Reika and Zephyr made their way to the entrance of the Spirit Beast Garden. Although the garden wasn't particularly large, it held an array of unusual, serene creatures wandering around, giving the place an oddly peaceful vibe. Reika looked at the spirit beasts scattered around, and she couldn't help but chuckle.
"Zephyr, are these spirit beasts supposed to be… cute?" She tilted her head, grinning.
Zephyr glanced around and let out a rare smile. "I have to admit, these spirit beasts don't exactly match the ferocious image we had in mind."
The garden was filled with an assortment of spirit animals, from tiny "Lotus Frogs" that could fit in the palm of a hand, to the massive "Cloud Elephants," each radiating a soft aura but without a hint of menace. One Lotus Frog lounged lazily on a lotus leaf, resembling a pampered aristocrat on holiday, while the Cloud Elephant used its trunk to carefully gather clumps of grass with all the leisure of an old soul.
"So this is the legendary 'spiritual petting zoo' of the cultivation world?" Reika joked with a mischievous glint. "I mean, keeping a spirit frog doesn't sound so bad. Imagine waking up to its ribbit-ribbit alarm every morning."
Zephyr shook his head, laughing. "I'd advise against it. These spirit beasts may look peaceful, but one wrong move, and you'll be dealing with a very persistent alarm."
As they shared a laugh, a senior disciple approached. He appeared to be one of the caretakers here, sporting a warm, welcoming smile as he greeted them. "Are you here to admire the spirit beasts?"
"Actually, we're on the lookout for a phoenix chicken," Reika replied politely, eyes alight with anticipation. "We heard there are quite a few spirit chickens here—would you mind helping us find one in particular?"
The senior disciple looked a bit surprised but then chuckled. "Ah, you're after a phoenix chicken, are you? They're actually one of the more common spirit beasts here in the garden. But finding a specific one… now that could be a challenge."
"Wait—there are different types of spirit chickens?" Reika asked, perplexed. She'd always thought a phoenix chicken was unique enough on its own, never realizing there could be so many varieties.
The disciple nodded, launching into an enthusiastic explanation. "Absolutely! There's quite the variety here, from the common 'Firefeather Chick' to the rarer 'Iceplume Phoenix,' each with unique attributes. And yes, there's a ranking hierarchy among them—the higher the rank, the more distinctive the plumage and spiritual energy. A true phoenix chicken is one of the top tiers."
Reika blinked in awe, thinking, *So that phoenix chicken I saw was basically the 'diva' of the chicken world?*
"We keep them in a specific section of the garden because they tend to flock together, and they can be hard to tell apart," the disciple added, waving for them to follow. "Come on, I'll show you."
They followed him along the main path until they reached a quieter part of the garden. The air here was thick with spirit energy, and even the grass seemed to sway with an ethereal hum. Before Reika could fully process it, she was staring wide-eyed at a whole flock of phoenix chickens.
The phoenix chickens moved gracefully among the spirit grass, some pecking delicately, others preening their feathers. They were a dazzling sight: some had feathers as red as fire, while others gleamed with a silvery sheen like icicles. Each one carried itself with the kind of haughty air she imagined royalty might have.
"Wow, they're… adorable!" Reika exclaimed, her eyes sparkling as she pointed to a particularly small phoenix chick. "Look at that tiny one! It's like a 'mini phoenix' chick!"
Zephyr chuckled, clearly amused. "These spirit chickens really are the 'fashion icons' of the spirit world. They've got an aura of 'don't touch me' chic."
The disciple laughed heartily. "Oh, they're clever little things, especially the one you're pointing at—the 'mini phoenix' just hatched recently and already acts like it's the queen of the coop."
Reika couldn't hold back a laugh. "Small but mighty, huh? This one's got the boss attitude down."
As the disciple shared more details, Reika and Zephyr learned about the different personalities and characteristics of each phoenix chicken. Some had feathers so vibrant they looked painted, while others boasted exceptional spiritual strength. They all seemed to carry a sense of pride that matched their rare status.
