Reborn with a Necromancer System
Chapter 158: Shifting Plans

Chapter 158: Shifting Plans

Kai opened his eyes.

For a split second, he didn’t move. He was unsure if his plan had worked, or if something worse had happened. His limbs ached like he’d been torn through space and reassembled with imperfect hands. But the weight against his chest anchored him.

Vepice.

Still nestled in his arms, her breathing steady.

He let out a slow breath, tension bleeding from his shoulders.

’I brought her with me...’

Her voice came up, muffled slightly as she stirred. "What was that? Where are we?"

Kai looked around.

They stood in the middle of wind-swept plains, surrounded by tall, golden grass swaying in the breeze. The sky above was a pale violet, neither dusk nor dawn, and the clouds moved faster than they should have. The land stretched endlessly in every direction, no buildings, no paths, no people. Just nature, raw and quiet.

Kai frowned. This wasn’t the academy.

’Did the teleportation spell misfire? Was trying to teleport two people instead of one too much?’

"That was teleportation magic," he explained. "We reached the twenty-four-hour limit. The spell must’ve auto-fired. As for where we are... I don’t know. Somewhere far. Probably between where we were and the citadel. But if we keep heading north, we should reach Forne eventually."

Vepice narrowed her eyes. "Should? We’re lost?"

"Temporarily," Kai muttered. "Finn!"

The shadows at his feet rippled, and from them rose a familiar form.

An old friend from another life.

Finn, his silent undead companion, emerged with the quiet elegance of a drifting ghost. He wore the same rags from their time together in Ylthara. He wasn’t sentient, like Ralts or Joe, but he’d always been dependable. Loyal.

Finn hovered expectantly, awaiting orders.

"Scout north," Kai said. "Look for shelter. A town if possible. Somewhere with supplies."

Finn nodded with a gloved, skeletal fist and vanished into the air like a dark arrow, streaking toward the horizon.

They waited in silence for a few moments before beginning their own slow march in the same direction. Each step sent crunches through the dry grass, and the only sounds were wind, breath, and the occasional murmur of a distant insect song.

"I never asked," Vepice said quietly, breaking the silence. "You’ve gotten older so quickly... How?"

Kai’s mouth twitched. "I spent time in a place where time doesn’t work the same way. Five years passed for me. Out here... barely any."

Her eyes widened. "So, for you, it’s been so long... And you still came back for me... But, Kai?"

"Yes?"

"Places like that really exist?"

He nodded, watching the wind tug at the tips of the grass. "They do. And someone dear to me is still there. Trapped. He’s... not exactly himself anymore, but he’s there."

"Can we rescue him?"

Kai paused.

"Maybe. Being a variant like me, you might be able to enter the city. It’s not safe, but... if we don’t go to Sala right away-"

"I’m fine as long as I’m with you," Vepice said, cutting him off. She looked at him with soft certainty. "Sala, the forest, the citadel. I’ll follow you, Kai."

He blinked.

It was such a simple thing to say, but it knocked the wind from him more than any magic could. Someone trusting him. Following him. Not for power, or for orders, but because they chose to.

"You really would?"

"Of course," she smiled. A genuine, bright smile that crinkled the corners of her eyes.

He looked away quickly, feeling something strange tighten in his chest. The way she smiled... It reminded him of the warmth he thought was long buried.

He’d seen too many graves. Left too many people behind. But Vepice, with all her pain, and her strange sense of hope, was still here.

"With your help," he said softly, "maybe I’ll bring him back. But first, I need to finish things in the Citadel."

"Speaking of that... What do you have to do there?"

Kai smirked faintly. "Fight in a tournament. I promised someone I would. My childhood instructor. Rael taught me everything I know about close combat. And another friend, a dead friend. Someone I need to show I didn’t forget."

"A tournament?" she tilted her head. "I’m sure you’ll win."

"You are?"

"Well... didn’t you kill a goddess?" Vepice grinned playfully. "Who’s going to stop you?"

Kai chuckled, though it was dry. "That wasn’t strength. That was desperation laced with pain. I was lucky."

"You always seem to have luck on your side."

"That’s not something to rely on."

"Still." She looked ahead, hands folded behind her back. "It’s why I’m sure."

’Me? Lucky?’

---

They walked for what felt like hours, swapping bad jokes and unbelievable plans for the future. Kai spoke about a land far west of Sala where giant trees had cities carved into their bark. Vepice told him about birds she’d trained to mimic her voice, and how she once convinced an adventurer he’d been cursed by a ghost.

Eventually, Finn’s signal hit him.

He stopped mid-step, blinking as his mind shifted into shared vision.

Through Finn’s glowing eyes, he saw a forest in the distance, and nestled at its edge, a small village.

Stone cottages with thatched roofs. Smoke curling from chimneys. A waterwheel turning slowly beside a quiet river. Lanterns lit gently on porches, casting a soft amber hue. No walls. No patrols. Just a peaceful place.

Kai returned to his own senses.

"There’s a village ahead," he said. "It’s small, but it looks perfect."

"Is it safe?"

"Quiet. Unassuming. That’s the safest kind of place."

Vepice grinned, adjusting the locket around her neck. "Then let’s rest. And maybe... find food that isn’t slime."

Kai laughed under his breath.

"You’re the one who cooked that."

"I know, but that was closer to... Alchemy? Cooking has never been a strength of mine. Do you think I could learn?"

"If it’s you, I’m pretty sure you’ll learn quickly."

Vepice smiled, every few steps became a skip.

Together, they made their way down the hill as the last of the daylight bled into twilight.

Eventually, the first warm lights of the village began to twinkle like fireflies in the distance.

"Let’s hope they’re welcoming of strangers."