CHAPTER 804: FINAL EMBERS

’When it comes to the attack skills, we don’t really need to set them up into the array. Keeping my attacks flexible would be ideal.’

[Makes sense. I’m guessing you want to turn techniques that take long prep right? So physical resonance for the blood form would be one.]

’Yeah, it takes a bit long to activate everything in sequence. In battle, that gap would be pretty dangerous so the chances of me using it aren’t high. But if we turn it into an array, it’s a good panic skill to use in order to avoid direct damage.’

Alice and Cayla sorted out her abilities, turning them into skills with hard durations and cooldowns.

’The array is getting a bit big. Even with the automation, it might take a while to activate.’ Alice frowned.

[No worries, we can layer them on top of one another. Different parts have different speeds. Just make sure they finish in sequence and the skill will activate regardless.] Cayla didn’t even hesitate for a single beat.

Her hands worked while her eyes darted from array to array, etching them into the walls of Alice’s mental scape.

Once it’s finished, a single injection of energy would be enough. Then, if the skill isn’t ready, it’ll be dim. A visual cue.

Cayla took a break, leaning back and looking at the wall of arrays.

The skills that Alice had mastered over the course of her journey as a Hunter. A mural of her progression.

With each skill, Cayla could remember the stories that were tied to it. The lessons she received, the battles she had to fight.

Then she remembered Kazira’s Sigil.

This time, Cayla had an idea.

[Alice.]

’Hm? What is it?’ Alice glanced over curiously.

[Have you ever thought about perhaps turning these into something similar to a Sigil? To allow anyone inside your Second Resonance to use it?] Cayla suggested.

Alice was about to respond when she froze up.

She glanced up at the arrays.

While they require different Sigils to activate, they’re only taking a portion of the powers.

If she were to dissect each Sigil then merge them together...

’An artificial Sigil... One where I can create a skill for someone to use...’ Alice widened her eyes.

Ideas flooding into her mind, fresh inspiration.

Countless possibilities appearing all at once!

The potential was... limitless!

Say she was fighting Kazira again. If she was to read the history of Kazira’s battle then transform the knowledge of her fighting style into a Sigil, she could bestow it to all of her allies!

Effectively, everyone would know Kazira’s every move and options!

Alice’s smile trembled.

’Cayla you’re a genius.’ Alice laughed.

[I know I am, so keep the praise coming.] Cayla flipped her hair.

###

With Alyss helping Gwen, Syrion took the backseat and sat by the tree.

Griselda took this chance to sit down next to him.

"Seems like you gathered your thoughts."

"A little. But she is a strange one." Griselda sighed.

Never in her countless years as an Apostle has she seen a soul so strange. Each major injury a rebirth of the entire body and soul.

To ’reset’ her body into its prime condition.

"Is her regeneration stumping you?" Syrion asked curiously, surprised that Griselda was having so much trouble.

"This time it’s not just her regeneration. You know about my condition right? My capacity of Spiritual Hearts." Grisela asked, sinking her puppet hands into her shadow.

The countless shadows tethered to the myriad of Spiritual Hearts she’s gathered.

Syrion froze. He recalled a conversation he had with her in the past. An argument of sorts.

He criticised her acquisition and accumulation of Spiritual hearts at the cost of others. While she argued its beauty.

"Ah jeez, stop looking at me with those eyes." Griselda pouted, kicking Syrion on the ass.

"I’ve changed. If I didn’t, do you think my supply would be slowly dwindling? I’m only taking it from those who are about to die on the battlefield. Not dragging anyone innocent into it." She revealed, hugging her knees in annoyance.

"Plus... It’s what you asked me to do, right?" She snuck a few glances over to Syrion.

"Right, I’ll be honest, I just remember how much of a bit-"

"How much a what now? Go on, finish your sentence." Griselda’s smile twitched, raising her arm with a silent threat.

"Ahem, I mean I only remember how much you’ve changed over the years ahaha." Syrion laughed, scratching the back of his head.

Rolling her eyes, Griselda sighed and rested her chin on her knees.

Her eyes drifted over to Alice.

"She’s going to be in danger. If Lumiria or Nanna finds her, things won’t end well."

"You sound conflicted."

