After parting with Kai, Ray continued walking through the slums, the encounter and the entire situation still churning in his mind.
He had lost his composure for a second there. The thought left a bitter taste. He was especially angry at himself for letting that idiot, Tessai, get a free hit.
With his Aspect, it would have been a simple thing to evade and then counter that obvious, rage-fueled attack. But Ray didn't. He had let the anger dictate his response.
Luckily, the jarring impact, which was completely absorbed by his armor's enchantment, also helped snap him out of it. The physical shock cut through the red haze of his fury. If not for that, Tessai would likely still be on the ground, and he wouldn't be getting back up by himself ever again.
Why?
Because in that moment, Ray was just about to use a move similar to the one that had shocked most of the castle just mere weeks ago. His version was slightly different from how Neph had done it, but the principle was the same. Both were ways to secretly summon weapons without the enemy noticing.
Most of these advanced techniques relied on a relatively simple diversion of attention. Some variants used the user's Aspect to hide the summoning sparks of light, some summoned the weapons slightly out of sight in a blind spot, and others even relied on complex psychological phenomena to misdirect an opponent's focus.
Nevertheless, what all these techniques had in common was their deadly intent and the principle that they were more of a battle strategy than a fighting style or technique.
This moment had also shown Ray that he would most likely slip up again sometime in the future, if a simple taunt was already enough to trigger him so profoundly. He though he had changed enough to let this darker past behind him. His old self.
In the past he had done many things he wasn't necessarily proud about, but that was merely his perspective today. At those times it felt right. Good even. It was his aunt that had helped him to change for the better.
One of her main concerns was his disinterest in most other people. Though, for one reason or another this had already changed, and if he liked it or not, he really found people he got to care about – basically accomplishing one of the things his aunt had been trying for so long now.
Ray needed to continuously work on this from now on even more, but for now there were other things to consider as well, therefore he brought these thoughts right to the back of his mind, keeping them there to reflect about them carefully when he really had the time for it.
Right now, what bothered Ray even more than his momentary slip in his behavior were two other things.
If he would've went through with his original objective – namely killing, or at the very least, maiming Tessai – then everyone around outside of the bright castle would be on borrowed time. The third bright lord, the one known for his cruel rule would never allow anyone to kill one of his lieutenants and walk away unscathed.
Sure, Ray could escape nearly everything they could throw at him, but what would happen to the other ones?
Well, people like Effie, Henry, Neph or Caster could make a run for it if the need arose, but most others here would most definitely fall to Gunlaug's people, and if he had caused their demise like this, then he would've been even worse than what Nephis was apparently planning.
And that was something Ray didn't want- no couldn't accept.
Ray shook his head, and thought back to his other slip up, if it could even be called that.
What he had told Kai, about how his hair was the only thing he still had from his mother… well, the only physical thing he still had from her was his hair.
It wasn't a lie per se, but also only a half truth, because both of his parents had left behind training regimens and techniques of theirs, which by now had been completely learned and implemented by Ray. Of course, useful were only the parts of them that were usable without actively controlling ones soul essence.
Technically, even if Kai had noticed something – which from his reaction to guess didn't happen – it wouldn't be catastrophically since sooner or later they would find out about that part, but for now he didn't want to drop that bomb already.
He just didn't know if it would cause them to look at him differently. After all, Ray had fully inherited his polearms talent from her, who had once been known under quite a few names, the one most commonly used though remained 'Spear Princess of the Valkyries'.
A moniker that may not hold much importance nowadays, but caused waves everywhere back then. Back when most things were easier.
-----
Having sorted through most of his thoughts, at least superficially for now, Ray finally stopped his mindless wandering. Looking up, he could see a familiar door – with his arm already reaching for the handle.
Effie's door.
He shook his head, retracted his hand and went over to his own hut next to hers and entered it instead.
While he would have liked to have some fun with her, it wasn't really possible for the time being. Ever since his transformation, his body had become too unpredictable. Those spots of oblivion that appeared all over it could be quite volatile, especially when his emotions ran high or during close physical contact. This was also why he had needed to decline her repeated, straightforward offers since then, resulting in some weirdly awkward situations whenever they were alone.
Nevertheless, now being in the usual and – by now – familiar confines of his own home, here on the forgotten shore, he couldn't help but think back for a second to his prior predicament, but dismissed it quickly again.
'With that enormous ego and pride of his, Tessai probably won't get the Bright Lord involved,' Ray reasoned internally. 'He'll resort to something petty, try to get back at me himself. And even though I won this time, it was mostly because he was too cocky. Still... I highly doubt I would actually lose to him when it comes down to it for real.'
Ignoring it for now, he chose to just continue with the time he had. He sat down and once again focused on the tome, his mind delving into the complex runes.
He was beginning to make sense of what the next part was about and how the principles were supposed to work. The concepts felt less alien now, the logic behind them slowly taking shape in his mind. Though, actually replicating the abilities described within seemed as far off as ever.
Understanding was one thing; application was another beast entirely, after all. Especially since most of these techniques seemed would be a lot easier if he could consciously control his essence, but for that he would need to become an awakened.
Which meant nothing more than to escape this hell.
*sigh*
-----
From that moment on, the time began to fly by again.
Days bled into one another, filled with a new, intense routine. Ray continued to delve deeper into his tome, understanding more and more of the next step as time went on. The principles of a new ability began – slowly but surely – to solidify in his mind.
Now, however, he didn't just study anymore. He began actively hunting again, throwing himself into the deadly rhythm of the Forgotten Shore. He would either participate in the larger group hunts organized by Nephis or would sometimes venture out by himself or with his trusted companions, Effie and Henry.
Because of this renewed fervor, the counter that had been a bit stagnant lately began climbing again, little by little. Each slain Nightmare Creature added to his growing pool of fragments.
Sadly, not even a single memory was rewarded for his kills. By now, Ray found this weirder and weirder, but ultimately attributed it to bad luck, since he didn't have an explanation.
Though, another thing entirely was that Kai never showed up in that time.
Not after a few days. Not after a week. And not even after two whole weeks had passed. That was also around the time Ray began suspecting there to be something foul at play. Kai was reliable most of the times, often notifying Aiko of occurrences. But, right now? Nothing.
Even if his mission had been extended, he would have found a way to send a message. This silence was too unnatural.
Having had enough of simply waiting, Ray began looking into this himself.
And while doing so, he had a rather… 'engaging conversation' with one of Tessai's lackeys, cornering the guy during one of his routine patrols close to the castle's entrance.
This time, though, Ray had entered not through the main gate, but through the walls, thanks to his aspect. All to remain undetected. He also had to, once again, accept that his aspect was basically made for someone treacherous or underhanded…
Back to the topic, after repeatedly… 'asking, the man finally broke. He revealed that they had apparently trapped his charming friend somewhere deep within the Dark City. Safely. That moron didn't know much more, as it was Tessai himself who had orchestrated the ambush and put Kai into his current 'prison'.
After getting what he wanted, and since the man was of no more use to him, Ray took the Memories of their conversation, leaving the guard alive but terrified, and disappeared back into the walls of the bright castle.
He now had a general idea where to look for Kai, though it would most likely still take day to find him.
As for Tessai… he seemed to have remained in the inner parts of the castle for the past days. Hiding like a coward. Eventually the man would need to come out again, and if he were to cross Ray's way, well, then the outcome may be slightly different to before.
A dangerous glint appeared in his eyes, 'I suppose, slightly reverting back wouldn't be too bad, right…'
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Sorry for the late upload today, i just came back from a vacation and it was a day longer than i had thought, so i made this as soon as i arrived back home :)