Shiny and the Raven limped through the forest, neither in the shape to fly nor leap from tree to tree.

As they hobbled, the surrounding pine trees grew larger and larger, the trunks ascending into the sky. The giant branches cast shadows on the ground, repelling the sun from touching the earth.

Because of the lack of sun, the forest undergrowth was almost nonexistent. Few sparse bushes and fledgling trees populated the forest floor, but besides the occasional boulder, there was little that they could use to hide.

Surprisingly, as they trudged deeper into the forest, sightings of animals became less and less.

Shiny started to feel uncomfortable. His fur raised in caution. Staring at the back of the Raven, he decided to continue to follow the bird

Eventually they arrived at a massive crater in the earth. Within the crater, the towering pines had disappeared, merely lining the grand hole in the ground.

At the center of the crater, a massive stone structure was nestled. Its walls made from dark stone, a large portion crumbling, falling apart.

The decayed stone fortress nearly rose as high as the surrounding pines, its central tower piercing into the sky.

The Raven unhesitantly hopped down into the crater, but Shiny froze at the edge, staring down into the pit. Noticing his new pal wasn't following, the Raven turned its head sideways, staring at Shiny with dark green eyes.

Waving a broken wing, it encouraged Shiny to follow him. Shiny raised his front paw, placing it within the crater.

The instant Shiny's foot touched the ground, he froze, not daring to move. Struggling to look up, Shiny met the gaze of the strongest Beast it had ever seen. A jet-black Raven the size of an elephant perched on the tallest tower of the stone fortress, it's piercing glowing green eyes gazing down at him.

Not daring to make eye contact with the beast, Shiny backed up, staring at the ground. The giant Raven's casual gaze caused the hair on Shiny's back to wilt and fall from his body.

The Raven had 4 pale gray arms of energy, two on each side of it's body crossed against its chest, its form covered in black-scaled armor. It's beak polished to perfection, reflecting the suns rays.

Noticing its friend being held up by the guardian, the Raven let out a CAWWW.

The guardian turned its head, directing its gaze at another point of the forest.

Shiny collapsed to the ground; in addition to his injuries, his hair was now wilted, falling out.

Noticing the peculiar condition Shiny was in, the Raven hopped down the crater. Picking a few berries with its beak, it hopped back up, careful not to squish the large gray berries in its mouth. Arriving at Shiny's fallen form, it placed the berries in Shiny's mouth, Waiting for Shiny to chew.

Chewing, Shiny's hair dead hair quickly fell out, soon replaced by fresh, new brown hair. Suddenly filled with energy, Shiny rose but remained cautious of the crater, not daring to step within again.

Shrugging its black feathered head, the Raven leaped out of the crater, after consuming the Berries its body had become rejuvinated as well, brimming with energy.

CAWWW

It stared at Shiny, its eyes filled with playful challenge. Shiny directed his attention away from the massive Raven perched on the tower, fixing his gaze once again on the smaller Raven.

Shaking his head, Shiny flicked his tail and squinted his eyes. Crouching down, Shiny tensed his muscles, showing his sharp teeth in a smile.

The Raven responded with a CAWW, flapping it's wings up and down, its eyes glowing with anticipation. extending its wings as far as possible the RAven raised them up.ssible.

Fwoosh

Shiny tightened his muscles, flinging himself at the Raven. The Raven flapped its wings, a powerful gust of wind filling its feathers, sending it straight at Shiny.

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The two clashed, their wings, claws, and teeth scraping against each other unceasingly. But neither held any anger. Instead, the duo radiated an unexpected emotion: enjoyment.

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Tap Tap Tap Tap

Footsteps echoed out, colliding against the rocky surface of a cave.

A group of four strolled along the rough stone surface. Outfront, a man wearing red leather armor led, flanked by another who was dressed in burlap and cheap fabrics. Behind the two strode a robed man and a blonde-haired teenage girl. Both strolling down the cave like it was merely a summer walk.

Bartholomew chuckled, "It had been ages since I had been in a cave. My last was when I was in academy." he said, his words echoing against the walls.

No response came; everyone was more focused on the task at hand. Shrugging, Bartholomew began examining the cave walls, his gaze directed on the material and shape.

They continued to dive deeper and deeper into the earth. Bartholomew's sphere of fire illuminated the path forward. Pursing forward, they came across another cavern. Stepping within, they were met by multitudes of neon blue fungus faintly illuminating the cavern walls.

