When Riley and Ezekiel had been standing atop the plateau where the Spirit Rulers met, she hadn’t expected the result would be tutelage. From a Legendary Spirit with decades of experience beyond her. Even if it was solely the decision of the Feathered Peaks Guardians.
Going to bed after hearing Celia tell her the news was difficult. She ended up laying on her bedroll lost in thought and restless. She was quite exhausted when she went off with Spina and couldn’t help but think that things were going to be tougher than she thought.
After immediately finding herself fighting for her life against a fiery Legendary Spirit several Steps higher than her, she realized she was correct.
No pride was felt at being right. Just pain from the cuts and bruises.
She really shouldn’t have called Spina a roasted chicken.
But it was impossible for Riley to deny the results. She found her control improving by leaps and bounds as she was forced to fend off the cold using the least amount of mana possible.
Her control was already good, thanks to the lessons that Ezekiel had given her, but this was something different. Personal experiences were literally carved into her flesh and explained in detail from a Spirit that had undergone such training herself.
If Ezekiel had given her a diamond straight from the mines, Spina was the one who helped her carve it into the sparkling jewel it was meant to be.
Celia also underwent a massive shift after receiving her own lessons. Though that was more due to the things that were being taught.
Riley was given instructions on how to better manipulate and sustain her Flames.
Her Spirit was forced to undergo a taxing physical training that forced her mind and body to suffer, and in the process, it grew in strength. Overcoming the adversity that was inflicted upon her.
The Adept Flame Spirit’s soul grew and grew, until it finally overcame the last hurdle necessary for becoming a Legendary Spirit. Something that she had been on the cusp of for months, but simply couldn’t reach.
The battles with the Cult should’ve helped, but due to the lack of major influence that Celia directly had, the growth of her soul was insignificant. Had she directly participated in battle, and taken several blows, or been forced to endure the offense of several Adept Spirits at once, then her growth would’ve exploded in speed.
To fight a Legendary in a true battle, however, would’ve simply been a death wish. So, such growth was out of the question while they were fighting the cult.
Against Spina, who wasn’t trying to kill them, the growth of the soul was still great, but without that fear of death, it took several such sparring sessions. As opposed to one massive near-death battle pushing her over the edge.
The rewards were worth it, however, as Celia found herself surrounded in bright blue flames. The heat created a circle of dry stone, even in the rain, as steam emanated from her body. Each and every drop of water vaporized before it could even touch her.
Next to her, lying on her back, Riley was also wreathed in blue flames. The Hunter and Spirit partners were currently sharing mana. Celia was strong enough to retain Riley’s Understanding of Flames. Now, it was merely a matter of gathering enough mana for the little Spirit to break through to the next Tier.
“How... much... longer...” Morty, who was perched above the Hunter-Spirit pair, asked with his gravely and stuttered voice.
“I’m not sure. I’ve never bonded with a human before... Wouldn’t you have a better idea than me?” Spina replied with a soft and tentative voice. Her perch was right beside him.
She was quiet because of how prickly Morty was when his old bond was brought up.
The same bond that had been broken with the death of his Hunter years ago.
Squinting his eyes at the duo meditating below them, Morty let out a hum of frustration and curiosity. When he had reached Tier four, it had been before his partner. Thus, he was unsure if something was different due to Riley achieving Legendary status first.
There was also another possibility, but it was something he didn’t think was possible. Something that Spina would’ve been aware of as well. The chances of it happening were incredibly low, but there didn’t seem to be any other answer he could think of.
“... Lizard flames...infused...in body...?”
Morty couldn’t see the transformation that Celia was undergoing as she advanced to Legendary. Since Spina was a Flame Spirit as well, he could only ask her for confirmation. She looked at Morty with wide eyes, an idea of what he was really asking formed in her head.
Turning towards Celia and Riley, Spina gasped as she saw that Celia wasn’t just emanating blue Flames, her entire body was flickering like a flame in the wind. It was barely noticeable, and didn’t happen all at once, but different parts of her were shifting between physical and immaterial.
“Metamorphosis...” Spina’s breath almost caught in her throat. The sheer awe she felt at what she was witnessing made her speechless for a few seconds after her minor outburst.
