Silence persisted within the eting hall as everyone ca upon a realization at that mont.
Sothing was wrong with the Silent Veil.
Those aware knew that this was the first ti that a Branch of the Absolute had acted in such a sentient manner, even seeking to move in a manner that endangered all of Eventide.
"For the ti being, we will avoid coming in contact with the Veil." Alex calmly remarked before adding. "As of this mont, it’s regarded as a high-risk Branch, understood?"
"Aye."
Tapping his finger on the table, Alex remarked. "Now then, since we are in Henos, I believe it best to focus on the Branches here, which are the Midnight Pearl and so sort of creature. From what I recall, it’s so amalgamation of all sorts of land animals, sohow forced into a blueprint."
"The only thing I’m aware of that would fit that description is the Beast of Erethetri."
"Ere what?"
"It was a large town to the east that existed long before the Solomon Alliance ca to be. One of the few that tried to be civilized during barbaric tis. The Beast destroyed it, hence, the Beast of Erethetri."
"Do you know anything else about this... Beast?" Alex asked
Ulysses pursed his lips, pondering for a bit before replying. "Since the unfortunate incident that destroyed Erethetri, there have been reported sightings of the Beast, but none has ever been confird."
"So we have no idea where it is, and unlike the other Branches we’ve gotten our hands on, this one is capable of movent," Elena muttered, voicing the hopelessness of the situation.
Alex tapped his finger on the table, pondering how best to resolve the situation when Ana intoned. "How about we split up?"
Alex glanced at her. "Co again?"
"So of us wait for the entrance to Twilight while the others start searching for the Beast. That way we can take out two birds with one stone."
"Why don’t we just go for the Beast as a team and then return once the entrance is open?" Victoria suggested with Ulysses shaking his head.
"Even if we have a purebred werewolf, the entrance opens at a specific period for a determined amount of ti and at a specific spot. If you don’t get in when it’s open, you have to wait till next year before you do so."
"So we split up," Alex remarked. "One group will go after clues related to the Beast while the others co with to wait for the entrance to Twilight. We’ll keep constant communication with Elena as our bridge and try to aid the other if required. All in favor?"
"Aye."
Satisfied with their response, Alex added. "Ulysses, I believe you should head into the Abyss as soon as possible."
"I haven’t found a gray area yet." Ulysses calmly pointed out.
"A gray area?" Arwen raised a brow in curiosity.
"A place where Eventide and the Abyss overlap, commonly characterized by corruption of varying degrees."
Just then, Elena intoned. "If you need to head to the Abyss, I can help you with that. I just need sothing related to that dastardly place as a sort of marker."
"Well," Alex said. "That resolves that problem."
Ulysses pursed his lips as he replied. "...I guess it does."
Complicated feelings arose within him, perhaps because the item from the Fixer had lost almost twenty percent of its value all because of one individual.
Would he be offended if he found out about this?
Ulysses didn’t wish to ponder it too deeply.
"Anyways. It’s settled. Elena, you will take Ulysses into the Abyss so he completes his trial. Ana, you are in charge of Team B, which would be focused not on extraction but on information gathering. If you do co across the Beast before the opening of the entrance, then endeavor to call for backup, if not, do not engage. It is a Branch, we should not make the mistake of thinking we can subdue one just because of our success with a few."
"Agreed," Ana said. "Will we be picking team mbers now?"
Alex nodded. "With Ulysses out of the question and Elena in charge of keeping tabs on all of us, it remains you three."
As he spoke, his gaze swept across Nadia, Arwen, and Victoria, all of whom, coincidentally, were seated next to each other.
"Arwen, Nadia, you will go with Ana." Alex calmly remarked. "Victoria, you are with ."
"Understood." Victoria echoed along with the others, a pleased smile etched on her lips.
Finally, she would have the honor of standing beside her liege, aiding him in every way possible while also showing him just how much stronger she’d beco.
At the thought that they might even spend nights in one room alone, her cheeks turned quite red, despite being scarred.
"Now then, to the next thing on the agenda." Alex intoned before glancing at Victoria. "Will you please rise?"
Caught off guard at first, Victoria didn’t hesitate to get to her feet. "Yes, master?"
Alex beckoned for her to co closer, which she did without hesitation, quickly moving to stand at arm’s length.
He reached out and gently caressed her cheek before suddenly snapping his fingers.
Before anyone could understand what was happening, Victoria was engulfed by black and white light.
No one thought Alex was trying to harm her so they waited patiently.
It didn’t take long before the deluge of black and white receded, once again revealing Victoria once again but there was sothing different this ti.
"Victoria!" Elena called out excitedly. "Your scars!"
The others also displayed varying levels of emotions as they stared at her.
After reuniting, those unaware had already learned of how Victoria had gotten her scars and even lost an arm all in a bid to strengthen herself.
When the story was shared, Victoria seed unbothered by the changes she’d gotten in exchange for power which was why no one considered it a big deal.
Ulysses had tried to heal it but the source of the damage, Ifrit, was not soone he could contend with, leaving him unable to heal the injuries caused by that entity’s spiritual flas.
"I know you didn’t seem too bothered by it but I believe two arms are better than one. Congratulations on being healed." Alex calmly said with a warm smile on his lips.
Looking down at both her arms, Victoria muttered softly. "Thank you."
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