The cave's walls dripped with a light blue viscous liquid, funneling into a massive lake of the same material.

Various pink and purple lichens covered the cavern floor surrounding the lake. Vines of reds, yellows, and greens hanging from the ceiling, filling the empty void at the cavern's center.

Among a pedestal purchased at the center of the viscous lake, a series of massive webs lay, connecting to nearby stone pillars and giant mushrooms. The spider lay at the center of the web, its body motionless, not reacting to the new entrants.

Entering, Bartholomew's mouth hung open, his eyes wide as he gazed among the underground biome.

Juliet merely unsheathed her sword, her brows locked in a scowl, her lips a frown.

Jerimiah consciously backed up, placing himself more at the group's center. Noticing the blatant movement, Juliet scoffed and strode forward, standing by Feklor's side.

"What is this place?" she couldn't help but ask. Though their main goal was the spider, this cavern could also hold some unknown treasures.

Feklor gazed around at the strange flora, his face perfectly impassive, "If I were to guess, we have stumbled across an Aether Node." he concluded,

Bartholomew butted in, his tone higher pitched than usual, "Lord all mighty, this is most definitely an Aether Node! Sadly, I am unable to determine what type of Aether it produces. None of my affinities are reacting to the environment."

Feklor shook his head in response, "None of mine either." Narrowing his eyes, he gazed at Bartholomew. "I can assume Baron Pike will be rewarded handsomely for lending his gracious servant and daughter for the expedition that discovered the Aether Node."

Bartholomew snorted, "You are lucky the Count is a gracious man." Glancing at the spider, he commented, "Either way, we are here for that creature. Let us take care of it first, then we can explore."

Jerimiah scowled, butting in, "Wouldn't it be wise to come back with a better-equipped team? Exploration with our lack of preperation cannot be safe."

Bartholomew scoffed, turning to Jerimiah, "Like I would let any of my peers take this opportunity from me."

Feklor pulled his spear from his back, pointing it at the spider. "The Peasant is right. I can sense the danger of this place. But none of that matters at the moment; pin the spider Bartholomew. Now"

Bartholomew scowled but still raised his staff. Pointing it at the spider, his eyes began to glow orange.

Chains of magma shot from the ground surrounding the viscous blue lake. The chains quickly collided with the spider, entangling it before it could let out a screech in resignation. The spider's webs burned from the heat radiating from the molten shackles.

The chains gripped the spider tightly, dragging it from its burning web.

The chains moved through the hanging vines, bringing the spider before the group, but not before burning parts of the underground flora.

Restrained and before the group, its black chitin sizzled from the chains as it thrashed, lunged, and attempted to bite the humans standing before it.

Feklor stepped forward, the spear in his hands illuminating the surroundings in a vibrant green. Opening his eyes wide, a wave of pale white energy shot from Feklor's head, crashing into the thrashing spider.

Instantly, the spider slowed, its movements ceasing, but the sizzling from the chains still melting into its black chitin armor, liquifying it's protection.

Satisfied, Feklor motioned for Juliet to approach. "Lady Juliet, please place your hand on the creature." Staring into her eyes, he continued, "Do not worry, I am binding its Soul Ocean. It is weakened and ready to be contracted."

Juliet nodded, her normal scowl deepening as she placed her hand between the spider's eyes large beady eyes. Closing her own, she reached out, forming a needle with her Soul, forcefully piercing into the creature's Soul Ocean.

Off to the side, Bartholomew stood by Jerimiah, a smug look on his face, "This spider is quite rare. Apparently, a specimen making it past adolescence is almost impossible, as they are often consumed before they can jump to the second stage."

Jerimiah stared at the spider with a mixture of anticipation and fear, "This creature is a Stage 2 Beast?"

Bartholomew laughed, "I'm surprised you survived an encounter with this creature. You didn't even know what stage it was."

Watching the duo subdue the spider, Jerimiah scowled, "Werent they going to kill it?"

Bartholomew shook his head, "No, no, no. Why let such a precious specimen go to waste? They are Taming it."

Juliet directed a string of her Soul within the spider's Soul Ocean, attaching it to the spider's Soul Spring. Feeling the connection snap into place, she opened her eyes and willed the creature to disappear. The chains that previously held the spider in place falling to the ground, melting the stone beneath.

Clenching her fists, Juliet's frown turned into a smile.