stored and worked with corpses, turning them into essences.
“Agreed” Lisa nodded. “Nothing is free in the world. Battleworld was never a place fit for worry or soft touch. Anyone with some history gets it.”
“Speaking of which, plans change, right?” David asked Lisa just in case. “Not as if I am complaining, but with this battle, things can get different. Weird.”
“So what? Our purpose came over and our acts gave us reputations. Fewer losers should come over, so let the world be weird. Let's go to the Scorching Light in one swoop before this place changes into a hell we shouldn't witness.” Lisa argued, no longer willing to waste more time.
Everyone was somewhat uneasy and tired after the fight, but nothing that some potions couldn't solve. Each experienced numerous adventures and battles, and supplying that came with diverse gifts. A supply and valuable items for their journey came with potions, which were one of the most popular items for anyone who went on a dangerous journey. Murai had some of them himself, and others had them as well, if not in much better quality and quantity because of their experience and Level.
David even offered him some Grade B Mana Potions for his training, which gave him a rush of mana that helped Murai a little. Since this place had this mysterious way of influencing the working of mana, Murai didn't refuse them even if their worth was lower than usual. They had no hideous toxic levels such as this place, though Murai would disagree.
For a long while, he found this Gate not that much different from the upper ones. Lisa didn't find it odd because he was crazy and Anatidae had their secrets. For them, this place might be as natural as swimming in a divine pool.
As for the rest of them, if Itrosh and Bagus had time for arguments, they could follow their route and fight without a problem. There was no way for them to fear the already tense situation or see other options.
“Does anyone have some airborne combat abilities or treasures?” Lisa asked, glancing at Itrosh, David, and Ultium.
Neither of them had something like that. Flying wasn't something non-flying species or races hardly had. That was the undeniable truth, and treasures that allowed flying were even rarer.
In this case, Bagus was quite proud of his wings and he couldn't let everyone on board. They were too heavy for him. One was already enough weight. Murai was like a feather to him, and wanting others to ride him was out of the question.
But Lisa wanted their flight to be faster, or make this journey quicker in some way.
In this sense, asking was useless, but what if they found some loot out of this small war? Murai had negligible weight, and Lisa was almost the air itself, so she mattered little. In fact, she could fly even better and faster than Bagus, but she wasn't as proud of that fact as him.
Lisa turned to Murai, speaking with their senses alone. “This is to be expected. I suppose you know what it means now, don't you?”
“Last ride to Hell?”
“Last one indeed.” She reckoned and then spoke to everyone. “I don't think how far we can arrive in our previous tactics, but we have a long stretch before us. So I suggest this.” She went down, sticking her tensed-up finger to blood, and went to some dried land to paint her picture. She put three dots beside one another and made a wider triangle around them.
“Same situation as before, but this time, Ultium will not be an unhinged child. Got that, devil?” She sternly looked at him, but Ultium wasn't interested in her stare and mumbled something inaudible.
“Don't worry about him,” David argued. “His wounds are superficial if he got back to us.”
“I am not worried about him. I am worried about everyone. His position is most sensitive because his weight can be our doom.”
“You think I don't know that?” David said coldly. “That is why I allowed him to go away, but look where it ended us?”
“Why so pessimistic?” Bagus argued when Itrosh came back from the essence gathering. “We should carry our weight on our backs all the same. As a team, I mean. Team!” He cheered and swung his wings around.
Murai almost did the same thing. “I kind of agree with everyone here.” He said to Lisa. “Have everyone decide what is fit or good for them. Don't be a cold bitch. That is my suggestion.”
“As who?” Lisa said to him coldly. “I am taking everyone's opinion the same.”
“Apart from yourself.” David realized this fact long ago.
“Look, there is no point in arguments. Enemies will come, but one thing is clear. Our forces are smaller, so taking brutality over common sense is questionable. Ozeki forces are tougher than this little war against beasts and some independent gangs. Then, we have Razmund who is hiding behind doubled Hunt. David, I suppose there are fewer facts about him, correct?”
David nodded.
“So why not go towards as far as we can and outrun this problem and clear this Gate? Then, we go out with style as fast as we can.”
