I woke up in front of a gigantic tree. The gentle breeze was rustling its leaves, creating a sound and making shadows, thrown by sunlight sliding in between the constantly changing openings, dance.

There was a ball of light levitating near to the tree trunk. I picked myself up and slowly walked closer to it. There was this faint humming coming out of it.

- You wanted to talk- a voice appeared in my mind.

- Yes. I need your help. I don't want much. Just move me to the Xuvi base.historical

- I can't do that. I still need them.

- If you help me, I'll do whatever you want. I'll go to that stupid city or whatever. You already killed one person dear to me, now, as a payback, you could help save one.

- As I already told you, they are important to me. At least for now. You can't kill them.

- You said they are safety switch. If we work with you, you won't need one.

- I already made an attempt to build trust, and it failed. I won't repeat my mistake again.

- It's us or them.

There was a long pause. He wasn't speaking for several minutes. I started to think that maybe he left, or even the whole dream ended, and I just didn't realize it yet, but that wasn't the case. I was still there and could move, even speak if I wanted.

- I won't interfere in your conflict, but I can't help you either.

- Look you fuckin, stupid ball, or whatever you really are. I had people forcing me to do things, and they are dead now. I'm not going back. I'm not returning to my old self. I won't be threatened like I used to before.

- You are dramatizing too much. Xuvi might try for years, but they won't achieve what they want. You don't need to worry about that. Give them crystals, and your friend will be safe.

-But she won't be free.

- Definitely not now. Maybe in the future. Without her, their options to make you cooperate are very limited. Which also means they will keep her safe.

- According to you they don't have problems with experimenting on their own kids. They might experiment on her. Brainwash her to make me help them. That's your answer? - I was getting more pissed off with every word.

-The sacrifices are unavoidable. I wish it wasn't the case, but it is.

- You can prevent this.

-For the price of annihilating a whole species? No.

- Those bastards are evil.

- According to you. According to them, they are not. Moreover, who are you to decide what's right or what's wrong? You are not objective. You are blinded by your own interest.

-They are blinded too, and I'm not trying to hurt anybody here. They are the ones using threats. Moreover, I'm done with you. You either help me free her, or I swear' when I find what your grand plan is about, I'll do everything in my power to ruin it. So what's it going to be?

- Interesting.. You dare to threaten me in your position? That's not very wise, considering I could kill all of you, and start over.

- And gamble again?

- You are just one of many projects.

- Do your other projects fix the not working ones for you?

Another pause, although this time not as long as the one before.

- You can not kill Xuvi, but I'll help you rescue your little friend. Does that satisfy you?

- How? I need to know your plan.

- Gather the crystals, and bring them to Xuvi. I'll create a way for you to get inside. Then you are on your own, but you can't kill them. Is that clear?

- Fine. What do you want in exchange?

- You will get stronger, and travel to Loistavadvaar. There I will tell you what I want.

- Good for... me - I said, as I realize that I'm laying in my bed, looking at the ceiling of my room.

The bit of light making it inside through the slight opening in the shutters was indicating its already morning. I picked myself up and went to take a bath, still thinking about the conversation I had a moment ago.

I allowed my emotion to get better of me. Fortunately, it worked this time, but next time could be very different. I needed to control myself better when gambling with the lives of so many people.

I washed, then went to eat, and started the preparation for departure. I needed to collect twenty million points in crystals, which wasn't an easy task for a normal person. I was a different case, though.

I started by clearing the lizardfolk settlement and then deposited all 1361 collected crystals in place prepared by Hatta. There were guards keeping watch and everything.

I repeated the process in the graveyard and returned with 1325 more stones. With that, according to my calculations, I had more than one-fourth of what I needed, which meant Ki'rai should remain a hostage only for three more days. It was a reassuring thought after a day full of worries.

With my mind a little bit more at ease, I went to relax somewhat in the bathhouse. I still needed a strategy of what to do inside the base when I get there. I needed for sure to drop the anchor, but also to get to Ki'rai, and I had no idea where they could be keeping her.

This meant I needed a hostage of my own to force them into cooperation. One of the three that greeted me sounded good enough. They probably were pretty high in the chain of command, which was giving better chances of success. The problem was that I still needed to find those people.

My better mood vanished as soon as I started contemplating on those matters. I didn't know shit about their base. I had no idea where to look for anybody. On top of that their defensive mechanisms were also unknown to me.

With every second the plan was seemingly worse and worse. I needed to talk with The Great One again. With that in mind, I jumped out of the water and went to grab a meal in the cafeteria. Then I returned to my room.

The day came to an end with 9 148 400 points remaining on my account, ninety-one class points, 1361 lizard crystals, and 1325 undead ones kept safely under guard.