Meanwhile, Ciella and I were headed towards the location Keiran's team had disclosed to us had Fruit Trees growing there.
"We should seek out more Fruit Trees while heading towards Keiran's team's location" I advised Ciella.
"Any way to do that efficiently?" Ciella asked.
"We could seek out Caves" I said with a smirk.
"Caves huh? How does that help?" Ciella asked with a laugh.
"Fruit Bats usually reside in Caves. They are nocturnal so they come out at Night seeking Food. If we find Caves inhabited by Fruit Bats, we may be led to Fruit Trees when they hunt at Night" I explained.
"I see. That makes sense" Ciella realized the point I was trying to make.
Suddenly, I noticed something odd about the atmosphere.
"Stay still Ciella" I called suddenly.
She froze in her tracks.
"What's wrong San?" she asked.
"Isn't it a little too quiet around here?" I asked and looked around quickly.
"What do you mean?" Ciella asked, then she noticed the atmosphere as well.
"You're right. It is a little too silent around here" she realized.
"Yeah, in a Forest Setting such as this, there's always activity from the Wildlife as they hunt and forage for Food however there is not a single sound here, not even the singing of birds" I said.
There was an eerie silence around.
"What could be causing this?" Ciella wondered.
"When there is absolute silence within a Forest Region, it could signal one of two things. One, a Natural Disaster is about to strike and the Wildlife have already fled the scene or....two…an unnaturally powerful predator lurks in the area" I put up my arms defensively and scanned the area.
"Remain calm and silent Ciella. Whatever it is that frightened off the Wildlife might be watching us this very instant" I walked carefully while surveying the area.
"Maybe you should equip your Cape" Ciella advised.
"My Cape is not like your Armour Ciella. Your Armour was designed to mask your presence while allowing you to tap into the abilities of the Pyrostellis Luminares. Releasing the Seals Of Endregen and Kolmnid outputs a lot of power. That power affects the very atmosphere. It could act as a signal to whatever predator lurks this region drawing it towards us. We can't afford to give away our positions if we're not certain that the predator is watching us. In my opinion, it would be best to let the predator make the first move" I said as a calm serious expression came over my face.
As I walked on, I noticed a rodent frozen stiff. All the fur on its body was upright and its back was arched in aggression. I scanned it via the Scorpio System.
"CREATURE INFLICTED WITH DEBILITATING STAT: FEAR!" I read.
"This…can only be the work of…" I turned slowly as a Wraith manifested in front of Ciella.
"GOUEN TATSUMAKI SENPU KEN!" Ciella and I called out together as Ciella delivered a Blazing Hurricane Whirlwind Kick to the Wraith's neck.
"SEAL OF ENDREGEN UNLOCK!" I called out.
"How did I…?" Ciella stared at her arms in awe.
The Wraith lay on the ground with its neck contorted as though it had been broken. After a few minutes it faded away.
"Ciella, put up your guard. That Wraith…did not attack alone" I said as more Giga-Wraiths materialized around us riding atop Omnicron.
"SEAL OF KOLMNID…UNLOCK!" I called out as my Cape transformed into a torrential stream of Fire and Water.
The Golden Insignia of the Lion appeared on my back while a mysterious shadow cloaked my face.
"We meet again Sanziri Nightbane (Junior). Our last battle was quite memorable. Thanks to you the power I was accumulating to attempt invading the Real World once again was neutralized. At best…I can currently manifest as a Wraith" a familiar sinister voice said.
The voice was so familiar it would have sent chills up my spine if I were unaware of the History Of the Dream World.
"I can't say I'm surprised Zanböngfar. You've already shown your ugly face twice. What's a third attempt at neutralizing your power?" I said.
"Zanböngfar?!" Ciella screamed in horror.
"You destroyed my body but now with just my army, I'll acquaint you with a new comprehension of my title as 'The Weaver Of Calamity'. Know my Darkness and curse…your own weakness!" the Weaver Of Calamity spoke through his army of Giga-Wraiths riding atop the Omnicron.
"Says the one who's about to be beaten…a third time" I said with a smirk.