Warren had greatly disliked the fact that his son was going to once again be forced to fight against a force as great as the Cult of Light. Any faction with over a dozen Legendaries was a force to be reckoned with. Let alone one that had at least that many in each and every region of the world.
But as he strode through the green and white forest covered in snow, he was forced to keep his focus on the here and the now. After today, he would be given the chance to either go after Ezekiel himself or allow Evelyn to go instead. Unfortunately, one of them would have to remain to watch over the guards as they attempted to find a Spirit willing to bond with them.
It was apparent that he hadn’t schooled his thoughts and emotions well enough, however, because he found his feathered passenger quickly striking up a conversation with him.
“You seem troubled, Warren Luminance. Is it about your son?” Feynari asked from where she was perched on Warren’s shoulder. Her brother, Callrond, had dropped her off with Warren and Evelyn just prior to his memory sharing with Ezekiel. Though Feynari had stayed out of sight until they had started.
She had since teamed up with Warren and Theo, who were now guiding Ellen and Wendy to the meeting point where Callrond wished them to head to. The Legendary Radiant Spirit would meet them once he had delivered the memories to Invera.
Evelyn had lost the coin toss that determined who would go to watch over the caravan for the day. So, she had left with a huff and a pout, since it would mean that she wouldn’t get to see her daughters potentially form their bonds.
At the moment, the twins were riding on Theo’s back. He had grown to be the size of a horse. So, it wasn’t like he was having any difficulties. In fact, the twins seemed to be enjoying the ride quite a bit. Focusing more on the amazement of being in such a lush and beautiful landscape. Theo was much more alert, however, and was keeping an eye out for any possible dangers.
“I am somewhat worried about him. I don’t think that any caring father wouldn’t be. But I know his mother is much more worried than I am.” Warren explained. “It’s a matter of the different ways we were raised, I guess. The Shroud family was always more of a family than the Kindled. I don’t think my parents ever said a word of praise to me in my entire life.”
Warren’s hand clenched as memories of his childhood resurfaced. The zealous devotion that all members of the Kindled family had to the superiority of Radiant magic was terrifying. More so when he thought about how it was simply a rallying point. An ideal for others to gather around. All for the sake of increasing the family’s standing and power.
He actually thought that the Cult of Light was somewhat better in a way. At least the Cult only truly discriminated against a single element. All others were welcome. So long as they didn’t oppose the so-called Light and their Radiant Lord.
The recent actions of the Cult threw all such thoughts out the window, of course. Not even the Kindled family dared to poach Spirits and force bonds to be formed.
“That is surprising to hear. Given the love and care you and your children have for each other. But if the man who did this to me was of the same blood as you, I can certainly believe it.” Feynari waved the partially regrown stump of her missing wing. “I do not think you need to worry about your son, however. Even as injured as he is, his insights into the wider world, and the magic that flows throughout, is far greater than his relatively low Tier would suggest.”
“Legendary is low-Tier?” Warren raised an eyebrow and turned to Feynari. “I didn’t realize the standards of Spirits were so much higher than Mages. How would you rank me on that scale?”
Feynari chuckled a bit before replying.
“I meant relative to his soul. Your son is the youngest person alive to have a soul that is touching upon the boundary of Myths.” Feynari laughed once more at Warren’s jaw dropped expression. He quickly schooled himself before his daughters could see. “I know this is surprising. Especially since his experiences are far too little for such a thing. But if my brother’s words are correct, he must’ve gone the long way.”
“What does that mean?” Warren didn’t understand how his son had gone the long way to Tier five. Wasn’t there only a couple of truly effective ways to increase the size and growth of one’s soul?
“Time, of course. According to my brother’s words, before he left after delving into Ezekiel’s mind, the sheer breadth of your son’s soul is such that only time could have grown it so large. The size was grand, but the weight was not. It is why his soul is so pure, while also being so mature.” Feynari clasped her eyes in thought as she pondered her brother’s words to her. “Your son has truly been blessed to have gained such a boon from the Ancient Void. I can think of no other being that holds such power as to be able to age a soul and prevent it from simply falling apart.”
