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"Are we going to Viktor's place?" I asked, harboring a guess as to where I thought we were heading considering the general direction we were walking in.
In the back of my mind though, considering that the attack on us just happened, we were thought to be a big enough threat to get eliminated first. That is what I thought.
I really hope he went into hiding because even thought he is a master-tier bloodbearer, he isn't unbeatable or omnipotent.
"Why do you think they showed up at this moment, Zorro?" I asked Zorro as I was limping by Adante on my side, and Valeria bringing Zorro along.
"I don't know, Ed. But if you want me to guess, I would think that they are coming after us because of one of two things." He said, his eyes fixated on his hand as he tried to think.
"Number one." He began. "They either came for us because everyone knows that you, Valeria and I have enough of an individual draw to be dealt with first because we own and control a lot of things, or two." He said, taking a breath, and wincing a bit from the pain.
"Our adversaries have already taken over the castle and are trying to tie up the loose ends. In other words, us." He completed, as he tried to support his hand.
"Hold on, let me see. I think your shoulder is broken, and I think it should be set back in place." Valeria said, as she gently caressed his hand. "We will do that once we get back to Silver Serpent." She said, a small smile cracking on her face.
It was obvious that the damage Aurelia's twisting and arrow had caused, and he was wincing in pain with each step he took.
Seeing Valeria and Zorro like that made me a bit jealous, I couldn't deny that. I obviously didn't want to go through the pain that Zorro is going through right now, but I sure wouldn't mind being carried by her after all.
I still couldn't rest my mind though. I was the only person who can immediately fight in some capacity, while Adante, Zorro and Valeria just had all of their shoulders pierced, which should take a day to heal at the minimum because Aurelia had hit a vital joint.
Despite relatively fast healing, that was the best most bloodbearers could do, but Hagen again, was the exception. He possessed extraordinary healing capabilities, far beyond what anyone has seen in this kingdom.
This was just one of the many things that Hagen had over me, and now , I'm glad that I have one thing to bring to the table against him, and that is beating Aurelia, commander of the fifth legion.
Though, to be completely honest It wasn't really me, it was the "Ideal" me. So was it me really who beat him?
As I let my thoughts run amok, Adante's voice brought it back into reality. "Eduardo." He said, his voice deep and stoic. "How did you do it? How did you beat Aurelia?" He asked, looking into my eyes.
"I... don't know honestly." I said, staring into the horizon. "I was knocked out, I woke up, and there was this version of me inside."
Adante's brow furrowed as he listened intently to my explanation. "A version of you inside?" he repeated, clearly puzzled.
"Yeah," I continued, "It was like I was watching myself from another perspective, a better version of me. He had a plan, skills, and knowledge that I didn't. It was as if he knew exactly how to beat Aurelia." I added, now turning back to face Adante.
Valeria had actually called a passing carriage as all of us piled into it.
As we settled into the carriage, Valeria leaned out the window to instruct the driver. "To Silver Serpent," she said firmly, and with a nod from the driver, the carriage began to move.
The rhythmic clatter of horse hooves on cobblestone filled the carriage, and I took a moment to gaze out the window. The cityscape of towering spires and bustling streets was now a blur of movement. The sun cast a warm, golden glow over the city, and it was a stark contrast to the cold, dark battle I had just emerged from.
Valeria, sitting beside me in the carriage, joined the conversation, her brow furrowed with curiosity. "So, this 'better version' of you, Eduardo, did he say or do anything specific that helped you defeat Aurelia?"
I nodded slowly, my mind still processing the surreal experience. "Yes, he did. He guided me through the battle. He knew Aurelia's weaknesses, her strategies. It was an absolute masterclass that he had just pulled over her." I said, slightly chuckling to myself.
Zorro, who had been nursing his wounded shoulder, leaned in closer to listen. "It's like you tapped into some higher level of combat knowledge, Ed. But how did it happen? Did you have any control over this 'ideal' version of yourself?"
I sighed, feeling a mix of confusion and awe. "No, Zorro, it was like I was just along for the ride. I didn't have control over him. I didn't have control over my body at all."
All three of them were sitting, a tense expression was worn across their face.
"So you're telling me, you have a version of you within yourself capable of beating a master level bloodbearer?" Zorro said that, with an upward inflection at the end of his voice, indicating his curious nature.
I thought long and hard before replying "I think... Yes?" I said, scratching my chin. The carriage bumped and plodded along, along with my thoughts too since I did not know how to feel about this.
Valeria, always practical and solution-oriented, spoke up. "We'll need to find a way to harness this power, Eduardo. We can't rely on it showing up only when you're in life-or-death situations."
Valeria, with her usual pragmatism, added, "We should start researching bloodbearer abilities and any historical records of similar occurrences. There might be clues or techniques that can help you access this power."
The carriage continued to rattle along the cobblestone streets of the city, heading toward Silver Serpent. The sun was beginning its descent in the sky, casting long shadows over the buildings.
What is this "Ideal Ed" to me? What are his intentions?
As the carriage drew closer to Silver Serpent, I decided I wanted to try something. Closing my eyes, I focused my thoughts inward, trying to call upon the mysterious "Ideal Ed." "Come on," I whispered under my breath. "Show yourself. Help me understand."
As I closed my eyes, I thought back to the way "Ideal Ed" showed up. I tried to call him out in my mind like "Oii where are you!? Come out!?" and the variety of the such.
Alas, nothing of note happened, and when I woke up I was greeted by Viktor's larger-than-life voice. "Welcome back James!!"