„Peng, Crack…, Peng“

It has been more than 8 weeks already since i arrived here, oh yea, a year has 360 days, 6 Months with each having 60 days. A Month contains 10 weeks with six days each. Meaning more than Fifty days have passed since i started my Training with Uncle Black.

Actually, I learned how to use every Magic-Element to a everyday level, while i can use my Wind to enhance my combat already. If you’re asking why i also learned the basics of the other elements, it’s because I wanted to use them to enhance my crafting. I already built myself a training course using Earth-Magic. As for Lightning, it is rather hard to master as you can only indirectly control it, leaving me with having to train more. My Healing Magic actually astonished Uncle Black and i already surpassed him in it, maybe because i once studied Human anatomy for a class project...? My shadow-Magic is also on the advanced level, as i had a lot of fun trying to hide from Uncle Black, making him having to look for me.

Anyway, My weapons-Mastery also makes great steps forward as i am a rather fast learner. I have the basics down on all five of them, but with the staff i can already begin using advanced Moves. As it is, my capacity to learn feels extremely large.

Well, right now, me and Uncle Black were balancing on a thin Earth-platform, set over the Water-Pond. Both of us are using staffs while keeping balance on it, trying to push off the other. Because I'm faster, and thanks to my tails also more balanced, i was able to cope with my lack of strength and Experience against him. Even so, the battle was undecided, and we both kept each other at bay. Our back and forth didn't end at that, we kept parring and attacking each other, sometimes even using jumps and kicks. The Thin board of Solid Earth was barely 5 cm in broadness, making it hard to make great movements. Anyway, while we were fighting, Uncle Black suddenly was shocked and seemed to concentrate on something else. Seeing the opening, i try to attack his left flank, but he just quickly redirects my Staff and warns me in a serious tone;

“Hold it for a While! Can't you sense it? Perceive the Flow of MP around you!“ (Uncle Black)

Being shown Uncle Blacks superiority, i blink in surprise. But being warned like that, i start concentrating on the MP and Mana around me. As I'm feeling around, i realize that the flow of MP is restricted and there is a large Mana-Reaction coming from above. Even though it is still hundreds of Meters away, probably on the Surface, Uncle Black could sense it while Fighting me on a Thin stage. Uncle Black really is great, making me feel stupid for thinking I'm Strong already, i still have much to learn.

Putting my attention back to the Mana-Reaction, i can slowly calculate it's form. It seems to be in what Uncle Black called channeled form, meaning it's probably a Inscribed Magic-Circle. It's Mana reaction is rather strong to even influence the flow of MP down here, it also seems to be from the Light and Fire Attribute. Though unlike Uncle Black who can even determine what the circle can do and where it's weakness lies, i can only tell the element and, if close enough, where the controller is.

Anyway, Uncle Black hurriedly picks me up under his arm and runs into the House, he yells at me before running into his Study.

“Arin, Run and gather as much as you can, we can't spend much longer down here. Whoever placed that magic circle is going to burn out this whole cavern and cave system!!! We have to run, pick up everything you need and put it into the Bracelet i gave you!“ (Uncle Black)

Before i could answer he was already gone. I also turned around and ran up the stairs, running into my room. Entering it, i remove everything i crafted until now and put it into my bracelet.

Actually, i got this Bracelet from Uncle Black shortly after i gave him the Fox-Plush. He explained that this bracelet was a called an Dimensional-Storage, i just called it inventory for short. It is capable of sucking everything into it if you feed it enough Mana. Anyway, it seems this tool was created by High-Humans which cooperated with the Foxes in Ancient past. High Humans had barely any Mana, and no unique Magic-Element, yet they were feared. They could freely manipulate the MP in their surroundings, even becoming one with it and moving through the elements like a fish in the water. Actually, their most dangerous trait was that they could even create a Domain for a period of Time where their Rule is absolute. Inside a High Humans Domain, once set up, he can kill any foe, as he rules all Mp in the Domain and with it all the elements. Magic is useless against them, no, it is even your worst enemy as they can easily control your own magic once activated. But that is also their greatest weakness. Once deprived of MP, or control over it, they become no more than Humans without Mana, making them easy to kill. Also, they live very long, mostly because the MP flows through them, keeping them from aging.

