Chapter 35 - Chapter 35: Survival in the Wild

As the group searched their surroundings, they discovered that there were no human settlements in the area. It was only a barren wasteland similar to a deserted canyon. "Well, my guess is whatever that light was, it sent us who-knows-where. But first things first, would you mind telling us who you are?" said Ace as he asked the young girl they rescued. With a hesitant tone, "You can just tell us your first name, you know?" added Ace. "I am wary of them. Especially that guy but it is also true that they saved my life so I guess it's fine to tell them.", "My name is Tina and I'm a star spirit from the Heavenly Realm." Said the young girl.

"Well, I'm Ace Blakelord, the girl there is Isabella Windsor and that boy is my younger brother Shaw Blakelord." Said Ace, "Nice to meet you." Responded Tina. "So you come from the heavenly realm, huh? Do you know about a disgraced god named Vartos Lucius Drankein? Or maybe heard about Demon Artifacts?" asked Ace. "Wait, how do you know about all that?" asked Tina, "Well, I lost my memories and all my magical powers when I killed him. And when I was unconscious, he came to talk to me in a dream before I woke up. He also said something about Yggdrasil." He answered.

"Wait Ace, what are you talking about?" asked Isabella, "Oh yeah, guess I should have told you. During my fight with that weird lady, some kind of image popped into my mind. It was a voice that was telling me to fight. When we were blinded by that light I saw a weird blurry silhouette and when I reached out it, images of a fight came back to me. It was me and a guy who called himself Lucius. When I was still unconscious back at the village, I had a dream where he told me everything that had happened to him in his past. But I still can't make out everything due to how jumbled up it is in my head." Said Ace.

"Wait. You killed a God. How is that even possible? And you say that you lost your powers. Then what was that power you used against that agent of chaos?" asked Tina with a confused tone and expression. "Well no need to think about it too much. For now we should first think of how to survive out here." Said Ace. "Yes, you are right. We don't know where we are or what kind of dangers we might face out here." Said Isabella. "Okay then let's put together what little information we have and then talk about our powers, strengths, and weaknesses." Said Ace as the others nodded in agreement.

After having talked, they established that Shaw's abilities were suited for the vanguard and for scouting, Isabella's abilities for long range magic and wide area attack were suited for being their center while Ace and Tina would be at the rear. Having established plans and formations they rested. Some time after that, deep underground, a monster was approaching them. As it approached, Shaw's ear twitched, and he then woke up and yelled "Quick! Everyone move!". As they all heard it they immediately moved out. At that moment, rising from underground was a giant centipede monster.

"Quick everyone in position!" yelled Isabella as the others followed her instructions. "Light Lance" stated Tina as she fired off blades of light at the centipede. As they hit their target, the centipede went on a rampage due to being hurt. "Frost Bite" stated Isabella as she restrained it in ice. "Shaw! Now." Said Ace as Shaw ran at him and took his hand. As he held Shaw's hand, Ace started to spin and then threw Shaw at the centipede. "Blazing Canonball" stated Shaw as he covered his fist with rocks forming a rock fist and then ignited it with his flames, punching the centipede with all his strength.

"We need to finish it. I need to remember how that happened the first time. They said that I lost all my magical powers, but it's clear that I have some kind of other power. A power that awakened after beating that God. I need to focus. Remember that feeling. It was as though my body was on fire. That heat that covered my body, I need to let it flow within my body, within every inch of it, upto my very cells." monologued Ace as energy formed within his body, the emblem reappearing on his hand. "There. Dragon's Gauntlet" he stated as a gauntlet appeared on his arm. He then dashed at the centipede, the jewel part on his gauntlet shining brightly. As he approached it, the centipede tried to counter but Ace disappeared instantly and then reappeared instantly on top of it.

After that he proceeded to punching it with his gauntlet. "Blade Battle Arts, Hammering Fist!" he stated as he punched the centipede releasing a great amount of power at the moment of the impact. As the dust settled, "Whew! I think that takes care of that." Said Ace as he stepped out of the dust, behind him, the corpse of the centipede having its entire head missing. "Well guys, time to collect our prize. If we ever end up reaching an adventurers guild we might be able to sell this. Shaw come and help me." said Ace as Shaw and him collected some parts of the centipede. "As I thought, that power is strange. It was as if the very energy of the monster had been dispersed. Like some kind of anti-magical power." Thought Tina as she focused her gaze on Ace.