“Are you really going to risk it?" Colin asked with a worried tone knowing his question was pointless. Gabriel stood next to the tall blonde worrywart on a green grassy hill in broad daylight. "Yes, Colin. For the tenth time already, I'm going to do it. This is the quickest way, and if it works it will shave weeks off our journey!" Gabe looked at the dark misty forest that started at the foot of the hill. Like a wall of darkness, it stretched to the north and south for as far as the eye could see. The heavy mist not allowing even the brightest of the sun's beams through to the forest floor while the tops of black gnarled trees pierced above the low fog like bad omens. It was a starkly contrasting scene to the almost perfect hills and plains that stood behind Gabe and Colin. “we can not spare a single second on this journey, much less a few weeks.” Gabe felt as though a monster was breathing down his neck, so no matter where he went he was always looking for a faster way to get there. and he was right, there was a monster chasing him… That monster was time.

He was already 16 and If his weakening body was any sign, he would start rapidly aging soon. In this world of monsters and powers beyond imagination, there were Channelers like Gabe who unlike mundane humans could live for millennia, but only if they had talent. The road of channeling is cruel and unjust to anyone else. It offers unlimited power, but also perils no man could foresee. When a channeler without talent like Gabe takes up this path they are constantly in a race against time because their body can not handle this power. For most channelers, their body and power grow together. Making breakthroughs and collecting energy at a fast enough rate that their life span and endurance are constantly increasing and their power flows freely like water. But weak channelers don't progress quick enough so the energy they do channel slowly becomes stale and solidifies like rock in their soul, this process is hard to explain but it cuts off the energy in a channeler's body and kills them. even after a decade of channeling Gabe was still at the beginning, the embryo stage of cultivation. He had less than four years left to live unless his soul could make a breakthrough and increase his life span. This was possible as he was already nearing the final tier of the embryo stage but Gabe had no hope of making it without help in such a short time with his piddly talent.

"Fine! Go ahead, it's not like your risking my life down there too!" Colin crossed his arms and looked away, a hateful aura coming from him. His comment was a bite, because under his contract with his family if Gabe died then the both of them would perish together. His life was bound to Gabe in every sense. Gabriel ignored the stick in the mud and took a step forward towards the danger ridden woods. crossing an invisible line that signaled the creature who dwells here of a presence. Colin watched the dark haired teenager as he trotted down the hill like he owned this whole land, and tried to hold back his fears of this plan going terribly wrong. Quickly Gabe continued walking down and into the shadowy trees. The funny smelling gray leafy trees grew wide apart, but their overhanging canopies combined to make a solid ceiling above the mists. Making Gabe feel like he was stepping into a cave as he walked into the shadows and fog. Only a few steps in all light vanished, and he had to rely on his spirit sense to see an ability all channelers had. He wasn't strong enough to see very far this way, but he could tell that the ground he was walking on had turned into a platform of millions of mushrooms. This Forrest was a sacred Forrest, where the Chaos energy came up from the earth in larger and purer quantities. From his distant and short childhood studies, Gabe could recognize some of the rarer plant life. There was a deathbed plum tree, and a Venomsuckling mushroom, even a PainfulPleasure thorn bush. All of which would be valued ingredients for an alchemist or doctor. But Gabe made sure to avoid them, along with anything else that was hazardous. Because not only was he too weak to even touch most of them, but to take one from this Forrest would almost certainly incur the wraith of the Family that claimed farming rights over this place and the monster that prowled in these mists. He gritted his teeth at the thought.

