Lightning Is the Only Way

Ferris told Gravis everything that had happened in the time since his last visit, and the longer Ferris talked, the more shocked Gravis grew.

The events themselves didn't really shock Gravis, but the sheer amount of what had happened shocked him deeply.

None of the things were that special. There were just some fights here and there and some restructurings.

However, there were just so many incidents. The sheer number of them was simply shocking to Gravis.

Ferris had talked to Gravis for nearly a week before he was done recounting the events, which left Gravis surprised.

'All of that happened while I was away?' Gravis thought. 'It doesn't feel that long to me. It feels more like I've only taken two naps, and that's it. It only feels like I've been away for only a couple of years. I don't even particularly miss everyone since I feel like I had just met everyone yesterday.'

'Is this the effect of using Samsara too often?' Gravis thought. 'Over 150,000 years passed, but 150,000 years doesn't actually feel that long. I went through much longer periods of time.'

'However, if I break it down with my actual, physical age, It would make more sense that so many things had happened. I'm about 950,000 years old, and 150,000 years is just a bit less than an entire sixth of my life.'

'For a mortal, it would probably feel like they would have been away from their family for ten years.'

'For mortals, a lot of things can happen in ten years.'

While Ferris was continuing to talk excitedly, Gravis looked around Manuel's faction with eyes reflecting complex emotions.

Now that Gravis actually focused on his surroundings, he noticed that the entire feeling of everyone was… off. It was like a lot of things had changed.

However, the surroundings weren't the issue. The issue was more with how Gravis' friends felt to him.

A good example would be Dorian. Gravis still remembered how he had talked to him the last time. Dorian hadn't appeared any different from normal, but right now, Dorian appeared far more serious.

Gravis could see how Dorian talked to many members of Manuel's faction with a serious tone. He was currently giving them a lot of advice for the off-chance that they would be outclassed by their enemy. He was telling them how to retreat and how to use the changing environment to take their enemies by surprise.

Surprisingly, Dorian didn't joke around while teaching these things to the members of Manuel's faction. Instead, he was teaching the members everything very methodically. It was like he had been doing that for an eternity.

Dorian had always had a peculiar personality. He had always been crass and didn't take many things seriously, but right now, it felt like he had grown up, for lack of a better word.

the weight of responsibility Dorian carried on his

had always appeared exhausted due to his job as a Sect Master. Lazar always only

It was like Dorian placed the importance of the effectiveness of his teachings above being himself. He would rather completely change himself to give others a better chance at

jumping into Gravis' arms. She was reviewing a lot of Formation Arrays

told Gravis that Stella had become pretty good at

think that should be enough to learn a lot

Arrays to being good enough to alter Formation

for

who quickly

that. The great lord of Sitting-On-Your-Arse has returned to

you been, Meadow?"

what's with that tone?" Meadow asked with disgust. "You're worried over me? I already have a boyfriend, you know.

I meant

dickwad. How about you don't bore me for only

you wouldn't even sit on it. Normal people sit on the floor, but you're underground. In your case, the floor sits on you. That also explains why you have no arse.

baby boy finally got some teeth. Why didn't you show them earlier? You went all sappy and worried

his head with an awkward smile. "Well, I fear I might

Again? What's it

Gravis said. "I don't feel like a lot of time has passed, but not everyone might

long was it? 100,000, 200,000 years? Makes no difference to me. Has your sensitive little human brain received a small

older than me," Gravis said. "It probably won't feel any different to you, but

or Stella. If you compare them to how they were 200,000 years ago, don't they feel

and Stella. "Sure, but that's normal. Humans and beasts change all the time. It's like I take a short nap,

don't feel different. It's like you haven't changed since the last time, which is surprising.

Gravis. "So, everyone else feels different, but I don't feel

I said, you deaf fuck," Meadow

remained silent

changed, but he hadn't

or something. It feels like no

looked at Ferris, who was