Limits

After a few "days" of running, we finally arrived at the Obsidian Mountains. I headed straight towards Olrad, and entered the small inactive volcano. Inside, I saw some Lizards, standing at the entrance to the village. When they saw a Human carrying a Shade, they were quite surprised, but didn't stop me. I entered Olrad, and headed towards Lazar's house.

'I don't know if Lazar is at home, but his daughter should be' I thought, and approached his house. When I knocked, I heard a female Lizard asking "Who is it?". I was a bit confused, as they voice seemed to belong to Suly, but it was a bit different. I asked "Suly? Is that you?". The doors opened, and young Lizard greeted me. She said "Oh Nex, it is you!". The Suly I remembered was much smaller, and younger. I asked "How long has it been since I last saw you? You were so small".

She smiled, and said "We can talk inside, come in". I entered the house together with Crow. Suly asked "Who is that?". I replied "That is my friend Crow. He is a bit battered, so I will just let him sit". She nodded her head, and provided a chair for Crow. I placed Crow down and said "These are friends of mine too. You will be alright here". Crow nodded his head, and replied "Thanks".

Suly asked "Where have you been all that time? Father and Harlin were quite worried about you". I smiled, and said "I've been busy. Loads of things happened during that time. You grew up a lot". Suly nodded and said "Of course. I also left the village many times already. Your idea worked very well. There is no rain in the North, so I could walk like this for days". I nodded my head, and asked "Where is Lazar?".

She was no longer sad, when I mentioned her father. This was a good sign, it meant that her relationship with Lazar, was very good. She replied "Father is at work. He should be back in a while. More importantly, you've changed a lot. I wouldn't be able to recognise you, if not for your voice". I laughed a bit, and said "It seems we all changed a bit. So, what are you up to these days?". Suly replied "It's quite boring actually. I do go out sometimes and such, but I would like to learn new stuff. It's just that, I can't leave for long, father would be too worried".

I thought about something for a while, and said "I may have something for you to do, in Olrad". She seemed surprised, and asked "What is it?". I asked "Do you know what Formations are?". She nodded her head, and said "I kind of know. It's some sort of spell or something like that, which can be placed on items. This can bring a lot of benefits to the user of such items. Why do you ask about that?". I replied with a smile "I know someone here, who might be able to teach you about Formations". She became shocked, and asked "Do you really know someone, or are you pulling my leg?".

I replied "Let's go see her now. Put your makeup on, and we will go". She nodded her head, and hurriedly went to her room. After a while, Suly came out looking like a normal Lizard. I said "Wow, you got better at it. I mean, I would have a hard time, guessing that you are a Grey Lizard". She smiled a bit, and asked "Do you think, this will be alright? To cover up my grey scales, and tell your friend a lie?". I smiled, and replied "You will see for yourself". I then walked over to Crow, and said "Stay here, I will be back soon. In case Lazar comes back, I will give you this". I passed him the scale that Harlin gave to me. I then continued "Show this to him, and tell him you know me. Tell him also that I will be back shortly". Crow nodded his head, and replied "Alright. I will be fine here".

I turned towards Suly, and said "Alright, let's go". The person I wanted to visit, was the Grey Lizard called Alicia. She was a Formation Master, and could teach Suly a thing or two about Formations. Suly was also a Grey Lizard, so she would be even more inclined that way. We walked over to the seemingly abandoned house, and I knocked in a rhythmic manner, copying Harlin's knocking from the past.

To my surprise, the doors didn't open, so I tried again. 'Hmm, I don't believe she is not home' I thought, while Suly asked "Are you sure someone lives here?". I said "Yes", then turned towards the doors, and said "Open, or I will open them myself". A few seconds later, I heard a creek, and the doors opened. Suly was surprised, while I said "Let's go in". We entered the dark room, but it wasn't a problem for me anymore. I could use my Darkness Perception at will, without waiting a few seconds to activate it.

