Limits.

He undid the wraps around his face, and drank the Blood Purifying Essence in one go. He seemed unperturbed for a while, even wondering whenever it was real or not. Then the effect kicked in. His face changed immediately, and he began shaking a bit. After a while, he couldn"t take it anymore, and showed his true form. Crow abandoned the corpse he used, and sat down on the ground. His grunts began escaping his mouth, but the effect would only intensify. I called out "Frosty! Can you help him out?". Frosty change to its corporeal form, and nodded its head. I said "Just use a bit of your power, and cool him down. Don"t try to freeze him though". Frosty nodded, and used its ice breath lightly.

The process lasted for a long time, before Crow finally fainted. He managed to pull through the process, but at the end, all his energy was spent. He collapsed, while I stopped Frosty. "We just have to wait for him to wake up. If the effects are not enough, I will give him the other half". I then turned toward Frosty, and asked "Would this also work on you?", but Frosty shook its head, and wrote something on the ground. Frosty wrote that its blood was pure, and this would only harm it, not improve it. "I wish I had pure blood as well. Wait! Doesn"t that mean, you should be able to break through your Inner Limits easily?".

Frosty became proud, and wrote "Of course". "That b.a.s.t.a.r.d" I thought, and asked "Then at what stage are you now?". Frosty wrote "I just broke through to the Outer Limit". I nodded, and though "So, Frosty"s ice power is this strong, and yet only broke through to the Outer Limit. What would happen, if it broke through to the Inner Limit…". The thought alone made me shiver.

Frosty climbed onto my shoulder, and I patted its head. I then said "Yea, you can return now. Although, come out whenever you wish". Frosty nodded, and changed back to the tattoo on my hand. I waited for Crow to wake up, and decided to roast some meat, while I was at it. Crow finally woke up, as I was roasting, and said absentmindedly "Mmm... I"m hungry".

I replied "Then sit down, and have some". Crow finally realised where he was, and said "Sorry, didn"t mean to..". I stopped him, and said "Sit down, and eat". He quickly entered the corpse on the ground, then looked at the meat roasting over the fire. I said "Just sit, and eat as much as you want". He no longer hesitated, and sat down, then began eating. Crow reminded me of my old self, in that state. I was training a lot, which always resulted in my using a lot of energy. I used to eat like a beast. I asked "So, how do you feel?". He nodded his head, and said "I can already feel the improvements. I feel that I can break through my Half Step no problem now". I replied "That is good, here take this as well". I handed him the Earth Strength Essence, that I had left from the time, I was about to break through my Half Step.

"Drink this, and your strength will increase. You can always use more strength, even though you don"t specialise in it". He nodded his head, and asked a bit afraid "Will this hurt, just like the other one?". I smiled, and said "No, this will not hurt". He nodded his head, and drank it. After a while, he exclaimed "This is great! I can already feel my strength becoming better and better. I will be the strongest scavenger in our group!".

I interrupted his daydream, and said "Now that this is taken care of, what do you want to do, about your freedom?". He shook his head, and said "Even if I break through my Half Step, I have no chances. Haah... I"m really grateful, but the only way is to pay really".

I said "I can get the money, but you will have to wait a while. Rather, a long time. I need to train, and I want to go visit those Atols. I also don"t want to return to the Great Forest currently. When I get enough money, I will tell you". He shook his head, and said "You don"t have to. I mean, you have your own problems. Besides, didn"t you help me enough already? The money will be better spend for your own stuff". I shook my head, and said "It doesn"t matter to me. I always travel, and live off the land. I can get by in the North just fine. Take this as well".

I handed him a portion of my food. It was about 30 kilograms of it. I already knew where I was heading, and what creatures I would be able to hunt. Giving Crow that much, was not a problem at all. He looked inside the bag, and said "That is a lot of meat. I can"t..". I stopped him, and said "Just take it, I can get more. Now onto another matter at hand. I don"t think that the Dead Forest, is a good place to meet. Is there another location, that we can use in the future?".

He nodded his head, and said "I was about to mention that. I will not frequent Dead Forest anymore. It"s too dangerous, if I get caught… I prefer not to get caught. If you are going further north, then that is great! The other side of the Sludge Factory, is where my City called Sedon is. Show me your map, I will mark the location where we can meet". I gave him my map, and waited for him to mark the location. When he looked at it, he exclaimed "Wow! This map of yours, is much better than anything I saw till now. Where did you get it from?". I replied "From a friend. If you ever need help, go to Obsidian Mountains, and enter that volcano", I then pointed at a specific location on the map. I continued "This is Olrad. Find Lazar or Harlin in there, and tell them you know me. They will help you out".

Crow nodded his head, and said "Thanks, when I really need help, I will go there". I then added "It is quite hot over there, but if you stay away from the creatures that live there, and don"t attack them. They will leave you alone too". He nodded, and said "I know, We don"t travel to Obsidian Mountains much, for reason I"m sure you know". After a while of checking the map out, he said "I added the location for our meeting, to your map. With this many details on your map, you will be able to find it no problem. I will still hang that black ribbon as a sign. It will mean, that I"m there often. When it"s not there, it means I"m doing something. I will still try to get as much info, as I can for you, this is the least I can do". I nodded, and stood up. "We will meet again. So take care of your own stuff, and keep your eyes peeled in that case. Till we meet next time Crow" I said, and started walking towards my new destination.

Crow said "Till we meet next time, Nex". Crow and I, went our own separate ways. Although our meeting was short, and we both knew that the future was unknown. Yet friends always manage, to find a way and meet again.