---POV: Aaron Geyser---
Several minutes after Sumi started to inject mana, Arin's condition starts stabilizing, with his breath and heartbeat evening out again.
Seeing this, both me and Illois let out a large relieving sigh, letting the tension in the room evaporate. I would actually like to sit down now, yet the only seat within the room has been reserved for Sumi, as she keeps panting, probably because her mind went overdrive due to the pressure and precision required to inject ones own mana into someone else' body.
Her appearance right now isn't the best, though after we tell her that Arin is out of danger, she shows a magnificent smile, lighting up the mood in the whole room. After all, she did her best, so while I pick up Arin and bring him towards a more comfortable bed, Alice holds Sumi and assists her in walking.
Meanwhile, I put Arin onto the bed within one of the side-rooms. It is a rather comfortable bed, yet the frame is made of metal, giving it a cold appearance. I wonder thou, was it usual to have such beds before the collapse?
Anyway, even then, seeing the boy cradle himself into a small bundle while surrounding himself with his tails, a faint smile emerges on my lips, before I take the blanket and softly tuck him in.
The moment I do so, I can see a small smile form on his face, yet something intrigues me. Beneath his eyes, tear-marks can be seen, pointing at the pressure he must have felt while he was in danger.
Somehow I want to blame myself for being unable to help, even only able to look at him slowly dying away. So, gripping my hand into a fist, I once more promise to myself to protect him.
Yet in that short moment, while still sitting next to Arin on his bed, I can see him clinging to me, with both his small hands holding onto my arm which is closest to him, showing a relieved yet concerned smile.
He must have gone through a lot, so while slowly taking off his hands he holds me with, I retract my arm before wiping away his tear marks, hoping for him to gain comfort from it. Though, the moment I remove my hand, a short frown can be seen on his face, while his arms and tails try to look for something. Maybe it appears stupid to many, still, as the concerned party he seeks, I feel happy to know that he feels safe with me around, even though I am big and scary sometimes.
So while lightly petting him on the head, his movements cease and he slowly relaxes, allowing me to put the blanket back onto him once more which he threw off just before.
To my surprise, just as I want to turn around and make my way outside, Alice together with Sumi enter the room, with Sumi still appearing tired and befuddled.
I want to thank her right now, however, I don't believe she would recognize or even register me on this point, so I only move aside for them to pass without problems.
And so, while Alice prepares the other bed, Sumi barely keeps her eyes open, nearly falling over at one point. Luckily, I could react on time, and so we put Sumi to rest on the freshly prepared bed. She also at first moves around, probably because she instinctively understands that the surroundings are foreign, yet due to her tiredness, she easily gives in and completely falls asleep, with her breathing being the only remaining movement.
And so, after confirming both their well-being, I lead Alice outside, shutting off the lights and closing the door, letting them rest. Well, I did make a small recording of Arin using a memory-stone before we left, though Alice doesn't need to know.
That aside, the moment we left the room, we are greeted by the curious faces of Illois and Anna, who are asking about Arin's and Sumi's well-being.
And after informing them that they are alright, they let out a relieved sigh and we all make ourselves comfortable again around the table.
Yet due to the other two still missing, Illois refuses to continue his story, so instead he picks up a game of quass. It is actually chess, although with four boards connected and four people playing against each other at the same time.
And so, with our small game, we pass our time while trying to checkmate each others kings... though I wonder, should I be mean right now... Illois queen right now is undefended in the open...
NO! why haven't I seen the tower over there, Nooo!
And so, with a bit of sadness due to losing my own queen right after killing Illois', we all continue fighting each other, with me and Illois in the lead. Seriously, the small ones lack experience... yet I won't complain... so for now, let this Uncle teach you a lesson, hehehe...
…
---POV-Change: Arin---
Feeling something tugging on my consciousness, I slowly open my eyes, only to wake up within another void...
Though the void is different, I feel fear towards it, causing me want to retreat. Luckily, just as I fall into panic once more, I see Luna appear in my filed of vision, flying towards me before curling around me and holding me in between her claws.
“It has been a while, Arin.” (Luna)
Smiling, her massive head is right in front of me... though a long time? It wasn't even three days... confused at what she meant by 'a while', she answers immediately.
“It has been 'a while' since the last time you spoke to me within the mind void... though you are right when you say that speaking outside is more comfortable.” (Luna)
Smiling once more, Luna tightens her grip on me, before letting loose, flying around me as I keep floating within the void.
“Where am I?” (Arin)
Asking that, Luna only points down, where once more, I could see the speck of power I couldn't absorb. By now, I could perfectly see what this 'something' is and its details. The object appears like a massive green bead with golden carvings in it, glowing in a greenish golden color like a specially carved emerald.
The carvings intertwine from time to time, yet otherwise there is something else. Around the greenish bead, a golden orb circulates around it, lighting up the surroundings while staying in a stable orbit. I don't know its purpose, still, seeing as it resonates with the golden carvings in the green bead, I believe that there has to be a connection.
Even then, I can't tell what the object is, and I can't connect the dots, though before I could even ask, Luna begins speaking once more.