"But… none of these seem like the one I encountered," Reika murmured, looking around the flock. There was a particular spark missing, something uniquely fierce and unforgettable.
The disciple thought for a moment, hesitating slightly. "It's possible that the one you encountered has awakened a higher level of spiritual awareness. Sometimes, phoenix chickens with that kind of spiritual power are difficult to approach. These here haven't quite reached that level yet."
Reika furrowed her brow, now more convinced than ever that the chicken that bit her was something special.
"Any idea where it might have gone?" Zephyr asked, a note of contemplation in his voice. He was starting to realize this chicken search was going to be far more involved than he'd anticipated.
The disciple pondered for a moment, then snapped his fingers as if struck by a sudden thought. "Lately, there's been talk of spirit beasts migrating to the Ashmoon Forest. It's possible that your phoenix chicken followed the flow of spirit energy there."
"Ashmoon Forest?" Reika glanced at Zephyr, brow raised. "Doesn't sound like an easy place to explore…"
Zephyr nodded thoughtfully. "It's a gathering place for spirit beasts, and it's said to be saturated with spirit energy. If our feathered friend has moved, it's worth checking there."
The disciple offered a helpful warning. "Ashmoon Forest is beautiful, but some of the spirit beasts can be… well, less than friendly. Be on guard if you go."
"Got it!" Reika responded with a spirited nod, clearly excited. "If we actually find it, our whole 'chicken hunt' will be a complete success!"
Zephyr, watching her enthusiasm, couldn't help but feel a mix of amusement and resignation. A small smile tugged at his lips as he said softly, "Let's hope this time you don't get another 'souvenir' bite."
With the disciple's guidance, Reika and Zephyr set off toward Ashmoon Forest. They may not have found their target in the Spirit Beast Garden, but they were far from giving up. Together, they moved forward, each step filled with renewed determination for the strange, yet somehow thrilling adventure that awaited.
＊＊＊
As soon as the words left the senior disciple's mouth, Reika and Zephyr quickly bade him farewell and set out for Ashmoon Forest. Outside the Spirit Beast Garden, the sky was still clear, but as they neared Ashmoon Forest, a thin mist settled around them, dimming the sunlight like a hazy veil.
"Zephyr, doesn't it feel… kind of eerie here?" Reika asked, glancing around the forest entrance with a hint of tension in her voice.
"Ashmoon Forest has always had a reputation for being mysterious and… a bit creepy. Don't worry—I'll be right here with you," Zephyr reassured her, his tone low and steady, giving her shoulder a reassuring pat.
Reika felt a little more at ease, but she couldn't shake off the memory of her last encounter with the terrifying Iron-Claw Wraith Owl. That experience had left a scar in her mind, making her grip her fists tightly and vow to be extra careful this time.
"To be honest, this place does give me the creeps," she murmured, trying to laugh off her nerves. "Last time, I almost became owl chow."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow, remaining composed on the outside, but inwardly he was making calculated plans. His interest in this forest wasn't just about finding the phoenix chicken. He'd uncovered some clues here related to the elusive obsidian crystal—a mystery that hinted at a much larger conspiracy. For now, with Reika by his side, he had to be cautious, silently observing their surroundings as they ventured further into the forest.
As they ventured deeper into Ashmoon Forest, the landscape began to change. At first, they could still hear birds chirping and see squirrels leaping among the trees, creating an illusion of peace. But soon, the atmosphere shifted.
The spiritual energy grew denser, and the trees around them became ancient and towering, forming an imposing wall of foliage. The thick canopy blocked out the sunlight, casting the forest in an eerie shadow. Occasionally, a faint breeze stirred, rustling the leaves with an almost sinister whisper, as if the forest itself held dark secrets.
"I don't like this… Something just feels off," Reika whispered, barely audible over the soft rustling of leaves.