Warren wasn’t too sure he agreed about Ezekiel being blessed. Not with how many troubles his maturity had brought him. But Warren wasn’t going to dispute it. Given the efforts of the Cult of Light, it was fully possible that Ezekiel would’ve died by now if not for his maturity and intelligence.
“Regardless, I think that’s enough about your son. We are here for your daughters, are we not?” Feynari abruptly turned the conversation as she saw that they had reached the area Callrond had indicated. “Stop here. Do not enter the meadow.”
They were at the foot of a massive tree. One that stood hundreds of meters tall. One that was grown over the mouth of a cave that led downwards. Surrounding it was a meadow that spread out for hundreds of meters. The tree itself seemed to have golden leaves, starkly contrasting the verdant and snow-covered trees that currently surrounded Warren and the twins.
There was a decent amount of green that could be seen at the base, beneath the grand branches of the tree itself. But outside that relatively small area, there was only snow as far as the eye could see.
There was also a great deal of snow, standing several feet high, compared to the area they had been walking in until this point. It seemed like little to nothing passed through this area. At least, not on foot. The large pair of Radiant gold wings that swooped towards them explained how travel through this area was done.
“Greetings, Warren, Ellen, and Wendy Luminance. You as well, Theo.” Callrond said as he landed in one of the trees next to the snow-covered meadow. “It seems that my timing was just right. Thank you for coming here.”
Warren nodded his head in response but didn’t otherwise speak. He figured Callrond would explain anyway.
However, as the Radiant bird looked at Wendy and Ellen, Warren did grow a bit defensive.
“Greetings, little ones. I don’t suppose your father has told you why you’re here?” Callrond received two shaking heads in response. “Simply put, I wished to grant you both access to the protected home of the Radiant and Obscure Spirits currently residing within this haven. Some of which are of my own line of descent.”
Ellen and Wendy gasped in shock, but Warren already knew about this beforehand. Though he was still curious about a few things. But the process of Spirit conception was unknown to him, so he’d leave it be for now. He didn’t think it was a topic that really mattered in this situation anyways.
“Now, come along. It’s time we get you both introduced.” Callrond jumped onto the ground, his body growing to an even larger size. A log of wood lying on the ground was now clasped in his talons. “Please take a seat. We do not like the snow around our home to be disturbed. It acts as one of the defensive measures in this area.”
Callrond broke off a piece of the wood in his talons and tossed it at the snow in the meadow. It immediately froze, shattering into icy dust rather than simply hardening up.
The three humans all swallowed nervously at the sight. Warren hadn’t sensed anything that indicated such defensive measures being present. Something that truly terrified him.
Ezekiel had told him about the strange way that Wild Spirits seemed to be able to enchant things. But this was significantly greater than merely making a badge with several features while not using any runes for enchanting. Not enough to kill him right away, but enough to greatly hinder and weaken him.
Sitting on the log, the three humans held on for dear life as Callrond took to the sky. But besides the lift off, the ride was actually quite smooth, and they landed close to the massive tree.
A gaping maw leading down into a pitch-black cave, and a white and golden sky of leaves above them brought each of them to a breathless silence.
For Ellen and Wendy, they had never seen something so beautiful, and daunting, before in their entire lives. Yet, both of them seemed to feel something in their chests. A warmth that pulled them in different directions.
For Wendy, she felt a pull drawing her downwards, into the darkened depths.
For Ellen, she began walking up a slope of natural steps leading up to brightened heights.
Warren was torn between who to follow, but it was Theo that held him back. The silent conversation between the two settled on a simple fact.
This was the twin’s journey, not Warren’s. For the first time in their lives, it was time for his daughters to leave the nest, and search for the paths that they would walk on their own.
Quietly, Callrond and Feynari each followed after a different twin. Hidden from the world in their own ways. Knowing that they needed to keep Ezekiel’s sisters safe. Just in case. Something that Warren noticed and was thankful for.
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Back at the central camp, Evelyn was having her own difficulties wrangling the unruly guards that were now rested and refreshed. No longer worried about being struck down by foreign Legendaries and their Hounds.
Instead, they were fully enraptured by the beauty and wonder of the haven around them. Specifically, the Spirits within said haven. Many of which were of a shape and form that none of them had seen before.