“I don't know why, yet after we made a contract, I felt as part of my power was taken and reformed by your mana, afterwards it was then turned into this golden orb like object, swirling around the green bead.
Honestly, I don't know what it is, though I can tell that it alone already far outclasses your Uncle by the hundreds. On the other hand, about the green bead, I don't know what it is either, as I can't even feel it's aura.” (Luna)
Saying so, I have to admit that I feel strength from it, though I still don't understand the place we are at. As I start feeling around, I understand. It appears that at the moment, I am within the deepest part of my mana-pool, allowing me to connect with whatever is down here.
“Did you bring me down here to see this?” (Arin)
Asking this question to Luna, who still floats around me, she only shakes her head and denies my question.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
“No, it was the greenish bead calling out to you, I don't know what it wants, it appears to be a part of you, so maybe you should listen.” (Luna)
I am slightly confused, though I have to admit that I feel abnormally close to the greenish bead, as the moment I saw it, I felt attracted to it, like it is a part of me. Well, it kind of feels like when you sit on an arm and it falls asleep, the moment it awakens, you feel like you regained a part of you?
I don't know how to describe it, yet the moment I tried getting close, I feel the intend of the bead...
“The origin... Origin seed... strength variants... balance and chaos... hidden strength... the psi-heart...” (Arin)
Not even realizing that I started babbling nonsense, I fall into meditation, scanning through my body to seek where the green bead, no, the Origin seed is guiding me...
After moments of searching, I finally find what I am looking for. In front of me, an orb the same size as the golden one from before appears, yet instead of a golden glow, it is black and covered with countless colors, while a deep purple aura emits from it.
I recognize the power, it is the same that caged me in back there, so as I feel fear clogging up my throat, Luna appears and holds me within her claws.
“You are safe, I am here with you... on the other hand, for whatever reason, the orb seems to have changed...” (Luna)
Pointing this out, I realize the change... back in the mental prison, the aura was reddish black with a hint of purple, yet the aura Sumi has is completely black with colored spots, or when combined, deep purple...
This orb..., is it purified? Though I can't wrap my thoughts around the whole situation, I feel as the black orb calls out to me, emitting a friendly pulse. I don't know what is meant by that, as I can't feel hostility anymore, although I want to be more safe than sorry...
Asking Luna to hold one of my hands, I slowly get closer to the orb with the other, before touching the orbs cold surface. It feels chaotic, yet weirdly charming... kind of like seeing puppy's play around making a mess, yet emitting a calm and refreshing aura. I realize then that this is pure chaos embodied in a natural manner...
Feeling this, I can also confirm that it means me no harm, and somehow it integrated itself into my own body...
While still contemplating what to do, I feel movement coming from it, the green bead is calling out to the black orb... I don't know what the orb has to do with the bead, but wanting to try it out, I concentrate on the chaos orb and try to move it, using the mana-veins within my body to channel it through.
To mine and Luna's surprise, the orb didn't resist, and after a few tries, I managed to forge it into a certain part of my mana and send it on it's way towards the mana-pool. Once there, I open my eyes as the chaos orb enters the range of the green bead, appearing like a lost child who finally found its father and brother.
Emitting a strong pulse, it closes in on the green bead at an unnatural speed, before entering an orbit around it just like the golden orb, letting itself be carried along.
And it is then that the green bead in the middle, the origin seed, starts to emit lights stronger than before, while synchronizing them with the golden and chaotic orbs around it. On it surface, one could see countless runes appearing, forming themselves around one another, while clean lines are etched into the surface of the seed. The spectacle takes my breath away, just as much as Luna's, and it is then that a third light shows up that I couldn't understand.
I know that it comes from my mind-region, close to the brain, yet I don't know why... was it hidden by the chaos orb? While asking such questions to myself, I feel like a bluish, greenish energy enters the area, before forming another orb, azure in color, as it enters the orbit of the seed.
I don't know what power it represents, it's aura isn't loosing out to the other two, yet it is completely different from them...
While still confused at to what is actually happening around me, the third orb is also integrated into the light, before further lines are etched into the seed, causing it glow even more vibrant.
For whatever reason, the color of my mana seems to change as well, as the previous silver mana becomes stronger, emitting faint streaks of gold, purple and azure within. Is is then that I once more feel a piercing pain within my whole body, causing my limbs to grow weak and my thoughts to break down.
Yet I don't feel threatened at all, as I know that I am safe, and not in danger from whatever is happening. Though, due to the pain, I feel as my face scrunches up, and Luna surrounds me before letting me rest atop her huge body. Curled around me, I then feel a strong warmth flow through me, making me feel absolute bliss within that moment.
And so, cocooned within the warmth, I fall asleep, letting my mind and body rest...
---POV: 3rd person---
In the moment that Arin fell asleep due to the warmth penetrating every fiber of his being, changes occurred in various places around the globe. Within the grand castle owned by the demon-queen, the ancient Dragon Phosphor opened his eyes, feeling an ancient power rise once more, while in the fairy forest, the last hidden phoenix let out a cry, calling out to the power it hadn't felt in eons.
Meanwhile, countless strong monsters around the world reacted, bowing towards the energy coming from a certain young individual hidden deep within the dragon-mountains.