“Are you sure is a good idea?” David asked. “Your plan has some holes and naive ideas. You are hopeful only when desperate. It is unlike you.”
“Says you. I have my head clear.” Lisa said coldly at him, almost flying to clutch his head. It was a bad habit, considering she used to do it a lot to Lorry. “So no. Don't give me your ideas. Do you have something better? I doubt. This situation is bad enough already, so it is too bad.”
Lisa grimaced, feeling their position was indeed inevitably hard and sensitive. She hadn't expected things would get this troublesome. Perhaps the cause was the problems with Will of the Battleworld or this Hunt that Levandis personally supervised with her true face and voice.
Usually, the force of the Encounters would always end up in a very sensitive position. Not at a terrible pace, at first. It was inevitable that each Side of the Encounter would end up influenced by some inevitable forces or powers. Individual hopes and benefits were the reason why it happened in the first place, and it could increase bit by bit until much more complex Parts would come.
And new faces, places, and benefits were tough to ignore.
One Side would obliterate the other, change, or break the rules.
There were no excuses for deaths for benefits when Gods spoke their reasons like Laws, but each Side had different reasons, rewards, and powers in their disposition and strategies. Sometimes, they might not clash at all, but their tasks could link in one way or another.
For example, one Side could protect something, but the other had to get or kill what the other controlled. This idea could be full of different heights and lows, depicting even powers, cities, weird artifacts, treasures, and even people. All was appropriate as long as Gods deemed it enough.
Gods were the makers and deciding factors in making every Encounter intense, while mortals were tools to make them possible and changed. Sooner or later, mortals could also influence it, so Gods had to either adapt or force them to a proper pace.
Lisa found Murai's case to be nothing but an insult. Not in any weird principles, but as an insult from the Gods towards him. It wasn't fair. It was true that it all started when he was in the clutch of Vermillion Church, but the moment it all started, he got away from them, while the other Side followed that nasty Centralis Kingdom. She could only guess what kind of people touched this place. Razmund wasn't important; he was young, thus many older fools might be included. She could only imagine them and detest everything about it.
After losing touch with Vermillion Church, Murai was all alone, hunted. And even before that, or afterward, fewer situations were comfortable.
She caused a lot of arguments and discovered or forced some countermeasures, which ended up in her current predicament. Not many choices were truly in her hands and Lisa hated it more than she assumed.
She had a good hunch of why this was all so messed up. But she also had no time to think about those ideas and memories. Solving them was her task, regardless if Murai was in the picture, or if this whole group followed her words.
Information or care for the others was the way to go. When problems crashed knowledge, ideas, and confidence, thinking about ego was no longer important. Lisa wanted to help Murai and use others sincerely. Well, part of it was for herself, because who wouldn't want to have yet another chance in life?
Especially the lofty figure who was quite high in terms of personal power, ideas, and who knew what else. After all, what was level 85? Was it enough to become a contender for being powerful in this world? Of course, it had some of that flavor, but she was not Extreme.
Ultium himself was almost unanimously known to have no foes in this Gate below the Extremes, yet he wasn't this powerful person who could roam the world unimpeded. Though, part of it was him, being David's boy. His own prowess was kind of hidden in the present time where David moved things with mind and reasons, rather than wildest dreams.
Reasons were better than insanity. Not many know of Ultium. David's careful ploy and his idea about it made him into something like a human pet. In this sense, many resented Ultium for this, but none would get personal with him or David, for there was wrath and reason to be careful. When one was powerful, it didn't matter what someone else thought. Because of that, using Ultium, or caring for his existence was a necessary evil, and his presence might be their highest advance.
That increased even more when this Hunt started and many figures began to move. David realized it was too late, unfortunately, so he turned on the spot and crouched beside Ultium.
“You good?” He patted his shoulder.
“Ignoring me?” Lise spoke behind his back. “How rare indeed.”
He did, in fact, ignore her. Ultium wasn't feeling the most suitable for what David thought was right, which was something he sensed when Ultium arrived at this location.
“Boss. There are dreams to have, right? Even devils can dream, correct?”
“Sure. Why not?” He shrugged.
“Dreaming is for children,” Lisa argued.
“And hope is for fools. Alright. Be silent. I will speak to him and we will get through it without your voice.” David turned, pointed at her, and turned back to Ultium.
