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"If that is your chief concern," said Karkash, "then it should not be an issue."

"Oh yeah? Good to hear. Because it would be a shame if we were to let such a partnership go to waste when there is so much out there that is ripe for the picking, right now."

And Karkash again remained quiet, but in his heart, he could not have agreed more.


Chapter Three Hundred Thirty-One: 'The mist that stirs...'
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Linus looked up from his work, mid-stranglehold. None of the bodies at his feet were dead, but they were all either groaning or unconscious. The average-sized man that was currently in his grip did not look so at all in comparison to his own massive frame. The guy was saying something in Valgan about where to find the next group of holdouts, but Linus' attention had already been stolen by the fog that had suddenly descended around him.

Around everything, actually. He could sense it, thanks to the merge with Dijara.

The fog went far, and it had a presence to it. Soul power. A familiar one, too.

He did not have long to wait before the creator of it made himself known.

As if melting out of the fog itself, Zeff Elroy appeared right in front of him.

"Linebreaker," said the Water Dragon of Sair, stepping around the bodies as he approached.

Linus couldn't help squinting at the sudden strangeness of this all. "Water Dragon. What are you doing here?"

"I've come to get you."

"For what?" Linus finally set his victim down, who was happy enough to crawl away, until a block of ice boxed him in a moment later. "Has there been another attack on Ridgemark?"

Zeff tilted his head at him. "Don't you find it strange that you even need to ask me that?"

Linus didn't understand.

Zeff elaborated, "Don't you find it strange that you're not in Ridgemark, right now?"

Linus just blinked at him. What kind of question was that? Obviously, he was out here cleaning up the remnants of the VMP after their defeat. It was important work, and soon enough, he would...

But... hmm.

Was it more important than protecting Ridgemark, though? Protecting Vino? And the Ruby 88? And all of the RPMP's important infrastructure?

"Ease your mind," came Zeff's voice again, then he seemed to wave someone over.

But no one was there.

Until suddenly they were. Melting out of the fog just the same way that Zeff had done.