As i am lost in though about the amazing tool in my hands, i hear a loud Roar from beneath, recalling me back to reality.

I quickly pack up everything i had and then run outside. There stood a two meter high Dragon, covered in black scales, urging me to climb on his back. Doing as ordered, i jump and land close to his neck.

“Hold Tight, this is going to be a bumpy ride!“ (Uncle Black)

Just as i landed, Uncle Black sprouts these words from his giant head and starts running. The Entrance to this space crumbled before us, just like when i arrived. But this time, Uncle Black kept running without even closing the Space's Entrance. Looking back, i ask him about it, but he just answers in a low and angry tone:

“Leave it be, the Magic Circle above is an Ancient one, used in combat against Armies. This wall would be useless against it, we have to do whatever we can to escape from here, before we become roast meat! Actually, Even though the Mana infused in it is of rather low quality, nearly making me cry, but the sheer quantity is unreasonable.“ (Uncle Black)

Hearing Uncle Black crack a small joke, i calm myself visibly. Still, even i get goosebumps, as i can perfectly sense the quantity used in that Circle. Wrong, it wasn't one Circle, but thousands over thousands of Circles all weaved together, forming one giant one. It seems that this, according to Uncle Black, is called a Formation. But since it practically has the same functionality as One giant Magic-Circle of Ancient Times, Uncle Black wasn't wrong with his statement. Actually, if you don't focus, one wouldn't be able to tell that it was actually a Formation. But seeing the sheer amount of Magic circles placed there, how long had they been working on this? And how come we didn't notice before?

As I am lost in thought, Uncle Black kept running through the tunnels, making sharp turns from time to time. One moment he suddenly creates an ear-deafening Roar, waking me from my deep thoughts. It reverberated through all of the Tunnels, sending a message to all the other Strong, or weak, Monsters living deep within the cavern. As i am somehow able to understand what this message contained, i was rather astonished. It was a Warning to all Monsters about the Incoming attack, and how they should all evacuate.

Not long after, i could hear roars, coming from all around me. Some of them i understood, others i could only tell the intentions while others were... well, just roars to me. Uncle Black though seems to perfectly understand every one of them and shows a smile, even in this tense Situation. I Actually know why, it is because most of them acknowledged the Warning and made their way outside. Actually, Uncle Black taught me that most Intelligent Monsters, even if they are normally Hunter and Prey to each other, would acknowledge and help each other should a serious Situation such as this one arise.

When i looked behind us, what i saw were more and more Monsters following me and Uncle Black. There were all Kinds of Monster; Big and Small, Fast and Slow. Some of the smaller ones rode on the Bigger ones back, others were carrying their young in their Mouth. Actually, I even saw the Crimson-Wolf that attacked me the day after my awakening. It seems that it was a she and not a he. Anyway, somehow i could recognize her immediately. She also, was holding a small Wolf-Cup in her mouth, holding it by it's nape.

Uncle Black kept running, sometimes even using Air-Magic to destroy or redirect the falling Rocks. I also used my Air-Magic, trying to create something akin to an air tunnel, allowing us to run quicker. Surprised at the sudden disappearance of the Air-Resistance, Uncle Black looked at me, showed a smile and redirected his concentration in front of him.

Suddenly, due to me closely watching the Formation, i suddenly exclaim…

“Everyone, Heads Down. The Formation was Activated!!!“ (Arin)

Hearing my Shout that was loud enough to come from a Loud Speaker, most of the Monsters charged to a place with cover. It is true that their decision was correct, but it was also dangerous. Even though we were still at least 120 Meters beneath the Surface, due to the activation of the Formation, tremors were sent through the Ground. Normally, the Formation takes a long time to start up and burn everything here underground, but a formation this large will release the Mana it can’t control, leading to tremors underground.