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Lisa was slightly taken aback, grunted, and hoped he would at least resolve the questionable situation with this devil. She wondered about Ultium and what he was about. He didn't feel like a regular devil; he resembled a human far too much, but sometimes, he was the exact opposite yet far from the devil.
She wondered what his Advocate was like, what his heart desired, and what sort of history or origin he held. Of course, Lisa had some ideas and historical notes about all sorts of things about this world, but she didn't know everything. There were a lot of crazy shits in Hells and Chaos. Ultium might be just a shadow or a son close to it.
Dreams were definitely important for some folks, while devils didn't need them all the time, for their heart was their dream, and dreams might be distant. Their acts and rules of heart were what made them devious, pure, or fitting to their name.
And Ultium was weirdo.
“Listen to me, boy. We have known each other for a long time, correct?” David said to Ultium, still patting his shoulder.
“A long time for humans. Correct. Fifty years, more or less.”
“I won't be forever.”
“I... know that.”
“You won't be either if we keep this up.”
“I...” Ultium wasn't sure how to reply to that.
“Let me say something. I suggest taking some reigns of hope and getting some ideas across to us. You are free, Ultium. You hardly were before because you wanted it, right?”
“I wanted to live with you, boss. You made me work where others wouldn't let me live. I went in and faced it. You did too, right beside me, close, and pulled. I trusted you and trust you still.”
“They didn't let you live. I didn't do it either. They forced you to deny you that chance. That is a difference. You could've forced that away from others and myself. Setting yourself free sounds wonderful.”
“Could?” Ultium frowned, caressing his already healed wounds and slowly moving threads of his Blood Suit. “What are you suggesting next?”
“Have you said that you wanted to live with me? That means you no longer want that?”
Ultium wasn't sure what he meant, or what he, himself, wanted.
“Choices are often hard, boy. That means we are all living in an interesting time where harvesting opportunities comes with expectations, others, dreams, ideas, or the simplest reasons one could imagine. We can do all sorts of things with some splendor or desires. An excuse is sometimes needed to act. Grabbing some changes on the go is also possible. Finding and breaking words is also fine. Letting things go too.”
“Stop having this unnecessary charade,” Lisa grunted aside and had enough of listening to their conversation. She almost saw herself in his words, which pissed her off on multiple levels that Murai never touched. It was personal. She flew aside from him, looked at Ultium, and knew he wasn't some overgrown kid. He wasn't even correct, for there was a void in his heart and portion of his brain.
It must be intentional. Ultium was exceeding adolescence for devils and was fairly close to adulthood, yet he was far and still Level 80.
“Listen, if you are his kid or slave, it doesn't matter to me when you can be whatever. Be a tree too. I don't give a fuck, to be honest. I just want this group to be safe and me and Murai to go onward. You aren't a shield or spear if you are a wimpy bastard that can't shit himself without David's words. Do better and listen.”
David was lost for words. He didn't expect Lisa to be this... direct. It was her usual face, almost making him blush and smile.
Ultium glared at her as if he couldn't see her face. But he did hear her words, which was enough.
“I...” Ultium suddenly got to his feet, head-butting David and swaying Lisa's lifeform. She didn't mind it as much as David who grunted on the ground, touching his nose.
“Yes! Yes!” Ultium cheered to the sky. “I have no clue, but so what?! Others don't have it either.”
This time, Lisa was lost for words and had no choice but to hope that the prowess and willingness of this group outstripped Ozeki and Razmund, or others aiming at them.
“My poor little past self,” Lisa sighed. “It's the same... shit. Every damned Encounter is filled with messes. I hate politics with the passion as people.” Lisa complained to Murai, who almost agreed with her when she floated towards him. “Anyway, Murai Hisagi, you might be another problem, but unlike that devil, you are at least... Never mind... Back to Bagus. We are leaving.” She changed her mind, turned to the group, and talked out loud.
“Itrosh, David, and Ultium. My apologies if it's too bad for you to listen to my head or mind. The world seems to be too good for neither of us, so what is your opinion of this matter as Helpers? I have to ask everyone individually, David.”
