Ikrei P.O.V.
Day of Shimer, first day of the week. Fourth week of the eleventh month. Zunar kingdom, Xena hunting ground, the vast plains. Sunrise.
“Everything is ready.”
I moved slowly through the ground looking for my last hunt. A fully developed core from a ragnar. The thing about this hunt is that a fully powered core can only come from the leader of the pride, a Ragnar King.
Prides consist of at least forty members, sometimes a little over eighty even.
‘You think I would fight that many? Crazy, sure. Suicidal tendencies? Nope!’
The beautiful forest and the light would have made for a memorable scene any other day. I looked for the pride I selected many weeks ago.
Kletay’s, “Veil of the Heart”, showing its full effect. The illusion that was projected was a Ragnar King. I was a Ragnar King.
I was coming in for a straight up challenge to the leader of the pride.
The problem with illusion magic is that it is just that, illusion. Transformation potions are too expensive for this kind of thing and getting close to a Ragnar King like I did with the Zurafins, was next to impossible. Kletay really did give me a great deal.
‘Thank you, Great Zaftig Cherry Bomb!’
In case you are wondering, that’s Krigsain’s name for her.
The artifact claws I was wearing were a little problematic. No amount of training prepares you to remain in all fours like I was doing. A one hit kill was off the table. No pride fight ever happens without being surrounded by the beasts.
Even the fake tail I had on my ass was itchy.
‘The lessons from cutting corners with the artifacts.’
The entire hunt was expensive. Claws for the extremities, one claw set for my teeth, leather armor with ragnar cub fur covering, a small necklace type artifact for voice changes and orgon infused pheromones for the smell. It wasn’t perfect but it was the best I could do at the time.
I kept going until I reached the pride. Many of them resting under the trees.
I looked absolutely imposing for a beast. The resting ragnaresses were eyeing the illusion with desire. Seven days of pure thirst teaches you things at the feral level.
“UUUROOH!” “UUUROOH!” “UUUROOH!”
Three roars, the call for a fight. A challenge.
Twenty breaths. The massive Ragnar King made his appearance.
“UUUROOH!”
His roar was massive, deep, guttural and resounding. It was extending for several furlongs, about twelve.
‘Have to keep the illusion. Move like a ragnar and kill with a hidden blade.’
We charged at each other. The power of my forcefully created malgrunian core seeping. The ragnar I had chosen was a glutton for orgon crystals. He should be empty right now; it was early not feeding time.
He was angry because of it. Dangerous and beneficial in equal measure.
Heavy stomping and a two arm distance. The ground was shaking. The encircling fearbeasts growling and roaring in delight.
“UUUROOH!”
One breath. Claw clash and heavy roars. The Ragnar King immediately went for his signature attack, Ice breath.
Coldness and icicles forming on my skin. Right front paw, seven inches from my neck.
Two breaths. Twist and turn evading the paw, I went under the one core predator. To the fearbeasts it must have looked like a mating position. Fake claw paw attack on his belly.
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The Ragnar King bled. He countered with his tail and a stomp. Another fake claw attack since I was trying to free myself.
“Argh!”
The rear leg stomp hurt but the real attack was his tail.
WHIP!
‘Move bitch! You don’t, you die!’
The malgrunian influence was more noticeable now, after the training. I let the whipping tail hit my neck, exactly over my necklace. There were not going to be anymore fake roars. An acceptable trade off.
Another fake claw attack, it cut deep into his under belly.
Three breaths. The monster bit my leg and used his icy breath. The drawbacks of going under. The numbness of orgon fed beast is another thing entirely. Since I couldn’t keep the illusion for long like this. My crazy and wild malgrunian core reacted.
Using the right handed hidden blade that popped out from under my palm, I attacked.
‘Very cool assassin artifact.’
I sliced his testicles with a fully charged kinetic blade. We rolled over in the forest. A mess.
The painful massive roar came forth. The other fearbeast wanted to come over and check, they felt something was off, most likely.
Four breaths. I had to do something to keep them at bay. I couldn’t roar and the ragnar was moving wildly calling for help with his roars. A strange idea became a choice, the dark energies and the fire of Malgrun combining.
‘Either that or I was just straight up beastly. Take your pick.’