For a Spirit, they might undergo minor changes as they progress. Sharper claws, larger fangs, shaggier fur, and other minor details that didn’t make significant alterations to their physical forms.
Metamorphosis was different, and not something that a Spirit could control.
Rather than a minor change that enhanced or made slight changes to a Spirit’s body, to metamorphose was to change the base body of a Spirit in its entirety.
It was so rare that Spina and Morty were both fairly certain that none of the human factions were aware of such a possibility. Even they had only known that it was possible due to the inherent knowledge that all Spirits gained upon forming in the world.
When such a thing occurred, it meant that the Spirit in question was going to have a qualitative leap in power that was even greater than the norm for whatever breakthrough they were undergoing.
It was possible that, when Riley donned Celia as her Spirit armor, they might be able to match Spina on equal ground for a little while. Even though the Legendary bird would still have at least two Steps more mana than they would while fighting together.
As the Flames surrounding Riley and Celia grew larger, and Celia’s form began to flicker more frequently, Morty and Spina watched in anticipation as they witnessed a legend become reality. They continued to watch, for multiple hours, as the process continued.
A shift in the wind eventually occurred, and the downpour from the storm above became a deluge. The whole area was converted into a sauna of steam, and the two Legendary birds were forced to find a new perch farther away.
But even as the rain grew heavier, the Flames never went out. They just grew stronger and stronger. Until, finally, the buildup of energy reached a critical point.
Already in the air, and a fair distance away, Spina and Morty were able to avoid the blast that consumed the area.
The peak of the mountain could not.
----------
----------------------------------------
Floating within his Spiritual Pathways, Ezekiel and Shine continued to forge connections between the broken pieces that were spread throughout his soul. Their combined consciousnesses channeled mana from Shine and through Ezekiel with a well-practiced ease.
Another piece was reconnected. Ezekiel felt a surge of mana larger than the previous one.
‘That was a bigger piece than before.’ he mentally said to Shine.
‘I think this area was around one of your Chakras.’
Examining the Spirit Path, they were in more closely, Ezekiel realized that Shine’s assumption was correct. He could sense the font of mana that was producing mana from within his soul.
Ezekiel paused for a moment. He allowed himself to simply bask in the feeling of his mana once more flowing freely. It still wasn’t anywhere near as smooth as it would be when he returned to his peak health, every step decreased the burden on his mind, and granted a much-appreciated relief.
Sighing in exhaustion, Ezekiel couldn’t tell how long he’d been at it since he’d woken up and finished his breakfast that morning, but he knew that his sisters would likely be coming to wake him up soon.
‘Let’s break here. I feel like we’ve finished a good amount for the day. We’ll continue after stretching a bit.’
Ever since they had been warned the night before, Ezekiel had been careful not to get lost in his task. Being able to focus on one’s work was fine, even great, on occasion. But blocking out the world around you wasn’t the best thing to do. Especially if you forgot to acquire the sustenance needed to live.
Before he and Shine could slowly extract themselves from Ezekiel’s mindscape, a wave of heat seemed to roll across them. Something that shouldn’t have been possible, unless it was a magical attack sent their way. The fact that they weren’t hurt from it meant that it wasn’t an attack, but that was a small ineffective comfort.
Falling out of his mind, Ezekiel threw caution to the wind, and woke up with a gasp and a jolt.
----------
----------------------------------------
Leaping to his feet, Ezekiel ignored the noise of the rain as it pounded against the tarp that had been laid out over his tent. Channeling the little mana that he still had available, Ezekiel fended off the elements as he stepped out of his tent in just his trousers.
Looking around the camp, he realized that no one else was out and about. All the guards that remained in the camp were within their tents to avoid the poor weather.
Ezekiel idly thought about the guards that were looking to bond with Spirits with his parents. He felt pity toward his parents and the guards, and gratitude toward the fact that he was able to stay here.
Love this novel? Read it on Royal Road to ensure the author gets credit.
As the thought passed, however, Ezekiel realized that there didn’t seem to be anything wrong in the camp. In fact, it seemed like things were slow going and calm. Even his sisters were tucked away comfortably within the covered wagon as they played some sort of game where it was dry.
