Sorin had no trouble being patient, especially when there was an objective to his patience. This wasn't it, he couldn't deep dive some of his ideas to expand his path for fear of missing the message that should appear any time if he could still trust Euryale.
He was in a tree next to a stream that ended in a large pool with a hole below it that drained down into an underwater cave that also drained into some ocean. The hole in this pool created a small whirlpool where a message would get caught up for a few minutes before getting swept away. This is what he and Euryale had plotted as dead drop site 12 or as she put it "DD12."
The only bright side to his waiting was recovering from the rage headache he always got whenever he truly got angry. Headaches were honestly something he thought were a thing of the past, but guess not. This was much, much worse and it left him feeling weak. The headache was a headache that seemed to be like that from a hangover after going extremely hard in the paint the night before with the strongest booze.
He unfortunately, was still furious with the selfish actions of the duke. He had stopped at her request, but did so because she has had his best interest at heart and knew things he did not. Even in his rage addled mind, he knew he should heed her warnings and requests. He was hoping for an explanation whenever this message supposedly arrived.
In hindsight, Euryale probably had multiple reasons for stopping him from killing Phorcys; at least that is what he would like to think. It was more like he was her father and she was a young woman who didn't want to lose him. He could understand that and the old version of him understands, but the emerging ruthless version of him was kicking him.
As Sorin sat there, he was reminded of an old saying which he couldn't help but say out loud.
"He who fights with monsters should take care that he does not become one himself."
Sorin had ripped that castle appart and now that he was coming down off that rage everything was coming back to him, which was the reason that he didn't want to open up the notifications he had recieved during his attack quite yet.
If he ever spoke with Euryale again, he would have to ask how many he injured or killed in that attack, now that he thought about it; didn't deserve it and then the shame hit him. There was a better way he could have handled that.
Sorin sat up as he saw something floating down the stream. He smiled as he dropped down and picked it up from the water. After jumping back to the tree, he opened the container to read the surprisingly long message that was written to someone else but clearly talking to him which he was sure was a simple means of plausible deniability if intercepted.
"Clever girl." He said with a giggle.
Dear Kyrain,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to give you a warning of the destruction of the palace and the rage of the duke due to the actions of Sorin Ekart.
I am conflicted on how I should feel toward Sorin as he destroyed my childhood home, he severely injured my father, injured me, set the lands my family is responsible for into chaos, weakened our standing amongst the other dukes, but I also believe he was justified in his rage and have expressed as such with the duke at length as he recovers.
My father has sworn vengeance upon Sorin as he has also damaged his standing with with Empire since an Adjudicator was still present and delayed the investigation into the actions of our house. My father has dispatched our headhunters. I have warned him that Sorin has little to fear from them as he almost killed him, but he refused to listen. Emotional decision making that could cost these good men their lives. I pray Sorin will hold back and not take them from their families.
Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
As to the investigation, luckily it was mostly complete. Sorin's actions did make it clear that he was in fact a very powerful weapon capable of mimicking some of the damage seen by the infernal and it looks as though Belloraphon will be executed.
Sorin was fortunate that he listened to me and did not kill the duke. Had he done that, imperial head hunters would have been dispatched and I don't think he is ready for those as they are generally tier 30 and above. He has had a meteoric rise to power, but there are many in this kingdom who are allowed to know many secrets of the imperial kingdom. You should know that the Emporer has had an embargo on information pertaining to paths. He slows the growth of all, but the chosen of his circles and everyone else is left to fend for themselves.
Those who would have been dispatched are allowed access to great amounts of information to build their paths in terrifying ways, but even they do not compare to the Emperor.
In relation to your mission, I have enclosed a write of travel to the planet Delphi in Region 2 and a map to the port. You will need to speak to the fates who can direct you to the best methods of getting to your mission destination. I hope your mission goes well and thank you for your assistance and services rendered. Nobody knows like I do how much you have helped over the years.
- E -
Sorin incinerated the letter and kept the writ so he could travel. Luckily she enclosed the map to the nearest star port which he began flying to using his flight abilities.
He was digesting everything and was correct in his instincts apparently to trust Euryale if what she said is true. Imperial headhunters under the direction and information availability of a multi-thousand year old being was nothing to shake and stick at. He did have lesser headhunters coming after him, but they were nothing really to worry about according to Euryale. He still wouldn't lower his guard as complacency kills. His regeneration was impressive, but had never been tested to its limits.
Belloraphon was probably getting executed so he felt better about leaving as he helped end the war for good. Regardless the former duke was crippled and unless he found someone who could engineer spirit and recreate cores and channels he was done should he survive. He did feel bad for injuring Euryale and if he got thr chance, would apologize to her for it, but for now, he had to move.
He needed to head to Delphi to see the Fates. Sorin found that amusing because on earth, many cultures would go to the city of Delphi to see the oracles. The Spartans were famous for this and wouldn't go to war without consulting them he had once read. He did wonder if there was a connection between the oracles and the fates.
He opened his HUD to see the notifications.
Congratulations!
Your skill Aether Wellspring has been upgraded. You may now absorb so much aether that you can potentially leave an area devoid of Aether. Caution: After extended use of this part of the skill leaves the user severely fatigued and weakened.
Well that made sense why his head hurt like he was hung over and he was feeling overly tired. He then turned to the next notification.
Congratulations!
You have learned the skill Blind Rage(a) - You may activate this skill at an extreme Aether cost. You will be elevated as many tiers as you can afford for 30 minutes. Afterward, you will be left fatigued and weakened.
Caution: Extended use can damage core and channels due to being beyond tiers you are not ready for.
Caution: Mental faculties might be impacted resulting in inability to tell friend from foe. Recommened higher mental tier to maintain some control.
"Huh!" Sorin said to himself as everything made so much sense now.
He had accidently achieved a bezerker skill that was extremely potent with his build. He could also repair any damage up to a point, which made it somewhat broken to use save for the severe fatigue from the skill use. A half hour was a very long time in combat anyway.
Sorin closed his HUD, pleased with the skills, but not so much still as what it took to obtain those skills. He had worked very hard since his last deployment to keep control of his temper, but he had failed. He continued to kick himself for lose of control as it made it more easily manipulated when he had emotional reactions.
He would have to do better and he would work harder to return to a cold, calculated warrior. He also couldn't afford to hold back. His enemies were dangerous and he would have to be dangerous to stay alive.
He would have to continue to bottle up his conscience and trust that he could get help when he got home and Brittanie could help him decompress and help return him to a form of the man he was.
He was terrified that he was changing so much that the love of his life wouldn't even recognize him anymore or worse....turn from him.