Sargon noticed his rate of astral gathering, refining, and assimilating was much faster within the Starcatcher formation. He meditated the entire night and made great progress in his power. He was able to expand his mountain island even further and even make a queen ant. He was pleasantly surprised when he discovered that when the queen ant reproduced, it increased his strength just as if he made the new ant himself. He made some berry bushes as well as food for the ants and made a queen aphid too. Sargon was proud of himself for making these things on his horizon, which was getting closer to a small plane every day.
Sargon's floating blue star had grown in size too. From the size of a pebble to the size of an orange. The night was fruitful for him. When dawn came he was refreshed and started his day with his companions. He would train Pharis and Yeseme, the latter give special attention so she can catch up to malachite level. Days past and everyone's strength increased very well. Yeseme made it to malachite, Pharis made it to middle malachite and Dexaril had a foot into becoming an arch-magus. Sargon had made it to middle ebony by this time too.
"I believe we are ready to head to the monster lands now."
Sargon said to the party. Everyone got excited and it was decided that they would leave the next day.
"Yippee! We get to go kill monsters again1", Pharis excitedly exclaimed as the group started their journey. They all flew to the monster lands and reached the border by midday. They traveled deep enough into the monster lands to reach where malachite-level monsters were abundant.
While traveling in the air, the most they encountered were griffons and troublesome elemental birds. "I'll find us a humble abode to make into our base", Dexaril said as he cast a terrain mapping magic. Dexaril found a suitable location, "I have discovered hidden area surround by tall sharp mountains that can only be accessed through man-sized caves or straight above. There seems to be constant cloud cover above it too due to a mana phenomenon. It is the perfect place once we clear it out."
"Good work Dexaril, there we will go then."
Sargon said before following behind Dexaril as he led the way. They encountered some monsters along the way of the malachite level. They were only Blooded Wolves, Jinx Monkeys, and some stone lizards. They made it to the secluded area and accessed it through a small cave passage. It was completely uninhabited it seemed. That is until the boulder moved.
"Dexaril..., what is that thing?", Sargon asked Dexaril as he didn't recognize the monster.
The monster stood up, showing a chiseled humanoid stone body. Roots, vines, and flora all grew on him. It had a long green beard reminiscent of a willow tree, wood scattered around his body, highlighting his stone muscles. It looked like an old, wise, and crazy fit man made of stone, wood, and flowing green. Flowing green gave him a long intelligent beard, and a body adorned in scholarly robes of flowers and ivy.
Dexaril answered what it was, "It isn't a monster, it is an Earth Ancient!". He said this in a low voice. "They are incredibly wise beings. Masters of magic and the abstract. Ancients have been known to assist humans in the past by gifting wisdom or magical teachings. they are also the natural enemies of monsters."
Sargon then said to them, "Then our weapons are unnecessary then. Let us greet the respected ancient." Sargon then walked towards the ancient to greet it. "Hello respected Earth Ancient, I am the Starry Knight, Sir Sargon Jupiter. It is an honor to meet you. My companions and I sought this place to become our base while we conduct a monster-hunting expedition. I am sorry to have disturbed you and I hope you can consider letting us stay here until we return home."
The Earth Ancient then replied, "Well met noble knight. I am Theor, The Old Spring. Your hearts are righteous. You all may stay here with me until you return home as my guests."
Theor then lifted a hand and the ground came to life. Wood grew and made itself into a large house on the side. Fruit and vegetable plants sprouted everywhere. The temperature of the secluded area became perfect for them.
"Such beautiful magic this is. I don't think I'll ever get tired of seeing the magic of this world.", Sargon thought to himself. He thanked Theor, "Thank you gracious Theor for providing us with shelter and food so wondrously."
"You all are welcome. Now rest, we will speak more tomorrow.", Theor said as he turned around and became a green-covered boulder again.
They all then entered the new wood house. "Wow, Theor certainly knows good interior design. It is beautiful here. Bedrooms for each of us too.", Yeseme said.
They then retired to their bedrooms and slept the night away.