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Most of the Monsters here started to gather around those with high defense or Earth-Compatibility. Even Uncle Black had a few smaller Monsters sitting beneath and next to him. As i am looking around, suddenly big Stones and some of those Lime like Stones, i think Uncle Black called them Stalactites, started to fall. Most of them were avoided or defended against. Some Monsters even used Earth Magic to destroy the stones. Anyway, after the first Tremor, most of the Monsters started to Move again, using the Stronger ones as cover. As if in a Formation, all Monster began running again. Uncle Black was still leading, and the Amount of Monsters following us exceeded already one hundred.

There was everything, Crimson-Wolfs, Dinosaur like lizards, Something that looked like a turtle that looked like it was swimming in the Earth, and many more…

As it was, we lost some Monsters already due to the Stone-Fall, but there were no major Casualties. As the Path we ran on got broader, so grew Uncle Black in Size. I didn’t know he could do so, it is amazing. Anyway, Uncle Black already reached the height of a two floored house but still kept on running. Suddenly a second Tremor was sent through the ground. As i warned everyone behind us through yelling, all Monsters started to gather around Uncle Black and the big turtles.

Just as the Stones began falling, i saw a lone Crimson-Wolf, trying it's best to keep up. It was already wounded on one of it’s hind legs and was still trying it’s best to carry the Pub in it’s mouth to a safe spot. Yes, it was the Crimson Wolf from the beginning of my Journey.

As i looked at her i saw something in her eyes, it wasn’t fear of the situation, but a will to keep going for her child. Carrying her child with her mouth, she kept running, dodging the incoming stones. She was bleeding profusely and was staggering, but her will never wavered.

I saw something i always wanted to feel for myself. In front of me was a Mother who wouldn’t abandon her Child, someone who would do everything for their loved one. I was moved, somehow, i wanted…

Looking at her struggling for her Life, i suddenly return to reality when i see a giant rock falling towards her. Seeing this i scream, trying to warn her, but she didn’t notice. The next thing i saw was the giant boulder crashing into her, pinning her hind legs into the ground, making her collapse on the floor. The pub from her Mouth rolled out and woke up due to the sudden Impact. The only thing still Heard was the scream of the Mother-wolf, letting out a cry, screaming in pain; her own, and for her Child.

Hearing the Scream, Many Monsters turn around, but none of them Move. She is too far away and none of them were willing to risk their own Life.

As i see this i was in a daze. She only wanted to protect… Who is the one who is needlessly killing everything down here? Who is the cause of this? Why is this happening? Why do they not deserve peace?

Having all of those questions run through my head, i slowly get up.

“WHY!?!?!“ (Arin)

Letting out a Roar that didn’t lose out to the one of Uncle Black, all Monsters suddenly looked at me with shocked expressions. But i don’t care, i start running into the direction of the Wolf lying there, even now trying to protect her child…

Why am i helping her? Couldn’t i also run away? Didn’t she attack me once? Why am i helping her? Is it because i also wanted a Mother like her…? A Mother who would do everything for their child, no matter the Price…?

No and Yes, the Answer was both. I was always without a mother, and seeing the child she try’s to defend, i want to let it enjoy the warmth i was never able to feel until recently. I want the Child to be able to keep the Warmth I could never have when I was smaller, and treasure it for his Life...

I was running, i need to get faster, even faster… As i am looking at the Mother i see another boulder getting loose above her… I Need To Be Even Faster!

