Karnage: Here you go...*fever* *fever* *coughs up a mouthful of blood on the chapter*....

V2 Chapter 14-

Sol calmly rode Nightmare toward the city walls of Earthernvale, Nightmaster Duke hurriedly looked below and yelled!

[Open the gates!] -Nightmaster Duke

A City Guard immediately yelled out to several other guards, who in turned called out to several others.

[Open the gates!] -City Guard

*Clink* *Clink* *Clink*

The sounds of chains moving around as the sound of heavy metal creaked and the gates of Earthernvale opened. The soldiers inside upon seeing Hydrian and Hydreas, grew several folds white! Many of the men present had never seen such fearsome creatures up close and could only take a few steps back in horror.

Many of them couldn't help but wonder why the hell did they bother risking their lives to defend from humans when such terrible beasts walk through the front door? They sweated profusely but made no sudden moves as this order came from the higher ups and were possibly reinforcements.

Only when they noticed the twin Basilisks ignoring them did they release a slight breath but still remained frosty. With a flash of light the twins minimized themselves and became comfortable in their usual spots around Sol's wrist and neck, this released quite a bit of pressure off of the soldiers but the fear still remained.

Sol calmly entered riding Nightmare, with a few clicks of his tongue the black stallion picked up speed and shot forward. Nightmare was several folds taller than a normal horse, he had an imposing aura about him and a prideful demeanor which made Sol seem even more imposing as he rode it. Once it's master wanted to go forward, it would go forward without fear no matter the enemy, no matter the circumstances.

The guards at the front gate were heavily injured and wore full plated armor which meant the battle had been going on for some time, the fact that the King wasn't out here made Sol believe something was wrong.

*Gallop* *Gallop*

The sound of an approaching horse entered Sol's ears, but he ignored it as he knew it was Nightmaster Duke approaching him. Sol glanced to the side as he met up with Nightmaster Duke who descended from the walls.

[Haha! So you are alive! I knew it!] -Nightmaster Duke

Sol smiled lightly and nodded with a grin.

[It was the will of the Gods! By the way....where is the King?] -Sol

As soon as Sol asked the question, Nightmaster Duke's face became dark.

[He's heavily injured, the Former King is at his side along with the rest of the royal family. We were fighting a war of attrition with them, The King and Former King as well as myself could only managed to hold a stalemate against 3 of the invading Kings.

One of them was even more powerful than the Former King, they took advantage of that and teamed up on the King and dealt a nasty blow. The only reason they gave us time alone is because they are expecting his death so as to drop morale! They were afraid of him doing a suicide attack and evening the odds! Those filthy dogs!] -Nightmaster

Sol hearing this didn't know what to think, as far as he was concerned, those guys were incredible weaklings. It was then he knocked himself on the forehead as if he discovered something.

(I completely forgot....how low the mana density is here...I couldn't even tell the power differences between those "Kings" outside) -Sol

Seeing Sol's blank look, the Nightmaster was confused.

(...Is he really Sol?...Shouldn't he show a bit more care? He's smiling, yet he feels so detached like he doesn't want to be here..Could it be that he blames us for him almost dying?) -Nightmaster Duke

Sol was completely unaware of what Nightmaster Duke was thinking and stroked Hydreas' head as Nightmare quickly climbed the mountain. A slight smile on Sol's face as he rode leisurely and hummed a tune, it really disturbed Nightmaster Duke to see Sol so carefree.

He thought Sol would share his anger hearing the King was hurt, but Sol's expression didn't change and he didn't know what to make of it.

As he watched Sol's back from behind him, the old man looked at the way he moved, the way he spoke and rode his mount. Suddenly he had a feeling......as though before him an Emperor had appeared. Though Sol was more or less naked except for the beast skins that covered his lower body, the posture, the aura and confidence could not be mistaken despite his jungle garments.

For this old man that served two generations of Kings, he understood what sort of being Sol was. It wasn't that Sol had become cold or lost his empathy. It was that he had matured, he was no longer impulsive and didn't behave like a righteous child who didn't know anything. He thought for himself, made his own decisions and understood the best decisions were made when one remained calm.

