Thorne's feet moved with purpose as he journeyed deeper into the forest, each step bringing him closer to the second location marked on the map in his mind.
After consuming the Fruit of Essence, his entire being felt transformed. His spiritual sight, once limited to blurry outlines and vague shapes, had sharpened considerably. The world around him appeared in gradients of spiritual energy, shadows and light painting a picture only he could perceive. Figures that once appeared as mere smudges now had defined edges, their forms clearer than ever before.
Most importantly, his sight didn't seem to lag, whatever that means.
Emboldened by his newfound abilities, Thorne had begun to seek out beasts to gain experience, engaging in battles he would have previously avoided. Each confrontation served as both a test and a lesson, refining his skills and deepening his understanding of spirituality. His confidence grew with each victory, and so did his desire to push his limits.
Of course he had kept to the weak, bottom of the food chain beasts, ones he could easily dispatch.
As he maneuvered through the dense foliage, his spiritual senses alerted him to a presence ahead—a large figure moving methodically through the trees. Thorne paused, extending his spirituality outward to probe the entity. The figure appeared blurry at first, a massive silhouette blending into the ambient energy of the forest.
But as he focused, the image sharpened, revealing a hulking beast unlike any he had faced before.
The creature was colossal, its body a fusion of stone and flesh, with jagged protrusions jutting from its form. Its movements caused the ground to tremble slightly. Through his spiritual sight, Thorne observed the beast's energy—a dense, swirling mass with currents coursing through its body. Yet, he noticed something else: thin areas where the spiritual energy was weaker, almost like cracks in armor.
Thorne's heart raced—not with fear, but with anticipation. This was the kind of challenge he sought. Gripping his sword, he allowed his spirituality to flow freely, enveloping him in a focused aura. The beast hadn't noticed him yet, its attention fixed elsewhere.
Thorne decided to seize the moment!
He moved quietly, each step deliberate. When he was within striking distance, the beast turned, sensing his presence. Its molten eyes fixed on him, and it let out a guttural roar that echoed through the forest. The sound would have frozen him in his tracks days ago, but now it only fueled his determination.
The beast charged, its massive form barreling toward him. Thorne's enhanced spiritual sight tracked its movements, the once-blurry figure now a clear outline against the backdrop of the forest. He could see the shifts in its spiritual energy, allowing him to anticipate its actions.
At the last moment, he sidestepped the beast's charge, feeling the rush of air as it passed mere inches from him. As it thundered past, he noticed a thin line of weakened spiritual energy along its side—a vulnerability.
Thorne swung his sword, channeling his spirituality into the blade. The weapon struck true, slicing into the weak point. The beast roared in pain, stumbling but not falling.
It whipped around, swinging a massive, clawed limb at him. Thorne ducked, the claws slicing through the space where his head had been moments before.
Setting his gaze upon the beast, he saw another weak spot near the creature's shoulder, there the spirituality was scarce. He darted forward, thrusting his sword into the gap. The beast howled, its movements becoming more erratic.
Thorne could feel the strain on his body, but his confidence didn't waver.
The beast lunged again, but this time Thorne was ready. He leaped onto a nearby rock, gaining higher ground. From this vantage point, he could see the beast's back—a network of thin spiritual lines crisscrossing its rugged form. Focusing his energy, he jumped, landing on the creature's back. It thrashed wildly, trying to shake him off.
Holding on tightly, Thorne positioned his sword over the largest weak point he could find—a nexus where several thin lines converged. With a deep breath, he plunged the blade downward, channeling all his strength into the strike.
The effect was immediate. The beast let out a deafening roar as the sword pierced its core. Its movements slowed, then ceased altogether. The massive creature collapsed, the ground shaking as it fell. Thorne jumped clear, landing nimbly a few feet away.
Breathing heavily, he watched as the beast's energy began to disintegrate, the spiritual energy dissipating into the air like mist. His body ached, but a sense of triumph surged through him.
As he sheathed his sword, Thorne reflected on his growth. Not long ago, he would have avoided such a confrontation, fearing the risks outweighed the rewards. But now, he understood that each challenge was an opportunity to grow stronger.
His ability to perceive the beast's weaknesses—areas where the spiritual energy was thin—had been crucial. Without it, he might not have succeeded.
Thorne looked down at the beast he had just slain, its massive form crumbling in the wake of his strike. A few days ago, the mere thought of crossing paths with such a creature would have sent him running in the opposite direction.
But now, after everything he'd been through, after the ambush he had planned and executed with precision, he had felled it with ease. It felt surreal, like the world had shifted in his favor, as though he'd stepped into a new version of himself.
As he stood there, catching his breath, Thorne's thoughts drifted back to the people at the fief. What would they say when he returned with tales of his battles?
Kaesa would be thrilled for him, no doubt. She had always believed in him, even when he'd struggled with his blindness, when shame had clung to him like a second skin. He could only imagine her smile—bright and wide, maybe even a little mischievous, just like always.
Perhaps now, with his newfound abilities, he wouldn't have to feel that shame anymore. He had found a way to see, allowing him to perceive the world through his spiritual senses. It was good, no—it was perfect. His spiritual sight allowed him to navigate the world with clarity and precision that many with regular vision lacked. He could see the flow of energy in living things, distinguish the patterns of spiritual life all around him. It was all he had known since birth.
And yet, it wasn't enough.
Thorne sighed, his resolve tightening like a coiled spring.
I want to see, he thought. Truly see. He wanted to witness the colors Kaesa spoke of with such joy. She had always said her favorite color was blue, that it reminded her of the sky on a clear day. Lara preferred white, a color she said made her feel at peace.
But Thorne had no frame of reference for these things. Colors were foreign to him, merely words he couldn't connect with the world around him.
It wasn't fair, he realized, to have such a gift as his spiritual gaze and yet still yearn for something as simple as sight. But that yearning fueled him. It gave him purpose.
His victory over the beast was just a step in his journey. One day, he would see. He didn't know when or how, but he would. He would experience the world as others did, not just through the flow of energy but through colors, shapes, light.
With those thoughts weighing on his mind, Thorne adjusted the grip on his sword and started moving again.