"Hmph... Zakia, your schemes run deep. The least person I would expect to have anything to do with me, now has left her own domain to look for your little friend Azizi outside, Raziya..." Oliphant muttered her name at the end with a sigh realizing how powerless he is. "At my level, this is not a person I should even be remotely involved with in any way or form. I guess the gears are already in motion on your side. I presume this is also a cue for me to speed things up, wouldn't you agree?" Oliphant pondered silently, as he left the bar, reluctantly parting ways with his newfound friends and making his way back to the Giant Whale Inn, since he died
Despite his musings, Oliphant received no reply from Zakia. Ever since he began asking around and collecting information, Zakia had fallen unusually silent. "It's a good thing you're quiet now. I can work in peace. Just stay wherever you are and watch as I break through the cobwebs you have me tangled in," Oliphant declared with resolution.
By the time Oliphant returned to his accommodations at the Giant Whale Inn, it was well past midnight. With the removal of his spell, the warts that had adorned his body had vanished. Now, amidst the dim glow of candlelight, Oliphant immersed himself in the information he had gathered throughout the day, searching for any clues that might aid him in formulating a plan.
In this world, known to some as The World of Null or the World of Beginnings and also to some World of Nihility, is where Oliphant found himself amidst a complex web of political and supernatural forces. Positioned in the northern region within the Northern Continent he stood at the crossroads between the Valley of Sirens, the Frosty North clan, and the Seed Nurturing Academy associated with the Sultan clan of royalty—a delicate balance of power teetering on the brink of upheaval.
Reflecting on the essence of power in this world, Oliphant considered the intricate trade networks that sustained its practitioners. From Lifeblood Derivers, Enchanters and World Invokers, each required specific resources to fuel their pursuits. The allure of capturing and trading of rare creatures, plants with mystical properties and other special living organisims had made many rich overnight, and Oliphant himself had unwittingly engaged in the culture of monster hunting on his journey to the Valley of Sirens.
As he delved deeper into his newfound knowledge, Oliphant's thoughts turned inward, contemplating his own precarious position as a Spellcaster—an anomaly in a world where such abilities were rare and often feared. With the looming threat of persecution hanging over him, he recognized the urgent need to strengthen his abilities and protect himself from those who would seek to exploit or eradicate him.
Yet, faced with the limitations of his current knowledge and resources, Oliphant found himself at a crossroads, grappling with the daunting realization that his path forward was fraught with peril and uncertainty. As the night wore on, he resolved to tread carefully, knowing that every decision would mean his life or death for a second time.He too was subject to the need of resources to advance in his path.
The fastest way to strength would be to become a World Invoker," Oliphant thought, his mind racing with desperate calculations. "All I would need to do is create a sacrificial altar and offer rare materials to gain power—power greater than my current self. But that path is closed to me now as a Spellcaster without the relevant knowledge to achieve what Ivokers can, all I'm capable of now is siphoning power from the invoker's mask Zakia absorbed from Bwana, but it's energy will run out if I use it intensively. " At this moment Oliphant hadn't comprehended anything so he could only rely on the mask.
Another option presented itself: taming a beast to serve as protection while he honed his abilities. Yet, the prospect seemed daunting, if he were an Enchanter or Lifeblood Deriver he could have easily used the properties of the swordfish he had hunted a few weeks prior. " Even if that was the case, my strength would be slightly better, it won't have much effect on the situation." Oliphant concluded, feeling the weight of his predicament bearing down on him.
As despair threatened to consume him, something within Oliphant snapped. The pressure of his situation, the alien environment he found himself in, and the fact that after all his toils of gathering knowledge and nothing substantial a being found to eliavate his predicament proved all too much for his psyche to bear even as a seasoned veteran of his previous world. In that moment, his mind fractured under the strain.
"I'm running out of time, and I've achieved nothing... or have I been approaching this all wrong?" Oliphant's thoughts took an unexpected turn, questioning the very foundation of his motivations. "Why am I so fixated on seeking revenge against Zakia and bringing him to justice? What my sole focus should be is gaining enough power to wield magic. In any case I definitely died and my family and all who know me have probably even moved on from my untimely end. I can only believe this, my feelings for them will only hold me back.... And what is all this about finding a way back home when there is currently none? Surely they too would understand my situation I had to abandon their existence." Oliphant said these words with pain lacing his words.
A revelation dawned upon him, as if a veil had been lifted from his consciousness. "Zakia must have been manipulating my sense of justice all along and my desire to once again see those I love and have now lost," he realized with a jolt. "He exploited my desire for retribution and longing, using it to control me. But why should I continue to be his pawn any longer?"
A laughter erupted from Oliphant, a laughter tinged with bitterness, despair, and a touch of madness. It echoed in the recesses of his mind and across the room, signaling a profound transformation in his psyche. In that moment of enlightenment, Oliphant shed the remnants of his old identity, embracing the reality of his existence in this new world and a sinister air now surrounded him.
As the realization dawned upon Oliphant, a profound sense of regret washed over him. "I see now... I should never have entangled myself in the affairs of this world," he admitted to himself, a bitter taste lingering on his tongue. "I am but an unwanted guest here, an outsider in a realm where I do not belong."
Reflecting on his experiences since arriving in this unfamiliar world, Oliphant recognized the signs of his unwelcome presence from the very beginning. "I was treated as though I were some kind of malevolent spirit to be exorcised," he lamented, his voice tinged with resignation. "And if my true identity were to be revealed... those whom I thought to be saving would instead turn against me in fear and hostility."
"I see.... I see... I see.." Oliphant repeated these two words to himself as if a blind man seeing for the first time.
"Yes I should try and imitate that concealment enchantment from the ship, this will be my goal from now, tomorrow I will go and see the prince, what happens--happens regardless of Zakia's motives." said Oliphant with malevolence.
In the swamps outside the Valley squelching sounds could be heard as people were advancing at a steady pace in search of something.,heavy rain obscuring ones vision as well as the trees that were crooked at weird angles made vision even that much harder.
A female was sitting on a water wave her fish-like tail giving a slippery feel to the eyes was place gracefully on it, on the upper half of her body she wore a glistening armor that seemed to be made purely of diamonds. Her head was lowered like a believer in prayer, a trident was held with both hands stabbed into the swamp as ripple like waves could be seen traveling through the ground as if a stone was thrown in still water.
After a while the rippling swamp seized movement and she opened her eyes to look ahead of her with a determined look, it was none other than Raziya herself.
"Let's continue he's up ahead we will find him, he cannot hide from me." Raziya shouted with confidence.
"Oh Azizi you think you can hide, I've already found you once I'll find you again." she thought inwardly. "With this enchanted trident in my hand I will find you."
For others it would be difficult to transverse this swamp but as a siren this environment was her backyard, with water everywhere her abilities were enhanced. As she thought someone shouted among her companions." General I found something. "
Raziya came to inspect and after a few seconds she said "I see you really did not leave and chose to linger!"
She then turned around and faced he soldiers like a general that she was and shouted "Soldiers our enemies are near prepare to engage!"