Though he still possessed a hint of childish mischievousness, the lofty and overbearing nature could not be missed or suppressed. It was a pride hidden deep within the bones...It was the aura of a ruler. Nightmaster Duke engraved Sol's Emperor like presence into his heart and soul and decided to never ever forget this moment, as one day it may become the story he passes on to his great grand-children.

**

After a short time, Sol had already appeared in front of Nightmaster Duke's mansion. The guards did not stop them, despite the fact that Sol was dressed like a slave boy which was obviously due to Nightmaster Duke's presence beside him. They quickly passed through the gates and headed toward the Royal Medical Palace higher up the mountain, as Sol got up to this point he suddenly smiled with a look of nostaligia in his eyes.

With a flash of light Hydrian and Hydreas entered Sol's body as they had gotten fed up of the low mana density area and rested within Sol's soul. The latter upon entering the Royal Medical Ward saw quite a lot of guards and nurses moving about, Sol walked passed them drawing quite a few stares, he saw Maria tending to a few wounded nobles dressed in warrior's clothing and did not notice his arrival.

Sol decided to leave her to her job and come back later to pay a visit, he looked at her for a bit and thought that a woman who dedicated her life to medicine was quite attractive. He paid no further heed and followed Nightmaster Duke as they approached Renissa's Personal Room.

Nightmaster Duke opened the door and they both stepped in to see a few familiar faces. The King lay on a bed with a huge gash across his chest, his face pale as the prince and princesses sat around him with teary eyes. The three Queens all had teary eyes and they were as red as blood, Saint Renissa sat beside the King with a few vials in her hand and a downcast expression.

Across the Kings wound was a dark black substance, this substance Sol could recognize at a glance. It was poison, and not just any kind of poison but quite a vicious one and something that Earthernvale shouldn't possess. It had mana devouring properties and was something Sol had not come in contact with and was astonished to see it as he could feel it's properties from a distance - naturally this was due to Poison Affinity.

No one had noticed Sol entering the room as Renissa placed up a sound barrier and blocked off the single bed from the outside noise to give the King some comfort, there was still a bit of distance from the King's bed to the entrance and they were not aware of the newly arrived presence.

The King however, who lay on the bed with his head elevated towards the door was the first to notice Sol, his suddenly almost tired eyes showed an expression of surprise and his gaze shifted to Nightmaster Duke who gave a nod affirming his suspicions. Sol's face hadn't changed much but it became more defined and he started looking much more manlier, despite all this the King was easily able to tell by the bizarre colored hair and eyes.

(He's alive!...He's really alive! King Aereis was right!) -King Ironspine

Sol grinned as he looked at the frail looking King and made  sign language using Warrior's code with his fingers.

(You-//-Seem-//Well-) -Sol

The King upon understanding Sol's message almost coughed up a mouthful of blood as he stared wide-eyed at him. The Royal Family quickly stretched their hands to tend the King with worried looks on their faces as they screamed in horror, unaware of why the King suddenly had his wound flare up, they thought the poison was the reason for his reaction and had not noticed what his eyes were truly fixated on.

Sol chuckled and decided to milk it a bit, he sent yet another signal with his fingers.

(You-//-See-//-Ghost?-//-Or-//-becoming-//-one?-) -Sol

The last message almost made the King depart this life immediately as he coughed up yet another mouthful of blood. Sol laughed and then decided not to tease the King anymore before he really died.

Nightmaster Duke shivered as he realized just how much Sol had changed, he had become a total and complete little rebel and was incredibly mischievous. Nightmaster Duke was a man who was keen on his instincts and felt like Sol had a innate ruthlessness that he had awakened but was being hidden from him and he also decided it was best not to incur it.

Sol instantly stepped through the barrier, as he did so, only then did his aura and his rain-forest body smell that was quite pleasant to the nose filled the room.  Naturally this gathered everyone's attention but before anyone could move to see who it was, Sol had already appeared over the King, he stretched his right hand downward and cut his finger open with his nail and dropped some of his blood into the King's grave wound.

