"That's the last one," Mane stated as he tossed a humanoid creature onto the ground. This creature was shaped like a human. It had arms and legs and even a face. However its arms were longer than the average human's, and its fingers held sharp and pointy claws. The ugly beast was stockier than an average human but shorter. The creature was green with very thick skin, and had pointy ears. Its eyes were the same color as its skin, green, and its teeth that were exposed from its open mouth were sharp and pointy. This creature was called a Green Goblin.
Once the dead goblin fell onto the ground its body was engulfed in crimson flames that swallowed it whole. The flames lit up the dark environment, and several other burnt up corpses could be seen littered all around the place. The corpse of the beast was quite tough, for it took more than three seconds for it to burn up completely. And this was a magnificent feat considering that Mane's flames couldn't be handled by anyone below the Earth Realm. The goblin was only a Middle Class Magical Beast, but its tough skin made it almost impossible for Thrashers to kill it. Added to the fact that they attacked in huge numbers and had pretty excellent teamwork, only a Predator would be able to survive their charge. Survive it, but not eliminate it.
"This must be why so many people die when they come here," Lily who was only a few feet away from Mane sheathed her light sword once the last goblin was killed. Although she had never killed before, she had no problem defending herself. With her exquisite swordsmanship, she was able to easily defend herself from any attack and deal some damage. So Mane didn't have to worry about protecting her. He didn't have to worry, but he worried all the same. And that was why he swept through the crowd of goblins that had taken the lives of many, some Predators included, in just over twenty seconds.
"Indeed," Mane stated in response to Lily's earlier statement. These goblins were enough to give even a Tiger or a powerful Snake a headache. So it was understandable that the humans of the outside world had all failed when they tried to traverse the Dark Valley. One must also remember that these goblins were only at the entrance of the valley. If the creatures that lived at the mouth of the valley were this strong, then those that lived deeper could only be judged as stronger.
"Plus the fact that one can barely see anything in here makes defending oneself all the more improbable," Hildegarde stated from atop Mane's shoulder. Her words were right, and though Mane didn't say anything, he agreed with her.
The Dark Valley was darker inside than it looked on the outside. It was impossible to see anything once a person entered the valley, and one could only rely on one's senses to navigate one's way through this deadly valley. And the darkness wasn't the biggest problem. There were countless creatures who lived in this valley and were accustomed to its dark nature. These creatures would all be coming for your head, and it was highly unlikely that a person would be able to survive more than five minutes here. For it had only been a couple of minutes since Mane and Lily entered the valley, but they had fought two different groups of goblins within that short period of time.
So if it was impossible to see through the darkness of the valley, how were Mane and Lily able to wade their way through? It could be understood if it was only Mane since he was a Scholar and had Trace. With Trace Mane was able to sense anything within a 500 meter radius. That was a pretty handy skill in a place like this. But Lily was here with him as well. He couldn't possibly hold her hand the entire journey. So how did they cope? The answer was pretty simple. They used a treasure.
Light Grass
The Light Grass was a small plant that lit up once it was placed in a dark environment. One had to just drop a bit of blood onto the flower for it to work. Once placed in a dark place it would float before person whose blood it swallowed and brighten up the place. The light it provided could illuminate an area of about 150 square meters! And its light could last for more than thirty minutes! That was how the Three Great Races explored Dark Valley. They might be strong, but even they were disadvantaged in the dark. Mane and Lily had several reserves of Light Grass. They had been given to them by Ivor. Light Grass was also rare, and ironically it could only be found in the one place where it was most useful – Dark Valley.
"Let's proceed," Mane directed Lily and walked to the Red Maned Horses which were between the two. Lily was the one who protected the horses when the goblins attacked. And that may very well be her role since she wasn't a killer.
"If we had a choice I would have chosen not to bring them here," Lily sighed and said.
"Yes, if we had a choice," Mane replied as he rode Roxanne. He could feel how tense his Red Maned Horse was, and Lily's horse was no different. If it wasn't because Mane and Lily were in a rush to get the Revival Grass, they would have traveled on foot. Although Lam's life wasn't in any real danger, they were both eager to get his eyes to open; hence, their impatience to get to Dark Valley.
"Now that I think about it, we should have just left the horses behind," Mane frowned and said.
"Wouldn't they have been stolen?" Lily asked. Red Maned Horses were special. They were a rare breed of horses that were extremely precious. Leaving them unattended to, was basically asking to be robbed.
"I don't think they would have," Mane shook his head and said. "Seeing that no one dares to come within several kilometers of his place, as long as we left them outside they would have been safe," Mane explained. It was highly unlikely that anyone would be visiting Dark Valley anytime soon seeing how much the humans feared this place. And those who came here, did to get into the valley so they likely wouldn't take the horses.
"That is true," Lily nodded her head. "But I would have been uneasy leaving them behind, even if statistically speaking the probability of them being stolen is low," Lily confessed.