David shook his head, making his intention obvious that he didn't care about it. Since he didn't speak, neither did Ultium. As for Itrosh, she wasn't in the position to ask for something, even if she wished for something great.
Fortunately, the one who was in a good spot was Bagus, who Lisa didn't include in her question because he wasn't faulty in the slightest. He will be the biggest target in the middle of the sky, and it didn't phase him yet. Perhaps he knew or appreciated such a position and didn't care whether it was good or bad. Perhaps he enjoyed it; it showed on his face from time to time in a similar fashion to Murai.
With that said, Itrosh, and Ultium will follow David as the ground team. At the last second, David changed Lisa's plan. They won't be a triangle but a team tightly following Bagus from below. With Itrosh, they could cover a lot of ground, so it wasn't a bad idea.
Lisa had no patience for further arguments and accepted his proposition. They will be intercepting any situation from the ground, sending voices to Bagus on the go. As for the airborne team, Lisa could move freely in the sky, so she was a good surveillance tool and her sight was great, so perhaps the further triangular formation might've been worse.
However, her position had some limits since she had no Sonar like Murai, and her body had its limits.
Wind flooded the ground, which held some residues of blood or fur, hide, pieces of bones, or other things. Most essences were long cut into parts, with Murai having a surprising cut that came from Itrosh, whose badge wasn't half bad. She assembled hundreds of essences out of corpses in a few minutes and gave Bagus and Murai their cuts.
Bagus had a bigger pile, but since there were only two who truly battled in here for such needs, their interest was three to seven. Murai got thirty percent of the essences, which amounted to the worth he roughly killed. He didn't look for specific numbers when Bagus essentially gave him an easier time and saved his ass a few times.
Thirty percent might even be more than he deserved, and by worth alone, there were a lot of essences, and their qualities weren't that great, but as a whole, this essence-gathering construction made up for it. After he would absorb them into his Core Defying Fusion Technique, everything would make sense and be clean.
Bloodied clothes and armor around the ground weren't interesting, but Itrosh took some of them anyway, saying she would resell them. Bagus refused them, and so did Murai, so she shrugged and got to work with the rest of the team.
Bagus flew into the air, disappearing to the last journey that should go according to their plan. And plans often changed for the worse when Lisa wasn't half sure about things. David knew it, so he glanced around the plain and the sky.
“This leaves us alone, Ultium. Oh, you too, Itrosh. Hope to work with you again.” David said to her, almost ignorant.
“Don't worry, David. I know what to make of this situation. This team and you and us. Things will turn up a notch.” Itrosh said, smiling.
David nodded at her appreciatively and turned his attention back to Ultium, who seemed to change his cheer to a frown.
“Sorry to doubt ya, but I do wonder about something, boss.”
“They are gone, and doubts are wonders indeed. We have tasks to do, don't you think?” David tried to change the topic.
It didn't work.
“Why have you not told me to intercept Ozeki or this whole reason of this Encounter or... the other King? Why?” He turned his face left and right, his eyes glowed in crimson sheen onto David's face.
Coughing and clearing his throat, David mumbled a bunch of blubbering nonsense and wasn't willing to give him a good answer. An excuse will do. “I think it's not time for that yet. A big change might've come instead. For you, or us, or... everyone. That is why plans are part of it, and we are waiting and going ahead for Murai's purpose. Everyone will get their turn, haven't I said it before? We have our purposes and we shall come closer to them.”
“Is that so?” Ultium furrowed his brows, appearing quite serious without visible nativity. “Even though the rewards are this big? A permanent Voice? They are basically giving us a half-blessed status and a Major Blessing of this World itself. Why?”
“Uhm... Ultium,” David said helplessly shaking his head. “I am not doing this for myself. The world might, but not everyone is as clear in intent.”
“I don't get it.”
“You don't have to.” He released his hands away from his shoulders, which often meant numerous things. It was a good omen that he used to put trust and certain actions between them depending on which hand and shoulder he touched, or which words or intent he spoke with. It was kind of physical, but it worked wonders.
“There are two roads ahead, Ultium. Which one you want? Be a dog waiting for the foes to come, or go onto the Scorching Light and wreak havoc, or wait there?” He asked, pointing back to the beginning of the Gate, and then to the opposite side that had no visible desert yet.