The drops of blood fell into the wound and instantly the black poison gathered near the blood as if it were food, Sol's right hand lit up an emerald color and instantly the black poison substance began gathering from the King's wound forming a ball.

After a short moment it gathered itself completely into a perfect black ball and condensed itself into a single drop. The black drop hovered beneath Sol's hands, drawing the attention of all present.

Before anyone could say anything, Sol popped the black drop in his mouth and swallowed it whole. He then placed his right  hand over the King's wound again and it lit up a golden-emerald color, he let out a few more droplets of blood on the wound and then pressed his hand on it with a bit of force.

King Ironspine grit his teeth as the pain was a bit severe, steam rose from Sol's hand and resonated with the droplet of blood within the King's body and instantly the wound began closing at an astonishing speed! Even a Water or Light Mage would require some time to heal such a wound and that was only if they had the right antidote and administered it on time, but Sol had did it in almost a breaths time.

He cured the poison in an instant, and closed the wound just as fast. This was something only he could do as he possessed the medical knowledge, Light and Poison Affinity as well as highly mutative DNA. Sol wasn't sure what sort of after-effects the King would feel but he knew it would probably be something good and chuckled at the thought.

After a few seconds the steam stopped rising and the wound was completely gone, everyone around the King stared at the wound in astonishment; then shortly afterward their gazes landed on Sol. Sol grinned and then slapped the King's chest where the wound previously was.

[Long time no see Julius!] -Sol

[Argh! Sol you bastard! I should have let you drown back then and become Hydra excrement...wu...It's still tender!] -King Ironspine 

The King screamed out as the power that Sol hit him with could rattle his bones, it was the same as when he had slapped Sol's shoulders before when he hadn't cultivated much yet. Only when his mind calmed down from the pain did he look at Sol dumb-founded.

(He's able to cause me pain?....and to this extent? It seems he had a fruitful year! Still what level of power is he at? I felt like my bones were going to break!) -King Ironspine

[Hahaha! Now you know how it feels!] -Sol

It was only then did the Royal Family react, at first they weren't sure if it really was Sol because of the changes but upon hearing him reply to name they immediately understood. The first one to act was surprisingly Regius-

[Big brother! Is this real?! Uwa!! Your alive!] -Regius

The little red haired boy didn't question anything and immediately clung to Sol's leg and cried bucket loads.

Salina moved over and looked at Sol with an expression of surprise for quite a while, it seemed the little girl had grown up some and no longer flew over to grab his hair. Instead she just stared at Sol, which was a bit disturbing and seemed to be her new trait. Sol didn't think anything of it as he let out a light chuckle, stretched out his hand and rubbed her little red head. She did not resist and lifted her nose to the sky.

Even though their ages were close, Sol had become much taller and became more mature in this year and was well able to assume an elderly role over these two. As a cultivator who possessed quite a ridiculous amount of strength, he was naturally able to act as an elder towards these two and by all extents, everyone here.

[Sol!...So you really did survive...uwaa..wuu..wuu] -2nd Queen

The 2nd Queen, Lieren, had tortured herself for quite a while being the cause of Sol's death. She had become aware of Liore's feelings towards Sol and seeing him alive was like spring during a drought for her and she immediately hugged him and shed quite a few tears. It had to be said that Sol was the reason she could be here with her family, a debt she would never forget.

After she calmed down for a bit, she released him; the other two Queens looked at Sol dumbfoundedly. Salira and Sophenia looked at Sol a bit warily as his appearance had changed much too drastically and were more cautious than the rest. They believed Sol to be dead as they themselves went to search but did not so much as find a corpse, they had refused to believe he could such an explosion.

[H-How can you prove that you are Sol?] -Sophenia, 1st Queen

Sol immediately showed them his runic ring and with it all doubts had been erased! Still the 2nd Queen looked at him a bit skeptically.

[H-How are you alive?] -Salira, 2nd Queen

Sol laughed and looked at her mysteriously.

[Death....is a friend of mine, and like all good friends; I can turn him away at the door] -Sol

This was a plain sentence, yet it carried a heavy weight and made the atmosphere stifling. Salira could see within Sol's eyes that strangely he didn't seem to be lying and it made a cold shiver run down her spine.

