'A fire Slyph? Is that some type of fairy?' I asked dumbly
'Some kind of fairy?! She erupted. 'A Slyph is a spirit of nature. Every fairy wishes they were as beautiful and as perfect as me'
Siya then spoke in my head
'A Slyph is a rare variant of the Fairy. So a Slyph is still a fairy'
Ahh, now I understood how I wronged her. It's just like the square and rectangle argument. A Slyph is a fairy but not every fairy is a Slyph, so comparing this magical being to a fairy would be like saying Ronin was a regular mouse.
'My apologies your esteemed Slyph. My I ask, what you are the spirit of?!
'The fairies back home, use to tell me that I was the spirit of Wildfire because I could not be controlled or put out!!'
I don't think the other fairies meant that as a compliment, but I wasn't going to be the one to tell her that.
' that sure was some big wildfire you started earlier. You know that could have killed Me, but since it all worked out. Thank you for saving me when I jumped, can I get the name of the lovely lady who saved me?'
The Slyph blushed slightly
"My name is Prya, and You owe me!!!"
After proclaiming this, she stormed off down the hill.
Our group headed down the mountain after her to check up on the remaining members of the missing caravan, which I quickly found out was the party that the FireSlyph was traveling with, but as she protested multiple times, was accompanying them for her own reasons. Due to this reasoning; the two of us were arguing about how saved whose life. I found out as we were walking that Ronin had the capacity to heal the Fire Slyph, which was what enabled her to come to my rescue with Ari, Red and Ronin.
As we headed down the mountain, I asked Siya for a status update. I surely gained a few levels after defeating the Gorhino.
Jason Demeter
Level: 14
Class: The True Beast Master (M)
Affinities: Beast & Nature
Skill: Beast tame, Aggro
Spells: Growth
I was slowly making my way towards becoming a Tier 2 warrior, which seemed to bring some changes in this world. Yet, as I gained the 5 levels; I realized I was skipping a few of the goals set by Siya when first coming to this world. I decided to re look at those, so I asked for some more details for Siya on accomplishing this. Siya explained that these were skills I gained as my strength grew. I would have them with or without the system, but this allows me some glimpse into my power.
Level 5: Permanent Beast bond: Jason can form a permanent beast bond with one of his tamed beasts. This will make a connection between both Jason and his selected magical beast. This bond can grow overtime, allowing the user to gain/share mana, life energy, as well as increase each others affinity, as you adventure and gain power.
Level 10: Spirit Summons: You now the power to bind a spirit to your soul, creating a permanent bond. Spirits are natural beings, who survive on mana, rather than oxygen like humans. Due to your nature affinity, spirits are more likely to trust you. Promises increased power.
Level 15: Mount for Life. Create a bond of shared life essence with your magical mount. Allowing for shared experience, allowing your mount to grow alongside your party. This will be a permanent bond, allowing user and mount to find each other at all times.
Noticing, that I was now on the verge of level 15, and had yet to accomplish any of these goals was somewhat concerning. It seemed like each of these connections would bring an increase in my power, which after the near death experience our team just went through would be a welcome addition. As I was thinking of next steps, the FireSlyph dragged me out of my thoughts.
'Are you ever listening!!' She screamed.
"Uhh… well no, what were you saying"
"Hmfphh" Muttered the Slyph as she turned away. Clearly frustrated that I ignored her. She hurried down the hill, and shortly the cave was in sight.
As we approached the surviving members, i took in each of their appearances, and as I looked around at each person, I noticed I was the only human amoung the group. They were all either Elves or Fairies!
They all stared at me, as I walked closer, but rather than fear, it was more in awe. Eventually one of the Elf's stepped forward
'Thank you for saving us! We would not have been able to kill the stone imps, let alone the Gorhino. We all owe you are lives'
After she spoke a fairy added
' and the Cutely dressed mouse! He is an excellent healer. Usually humans can't heal spirits, beasts, or fairies as well as others but you mouse is very talented'
I hadn't saved anyone's life before today, and I could tell my some hero's loved this feeling. I felt fulfilled. It seemed like all the stress I had been carrying was resolved by this simple good act.
'It was no problem. I was just glad that we were able to help. That Gorhino really gave me trouble. I was glad that Prya could help'
Yet, this only seemed to make them more thankful, as the rest of the caravan started showering me in thanks as well once it was determined I was no threat to them.
It was a little bit later, as the group decided to spend the night where we were and head out in the morning. We started a fire, and the elves started cooking up the remaining rations on hand, while the fairies past around what they called Fairywine, one of their specialties. As we got to talking, I found out all of them were from the Dryad Animal Kingdom, and every year they drive the caravan across this continent selling their goods, as they are extremely rare here. They were a mixture of herbalogists, alchemists, and potion makers. This allows them a good living; but none of them could have possibly been able to defeat a high ranking magical beast.
Which then turned into my retelling how I found their group as well as my triumphant victory over the Gorhino. With the alcohol flowing, I embleshied the tale slightly, making myself out more of the hero than I truly was. Yet, no one seemed to noticed, expect for Prya. I couldn't tell if after telling the story, she was thinking I was full of myself or if she was impressed when told the entire story. Yet, when I made eye contact with her to read her emotions, she blushed and turned away to talk to one of the elves.
After the story was finished, one of the fairies blurted out
'Please let us know if there is anyway we can repay you! Name your price and we will do our best to pay it, we would have been dead if you didn't arrive, and not only kill the beast, but healed us as well'
I have no idea what made me say it, whether it was the alcohol, the loneliness, or the fact that all of the females were extremely attractive. I have no idea but what came out of my mouth was
"I want one of you"
"Pervert!"
'Fairy snatcher'
'How crude'
"Wait!! No, that not what I meant! I want one of you to be my Soul Spirit"
'Soul spirit…' the word seemed to hush the crowd as the fairies stared at me wide eyed. Then suddenly they all started blushing.
'So romantic'
'A knight in shining armor. This is just like a romance novel'
'He's cute, I wouldn't mind tehehe'
'Handsome and a sweet aura.'
Yet, as all of the Fairies were talking it over with each other, a voice sounded out in agreement.
'Fine, I'll be your soul spirit, but only if you accept my terms! I am not some floozy, who will accept just any soul mate!'
As the words were spoken, all sounded ceased, while all eyes turned to the unsuspecting speaker.