Fox managed to perfect her balance, when we were only a day or two from the borderline dividing North from Endrosian Empire. I told her to focus more on her movement technique now instead. She made little to no progress in those past few weeks. Before we crossed the border, I decided to collect some herbs. Although I had medicine, I wanted to stock up on herbs, and produce some lesser medicines. I had no money, and I would need loads of it, if I wanted to get a few things made.
'I wonder if Crow and others are doing well' I thought while collecting herbs. Fox just looked at me, and stood there as if waiting for something. I asked "Want to help me?". She nodded and replied, "How do I help you?". I said with a smirk "Go practice your movement technique, instead of staring at me for no reason". She turned around, and walked off to somewhere. 'Kara was a much better student. She would do anything I asked her for. She would even go beyond that, and try harder to improve. Fox doesn't seem to have such mindset' I thought.
That was the exact reason, I believed Fox wouldn't be able to master the Art of Stealth. She had no drive, and wasn't innovative. Kara on the other hand, had plenty of drive. Medical knowledge meant the world to her, and she constantly tried to expand her knowledge. She wasn't lazy either, Kara was at least three times as hardworking as Fox. 'I guess Kara is a village girl, and she can do stuff by herself. She knows how to organise herself, and push towards her goals. Fox on the other hand, as a girl from the city, especially with such a wealthy father, had everything handed to her' I thought.
I still planned to tell her about other training methods I learned, but I didn't expect much of her. 'She is not my student anyway' I thought. Me showing her how to do some exercises, was not the same as me teaching her. I focused on collecting herbs that day. There were always loads of herbs growing around, just before the border between the North and Endrosian Empire. It's like people didn't even bother collecting them.
The next day, we arrived at the borderline. Fox said with a sigh "Heeh…. Again with that stupid trial. No wonder people are reluctant to come here". I smiled, and said "Maybe not. Let's try something". I walked up to the line separating the wastelands from Great Forest, and extended my right hand. I moved it in and out for a while, then nodded my head. 'Still works' I thought and turned towards Fox.
"Grab my hand", I said while extending my left hand. She looked at me, and asked "Wh..Why do I need to do that?". I said "Just grab my hand, we will check something out". She walked over slowly, and grabbed my hand. I walked towards the line, and entered. Although a blast of wind hit my face when I passed through, it was no longer something that would make me stagger. I then pulled my left hand towards me, and Fox appeared behind the line as well.
She looked around confused for a while, then muttered some questions. "How?..What?..Where?...". I smiled, and said "This way it's quicker, don't you think?". She exclaimed at my face "What did you do!? How did you do it!?". I replied "I don't know how myself. I only know that I can come and go to the North as I please. It seems I can drag people with me too". She asked flustered "But.. but what about you know the trials, fighting and all that?". I replied "Completely skipped, great thing if you ask me. Alright let's go. We will visit Obsidian Mountains first. I want to check if Crow is there".
Fox only nodded and followed me. I knew she was shocked, because who wouldn't be? Everyone had to take those trials, but then comes along someone who can just pass through. Anyone who experienced that, would be shocked. Our entry point was much closer to the Obsidian Mountains this time, so it took us only two days, before we arrived at Olrad. When we walked inside the volcano, a few lizards stopped us.
"You can't enter. We were instructed to not allow any strangers in". I tilted my head, and asked "Why?". They looked at each other, and one of them asked "You don't know? Doesn't matter, you can't enter". I asked "Where is Lazar and Harlin? What is going on exactly?". One of them was about to repeat himself, when the other stopped him, and asked "Do you know them?". I nodded, and said "I came here to visit them. They are not here?". The guard asked "Can you prove it?". I then realised I saw that guy somewhere.
"Hey, don't I know you? You used to hang around with Harlin and Lazar". He looked at me for a while, and asked "Are you perhaps?..". "Of course I'm. I was the one who told you guys about the Yellow Dust. What is…", but before I could finish, he said "Come with me. It's good that you are back". I was confused and clueless at the same time. The answers laid inside, so I followed him.
We arrived at the Upper Olrad, and entered the large building in which I met Royal Lizards before. The guard took me upstairs, and knocked on the doors. I heard "Come in", and already knew it was Lazar. We entered the room, while Lazar asked "What is it Airil? Who is that?". Before Airil said anything, I walked forwards and said "Long time no see eh? Even you don't recognise me, maybe that's for the better".
Lazar stood up, and exclaimed "You are back! There's so much shit that went down… I will tell you everything, have a seat". I sat down, and Fox did the same. Lazar told Airil to return to his post, and to have a drink on his tap after his shift. I asked "What is going on exactly? People pointing weapons at me, when I try to enter. This tense and unusual atmosphere around Olrad. Did something happen?".
Lazar said "Eterians, that is what happened. They returned, and not alone". I wasn't shocked, I was already speculating about that before I even left North the last time. He looked at me, and asked "You are not shocked at all?". I replied "I already predicted they would make a move. After all, they were silent for too long. Of course, I didn't know when it would happen. I'm a bit surprised it happened so soon". I then asked "Not alone? With who?". He replied "Furians. Not only them, Vanauts and Mordars are there too, and in greater quantities than we ever imagined. The situation is really bad. Harlin is at the frontline, fighting together with the Royal Army. But we are slowly losing the fight. Royals even allowed us to use half of the Yellow Dust reserve, but that just won us one major fight, when we defended Arangard".
I asked "What about Crow? Where is he now?". Lazar replied "He went back to Sedon about two years ago. He already broke through his Inner Limits, and climbed the ladder inside Sedon. From what I know, he is one of the most influential Shades in there. Harlin also broke through, and I'm at the verge of breaking through. Although it might take me another year or two". I nodded and asked another question. "Suly and Alicia? Are they still here?". He nodded, then replied "Of course, I wouldn't allow them to leave this city. With war raging left and right, they stay inside the city. I say, my little Suly really does have a talent for Formations. You should visit her".
"Alright. Where is Harlin right now? Where do I find him?" I asked. Lazar replied "Not far away from Sedon actually. They made camp there, and fight off the enemies". I asked "What about Golems? And others?". He replied "The war is still fresh. It only lasts for about 2 months. Golems refuse to even budge a finger. Atols sent some warriors, but a very small minority. Voltars also joined in, but they have their hands full with defending their own city. There is no one else. Humans do help us out sometimes, but as you know, you guys are quite rare in these parts".
I said "I will visit Suly and Alicia first. I will need new gear anyway. Then I will head over to Harlin. I will see what we can do about tilting the scales in our favour". He exclaimed "Great! I hoped you would say that. In that case, take this seal with you. When you show it to the allied forces, they will let you inside the camps and cities. Visit me again later, especially if you need information. I will provide anything I can dig up". I nodded, and motioned to Fox that we were leaving.