Finally Sol quickly moved over to Renissa, who looked at him with shock as tears welled up in her wrinkled old eyes. She grabbed his cheeks like an old lady would and rubbed them.

[It seems you...did good for yourself *snivel*] -Renissa

Sol immediately gave the old woman a warm hug and smiled mischievously as he rubbed his nose and placed a kiss on her cheek.

[Indeed Grandma, I did well. Thank you for taking care of me before when I was incapable of doing so] -Sol

Renissa wiped her tears as she looked at him, it seemed the old woman had always kept him in mind and though she was smiling widely, her tears didn't stop.

[That's good, no need to thank me you fool. What sort of Grandmother would I be if I didn't?] -Renissa

The group chatted for a bit as they were all digesting this new surprise, a figure hurriedly pushed in the door. As Sol had broken the noise proof barrier when he entered, naturally everyone turned to see the new arrivals.

[Father, we are here!!] -Sophia

[Father!!] -Liore

The two girls ran in hastily and ignored everyone else making their way to the King's resting bed, upon seeing the King's chest all healed they became confused as they looked around at their mothers for answers. They had expected the King to be gravely wounded and had just gotten the news, naturally they rushed right over but saw the King looked fine; albeit a bit pale.

[Y-You're fine?] -Sophia

[We heard that you had...] -Liore

It was only then Liore's pretty blue cold eyes landed on Sol, her shoulders trembled as she looked at Sol. An image of a golden-haired young man with golden eyes overlapped Sol. She seemed to have seen a ghost as her beautiful blue eyes opened widely.

[F-Father who is this?] -Liore

The King let out a laugh villed with vitality as he looked at her.

[What, you haven't seen the man you like in a year and this is how you greet him?] -King Ironspine

The provoking words of the King triggered a few laughs and Liore seemed to understand she wasn't seeing things. Immediately her body shivered and her face became scarlet red, Liore immediately turned tail and fled the direction she came from!

Not before she turned around and cast a water spell drenching the King in water! As Sol saw her face filled with anger and few scarlet stripes painted across it, he laughed heartily and watched the comedic actions of the Royal Family. The group immediately erupted out in an infectious bout of laughter. The happiness they felt crowded the atmosphere and brought about a familial feeling.

This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.

**

Sol revealed a wry smile as he watched the departing back of Liore; he admitted to himself quietly that his luck with women was not bad at all. Though, Liore was a beautiful girl and he had become aware of her feelings, he could not return them to her. As far as he was concerned, he already had Zee and he owed Claire a great deal.

Other women was something Sol did not consider at all and did not want to repeat his actions twice. He had already committed a grave sin in his heart and did not want to do so anymore, he loved Zee and he also had a fiance; that was more than enough for him to deal with.

After he met with Claire, only then would he really have any idea about what to do; but as for now it was most definitely not something he wanted. He was aware Zee would not mind and was told this not just by her mother but by Zee herself as he had asked her about it when they had their time alone before his departure.

Not that he had considered it, but because he wanted to know what Zee's stand would be if Claire decided not to reject him. Sol saw that King Ironspine had three wives and he knew it was a normal concept in Magnolia; but he knew their circumstances and therefore it did not seem weird.

The three Queens loved one another and they had all accepted their polygamous relationship. Sol didn't have such dreams, what he wanted was Zee and Claire and no one else. However these thoughts he would keep to himself, he would not try to seduce Claire or use their past and his right as her fiance to corner her into a relationship. If she wanted to have their ties severed, Sol would reluctantly comply.

In truth, Sol had become afraid to have a human wife. He knew his DNA was special and it was quite possible that if he had conceived with a human female, there was a great chance that his child would be an abnormal very much like himself and could even cause complications, not just physically but emotionally as well.

He didn't want his children to be rejected by their mother as he knew very well how much his mother loved him and it was what made his mindset invincible, regardless of whatever he became. He didn't want the mother of his children to look at them as if they were the most hideous creatures they had seen or as if they were abominations.

