You cast another Haste, Evasion Flow, and Blur, though you can't quite move as much as you'd like. In fact, trying to push yourself this much seems to be tiring you out and Monk catches up.

On the bright side, the two of you reach Fluustern in a flash, and end up digging long ruts in the road trying to stop.

... The two of you aren't stopping in time. Crouching down while still sliding along the ground at extreme speeds with the world blurring around, you plant Lucida into the ground and tear up chunks of earth as you harshly decelerate.

Finally coming to a halt, you stand back up with Fluustern standing ahead of you. The forest to your left then explodes in a shower of splinters and kinetic shockwaves, and Monk walks out with Aucupe still on her back, the both of them covered in plant matter.

____________________


You show Riimuk what you have.

Riimuk: "Hmm. I think there might be a flaw with it, it might slow down when it gets past the points. We can try on a plain steel bolt."

Riimuk grabs a steel bolt lying around in the backroom and places it on the table. Pulling out his light wand, a runic spell formed by floating light shapes appears.

Nothing happens for several seconds.

Riimuk: "... That's strange. My runic spell isn't working."

____________________


Miimas seems to be about half the range of your maximum spirit detection range.

Keeping an eye on her spirit, you hit her with a Spirit Lance.

Once struck with the spirity-lance, her spirit seems to recoil from the attack. Miimas in person seems to only flinch.

Miimas: "That felt weird."


???: "Hey."

Turning around, you see Horoma facing an older man in a decorated red cloak.

???: "Long time no see."

The man has a smirk on his face, while Horoma seems to be half shocked and half disgusted.

Horoma: "Father."


____________________


Group departs the complex, heading South. Soon enough you reach Luttiim, which seems to have calmed down a bit. The streets are empty and windows are barricaded.

After writing your runic spell on the bolt and writing your light spell on a piece of paper, set up the items, drop the mana into the compasses, and toss the bolt towards a spot beside the paper.

No points of light appear from your runic spell, and the bolt only moves from the force of you throwing it.

The bolt clangs on the floor, where you aimed.

Riimuk: "I pray they didn't."

Riimuk pulls out several papers with runic spells on them and you pull out your Spirit Map, dropping in a few points of mana.

Nothing happens for you or for Riiimuk.

Riimuk: "Baltir."

The old constructor pokes his head into the backroom entrance.

Riimuk: "Are there any antimagic systems in the area?"

Baltir: "Not that I know of."

Riimuk: "Hmm. Vandolf, let us try moving to a different location."

____________________


Miimas: "Huh.

OH. You know the uh, No Man's Land west of Nullam? Lots of core beasts that wonder around there, including witches. Lots of little pockets of corruption, walked into a few of 'em. They say you can build up a tolerance if you're exposed to minor levels and you're lucky enough for nothing to go horribly wrong. Maybe I'm resistant to small levels of corruption and that applies to your spirity stuff?"





Horoma and her father stare at each other for a while before one of them speaks.

???: "You know Maria, you look a more beautiful than your mother did."

Horoma gives him s sickening scowl while he laughs out loud.

???: "I guess I can't really say much about being your father, but seeing you standing here in front of me after so many years, right next to a smoldering crater in the ground. You're one of my prides, right now."

Silence, as the man casually walks around Horoma, looking her up and down, the young woman remaining still while glaring at the ground. After he circles fully, he stands back in front of her.

???: "So, did you ever figure out light?"

...

???: "I can teach you if you're up for it. Right now, even."

She slowly looks up.

Horoma: "Why."

???: "It's my doing that you were born. And my responsibility that I left on the street, over a decade ago.

Call it a 'sorry,' I guess, for your shitty life."

____________________


Andrew: "Yup."

You let him off, and he wipes a few small splatters and tiny insect wings off of his face. Meanwhile, Aucupe seems slightly irritated at the loss, while Monk doesn't look too bothered.

Monk: "Where to now?"

You lead the group back to Madenuuk's place, the human-like house still standing where you remembered. Walking up the porch, you hear the sounds of children behind the door. After giving the door a few knocks, you hear it open.

A doll with short blonde hair and a black dress is standing there.

Doll: "Aucupe!"

Aucupe: "Nora!"

Aucupe jumps off of Monk's back and runs over to the blonde doll, hugging her.

Nora: "You're back!"

Aucupe: "Yeah! And we brought more hearts, too! Heartstones!"

The large, strange shape of Madenuuk shuffles into view, greeting you at the door.

Madenuuk: "Ah, you have returned. Please, come in."

You and Riimuk leave the shop, heading down the street for a bit before trying your spells again.

Nothing.

Riimuk: "... This is bad."


____________________


Monk: "Don't think so."

After popping down your helmet, you head on in, sitting on the living room couch with Monk and Andrew, while Aucupe goes around the house saying hi to everyone.


Madenuuk: "Ah, that is good news, yes. We have fifteen that need a Heartstone, though one is missing. I can hold the stone for her until she returns.

I would also like to ask if I could, perhaps, have a spare."

Madenuuk: "No. I wish to have a Heartstone for my own, personal use."