"Why wouldn’t I be?" Griselda sighed. "A bundle of mysteries is exactly what Nanna likes. And what I used to like. Oh the lengths Nanna will go to get her hands on a prime subject."

"Used to? Man, more time must’ve passed than I thought. What changed?" Syrion asked curiously.

He knew how much Griselda loved to experiment with her ideas in the past.

To find power and potential in Spiritual Hearts.

But for her to give it up, something big must’ve happened.

Griselda scratched her cheek, eyes sneaking a glance at Syrion.

They made eye contact for a moment as Griselda quickly looked away.

"Well... I just... Mnm. I just found something else I like, so I lost interest in experimenting." She coughed lightly.

Syrion tilted his head. He folded his arms, contemplating before clapping his hands together.

"I got it!"

"Huh?" Griselda panicked.

"You must’ve enjoyed making puppets right? I mean, your vessel right now is carefully designed by your own hands. It must’ve taken a long time to do so." Syrion gave her a thumbs up.

The blush on Griselda’s face immediately disappeared.

"Yeah... Puppets." She sighed.

"It looks a lot better than before. A beautiful vessel for a kind person." Syrion praised, unaware of Griselda’s predicament.

"You... I swear..." Griselda hid her face in her arms.

One moment he’s clueless and the next he says something like this. Does he want to give her a heart attack??? Griselda didn’t know.

"Did I say something wrong?"

"No you didn’t. But I’m still going to hit you anyway." Griselda sighed.

"Why?!"

After a quick round of beatings, Griselda felt satisfied.

"I’m going to create a new puppet for them to fight. Something that’ll help record some details that I need. After that, I think I’ll be able to solve the soul issue." Griselda glanced over to Alyss who was teaching Gwen some moves that she could potentially use.

The ideal way to shift her body, footwork and even mental warfare.

"Right now, from what you’ve told me, the girl doesn’t know the limits of her own soul. Her capacity. For her to improve, she needs to first understand what she can or can’t withstand." Griselda explained.

"But beyond that, there’s not much I can do to help. She’s probably the most familiar with her own condition. And I can tell you now, this is beyond the scope of what I usually work with."

"I see... So she’s an anomaly even for you."

"Yep. I specialise in souls. But for this girl, souls are just a small part of it. Hell, even the soul that the Spiritual hearts are anchored to felt... artificial. No, that’s not accurate. The soul has gone through natural growth, but a portion has been artificially modified." Griselda scratched her hair.

"I loathe to admit it, but whoever messed around with her soul knows more about it than I ever will."

Hearing this kind of response from Griselda was a surprise for Syrion. Especially since she’s the Apostle of a religion that’s all about the soul.

"Sorry." Griselda apologised with a downcast look. Even though Syrion had brought her over for some help, she wasn’t able to resolve the issue.

"It’s fine, you’ve been a great help so far. And soon, the training session will be coming to an end. Gwen’s been steadily improving while Kaia is proving herself to be a monster of instincts. There won’t be much left to teach them."

Griselda held her breath.

She had mentally prepared herself before but after seeing Syrion training with Alice and Gwen, she had forgotten about it.

She acted ignorant despite knowing what was to come. But now the truth was looking her dead in the eyes once more.

This was probably going to be the last few times she’s going to talk to him.

Griselda struggled. She thought she was ready, she thought she had prepared herself.

But now that she was talking and laughing with him again, everything came crumbling down.

"I’ll need a bit of time... alone. I’ll get the puppet sorted by tomorrow and we can prepare for the spar." Griselda forced a smile, walking away before Syrion could even say anything.

The longer she stayed around him, the harder it became for her.

She didn’t know whether or not she would do something she’d regret. In a moment of weakness... teh lengths she’ll go... Griselda sped up her footsteps.

Almost desperate to leave this place.

Looking at her back, Syrion sighed.

"I’m already a dead man, why such an attachment?" He smiled bitterly, knowing that his old friend didn’t want to see him go.

Turning his attention to Alyss and Gwen, Syrion clenched his fist.

Even if the two girls weren’t ready, his time was running out.

He could feel it. He was burning out.

Now that he finally reached his home, his journey was complete.

The next time he switches out with the pale knight within, he’s not coming back out.

Therefore, while he was still himself, he hoped everything would come to an end.