He was just about to head back into the camp when he turned and saw what had awakened him.
Just a few dozen kilometers away, at a glance, was a large mountain that bordered the edge of the Spirit Haven.
A mountain that was on fire, with plumes of smoke emanating from the peak. The rain did nothing to put it out.
“What the fuck?” Ezekiel stared in open mouthed awe as the fire at the mountain top continued to billow out smoke and steam.
A flicker of blue flame flashed briefly before disappearing in the orange flames.
‘Was that-’ ‘Yes!’
Ezekiel interrupted Shine as he dashed into his tent. He quickly threw on a shirt and wiped his feet before pulling on his shoes.
‘Let’s go see what the hell is going on.’ Ezekiel’s heart was beating erratically as he imagined what kind of trouble Riley and Celia might be in.
A sense of determination and agreement spread to him from his bond with Shine. The Void Spirit was just as worried about Ezekiel’s girlfriend as he was. The thought of Celia being harmed was also something that they didn’t want to think about.
Stepping outside, Ezekiel stopped. The mountain had been doused, and no fires were to be seen. Though smoke still billowed from the peak, and blended into the dark clouds that covered the sky.
Callrond descended from the sky. The Radiant Spirit had been observing from a distance.
“Calm yourself, Ezekiel. Your mate is just fine,” Callrond said, “Please continue with your efforts. I will let you know if anything changes.”
Ezekiel gave Callrond a glare. He didn’t move from his spot in front of the tent.
His eyes darted side to side, to see if there were any clear paths that would allow him to get past the Legendary bird. There were one or two, and Shine could always ‘Jump’ them away. But that would just sow discord in the camp.
Discord that the Spirits were probably experiencing due to whatever had happened with Riley and Celia.
“... I expect you know what will happen if they are harmed?”
Callrond bowed his head at Ezekiel’s silent threat. It was both a warning and an acknowledgement on each party’s side. Of consequences and trust. But the look in Callrond’s eyes made Ezekiel force himself to relax.
Calming down, he realized that the guardians of the Feathered Peaks wouldn’t allow harm to come to Riley so long as they could help it.
Out of the corner of his eye, Ezekiel could see his sisters poking their heads out the flap of the wagon, watching him confront Callrond. Their Spirits, Callrond’s daughters, did the same.
Past them, partially hidden in the tree line, there were several Wild Spirits that were also watching. Waiting for something to happen so they could send word.
Ezekiel nodded to Callrond, and silently returned to his tent once more.
Grabbing a handful of rations from his Void Pouch, he washed it down with a drink from his waterskin. He wasn’t happy with the situation, but there was little he could do without creating a conflict.
Wiping himself down, Ezekiel returned to his meditation. Knowing that he needed to speed things up and frustrated that he couldn’t do so without risking his life.
----------
----------------------------------------
Morty and Spina looked down at the figure clad in red Spirit armor.
Riley stood tall as a proper Legendary Hunter, with Celia now also in the Legendary Tier.
But where Celia’s lizard motifs should’ve been seen, with patterns engraved onto the armor itself, there was a vicious looking winged dragon. The form that Celia had taken after undergoing her metamorphosis.
The two Legendary birds looked on in awe, as the might from this figure was stronger than a mere Step two Hunter. Even though Riley and Celia had already expended much of their mana.
The bonded pair seemed to be in a trance as they settled into their new level of power. Unmoving and unbothered by the doused devastation that surrounded them.
Trees were burnt, and stone was melted. Smog and smoke filled the area, even after Morty had doused the fires with his mana infused rain and sleet. The natural rain of the storm was not enough to do so.
The flapping of wings could be heard as another flying Spirit approached. It was a Life Spirit that was unaffiliated with the Feathered Peaks. But Morty and Spina still greeted it respectfully, as it was a Spirit at the same Tier as them.
The green Spirit looked over at Riley and Celia for a moment before turning back to Morty and Spina. It was clearly uninterested in the Hunter that was on the mountain.
