Bro, I'm not an Undead!

Future Skullius didn't allow the blacksmith to marvel for too long. He immediately got into the details of what he wanted done with the Legendary grade artefact SoSei. He had to be rather specific though. And because of this, Future Skullius told the blacksmith all about his background and the fact that he was a clone of the original Skullius – Bright Storm. He explained a little about Divinity and the sort of enemy this skeleton was meant to be used against as well.

If the blacksmith was going to put his all into modifying SoSei, he had to know everything in great detail.

The man shed a few layers of skin in fright because of all he heard.

The machinations being prepared against a Lich, a foul, powerful wielder of Undeath, sent shivers running down his spine. His hands kept shaking a good while after he had caught up with the basics.

…But then Skullius explained what kind of modifications he wanted made to how the Legendary grade tool SoSei worked.

Elita, Aurolio, Kenno and even Red Rage was baffled by these in particular.

Elita shot up from her seat, her face draining of melanin.

"You can't be serious, Skullius!" she cried. "That's…!"

Kenno seconded her reaction. He rushed up to Future Skullius and grabbed his shoulder. There was a pleading look on his face.

"Boss, this is a bit extreme! It's a wild gamble! Please… we can find another way!" he shouted against his better judgement.

Future Skullius turned to him and those iris-less, pupilless eyes of his seemed to touch something in Kenno's soul. Elita felt the same way.

"Sit down." It was a command, a calm one. But Elita and Kenno felt it tremor through them and a split of a microsecond later, they found themselves back in their seats, timid.

Future Skullius gave a sigh. He patted the blacksmith on the shoulder comfortingly. The man had been more surprised by Elita and Kenno's reactions than the information he was working with for the adjustments to SoSei.

"First of all, don't you think it's a bit foolish to celebrate my growth only to criticise its fruits just minutes after?" said Future Skullius. He stabbed Elita with a look. "I know you are the one who spurred the growth in my younger, immature self. You must have berated him for thinking there are other less… risky, less unrighteous ways to survive as a Divine in the wider reality. How then can this be an outrage to you? It's a gamble indeed, but it's a possibility."

Elita ground her teeth. She had almost forgotten that she was dealing with a different kind of Skullius. But she didn't grow limp of tongue now of all times.

"I have a right to tell you when something has less chances of succeeding and devastating consequences besides!" she said, expelling hot breath from her nostrils. "And I care about you. If you fail… what comes after…"

"That's sweet and all, Elita," said Future Skullius and he played with the curves on SoSei, laid on a workbench, "but you forgot something."

Elita frowned. Kenno's face scrunched up.

"I am only a messenger. A while ago, I dealt with Somanda's influence my way. I did not disclose it to myself – my younger self. This method can't be replicated easily anyway," the future Hybrid said. "I am here finishing the last touches to the method he (Skullius) thought was possible to deter Somanda. Granted, he did not give me the specifics of how exactly to work with this abominable tool, but I am him and he is me. I know exactly what he expects. Rather, I knew as did he when he gave him this task. If there's someone you should be telling your 'I care about you', it's that Skullius. Change his mind first, if you can."

Elita still looked mutinous.

Kenno looked defeated.

"But boss… are you sure it will work?" he asked.

Future Skullius gave him a dark look.

"It's like you're not listening. I don't know any more than I do in this. But I do know that failure is not an option."

Elita clicked her tongue.

"I thought you'd ask my opinion about this at least. Uyuniya and I have many Treasures stowed outside Aigas. One of them could—"

"That's not your role," said Future Skullius with a finality. "Me and that young rascal have decided on the best ways to employ your – you and Uyuniya's – strengths. Hmmm. I hope I delivered that respectfully."

"What?" Elita fumed.

"Oh don't let your feminine pride cloud your judgement. It's not about you being weak or disposable, but about the proper situations in which you will excel," said Future Skullius and he turned to the blacksmith before Elita could retort. "Unfortunately, I cannot allow you to work here. I have a better place with better materials. I need you to be rather speedy, you see."

"I see," said the blacksmith and he hissed out a breath. "Well, I can only imagine you do have something better than this dump if all you've said until now is true. A few better tools could make my work faster."

"Don't worry, you'll have that, time and then some," said Future Skullius.

Just as the blacksmith muttered, "Time?" in confusion, the future Hybrid poked the air and Ju`wtte crackled and roiled violently, creating a rift.

The work was going to need doing in an environment with all the best resources, and what better of a place than the Warmoth's Treasury?

Future Skullius did indeed have access to this despite being a clone…and not being the Hybrid Warmoth anymore.

"Come along now. If you want to argue, you'll have to do that while we are on the move," he said, beckoning Elita and the rest.

The former Paladin Champion gave a sigh of resignation and followed.

She still couldn't believe that this was the plan.

Why was Skullius bunching everything up into a mess that he himself was unlikely to come out of?

And what role did he have prepared for the Void users?

While Elita wondered about this, Aurolio wondered about it as well, along with something else that concerned how he had chosen to conduct himself as a combat expert all these years.

Soon, the Warmoth's Treasury appeared around the group and in all its glory. Strawlers also emerged and discerning Skullius' intent, they immediately accompanied the blacksmith.

"They will take you where you need to go and provide you with all that you need," Future Skullius reassured the man as the Strawlers took away SoSei from him.

"Very well," said the blacksmith. "I shall do my best, but do not expect something too outstanding from a mortal."

"Ah, but all I needed was a mortal who understood the souls of the non-living. You were the perfect choice."

The blacksmith hid his racing heart with a grin and allowed the Strawlers to lead him towards the Timemould Mirror Box.