“Giving me a choice... when I clearly failed before.”
“Define failure.”
“Is this necessary to speak like this?” Itrosh asked them, wondering where this would go, but she was slowly backing away, figuring that things were changing right now. She was long accustomed to how David and Ultium did their job, or who they were, or how they worked. Leaving no witnesses was a very popular choice or secret, but not this time around.
David held no such possibilities, so things would be ugly, open, and different. Itrosh believed it would be crazy, yet she didn't fear it. She doubted it would feel good for others and she was glad to not be them.
David would agree under normal circumstances.
“Failure is when things go wry without change.” Ultium defined his opinion.
“And you are back and not wounded.” David pointed to his wounds that no longer bled. “And I don't care whom you met, or how it went. Your fights are yours to meet or fight. I can't give it any help besides encouragement that you won't lose yourself. Words too. They make charms and I want you to hear them.”
“Hm. Who Am I then?” Ultium asked a very confusing question that changed his face and eyes a little. There were numerous emotions, ranging from fear and confusion to dread and hope. Then, a red flare spread from his depth, coming to his eyes.
“Dunno.” David shrugged. “You can be a killer.”
“I don't like this, boss,” Ultium mumbled and put his arms into his pocket. Then, David patted his head. “I know only one thing, boss. I want blood. Lost blood. Lots too...”
The surroundings changed, as visible Murder Intent seeped from Ultium's body like a shivering aura of mist. It was cold, airy, and full of red that washed and changed the air. It went over David's face and back, draining the color from his face and sweat from his back. As many times as he saw or felt this, not once did he like it, for change of heart was heavy and changing in a heartbeat.
It was an honesty that had plenty of weight. David hadn't forced a thing. Ultium wanted it and saw the change. David cared for him, so he endured this part or cherished it from time to time. Ultium manifested quite a deep aura, letting the ground shake, and even the air dropped a couple of degrees.
By now, Itrosh was long gone from the picture, hiding behind a rock, giggling and looking at those red and shiny horns and eyes. The surrounding ground had some blood left because their essence gathering wasn't as efficient as Guides.
Gradually, all blood began to move or wince, and like small waves or streams, the blood traveled to Ultium's feet, disappearing to his suit or going deeper. It was hard to tell.
“C-calm down, Ultium.” David forced these words out, enduring his change way too closely to his liking.
“No. I don't think I will.”
“Let's do it this way then. Sector to the beginning Scorching Light isn't that far. Let's wait there, while we will move along their flight. We still have to provide them with some assistance from the ground up. That's what Lisa chose, and we agreed to take our parts. That is a rule.” David forced his words out as he continuously backed away in uncertain steps.
Ultium remained serious and his eyes were overflowing with crimson light. It almost bent into his skin, cracking it in veins and pure blood. Indifferent, calm, and deep like the Abyss, yet, the Abyss won't look back. It wouldn't dare to. Not against Ultium.
“Roger, boss,” he said. In a moment the aura disappeared, leaving the ground clean. “I like this. Simple goal and rule. Getting rid of things on the way to the dream. It seems poetic, or how the boss said it a few times. Maybe I've got it wrong?” Ultium said without hurry, checking on his tie and wondering if his words were weird or if he remembered what he should. His Blood Suit got a bit tight all of a sudden. Then, he began walking in the direction Bagus flew onto, even if the fog was in the way. Itrosh listened to them, hiding not that far.
“Do you think you can manage this?” David asked him just in case.
“Seen worse days... Felt much... no. This is bigger. Deeper. There is not a chance that blood isn't lacking, but that soul. Oh, that soul...”
“It is different, Ultium. Focus on the ground. Not what is far or way too lenient and unimportant.”
“Ye.” Ultium nodded, taking Murai as a color deeper than black or red.
Lisa gave them a couple of tasks as a ground team. The position was important. A close team position will do, so David went with it and changed it for the third time. Lisa should be fine and gone, so David had no regrets about changing his position without her in sight.
Their next destination was the Scorching Light.
His was different.
Itrosh with her surveillance had a classic position, while Ultium should solve the rest. His nose was good to sniff the blood and trouble the living. Bagus had a straight line of travel ahead, and it was clear from the ground, so most of the dangers were below or hiding further. Bagus had to go down eventually. That was a striking chance.
