Lith couldn’t hide his shock as a mass of emerald flames appeared in his hand and was soon replaced by Ruin.
"How do you know about Solus?" He asked, eyeing the quickest way out of her lair while weaving his best spells.
"Stop eyeing the quickest way out and I’ll tell you." All seven of Faluel heads laughed in unison, causing the lair to tremble and a cascade of precious coins to fall.
Lith’s host looked jovial, but he didn’t feel much reassured. Defeating Faluel would have been a herculean task if they fought on neutral ground, but inside her house, she was likely to be nigh-invincible.
"Did you really think I would take you in without running a background check? When Protector mentioned you for the first time, long before you two reconciled in Zantia, I was intrigued at the idea of a man who had cracked his own life force to save an Emperor Beast.
"I knew where the fight against Balkor took place, so I contacted Scarlett for information. The Lord of the forest surrounding the White Griffon told me all about how you two met and your foolish attempt to repair a cracked mana core.
"She was pretty explicit about not having full trust in you because of your hybrid smell and of your connection to a cursed object. Yet she vouched for you, and so did Protector and Kalla." Faluel said.
"Did they really speak on my behalf?" The only way that day could become crazier was Faluel confessing to being Lith’s real mother, if not his father.
"Yes. Scarlett warned me to keep an eye on you rather than on your harmless Living Legacy. Protector never mentioned Solus, yet I knew from the memories he shared with you that he was well aware of her existence. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
"He lied to his master in order to protect a friend, which only made you more intriguing in my eyes. As for Kalla, she vouched for both of you, inviting me to keep my mind open before rushing to judgment." Faluel said.
Lith cursed himself for forgetting about Scarlett the Scorpicore. She had discovered Solus’s existence back when he was still at the White Griffon and had explained to him what a cursed object was.
"Are you saying that you will mentor both of us?" Lith asked.
"Of course. Solus would access my teachings via your memories anyway, so why should I make a half-baked job when I can put both halves to the test? I warned you in the past that I don’t look for loyalty, but for wisdom.
"If either of you is found wanting, I will kick you out." Faluel said.
"One last question. Who else knows in the Beast Council?"
"No one, because it’s none of their business. My the apprentices, my the responsibility. Now summon her, so we can get down to business." Six heads went back to sleep, leaving only one waiting.
Lith opened a Warp Steps, inviting Solus to cross over while updating her about his conversation with Faluel through their mind link.
"By the Great Mother, what is that?" Faluel’s surprise at the pebble turning into a gauntlet was as genuine as it was nonsensical to Lith.
"Solus. Who else?" Lith asked.
"Nice to meet you." Solus didn’t have a body so she waved Lith’s hand as a greeting.
"You... She... You two can split? That’s wrong! So Wrong!" Faluel couldn’t find the words to express her shock. Her seven heads babbling while looking at each other in the eyes made her look comically confused.
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