Limits

Crow began the conversation by saying "I managed to figure out a lot of things, but they almost caught me. That was why, there were so many of those Avians and Yagaroths inside the Dead Forest. Fortunately, I excel at hiding. Otherwise, I would be gone already". I nodded my head, and asked "What did you figure out?".

Crow replied "You stepped into something serious. One of the Yagaroths you killed, was a direct descendant of the High One. If you only killed the guards, this would not escalate to such a degree. Moreover, The High One took control over the Vulture Cliffs, and is commanding the Avians. The King of Avians has nothing to say anymore. In order to save her race, they became slaves to Yagaroths".

'I already knew, that one of those Yagaroths back then, was something special. No wonder that High One is so pissed' I thought, and asked "What else, did you figure out?". Crow replied "Not only did you kill his direct descendant, you also wiped out a large portion of their population. The whole army which was chasing you, perished. You are now the most wanted man, in the North. I'm still amazed, that no one actually managed to catch you. Besides that, Avians managed to conceal the fact, that you have the Yellow Dust. The fact that they are in the possession of it, was somehow concealed from Yagaroths too. Yagaroths don't have a clue, as to how you managed to kill a whole army, and they are now wary of you".

I said "This is good. If Yagaroths don't know about it, then I have a chance to get more in the future. As for why I'm still free. Fortunately, there are a few people who helped me out. The races which are neutral towards humans, will not chase me, although some individuals may try to rat me out". He nodded his head, and said "That is good. Otherwise, you would have to leave the North. I assume, you still want to stay though". I nodded my head, and replied "Yes, I want to explore further north. I also got an invitation from an Atol guy. Their race is quite friendly from what I hear, and they will not fight against me".

He seemed a bit confused, and asked "Why?". I said "Because they hate Avians. Even if I did what I did, without any reason, they would be thankful instead of hateful". Crow asked "Are you going there next?". I nodded my head, and replied "Yes, I plan to go there, and train as well. I need to get stronger, and break through to my Inner Limits, as soon as possible. With this much power, I won't have to worry about Avians or Yagaroths. Only the High One, would be a threat to me. Of course, if we only take skills and strength under consideration".

Crow looked at me, and asked "Yellow Dust, right?". I nodded, and replied "Yes, I still have enough to probably kill the High One. If not kill, I can at least damage him to a certain degree. This is my last resort though". He nodded, and said "I still think, you should not return there at all. It's too dangerous. At least don't go there, until you break through your Inner Limits". I replied "I know. Don't worry, I'm not that stupid". Crow then asked "What do you want me to do now though? If I go near the Vulture Cliffs, I may get caught. That High One, is not something we can mess with right now". I thought about that, and said "Why don't you come with me?". He seemed hesitant for some reason, then said "I… can't. It's not because I don't want to… It's complicated".

I was a bit confused, and asked "What do you mean?". He replied "Well, you see. I don't have as much freedom, as you may think I have. I belong to a certain group in my city. Getting in, was not really the problem, but getting out of it… it's hard. I have to work for them now, and scavenge the wastelands in order to live. If I leave, I will be classed as a traitor. That means, I would not be able to return back to my own city, and I want to return". I thought about it for a while, then asked "Is it because of someone?". He laughed, while saying "Is it that obvious? Yes, it's because of someone I like. Although we are not together, I'm still satisfied. I can at least have a simple conversation with her, from time to time".

I asked "What do you have to do, in order to get your freedom back?". Crow replied "Pay a heavy price... There are two ways, to leave the group that I belong to. The first way, is to defeat the leader of the group. If I win, I have my freedom back. Winning is not the only problem, losing is even a greater problem". I asked "So wining is a problem, but losing is even worse?".

Crow nodded, and said "Yes. If I lose, I no longer have the right to challenge the leader, and I will have to stay in that group forever. Not only that, I will face the punishment, for defying our leader. There is a second way, and it's much more simple". He took a deep breath, while I waited for him to continue. Crow said "I would have to pay them for everything they did for me. Additionally, pay them for the inconvenience of me leaving. I don't know the exact numbers, but I estimate them to be around 600-800 Black Hals, if not more".

"That is quite a lot. I did some work in the past, and it would take me around 700 days, to earn that much, while working as a blacksmith. That is two years of work, to earn the 600-800 Black Hals. If we took the expenses under consideration, this time period would increase by a lot". He nodded his head, and said "Precisely. I have expenses of course. Although I managed to save some money, it's just a measly 30 Black Hals. That is all the money, I managed to save, throughout the years I've been doing this".

I asked "What if I pay for you? Will that work?". His barely visible eyes became huge. The shock was plastered in his eyes, even though they were mostly covered. He asked, while swallowing some saliva "You… You have that much?". I shook my head, and said "No, but I know how to get that much rather quickly. There is also the second way. As you mentioned, you can just defeat the leader". He laughed a bit, and said "Me? I would die in 20 seconds, if not less. Not even you could win, that guy is a higher form of a Shade. He broke through his Inner Limits, and no one dares to challenge him. For me to break through Inner Limits?… I don't know, if I have the talent...".

I looked at him, and said "At what stage, are you now?". He replied "I'm at the Half Step of my Outer Limit. For me, to break through this alone… it will take some time". I said "What if I can help you?". He laughed, and asked "Now or in 10 years?". I looked at him seriously, and said "Now. Even right now, if you so choose". Crow was surprised, and asked "How?! If I can break through my Half Step, I will do whatever it takes. I've been stuck on it for a long time now! I'm willing to do anything!". I said "I will give you my Extracts. My Extracts have no impurities, and they will help you purify your blood, as well as increase your strength. I know you don't specialise in strength, but having more of it, will not be detrimental to you".

I noticed that, Crow was about to drop onto his knees. I quickly grabbed him, and said "Don't you dare doing that. You have no need to beg, or give me your life. I'm helping you, because I consider you my friend". He was still shaken, and said "I… I'm…". I said "I told you, I consider you my friend. I know only a few people like you. You could count them on one hand, hahaha. So stand straight, and let me help you a bit too". Crow nodded his head, but looked at me, as if looking at his master. I shook my head, and took out some tools for medicine making.

I said "It will take me awhile, to refine the Extract". I began my work, while explaining the effects. "The process is very painful, your blood will be more pure at the end, but be prepared to face a lot of pain". I then continued "This will not take you over the Half Step, this will purify your blood only, which makes it easier to break through your Limits. I will then give you the Earth Strength Essence, which will increase your strength. Drink it, and do what you like. I have no clue, what you need to do, in order to break through".

He shook his head, and said "Don't worry, I know what to do". "Alright" I answered, then continued making the Blood Purifying Essence.