However, the hardest thing for Evelyn was the fact that she was nowhere near her children. Either on the mission with Ezekiel, or witnessing Ellen and Wendy form their bonds.
“Lord Morse.” Evelyn called out upon stepping into view of the camp and guards. “Given the situation, and the sheer number of people here, I am afraid that I will not be able to accompany everyone at once. For now, since you are the leading patron for this excursion, I will accompany you and your family guards to an area of your choice.”
Evelyn’s voice had taken on a more regal and official tone. Her words were crisp and clear as they cut through the air. No emotion nor softness was heard in her tone. She was purely business oriented right now. Something that made all the guards who heard her straighten up. Each one recognized the mannerisms and tone of a warrior that was in command.
Turning to the Alkena family guards, Evelyn provided them with instructions as well.
“For now, I am trusting the representatives of the Alkena family to conduct themselves in an orderly manner for the day. If my husband returns with my daughters from his meeting with the Radiant bird we fought alongside, then you will all likely get a chance to explore later this afternoon.” Evelyn felt a pang of frustration well up inside her at the grumbling from the Alkena guards. “Do not forget that we are limited to the boundaries set by our Spirit patrons, and that we are vastly outnumbered should things turn out badly for us. So long as you stay within the markers set by the rulers of this haven, you are free to interact with any Spirits that wander into our camp. But if you try to coerce a bond, I will be the one to kill you, and offer your remains to the ruler of this place as tribute to placate them. Am I understood?”
The shadows around the camp writhed in a discomforting manner as Evelyn released her mana and pressed down on all the Mages in the area. The boundary in question was a line of scarlet and gold brambles that encircled the camp roughly a hundred meters out from the camp.
It had not been there originally. Only when morning came did the party notice what had sprouted. The bright red coloring stood out in stark contrast to the green and white forest. Freshly fallen snow sitting just beyond the branches on one side, while rocks and heated cliffs stood out on the other.
Many of the guards had been disturbed by the fact that the forest seemed to have moved while they were sleeping. But it was otherwise not addressed, as the Legendary Mages in the group had prevented such a thing. Assuring the lower Tiered guards that things were well in hand.
A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.
All while forcing themselves to remain calm at the fact that they also hadn’t noticed the changes until the sun had risen that morning.
Looking over the guards, Evelyn felt somewhat confident that she wouldn’t have to go through with her promise. But just in case, she resolved to have Reya remain within the boundary of the camp as well. Better to have at least some form of overwatch if things went wild.
The flapping of massive wings put those thoughts to rest, however, as a large pale blue bird landed just within the boundary of the camp. Evelyn recognized the new Spirit as Morty. One of the Legendary birds that had helped them yesterday.
“Greetings.” Morty’s voice was low and slow as it rumbled from his mouth. He sounded like an old man who had not spoken in decades, with grit and gravel rolling in his throat. “Upon request of Callrond, I am here to guard. You may leave. I will stop fights. Only inside brambles.”
Although slow and short, Morty's words were easily understood by Evelyn. He was here to prevent any fighting between Spirits and Guards, but only so long as they stayed within the boundary that had been set. If any of the guards chose to leave, Morty wouldn’t stop them. But he wouldn’t protect them if any fighting started either.
Given the load it would take off Evelyn’s mind, she was not about to complain. This meant that Reya would be able to accompany and assist her if things went south at any point.
“You have my thanks, guardian Morty. With you here, I am assured that my wards will remain safe. So long as they don’t do anything stupid.” The large Glacial Spirit nodded in reply to Evelyn’s words. But otherwise stayed silent.
Evelyn knew that Morty was still not as proficient at verbally speaking as his companions. At least according to what Ezekiel had briefly explained about the Legendary birds the day before.
“Lord Morse.” Evelyn addressed the excursion’s patron and primary funder. “From what little information I have been provided, there should be a small lake nearby with a river that feeds into it. So long as the river hasn’t shifted, I think that it would be an ideal place for us to begin searching for Spirits for you and some of your guards to meet and interact with.”
Lance and a couple of the Morse guards looked quite interested at what Evelyn was saying. Though the others looked somewhat dejected. They understood that Lance, as their lord, got priority treatment. But it still made them a bit disappointed.