“I have been asked to find out what happened here and have you two report to the plateau for the continuation of the discussion from two days ago. The rest of the Rulers from the outer fringes of the Fjorya are here.” The Life Spirit waited for Morty and Spina’s reply.
“The young one down there had a more explosive breakthrough than expected. That’s all.” Spina didn’t mention the metamorphosis that Celia went through. “Uncontrolled Flame magic after a jump in power. The mundane water from the rain wasn’t enough to put it out.”
Most of the Spirit Rulers were aware of what was going on with Riley, as Spina had gotten permission to train her and Celia until the next meeting occurred. It would’ve been nice to have gotten more time to go over things, so that Riley and Celia could test out their new power. But it seemed like that wouldn’t be happening.
The Life Spirit just seemed to sigh at Spina’s response, and they looked over the devastated swath of forest at the peak of the mountain. It then stared beyond, toward the south, and its eyes squinted at something in the distance. A croaking growl escaped its throat.
Spina and Morty turned to look in the same direction.
As bird shaped Spirits, along with their innate ability to fly, their eyesight was quite good. So, it was easy for them to see the large group of Hunters in the distance. The birds were well beyond the sight of any humans, but the amount of smoke that was billowing from the mountain wasn’t small. Even in the rain, it was visible from quite a distance away. Especially when the fire was lit and shining light.
“It seems like something else will need to be addressed as well. Come! Callrond has already left after checking on something in the humans’ den. Charus will watch over them for now.”
The Life Spirit turned and left. Morty glanced down at Riley in thought before looking at Spina. A silent conversation occurred between them.
Spina sighed before nodding her head. She dove down to Riley, who was still in a trance, while Morty flew off to the center of the haven.
The Legendary Flame Spirit gently picked Riley up, not disturbing her current state of mind. Flying back to the human camp, she quietly deposited Riley inside the edges of Ezekiel’s tent. She noticed that he was meditating himself and ensured that she did not disturb him either.
Leaving without making a sound, Spina headed toward the plateau herself. Thoughts of the decision that was going to be made crossed through her mind. None of them were pleasant.
----------
----------------------------------------
Later that evening, gathered atop the plateau that was central to the Spirit Haven, the Legendary birds of the Feathered Peaks, excluding Invera, had just finished the final discussion between the Spirit territory Rulers of the Fjorya.
Rising tempers caused a maelstrom of elements to occur as the Spirits argued back and forth. Even now, as things were winding down, remnants of elemental mana caused phenomena to manifest.
‘We should’ve tried to stay with the Hunters...’ Callrond restrained his Spirit voice to only speak to his fellow Feathered Peaks guardians. ‘Perhaps then we would’ve been able to avoid this childishness.’
‘Such is the difference in maturity between Wild Spirits and bonded ones,’ Feynari replied.
‘Since when were you bonded to a Mage?’
‘I’m not, but the amount of time we’ve spent with humans surely means that we’re better than these beasts.’
‘Please stop, before one of you fails to control yourself and the others overhear you.’ Spina didn’t let her frustration show on her face, but she glared at one of the lower Step Legendaries that sent a Lightning bolt too close her way.
The Lightning Spirit, who took the form of a striped mouse, shivered, and retreated to the other side of the assembly of Spirits. It was rare that prey form Spirits reached the Legendary Tier in the Wild. So, it was clear that this Spirit either had a partner, or incredible survival instincts.
‘Save you glares for later. We’ve still got business to settle.’ Morty was much clearer and more succinct when speaking spiritually.
The four then refocused on the posturing Wild Spirits. Their fellow guardian Spirits from the other tribes and communities looked on, much like they were. The difference between them was night and day, but in this instance, they were surprisingly in agreement with their wilder counterparts.
‘Enough!’ The plateau rumbled as a massive stone wolf slammed its paw on the ground. ‘The decision has been made. The humans within the haven are not the issue. It is the ones that are now aware of the haven’s location that we need to be wary of.’
The Spirits all fell silent, and the elemental mana that had flooded the area settled as Cavern mana overpowered it all. It settled into the ground, strengthening the surface of the plateau.
