Avoiding every thing that made the slightest noise, we made our way through the jungle, we protected each other from danger. I felt so much safer knowing Lux was by my side.
"Hold up Frey, we're closing in on the village."
"Alright um hey, I don't think we ever came up with a plan to get past the village..."
Standing above me on a branch he stroked his bushy beard. Looking around I stayed Hidden by the Cloak of mist. Sniffing the air Lux let out a long quiet sigh.
"The trunk may be unreachable to my kind, but the Tiger Village has been next to the Stump for eons. Strong beasts roam the wilds close to the village, so they remain vigilant at all times."
Reaching up I grabbed onto the tree and climbed up to where Lux stood. Looking around at my Surroundings I Surveyed the area.
The forest around the village has been thinned out significantly. But the forest seems to have a mind of its own. The massive trees seemed to climb so high up into the air that it was almost impossible to reach the canopy. Many large branches the thickness of normal trees seemed like they intertwined up there...
"Could we jump from branch to branch?"
Pointing up at the tree I slipped off my hood.
"For me it would be fairly easy, But I am a Beastman. For you, it would most definitely be a challenge. We would need to climb another 200 feet. That way we can climb across the safest branches but you can't walk, you'll have to run."
"What why would I need to run?"
"The forest is not nearly as thick up in the trees, wind is very dangerous in a situation like this. If you aren't holding onto something and a gust of wind picks up? You're as good as dead Frey."
Swallowing my fear I looked up at the canopy.
"Well... I see no other option."
"I agree, then that would leaves us with one problem."
"What is it Lux?"
"I won't get any closer without my sword, but it weighs to much to carry on my back during such a high climb."
Chuckling I unstrapped my sword.
"Is that the only other problem you have?"
Opening the bag of holding I stuck my longsword inside.
"I can keep your sword in here until we get to the other side."
Looking at my small leather pouch in amazement he looked away, trying to act cool.
"You are just full of surprises Lanius Frey..."
Handing me his massive sword I almost fell off of the tree. Slipping it inside the bag of holding I looked up at the enormous tree we were about to climb.
"Shall we?"
"A-After you Lux..."
---
After about 50 painstaking, hand-destroying, cry-filled minutes I laid sprawled out on one of the trees thick branches. Squatting next to me Lux had a smug grin on his face.
"Is it just you or are all the humans this weak?"
"I-I'll show you weak..."
I think looking down was a bad idea... We stood on a tree branch almost 250 feet in the air. Wind whipped through the branches every 10 minutes causing them to sway violently.
"Alright, I'm getting pumped, as soon as the wind dies down we run. See that tree over there? We have 10 minutes to make it there, give or take. You ready?"
"I-I can do this, it's nothing! Right?"
Before I could work up my courage the wind died down.
"We gotta go now!"
Taking off like a wild beast he was half way to the next trunk before I even noticed he was gone.
"I guess it's my turn..."
Jog running quickly I watched every step with as much caution as I could on a time limit. Slipping inches to the end I slammed hard into the next tree trunk.
With tears running down my face I sobbed in joy.
"I'm alive! You won't have me today Death!!"
"Ew gross, but hey there is some good news."
"R-Really?"
"Only five more dashes to go!"
"F-Five?!?!? You have got to be kidding me..."
---
Rushing back and forth between the trees I slowly began to lose my mind.
"That makes number 4. One left Lanius!"
"Ha haha, Only one? Let's do another 10!"
"I think, we should get down after this one..."
Sprinting across the branches like this was his home he stopped inches from the last Tree and turned around.
"Get moving Frey! You're losing time!"
Sprinting full speed ahead I felt the wind pick up behind me.
"Shit, grab onto something!!!"
Letting my body fall forward I locked my arms around the branch of the tree. Holding on for dear life the wind whipped through the canopy like a raging river. After what seemed like forever the wind finally died down. Slowly getting to my feet I sprinted to the other side.
"I almost pissed myself..."
Slapping my back Lux laughed loudly.
"You actually almost died."
Gripping the tree trunk even harder I shouted.
"Can we just get down from here already!"
Slipping my hood back on I disappeared. It seemed almost twice as difficult climbing down. one slip up and I was dead. Setting both feet on the ground I let out a sigh of relief.
"Lanius, be careful. No human has never been this close without being a slave. They see you we're both dead."
"I knew that coming here Lux, worry about yourself."
Nodding he pointed towards a massive wall of fog.
"Follow."
"Alright."
