Reaching the adept rank was their most important task. A new rank meant a fundamental change, a profound evolution of one’s soul. At its core was a greater understanding of the world and a closer connection to Eternum, the mysterious energy that permeated everything. There was a chance to improve old abilities and learn new ones. Some Ensouled would experience changes in their physical attributes or even gain additional lifespan. It was something all souls desired.
Zachary had to face this challenge. Poking a tiger’s ass was not an easy task. He would have preferred to not do it if he didn’t have to. He was already an adept so in theory, he could have helped Wander reach the adept rank. It would require a small fortune of novice rank anima crystals and several months of diligent soul cultivation. It would take a long time and there was no guarantee of success at the end of the road. A breakthrough still depended on the innate talent of the summon.
He didn’t have much time to spare, however. There was now one month and two weeks left until the end of the year. He had to increase his pace and face the dangers of that choice.
---
Two days later, Zachary found himself in another part of the jungle. Here, the foliage was thin and plenty of sunlight poured in through the wide gaps. The underbrush was thick and filled with thorns and vines. It had taken a full day to clear out a small area until there was nothing on the ground but bare earth. It was the perfect place for a difficult fight.
Zachary stood to one side of the clearing. The only other soul visible was Wander who was wandering around the edge, nibbling on random leaves.
“Wah, this one tastes good… peh, that was nasty…”
It was a hit-or-miss process. Wander was rather picky about his food but he still liked to try everything at least.
“Stop that, you’ll just get a stomach ache,” Zachary said.
“I’ll just heal myself.”
“What if it's poisonous?”
“Haha, I have yet to find a poison I can’t heal.”
Zachary shook his head and focused his attention straight ahead. Blue was in that direction, currently carrying out its task. He could feel the bird’s stress levels steadily rise through their bond. He couldn’t see anything but he could imagine what was happening. It was a scene not too unsimilar from one before.
The underbrush started to rustle and then sway. It was as if an unseen creature was slowly heading their way. The snapping of dead branches added to the suspense.
The author's tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
“It’s here,” Zachary said.
A moment later, Blue appeared, chirping madly as if its tail feathers were on fire.
“Chee! Chee!”
If he could fully understand it, it was probably saying something like ‘save me’ and ‘help’.
Zachary made a face. Blue was still so easily frightened, even after rising from the One Path Novice Rank to the Eight Paths Novice Rank. Old habits were difficult to change. It was something he would have to work on with Blue in the future.
Blue flew straight toward Zachary. It tried to land on his head but he waved it off.
“Your job is not done yet,” He admonished, “Go lay down a misty haze around the clearing.”
“Chu…”
“Go!”
Blue complained loudly but did as he instructed. It flew behind him and started flapping its wings wildly. Eternum surged, transforming the water that Blue’s wings produced into a fine mist and then into a thick fog. It was not a quick process. Once one section was fogged up, it had to switch to another position and do it again.
Zachary turned back to the direction that Blue came from. The sound of snapping branches and rustling leaves was much louder now. Whatever was coming, it was large.
Finally, after a few tense breaths, it appeared. A large yellow flower sitting atop a body made up of twisted vines. Countless tendrils spread out where it touched the ground in all directions, acting as its feet as well as fingers. The flower on top was fully opened and turned in his direction. The red pistil in the center quivered. It made no sound but its strange mannerisms were one of a hunter finding some tasty prey.
It was another flower demon, the same species he had fought with Kathrine and Jean-Pierre. This one was slightly stronger, based on the intensity of its soul aura and the amount of hunger and killing intent it gave off.
Blue had scouted this adept rank creature several days prior. It was solitary and liked to remain in one spot for long periods. It was the easiest target to challenge.
“Come on, I’m right here,” Zachary said to it, not a shred of fear or uncertainty in his voice.
The flower quivered as if angered. It continued towards him, at an even quicker pace, vines snaked on the ground in his direction.
Zachary glanced behind him. Blue was still laying down the wall of mist. He was almost done.
“Good job, keep going, Blue!”
“Chur!”
The flower demon glanced at the blue bird. Birds were among its favorite prey. But the big bag of flesh in front that gave off a rich aura of Eternum was a far more enticing meal. It kept stalking toward Zachary until it reached the center of the clearing.
“Now, Doro!” Zachary shouted.
The ground shook. A patch of dirt behind the flower demon split apart and rose into the air. It formed into a humanoid shape with thick arms and stubby legs. Two sunken holes were its eyes. A horizontal crack below was its mouth.
“Rahh!” The earth golem bellowed its intent to fight, spraying dirt and loose rocks everywhere from its wide-open mouth.
The flower demon stopped. Its flower turned around at this foe. Its whole body made of countless vines quivered. It was not fear but anger. It was one supposed to be the hunter.
“Doro, stay there. Attack if it tries to run. Don’t let it escape!”
“Rah!”
Zachary grinned. He was eager to see his new elemental in action. He had high hopes. Elementals were core members of many summoner lineups. It just so happened that earth matched well with his most important summon, Wander, who was attuned to both life and earth elements.
“Onkie! Elmont! Come out!” He shouted.
Following his voice, Onkie charged out of the fog from one direction while Elmont stomped over from the other. With this, the flower demon was surrounded on all four sides, by Doro, Onkie, Elmont, and Wander. It had to fight in this location he had chosen and prepared.