31th day of Winter, 512 AV
Miro had known for a while that Rayage had been around the Citadel, working in his lab. He however had not seen the Nuit, or his fancy laboratory. In the past, he had talked about Sahova, how he had everything he could ever need handed to him. The Pulser boy was not so lucky. It was not until this day he even laid eyes on the man in question. As far as the boy could tell, his long lost Nuit counterpart had not spotted him yet, but he would know of his presence on the isle soon enough.
Rayage had left Miro, not on bad terms, or even too suddenly, but without giving offer to take him along. The now squired Reimancer had put stock in other things, and as a result, was left behind. He and Rayage formed a bond unlike any other in Mizahar. The amount of respect and fear between them was perfectly align, allowing a beneficial alliance between wizards. Miro both respected and feared the knowledge Rayage had on Alchemy, and he was sure there was a similar feeling from he Nuit master on the boy's Reimancy. Before parting, the ancient corpse granted his young ally the secret discipline of Leeching, but left him to discover control of it on his own.
Truly that left the biggest scar on his heart. To be taken into Leeching so harshly, and then left to mend the trauma on his own. Since then, he had come into his own, and finally understood well what the discipline was meant for. He was still working to gain control of his new instinct, but each day he felt the part of his that was a Leecher grow. The tainted Djed taken, it was hard to control, but still he found use in it. It was obvious that a true master of Leeching was able to put every last bit of the stolen power to great use. What was taken, it was terribly inefficient for the newly initiated, and even harder to cast effectively. For now his Reimancy and Leeching were not to be combined, for the risk far outweighed the benefit.
Miro watched closely the path Rayage took as he wandered the halls, following a set distance behind him. It was decided in his mind how the situation was to be handled. A gift was given to the boy, one that caused him pain and haunted him, while also giving him a great potential. It was a push that would build his discipline and power, to evolve him into something greater. It was a gift of suffering he was eager to return. Nothing he had ever experienced rivaled the horror of being Leeched to that point, but he could imagine a few things. Being broken apart and reforged into something greater, it was truly an experience that would alter life itself.
It would ruin things to reveal his plans and take away the element of surprise that made his own initiation so profound, so covert tactics would be needed. Sticking to the shadows, keeping his intentions sealed, and then finally when the moment came, inspiring an awakening of fear. The wizard closed his mind off and focused on his body, opening it to the environment to soak in Djed that came in contact with his skin. Every last bit would be needed if there was at all a struggle. He did not want the corpse to resist and need to be harmed from all of this. Further and further they walked, heading to a place he had never ventured before.
As they moved deeper into the unknown, Miro began to close the distance between them, sure to emulate his walking speed to hide his presence. Rayage walked at a slow pace, even when traveling such a distance, which at first made the living boy restless. After a while of walking, it was easy to remember, this was how he chose to spend his time, and he might as well enjoy it. Besides, he was young, and beyond that surrounded by immortals. Wasting away one's life in Sahova was never a concern, not when surrounded by magic. The last time somebody had died of old age here was never. Before long he found how the ancient could enjoy such a slow pace, able to focus and draw in a great deal of Djed as they trekked further.
Though the halls were always rich and heavy with various Djeds, the gain was still subtle and hardly noticeable. Still onward they walked, no rest or hesitation in the calm steps. The concept of time seemed to fade away, only now being trapped within his mind. Without doubt, his partner was enjoying the calm silent walk the most of the three. Having something more or less harmless and quiet to distract Miro was a gift from the gods. It was a certainty that all things would come to an end though, especially the case with the boy and silence. Boredom without fail would result in various random thoughts that would be shared with his Familiar, for he so lacked the skill to contain them to his mind.
"Hey, Ender, I know you see him as well as I do, and still haven't forgiven him. I know also that by now you are questioning my motives. But do not worry, for I shall even out things between us. Through the scarring pain he has inflicted, I am able to see a brighter light. We are closer now, even if the Nuit is more distant. But I shall fix this. Do not worry, I will give him the gift of realization and awakening as he has to me. And you can bet that every last ounce of betrayal, pain and fearful surprise will be paid back in double."
The Irylid responded with a transformation to break from his icy shell on Miro's wrist. He was able to float along side him at this calm pace in his natural form, and also free of prying eyes that might threaten their safety. Even through his cold emotions, his master's words sparked a fire inside. He so desperately wanted to watch the Nuit Alchemist suffer for torturing them, and to prevent it form ever happening again. His partner was a Reimancer, not a person to be crossed. "I have waited long for the moment I might finally hear his screams of pain. To finally be able to witness his deeds returned to him, I can hardly wait. I may even understand how you can get so excited to cast magic sometimes. Let's make him burn and scream in agony."
At some point, the Alchemist came to a stop at large towering doors. As he began the process of opening the large doors, Miro was well able to bridge the remaining gap between them, but still worked to hide his presence. He approached the ancient from behind just as the doors were pushed open to reveal his magnificent workspace within. The boy quickly placed a hand on the cold dead shoulder and began to apply a bit of pressure to assist the man on his walk into his own space. "Come with me." He hissed the words in an ominous tone, more than insisting they move into the lab before removing his grip.
The Reimancer took little time to absorb his setting, though admittedly curious and excited to be in this place he had so long fantasized of. He could only stare at this man who gave him so many conflicted feelings, though his will was absolute. His icy blue eyes shone bright in the faint lighting, so obviously staring down Rayage. The boy remained silent a moment longer, his arms crossed standing a distance away and waiting for the doors to close and attention to be on him.
"It has been a long time, Professor, and I do hope you haven't missed me too much. I have come to realize much in our time apart, and I think it is time we had a talk. I am ever so eager to catch you up." Each word holding a sly hidden meaning, something he would not reveal at this time. He began to flow Res under his clothing, slowly layering his body. When the moment was right, he would spring into action and make his move. The tension had to be built and despite it still manage to surprise. This was going to be fun, not only for Miro, but Ender too.