I returned to Lazar's house. Lazar was not there yet, therefore I decided to just wait there, instead of going to the Upper Olrad. I asked Crow "How do you feel?". Crow nodded his head, and replied "I'm not complaining. If not for you, I would be dead anyway, so at least I'm still alive". I smiled, and said "Don't worry, I will find a way to replace your eyes". Although I said that, I wasn't sure whether it was possible. The Art of Medicine, was able to cure loads of things, but it was not invincible. There could be some things, that just couldn't be replaced or healed.
I sat down in one of the chairs, while Crow asked "Where is that other friend of yours? She didn't return?". I replied "She stayed at her new master's place. By the way Crow, tell me, how did you get into such a mess?". Crow replied "I told you, that I liked someone right?". I replied "Yes". Crow continued "Well, turns out she is a bitch. When Teron found out, that I was meeting her, he warned me to just leave her alone. I was stubborn though. At first, I thought that Teron was jealous. Jealous that we talked with each other, and enjoyed our own companies. It was all a scam in the end. It turns out, she belonged to another prominent group, and wanted to get some information out of me. Unfortunately for me, I did provide some information to her. Teron was not happy with me, and tried to punish me. I ran away, and like an idiot, tried to get help from Irin. That is her name by the way. She seemed concerned at first, but that was a scam again. She wanted more information from me. I was angry at Teron, who wanted to punish me for a small leak. I was ignorant, and didn't think of it as something major. So I provided her, with whatever I knew about Overseers. That's what she was after".
After a short pause, he continued "As you may imagine, when Teron learned about that, he was angry. I tried to get Irin's help, but she turned cold towards me. My purpose was already fulfilled, she no longer wanted to even associate with me. I knew I messed up, therefore I decided to take the punishment". I was a bit confused at this point, and asked "Then, why were you in severs? If you chose to take the punishment".
Crow replied "Teron was very angry with me, but because I've been a member of Overseers for a very long time, and I even broke through my Half Step, he gave me a second chance. I was confined in the basement, as my punishment. This was all a scam again. He had another purpose for me. I was supposed to be used, as a some sort of scapegoat. This would result in my death. I only learned about it, thanks to a friend who visited the confinement room".
I asked "So you decided to get away?". Crow nodded his head, and said "Yes. I could try to run away, or die. I chose to try and run away. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to leave the city, and had to hide in the severs. They still took a while to find me, and they only managed that, thanks to Teron. Because the event that I was supposed to take responsibility for passed, Teron ripped my arm off, as well as removed my eyes. He left me half dying, because he knew, I wouldn't be able to get out of the severs, or find anything to eat. I would die a slow and painful death".
Crow then continued "Fortunately, you found me rather quickly. Otherwise, you would only collect my dead body". I nodded my head, and said "Well, Teron is no longer around. What is your plan about that Irin woman?". Crow became angry, and said "If I ever get my eyes back, I will kill her with my own hands. That bitch used me twice, and to think I saw something in her". I was a bit confused, and asked "But a long time passed, since we last met. Why didn't she use you sooner?". Crow shook his head, and replied "Because I was still a low ranking member. Not too long ago, my ranking improved, and that is when she started showing "affection" towards me. Her goal is obvious to me now, but although I had eyes, I was just as blind as I'm now". I thought about something, and said "I have plans for you Crow, but before that, we need to replace your eyes". Crows asked "What plans?". I smiled, and replied "In due time my friend, in due time".
We waited a bit longer, and Lazar finally showed up. Lazar changed as well. He now had a small goatee on his chin, and he seemed more mature. When Lazar walked in, he was surprised to say the least. Not only was a Human and a Shade sitting in his living room, his daughter was not around. Before he got any ideas, I said "It's me". Lazar finally realised who I was, and asked "Nex? You've changed a lot". He then pointed at Crow, and asked "This is?".
I replied "My friend Crow. I need you to find him a safe place to live. Before you ask, he can't see, and his arm has just been attached back. That is why, I need a place for him to stay". Lazar thought about it for a while, and said "He could stay here, but there isn't much space. The house is only big enough for Suly and me really". I smiled, and said "Then he will stay here. Suly will be coming home less often now".