This was a very real possibility, and when he told Zee his fears before his departure; she shook her head and reassured him that she already thought of those things. Maybe it was because she was a beast-race woman and they had acceptance to cross-race species, or maybe it was because she had loved Sol very deeply but she had already accepted that or maybe it was both.

However in the end she decided no matter what she gave birth to that she would love her child. Only when Sol had heard these words personally from her own lips did he calm down, he trusted her with her decision and he no longer put it in his mind.

 Zee also told him stories about Lamia's that mated with unique races and about how their off-spring had possessed physical traits of the other races but were accepted regardless. Not to mention that they were not discriminated against and could live normally within their own social network.

She also told Sol she would bear as many of his children as he wanted, and before his departure the two had gotten even closer as this was the first time Sol had ever entrusted her with his worries. It was then he knew just how reliable of a woman she was and it filled him with a sense of pride, as well as lightened his worries greatly.

No matter what sort of monster he had become, Sol could rest easy as he recalled the words his parents had said to him during the hologram. The voice once more reverberated inside his head-

[Even if the whole world betrays you, I your mother will remain with you. If there are humans that against all odds exist where you end up, you must not trust them at all lightly. If they can communicate with you, then they will surely say you are an abomination or a monster. I predict that because of my enhancements you may no longer be human, but please understand that this is my love for you] -Female voice

[It may seem cruel, unkind and your future may be filled with hardship because of my experiments but I will not regret them. As your father, even if you hate me for becoming a monster, I will make sure you live till the end of time to feel that hate] -Male voice

[If you encounter humans, then they will surely try to steal what we have given you whether you can understand each other or not. If they possess the intelligence to understand the importance of your blood, then they will surely possess the means to hunt you down] -Male voice

[Remember this, kill them all! Every single one! I your mother will accept the darkness of your soul, go forward and kill anything in your way and I will bear the burden. No matter who or what it may be, whether friend or foe; you kill anyone that threatens your safety and this is an order from your parents!] -Female voice

[Be vigilant, keep an eye to your surroundings..and do not falter! Only God knows where you have ended up, treat the world as your enemy! I have no kind of idea what sort of enemy you will face, there are too many possibilities! Just know that everything will be against you when the due time is right!] -Male voice

[Whether you end up in heaven or hell, I will tell the presiding angel that all of your faults are ours and we will bear the responsibility. Any of the wrong things that you've done, I will accept those sins and bear the weight of it myself. So go forward and live, live no matter what cost and survive! We your parents will always love you!] -Female voice

The words faded in Sol's ears, Sol's parents had thought he would end up in a chaotic Earth with mutated beasts and that his biggest concern would be mutated beasts or even humans. In a sense they were correct, but if they knew to what degree of mutation the beasts in Magnolia possessed; they would undoubtedly tumble in their graves.

As Sol thought of this he revealed a warm gaze and his pupils weren't focused on anything entirely as his lips curved into a natural warm smile; one he had not made in a very long time. As the Royal Family saw this smile they became stumped, and any doubts that may have remained about him being Sol had vanished completely.

**

Sophia approached Sol, as usual with her unreadable demeanor and didn't seem to be too affected by the news, but her face showed otherwise with happiness and pleasure engraved on it at Sol's arrival. She gave him a warm hug and then revealed a bright smile. The two chatted for a while and shared a few warm pleasantries.

The King's face was still pale so naturally they were tending to him still, it was then a rushed silhouette flew through the door. His voice filled with panic and worry,

[Quick Renissa, try this antidote!] -Former King Julian

Sol looked at this grey-haired old man dressed in a magnificent white robe and let out a chuckle, naturally this old man was the Former King Julian. The Former King quickly gazed at the King's chest and noticed that he was fine and the wound albeit his pale complexion. Then as he heard a light chuckle, he instinctively turned towards Sol's direction.

[Yo Gramps!] -Sol

Sol gave him a broad smile revealing his fang like canines, the Former King looked at him for a bit in shock and then his eyes fell on Sol's ring which was a blazing meteor. Then as if he had his confirmation, his eyes welled up and he immediately grabbed Sol into a bear hug.