"You know, you could have asked Ivor for something to help you deal with this situation," Hildegarde mumbled to Mane. Seeing her whispering was cute since the one she was whispering to, was actually the only person who could see or hear her for that matter.
"What do you mean?" Mane asked through Lock-On.
"Well he gave you the Light Grass because he was worried about Lily. But he is still a stingy man. I'm sure he has something in his reserves which could be of help to you." Hildegarde elaborated.
"Think about it. The Three Great Races have been coming to this place to search for treasures every now and then. They surely didn't walk here. And I doubt that they ever had to bring their mounts inside. So they must surely have a way to leave their mounts outside but protected." Hildegarde explained some more and Mane finally understood what she was saying. He smiled bitterly, thinking that she was actually right. Maybe if he had asked Ivor for his help, the man would have reluctantly handed over whatever it was that could protect their horses.
"We have company," Mane sighed and jumped off Roxanne. He petted the uncomfortable horse and fed her a sugar cube. Lily didn't dawdle when she heard Mane's words. She got off her mount as well and brought her horse next to Mane's. She remained standing next to the horses as she prepared to serve as their protector for the third time today in only under a few minutes. She unsheathed her light sword and released her aura, and small green sparks exploded from her sword.
Mane's heart eased greatly seeing her preparation was completed so quickly. Lily's sword was also a gift from The Citadel. The blade was called Nature's Edge and was made with precious materials. It was made from materials called Wind Stones. Wind Stones were minerals that were full of the wind element, and these kind of treasures weren't exclusive to only wind. There were fire stones, earth stones, water pearls, and ice crystals. Elements like lightning had stones even rarer than the other elements. As it so happened, Lily's element was wind hence the sword had taken a liking to her almost immediately. Because of this blade Lily was able to use tiny portions of her wind power, integrating the might of the wind element into her sword.
Mane gently patted the heavy swords that were strapped to his back. Night's Kiss and Night Mare they were called. They were made from the even rarer Darkness Stones, and Mane liked them. However, it wasn't the time to use them. The things that were coming were too weak.
"Goblins again?" Lily asked, her nerves a bit tense. After all, she wasn't a regular at fighting. Although this was the third time she had to defend herself today, the frequency of attacks didn't make it any easier.
"Yes," Mane nodded his head and activated Brimstone.
His body was immediately engulfed in flames, and the bright crimson light of his fire shared in the task of the Light Grass, illuminating the surroundings to a greater degree.
*Roar*
Several humanoid figures were shaken by the fiery figure they intended to attack, and their resolve was put to the task almost immediately. How were they supposed to attack someone who was on fire?
"Since you're here, there is no need for you to think anymore," the fiery figure stated, his blue eyes still discernable even from among the flame. And when he spoke, he moved.
*Bang*
The first goblin was killed pathetically. It didn't even have the chance to scream when it was engulfed in flames and burnt to a crisp. All this happened so quickly that the others hadn't recovered yet. Mane didn't dally. Once he was done with the first goblin, he moved to the next.
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
*Bang*
Several screams were heard, and several goblins burnt. Green changed to blackened ash and solid became nothing but dust. Mane's figure flickered between the numerous goblins. For once their numbers made no difference to their enemy. For it didn't seem to faze the powerful teen at all. Soon the eyes that were filled with hunger when they first arrived and then confusion and doubt when Mane became a fiery embodiment of power, were filled with nothing but fear. They tried to get away, but Mane wasn't going to let them. He didn't need them joining another troupe and annoying him again. So he burnt them all, and he chose to do so spectacularly.
"Fire Phoenix Form: Exploding Wings" Mane mumbled to himself and a loud Phoenix cry was heard.
*Scree*
Fire wasn't his strongest element, but he had been training. And he had been training under the best Fire User he knew –Ray. His father was a person who had abandoned everything but fire, and because of that he had grown so powerful with just this element. Not only that, he had developed his own fire technique.
Fire Phoenix
Fire Phoenix was Mane's father's creation, and it was a powerful technique. It had several moves and all of them were attack based. Mane had just employed one of those many moves: Exploding Wings.
Mane's mumble was the trigger for the huge fiery wings that grew on his back. The wings were several dozens of meters long and several meters wide. When they appeared on Mane's back they rose high into the sky, and flapped rapidly. Yet their beating didn't lift Mane up or take him into the sky. With the beating of those wings, the cry of a Phoenix filled the ears of all who were here, and several large flames descended upon the retreating goblins, burning them all to a crisp. The fire was stronger, completely eliminating the goblins in less than a second.
"Every time I think I have seen his limits, he shows me that he has more cards hidden," Lily had a complex look on her face as she watched the flames slowly receded from Mane's body and disappear into the atmosphere. Now she wasn't so repulsed by the death around her.
"We should go," Mane smiled at her and hopped onto Roxanne. Lily smiled and jumped onto her horse too. Slowly, both of them made their way deeper into Dark Valley, seeking the treasure called Revival Grass.