Author: Ehem so this chapter will be entirely narration (3rd person). We will not get inside Leo's head or any character's head same as next chapter
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Nighttime came and Leon was already sleeping inside the cave.
I lay down on my bed, but my thoughts prevented me from falling asleep.
I kept wondering how it worked. There should be a trigger, but what is it? If I can make it manual I might be able to use this power to the fullest. What can I even absorb?
As I pondered, a thumping noise reverberated outside. Curious, I got up and cautiously looked outside.
But before I could step out, a towering figure much larger than the Tainted hydro phantasm earlier stood in front of the cave.
It has white fur with spikes of ice growing at the back of its arm, it has a black body and a bluish-black mask worn on its face. Blue horns resembling ice grew from its head and it has a robust giant body.
In front of the cave stood a Frostarm Lawachurl.
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In the guise of the night, a group of individuals kept searching for the twins. Unrelentingly, they followed the orders they received. Their numbers increased as the other Fatui agents stationed in nearby camps joined the search.
Day and night they search in the mountains without rest. They have become tired and weary yet they couldn't stop. The orders of a Harbinger are absolute. Those who dare to go against it will be punished, while those who choose to desert are met with sharp blades on their throats.
Led by Pantalone's retainers, they continued forward. Walking in the dark cold night, they killed everything in sight. The forest that was once full of life, is now filled with blood of different creatures. Birds, boars, hilichurls, and even elemental life forms were not spared.
"Report." A Fatui agent spoke. His uniform was different than the rest, signifying his rank. Around him are multiple Fatui agents.
"Captain, there's still no track of the young masters. I believe we should search further down."
"Hmmm, then what about on your side? Any news?"
"There's also nothing, captain. We couldn't find anything at the lake."
The captain of the search force contemplated. He is one of Pantalone's retainers; his most loyal pawns.
"Search further down. I expect there should be news by tomorrow. Ask the other smaller camps to double-check the area; there might be a place we forgot to check."
The Fatui agents saluted and left. "As you command!"
The captain sighted. This search has been going on for two days now, and they still haven't found the young masters. The chances of them surviving are getting lower and lower the longer they take to find them.
"Polochko, any news on your side?" A person with the same uniform arrived. He has a muscular build with a hammer in hand.
"Nothing, what about in your side? No, since you're here that means it's the same." After saying that, Dmitri offered a pack of cigarette and Polochko accepted it.
"We need to find their bodies fast."
With his comment, Polochko's face contorted in anger.
"Dmitri! How dare you say those words!"
"Polochko, look, let's be real. Among all of us who directly serve Lord Pantalone, you're the most loyal. But do you seriously believe that they're alive? They're just kids, and with this harsh environment it's hard for anyone to even find something to eat without killing themselves."
"But the young masters are not normal kids."
"They're not, but remember, they're just five-year-olds. If they meet a dangerous monster of a hilichurl... You know what I'm saying here."
Polochko clenched his fists. He knows the chances of them surviving are slim. Many adults die in the wild, what could kids do?
"*sigh* I'll go back now, we'll search at the back of the mountain."
As Dmitri was about to leave, a roar could be heard from the distance. It originated at the foot of the mountain where large vegetation and tall trees stood. It's a place they have not explored yet.
"That roar, isn't that from a Lawachurl?"
"Dmitri, come with me!"
Together, they rushed in the direction of the roar. With hurried steps and weapons in hand, they ran through the forest.
"Why would a Lawachurl roar in the middle of the night? Polochko, did you send someone in that direction?"
"No, We haven't explored that area yet. I just gave the order to search further down."
"Then, what caused it to scream?"
"There's a chance. Let's hurry up."
Young masters, wait for us.
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At the entrance of the cave, Leo stood frozen in place. In front of him is a towering giant looking back at him. Like his body, his mind froze in fear. He came face to face with one of the strongest early elite mobs of the game.
The Frostarm Lawachurl looked at him in curiosity and confusion. Its hand was bloodied, hinting of a previous violent action it had taken.
Finally getting hold of himself, Leo slowly backed. The eyes of the Frostarm Lawachurl never left him as he walked backward.
Knowing that its prey couldn't escape, it let him retreat to where Leon was sleeping soundly. Leo woke Leon up. His voice was frantic and hurried. Confusion was evident in Leon's eyes as he wiped his it.
