Page 4197 -- CCCXXXI.

"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...'
Click to display entire chapter at once -- (mobile link)

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.

Page 4196

Karkash saw no reason to respond, so he merely waited for Abdul to continue.

"...And I do like the idea of building a new sect. If I join, do I get a say in who else to bring in?"

"A say, yes. Nothing more."

"Interesting..."

Again, Karkash waited.

"How many people do you already have?" said Abdul.

"Three."

"Heh. Lean indeed. And who else do you plan on inviting?"

"We can discuss that after you join, not before."

"Mm." Abdul stepped closer, rubbing his chin. "And you're the leader, of course, yes?"

"Yes."

"But what if someone were to challenge your authority? You know how much our peers like to do that, I'm sure."

"Then I will kill them."

Abdul chortled. "Without even a conversation? Just straight to execution?"

"A challenge is formal. A conversation would have already occurred."

"Aha, I see. So if, for example, I wanted to be the boss, how would you react?"

Karkash let the moment linger. The other man was meeting his gaze steadily now, just waiting for him to say or do something.

This domain of shining rocks was still all around the two of them, and the longer Abdul stared at him, the more Karkash found the place unpleasant. Abdul was obviously under the impression that he was in full control of the situation so long as this domain held true.

So Karkash replaced it.

A wave of lightning surged forth from the ground at his feet, tearing through the rocks all the way up and around them like they were no more solid than paper. Electricity crackled in blue and white, filling the domain entirely until nothing of Abdul's creation remained behind.

Abdul looked around at the new sparking environment. "So it's true. You've been blessed, as well. Who is your benefactor?"

Karkash made no response.

"Why so reluctant to tell me? We're clearly kindred spirits, you and I."

"If this is all it takes for you to trust someone, then perhaps you are not a good fit for my sect, after all."

"Hah! What a stick-in-the-mud. I'd hoped Desmond would've helped you loosen up a bit by now."

So he already knew Desmond, then. Not terribly surprising.

"But y'know, I've got big dreams," said Abdul. "If we're gonna be teaming up, I don't mind letting you take the lead, but I will mind it if we're just gonna be doin' as we're told by the higher ups the whole time like good little boys."

Page 4195

This was certainly new. He'd known for a while now that Abdul was hiding something, but he hadn't expected it to be quite like this.

Perhaps Ettol hadn't been completely full of hot air, after all.

"What do you want?" said Karkash, still not turning around.

"Just a bit of attention," said Abdul. "Is that so much to ask?"

"Careful what you wish for."

Abdul snickered. "Alright, alright. Listen. Think of this little display as an even exchange. I know you're hiding something, pal. So just show me, already. We've been fighting side by side for months now, and yet you haven't let me see what you're really capable of. Don't you see? My curiosity has reached critical mass."

Finally, Karkash turned to look at him. "I don't care."

Abdul's head reared back, and he scoffed. "Oh, come on. What's the big deal? Think I can't keep a secret? We could be a tremendous force together, my friend."

Hmm. Impulsively, he wanted to refuse this fool outright. Abdul was just another game-player. A thrill-seeking simpleton, not unlike Desmond.

But that didn't mean he was useless.

"Then join my sect," said Karkash.

The other man paused, then blinked. Multiple times. "A sect, you say? You've made one?"

"I have."

"Why am I only hearing about it now, then?"

"I have not been promoting it."

"Well, why not? That's kind of important, don't you think? If you want it to grow big and strong, you gotta let people know about it."

"It is to be a lean, elite fighting force. Invitation only."

"Ah... I see. Huh." Abdul was scratching his chin now, apparently thinking about the offer quite seriously all of a sudden.

Karkash hadn't expected that, either, honestly. He'd only thrown it out there because he knew Abdul was powerful enough to qualify, but he hadn't thought the man would give it any real consideration. From what he'd heard, Abdul was already very well off in his current sect with the Gatherers. There were even rumors that he might secretly be their true leader.

Which perhaps explained Abdul's next question. "Would you want me to leave my current sect?"

"No," said Karkash. "But I'm sure you know the difficulty of dividing oneself between sects. In time, you will probably have to choose."

"Mm, I dunno about that. I'm pretty good at multitasking."