I thought it was a wall of fog, but the closer we got it seemed to look like a giant dome.
"Do you see the maze entrance Frey?"
"Maze? All I see is a big dome of mist. Have the elves seen this place before?"
"The Tiger tribe has an equal trade agreement. Some high class Elven magicians have even attempted to dispel the fog. But it was fruitless, what ever put this here was leagues ahead of any Elf."
Looking around at the wall I looked for any way in, any difference in the consistency of the fog. After what seemed like 20 minutes I noticed... A small corridor?
"Hey Lux, why didn't you tell me about this corridor?"
Taking off my hood I pointed. Giving me a confused look he spoke.
"I see nothing, what are you talking about?"
Could it be that because the fog affects any magic filled person that I can see it? I mean my race has no power or skill. It would make sense that the Elves couldn't see either.
Being weak does have its perks.
"Lux, grab my hand if you're holding onto me you probably won't disappear."
"This is gonna be weird, can't I just wait for you out side?"
"This place isn't safe for you, you're a pale one remember? If they see you they'll slaughter you with asking questions. Just shut up and take my hand."
Looking behind him he sighed deeply, understanding that he only had one option.
"Alright, let's be quick. Don't let go you hear me?"
"Yes sir..."
Walking into the corridor we passed through a thin layer of mist.
The walls of the maze were made of thick walls of fog. It seemed to change shape around us as we walked. The only place that didn't change it shape was a perimeter of 5 feet around us. Not only that, but the corridor only changed when I blinked.
/Human...\
The voice was faint, but the words echoed clearly in my mind.
"What the hell, hey Lux you have super sensitive ears right? Did you hear a voice just now?"
"Hear? I can't even see Lanius."
Stopping I heard the voice of a woman.
/"Trial... For the weakest Race."\
It was chilling, but her voice filled me with warmth.
/"Those who are strong enough may possess."\
The second voice to ring through my ears was different. Unlike the soothing female voice, his brought fear into my soul.
/"The one who will save us from the greed will take up."\
Taking a corner her voice brought my mind to ease once more. Turning the final left corner it opened up inside a room built of fog.
Lux began to shake, looking around the room his voice trembled.
"T-The stories are true... T-The elder tree exists!"
Shouting through my brain the two voices spoke out in unison.
/"The sword of Moss."\
A massive green beacon of light shot out into the sky, piercing the fog. The tree under the Beacon shook slightly. Like it was welcoming us.
Turning back to Lux he pointed behind me.
"Those stairs weren't always there, were they?"
Looking back at the giant stump I noticed that a new flight of stairs slung to the side of it. Made of fog?
"Let's check it out Lux."
Placing my foot on the very first stair I was suprised to find that it actually held my weight.
"I think they want us to climb these?"
Stepping next to me he went to place his foot on the stairs, only to find his foot fall straight through the fog and onto the ground.
"I don't think I'm wanted up there, you'll have to go it alone."
"Fine, don't leave the sanctuary Lux."
"I'll wait right here for you, hurry back."
As I took each step closer to the top the stump itself began to glow a dim green.
/"A gift only ever given out once before, a fraction of the gods own might."\
Taking the final step I stood on the top of the Elder tree stump. Looking across the stump I locked eyes with a massive beast of a man. His eyes seemed to be filled with electricity. An equally tall woman stood next to him. She tapped the head of a massive Elk gently.
T-Their auras... It made it hard to look at them. Even a being such as I could feel the intensity. Almost as if they were God's.
The woman had glowing silver hair that fell to the ground beneath her feet. She had glowing mystical symbols all over her body. The only symbol I kind of recognized was a Tree, placed in the center of her forehead. She wore a soft purple robe gilded in gold.
The man leaned on a massive sword larger than I was. He his hair was long, it had a subtle golden glow. He had it tied back with a red silk ribbon. Like the woman next to him he to had symbols covering the majority. Crested on his forehead was a thunder cloud. He wore glowing, golden armor. The sword he leaned against had sparks of different colored lightning occasionally shoot from it.
/"You are the human we wish to place are trust in? Laughable... Find me when you can actually give me a fight."\
Scoffing at me he disappeared into the fog. leaving me alone with the gentle looking woman.
"What... Are you?"
/"Lanius, have the humans forgot where they came from? My body gave birth to the vast land the mortal Races live on."\
Like a crashing wave the realization set in. Their auras weren't "like" gods... They were gods!!
"M-Mother of the mountains... Gaia."
Out of respect to this world's mother I dropped to one knee and bowed me head.
