6.42 - Insane and Undying
There were too many people in line to handle in one day. Without Alise, the core exchange process would have been impossible. She not only organized the line, but triaged the people to ensure the most important ones got their cores swapped out. Tero’gal gave cores related to themes of defensive powers and stealth, which wasn’t even remotely surprising. It took parts from both Theo and Tresk, resulting in cores that were a mix of both their personalities.
It wasn’t the end of someone’s life if their aligned cores lost their alignment. But unaligned cores were often far less powerful than the aligned ones. Theo inclined his head on the third day of the core exchange program, watching as Zarali and Xol’sa walked into the temple. Zarali had been placed at the front of the line by Alise before she insisted she be placed at the back of the line. They were among the last to enter the temple, although Xol’sa seemed adamant about refusing a core upgrade.
Zarali’s Drogramath Priestess Core had been upgraded in a path Theo didn’t expect. It had become a Tero’gal Healer’s Core, removing all mentions of worship to her false god. Theo was shocked she didn’t take the change worse, but everyone had enough time to accept the truth. In a world of constant change, it appeared even the gods weren’t safe.
“That’s it for the day,” Theo said, sighing. “I’m tired.”
“Well, you must rest. We’re preparing for the wedding,” Xol’sa said, bringing a reminder Theo needed. He almost forgot about it.
“I’m not responsible for planning anything, am I?”
“Of course not!” Zarali said, clasping her hands together before her chest. “Your attendance will be more than enough. Oh, I must test this core out at my workshop.”
Zarali scampered off, leaving Theo and Xol’sa mostly alone in the temple. The alchemist felt a tension build in the air, but that might have been from his apprehension. When the extra-planar wizard turned to him, he knew his fears would come true.
“I don’t mean to prod, but have you made progress?” Xol’sa asked.