Hours passed. Alm and Bruno took the opportunity to tell everything to everyone there. They were their most trusted people: their brother and their three disciples.
Ruri and Almin already knew half of the story. So, they calmly explained about their lives in the universe ruled by the queen. The part about Earth was considered unnecessary, something that would stay between them and Ruri. In the end, they talked about the discovery of the queen and how they were separated, and then arrived in this universe.
"In the end, we seem like two souls. But we are one person, and sometimes we even merge again. Eventually, we will figure out how this works," Bruno said to everyone. "We should eventually return to our original form... I think."
None of them could say anything; their minds were a mess with so much information. Almin looked especially shocked at Alm; his appearance was the same as the Alm he knew. But the other opposite was quite different; they just explained that they had lived another life before, and this was his appearance.
The souls returned to the body without much fanfare. The whale opened its eyes calmly.
"It was always two... I... I knew!" murmured Ruri astonished.
The whale sighed. She had indeed always known internally; she even treated the two completely differently. In fact, she could, just by looking at them, know who was in charge. Yet, all of this was instinctive; she wouldn’t have such a fertile imagination to theorize that they were really two.
"So that’s it. Master ended up in this different body; when we met, it was a little janitor robot. But still, wicked and cool! Aiai...," Rehvka began to speak, smiling.
The whale concluded emotionlessly. "Don’t worry too much about that. Let’s get to what matters."
Rehvka was introduced properly by the whale. He told what happened in the last main quest. Everyone heard that Rehvka was much older than she appeared and even waged a war on their behalf. In the end, he chose to die for it; if they hadn’t arrived, she wouldn’t exist anymore.
Everyone’s gaze quickly shifted to her without any defense. She was one of them; they lived something similar to her. But it was for only a hundred years; whereas she had been waging a war on behalf of the whale for almost a thousand.
"From now on, she will live with us..."
They paused, feeling her gently grasp their arm. But they saw her genuinely happy eyes and face and didn’t have the heart to complain. Meanwhile, Ruri walked lightly to the opposite arm and clung to it, making the whale sigh heavily.
Almin and Corin looked at Rehvka and quickly understood. In her existed trust, adoration, and extreme loyalty; nothing more. She was a true disciple. And there was a kind of love like that of a sister or a daughter; there was nothing strange or hidden there.
Ruri seemed to sense that, too. But she couldn’t stand still watching another beautiful woman clinging to her master. Ruri now had no anger; just a subtle competition for attention existed.
Afterwards, they talked and got to know each other better. Alm and Bruno finally put Corin in the loop and explained everything to Rehvka and him. Thus, the whale asked about all the events. Soon, they learned about the many casualties. Almost all the Cerberuses were gone; Detue and Alnia died fighting; the entire realm of the dwarves was crushed... many losses, which weighed heavily.
Knock, knock.
The whale nodded, and the door opened. It was Oldis and Vuard, who were summoned by the whale through the formation.
"Lord." They spoke in unison and kneeled.
The whale sighed, "I heard that you lost your children in battle. I failed to protect them..."
"No, sir. They all died honorably. They died managing to kill a bastard who was responsible for commanding the destruction of the dwarven kingdom. That helped to avenge my race a bit. Everyone who sacrificed themselves knew that you would return. Now, we can unleash our frustrations. Please, command us!" Oldis said firmly with confidence.
Alm and Bruno listened and nodded. That dwarf woman had changed a lot; she always had talent for cultivation and fighting. But she was always protected by the dwarf king, her husband, and everyone around. Now, she had flourished her talent and will; she had the aura of a powerful and focused warrior.
"I am assessing the situation and restoring my allies. Vuard," the whale spoke and turned to the dwarf. "I heard that you mastered the part of the Forge God’s Dao that I gave you. I will give you other parts, but first, I have a task for you."
The whale turned to Rehvka, who nodded, already knowing. This dwarf would help to rebuild Thea. Currently, Thea had only awakened her soul but couldn’t speak. She needed a body. So, Rehvka introduced herself and left with the dwarf to the forge. She would assist in this, having basic knowledge she learned from the elven android.
With Oldis left in the room, the whale looked at her, who waited excitedly for her command. With a snort, they spoke slowly.
"I need a favor. A great ally of mine has died..."
They then recounted the story of a brave dwarf who fought with them throughout this century they were away. They didn’t exaggerate too much this time out of respect for their ally, they just stretched the time they spent together a bit.
Zaimo’s soul was much weaker compared to Ruri’s. Just a bit of that soul power they had restored him quite a bit. Now, if he were slowly generated and born, he would be completely healed. Memories wouldn’t return, but he would have a new life free from the queen’s domination. Then, Alm and Bruno could repay the karma they created with him.
"I know you’re now a respected general..."
The dwarf cut in gently. "For a woman to have children is a sacred and divine act! Something as serious and honorable as fighting. Only we can do it, no man can. To bear, nurture, and teach is a celestial honor. Please, let me bring this dwarf back into the world. I promise to care for him to become a hero as he once was."
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The whale sighed in relief, they couldn’t force it in any way. But soon, they saw Oldis’s somewhat pensive look. They didn’t quite understand, but Ruri spoke immediately.
"Don’t worry, we’ll throw a welcome party for our new sister. It will be the perfect day," Ruri said, smiling. "Almin will help too."
Alm and Bruno understood. Vuard had become obsessed with the forge, and now that they gave him a new and unique job. He would stay there for a long time, he wouldn’t leave in any way. They needed to create an opportunity, and Almin would contribute with some pills to ensure she gets pregnant.
A spatial ring was handed to Oldis, who held it happily and excitedly. Despite her change, she still wanted and liked to be a mother. Losing her children must have been painful, and now she would start over. But with a completely different mindset.
When she left, the whale turned to Almin and handed him the second level of the Dao of the Alchemy God. He left eagerly to dive into his studies.
Next, the whale turned to Corin. "Study the array and the laws you can use from all those within it. Due to your bloodline, you have the talent to become the best array user. Rehvka is a Yin specialist; with her, you will have access to earth and fire, coming from me and Almin. Unlike others, who can only use the basics, you’ll be able to employ all our high-level power without needing to cultivate it directly. That’s the kind of bloodline you have, the progenitor bloodline of all bloodlines. Prepare yourself properly."
Corin nodded vigorously and left full of energy. With only the whale and Ruri remaining in the room, Alm and Bruno thought about the system, and a green screen appeared.
[Upgrade Points available: 20]
These points came from the optional quest, added to the 10 celestial points already spent. It was exactly the amount needed.
[Dao of the Formation God] [20 Upgrade Points]
[Total: 20 Upgrade Points]
[Accept? Yes / No]
They accepted, and as they closed their eyes, knowledge surged. Upon opening them again, they found Ruri filled with anticipation. Quickly, they relayed everything to her. The Dao of the Beast Tamer God wasn’t as necessary, considering the technique she received from Leafar was already at the maximum divine level.
As for formations, Ruri had already demonstrated her talent in manipulating the city’s formation. Now, she just needed opportunities to further develop. Alm and Bruno urgently needed a formations expert.
Though it seemed like everything was under control and the formation was protecting them, it would only hold for a maximum of a month. They were consuming all the resources left by the twelve families in the formation, theoretically making it impossible to be invaded. However, they had no way to replenish the barrier’s resources at the moment. Perhaps Ruri could find a solution to that.
With that, they left Ruri in the room and went out to investigate many things, plan, and prepare for the next step. The blade was at their throats.