The Black Tide Was Coming

Shaya: [Is anyone there? Did the signal cut out? Isn't this Phantom Color Channel supposed to be pretty responsive? Why is it so unstable?]

Just after finishing his business with Floco, Thor heard Shaya shouting from the Small Dark Room.

"All right, I had something to discuss with Floco. Now, let's talk about you. How are you doing? Have you taken control of the Inverted Tree yet?"

Shaya's voice was full of exasperation.

[I've had a rough time of it. I was only a Tier 1 when I died, and barely made it to Tier 2 with outside help. Now I have to tame a Tier 3.]

Thor understood Shaya's predicament. It was already good that he could recuperate inside the Inverted Tree. There was no need to rush him into making a comeback.

Of course, Shaya couldn't just lounge around forever. Without a life full of twists and turns, how could he provide Thor with enough Fate Power?

In any case, Thor planned to find Shaya something to do once he'd adapted to the Inverted Tree's body.

Shaya: [By the way, even though I'm recuperating, I've sent out some roots to investigate. I found something.]

"What is it?"

Shaya: [Things seem a little chaotic in the Kema Principality lately. Nearly all the troops and Wizards stationed outside Kaositer have left. They looked grim, like something major had happened.]

"The troops have been called away. Could there be another war? The Kenas Principality is already no threat. Is another power invading?"

But Thor wasn't closely tied to the Kema Empire, and he certainly wasn't going to risk sending Shaya out while he was still recovering.

"All right. Keep an eye out for anything happening near Kaositer, but don't leave Baidong Academy. Don't let it affect your health."

Shaya was unexpectedly