Chapter 83: Full Speed Ahead
William’s vision snapped back after a brief dizzy spell. He blinked, disoriented, seeing that he was back inside his tent. The familiar fabric of the canvas, the smell of leather and dampness... everything indicated he had returned. He sat up with difficulty, his muscles still numb.
"Angel?" he called, his voice hoarse. "Are you here? Answer me."
"Yes, William," responded that monotonous voice which nonetheless conveyed great tranquility. "Everything happened again... just as always. A force expelled you from that world, but this time it didn’t hold me back. I was expelled with you, as if it no longer had any interest in keeping me there."
William let out a sigh of relief.
"That’s good... that place is too dangerous, and every time I’m forced to leave, I’m afraid you’ll get trapped forever. While you were trapped... could you see anything that happened? What do you think of the Scarab Knight?"
"I saw nothing," Angel replied, a hint of shame perceptible despite her monotone voice. "While all that was happening, I was completely incommunicado... as if I didn’t exist. But upon returning, I felt that connection we had before again. And now... I can see your memories. Everything you experienced there, I’ve been able to experience through you."
"Really? How is that possible?"
"I don’t know for certain," she replied. "But I feel that going to that world strengthens me. Since I evolved, I hadn’t been able to progress... but this last trip was different. I feel stronger; I can perceive at a greater distance... for example, now I can clearly sense the four mages traveling with us. And finally, I can estimate their true strength."
William’s eyes widened in surprise.