Chapter 71: Strange Connections

As Darius surveyed the wide assortment of mana-beasts, his smile stretched wide, his eyes locked on the nearest creature. "That's a Wind-Hopper!" stepping forward to rest his hand on the stall door. "With that size, it must be an elder, right?!"

The almost two meter tall grasshopper before him was a majestic sight, its sleek, aerodynamic body covered in metallic green and silver chitin that shimmered in the stable light. Its powerful legs and sharp, clawed feet suggested incredible speed and agility.

"They can move at extraordinary speeds with their 'Wind Sprint,' and their 'Air Slice' lets them use rapid leg movements to create slicing winds. Not to mention, they're known for their intelligence, capable of understanding complex commands."

He admired the creature further, "And their chitin—it's incredibly strong yet lightweight, ideal for making durable armor. Riding one must feel intense!"

Darius bounded to the next stall, his excitement palpable. "Is that a Flame-Raptor?!" Feeling the heat radiating off the creature as he approached.

Percy, with an eye roll, replied, "That's Mort. He's kind of a dick."

The Flame-Raptor, Mort, stood with its two, long muscular legs and sleek body cloaked in feathers that danced between shades of deep reds and vibrant oranges, each tip glowing like the last embers of a dying fire. It watched Darius intently with blazing orange eyes as he approached.

"Hello, Mort," Darius greeted, extending his hand towards the bird. Mort pecked at his fingers, a quick, almost scorching attack.

"This beauty's only at the Mature stage," Darius analyzed, pulling his hand back with a chuckle. "Just imagine, at the next evolution, he'll stand almost three meters tall. He’s not even fully grown and already so big."

As Darius turned, the air abruptly shifted, a charge raising the hairs on his neck. "Storm-Drake!" his excitement carrying him towards another stall.

Behind him, Percy called out urgently, "Stop!" His warning came too late. As Darius approached the stall, a sudden bolt of electricity struck him, sending him sprawling to the ground with a thud.

Reeling from the shock, he looked up to see the creature that had laid him low: the Storm-Drake. The giant lizard was a spectacle of raw elemental force, its long, four-legged muscular form covered in shimmering blue and silver scales that crackled with electric energy. Each movement sent ripples of lightning across its body, highlighting the jagged spines that ran down its back and tail, each a conductor of potent electrical charges. Its eyes, glowing a fierce electric blue, watched Darius with an intelligence that defied its wild nature.

Percy, shaking his head after rushing to intervene, explained as he helped Darius to his feet, "That's Tempest. Father managed to tame him, but he's picky about his company—only Mother can ride him, or even get close without getting a shock."

Darius, still feeling the tingle of electricity on his skin, nodded in understanding, his respect for the creature growing as he took in its imposing presence.

Darius's excitement didn't wane despite the recent jolt; instead, his eyes roved eagerly over the remarkable mana-beasts. "Aqua-Drake Stallion, Swamp-Scuttler, Thunder-Wolf," he listed, each name punctuated with an appreciative whistle.

His enthusiastic naming halted abruptly, his tone shifting as his gaze fixed on a particularly shadowed stall. "You've got to be kidding me," he murmured, a mix of disbelief and respect coloring his words, "your father's out of his mind."

Percy, a half-amused, half-resigned look on his face, led Darius closer to the darkened stall. Thick, ominous webs draped heavily over the edges of the door, hinting at the stall's dangerous occupant. A deep, fiery aura pulsed from within the darkness, enveloping them in waves of intense heat.

Darius, his voice tinged with both awe and a hint of fear, admitted, "To keep an Inferno Weaver as a mount... I hadn't even considered that a possibility."

The Inferno Weaver perched silently in its stall was a fusion of nightmares and fascination. It resembled a large rat, yet possessed the many long-legged form of a giant spider, cloaked in sleek, black fur punctuated by patches of dark chitinous plating that glowed with an eerie internal heat. Its vivid red eyes pierced the dim light, and its eight sharp-clawed legs gripped the ground, poised as if ready to strike. The creature's long, thin tail ended in a spinneret, capable of producing fiery webs, adding to its sinister demeanor.

As Darius observed the creature, Percy remarked with a mix of awe and trepidation, "My father named her Nightshade. Personally, I have no idea what he sees in it—looks terrifying."

As Darius clicked his tongue at the creature, holding his hand out and rubbing his fingers together, he eyed the beast curiously, "Is he actually planning to ride her? How old is she?"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you," Percy warned.

