Supreme Magus

Strangler.
We were afraid of losing you forever. ” Elina and Raaz started to cry, holding their daughter as if she might fall dead at any moment.

At that point, all that Tista could do was to apologize and promise to be more careful in the future.

Lith and Salaark exploited the moment to sneak away.

”Do you think they are overreacting? ” Lith asked.

”Kid, if our situation was reversed, I would be kicking their ass into oblivion.
We got off easy. ” The Guardian replied.
”I'll have their dinner served in Tista's room but we must dine with the others or the kids will get scared. ”

Once the food arrived on the table, Lith discovered to be starving.
Between the scare and his experiments with the orc crystal, he had skipped lunch.
The Heavenly Plume tribe was used to feeding Phoenixes so the chefs had no problem serving him a meal big enough to make up for the lost time.

During and after dinner, Lith used the Sentry he had left with his sister to check up on her from time to time.

'I guess you were right back at the gala.
Not even the presence of a Guardian is enough to ease my paranoia.' Lith said via the mind link.

'Speaking of which, maybe you should make a few calls.
I'm afraid that the Balkor copycat might have made another move but we don't know about it because people don't want to ruin your vacation.' She replied.

Solus hadn't thought about the Balkor cards for days until Tista's failed experiment had made her remember Lark's and Mirim's death.

Lith immediately called Vastor who reassured him that everything was okay.

”Yet I share your fears.
The only reason why nothing bad has happened is that the surveillance is as tight as your wallet ” The Professor said.
”The Balkor copycat doesn't attack only because they lack the opportunity.

”By the way, how was your meeting with Xenagrosh? She seemed pretty happy about spending quality time with you. ”

”It was interesting.
I still find it a bit creepy hanging with strangers that treat me like a member of their family, but I'm getting used to it. ” After a bit of chatting, Lith called Xenagrosh as well just to hear from her.

'I must get rid of my bad habit of forgetting about people unless I need something from them.
I still can't believe that Marth didn't invite me to his wedding nor did he tell me about the baby until the gala.' He thought.

'It's not like you can blame him.
Marth always called you for your birthday and whenever he was worried about you.
Yet you never went to visit him even after getting your own personal Gate.' Solus replied.

At those words, Lith shapeshifted into his human form and called Marth for the first time in years.

”What can I do for you, Lith? ” The Headmaster didn't even raise his hands from the paperwork on his desk, expecting it to be a business call, like always.

”Just tell me how are you doing, Duke.
How long until I can meet Manohar junior? ” Lith said with a chuckle, making Marth fall from his chair.

It was hard to tell if he was more surprised by the unexpected social call or by the name Lith had called the child with.

”Please, don't you ever say that again! Manohar is dead set on forcing his name upon my firstborn and Ryssa finds our quarreling so funny that she sides with him from time to time to not let the argument die! ”

”You are the closest thing he has to a friend.
I find it sweet that Manohar wants to be part of your life.. ” Lith replied.