206 Fortress IV

"There is no issue," said the Collector. "I shall restore this damaged core with little issue."

"Impressive," said Kui coolly. "An Overloaded core is considered a death sentence for any martial artist, adventurer, or sorcerer. It cannot be healed with magic, and those that survive Overloading are rendered cripples that can barely breath.

Yet here you are standing tall, capable even of healing an Overloading."

"The Sovnar is made different!" said Thokk. "He strong, and he always win!"

"The regenerative process will still take significant time," said the Collector. "And during this time, my capability to provide healing to your bodies is nullified. I have also lost the capacity to restore your forms from severe injury. I will send a mental signal to the Conquering Force to caution for additional alertness.

The swarm here, however, will remain adequately defended by the shell I have created around us."