The Kindling Heath pulsed lightly as always while taking in the immense waves of essences that rushed from the stout mountain. Regardless of how chaotic and intertwined they were, the great throne tamed them, and divided them according to their characteristics.
Replicus felt the eager energies get sucked into him, and his body absorbed them greedily.
The Titan World Storm Penetrator sat, still decked in his starry armour, his flashing sockets telling of his current state of mind. He had a lot of things to sort through, most related to the journey he had just returned from.
Thankfully, because of his thought phantoms, he didn't have to exert himself. After all, when it truly mattered, the mini-hims expressed quite the decent level of intelligence.
"Got to say, it's good we made that arrangement with the Bishop when it counted. Having to constantly look over our backs for FRIENDLY FIRE is annoying."
"At least we could avoid a fight with the Bishop if we really wanted to, given the terms we set in place. The real problem is Eaniss. There's absolutely no way we can ignore her. I have a feeling she's going to sic on us some of her dogs on the way."
"Just fantastic, isn't it? Not mention, she has given our other enemies a chance to fight us as well make an attempt to raid this place while we're gone. I bet they think that with our core combatants gone, this place should be easy to raid given that it hasn't been long since we made it."
"They can try. Oh, I want them to try."
Replicus was sure it was only going to be conflict from here on out. Perhaps with no break in between either. The way to Edagon was probably going to be riddled with immense danger – perhaps even Cluster beasts that freely wandered the ocean.
This wasn't even including how exactly it was going to be like when they caught up to the masked man. Replicus was certain that facing this man was going to be the greatest challenge of all.
And speaking of the masked man, the Emissary had assured the Faction leaders that he wasn't moving at as rapid a pace as they suspected. It seemed he was not in a hurry to face the Paladin Champion waiting by the Central Boundary.
Even if he was in a hurry though, the course to the Central Boundary was very, very long. It didn't help that most teleportation means required users to have either visited their destination before, or to at least see it with their eyes. On the sea, with barely any landmarks, such means were not that useful.
The masked man seemed to prefer to save his strength by using a large water vessel for transport – which was likely to be exceedingly powerful given what the seas and skies past the Boundary were like – rather than resort to supernatural means of covering vast distances.
Also, according to the Emissary, even if the masked man had a headstart, the vessels he provided were the best of the best. They were faster and more resilient.
With how Replicus believed most of what the Emissary said, he also chose to put his faith in how the Emissary had faith in his products.
A sigh came from the Penetrator's mouth.
The trip to the Labyrinth of the Yoke which he had been agonising over, would have to wait for now.
That was the only piece left before he went to search for Skullius. That was plan before today.
Now, this journey, which he assumed would take a week at least, was going to shave away some of his remaining time before Doom Factor 2 needed tending to.
At that moment, someone walked towards Replicus.
It was Yuyui, the little creature that had hatched hours ago in her hands. It suddenly started to squirm and become restless when it saw the gleaming pool of lava below the Kindling Health.
"It's alright," Replicus said to Yuyui who was making an effort to keep the little thing still.
She then smiled lightly and let the small humanoid go. It dove into the pool and disappeared into it, though vicious ripples showed how much it was enjoying itself.
"Have you made your choice?" Replicus asked.
Yuyui hung her head.
She didn't speak for a while.
And then...
"Back then, Ferex had agreed to dig into my soul and help me find the memories I have forgotten... about my parents and what really happened the day I lost them. I was supposed to help him clear the same Cluster that overwhelmed us, and then he'd help, but..." she said.
Yuyui's powers had responded to excessive emotion before. That was how she had awakened the Eye of Dispersal. Replicus thought that was one way for her to awaken a third eye out of the twelve she was supposed to have.
Since she hadn't been in the state of mind to try anything related to it though, he had not given any suggestions.
Though, there was one other method that Yuyui could get stronger with.
Replicus remembered that Yuyui had managed to use Demion's Dance properly before. Like him, she didn't fear death, and the weapon resonated with her that time.
That was too complex a solution to even try out, unfortunately.
Anyway...
"You don't have to give it too much thought. Even if you were to say you wanted to stay by my side, I wouldn't pick you for this journey. That wouldn't help you at all," Replicus said to Yuyui who shrank.
She had more she wanted to say, but she didn't know how to say it.
Being useless was hard to make appealing.
What case could she make for herself?
The kind of mind set she had... was it the one that her Hidden Class required in the long run?
Yuyui wasn't afforded any more time to think over what she wanted to say to Replicus, sadly.
Allora marched up to the Penetrator and gave a huge smile.
"Everything's ready, boss!" she said.
Replicus nodded and stood from the throne.
He walked through the lava and emerged out of it to stand before Yuyui who he then pulled along. Behind them, the easily forgotten figure of Pherdanta followed.
Replicus looked down at Yuyui who seemed to want to fit in his palm which lightly pushed her from her back.
"I'll say it again. I meant it when I said I'm fine with whatever you choose. Though, there is one instance in the near future where I might need your help, Yuyui," Replicus said, his sockets flashing from dim to bright twice.
Yuyui looked up at him.
"What is it?" she asked desperately.
***
On the shore of Deign, under the dark night sky, all the members of Replicus' Faction could be seen gathered around something huge.
The Penetrator sighed at the sight.
He often recalled that this team of his didn't have a name. Every other Faction had their own.
To the Penetrator however, a name was useless before this group set out for its true mission – the real reason behind its existence. That was when he would grant a name.
"Hmph."
Replicus looked up.
His subordinates were all looking up at the massive vessel a few meters from Deign – a great ship made to brave calamities of the seas and skies.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l