From there, the group of Morse family guards left the boundaries of the camp. Wandering through the forest as quickly, and cautiously, as they could.
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Wendy hadn’t even realized that there was absolutely zero light in her surroundings. The cave had turned utterly pitch black as she descended further and further down. Roots and stone stuck out from the walls and ceiling, but the floor was clear of any debris.
It was also silent. Even her footsteps upon the stone floor were muffled. Only the physical sensation of touching the stone allowed her to realize she was even walking forward.
In the back of her mind, she knew she was in a trance. But she felt no sense of danger as she moved. If anything, she felt right at home. As if she was hugging her mother while Reya was enlarged and curled up around her. The darkness was warm and inviting.
Until it wasn’t.
Wendy didn’t know how long she had been walking. Nor how far she had gotten. Lost in the comfortable feeling as she was. Yet the moment she felt the solid ground beneath her disappear, her stomach seemed to leap up her throat, and the warmth she felt turned to sheer and biting cold.
Fear flooded her entire body. But even so, she did not scream. She knew that silence would be the only thing to answer her.
Instead, she reached out with her mana. Blindly grabbing at the shadows that surrounded her and threatened to consume her. Her arms and legs flailed as she reached for anything she could.
A whisper drifted through her ears. She stopped moving. Opening her mouth, she finally called out. Her mana flooded the darkness from within her body. The place within her that was naturally devoid of, and protected from, the light.
Awareness came to her in an instant. Wendy saw that she wasn’t actually falling, but instead was hanging in the air, held aloft by a claw that held her by the back of her coat.
All around were countless Spirits of all sorts of different shapes and sizes. Each one looked at her with interest. Some with humor in their eyes as they shook with restrained laughter. Others looked disappointed as they sneered down their noses at her. While even more looked on in curiosity. Heads tilted to the side as they watched in wide-eyed wonder.
All of them were dangerous. But none were willing to push Wendy away. None dug into her into her being, her past. While not all were welcoming, the darkness did not turn Wendy away, so neither did its Spirits.
“Oof!” Wendy let out a grunt as she was dropped onto the ground. The silence that previously drowned her was now gone as she retained her awareness in full.
Her vision slowly returned to her, as she allowed the shadows within her to spread through her body. Her senses sharpened and granted her knowledge of all that stayed within the darkness within her limited range.
Two eyes, wide and curious, looked down at Wendy from above. Standing right in front of her as she slowly climbed to her feet. An owl, as black as night, but with glittering gold flecks scattered throughout its feathers. Unseen in the pitch-black darkness, but undoubtedly beautiful when seen in the sun. Something Wendy was certain of with every part of her being.
Locking eyes with the little Spirit, Wendy felt a slight probing in the back of her head. Like a knock on a door, awaiting an invitation to come in.
Wendy responded by opening her mind to the Spirit in front of her, and instantly saw the Spirit for all that she was, and vice versa.
“You’re like me...” Wendy’s eyes were filled with wonder as she learned that this Spirit also had a twin. Born from the mixing of Callrond and an Obscure Spirit’s mana. Its twin, a Radiant Spirit, resided at the top of the tree that stood above this cavernous labyrinth of caves and tunnels. Devoid of any light.
Suddenly, there was a click, and Wendy felt her soul touch upon another’s. The bond between her and the Spirit in front of her formed in an instant. Joy and warmth flushed out the fear and cold.
“Kare...” A name escaped Wendy’s lips as she knew who her bond truly was.
A talon silently plucked Wendy up and off the ground, even as she held onto the Spirit she had bonded with. Melting into the darkness around her, Wendy was forced to cover her eyes with her arm as she found herself within the light once more. Her father was standing just a couple meters away.
A flash of light next to her indicated her sister’s arrival. A Spirit of her own held within her hands.
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Ellen stared straight ahead as she marched up the winding path that was grown into the massive tree. The sloping road before her curved around the trunk but was otherwise smooth and held no bumps or nooks that might trip her up.
A soft siren’s call was pulling her forward. Ellen’s mana resonated with the light that emanated with the leaves above. Their soft golden glow fell onto her shoulders as she continued to climb higher and higher, until eventually she reached the lowest branches of the tree.