Zephyr kept his cool, responding in a calm voice, "Just stay alert. With spiritual energy this concentrated, there are bound to be powerful beasts around. We can't afford to let our guard down."
The two walked carefully, moving deeper into the forest, noting odd signs here and there. Bark on several trees appeared scratched and torn, and scattered on the ground were peculiar marks, hinting at the passage of an unknown creature. Every now and then, a low growl echoed faintly, reverberating through the trees and making Reika's pulse quicken.
"Do you think these are signs of the phoenix chicken?" Reika asked hesitantly, eyeing the marks. She didn't expect the phoenix chicken to be this wild, but she had to ask.
Zephyr thought for a moment, then replied, "A phoenix chicken might peck at someone, but it wouldn't leave marks like these. These belong to something a lot more aggressive."
Suddenly, a loud rustle echoed from up ahead, and Reika froze, her gaze fixed on the source. "Did you hear that?" she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
Zephyr nodded, and with a flick of his wrist, he gathered spiritual energy, forming a barely visible barrier around them. He stepped forward to shield Reika, his eyes sharp and ready.
They crept forward, moving as silently as possible, hoping not to attract whatever lay in wait. Suddenly, the brush exploded with movement as a large spirit beast leaped out, landing with a force that kicked up a cloud of dust around them.
"Run!" Zephyr shouted, pulling Reika along as they bolted in the opposite direction, their reflexes instantaneous.
The beast was fast—faster than either of them expected. Reika's heart pounded as the air grew heavy with the tension of the chase. She could feel the spirit energy around them swirling, amplifying the pressure as they zig-zagged between trees to dodge the beast's attacks.
"I thought we were here for a chicken hunt, not a marathon escape from doom!" she panted, managing to toss a breathless joke into the chaos.
"Spirit beasts are unpredictable like that!" Zephyr replied, sounding both amused and exasperated. "We'd better lose it fast before we attract even bigger trouble."
The two darted between trees, moving with practiced agility. Although the beast was relentless, their teamwork allowed them to narrowly evade several close calls. Finally, they slipped into a hidden alcove, watching as the beast barreled past, seemingly oblivious to their hiding spot.
"Phew… nearly became spirit beast dinner back there," Reika muttered, leaning against a tree to catch her breath, her face pale but her sense of humor intact.
"Well, at least we got away this time." Zephyr's face was calm, though he inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. He knew the dangers in Ashmoon Forest were far from over; the recent attack was probably just a taste of the forest's perils.
Reika managed a shaky grin, attempting to lighten the mood. "Zephyr, we should've brought a 'Guide to Spirit Beasts' or something. At least then we'd know which ones to avoid next time."
Zephyr chuckled, playing along. "If there were such a guide, page one would probably say 'Spirit beasts are unpredictable,' and page two would advise 'Always be ready to run.'"
They exchanged a look and broke into laughter, the sound a welcome release after the heart-pounding escape. The moment of levity eased some of the tension, allowing them to catch their breath.
But as their laughter faded, the air grew tense once more. Reika felt an eerie shift, and her smile faltered as her expression grew serious. "Zephyr… do you feel that?"
Zephyr nodded, his gaze narrowing as he focused on a distant point. He, too, sensed the strange wave of spiritual energy—a feeling that something was lurking, though he couldn't pinpoint exactly where.
They held their breath, inching toward the source of the disturbance. With each step, the energy grew stronger, like a puzzle drawing them deeper into the unknown.
"What else is this forest hiding?" Reika whispered, equal parts curious and uneasy.
"Maybe more than we bargained for," Zephyr replied quietly, his eyes darkening as he considered the mysteries lying ahead.
They moved cautiously forward, the forest's atmosphere becoming increasingly ominous. Just then, a faint noise drifted from the shadows—a low, chilling sound that sent shivers down their spines.
"Stay alert…" Zephyr murmured, every fiber of his being primed for whatever lay in wait.