"Leo, what's wrong?" Leon asked as he slowly stood up.
"We need to go now! There's a Lawachurl outside!" Leon said as he gathered a few things.
"What's a Lawachurl?"
"It's a monster!" Leo then added. "Take anything sharp, we have to get out of here fast!"
Upon seeing his brother's panicked state, Leon understood the gravity of the situation and hurriedly searched for the stick that the witch gave him. He found it in the pile of fruits.
Together they tip-toed outside. The Frostarm Lawachurl was waiting at the entrance. It was sitting in front of the cave, waiting for them to come out.
Questions rose on Leo's mind. The behavior of the giant was not the same as in the game. It showed patience and a unique curiosity that's not found in their kind.
"That's a giant," Leon exclaimed, his eyes wide in shock. The Frostarm Lawachurl noticed their arrival and it stood up approaching them. Fear engulfed both of them. Leon raised the stick in front of him while Leo raised a piece of sharp wood.
The Frostarm Lawachurl tilted its head. It tried to grab them as if playing with a toy. Sensing the incoming danger, they jumped on the side and started running. The Lawachurl sneered at their resistance. It jumped high and landed in front of them, blocking their way.
Leon fell to his knees in fear. Upon seeing his brother's feared state, and realizing they can't escape, Leo tried to stab the Lawachurl, but the hide of a Lawachurl was the hardest of the hilchurls. The attack didn't do anything and the wooden stick broke. Leo didn't give up, with a loud cry, Leo rushed at the Frostarm Lawachurl and pressed his hand on its legs.
He tried to do the only thing he thought he could do in this situation. Just like what happened with the tainted hydro phantasm, Leo sucked the energy inside the Lawachurls body. In surprise the Lawachurl quickly flung Leo and he flew a few meters away and fell on his back.
The Lawachurl's face contorted in rage. Leo's body emitted a faint black aura. the atmosphere around him turned eerie as Leo's body floated and his eyes turned black.
The Lawachurl watched in horror. It remembered in the depths of its memory the abominations that took his family apart. It watched as its daughter died in his own hands, as his nation fell and the people turned into monsters.
In a fit of rage, the Lawachurl's eyes turned red with fury. A blueish-white aura formed around him as he roared. His whole body turned colder and colder. The spikes on its body glowed, its horns grew wider and its arms coated in ice.
The Lawachurl rushed at Leo, ignoring Leon who was crying in fear.
Leon watched as the Frostarm Lawachurl rushed at Leo. The only thing on his mind was escaping. Leon took the opportunity and ran. He never looked back and he kept running.
He reached a large tree and stopped, intending to catch his breath. Tears formed in his eyes. Guilt filled his whole being as he fell on his knees and cried.
Questions rose from his mind and so did the memories of his short five years of life. From the moment they were born, Leo has always looked after him. He did not judge him for the things he's done and always talked to him. He left him to die, he left his brother to die while he escaped.
As he wailed, the words of the witch echoed in his mind.
"Leonheart. You and your brother Leonid will face a painful experience, it might drive the both of you into the embrace of strength or you'll succumb to.....rest. When that time comes, both of you need to make your decision."
He clutched the stick in his hands with conviction. The stick glowed with a dazzling light and it returned to what it once was, a dagger. Unlike before, the dagger did not show any impurities, and the silver that encompassed the main material turned into a yellowish-red metal.
Leonheart knew what he needed to do. He wiped the tears from his face and ran back. His eyes were full of conviction. This time, he won't run, he has made his decision.
As he ran a constellation in the sky lit up. The head of a Lion roared. The halo in its head shone and the night was illuminated with a gentle, yet fierce light. People around the world saw this phenomenon, and a certain witch smiled.
In front of Leon manifested a vision. A testament of the heavens acknowledging his ambition. Its crystalline bright red gem with a tint of black illuminated the night. Around it is a metal-like material with two spikes on the sides showing its Snezhanayan origin.
Leon was amazed. His eyes grew wider in excitement. He never once heard what a vision was, yet deep inside him he knew the power hidden inside the small gem. He clutched the gem in his hands and ran as fast as he could. Flames forming on his feet and his pure black hair is now with streaks of yellow.
He ran at a speed he never thought he had. In his mind remained one thing.
"Wait for me, Leo."