Seronia says "What do you mean by broken?"

"Mentally broken. I feel like something broke in me when I was thrown into the pit and it has never healed."

Krenocia says "Why do you think that?"

"Well, for starters I should have freaked out a lot more than I did. I should have had a nervous breakdown when I found myself fighting goblins and a dire wolf."

Seronia says "And because you didn't, you think there is something wrong with you?"

"Yes, and it hasn't gotten any better since then."

Krenocia says "Well, there are a few factors to consider. First of all, my spell chose you because you were able to handle coming to this world. Second, the body you are in is not your own, as a human you would have responded differently."

"You are saying the fact that this isn't my body affected how I responded?"

Seronia says "It makes sense, you are in the body of a born predator. It would have different responses to danger than a human body would."

"Alright, I'll give you that this body probably has different chemical reactions than a human body. But my mind is still my own, at least I don't think I am any different."

Krenocia says "As to that, since we didn't know you before we can't tell if you are different now. However, what you have been through so far would have changed anyone. So if you have changed then it would be understandable."

Seronia says "Yeah, it would be stranger if you hadn't changed considering what has happened to you."

"I was never a violent person in my old world. Yet here not only do I respond with violence faster, but it doesn't bother me."

Krenocia says "That is probably a survival trait you have picked up. After all, if you hesitated then you would be dead."

Seronia says "Other than a penchant for getting into trouble, we haven't seen any signs of you being broken."

"Getting into trouble is definitely part of my original personality. But I still feel like something is wrong. There is another possibility, but I have been avoiding it."

Krenocia says "What's that?"

"Blitz. I have been wondering if putting a part of my soul into Blitz is the root of the problem."

Seronia says "It is certainly possible. A soul is not meant to be split into pieces!"

Krenocia says "According to our knowledge what you did shouldn't have even been possible. So we know nothing of the potential side effects."

"So, you wouldn't know anything about how to undo it?"

Seronia says "We know a little about reforging a weapon, but not one that has a soul fragment in it. That is the stuff of legends, but you could always ask your tower about it."

Krenocia says "That is probably your best bet. Even though the old mages never made soul weapons, I wouldn't be surprised if they researched it at least."

"Yeah, I can do that. Does this mean you agree with me that I should undo what I did?"

Seronia says "Only if you can do it safely!"

Krenocia says "Yeah, better to have your soul split into a weapon than destroy a part of it!"

"You do understand that it will most likely involve experimenting?"

Seronia says "Why does everything with you come back to experimenting?"

"Because too much knowledge of magic has been lost. The only way to recover it is to experiment."

Krenocia says "You know, I think you losing mana saved us a lot of headaches!!"

"Haha! Probably!"

Seronia says "Just promise you will be careful! Don't go blowing yourself up or anything!"

"All I can promise is that I will try. Also I won't experiment with it until I have gathered all available information."

Seronia says "I guess that will have to do."

Krenocia says "Just be as careful as you can, damage to the soul is hard for even us to heal."

"If I can get the piece of my soul out of the sword, how hard will it be to reattach it to my soul?"

Seronia says "It won't be hard, but once attached it will still take considerable time to heal."

Krenocia says "It will take months or even years to fully heal."

"That should be shortened if I raise my soul's level, right?"

Seronia says "What are you talking about?"

Krenocia says "Yes, if you are able to."

Seronia says "What?"

So, Krenocia and I explain about soul levels to Seronia, who had never heard about it before. Krenocia's knowledge is even more limited than mine, which I got from the dragon. I am sure that the dragon knows a lot more than he told me, but I can't exactly go ask.

Seronia says "If that is how it works, then yes it would speed up the healing."

Krenocia says "Ash, what are you going to do without Blitz?"

"There are other weapons I can use, and I plan to try and reforge Blitz just without my soul in it."

Seronia says "Can you do that? Wasn't Blitz made with mana?"

"It was, but I can still manipulate mana. Besides, adding sacred power should improve it."

Seronia says "You are not going to add divine power, right?"

"Nope, no mixing powers, I promise!"

Seronia says "Good, glad to hear it!"

Krenocia says "I can't wait to see what happens! Nothing ever goes as expected with you!"

"Hopefully, this time will be an exception to that!"

Krenocia says "You saying that almost guarantees it won't be!"

Seronia says "Yeah, you pretty much jinxed yourself!"

"I didn't think the two of you would be superstitious!"

Seronia says "We are influenced by our followers! Remember."

"True. Hopefully gaining beastmen will help balance out the human influence."

Krenocia says "We can only wait and see. So, anything else you want to ask?"

"Nope, I think that about covers it."

Seronia says "In that case, we have responsibilities to take care of. Keep in touch and don't try to hide things anymore!"

"Alright, I've learned my lesson!"

Krenocia says "If you are doing something dangerous, let us know. We can offer protection if something goes wrong. Well, maybe."

"That's reassuring, but I will keep it in mind."

They each give me a long hug before disappearing from the soulscape. Once they are gone I end the soulscape and then fill Lizzy in on what we discussed. By then it is fairly late so I have Lizzy find us a nice place to stop and set up camp.