Feeling the warmth of the light physically embracing her. Holding her tight, but gently enough to be comfortable, Ellen allowed herself to be drawn even further upwards. Past the eyes of multiple Spirits, each of whom stared at the strange young girl who was now in their midst.
Some seemed to take offense to her presence. While others were disinterested, and more were watching. Curious, or simply bored from the monotony of their lives within the tree.
But regardless of the reason, all eyes were on Ellen. Her presence was known to all. Any secrets she held were ripped from her being, and her truth laid bare to the world.
The warmth and comfort now disappeared. Replaced by a feeling of nakedness and guilt. Judgment from a thousand eyes and more bore down on her with an uncompromising attitude.
Many found Wendy to be utterly lacking, and as these revelations were made clear to her, Ellen found that she couldn’t disagree with these truths.
This knowledge of her lacking existence pressed down on her. Tears nearly formed in her eyes, and there was now a searing heat from the unfiltered light that surrounded her. It was almost too much to bear. The truth was too much to handle.
A soft trill from nearby steadied her mind.
Ellen, who had nearly curled into a ball from the sensations that bombarded her, stood up proudly as her back straightened, and she gazed towards the light once more.
The guilt and pressure from the light’s judgment didn’t matter. Who and what others saw didn’t matter. What mattered was what she saw, and what she wanted to be. If she didn’t like who she was, it was up to her to change it.
Suddenly, a weight landed on Ellen’s head. She panicked for a brief moment. Flailing her arms around to swat at whatever it was that had landed on her. But nothing made contact as she fell back and on her rear.
“Ack!” She let out a yelp as she landed on the hard wood of the massive branch she was standing on. A muffled laughter rang through the tree as her face turned red.
As she calmed her racing heart, she found a pair of wide round eyes staring at her. Upside down and attached to the body of an owl that was perched atop her head. Its feathers were a sparkling gold that seemed to glow in the light that surrounded them. With only the slightest hint of black flecks that lightly dusted its plumage. Softening the brightness to something more bearable to look at.
Rather than jump in surprise, Ellen felt a soft tapping in the back of her head. A request to come in from the Spirit before her. She granted this request, and suddenly she knew.
“You’re like me...” Ellen unknowingly mirrored her sister’s words as she saw the Spirit for what it truly was. The twin of an Obscure Spirit that lived deep in the darkened depths that laid beneath the Radiant tree they currently sat in.
The Radiant Spirit preened at Ellen’s look of admiration and wonder. Pride and joy filled the Spirit as Ellen was enraptured by its beauty.
Ellen snorted in muffled laughter as she was reminded of a puff ball. The feathers all around the Spirit fluffing out and making her seem bigger than she really was.
A click in the back of Ellen’s mind indicated the bond between them snapping into place. Ellen’s laughter faded away, and the Spirit’s name drifted from her mouth.
“Tina...” Wonder and joy filled Ellen’s soul as it connected with another. The sense of such a deep connection to another being granted her a comfort she had never known before.
A tugging sensation on the back of her coat pulled Ellen from her reverie. The large talon that had grabbed onto her glowed with a blinding light. A flash that seemed to fill Ellen’s body with lightness, mixed with a tugging sensation that pulled her down and to the side.
As her vision dimmed, and she was no longer blinded by the light, Ellen saw her father standing a few meters away.
At the same time, she saw her sister rise from a shadow. Her own Spirit held within her arms.
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Evelyn and Reya both kept their eyes peeled and focused on their surroundings. Neither one expected that they would encounter any Spirits while walking. Weaker Spirits were unlikely to approach an unknown Spirit of the higher Tiers in the wilderness. But that wasn’t any excuse to be sloppy in their duties. If any Wild Spirits became upset, they might do something stupid to the humans passing through.
It wasn’t long before they came upon a glittering lake that wasn’t at all frozen over. One that seemed to have steam rising from one side, while the water remained cool but not icy on the other. Evelyn surmised that there was a vent of some sort that connected it to the more heated areas of the haven. But focused more on the guards that began walking about.
For the most part, Evelyn and Reya stayed back. A bond was best formed between Mage and Spirit when said pair came to understand each other alone. Either Evelyn or Reya’s immediate presence would lessen the likelihood that Spirits would approach and bond with a Mage.