Darius, brow furrowing in slight annoyance, dismissed the caution, "I think I'll be alr—" His words abruptly halted as a glob of fiery webs splattered across his face, effectively silencing him.

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Percy's laughter echoed through the stable as Darius wrestled with the sticky, viscous webbing clinging to his face.

"You have two seconds to stop laughing before I throw you in there with her," Darius warned, plucking the final strand from his nose with a grimace.

Percy cut off his laughter instantly, adopting a nonchalant shrug. "I did warn you. Nightshade needs to be approached slowly, and always with food, otherwise..." He stifled another burst of laughter, forcing his gaze away from Darius.

Darius, ignoring the amusement at his expense, turned his attention to the other mounts. His gaze fixed on a particularly majestic beast, "Hmm, so that’s what a winter-elk looks like up close... beautiful."

Unaware of a tuft of his white hair stiffened into a spike by the sticky residue, Darius moved toward a stall bathed in a serene icy-blue glow.

As he approached the stall, he was greeted by the regal presence of an elder Winter-Elk. The majestic creature stood tall, its sleek body covered in thick, silver-white fur that shimmered like freshly fallen snow under the faint light of the stable. Its massive, crystalline antlers, intricate and sprawling like frozen branches, caught the soft glows around them, casting an ethereal aura.

The elk's deep, icy blue eyes met Darius's gaze, holding it with an intelligence and calm that seemed to pierce through the chill of the air. Frost patterns adorned its majestic fur and the sweeping curves of its antlers, enhancing its mystical, almost otherworldly appearance.

"Hello there," Darius whispered, awestruck by the creature’s beauty and the serene authority it exuded. The Winter-Elk continued to hold his gaze, its demeanor poised and dignified, embodying the silent power of the winter itself.

"Don't get any ideas, Yakul only sees me as his equal," a loud, cheerful voice suddenly rang through the stables. Instantly, a chorus of clicks, roars, caws, and other noises erupted from the assembled beasts.

"Yes, yes, quiet my lovelies," Kinneman soothed as he touched his pouch. He began tossing treats to each beast as he passed them, settling the uproar. Nearing Darius, he smiled broadly. "Did you decide?"

Percy glanced at his father, his voice tinged with amusement. "Seems he's too stunned to pick anything."

Still captivated by the Winter-Elk, Darius shot back without turning, "Then where's your mount, smart-ass?"

"Mother always said it’s better to be a smart-ass than a dumb-ass," Percy retorted with a grin, chuckling until he felt Darius's intense stare. He quickly added, "Saber's mine. She’s over there," nodding towards a large stall brimming with lush green plants.

Darius, his interest shifting, activated his Arcane Gaze to see through the foliage. The sight made him do a double take. "Kinda impressed, Percy. It's a bit flashy, but not bad." He shot Percy a reassessing glance before moving toward the beast's stall.

Marcus, glowing with pride, clapped a hand on Percy's shoulder. "He's raised her from an egg with great devotion. I dare say you won't find a finer example of her kind!"

As Darius approached the stall, a stunning creature came into full view, capturing his undivided attention. Covered in sleek, midnight-blue fur with interspersed multicolored feathers that shimmered under the stable lights, the large cat exuded a majestic yet formidable presence. The beast's long, powerful legs ended in talon-like claws, perfect for traction and gripping. Its eyes, a piercing, glowing green, watched him keenly, displaying a sharp intelligence. The long, feathered tail, ending in a fan of colorful plumes, and a pair of neatly folded, feathered wings along its back suggested an ability for swift, if not brief, aerial maneuvers.

"Skyblade Panther," Darius said aloud, a tone of respect threading through his voice as he reached out tentatively. Turning to Percy, he continued, "How old is she?"

Percy walked over with a proud smile, unlatching the stall door. He stepped inside and began scratching the neck of the beast. "She's only ten," he boasted, puffing out his chest.

Darius raised his eyebrows, impressed. "Usually, Skyblade Panthers only reach this stage after fifteen years, don't they?"

"She has..." Percy's words trailed off as Sabre leaped up, placing her front talons on his shoulders. His face contorted in a wince. "She's been fed only high-quality feed, plus her stable has an array that stimulates her growth without shortening her lifespan." He gently pushed her down and hurried out of the stall, laughing defensively as Sabre playfully lunged at him again. "She hasn't been out much lately."

As Darius was about to ask more about the beast, a peculiar sound caught his attention—a rocky purr intermingled with chirps emanating from the back of the stables. The sound was oddly soothing, drawing him in. "What's that?"

