It was a dark night with a blood-red Moon looming over the hallow mountain and the rest of the world. A pale-skinned lady with rich black hair flew into the depths of the mists surrounding the hallow mountain. Looking back she could only reveal a look of sorrow as she saw the mighty Cerberus in its full glory, surrounded by fierce green hellfire.
"Don't worry darling… even if you fail, our son won't… I will go into the depths of hell if that's what it takes to buy time for him" the lady said sorrowfully
...…
Huff!
Sol sat up with his face drenched in sweat and for some reason, he felt strangely comfortable. He quickly looked up and noticed he was laying on the lap of the Basilisk.
"Alicia…." Sol muttered weakly. He felt like a kid waking up from sleep after a long night.
"It's alright, I'm here" Alicia muttered affectionately and Sol frowned.
Woosh!
He quickly sat up and crawled away from her position with a strange look on his face. Someone who was fierce a few moments ago was currently blushing and looking away.
How the fuck does this even happen?
Sol's mind raced with thoughts as he felt that the sudden change was just too suspicious. Did he suddenly look better or something?
"When my mother brought me, you were still a child... Hidden away from the rest of the world… After everything happened I heard about the blood-shattering seal on you… I just didn't think…" she stopped being unable to talk.
Sol could only sigh at this and took a minute or so before speaking. He couldn't speak hastily since he understood how sensitive this matter is to her. He could tell her emotions were genuine and this made him wonder what kind of impression the sixth tribe chieftain put on everyone to make them act in extreme ways when they hear about him. It's either extreme fear or extreme admiration!
At this moment, Sol actually felt inferior. He must have achieved a lot in his past life but he failed to understand the true purpose of these achievements.
Immortality!
Immortality comes in many forms and as far as he is concerned, the former Chieftain of the sixth tribe lives in the minds and hearts of everyone here. He may be dead but he was far more alive than practically every being in Hallow mountain!
The thought of such made Sol trembles with excitement. Deep down he gained a renewed admiration for the man he is supposed to call father.
He looked up to Alicia with a strange excitement as he felt like the son of this great man and amazing woman, his future is boundless.
Now he identified as a battle and balance type. Probably the first hybrid in the history of Hallow mountain!
"You didn't think I would survive? I have the blood of my father running in my veins. If a mere seal can hold me, doesn't that mean I'm inferior?" Sol said as he picked himself up and dusted his torn robes.
Thud!
Almost instantly he felt his feet wobble under the pressure and only with great effort did he regain his balance but he was already on one knee.
He forgot about the side effects of using his bloodline power. With his stats halved he dared not move into the wild.
He looked around and found that they were in the cave hidden behind the waterfall. With nothing to do at the moment, Sol simply returned to his seating posture.
"How did you get here?" Sol asked.
If this girl knew about his father, then why would she be a pawn in this simple assessment test? Thinking about it now, he wondered how many foes must have died at the hands of the lady considering her strength.
He wondered how many points he would gain by killing her.
'Status!'
[Name: Alicia]
[Title: Nagen Queen]
[Race: Basilisk]
[Bloodline: Basilisk]
[Core: Adolescent phase]
[Stats]
[Strength: 15]
[Speed: 15]
[Dexterity: 15]
[Awareness: 15]
Seeing her stats far more detailed than every other being Sol was stunned but not too stunned. He had already expected her stats to be high, considering their battle.
Also, he once read something concerning alpha beasts. These alpha beasts are considered the first set of supernatural beasts entering the world.
He considered a few things before concluding that only alpha beasts have a core and a rule on how to manifest their powers.
"There is something you need to know about!" Alicia suddenly broke the silence and spoke up nervously.
Seeing this Sol frowned as he wondered what could make this lady nervous.
"We are running from that person and for that reason, everyone is looking for a way to get past hallow mountain. That way we may truly escape this disaster…" she said with a lowered face.
Hearing this, Sol frowned. While she hasn't said anything worth his worry about, he expects the worst news is about to come.
"So?" Sol asked with a calm look on his face.
"This is the reason the Fire fox spirit tribe queen attacked and the reason the others are preparing for something big. A way to hurt Hallow mountain and break it!" she said which made Sol frown as he also felt it could get worse than this.
Thinking about her words, Sol realized he had almost forgotten about the hidden plot he was trying to uncover but got distracted by Darth Ark's arrival.
To think he forgot something vital but then again why would he worry?
With Darth Ark in Hallow mountain and the other powerful leaders, Sol had no choice but to feel safe.
It wasn't his fault.
"Since they can't win against the leaders directly they have decided to take a different approach and hurt Hallow mountain where it hurts the most… if they cannot deal with the leaders, they might as well kill all the younger generation… this second exam is the only place where all the students of the academy of Guardians will appear… no one will survive this test!" Alicia could tell how nonchalant Sol has been towards her words and he guessed why.
She understood that he had faith in the others but it is also important he understands that the leaders of Hallow mountain are not it's only members…