In what used to be Krell's torture chamber now only Bultear and his exhausted body were left, from the giant floating head came a crunching sound, as if a delicious meal was being eaten. Then it started to slowly dissipate with the face of rage and malice coming down from above. It bit off the chains binding Bultear to the metal table. Standing up shakily, the fatigue and pain promptly made way for a massive influx of mixed emotions.
His face right now was a canvas for a myriad of feelings, that had overwhelmed him far too quickly so that his face could not properly express it all. He was trembling from either pain or shock - maybe both. The fleshy, bloodied face of horror came up close to him. This reminded Bultear of something he deep down thought he'd lost.
"Sigmund? .... I that you?"
It came even closer in response to his words, the familiar looking face, that would always look up at him with happiness when he fed him. Just like then, it was looking up at him once again, but this time everything was different. Was it dead? Undead? Did it come back to life like he had? Bultear did not know, what he did know was to the spent, tired, half dead him seeing his friend's face was what he sorely needed- no matter in which form it came. Extending his shaking hand putting it atop of Sigmund's head, with a face half in tears half in smiling he said.
" Welcome back friend."
It was too much for him. Everything that happened in these past two days made him nearly go insane. Even if he was a floating head now, even if he was horrific now, it didn't matter to him right now. If even if it was fleeting, he would enjoy this one moment of rest.
The moment he felt that his hand that was touching Sigmund's head felt a tremor as the floating wolf head condensed into itself. The blood started wiggling, the flesh turned read. Bultear's eyes that were like saucers now, saw Sigmund's head turn into a red orb. The translucent orb fell on the ground at his feet.
Before Bultear could make sense of another situation that took a unexpected turn, he heard a booming, grandiose voice in his mind.
[ Your mission: Claim the Orb of Weeping.]
' It's that voice again! From that dimension!'
Turning his head to look at the red orb. Asking in his thoughts.
' Tell me! Who are you, what do you want from me, why is all this happening to me?'
[....]
Clicking his tongue in displeasure at the silence that answered him, he crouched down and picked up the orb. He wanted to observe it closely but the breaching rays of sunlight hitting his face stopped him dead in his tracks. Quickly turning his face to the source, he saw a white-haired man with blood red eyes entering the room slowly.
' He's that lunatic's companion from before!'
Bultear took two steps back when he saw him, hiding the orb behind his back. The guarded, threatened baring from Bultear was not taken as an insult by Safir.
" Hello, Bultear. I wasn't able to properly introduce myself last time we saw each other. My name is Safir Urmtren, the director of Evolver affairs at E.S.O.P, a pleasure to meet your acquaintance."
"E.S.O.P again? What do you want form me so much, huh? Is there no end to your constant attacks. Are you going to kill me now? To take revenge for your partner that I killed."
" That is not why I am here, let me speak to you on behalf of E.S.O.P: I offer you my apologies."
Do you really think I'd trust you, after all you and your people did to me?"
"Of course not, but what I offer you, as price for our transgressions, is the chance to find out more about yourself. You will be protected by me personally and in turn I hope we can amend this relationship through time."
" I hope you don't think my curiosity of my origin is strong enough to trump my self respect, why would I join you. I could easily join one those other factions that Pax guy mentioned."
" That would be a problem."
" So what? I was attacked by you while I was completely innocent, what difference does it make if you do it when I'm 'guilty'."
"Then it seems we are at an impasse. If you would allow me, I would like to speak to you as Safir Urmtren an individual, not as a superior. The orb you are trying to hide, I know of a similar one."
"How?"
Asked Bultear, his curiosity peaked.
" A long time ago I met a man who had it... If you want to know more, let us form a truce and save the story for later."
An evident level of hesitation was visible on Bultear's face as he thought to himself.
' Since that voice doesn't want to say tell me anything, fine then. I'll dip my toes into this adventure. Let's see where it takes me. I died once already, was betrayed once already and was almost tortured, I'm not afraid.'
Coming closer to Safir, he outstretched his free hand to clasp Safir's firm but thin palm in a handshake.
" Fine, Mr. director Safir I accept your truce, for now."
" I'm glad Bultear, I believe our cooperation will bring us both great benefits."
To Safir's calm smile, Bultear smiled derisively.
" Don't get too comfortable, I won't trust you, you know."
" That is fine by me. Now, let us get out of here. It is high time you rested after all of these events."
After saying that, Safir put his hand on his shoulder.
"What're you-"
Before he could finish his question, he saw the world blur as he was teleported away from this bloody room, where his existence as legend had his awakening.