/"Lanius Frey, please raise your head. After what you learn on this day I would highly doubt that your respect for God's will remain the same.\
Getting off of the ground I stood across from her.
"What does this mean my lady?"
/"The gods have split between those who want to cultivate the earth, and those who wish to obtain more power. Demons aren't real my child, that is what the other gods call us."\
"My city of the Dwarves... and M-My brother...."
Falling to my knees my thoughts were filled with my older brother, he taught me to read, to fight! Now... He's gone.
Bending down the goddess touched my shoulder gently.
/"Raise your head Child, for Blackmorn and all who was within it. Are alive."\
"How is that even possible?"
/"Giving up a piece of my power I took the city and placed them in the land of Dragons. For now they are all safe."\
"He's alright... I owe you more than even you would know my lady Gaia. What would you need from a human like me?"
/"Listen Well, our original creations were the four mortal races. We gave half of our being to make our children, You Lanius. But years of things staying the same has caused some of the gods to seek their power that was given away eons ago."\
"Why don't they just take it now?"
/"They would but only one thing can stand against the gods. The only other race to be created at the dawn of our universe even before we gods existed. The Dragons, they have the power to stop the Gods from entering the mortal plane. The only for the gods to obtain their power is to commit genocide, slaughter every living being on Terra. So they have possessed the strongest race."\
"The elves."
/"So you understand."\
"But how can a human fight against the gods?"
/"There is a way, but the path ahead will be dangerous."\
Standing I placed my hand over my heart. Ready to protect my home.
"What must I do my lady?"
/"Obtain the power of the gods, take up the seven spirit blades.
Stepping to the side she placed her hand on a glowing sword.
It was a long-sword with a slightly curved edge. Growing up in that small village I've known the town blacksmith my whole life, and I have never seen a sword quite like this. The grip was wrapped in a dark green vine, its handle guard seemed to be made of a metallic rose. The blade itself was forged from a beautiful green metal.
"So, this is the Blade of Moss you spoke about earlier when I was in the maze?"
/"The blade that holds my power within. One of the Seven spirit blades. Seven gods, all wish to keep the world and the mortals who live in it, have set up trials to test any human who could become the champion. I have chosen you, Lanius Frey. A boy raised by a loving father, grew up to become a many with a pure heart. So here I am, asking you as a woman not a goddess. Will you gain the power necessary to defeat the gods? Can you bless the human race with Spirit of their own so that they to can help you fight? Will you become the Champion of the mortal races?"\
As she spoke she began to fade away, disappearing before my eyes.
/"Only you Lanius..."\
Standing by myself I stepped up to the sword.
Its glow was gentle, inviting me to take it. As I stepped closer to the sword it seemed as if the vines were alive. Waving my hand slightly above it the vines began to unravel almost like they were waiting my hand.
"Hey Gaia! is this going to kill me?"
Silence filled the area as I waited for my response. Aaaaaannnnd nothing...
"Figures..."
My hand hovered inches from the grip. Every vine was unraveled from the handle and followed my movements like snakes.
"Ha, alright, this is fine! Doesn't look like a bad idea at all..."
Choking down as much fear as I could I grabbed the grip of the blade. Like snakes lunging on its prey they wrapped around my wrist tightly. Piercing my skin like it was butter I could feel it make its way through my main artery... and into my heart. Falling to my knees I grabbed for my heart but it wasn't working. The harder I tried to pull the vines off of me, the tighter they got.
Was this some kind of sick way of testing me? Was it all a test!?!?! If I'm going down I'm taking this sword with me.
Slamming my right hand onto the grip I clenched with all my might.
3 2 1 pull!!
With one massive tug I felt my heart stop beating. Slowly losing consciousness I gave all my might into pulling that blade. As everything went dark I felt the blade give way.
The world world around me felt so warm as the blade in my hands glowed a bright green color. Flashing a couple times it was like it was greeting me. As my strength began to return I looked around at the world.
Lux shouted at me but I couldn't exactly understand him, my senses were going into overdrive. It was like... I could feel the earth's energy around me... The warmth from the sun pouring its rays into the leaves of the trees. The gentle rumble of the earth beneath the Elder tree.
Looking down at the sword in my hands I lifted it above my head. Swinging the blade to my side I smiled. It felt lighter than it looked but the edge was razor sharp. As the light glistened off the edge I could see lines that looked like tree roots spread out across the blade.