Lazar looked at me, and asked "What did you do again?". I laughed, and said "Don't worry so much. She is still in Olrad, I just found her a master, to teach her some stuff". Lazar was confused, and asked "What stuff?". I smiled, and replied "Formations". He was quite shocked, when he heard that. Lazar asked "Don't tell me, you actually convinced that Alicia, to take her in?". I replied "Actually, it was Suly who convinced her". Lazar smiled, and said "Well damn me. My daughter is really going to learn about Formations... ".
I said "Therefore, you will live alone for most of the time. Crow will keep you company. He is not so bad, as long as you feed him". Crow butted in "I'm not a pet you know!". Lazar smiled, and said "Sure, he can stay. He is your friend after all, so he is my friend too". I nodded my head, and took out some money. I gave Lazar a small bag that contained 100 Black Hals, and said "This is for his food, and whatever you like". Lazar shook his head, and said "I don't need money. Keep it, it will be useful to you, I'm sure". He threw the small bag back to me. I walked over, and said "Take it, I have loads more".
Lazar laughed, and said "I can afford couple of Black Hals you know?". I handed him the small bag again, and said "Take it, and check if it's enough". Lazar mumbled something under his nose, then opened the bag. His expression was priceless, when he saw the amount. He exclaimed "This is at least 80 Black Hals. Who did you rob to have that much? You also said you have much more. Are you that wealthy now, or something?". I smiled, and replied "More or less. Take it, Crow likes to eat a lot. Besides, buy something for yourself as well".
He was about to give the bag back, but I released my Aura, and said "Don't even dare, handing that back to me". Lazar was shocked, and quickly hid the bag in his clothes. When he did that, I retracted my Aura. Crow commented "You are just showing off". I smiled, but didn't say anything. Lazar was stunned, and asked "You are very strong now. Well, I guess loads of time passed already, and you didn't just sit on your ass".
I laughed a bit, and said "I'm off then. I just came by to leave Crow here. I have some stuff to take care of". Lazar asked "You are not going to visit Harlin?". I replied "I will be back here in a while, we can meet then". Lazar nodded his head, and said "Alright". I then recalled something, and said "Oh right! I have a gift for you. Actually, a few of them". Lazar seemed confused, and asked "What gifts?". I took out the extracted Serelis, and handed it to him.
Lazar asked "What is this thing?". I said "This is Serelis. It has an effect to calm one's mind. Drink it, you are always so stressed, this will calm your mind". Lazar mumbled "I don't really need that though…". I then asked "What stage are you at? Did you break through your Half Step?". Lazar shook his head, and said "No, I'm close though". I said "Then take this", and I took out some of the Zenith Blood Yarn Extract.
Lazar again asked "What is that exactly?". I replied "This will help you purify your blood. The amount may look tiny, but believe me, when you take it, you will see the results for yourself". Lazar seemed surprised, and asked "Is this real? I mean such thing is quite expensive, and it doesn't help as much as we would like". I replied "It's many times stronger, than what is available on the market. Just this 10 milliliters, will purify your blood by a lot. Just beware, the process is quite painful".
Lazar nodded, and asked "This is very useful. Where did you get it from?". I replied "I made it myself". I then turned towards Crow, and said "You already took one, but it was different. When you are healed up, I will give you some as well. Maybe you will be able to break through, to your Inner Limits". Crow didn't seem happy about it, and said "I don't think, I want to go through the pain again".
I turned towards Lazar, and gave him some medicine too. "This is some of my medicine. Just have it with you. Also, give this and this to Harlin, from me". I handed him another 15 milliliters of Zenith Blood Yarn Extract, and two bottles of medicine. Lazar asked a bit annoyed "Why does Harlin get more?". I smiled, and said "Do you want to die? Then take the 15 milliliters. Harlin broke through his Half Step, right?". Lazar nodded his head "That is why, he can take more". Lazar nodded his head, and said "Alright, I will pass all that to him". I nodded, and said "Take good care of Crow. I will be back in a while. It should be a lot sooner, than previously". Lazar nodded his head, while I said farewell to Crow, and left Olrad.