After just fifteen minutes of trudging the dangerous place in the dark, the sound of monstrous footsteps sounded from up ahead. Gabe held back a sigh, danger seemed to follow him everywhere he went. Finally the beast lumbered into view slowing as it got a good sense of Gabe. Gabe could sense it's powerful lizard like body. It was at least fifty feet long and maybe around twenty feet high with short thick muscled legs and claws. It's grey and black scales were harder than steal and it's back ridged up like the blade of a sword, with crooked spikes sticking out that bent backward and resembled Sickles. Its head was huge and had an intimidating muzzle with vicious razor teeth. When it knew for sure that Gabe was such a weak lowly being all of its hesitancy went out the window. It charged forward boldly. Gabe knew very little about this type of Dragon beast, only that it was a descendant of a great Death dragon, and given enough time might be able to purify its blood enough that it would conform into one itself. But that could take upwards of a million years, even with a mid Grade Energy field like this Shadow Forrest. Before the Dragon got too close and as it opened its mouth to showcase its array of teeth that were now starting to glow dark purple with death energy, Gabe put his hand out palm forward, swallowed any fear he had growing and used his focus to send a mental message to the Beast. "Stop! I have something that can help you!"

The beast stopped and looked at him closing its mouth but looking around to make sure they were alone. Its intelligent eyes were obviously prepared for any sort of trap. Most beasts didn't have the ability to speak with their mouths but almost all who had grown past totem level could use mental speech. "What could you possibly have that would entice a dragon!" Its snake like eyes squinted with disdain. Dragon was a stretch, it was more like a dragon’s distant cousin. Gabe focused his mind again, it was much harder for him to use mind speech at his low level. "I have a breeding cube." The dragon's eyes widened just slightly, but enough to tell Gabe he would be interested. Breeding cubes were relics that caused a beast's offspring to be born at a much higher Channeling level. They were difficult to make, but not rare artifacts. Still, they were mostly used on beasts in captivity to produce a better product and rarely offered to wild or low level Beasts. Though this SickleBack dragon thing was technically a dragon of sorts, he wasn't pure blooded enough to be given one or strong enough to steal one. "You are lying." The SickleBack said with his mind. "Not only are you too weak to wield what you claim but I can also sense that you hold no such item." The beast snorted and let out a violent intent. He considered it an insult that Gabe had tried to trick him. Gabe stayed calm and didn't move an inch. He smiled at the angry dragon, a brazen move for only a level nine embryo channeler "I do have it." Gabe said with sincerity. "But if I had met you with it then you simply would have taken it. Instead, I have it hidden, very nearby." The Dragon blinked, partly convinced by the young human's act, but still angry. "Why should I trust you?" He asked snidely and prepared to skewer the man with his horn for crossing knowingly into his territory. Gabe still didn't budge, his heart steady and his face showing no change. Not even his eyes revealed any fear. The Sickle back was impressed, and also disturbed by this man's lack of recognition of the situation he was in. Any second now the dragon could kill him. In less than a breath span, he could snap the boy in two.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Honorable dragon, I do not ask you to trust me. Just follow me to the edge of your territory and I will show you where I hid the treasure. If it is not there then kill me. There is no Risk in this for you. You do not even have to leave your ring, just come to the edge." The beast thought for a second, it's pride telling it that even if this was a trap he was too strong to be affected. It nodded. "Fine, I will go. But if the cube is not there then I will make your death a slow one." The SickleBack was eager to get his hands on the Breeder cube. A valued treasure for any wild beast. Even if this was some kind of trap, he was certain that he could survive anything this weak and foolish human could put together. Gabe shook his head. "First you have to make a spirit contract with me. That if the breeder cube is there then you will allow me and my servant to pass through your territory unharmed." a cheap deal for an item so valued by beasts like dragons. The dragon thought for a second and then nodded. He closed his eyes and Instantly glowing runes appeared along his body. The runes then began to peel off and fly into the air floating in front of Gabe and organizing into a glowing contract. "You can read can't you?" The Dragon asked with distaste. Gabe ignored him, he was used to being put down for his power level. On this world called Primeway power was law. The strong were respected and the weak were likewise shamed. Gabriel was one of the weakest channelers of his time so his short life had been filled with shame even with his own family. "Yes I can read, and this contract will do." Gabe may have been weak in power but runes were his life. The ancient writing of the beasts was simple compared to most Rune languages, and this contract basically stated the agreed upon statutes, plus it also added that he and Colin would be under the Dragon's protection while they were in the forest meaning they wouldn't have to worry about any of the other beasts. He reached forward touched the bottom most rune with his hand and mentally agreed. Instantly the glowing runes disappeared. This was a spirit contract, anyone could make them. Once agreed upon by both parties without force, it became solid. And breaking the deal would result in death, regardless of channeling level. it was a Heavenly ordained fact, one that not even the strongest master Channeler could cheat.