Holding it with both hands I slashed down with all the force I could muster. Thick green vines shot out from the ground in the direction I swung my blade. Repeating the process I find that I don't even need to speak any words of power. All I've read about magic was wrong.
Taking a defensive stance a massive glowing shield in the shape of a rose appeared in front of me.
Will I learn more abilities if I practice? Do I have to wield the sword to use it? All these questions will have to be answered later. Getting a running start I jumped off the top of the stump. Bracing for impact I gritted my teeth. Hitting the ground I was surprised to find that I didn't break my legs! Normally a fall from that height would have resulted in some bones breaking. But I was fine!
Looking at my body I brushed off my bottom.
"So this is Spirit huh? How did the Human race survive this long without it?
"You're alive! I've been calling to for almost an hour Lanius!"
Pulling the scabbord of my iron sword out of the bag of holding I place the blade of moss inside of it. Wasn't quite the perfect fit but it will have to do until I can have one made. For a god Gaia is kind of stingy...
Lux looked at the blade with slight dismay.
"Is that the sword that cursed my people?"
" A weapon with a piece of the earth goddess' power within it. The Blade of Moss."
Touching the grip I smiled, losing to the urge of wanting to show off.
"Hey Lux... Wanna see something cool?"
"I don't want to get any closer to that sword."
"You dont have to move!"
Slashing forward vines Shot out from the ground piercing the giant tree in front of me, leaving multiple holes in the trunk of the massive tree.
Opening his mouth to speak he couldn't come up with words to say. It's unthinkable, humans using magic.
"Okay, talk about it more later, it's wild trust me."
The sound of a war horn sounding alerted us to the presence of Tigermen moving on our location.
"They know we're here. Let's move Lanius."
Running in the opposite direction of the village my mind was filled with thoughts of the quest that was just laid out before me.
------
P.O.V. Ander Fernandez
Closing the ancient journal I leaned back on my desk chair and yawned loudly. My old chair was old, so old that when I leaned too far back one of the legs broke, sending me towards the ground.
Reaching toward my desk on instinct my hand glowed bright green. Three dark green vines wrapped around my wrist and shot at the wall piercing it. Catching my fall I looked at my wrist in awe.
"W-What?"
Standing up the vines disappeared.
"Did I just use Spirit?"
Thrusting my fist forward my hand glowed bright green once again. Three vines shot out of the glow and stabbed into my wall again.
"Moms gonna kill me!"
Looking at the vines wrapped around my wrist I smiled brightly. These vines are the same exact ones that Mister Lanius Frey wrote about in the journal! I can use the same Magic he could!!
Putting away the book I dashed out of my room in search of my brother Travis. Swinging open his bedroom door he wasn't there. The only other place he could be was the library. Bursting into the library I shouted in joy.
"Travis Travis! I can use magic!!!!"
Not looking up from his novel he sighed before speaking in a monotone voice.
"If I've seen that card trick once I've seen it a thousand times Ander. Now get out I have to finish this book and write a report before the end of the night or mother is gonna punish me again."
"Travis, I'm being serious!"
burrowing his brow he looked up at me and anger.
"Ander! I'm busy!!"
Using this chance I thrusted my fist into the air with alot of force. Glowing brightly three vines wrapped around my wrist before wrapping around the chandelier.
Putting a marker in his book he closed it before opening his mouth to speak.
"Holy shit."
"I told you I could! But no! You never listen."
Grabbing my shoulders he looked me dead in the eyes. Letting go of the vines they disappeared.
"Ander, you don't understand. This is unheard of. The youngest person to ever awaken to a magic spirit was 14, you're 10."
"Isn't that a good thing Travis?"
"Ander! If dad finds out he's going to send you to an Academy as soon as he can. If mom finds out she'll tell dad. You can't tell anyone about this."
Looking down at my feet I teared up.
"Ander... Look, I'm not saying you should never use your power!"
Not saying anything he keeled next to me and wiped a tear off my cheek.
"Okay tell you what, if you promise not to tell mom and dad we can practice magic together whenever you want. It might be a little challenging since I don't know anything about nature magic. Our family are full of fire magicians, some of us have had secondary magic like wind or lightning. But nobody in our family has ever been born with nature magic."
"So you promise to teach me?"
"Of course! Let's just practice somewhere outside the house... You almost brought down the chandelier."
Giving me a huge bear hug I promised Travis I wouldn't use the magic in the house. I don't know why we call it magic, but I don't want to make mom suspicious.
Grabbing a small book from the library I walked out back to my room. Maybe I could try and use that shield from Mister Frey's journal?