Chapter 7
After the three had traveled for a few hours, they were passing the halfway point to their destination. The road took a turn through a heavily forested area where the snow was falling constantly, which decreased visibility significantly. This part of the trail was the most treacherous as it looped around the back part of a small mountain. Just as they passed the sharpest turn through the mountain trail, a small group of four Damna stormed onto the path from both sides of the trail. This effectively had them cornered with two monsters in front and two behind them. Two appeared as though they were walking tree trunks. The others seemed to be compiled of various boulders, as they ran towards the trio their steps were loud and shook the ground.
"It is unfortunate we have been confronted with more Damna." Lux mused.
"I am unconvinced it is an accident," Telu responded moving forward away from the other two. "I believe you two have released too much spirit energy as of late. They are being drawn to you, so allow me."
Ignis sulked as he and Lux withdrew from the battle, "I understand your logic, but I have rarely had the opportunity to loose my spirit energy."
The over-sized monsters drew closer on both sides as they charged forward. Telu leapt into the air as they closed in, and she twirled as a ballet dancer while ascending, her long hair flowing behind her as she was gliding upwards. She stretched out her arms on either side of her as she continued spinning, a thin layer of water formed at the edge of her fingertips, and in an instant the water shot out parallel with the heads of the Damna. The water blade that Telu had formed struck the monsters, stopping them in their tracks. The heads of the rock-based attackers rolled off and landed on the ground. The tree-based monsters were impacted by the blast, but they were able to absorb the water in time to only receive horizontal lacerations. Telu delicately returned to the ground and stood to face her opponents.
One enormous tree-like beast remained at its distance, almost as if it was trying to learn her movements. The other hastily rushed her with thundering footsteps and a sharpened spear it had fashioned by growing its two arms together into a point. When it reached her, she pushed off the top of the spear which vaulted her into the air directly above its head. She then used her momentum to crush the giant's head with her foot, bringing its entire body to the ground. The graceful warrior then immediately created a pressurized water blade and decapitated the defeated beast.
Then, Telu, taking the offensive, walked softly toward the remaining Damnum. This one, being aware of her devastating power, pulled its massive trunk sized arm back and propelled it forward at the graceful young attacker. She raised one hand and stopped the attack by crushing it with the palm of her hand. She then, almost as if dancing, spun to the side and amputated its limb with a decisive strike of her forearm. The monster stumbled back missing an arm, but not ready to lose the fight, it stretched out its remaining claw-like hand. Using its plant-based power, it caused the limbs and vines in the surrounding forest to reach out towards Telu. However, before they could touch her, she held her hand forward with her palm facing up. The vines stopped at once and the water inside them began flowing through the air to gather above her palm. The vines withered and fell away. The water gathered until it was in the form of a sphere. The water in the sphere swirled violently in different directions. Then Telu changed the direction of her palm to face the monster, and the water sphere moved along with it. In a second, Telu spanned the gap between them and thrust the violent sphere into the center of the Damnum. At first impact, it crushed a crater into its torso, then half of the monster's mid-section along with a leg were destroyed and ejected outwards.
Defeated, all of the Damna began changing form back into humans as Telu walked over to Lux and Ignis who had sat down to watch her performance.
"Quite impressive," Lux commented with a smile.
Telu blushing, asked, "Would it be helpful for us to re-position them next to the mountainside so they have a little cover upon waking, My Light?" Ignis wasn't sure if Lux agreed or if he was still in a stupor from watching her fight. Either way, he was nodding so they helped give the unconscious humans some comfort upon their revival. Ignis also built a fire so they would remain warm until they woke. The travelers then turned their attention back to the road, and they were able to make the rest of their journey in relative peace.
As they made their way back into camp, they could see Solis and Thaddaeus still sparring. It was evident that Solis had not let up, and they had been sparring for the last three days. Seeing their friends approaching, Solis and Thaddaeus dropped their swords and went to greet them. Luna was a distance away making dinner for everyone near the campfire. She heard them calling to her and realized that everyone was back so she left her post and ran to give Telu a hug. Solis, as he neared his friends raised his forearm to a diagonal position. Then Ignis followed by Lux, met his arm with their own turned the other direction making an 'x' with their forearms. Thaddaeus watched and realized they even greeted each other a little differently, but he was excited to see everyone back together.
"Telu, your sleeve is torn." Luna pointed out.
"We were confronted by Damna on the mountain path," She responded, "It is getting worse. They are starting to feel us more than ever."
Confused, Thaddaeus asked, "Did you say those monsters can feel you guys?"
"Oh yes," Telu responded, "We possess greater spiritual energy, so they feel our weight."
Knowing he was only more confused, Lux continued further. "It is indeed true, Thaddaeus. It is the same with all manner of objects in life. Consider a garment that has been stretched one end to the other. Then consider placing two round objects on it. The heavier will weigh down the fabric and the lighter will roll toward it. We are having the same effect on the fabric of reality. Our heavier spiritual energy is pulling other sensitive creatures to us. Most normal humans don't notice because they have no sense of spiritual weight."
