Chapter 382: Zach

Chapter 382: Zach

Purpose

Zach sat in a small room, a reading lamp on his table providing enough light for him to see. The table was covered with scrolls, the knowledge of the Wardens. Or at least what Bera had managed to move out of the Citadels Library before it fell. He had spent the last few years familiarizing himself with them, learning about different builds and the accepted knowledge of Essence. It was disappointing in a way. A lot of what the world believed about the Essence felt incomplete to Zach. He didnt have a lot of theoretical knowledge, and what he could read didnt add much to his understanding. His understanding was personal, experience, and largely based on feelings and hunches.

Still, there was knowledge in there that could be useful. He focused mostly on the more valuable texts, describing some high tiered Classes. He had been having some thoughts of recent, regarding the advancement and focus madness. There were in there accounts of people who tried to raise all three focuses by picking very similar focuses. A Blademaster Class and a Blademaster Path, for example. It worked for a while, but ultimately they were driven mad. What was interesting was the way that the madness manifested. Usually, madness came from the dissonance between the focuses. One pushing in one direction, while the other pulling in another. In this particular case, that shouldnt have been the case.

Still, the man ended up caring only about the blade to the exclusion of everything else. He died of thirst and hunger, after he ignored food and drink.

Zach wondered if perhaps skills could help anchor, locking in who the person was should help. Though as Naha had told him, such things could backfire and get twisted as well. He kept reading all night, until the light of the sun peered in through the window and day started. Zach rubbed at his eyes, then stood, leaving his work on the table unfinished.

He walked across the room and started dressing for the day. On the bed, Naha stirred and peeked at him through the covers.

Day already? She asked.Updated from n0velbIn.(c)o/m

Zach nodded. Hiro will be up soon, I should get there before him.

She hummed and then turned back to sleep. She didnt sleep often, only once every month, if that. But when she did, she liked to relax for as long as she could. He dressed and walked out of their rooms in the keep. He entered the courtyard, seeing Wardens already working. Some training, others working at their stations.

They survived mostly by selling what their crafters were able to make, and monster hunting. There wasnt much that they could do. Theyve lost most of their territories, now having only a handful left.

Zach nodded as they greeted him and made his way out of the keep, then headed to his grove.

He waited in the grove for barely five minutes before Hiro arrived. By his expression, Zach could tell that he hadnt had much sleep. Which could bode well for his task.

Greetings, Master, Hiro inclined his head.

Hiro, Zach said, returning the nod. So, how did it go?

Hiro grimaced, then took his place on a small stone in front of Zach and the large boulder he was leaning on.

I managed it, Hiro said slowly.

And?

It was hard figuring out that it was a dream in the first place, Hiro said.

Zach nodded. And that is only your own mind attempting to trick you. Imagine then, what someone else could do?

Hiro came in low, attacking from the ground. His form dark and covered in shadows, hard to see in the dimming light of approaching night. Zach had no issue seeing him, but he had skills that let him do so.

Zach moved his blade in the way and blocked Hiros attack, noting that Hiros balance was slightly off. He made a mental note of it, and continued blocking as Hiro pressed the attack. The young ravzor moved quickly and attacked with precision, evading Zachs returned strikes with just enough to time to get out of the way. Of course, Zach was holding himself back to his level, but it was impressive still. Hiro had a few perks that let him know when danger was coming, courtesy of his Survivor Classes. As landed from his back leap and then slashed forward. Zach felt him use his |Mind Blast| along with his [Blinding Strike]. Zach pretended to wince and paused his movement for a split second, enough time for Hiro to take advantage, if he was fast enough.

Sadly, Hiros surprise at Zach being affected made him slow to react, and Zach blurred across the field and hit him with the side of his blade, sending him tumbling across the grass.

Hah, Zach heard a chuckle from his sword. The boy needs to learn to be more adaptable.

Zach agreed with Ravallim. Hiro was accustomed to things working a certain way. Zach hoped that the change he would experience when they visited the Sects would be enough to open up his mind to greater possibilities.

So, Zach said as Hiro climbed to his feet. Why didnt you take advantage of the opening?

I Hiro looked at him with a frown. But those powers never work on you! He complained.

Zach tilted his head and raised an eyebrow. They never worked before you mean. Why even attack with them then?

Hiro opened his mouth, then closed it. After another try he managed to speak. It is part of my combo attack.

Zach nodded. He had seen his patterns in their training sessions. The Wardens had drilled into him the ways to chain his powers to a devastating effect. Now it was Zachs time to teach him how to ignore all that he was taught. You didnt think that it would work, but you still used it Well, there is a lesson for you, never assume that you know what is going to happen in a fight.

Hiro took a deep breath, then nodded in acceptance.

Seeing him like that, made Zach think of him as a child. In some ways, he always would be to him, but Zach knew intellectually that Hiro hadnt been a child for a long time. Since he watched everyone he loved die in front of him. He was in his late twenties now, and on the way to become one of the youngest Immortals in the world. Taught by the greatest that the Wardens had to offer. They might be a shadow of what they were, but the people that remained were those who were stalwart in their convictions and power.

That will be all for today, Zach said.

Hiro bowed, and then walked out of the grove, leaving Zach alone. It didnt take long for his visitor to walk up to him.

We received a missive, Bera said.

Zach glanced in her direction. And?

Weve been assigned to Sigmund Otenssons force, we are going against the Fifth Dome.

Ah, Zach just said. When does it start?

First one will be opened in a month, we are going in five years.

Not a lot of time to prepare, Zach said, his eyes turning back to where Hiro had walked off in. A few months, and then they head for the Sects. By then he hoped to have Hiro reach Immortality. But for now, all he could do is continue training him.