This Cavern wolf was clearly at the peak of Tier four, and there were only a few such Spirits in this assembly. Yet none of them bothered to challenge the wolf. They were all united in this moment, after all.
‘The humans within the haven have respected our rules. Two have even gone on to take the fight to our enemies. Drawing their ire until we could learn more about these cultists.’ The Legendary wolf began pacing back and forth. ‘We must focus on them! Not the humans in the haven!’
There was some grumbling, but none of the Spirits spoke up.
‘The thing we must focus on, is whether or not we will accelerate the end of the haven and take the fight to these wretches that steal and enslave our kin, or leave it be, at the risk of those monsters invading with their strange weapons.’
Growls and roars were heard all around when the weapons were mentioned.
Even the Feathered Peaks Legendaries let out warbling shrieks.
None of the Spirits approved of the use of the explosive weapons that the cult had begun employing. Even the guardian Spirits believed that a battle was meant to be between sides that fought using might and magic.
These tools took away all sense of prowess with one’s natural abilities and training.
‘We must declare a Spirit Tide!’ The Legendary wolf’s voice turned quiet and grim.
His words were met by total silence. Many of the Spirits now looked uncertain. Such a thing was not decided on lightly. It was one of the only times that the rulers of different Spirit territories broke the rules of aid and service.
‘... Are you certain that such a thing is necessary? The last Tide was called when the corrupted ones tried to invade from the shores to the east. Prior to that was when we aided the humans from the west in clearing some of the area to the north. That was nearly a hundred years ago.’
The speaker this time was a small monkey with green fur. It was covered in wooden armor and held a large stick of petrified wood that emanated an aura of danger to all that looked at it. The striations in the wood seemed to move and disorientated anyone that looked at it too long.
Behind him, several other peak Legendary Spirits watched. Their attention was now more focused.
The wolf stared down at his fellow peak Legendary Spirit. While he was Wild, his peer was not, having long since taken up guardianship of a tribe to the far western mountains of the Fjorya.
But the doubts of the monkey Life Spirit didn’t deter the Cavern wolf Spirit.
‘I am prepared to lead it myself.’
The other peaks Legendaries simply nodded in approval.
‘What say the rest of you!?’
The monkey turned to the other Rulers. They all looked uncertain at the thought of breaking the rules of Spirit territories. But it wasn’t long before they began to chant.
‘Tide!’
‘Tide!’
‘Tide!”
The roars and cries displaying their agreement in the Tide.
‘Then it is decided! Alert your followers! The Tide shall come within a few days’ time! These cultists shall forever leave our Fjorya Mountains!’
With a final cry of war, the Spirit rulers dispersed. They all set out to their respective territories, to alert and gather their subordinates for war.
‘You as well. Alert Invera-’ ‘No.’
The Cavern world turned to the four Feathered Peaks guardians. Intent on getting their leader to participate in the Tide. But they would not have it.
‘You would dare to go against the Tide?’
A heavy pressure landed on the guardian birds, but the Cavern wolf soon realized that he was on his own. His fellow peak Legendaries did not support his declaration.
‘You forget that Invera is on the cusp of a breakthrough. On top of being one who defeated you in battle and banished you from our territory. She does not need to answer your call. Even if the other Rulers have agreed to it.’
Callrond’s voice cut through the pressure being forced on him. The gathered might of four Legendaries of the mid and high Steps was more than enough to fend off a single peak Legendary.
‘You little-’ ‘Enough!’
This time it was the monkey that interrupted the wolf. The other peak Legendaries had now left.
‘I do not care for your conflict, but the birds are right. Invera does not need to participate this time. Though they do.’
The wolf growled, before heading off without another word.
‘If you don’t participate, the Tide will wash you away alongside this cult. You understand this, correct?’
The guardian birds nodded. Turning away, the Life monkey leapt away. Moving nearly as fast as Ezekiel at his top speed. For a moment, there was silence on the empty plateau.
‘How do you think we should break this to our dear friend at the campsite?’
Callrond’s question went unanswered. Instead, the bird Spirits simply flew away. Feynari received some help from her brother.
All four were headed to the camp. Even though it was now late into the night.
They had bad news that needed to be given to Ezekiel and his pack.