I bit down like my life depended on it and started eating the ragnar alive. Blood splattering everywhere, intestines began to pour out. The gruesome display made all the other ragnars freeze in place.
One hundred breaths. Surrounded by the fearbeasts I kept eating the carcass of my previous foe. I was drenched in the blood of the Ragnar King.
‘I need urgent medical attention but the dammed beasts are not leaving.’
I stealthily took the ragnar core. It was time for a desperate exit strategy. My left leg was not in a good state. I could force it by eating pills and infusing energy yet I wasn’t sure if I could last.
This was an emergency. At least one I could attest to with every fiber of my being.
My runic ring shone its brilliant light. I was making a massive wager.
‘Yun Hee transfer all the power you can to me, follow your LORD!’
One hundred and ten breaths. I transformed into a true Ragnar King. I ran carrying the carcass with me. I wasn’t going to be able to hold on for long with the injuries and the internal poisoning.
I stomped furiously making the ground rumble. This went on for an unaccounted number of breaths, I was too tired to tell, until I found a cave. It was not dissimilar to the one Krigsain had chosen when we trained inside the rift.
‘Always follow the example of experts greater than you. Father’s words.’
I sent the mental images to Yun Hee of the place where I was located. I blew up the entrance to the cave with several charges.
BOOOM! BOOOM! BOOOM!
‘Tell the cultivators that I need my boss to find me soon or I’m a goner. Hurry!’
I took all the pills that could help with the situation and swallowed them in one go.
Two hundred breaths. Vomiting a revolting substance, I didn’t just pass out. I completely blacked out.
A sinister laugh was heard from within me. Dark, negative feelings anew, the interference decided to sneak up on me.
‘This is probably because Yun Hee was jolting, pricking and pocking it a bit too much.’
My soul screamed.
“AAAAAHHHH!”
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Yǐngr P.O.V.
“Everything will be alright.” I spoke measuredly.
Ikrei opened his eyes and started looking around.
“You are in the underground floors of the Merchant Association, music man.”
He was staring at the fine orgon laced walls and beds. This was a healing ward.
“What happened?” There was abruptness in his tone.
“You called for us, now you are here.” I placed my hand on his forehead.
A small meridian flow checkup. He was expecting a more elaborate clarification.
“You have a very peculiar condition. We treated you with some celestial alchemical concoctions. You are stable for the time being.” I gave him a smile.
Normally that would melt the staff but not little pianist here.
“Thank you.” He was feeling himself all over.
‘Why do men always check their jewels first after a serious injury?’
“How long have I been out?”
“A day.”
“That’s ridiculously fast. I was in Xena.”
‘Glad you are feeling better, rainmaker.’
“You require further treatment. We need to deal with what’s inside you. The alchemical preparations will only last for so long.”
Our little music maker was seriously discomposed with my words. He frantically tried to stand up or move. To no avail, he was heavily sedated.
“Breath in, breath out.” I waved to him.
Several minutes later, his eyes settled.
‘A reaction more congruent with a malgrunian than an Andurin, fascinating.’
“We are partners and your music is becoming popular. We want you to stay with us for a long while. Few have a direct communication crystal with the Singing Phoenix. And even fewer can call her sister Ixur.”
This time my smile was mischievous.
“Nothing escapes you, boss.” He made a give up gesture.
“Yè! We will combine your treatment with your final loyalty mission. You are about to become one of us, Andurin.”
“So you know what’s going on with me?” He asked.
“Not everything but be at peace. Your elders know everything there is to know. You are under our care.”
‘You don’t have to make such a face boy. You are safe with Mama Shadow.’
I extended my hand to him one more time like I did when I became his agent.
He timidly shook my hand. An understandable reaction.
“After today, you will be a member of a branch in our organization. You will be the one hundred and first member coming from the Andurin in history. First ever not being a kotari. It is your honor.”
I placed emphasis in my last words. The music boy simply remained lying in bed with stupefaction.
‘You really don’t know much do you? You are special kiddo.’
“Let’s get along Andurin Ikrei. There’s much to discuss.”
Sidestepping many restrictions, I gave him a bird’s eye view of what was going to happen in a few hours.
Shock, horror, perspiration, you named it, he had it.
‘即使你變得飢渴金’