We stood in our Training Field in XCalibur AOP 2.
"It's about time for some actual practice. The only way I can think of that would help you comprehend the Pyrostellis Luminares' capabilities quickly enough is for the family to go on a hunt with the Pyrostellis Luminares equipped" my Dad said.
"A hunt? What kind of hunt?" I asked curiously.
"A hunt like the ones you had to undergo in the Basics Of Survival but with some special conditions" my Dad said.
"What sort of conditions?" Keiran asked.
"You'll basically be hunting for edible fruits while your HP continues to drop. However this time…the Weaver Of Calamity's Army will be hunting you as well. You'll need to gather a bunch of edible fruits before the Weaver Of Calamity's Army destroys all the Crops" my Dad said.
"This means you'll need to consider affinity amongst yourselves if you choose to split up into teams and you'll need to consider your own strengths and limitations before confronting any of the Weaver Of Calamity's forces. Above all, you'll need to communicate effectively as a team" my Mom said.
"Are you participating as well Mom, Dad?" Ariel asked.
"It wouldn't be much of a training session if we did but we'll be monitoring you via the Pyrostellis Luminares and will intervene if things get out of hand" my Mom reassured us.
"We've designed a special sigil for Ciella's utilization in this trial. It's a special type of armour integrated with the Pyrostellis Luminares' abilities. It should allow her to utilize the Pyrostellis Luminares even though she's not a Dreamweaver" my Mom explained.
Ciella cycled through her inventory and found 'The Fiery Star Heavenly Lights Armour'. She equipped it. It sparkled as though it were covered in Stardust but had strong flames circumnavigating the entire Fabric.
"Thanks, it looks great!" Ciella exclaimed excitedly.
"Now you've got to get going quickly. The Weaver Of Calamity's Army will be seeking out the same fruits you're seeking to destroy them and starve you" my Dad advised.
"Let's split up into two teams to cover more ground. Each team should have at least one member that has the capacity to act as an Aerial Scout" I advised.
"I'll stick with Saito and Ariel. That should give us overall balance as a Combative/Support Type Team" Keiran said.
"Then I'll stick with Ciella. We'll keep in touch with the Pyrostellis Luminares and will inform you when we find some fruits" I said.
Keiran nodded and we split up.
"Saito, I'll scan this region from the Skies to see if we're close to any edible Fruit Bearing Trees" Keiran said.
"We can't know for sure which fruits are edible and which are poisonous. You should be scanning for Herbivorous Wildlife instead" Saito advised.
"Thanks for the advice. Will do" Keiran said and took to the air.
Saito and Ariel could see everything he saw since they were linked via the Pyrostellis Luminares.
"Watch your MP Keiran. If you're constantly in flight, you'll exhaust it quickly" Saito cautioned.
Suddenly, Keiran spotted a flight of Hawks a distance away.
"Saito, I just spotted a flight of Hawks" he informed Saito and Ariel.
"Well, Hawks are Carnivorous. If they're gathering in any particular region, there may be Wild Rodents around. These Hawks may be hunting small rodents and some of these rodents forage on Nuts and Fruits. If we find them, we might find an edible Nut Bearing Tree" Saito reasoned.
"Let's follow Keiran, Ariel" Saito said.
Saito and Ariel activated their Flame and Blaze abilities and rocketed through the forest keeping Keiran's sights in their sights via the Pyrostellis Luminares which bonded them telepathically.
They soon arrived at a clearing within the Forest. Above them, the Hawks circled patiently. Keiran descended and met Saito and Ariel.
"Well, according to your theory, there should be some Wild Rodents around" Keiran noted.
"They won't just show up in the open with us and the Hawks around. They are easily spooked. We'll need to conceal ourselves and wait till the Hawks leave" Saito explained.
"But look, there are indeed Nut Bearing Trees around!" Ariel exclaimed excitedly.
Saito and Keiran looked where she pointed and found a number of Trees on which grew hard nuts as well as nuts that grew in pods.
"I have an idea. Why don't we harvest some of those Nuts and leave them out in the open on the ground. If they disappear, we'll know they're edible because a rodent would have eaten them" Keiran suggested.
"That's actually a pretty good idea" Saito agreed.
So the Team did as they had planned. They concealed themselves and watched carefully however no Wild Rodents came out into the open for as long as the Hawks circled the Skies. As the Sun began to set, the Hawks dispersed. However, it became so dark that Keiran's team couldn't see anything. They remained still and listened closely. They could hear scurrying sounds all about. Keiran created a small elevated Earth Shelter to house the Team and protect them from potential predators.
The Team slept within the Shelter. The following day, they awoke and found that most of the Nuts had disappeared and some of them had been chewed right through.
"These Nuts are edible. A rodent sure made short work of 'em" Keiran laughed and harvested some of the Nuts.
"San, we've found some edible fruits. You and Ciella should hurry to this location" Keiran reported as images of their location materialized in Ciella's and my mind.
"We're heading there now" I said.