Thaddaeus wrinkled his forehead, "Interesting, so has this spiritual heaviness always been happening to you guys?" Thaddaeus questioned.
"It is far more extreme now than when we were younger." Ignis looked deep in thought. "We have certainly grown more powerful, but recently the attacks have been quite frequent. Telu, do you truly believe it is worse because we have released more spiritual energy as we fight?"
"I do," Telu answered, "It is increasing the amount of energy they can feel. Although, the Damna are not much cause for concern, even the third level Damna I fought on the mountain were extremely fragile. However, I worry for the day Imperials are drawn to us."
"Well," Solis started, "Thaddaeus has been making great progress, and we might soon entrust him with the weapon."
"Did he accomplish his task this morning?" Lux asked. Solis answered by pointing past him. Lux turned to see a tremendously large pile of sticks next to the slightly smaller stack of rocks.
Lux laughed, "Very well. We also procured new attire for everyone." He reached into their bags pulling out the clothes. Telu, Luna, and Thaddaeus seemed thrilled at the sight of them. Lux handed Telu the light blue, Solis the yellow, Luna the dark purple, Ignis the red, and he sat the dark blue one next to him. Then he handed the gray set to Thaddaeus.
Thaddaeus seemed disappointed, "Hey, why does everyone else get cool colors and mine's just gray?"
"The colors were the decision of the beautiful Dewdrop," Lux replied. Telu smiling and blushing explained that the colors were to match the signature of the spirit energy of each person's abilities. Then, they all tried on their clothes. The blacksmith had even made them black combat boots out of Viribus. They each also had pants that were strong and lightweight, the guys' were loose with room at the bottom for the boots. The girls had form fitting pants that tucked into their boots. They also had high top boots that reached just below their knees, while the guys' were only at the ankles. The tops came with a slim black undershirt with a full length colored jacket. He had also created cloaks for everyone that connected around the neck, which were equipped with hoods so they could traverse the snowy landscape. Lastly, Lux was taking special note of the black gloves he had requested from the old man. He preferred to use the gloves that didn't have fingertips on them when he fought because it limited the amount of energy he used by minimizing the surface area that the lightning would travel through.
"Solis, I believe this new material could withstand your power. Can you attempt to enhance everyone's clothing garments so they can withstand possible damage taken from future confrontation with enemies?" Lux suggested.
Solis' face lit up, "Oh really, this material must be exceptionally sturdy. I hope this does not destroy them." He held out his hand and it started glowing with a yellow light. He went to touch Thaddaeus' outfit with his hand, and as he withdrew, the material glowed lightly with an amber color momentarily, then faded. Satisfied, Solis continued with touching each person's new attire. The clothes would glow momentarily and then return to normal with the exception of permanent markings on the sleeves. Solis explained that the markings were in an ancient language, and he decides the words he wants to leave on each object he empowers. "The words I have given each of our clothes is 'Loyalty to the First'", he explained clearly quite pleased with himself.
"Familiar words," Lux commented, seeming thoughtful.
Thaddaeus was indignant, "You had more tricks you didn't tell me about?!"
Solis laughed, "Each of my abilities are sun-based. I essentially invested energy into these garments. It will amplify their natural properties. If the strength of the material is lacking, the object only explodes, but this material has already shown its strength by maintaining its composition. Even you could withstand a few attacks from Damna now." He explained giddily.
Feeling underestimated again, Thaddaeus countered, "We'll see who survives tomorrow." Solis responded by shooting Thaddaeus a threatening look.
"I do hope you are as prepared as you claim, Thaddaeus." Lux interrupted, "You have one more day of preparation, then we evacuate this camp."
"Really?" Thaddaeus inquired nervously, "I don't know if I'm ready yet, are you sure it's time to leave? Is this because those monsters can find you guys?"
"Do you think I would allow an enemy to dictate my decisions?" Lux asked. "I would destroy an entire army before it attacked my family." Lux' statement didn't seem like a bluff to Thaddaeus. It sounded like a promise. "Do you believe he is prepared to advance, Solis?" Lux turned his attention to the trainer.
"He has made unbelievable improvements. The problem was not in skill or even physical strength, it was confusion on his part that hindered his abilities. He has gained a new style that better suits him, and he has eliminated his bad habits as well as attaining good ones. I believe with his new sword he will prove more than a match for third level Damna." Solis finished his appraisal of Thaddaeus.
Then his student spoke up, "New sword?"
Lux was giggling, "You were not convinced your morning activities were meaningless?" He said, directing Thaddaeus with his eyes. The confused disciple turned to look at his piles of rocks and sticks.
"How is that a sword?!" He questioned, growing increasingly frustrated.
"To discover that," Lux said, "You must pass your test."