I didn't even have to activate it, as I knew where to go. I grabbed Suly's hand, and said "I will guide you". We went downstairs, and entered the brightly lit room. Alicia sat at her table, waiting. When we appeared, she asked "Why have you come here again? I never revealed your information". I smiled, and looked at Suly. Suly was shocked. She walked closer to the Grey Lizard, and asked "You are also grey?". Alicia seemed confused, so I explained "This is Lazar's daughter. She is a Grey Lizard too".

Alicia realized what I meant, and said "Oh, so that is why she said that. I still don't understand why does that matter?". I replied "I want you to teach her about Formations". She immediately shook her head, and said "I don't have time. You can leave". I said "I wasn't asking you to do it. You own me one. Besides, you are a Grey Lizard as well, why not pass your legacy onto the next generation". Alicia thought about it for a while, and replied "Do you even know, how hard it is to learn Formations?". I decided to reply with a question myself "Do you know, how hard it was for me to break through my Inner Limits? I have ten more examples of "Do you know". So don't jump out with that kind of crap in front of me. I was just a green villager in the past, yet I managed to learn stuff, and develop".

Suly butted in, and said "I want to learn! Sitting at home all day, talking to no one and having nothing to do, is boring. Even if I leave sometimes, it's still boring. I want to learn something useful. I want to do something interesting!". Alicia sighted, and replied "Child, Formations are really difficult. You will have to spend most of your life, studying them. For us Grey Lizards, it's a waste of time anyway, we were banished after all… I…".

Suly became angry, and said "So what if I'm grey? Does that mean, I can only wait to die? Father loves me, even though I'm grey. Nex became my friend, even though I'm grey. Who said, I can't accomplish anything in life? You are wrong. I don't want to learn from someone like you!". She turned around, and walked towards the exit.

I laughed, and said "Well, it seems that the student, is wiser than the master. Forget that I asked then, you can enjoy whatever you were doing in peace. We are leaving". I turned around, and walked up the stairs as well. I caught up to Suly, and asked a probing question "You are alright with it?". Suly nodded her head, and said "Learning from someone like her, is no good. She believes that a Grey Lizard is worthless, but I don't agree. Father loves me, and you became my friend. I realized something today. It's not about being Grey, Red or Black. How you look, doesn't change who you are. I choose not to sit in the house, for the rest of my life. I will find my own path, instead of sitting on my ass, lamenting about how the world doesn't accept me".

I smiled, and replied "Well said Suly. Let's go, maybe your father is back". Suly nodded her head, and followed me in the dark room. I grabbed the doors, but they didn't open. I smiled and though 'So, she changed her mind after all'. I heard footsteps behind me, and then Alicia's voice saying "So, you are called Suly? My name is Alicia. You were right, I'm perhaps not the best person to teach you something… But I want to teach you about the Formations. Do you still wish to learn from me?". Suly replied "No, I made..", but before she could finish, I interjected "Accept it".

Suly turned towards me, and was about to say something. I placed my hand on her head, and said "Accept it. She is a Formation Master, and probably a good one. You will not be able to find such a master in 100 years. Besides, she lives in Olrad, and Lazar will not be too worried about you".

Suly thought about it, and said "I will study the Formations then". I could see a smile on Alicia's face, but it quickly disappeared. Alicia replied "Very well. I will teach you everything I can. I already warned you, that Formations are very hard. Be prepared to spend many hours studying, and working on your Formations. If you are lazy, you will never accomplish anything". Suly nodded her head, and said "I'm not lazy. I will do it!".

I said to Alicia "She can stay with you, for now. I will tell Lazar about it. Do let her go home, once in a while though, I don't want Lazar to die from worry". She nodded her head, and said "If she does well, she will get some time off". I replied "I'm fine with that", then said "Suly. Study well, and prove the world wrong. I will see you later". Suly nodded her head, and replied "Thank you". I smiled, and left the house.