After a few tests, Dezen could see that the undead he made were, by so far, the worst he ever had. At first, he was disappointed, but then, instead of complaining, he started thinking how to improve them.
To do this, he needed to know more about them, so he started examinating their insides.
As expected, he only saw that dead organic matter, stacked together, not even creating anything similar to bones or tissues. Seeing this, Dezen believed it was the reason of their weakness. Thus, he started wondering how to change it, also letting the undead he was examining regenerate, as he ended doing it for now.
The first option, was to make one more spell, to change their bodies. By design, it would automatically make them similar to humans in terms of how their bodies are built.
The second option was personally modifying them, but it would take too much time.
The last option was using spells to make them temporarily faster, stronger and so on, since he already has such spells, but it would be waste of mana. Thus, he chose the first one.
Creation of this spell was fast, as it didn't take him even one day. Alex already started his role, and Chloe was still preparing, while also overseeing the training of the undead, which went smoothly. The undead turned out to be fast learners, and some of them were even able to develop without help. After further investigation, Dezen found out that they were these undead, that he had strong bond in his soul with. He didn't think about it further, as he was in no position to, and was just satisfied that efforts were not in vain.
The humans that were hired to do this weren't complaining, or scared, just a little uneasy. Dezen's undead doesn't look like skeletons, zombies, or decomposing bodies. Instead, they look like living creatures, who act unusually, but even then, the ones with higher intelligence can imitate living creatures, thus it wasn't that bad in their company.
After short assumption, he estimated that it will take around 3 months for them to achieve the needed level at these trades. Although it was a lot of time, only a few undead were sent to Aren to do this, so he could accept their absence. It will be even less noticeable, when he will make that new spell, which will turned his new undead into something worth keeping.
***
The next day, Dezen tested the new spell, and was satisfied with the results.
Not only their strength was raised, but their looks also were changed. Instead of dead matter stacked together, it merged into something new, like it was humanoid plants. Outside, it was made from green parts and flowers. Inside were made from them too, like they were tissues, and the wood took place of the bones.
It made him think if their strength is somehow dependent on proportions, of dead organic matter used to make them. Thus, he ordered undead to prepare tests, which he will oversee. Then, he looked at this new kind of undead and thought about another important matter.
"How should I name them? Calling them "dead organic matter undead" won't be convenient. Guess I have to make them up some name. Maybe, since they are made from plants, I will call them plant undead?..." Dezen thought about it for a few more minutes, and decided that this name was good enough. At least, he didn't come up with anything better, nor had motivation to do so.
For the next few days, Dezen focused on cultivating as a preparation for hunting the phoenix he saw on his way to Harben. Thanks to this, he will gain the next strong undead, more money, after publishing results of its examination, reputation, and some magical resources.
Of course, cultivation wasn't his only preparation. Dezen bought water magical resources and gave them to his undead, to make them more suitable for this fight. Also, even before working as guard of the caravan, he ordered one of his human undead to create a few, very powerful spells, and improve the rest. He will only have to use Shared Experience to get them.
The planned hunt for that phoenix is when Chloe and the caravan will be close to the Chambert Mountain Range. It was because, he could use his undead to teleport himself there more easily. Besides this, he will do the same only to catch some wendigos. Then he will focus on granting food for his animals.
***
The hunt for the wendigos wasn't spectacular. He went to one of their lairs, and at the same time as his undead were fighting with them, used enslavement, paralysing, and spell immobilizing spells. The second one, created white smoke, and the last one black chains, which wrapped around them.
On the other hand, phoenix hunt was a better show.
Dezen started from locating its nest, and then waiting until it went to sleep. Using hiding spells, he got closer to it, and released his undead, which started creating formation with him. At first, he wanted to isolate them for the outside world, but he feared that the phoenix will break through this, and he will have to chase it. No need to say, he couldn't really prepare for this.
The second option was trying to suppress him, somehow seal his part of his powers, or attack his mind. However, he didn't know how it will work, and if it flew too far, it would be the same situation, as with the first option.
Then, Dezen thought about using the formation to attack. It would heavily damage the phoenix, and maybe even bring it to the brink of death. Since killing it was Dezen's purpose from the begging, he considered it as the best option.
Making the formation took them 30 minutes, and it was peak if current possibilities in this aspect. Writing further wouldn't increase the power too much, but they could write the next one.
So they did, but not so big. It was because the stronger the magical creature is, the shorter it needs to sleep, and they didn't know how long it is for the phoenixes.
Dezen managed to make four more, and wondered if making a second big one is worth trying. At first, he was a little unsure, but since what he already made was enough for that fight, and if it gave any sings of awakening, he could just stop writing, he decided to try.
Luckily for them, the phoenix slept even after the second big formation was created. Seeing it, Dezen was happy, but didn't want to be too greedy, so he prepared to attack.
The water undead surrounded the creature, while he was preparing one of his new spells. It will create a dark-grey pyramid with convex walls, lacking base and inside, leaving smoke of the same colour, which creates huge rings. The two big formation will create pillars of fire, and the smaller ones black fogs, both cutting and poisoning at the same time.
Few seconds passed, and at the same time, Dezen and formations attacked. The phoenix woke up, just after hearing the spells, but he didn't manage to dodge them. They covered its whole body and muffled some of his cries of pain.
Dezen didn't expect it to be a sign of close victory, but still was satisfied hearing it.
Shortly after, the spells ended, and the water undead moved. The phoenix, heavily wounded with visible bones, was unable to move at first, so he just stayed there motionless.
For the next few seconds, the undead were easily attacking, and phoenix didn't even defend itself. Dezen was surprised by it, and thought that he is really weak as for the phoenixes.
He also wasn't wasting time, and released Cutting Fog he was preparing. It easily covered the whole creature, and then cut off his head.
However, even this didn't make him sure it is dead, so Dezen ordered his undead to collect the feathers for him, and waited, ready to attack. When they ended, Dezen revived the creature, confirming his death.
The phoenix, this time with whole body being green, arose and looked at Dezen. Then, it flew on his shoulder like it was the only place worth him. Dezen looked at his new servant, who was full of pride, and scratched his head with a smile.
"Slaying a phoenix, that's something. Even if it was weakened, it will bring me respect and glory. Now, I don't think I will need to work on my reputation more."
Dezen looked at the bird once more, took him in his hands, placed on front of his face, and while looking at it, he started thinking what will be the best way to use him.
Just when he was about to form his first idea, Dezen heard someone speaking to his ear.
- Boo.
Frightened, he jumped forward, turning around in the air, ordered his undead to surround him and activated all his defensive spell.
There, Drew Richards stood, and looked at him with curiosity.