Meditating for almost an hour, letting his body rejuvenate, he considered all the options. It was a tough choice to make, especially knowing that by choosing one path, he closed the other two. "Why can't I just do everything?" he complained mildly to himself. But there were rules to how power was transferred, shadowy Quanta laws, unwritten and fixed forever.
Bigger than that, to the Quanta, the mysterious dimension that all magic is generated in. The archaeologist Robert wondered if Quanta had any connection to the word "Quantum," from cutting-edge scientific studies. That mysterious micro-verse is smaller even than the atomic scale.
He would have to look into it at some point. All he knows is that it's both extremely exciting and deeply mystifying to scientists the whole world over. "Focus Robert…" he scolded himself.
"Moira, I think I'm going to choose the Rook." Robert finally decided.
It was a long time coming. Despite all the rewarding tactics by every choice, he eventually came to the solid conclusion that he couldn't go wrong with Rook. It would give him the ability to help his friends in combat in a more streamlined way, making himself a defensive shield to protect his nearest allies with a dome of mana that can deflect and absorb spells cast at him.
Robert had not forgotten the red lightning blast he took at full strength from the Warlock. It very nearly ended his magical career, even cracking his mana core to the point where his magic was gone. If it wasn't for that dream he had, where it was restored and made into a better version by the mysterious man in his dream, he would likely be dead, or worse, a permanent vegetable, unable to wake and lost forever in that nightmarish dream world.
Moira, ever present and connected to Robert, murmured, "Relax, and wait for this process to complete." A warm power began to swell from his mana core. A crystal with nine points in the shape of a star, fastened to his sternum, was visible over the skin of his chest. Each point glittered with mana in a different color, shifting from one to another.
His pathways were reworked in his body once more, thickened and increased in durability and size. The boundaries between them and his own flesh and blood fused stronger, regenerating swiftly. The shillelagh that hung at his hip, which had been so helpful in bonking kobolds and more throughout his adventures so far, began to evaporate.
Crystal and bone dissolved into magical particles that flowed into his flesh and melded with these mana paths. The repurposed crystal had been connected to them so that the properties of the crystal that enabled it to channel mana through it with greater ease was transferred into his body. He would now be able to absorb mana from spells cast at him, weakening them, and his dome spell would be able to repel portions of hostile spells completely.
Not only that, but it comes with its own special talent. By sacrificing offense, he could increase the defense of the shield and lower its mana cost to maintain, improving its defensive capabilities as he eliminates the ability to attack from inside of it.
Feeling the strength of a castle inside of him, he opened his eyes. Lillia had found her way back and sat beside him on a chair. She smooched his nose and smiled into his face, her curly black hair draped around his face, veiling the city's destruction. Looming over him with a bright smile, he could see only her. Her hair cloaked all distractions, and her face was lit with joy at his reawakening.
She mouthed words at him, "Stop sleeping, lazy bones," and winked fondly at him.
"Slop seeping, Lacy Boats?" Robert joked back at her, and she collapsed against his chest in fits of silent giggles because of his bad lip-reading.
Robert was distracted by the soft warmth of her body as it shook in laughter, but curled his arms around her in a tight hug.
When she looked back up at his face, wordless as always, he pulled her in closer for a tender kiss.
Hidden behind her hair, they took this moment to find happiness in one another, despite the destroyed city beyond their small intimate bubble.
Slowly she pulled away, tugging his lower lip harmlessly as she parted, and then bit her own lower lip.
Her eyes were wild with lust, but she resisted herself and pulled back, helping him to sit up.
Lillia plopped close next to him and put his arm around her shoulders so she could hug his side.
Robert asked her, "How did it go for you? Did you find a lot of people?"
She nodded at his words and mouthed up at him, "Many and many. Many dead, too."
Deciding it would be an inappropriate time to misread her lips, he nodded slowly, "Good news and bad. It's the same for me. I'm glad you are alright."
About this time, Hamish and Snow joined them, looking refreshed from the overnight ordeal. Hamish raised an eyebrow at how close Lillia and Robert were, using what was known in some places of the world as "bro code" to ask Robert if they were official.
Snow used "sister speak" on Lillia, as she smiled genuinely at them.
Her mouth smiled warmly, but with an imperceptible glance from Lillia to Robert and back again, she let the question linger in her eyes.
Lillia smiled back and glanced up at Robert, just as Robert looked down at her.
Lillia smiled sweetly.
Robert blushed terribly.
Hamish and Snow snickered helplessly.
Lillia, bold as always, and untameable, poked Robert's belly and sat from him to gaze seriously at him.
Making sure she had his full attention, she mouthed voicelessly, "They want to know what we are. So do I. What are we now, Robert?"
Robert started to turn his face, in that way Lillia knew he was about to think of some stupid joke to deflect, but she reached up quickly and made his eyes meet hers with the palm of her hand and steered his attention where she wanted it.
On her.
Robert gazed into her enchanting eyes.
"We are meant for one another, and I knew it from the moment we first met." He said simply.
Hamish's mouth fell open at the boldness of that statement, and whistled low, "The balls on you, brother… Damn. Respect for the courage."
Snow smacked his arm lightly, but went back to clutching her hands at her throat, moved by the exchange, "Awwww, oh my gosh, I can't take it!" Snow bounced happily.
"Thank goodness for something good happening in this awful place!"
Lillia, for her part, stared at Robert's face, eyes searching for every muscle twitch, the shape of his mouth, and even the size and steadiness of his pupils.
They were large, as they stared unflinchingly at her.
She smiled slowly.
"I believe you." She mouthed to him.
And Robert felt a sense of satisfaction swell within his soul.
Having made a real connection with an incredible woman.
So what if she had no voice? She spoke with her spirit, and to Robert, that was far more genuine.