Twenty three and a half more days RandidlyÆs eyes opened After he had finalized and stored the details in his head he briefly slid through the almost redundant divide between himself and his Soulskill Unlike how Randidly didnÆt truly exist in his Soulskill until he wanted to possess an avatar because his entire body was the Soulskill itself RandidlyÆs real body still stood on Earth while his attention was focused inward So he quickly found one of WendyÆs aides and passed on the very exacting details that she had demanded
Still it wasnÆt that he wouldnÆt be safe in Erickson Steel Honestly with his Physical Stats most people would have a hard time hurting him even if he didnÆt do anything But he was expecting a visitor One Randidly didnÆt want to be surprised by
Then on a whim as he was hurrying to leave Randidly made sure to tell the aide that Wendy should keep her schedule open a week from now All deadlines would be pushed back a day to allow for it
Then Randidly was back on Earth turning slightly to smile at the lovely young woman who had condensed on top of the building next to him As always terrible timing You are a day early Lyra We had a deal
And I figured you would have plenty of time to decide considering how long you were within the Dungeon Lyra shrugged her hair shimmering as it swayed around her shoulders during the casual motion But if you prefer I can come back tomorrow
No you are right IÆve made my decision But I do have a to ask a question first And I wonÆt take no for an answer Randidly said lightly Purposefully he forced himself to relax Aether Detection ceased its constant scanning Randidly looked at Lyra into her violet eyes and let all the other methods of discernment he possessed fall away Some things were worth doing the old fashioned way
The eyes were the window to the soul and Randidly peered through to see the inner workings of Lyra
Was that Dungeon arranged for me
Although Randidly was relying on solely his eyes his gaze was no longer that of a simple individual He wore a Crown and his inner world was illuminated by the emerald flame of insight and innovation The weight of his attention took on an almost irresistible quality If someone who was less unusual than Lyra was on the receiving end of that look it might have knocked them unconscious
But Lyra bore it stoically There was no tightening in the lines around LyraÆs eyes at the question just an easy smile of acceptance There was no guilt there but there was responsibility
Yes in the spirit of honesty Lyra said finally But I would point out that Yystrix simply located that variant hiding within his own Aether The meeting between you was arranged but you are both actors who control your own fate The words and stories that were exchanged were your own
Randidly couldnÆt help but chuckle bitterly at that thinking of the Touch from Beyond Skill that he had possessed rather obliviously for several years But at least she had been honest about their involvement That was one test that she had passed
Still RandidlyÆs lip curled upward I thought the Creature had been absent from Earth Since she tried to take over my body as IÆm sure you recall So then how did it manage to arrange this Are you trying to tell me that it somehow predicted I would be looking for a high Level Dungeon on the banks of Lake Apollo