Omega's Rebirth-Chapter 721: Limited Time ()

"What does any of this even mean?" Neveah asked in bafflement, tracing the rough sketches on the scroll that depicted various strange scenarios.

Xenon and Neveah had been studying the scroll for a short time now and the scroll did not seem to provide any useful information, at least not in the form it was.

A while ago, they had sent for Everon for a third opinion on the scroll before they could consider showing it to the rest, Everon was the first option as he did not hold as strong a prejudice to anything associated with Asrig as the others did.

Now, Everon intently studied the scroll and the drawings and Neveah and Xenon awaited his observations.

The majority of the scroll was covered in illegible writings roughly scrawled on different parts of the scroll, not even aligned as a normal writing would be, just randomly written and it was difficult to decipher the words at all.

Some of the ink had even been smudged and other words were half written, a few incomplete doodles, looking to have been done in a panicked haste or at least in some form of craze or mental instability.

Unlike all the other writings in Asrig’s chest, this was the only writing that was entirely in a state of disorder, save for the strange drawings, one would not believe it had been written by anyone other than a toddler,

And the only way Neveah had been able to tell it was the right scroll were the words on the first line and perhaps the only legible words, ’Forlorn beasts.’

"Most of it is written in the raw form of the ancient dragon tongue with symbols and numerals, but the writing is hardly legible. I can attempt to decipher it, fill in what is missing but it will take some time and might contain sensitive information... Everon might get it done faster." Xenon relayed, peering down at the writings.

Everon pursed his lips slightly, also studying the scroll. "I cannot say until I begin. I am not adept at translation compared to Lord Garron of the Dunes."

"Garron isn’t here right now and his attention is needed at the Dunes. Getting him here might take more time than entrusting it to you. Ron, you will have to translate it." Neveah decided.

"How long will it take? And these drawings..." Neveah trailed off, lifting them to her view.

"They appear to be some form of interdimensional blueprint. And some of these even appear like equations... calculating distances and positions." Everon observed.

Neveah placed them down again, running a hand through her hair. "Blueprints... the dimension was created by sorcery to imprison the forlorn beasts and was later used for the challenge. Could this be like...a map of the dimension? Or how it was created?"

Everon hummed but followed up with a worrisome suggestion. "It could also just be Asrig’s mad ravings and we are awarding it more credit than it deserves."

"Jian was certain Asrig’s records could be trusted and I trust in his judgement, depraved as Asrig’s writings have proven to be. If nothing else, he is the sole survivor of the challenge and recording the traumatic experience was ordered by King Agardan." Neveah reminded thoughtfully.

"This would be so much easier if we could just show it to Jian. He... understood Asrig the best, he would be able to understand this and provide the necessary instructions." Xenon said, breathing a sigh.

"Indeed. The blueprints seem important and should be delivered promptly. Have you tried reaching him recently?" Everon asked Neveah.

Neveah wished she had a conclusive response for Everon, but she could only shake her head. "As I told you, he comes to me. It’s never been me reaching out to him, I do not know how."

"You did connect your subconscious realities together back at Fort Scabbard. Perhaps you can try that again? Reaching for him instead of just waiting it out?" Everon insisted.

"Then, I still had Demevirld at my disposal. Since Demevirld latched to Jian on my request, I can barely sense him. Sharing Demevirld’s abilities through our bond are uncharted waters, I worry if I pull too strongly I might cause more harm than good with something I barely understand." Neveah explained.

Everon did not respond immediately, he squinted slightly. "Pass me the magnifying lens."

Studying a part of the scroll closely through the lens, he then jotted a few things down on a parchment, it took a moment but he finally arrived at a figure and his eyes went wide.

"What is it?" Xenon asked.

"This says... the dimension is set to shut down periodically. These runes indicate a programmed deactivation of all existing ley lines which means an end to all magical functions or the possibility of magic use... portals, gateways, everything."

"A fail safe I would say, considering it is a form of prison space for the forlorn. During the challenges, they were given a period of time during which they had to make it out by winning the battles or risk never making it out again." Everon explained, gesturing urgently with his hand as he studied the scroll again.

"What I mean to say is, survival in the dimension is not just about winning battles..." Everon trailed off.

"There is a time limit." Neveah murmured in horror. 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

"How long did Jian say had passed on his end?" Xenon asked immediately.

"I...well, a few days. He stated that Fort Blazed was only in the dimension for a month, while a year had passed by here." Neveah recalled quickly.

Everon pursed his lips grimly. "By my calculations... the time limit should be about six weeks at the safest estimate, seven on the risky end."

"Jian needed Demevirld to reach Xenon...well, Xenon is here now." Everon pointed out. "As much as I understand your need for caution, it’s been more than a week since you last heard from Jian... which means, the passing of time there might be running close to its limit, you have to reach out to him... by any means."

"Tell me what I need to do." Neveah said without hesitation.

"Theoretically, we can magically induce the same circumstances as it was when you reached him the last time. You might suffer some... discomfort in the process but that is the most certain way." Everon continued.

"I do not like this." Xenon stated in concern.

"It will be under a supervised environment, Xenon and I will be by you the whole time. I will send for a mage from the academy. A little magic might help this go smoothly and prevent any backlash." Everon decided objectively.

"But we must get word to Jian... that they are running out of time." Everon said seriously.