[Y-You! So that old fool was right...Ah! This is good, good! How in the Earth did you survive?] -Former King

[Ah, such stories are best told over a warm meal!] -Sol

Sol smiled mysteriously and then the Former King nodded in agreement, suddenly a few other silhouettes came flying through the door after him. One was Liore, the other two were Blacky and Flamey.

[Grandfather! Like I said, father is fine! You should've waited for me to finish talking! Also...Sol is...] -Liore

As she begun talking about the last part, she remembered the King's comment and her face became scarlet red as she mumbled the last few words softly. The group once more erupted in laughter. As Sol saw the family chatting happily, he decided to slip out for a bit and see if Maria was free as he wanted to chat with her.

Maria was one of the first friends Sol had made when he came to Earthernvale and she was quite warm and accommodating to him. As Sol slipped out, neither the King or Former King had felt his disappearance; it was as if a ghost had dispersed.

**

The Former King then seemed to have remembered something of grave importance and then spun around in fear!

[Wait! If Nightmaster Duke is here, who is manning the walls!!] -Former King

The King's eyes bulged as he suddenly remembered this, as well as the rest of the Royal Family. Suddenly everyone seemed to be shocked and was about to move around, but a clear voice made them stop in their tracks as a figure arrived at the door to block them.

[Milord...Well about that......Sol took care of it..] -Nightmaster Duke

Everyone looked at Nightmaster Duke as if they weren't sure of what he said. Seeing their reactions Nightmaster Duke scratched his head in embarrassment, they all knew that he was the most loyal of their servants and could be considered the best friend of the royal family; they knew for a fact the old man wouldn't lie.

[What did you just say?] -Former King

[What do you mean he took care of it...?] -King Ironspine

Although the King said this he didn't seem to be too shocked, he wore a thoughtful expression as he placed his hand subconsciously on the shoulder that Sol had slapped. It had felt like a mountain had fallen on his shoulders and it rocked his entire body. The King covered his face with his palm and laughed joyfully surprising the rest. They all shifted their gaze where Sol had been standing before and noticed he wasn't there.

[Where did big brother go? I didn't notice when he left at all!] -Regius

Regius hopped and looked around, Renissa laughed out loud and spoke her suspicions.

[He probably went to see Maria, that girl is his first friend after all. Husband, why don't you tell us what you saw] -Renissa

[Well, it sort of went like this-] -Nightmaster Duke

Nightmaster Duke had told them everything from start to finish what he saw, naturally it included the existence of Hydreas, Hydrian and Vritra and the expressions of the Royal Family were mixed and varied. A bit of joy, a bit of fear and a bit of curiosity as they surely wanted to know what events Sol had to have been through to become that powerful.

The 2nd Queen in particular had became pale as she heard the mention of a Basilisk, and that there were two of them. She remembered the night that she saw one of them that destroyed their city and killed her parents and her body shook for a bit.

Nightmaster Duke seemed to have predicted this reaction from her and spoke up.

[My Lady, the two Basilisks are his Soul Beasts; naturally they won't go against his orders and they....well...Sol said they hate the mana density here and he wouldn't bring them out] -Nightmaster Duke

Upon hearing this she finally relaxed a bit, the King then ordered  banquet be held to welcome Sol. What they did not know, was that Sol had his own plans.

**

Sol had met up with Maria, naturally she was excited to see him and she clung to his chest for a while. Sol told her about Zee and his events over the year, she seemed completely bewildered and engrossed in the stories.

As a girl who had not seen the outside world much, stories like these were as priceless as gold and she made Sol promise to always come back and share them with her or if not then send a letter.

As she had quite a bit of work to do, Sol didn't want to linger too long and quietly left the Palace Medical Ward. This time, Sol had been intent on going out of the walls; as the guards saw his steed approaching they did not block him despite the fact he was wearing beast skins; this was because they saw him enter with Nightmaster Duke. They stared a bit at his bizarre appearance but didn't look for too long.

**

Sol left the main gates of Earthernvale, and shot a glance at the Joint Army that came here to attack; he made eye contact with Vritra and that was more than enough to relay his message.

