Fortunately, no other monster attacked until Maya finished her ascent. As she awoke from her meditation, she was shocked to see Leo's pitiful state and the beast's corpse not far from her. She rushed to help Leo, bringing him to a secluded corner and helping straighten his bones. She bandaged his legs, helping to speed up his regeneration process.
As Leo lay in his coma, Maya hadn't been idle. She made a cave in a very inconspicuous corner, carrying Leo's body into the cave. She had an internal struggle, debating whether to leave him or stay until he recovered. Looking at his peaceful face, she sighed. He was in this condition because of her. If she had just been patient and chosen a better location to ascend, Leo might not have ended up in this state. Because of this, she decided to stay and protect his body while he was in a coma.
The Night passed....
Dawn broke as three valiant suns rose into the sky. Their rays laid their crimson light on Leo's face, revealing a very pale complexion. One could see his lips quiver. Seeing this, Maya immediately knew what was going on. The damage he took was beyond the power of the nanochips, which were made to enhance a planeless third-dimensional creature, which he was. The only thing that could help him now was...
Looking at her hands, within them lay a gene core, which was like a mass of swirling shadows, trapped within its crystal. The nine stars within pulsed rhythmically. She harvested it from the beast that Leo had slain. The only way he could be safe was for him to transcend. Though she did not know which path Leo wanted to take, if she wanted to save him, she had to help him raise his plane as a third-dimensional creature. She sighed as she got to work.
She started crushing the crystal into a fine powder. When she was done, she carried the powder, which moved as though it had a life of its own, and poured it into his mouth. What she was doing was really risky, but she didn't have a choice. At least she had increased his chance of survival.
What Maya did was simple yet dangerous. She had directly poured the crystal dust into his mouth. Doing this was a way of increasing his plane as a third-dimensional creature. If he could tame the violent energy and use it to temper his body, it would help increase his plane as a third-dimensional creature. It would also elevate his nanochips to the state of a dimensional bot of the ninth plane too. But if he failed... it meant death!
Maya watched anxiously as the powder began to take effect. Leo's body started to tremble as the energy coursed through him. She knew she had to remain vigilant and ready to assist him if needed. The minutes felt like hours as she waited, hoping that Leo would be able to harness the energy and survive this ordeal.
Hours later....
Maya watched him,till it was high noon. The three crimson suns flared brilliantly in the sky, casting their crimson rays on the multicolored flora that carpeted the forest floor. Vibrant hues of green, blue, and purple shimmered under the intense light, creating an otherworldly tapestry of color. The leaves rustled softly in the gentle breeze, and the air was filled with the sweet scent of blooming flowers.
Birds with iridescent feathers flitted through the canopy, their songs blending into a melodious symphony that seemed to celebrate the unique beauty of this realm. In the distance, a waterfall cascaded down a rocky cliff, its waters sparkling like liquid gems. The forest was alive with the hum of insects and the distant calls of unseen creatures, adding to the sense of enchantment that pervaded the scene.
Suddenly, Leo's body started to crack, as though he were a porcelain doll, with blood seeping through the cracks. Despite the alarming sight, Maya's eyes lit up with delight. This was a sign that he had stepped into the first plane, shedding his mortal body. Each crack and drop of blood was a testament to his transformation, a painful but necessary part of his ascension.
The cracked skin began to rapidly fall off, revealing the new, lustrous brown skin beneath. The fresh skin glowed with a radiant sheen, smooth and flawless, with a slight iridescence that caught the light of the three crimson suns. It shimmered with subtle hues, emphasizing the profound transformation Leo had undergone. The new skin not only looked more resilient but also seemed to pulsate with an inner energy, signifying his ascension to a higher plane. The contrast between his previously cracked and bloodied exterior and this fresh, luminous surface was striking, highlighting the depth of his renewal and the strength he now possessed.
Seeing this, Maya couldn't help but feel relieved as Leo had passed the most critical juncture. Now she just had to wait until he fully transcended to the ninth plane.
But sadly, things wouldn't go as planned. A small rustle rang out followed by the sound of footsteps. Directing her sight to the source of the noise, her eyes narrowed as she scowled. "Jayde, you are here," she exclaimed.
At the corner, coming out of the dense foliage of the forest, was a man with a square face, blue eyes gleaming with a sinister light, and deep black hair running down his shoulders. Looking at Maya, a cruel smile showcased itself on his face. "Maya, the mistress of the house of phantom herself, what a coincidence for us to meet here," his menacing voice sounded.
Looking at the newcomer, Maya knew she was in trouble. This guy was from the House of Night, a clan that had been an enemy of her family for many years. Her father had warned her that this trip would be dangerous, as some other powers were aware. It looked like he was right.
"A coincidence indeed. Why are you here? You yourself know you aren't enough to face me," Maya said, trying to stall. But she was also ready for anything as she silently reached for her sword.
Jayde's cruel smile widened as he stepped closer. "Oh, Maya, it's not about facing you alone. We're both aware that I'm not here to fight you directly. My presence is enough to disrupt your plans and put you on edge."
On hearing his statement, she burst into a fit of laughter. "It seems the best the House of Night could send is an errand boy," Maya mocked, her laughter echoing through the clearing. Her demeanor was bold, but her hand remained firmly on the hilt of her sword, ready for anything.
Jayde's sinister smile faltered for a moment, irritation flickering in his eyes. "Mock all you want, Maya. But you're not in the position to underestimate me," he retorted, taking a step closer.
Maya's laughter faded, replaced by a steely determination. "You're right. This isn't a game," she said, her voice now cold and steady. She knew that any distraction could be deadly, especially with Leo still in his critical state. Her focus sharpened, every muscle in her body tensed, prepared for the inevitable confrontation.
"I really feel sympathy for you, Jayde, for you're already late," she stated, as she got into a stance. It seemed the House of Night sent people this time to stop her from acquiring the Terragrimm's gene core. She couldn't blame them, as even she herself didn't expect to have a comrade follow her into the rift. If she had come here alone, she would only be able to wait patiently until she got back to the city before she transcended.
Jayde was confused at first, but his eyes caught sight of Leo's body. Immediately, comprehension dawned on his face. 'The bitch has ascended!' He had barely gotten that thought in when she attacked. In a flash, she was right before him, her sword inches away from claiming his head.