Once it was done Gabe led the dragon back the way he'd come and didn't speak a word the entire way. This had already gone much better than he expected, and much quicker as well. The beast behind him watched the woods and Gabe’s back carefully, prepared to kill anything that moved. Once they came out of the Forrest Gabe pointed up to Colin on the hill and shaded his deep green eyes with his hand. “Colin you can come down here and give the cube to this great and mighty dragon.” The tall blonde bearded man didn't move instead he just stared at the fifty foot monster that was the SickleBack. Gabriel told the dragon to wait a minute while he ran to get the cube and started a quick jog up the grassy hill. "Colin please give me the Cube." He ordered. Colin just kept staring. "I can't believe you just struck a deal with that thing...." He said wistfully to him that monster was so much more powerful than them it might as well be walking death. Gabe sighed. "Colin! Give me the Cube!" Finally, the man broke out of his stupor and looked at Gabe while reaching his hand into his satchel. He pulled out a copper square cube with runes etched into it on all six sides and handed it to Gabe with a strange look. Gabe took the object and headed back to the Dragon with a smile. The wind blew his brown hair and his silver silky robe as he strutted up to the beast, hands outstretched. The Dragon closed his eyes and sensed the metal cube thoroughly. "This is low quality...." He stated simply. "Hardly worth a Dragon's time." Gabe let down his outstretched arms. "Well if you don't want it." He said rolling his eyes at the unnecessary putdown. the Dragon's eyes snapped open. "No, I'll accept it." the beast said and with deadly speed and Accuracy his long sharp tail snapped forward and snatched the cube out of Gabe's open hands. "As promised you may pass through my Forrest safely. But don't take anything, or hurt anything." Before anything more could be said the dragon stormed off, eager to hide away his prize. Gabe let out a long breath as the monster left, just standing near such a powerful creature was more than a normal man could stand, how he had not wet himself and ran with his legs shaking was a testament to his courage. The deal he made was also a taboo that would bring danger to him and Colin if word got out. Because it was a human policy not to give breeding cubes to wild beasts. Beasts couldn't make them alone, and humans on Primeway were constantly fighting with beasts, demons, and other creatures. So giving them such an item was like helping humanity's enemy. Though it was a crude version of the Artifact Gabe made, even a weak breeder cube was a great help to a beast, who put a great stake in their cubs and offspring. Breeders and cagers kept their recipes for the object a deeply hidden secret, and to humans it was useless. But to beasts, it could give their children a head start in life maybe even just by a single stage. And in a world where strength was everything that meant they would have an edge on others. Gabe had been able to make that cube in less than a week. Less then a fraction of the time it would have taken to walk around this Forrest. He knew the runes from seeing them written as a child, his father had been a breeder. It was made with cheap material and he had little power to increase its strength, but it might give the Dragon's progeny a small boost.

Colin gave Gabe the cold shoulder as they walked through the Shadow Forrest. Not speaking a word or even looking at him. The man had grown increasingly spiteful as of late. He had begun to doubt their ability to make it to the Yellow belly mountains. Gabe could understand it, he too was wondering if they could get there in time. Or even in one piece. They walked through the dark surrounding Forrest using only their soul sense to guide them through the dark fog. Hours passed and the chilly mood never left. Colin just looked ahead with a dark expression on his face. For ten years now they had traveled together. Ten years they had walked and ran through wilderness and city. trudged swamps, climbed mountains, and swam rivers. All without the burly well tanned man knowing why it was they were heading to the Yellow belly mountains so far away. They could have stopped in a city or even a cave. Used the time they had to cultivate, maybe given themselves more time. Instead, they marched and traveled all day and were too tired all night to channel much more than a drop of energy. Gabe almost felt bad about Colin's predicament. But there was nothing he could do about it. He couldn't cultivate a drop even if he spent all day in meditation. He had reached a block, one too big to get past in the small time he had left. His only hope was where they were going.