There were actually quite a few Spirits that meandered into the area where the guards were exploring. To the point where almost all of the guards had a close encounter. But given that it was mostly Glacier Spirits in the area, only a small handful were suited for bonding.
A couple of the guards did get their hopes up. But as a few flying Spirits of other elements landed or swooped low to get a better look, those hopes were crushed when said Spirits flew away.
It wasn’t until nearly an hour had passed, when Lance had wandered to the very edge of the cooler side of the lake, that Evelyn sensed something moving. Something that made her stand up and focus on the young master of the Morse family.
Lance was unaware of Evelyn’s focus. Instead, he was looking intently at the water right in front of him. He was standing on a rock that stuck out from the shore. In front of him was a sheer drop that went down several feet. The water was clear, and the Spirit below him stared up at him intently.
Extending her senses, Evelyn didn’t feel any sort of malicious intent between Lance and the Spirit he was staring at. This was the only thing that stopped her from racing forward and striking the Spirit as it leapt from the water and knocked Lance backwards onto the ground.
The guards all looked over at the commotion. The guard captain in particular looked shocked and horrified as he moved to defend his master. But shadows wrapped around him. Covering him from head to toe and holding him back. The same thing occurred for several other guards. Their mouths in particular were covered to prevent any shouting or noise.
For Lance, he laid back on the ground in still silence as he gazed into the eyes of the large bull shaped Spirit that loomed over him. Several seconds passed. All while half the guards struggled in their bindings. But Evelyn knew what was happening and wouldn’t let them interfere.
Then, just as suddenly as Lance and the bull shaped Glacial Spirit locked eyes, Lance broke into a large smile, as did the Spirit. Reaching forward with one hand, Lance grabbed one of the bull’s horns, and was yanked into the air as the Spirit reared back its head.
Twisting in the air, Lance landed comfortably on the Spirit's back. Soaking wet but smiling brightly, Lance and his bonded Spirit slowly trotted back over to where Evelyn was watching over everything.
Evelyn noticed that the Spirit was surprisingly much weaker than Lance. But that wasn’t particularly out of the norm when it came to Mages that bonded later in life. The Spirit seemed to be in the middle of Tier two. But it was able to withstand Evelyn’s piercing gaze. She predicted that the Spirit would reach Tier three within a year or so. Depending on how strong their bond became within that time.
“Congratulations, Lord Morse.” Evelyn watched as Lance removed the water from his clothes. “I feel like I shouldn’t be surprised. But given these things are never controllable, I could not have predicted you would be the first to form a bond.”
Lance smiled brightly, and Evelyn was reminded of the time when she first formed her own bond. She was so focused on the fact that her soul was shared with another being that she was lost in her own world for over a day.
Turning back to his Spirit, Lance displayed the same lost, yet excited expression as he silently communicated with his Spirit.
Looking at their young master’s interaction with his Spirit, the Morse guards became much more determined. Something that made Evelyn wince inside. Even as she released them from their shadowy bindings.
“Ladies and gentlemen.” Evelyn called out to the guards as they began to move in a more aggressive manner. “A word of advice. Do not hunt for a Spirit to bond with. The more you want it, the more it will seem like you are forcing it. Allow yourselves to relax, and let the Spirits see you for who you are. Not who you think you need to be. Not just as a person who wishes to bond with a Spirit. You are more than that, but if the Spirits don’t see that, they will never bond with you.”
The guards, who had shifted into a much more aggressive stance flinched and tried to relax at the reminder they were given. But it was hard. Each of them wanted to bond with a Spirit. To the point where it nearly consumed all other thoughts.
Seeing the guards all become more frustrated, Evleyn couldn’t help but sigh. She had doubts that any others would form a bond today. But she figured that she would give it time. They had a month in a region that was massive, and utterly filled to the brim with Spirits.
At this point, it wasn’t a matter of finding Spirits to bond with. It was now entirely a point of impressing and connecting with a Spirit that was willing to leave its home. So, it was really all up to the guards now.
Sitting back against Reya, who had enlarged to a more horse sized stature, Evelyn laid back and relaxed. She figured that another hour or so in this area wouldn’t hurt. Then, they would head past the area filled with steam. The cold was starting to get annoying.