Essentia Animus

42-Living Proof

Liyuzhe stepped from her workshop, her arm still bleeding from things getting a little out of control earlier that morning. Heading for her private office, she took a seat with a fresh cup of tea, waiting for any good news.

"So, good news, you were right. The mansion her family had sold really did have a secret floorboard in the basement workshop, and there really was something left hidden behind. A tiny silly tome, actually, clearly Khyzae's work. Just how did you predict that?" "Khyzae was always good at finding secrets, and she knew I loved digging for the secrets hidden underground. It's like she's left me a treasure hunt, spot after spot of places to look for more and more answers. She was always manipulative like that, moving people to places by her will." "Well, the family that was living in her old home really didn't like the intrusion, made things a little rough for me." "Nothing you couldn't handle, I'm sure. Now give me that tome, so we can see what else Khyzae has left for us." Fhyernx passed Liyuzhe the tome had had recovered, taking note of her injuries in the process. Liyzhe was always like this, not letting a little harm get in the way of getting work done. Fhyernx sighed, this sort of thing was becoming maybe a bit too common.

"Maybe you should take it easy for a while. Ieqyisa and I can keep..." "You'll keep an eye on things here for a while? Perfect, I'm going on a trip for a bit, it seems. Will have to return to the roots, find something I've probably been searching for. Hells, Khyzae can be so cryptic and convoluted sometimes, especially when she does that philosophical stuff." "What?! You're in no condition for such a thing! Where in hells is she sending you to..." "Look, I know you're looking after me, but some things I need to do for myself. Besides, it would be a waste if we didn't take this great opportunity to start field testing our work. Even Khyzae was saying that at around the time we got to this point, we would have to be ready to get everyone's attention. You do have everything in order, right? Wouldn't want to get caught off guard in the city when all the chaos broke out after all." Fhyernx sighed, knowing Liyuzhe would not be backing down. Fortunately, Khyzae had also predicted the need for them to be prepared to deal with some pretty difficult situations, they had some of the best equipment imaginable, better honestly. His personal work, putting together some relics of a bygone day long ago, perfect for protecting his friends from danger.

"Fine then, but maybe you could get Ieqyisa to help you with the journey. She's still out, but she would make it much safer than some of the old tunnels. While you're at it, bring some of the equipment I've been working on, it needs some proper field testing too." "Yes, yes, Khyzae said that you guys would be important for this in her writing, too. Make sure you keep making progress though, we need to keep striving to improve on your creations. Basing all your stuff on something that had failed in the past shows that there was a known flaw, you need to make sure it's flawless." "Considering the old version couldn't work at all the way it was originally designed, I'm pretty sure we've already fixed that just by making it work at all. But yes, keep improving, I know." Fhyernx understood what Liyuzhe was referring too, already considering his own plans on the same subject.

"Speaking of working, do you even know what Ieqyisa has been up to the last several days? She's suddenly became very absorbed in her work, getting ahold of her has become so much more difficult." "Actually, not really. Said something about making progress in a matter relating to bringing Khyzae back to us, but that she didn't want to share details until she had some conclusive evidence. Didn't want to get our hopes up and everything." "Leave her to that then, getting Khyzae back is way too important. Remember the reports we got recently, the thieves killed in city center by no visible cause whatsoever. I don't know, something about hiding causes of death, denying all evidence, that just felt like Khyzae. She's here somewhere, still as unstoppable as ever. I might have need of some of your own creations then, if you want me to cross the mountains without using the tunnels. Nothing too complicated, we all know some of your stuff has ended up a bit too complicated to make proper usage of." Liyuzhe started to prepare for her own departure, leaving Fhyernx to make the required arrangements. On her way out, her cell suddenly rang.