Percy and Marcus exchanged a look, their expressions mingling annoyance with resignation. "That's Kahoon," they said in unison.

Darius, noticing their tone, felt his curiosity spike. "What’s a Kahoon?"

Marcus let out a sigh, the weight of the explanation already apparent. "Kahoon is a Dust-Moth."

"A Dust-Moth?" Darius, intrigued by the rocky purr, began navigating towards the back of the stables.

"I'm not surprised you haven't heard of them," Marcus said, trailing behind Darius with a frown. "I'm not even sure why I tamed it. Dust-Moths are extremely rare—that's probably why I decided to keep him—but they're also extremely useless."

Reaching the dimly lit back of the stables, Darius discovered the source of the strange, rocky purr. Curled up on a pile of rags and straw was a giant moth, spanning nearly 2 meters in length. Its wings, closed at rest, revealed colors of soft cream and pale orange, mimicking the warm glow of a fading sunset. The moth's body was covered in thick, white fuzzy fur, adding an almost stuffed-toy quality to its appearance. Its large, fuzzy body and delicate antennae twitched slightly with each breath, the moth's large black eyes reflecting a subtle, intelligent light.

As Darius neared the moth, his curiosity grew. "A flying mount?" he inquired, skepticism in his tone. Activating his Arcane Gaze, his brow furrowed in confusion. "It has no mana, and... what's wrong with its crystal?"

Impressed by Darius's keen observation, Marcus stepped forward, gently stroking the moth, causing little white specks to scatter as it cooed softly. "Dust-Moths are a peculiar breed of Mana-Beast. They're flightless, devoid of any elemental affinity, and they possess no abilities; they can't even evolve. Their frailty is probably why they're so rare," he explained.

"Father only keeps it around out of pity. Even in death, their crystals are useless, just dull grey stones."

Kneeling before the creature, Darius gazed into its large black eyes while he gently scratched the white fur on its brow. "He's a dud," he remarked, his voice tinged with pity.

Chuckling, Marcus pulled a large pellet from his pouch and placed it before Kahoon. "I thought he'd be a fun mount for the kids when they were younger, and he was," he explained, watching the moth nibble at the pellet. "Their species tends to be quite affectionate and playful," his eyes shifted from the moth to his son, adding, "if they feel comfortable with you."

Rising to his feet, Darius paused, a peculiar sense of connection stirring within him. Turning sharply to Marcus, he adopted a grave expression, as if his next request held profound importance. "Can I have him?"

Both Percy and Marcus exchanged puzzled glances before returning their gaze to Darius. "Have him? He’s not really suitable for you; he wouldn’t be strong enough to carry your weight," Marcus replied, then suggested, "Why not consider Mort? He at least—"

Cutting him off, Darius asserted, "I don’t want to ride him. I’d like you to give him to me to keep. I feel a strange connection to this beast, and it’s clear he’s not getting much interaction, right? I’m willing to pay for him if necessary."

Marcus chuckled, shaking his head. "How could I possibly sell him to you? If you feel that strongly, then consider him a gift from my family. But let's focus on selecting a mount for today. Time's moving, and we have quite the journey ahead."

Darius, wearing a gratified smile, gazed into the Dust-Moth's large black eyes once more, thinking to himself, 'Neko is going to love you.' He then turned towards the entrance of the stables, his finger pointing decisively at a robust Mana-Beast with a single horn on its forehead. "I'll take the Terraspike-Rhino."

Marcus chuckled heartily, nodding with approval. "Great choice! Borg has an excellent temperament. Percy, go grab Sabre and meet us out front. I'll need a moment to introduce Darius to Borg before we set off."

With a respectful bow, Percy replied, "Yes, father." He turned towards Sabre's pen, but as he opened the door, his words turned into a yelp, "Aghhh! Sabre! Wait—" his words fading as his arm clung to the swiftly closing door.

Watching the scene unfold, Marcus shook his head with a smile. "That beast truly loves the boy. Sometimes I wonder if he's spoiled her too much." Placing a reassuring hand on Darius's back as he led him to Borgs pen, he advised, "Shift back to your real form for this introduction; no need for pretenses now, I've sent the stable boy away."

Darius touched the Brooch of the Star-Baron, reverting from Xue Feng to his youthful appearance. "What should I do?"

"Just hold your ground," Marcus laughed, giving Darius a friendly slap on the back.

"Huh?"

Now standing before the reinforced metal door of its pen, Darius could sense the presence of a formidable mana-beast, radiating behind it.