Atticus would have thanked his stars if he knew how close the Will Guard had been to boxing them in.
It was only after Whisker explained how they operated that he saw how tight their escape was.
It went without saying that the Will Guard held the most authority in the Willess World. They alone controlled the majority of the resources, and that made them able to wield power no other faction could otherwise wield.
Atticus found out from Whisker that, just as it was possible for them not to use their will without a medium, the Will Guard had invented a technology that enabled them to either limit the use of will to a particular area, cutting them out of the world, or cut off the use of will completely.
Either way, it was an incredible power to have. And when Whisker told him that the other major factions were scrambling to figure out the makings of this technology, Atticus expressed his shock.
The technology was a major game changer, the sort that would make the major factions band together to rid themselves of the Will Guard. Yet, they had done nothing.
"Trust me, my star actor, even I donât understand how everything is the way it is. I tell you all this to warn you of those zealots. Theyâre as rigid as they are powerful and even the major factions are wary of them."
Whisker spoke with shocking seriousness, though Atticus couldnât claim to be completely focused on him or his words.
But he couldnât be blamed. After everything that just occurred, it was obvious he had a lot of things to think about.
The group appeared a few blocks away from the Gilded Debt, through a rune Atticus had placed beforehand. He was never the type to enter a place without an exit plan.
After this, Whisker had led them across town, making sure to keep a low profile.
âWe need a place to lay low until everything settles,â Whisker had explained telepathically.
âTo confirm if weâre fugitives,â Atticus added.
âYou catch on quick.â Whisker winked, smiling.
âHmm.â Was all Ozeroth said, but Atticus didnât miss the surge of excitement that went through the man.
Atticus couldnât decide between the two, the fact that they went against the law of a powerful faction, or of the imminent battle that would come with the Will Guard chase.
âWonât this device give up our position?â Atticus glanced at the bracelet on his arm. The will guard had mandated all gods to wear it.
âRemoving it would be more suspicious. Theyâll come looking immediately. Itâs better to confirm if weâre fugitives first before making any decisions.â
Atticus didnât say anything after that, and just like that Whisker led the group to a motel at the edge of the middle parts.
Atticus could see the unpaved road of the outer parts before entering into the room.
A low grade will stone had granted them a month stay, with food and utilities. Atticus couldnât help but mourn the wasted money, they clearly werenât going to stay that long.
"So, whatâs up with you, man?" As the door to the room closed, Whisker suddenly asked.
Atticus came out of his muddled thoughts to see that Whisker, Ozeroth and Kancilot were all staring at him.
"What do you mean?"
"Your emotions are written all over your face, which is very, very unusual of you." Whisker said, narrowing his eyes. The others couldnât help but nod.
Atticus was never the type to wear his emotions on his face. His expressions were more of a mask than a reflection of what he was feeling.
"Which is why I canât help but think that something world ending had just occurred."
"Heâs right, bond." Ozeroth chimed in. Though his eyes were sharp, Atticus didnât miss the wave of worry that settled deep in his heart. "Youâre also blocking my probes. What happened?"
"Yeah," Whisker cleared his throat, "letâs not forget the purple will."
Kancilot stood by the side. Though he had things to say, he remained silent. Ozeroth and Whisker could converse with Atticus like equals, but he didnât dare to.
Atticus stared at them silently for many moments, unsure of what to say. Should he tell them about the dreams? About the overwhelming feeling of anguish he was currently feeling?
To him, he didnât just witness the fall of Solvath, he had felt it. The pain, the anguish, the unrelenting anger.
Then there were also the last moments he witnessed, had that child been him? He had been some prince? And more importantly, was that his... father?
Atticus took in deep breaths, causing the eyes of the trio watching him to widen. Why did it look like he was going through some kind of panic attack?
Atticus, of all people?
"Oi, bond. Are you okay?" Ozeroth began approaching, unable to keep the worry from his expression anymore.
But Atticus didnât seem to hear him. He had tried, and tried, but he couldnât get his emotions under control, no matter how much he wanted to.
âDo I tell them everything?â The question weighed heavier than he would like it to. Countless thoughts seemed to pass through his mind. He took another deep breath and turned to them.
"Honestly, Iâm not sure whatâs going on," he said, tone grave, mimicking his current emotions.
"But what I am sure is, itâs not good. Itâll definitely bring more troubles to our doorstep, and I donât know if we can handle it."
Of the whole group, only Kancilot found his heart beating fast. He gulped.
He knew just how monstrous this child was. He had battled Nerrot, who everyone had deemed stronger than him without batting an eye. To think anything could make him so unsure was shocking.
Just what was going on?
There was a moment of silence, as though everyone weighed the gravity of Atticusâs words. A chuckle broke it. Whisker.
"Youâve always had a knack for making impossible enemies, my star actor." Whisker approached, placing both hands on his shoulder. "But here we are, still kicking. Whatâs there to be worried about? Weâre harder to kill than cockroaches."