(We leave soon) -Sol

Vritra nodded his head and wanted to be back at Sol's side rather than babysitting these garbage humans. He glared at the four Kings who felt their hearts stop and then once more closed his eyes.

It didn't take long for the young man to reach his destination, which was the site of his landing on Magnolia. He saw a great lake as per the directions of the Former King, he had received these directions but also heard a powerful Hydra lived there. Back then he wasn't able to approach it but now was different and he wanted to retrieve the rest of his pod.

As Sol approached the lake, almost instantly a huge figure the size of a two story house emerged from the water. Ten fierce cold blue eyes focused on Sol, suddenly the fierce gaze of those cold blue eyes faded and what occupied it was curiosity and even some warmth.

Although the scales of this Great Water Hydra was dark blue and it's eyes were cold blue, it looked incredibly similar to the 5 Headed Divine Hydra that lived in Serpent Falls. Sol thought they looked a bit too familiar to be a coincidence, what drew Sol's attention the most was the weird "//" mark on it's chest.

He was sure that he had seen it before on the 5 Headed Divine Hydra! Sol looked at the Great Water Hydra calmly and let out a warm smile. The Great Water Hydra seemed confused as to why it would feel a strong sense of kinship from this human and it also knew Sol was much stronger than it. It had become a bit nervous as it wondered what the human wanted and looked at Sol intently-

[Hello friend, sorry to intrude on your home. See I'm having a bit of a problem, something of mines sunk inside your lake; can you help me out?] -Sol

The Great Water Hydra nodded and quickly submerged into the water, it appeared it wasn't strong enough to speak yet but could clearly understand Sol and it knew what to look for. In no less than a few breathes time, a rumbling filled the lake along with bubbles as a piece of metal bulged through the surface and was as big as a truck. The Hydra pushed it ashore and continued to look at Sol intently.

[Thank you friend, hehe. Would you believe me if I told you I came from this?] -Sol

The Hydra thought for a bit and then it nodded which surprised Sol, it had truly never seen a human like him before. It was also there when the object landed and knew it had a lifeform inside as the Hydra was powerful enough to sense him back then.

The Great Water Hydra lowered her head to reach Sol's hand showing subservience, Sol gently rubbed it's scales and gave her a warm smile. It was the first time this Hydra had sensed any kin near it for quite some time and was quite elated, it wanted to follow Sol.

Sol laughed and then asked a question that made it shocked beyond belief.

[Why do you want to follow me? Don't you want to see your brother?] -Sol

Sol laughed when he noticed her surprised expression, he had guessed the marks were birth marks of some sort and was dead right.

[You do have a brother right? A Light affinity Divine Hydra?] -Sol

The Great Water Hydra nodded it's head happily and seemed to want to know more. Sol gave the Hydra directions and told her bout the waterway and about Serpent Falls, he cut his wrist and leaked a bit of blood into a shell container and after closing it tightly, gave it to the Hydra.

[If anyone tries to stop you or asks you who you are, show them this and you will be allowed to enter. They shouldn't block you anyway, just use my blood to vouch for your identity and you will be fine] -Sol

The Hydra gently picked up the shell in it's mouth, swallowed and looked at Sol intently and was incredibly happy. For a long time she had wanted to meet her elder brother and did not know where he was as they had been separated from young in a flood.

The birthmarks was the only link between them and as the years went by, she had slowly given up hope on finding her brother and also in finding a Familia and lived secluded in this lake. She extremely loathed this lake because of the low mana density but it was safe for her here. She did not have a Familia and she knew all too well that the lake she occupied was much safer but was also like a cage.

[Also, about that waterway...Do me a favor and enlarge it for me. Once you get to Serpent Falls, give this message to either one of the guardians] -Sol

Sol quickly pulled out a piece of scroll and a quill and begun writing a message. What the message entailed was quite simple and what Sol asked for was to have a few Earth Serpents create a cave over the waterway making a hidden route to Serpent Falls. Like this, if he encountered any individuals he decided was worthy of joining the Serpent Falls Familia he could send them there.