I kept running, speeding up more and more, using my momentum to dodge the incoming stones and those that were standing in my way got kicked by me. The distance between me and the wolf was already less than a kilometer, but i had to be faster! Running, in my concentration, i didn’t notice that my Surroundings started to divert and recollect, as though trying to unlock something hidden within. The Surroundings started to shift more and more, making it look like a kaleidoscope. But even when i got faster, the Boulder above her became loose and started to fall. In my Desperation i yelled…

„NOOO!!!“ (Arin)

As though reacting to my scream, suddenly something cracked inside me. Ii sounded like breaking glass falling apart. In this moment, a sudden, new, power filled my body and i instinctively knew how to utilize it. As a bright silver Light surrounded my Body, i vanished from my spot and reappear right in front of the Wolf. I didn’t know what i did, but i moved on my own. Jumping, i use my Tails, covered in earth-elemental Mana, to crash into the Boulder. The Boulder vaporized under the attack of my tails.

Landing, i realize that I wasn’t standing on two legs, but four. My whole Body covered in Pure Silver Fur, decorated with Golden and Emerald colored Lines. My eyes where shining in a Bright Emerald green Color, and my ten Tails were large like never before, floating in the air behind me. I was in a Form of a giant Silver Fox, my Ears pecked up and my Mouth contained sharp canines. I looked at myself in shock, but the cry of the Wolf-Mother in front of me called me back to Reality.

Gathering my Strength, i use my Fore-Paws to disperse the Boulder laying on her Hind-Legs, while fending smaller ones off with my tails. I directed one of my Tails towards the Wolf-Pub, before enlarging myself to a size about half of Uncle Black’s. As one of my Tails kept holding on to the Wolf-Pub, i use four more to pick up the Mother and began to use healing magic on her legs. It didn’t take long for her to completely heal up, and afterwards, we both ran back to Uncle Blacks side. He was just looking at me with wide eyes, before letting out a sigh.

Unlike Uncle Black, The Mother-Wolf looked at me with relief and Thanks, but before voicing anything, we continued running as the Tremors stopped. Actually, without the Tails, the Wolf would still be larger than me, but she seems to understand that i was superior in strength and Power. Still, her child was still on my back, held by two tails in place while the other eight i used to defend against incoming rocks. All the Other Monster were looking at me in shock and awe, but because they quickly understood that there was no time to care, they also kept on running.

It wasn’t long until we reached a place where you could actually see the Sunlight above. We were about 60 meters underground and the walls surrounding us went strait up. As most of the creatures here couldn’t fly or climb Walls like that, Uncle Black suddenly yelled out in a very loud Voice:

„ROOAAAAR! (Come out, Kiilto!)“ (Uncle Black)

Suddenly, a black shadow emerged from the ground. It was a Dragon which had a metal-silver luster as well as thick scales and no wings. It had about the same Size as Uncle Black, but was by far less Imposing. Raising his big head, the silver Dragon spoke out:

„Aaron, I'm here. I think i know what you want; a Tunnel to the surface, am i correct?“ (Kiilto)

Without losing time on pointless chatter, Uncle Black talks to the silver Dragon called Kiilto about the Situation. If i remember right, Kiilto should be a Dragon specialized in Earth and Metal-Attribute. Anyway, after coming to an agreement, Kiilto turned around and started walking into a newly appearing tunnel with a slight slope. I give back the Wolf-Pub to it’s Mother before returning into my Demi-Fox form and jumping onto Uncle Black’s Back. Sitting there, while all the other monsters follow Kiilto, i realize that the Crimson-Wolf- Mother was looking at me with thankfulness before turning around, walking along with the other monsters. Meanwhile, Uncle Black spreads his Wings and takes off. Rapidly rising, we close in on the Surface. Using Wind-Magic, he keeps the wind-pressure from hitting me, still, as we get closer to the exit, the brighter the natural Light became.

Suddenly, another Mana-Tremor was initiated from the Formation, sending it through the ground. I could only Hope that the others are safe. Flying high, Uncle black, with me on his back, fly’s through the crevice and into the sky. Fresh Air assaults me while the soft wind blows through my hair and the sun rays blind my sight...