Down, Itrosh was in the middle, David on the left, and Ultium on the right of her. They were less than a hundred meters from each other, so they could hear their acts, or shouts if they were loud enough, but why do that when communication was in their pocket?
David reminded Ultium of that tool. Ultium sneered, shrugging his arms, saying that he forgot he had it. It was within David's expectations to forget it altogether.
Each of them wasn't as powerful as the other, but as a team, they should be fine. Lisa believed in that, even if her previous words left much to be desired.
She didn't know what was ahead, or what was coming after them. David only knew that something was coming.
In the air, Bagus remained flipping his wings, traveling about three hundred meters above the ground. He was visible from the ground if fog cleared up and there were at least four to seven hundred meters to the ceiling in some sections. Since a lot of walls and grounds were uneven because of various reasons, sometimes, elevations were in shambles.
There were even some sections of the ceiling that had inward mountains, lowering the ceiling to barely a hundred meters. That was deeper into the Hellscape, depicting a Sector known as the Upside Down Mountains.
Most of the travel wasn't in Lisa's mind. Even the surroundings weren't. She aimed her eyes around to see living souls and train in what she felt was coming after barely a few weeks. That was surprising; she thought she would have to wait for it for months or years.
On the other hand, Murai clutched the beak against the wind, looking around like his life depended on it. He enjoyed the view for what it could be, but in a way, his life was within the hands of others. And wings.
Lisa was flying beside him this time around, lost in through or wonders he couldn't fathom. Her glistering azure color didn't possess a normal physicality whenever she wanted. He could slap her all he wanted, but it wouldn't do a thing, even if he would charge his Blitz or Peak.
He tried each of them before, acting and saying it was an experiment against Lisa's body. It didn't make her feel good, but it wasn't a bad idea to experience either.
She had no physical feelings, even though she could touch things if she wanted. She was no ghost, nor a Fairy. Well, there were numerous soul-based monstrosities in this world or the universe, so she must be something in between everything that Murai knew. It was curious; Murai wondered if he heard or met those or if he was even assuming her body to be a right mixture of rules, or Laws, or if it was something stranger. Endless Skies were vast and one couldn't see every planet or life.
A weird one she was. Barely anyone from this group of Helpers questioned her about it. Not even David, who had all sorts of questions about the way she died.
Lisa told nothing about it, opting to focus on the reality. So when she asked him about the way of the past fifty years, he also refused her, telling her that an equal exchange was a great trade. It was too bad for him since Lisa could be fairly... persuasive. He barely lasted ten seconds before he spit the beans.
Barely so, but it was worth to hear his words, even if most of it was negative. As Lisa feared, the majority of her past forces died because of her actions. David questioned her to this day, wondering why she left them alone and died... alone? It went against her principles.
And now, back after fifty years, she was... Who? David wasn't sure how he should feel when he felt and spoken to her for the past few days.
All sorts of weird stuff were happening in the Battleworld on a daily basis. When folks of all kinds can get reincarnated, beasts can evolve into all kinds of weird things, and even people could walk in the air, or fly by flapping their fingers, sense or words could lose their reasons.
Considering the fact they were far from the Surface, fleeing for their lives because some nasty Gods made an unbalanced mess and unfair game, and forced it to the mortal realms and her head, Lisa was furious.
It was nothing but strange, or perhaps... not weird? It went fairly well alongside the shit that can happen in the Battleworld or her both lives and when it involved her, she didn't like it.
The fact that Murai was living as a duck spoke of absurdity, while Lisa's appearance was weird and hers by its own merit.
“Lisa?” Murai willed his message to her head, figuring that his quacks wouldn't work on her when she was like this.
“What? Do you mind this travel? You fought like a lunatic before. Consider me impressed.”
“Sure enough. Got many ideas and validations, but this is also curious, aren't we?” Murai said, chuckling as the wind carried it away.
Lisa turned to face him, not giving him a nod, smile, or anything.
She just looked at him in wonder. Maybe she looked for reason in that face, beak, eyes, or that hoodie. Or that soul? She frowned and felt some choices had to come from her most profound compromises.