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I lowered my defences and applied the same translucent flame so that we'll be on the same boat. Every damage they take, I'll be there with them.
They heal, we heal together. The three-minute ride came by in the blink of an eye and we're about to hit the deadliest layer yet.
"Shouldn't we make new preparations?"
"No need. I've already done everything I can to clear the Mana Conduit. The only preparations I'll take will be before the next layer. Are you ready?"
I asked, the last storm was darker and deadlier than any other.
"I...yeah?"
Vera gulped, Tik frozen, unable to respond.
"Tik! Remember what I told you?"
My voice was sharp enough to snap her out.
"Y...yeah. I'm afraid of the storm, I'm afraid of the storm, I'm afraid of the storm..."
She said it out loud five times before using the breathing technique.
Inhale for four seconds, hold for one and exhale for six seconds. I can feel it, her throbbing heart gradually slowing down.
"Um..I can see Wú Jí kun, Vera chan, the translucent flame, the storm around us, the deadly storm ahead. I'm feeling nervous, so nervous, very nervous, my uncontrollably beating heart. I can hear the howl from the storm, the howling from the storm, my heart beating through my ears. It's not real but I can smell the fear around me, the indescribable smell of mixed mana. I can taste the sweetness of my tongue."
She took another deep breath.
"I think I'm going to die."
'Huh? What happened to all my processes?'
'I guess it's not weird she'll feel this way. Knowing what's ahead can kill some people instantly.'
'So you also believe it can only kill weak people. I knew that much, it'll be mpossible for humans to make it through the storm. These are Dragons, Star Dragons, even among them, some are weak. Those in that category are the one's unable to beat Varnok.'
"Tik, you have to calm down. Just don't think of anything negative like dying. Think about us..."
'I should probably use that.'
"Think about the TIKVEEWOO CREW making it out together, alive. You know we're not going to leave you behind, right Vera?"
Vera was also frozen but she's a grown-up up unlike Tik.
"Yeah."
She gave a forced smile with her thumbs up.
"TIKVEEWOO CREW always makes it out alive."
'I can use that. It's one thing if Tik is the only scary cat.'
"Yes. Did you forget about our journey in Pyrral, Nyrral and Parvak? Facing off against the Cannibal, Velros, and Mordryth? I did most of it but at the end of the day, we made it through.
A cannibalistic dragon couldn't stop us, the dirty Ash Duke couldn't, not to mention an old formidable Void Dragon like Mordryth couldn't. If real foes whose presence means death couldn't stop us, you think a mere natural weather can?"
I did all the talking, the wind howling all over the place.
'The Antares I know could've slingshot them past the last storm. You're changing. '
'Certain words at the right time trigger something. Trust, hope, truth, dread and many more. Can't you see I'm trying to change dread to hope and failure to success with mere words?
It's weird but, emotions, connections, feelings, the human stuff matter. Gods like us need them, at least a God like me.'
'Blah blah blah, say all you want but your safety matters to me. I don't care what I have to do to protect you, if it means reinstating you to your 'prefect state' then so be it.'
'Can't you see it, you're been emotional too. You just said you care about me and will do anything to keep me going. It takes trust, affection, devotion, love...to say that.'
As expected, Entares didn't reply.
"Ok. Are you sure we can make it through the last storm? The one-minute instant death?"
"You know, just close your eyes. It'll be over before you even blink."
"Because we won't get the change to open them again. You really wants us dead, Wù Jì kun."
Tik cried but this wasn't time for jokes.
"Just do as I say."
I replied shortly, ending the conversation.
"Ok."
She murmured under her breath, slowing closing her eyes.
"Don't open them unless I tell you to."
"Alright."
"Are you ready, Vera?"
"Just get us past this."
She said with her eyes closed.
'Weaklings.'
I smiled. I'm the pilot, I have to stay awake all the way to the end. It's a minute or less long, we can make it. I told off, the cloak dragging them along.
'Instant vaporisation. It's basically the same as the previous stage but instantaneous. Instantaneous disintegration versus limitless instant regeneration, let's see which is the fastest.'
The moment we set foot into the darkest storm, my cells didn't collapse, it was evaporating in the blink of an eye. Regeneration followed, creating more cells so fast your body won't have time to react. In less than forthy seconds, we made it out.
"Tikvah, what's the next..."
'What?'
I froze mid-flight, noticing something was really off. I spoke, yet I didn't hear anything.
The howling of the storm died even though the Mana Conduit is right below us. I turned and Tik was there talking yet no sound was produced. It was as if the concept of sound was deleted.
'What's wrong with the cloak? Why... am I feeling so drained?'
'Get out of there.'
'I think telling me how telepathy works will be a lot better.'
'Just say it and it'll work.'
'Tik, Vera, can you hear me?'
'Wú Jí kun we have to get out of here now!'
She replied, voice urgent.
'Calm down, what's wrong?'
'The Quiet Heart dampens all magic and burns stored energy. Those who linger feel their life-force bleed into the still air until they collapse from utter fatigue. We have to get out of here now!'
'How much do we...'
The longer we wait, the more we're trapped. I've never known my energy limit but currently, I can bet I'm losing something. After investing all you have in Mana Conduit, the Quiet Heart is the best test one can add.
'Time limit for Quiet Heart?'
'1 minutes, two seconds, 5 minutes, an hour, it differs. It depends on how long you can find the exit.'
'Great, now we have to find out way out.'
I turned off telepathy and fell into a thought.
'I don't have time to waste, I'll use Etherium and find our way out. We don't even know if we have time left. Armed Dragons could be waiting for us in Zerynthor.'
Etherium blossomed into view, Eclipter revealing the hidden for me. It wasn't actually hidden, it's right in front of us.
Anyone would've panicked after making it to the Quiet Heart and lose the straight path leading to Zerynthor. Think of the Quiet Heart like a straight tunnel between Mana Conduit and Zerynthor. It's basically simple but the moment you overeact, you lose.
"Ok."
I snapped fingers, the cloak swaying uncontrollably. It appeared weird because they're no sounds.
'This feeling... don't tell me...'
'Yap, it's slingshot time.'
Entares replied. Without waiting for confirmation, the cloak triggered, launching the two into the veil.
"So long, Varnok."
I followed after bidding the layer farewell.
To be continued...