Even so, the power wasn't fully awakened yet, but it was initiated, and the seed gathered enough strength to sprout any moment. Still, due to the great power it already accumulated, the body was still too weak to support its strength, so it strengthened the body by sending the different powers it has to forge them into every cell, making the body practically evolve slowly on its own.
Meanwhile, a certain young, green haired man who helped out as a guide to a certain royal family, felt a stinging pain rush through him, telling him that his master is in danger. However, he realized that teleporting there is impossible, yet it didn't end there. Only after several moments, which felt like an eternity, the pain ceased, with the connection remaining stable. This allowed him to calm down, as it means that his master is safe.
Though the moment he tries to relax at a nearby cafe, and the rest of the group continued forward, he suddenly spills the tea he is drinking, collapsing on the ground while convulsing heavily. Some nearby dragons try to help him, but the moment they come closer, a strong sense of danger appears within their minds, making them back off.
Luckily, the young man relaxed after several minutes, a strong aura of colors emitting from his body, making some of the dragons wide eyed while contemplating if they should kneel or just remain seated.
Nevertheless, the young man, Cyan, didn't mind and slowly stood up, understanding that something happened to the master causing him to become stronger. Yet as he retracts his aura, he takes a seat, ashamed of the spectacle he caused. He wanted to hide in a hole, which to everyone's surprise opened right beneath him, swallowing both him and the chair he was on. It happened because he didn't retract his mana yet, causing it to manipulate the earth beneath him based on his wish.
And so, while still in shock, the young turtle-dragon tried his best to fix his mistake, filling the hole while also asking for forgiveness from the owner of the cafe, before leaving quickly, escaping towards the mansion owned by his masters Uncle.
Meanwhile, close to the location of the newly awakened...
---POV: Aaron Geyser---
As our game continues, with Anna already being out, suddenly both me and Illois react to a certain pressure that could be felt nearby. The pressure is strong, yet unstable, meaning that it isn't fully awakened, or at least not sufficiently executed.
With our initial shock passing, both me and Illois jump up, running towards the door connecting to the sleeping-chamber of Arin and Sumi where the pressure originates.
The two other girls don't seem to have noticed anything, still, seeing our behavior, they also run after us, trying to catch up.
After slamming open the door, I take a look around the room. To my surprise, nothing appears to be out of order, aside from Arin having released all ten tails while slightly glowing in a strong silver color, as his tails all show a different color on the tip. It doesn't take long after that the light dies down and the tails revert to their normal pure silver appearance, as he remains laying there, with his eyes closed and a soft breathing, indicating that he is still asleep.
Next to him on the other bed, I can see Sumi, also surrounded by light, while hers is more like pure darkness that has been invaded by a golden beam like a fire. She doesn't seem to be in pain, however, her expression tells one that something is going on.
Meanwhile, getting out of my stupor, I run towards Arin, checking if there are any injuries, which luckily isn't the case. Even the terrifying aura from before vanished, and his body returned to its normal state, aside from the weird power I am feeling. On the other hand, Illois runs to Sumi's bed side, confirming that she is alright. Though, to mine and Illois shock, she has three tails now, indicating that she broke through her potential and evolved as well, probably from the fact that she was so close to Arin when... whatever he did, happen.
Well, both kids are troublemakers in their own right as one would need to keep constant watch over them, although in the end one cannot be angry about that. The two at least remain humble and sincere, hopefully it stays like that.
“Ten tails?” (Anna)
The soft voice of one of the girls behind us suddenly exclaimed, as Anna kept staring at Arin's tails as they build a soft cocoon around him, letting his small body be completely covered aside from his head. Honestly, even I would like to try that...
Well anyway, the moment I try to explain the girls what it means for a fox to have ten tails, Anna only jumps in joy, jumping on top of the tails still surrounding Arin, causing him to wake up due to the sudden pressure on his body.
In shock, he accidentally lashes out with his tails, causing Anna to fly through the room, nearly crashing into the wall. Luckily, I reacted quick enough, and using my tail, I caught her mid-air before lowering her back down on the ground.
I am honestly intrigued by the whole situation, as I never heard of the phenomenon that Arin went through, yet seeing him awake, even if with a slightly confused expression, I believe everything is fine. Meanwhile, I admonish Anna for her rash actions, yet her answer is only that she couldn't resist seeing the fluffy tails twirl around. Though after realizing that she nearly ended up within one of the rooms metal walls, she reflected on her actions and remained standing next to me.
And so, after both Arin and Sumi were fully awake, me and the others guided them back into the room, serving them some tea to drink. Honestly, I only want all this to end, too much happened today. Though after speaking with Illois, he agreed to temporarily move to our mansion, so that he can teach the kids without having to teleport between the places all the time.
On that note, everyone gathered their stuff and we flew back to the mansion, as the sun already started to vanish behind the mountains, only leaving us with a tiny bit of light.
Yet even then, after we returned and everyone went to bed, me and Illois agreed to fit some history lessons into their normal training time, or maybe just tell them as a story in the evening after dinner. Our plans aren't solid yet, so let's just keep watching over their growth.
Yet in the end, many may admonish me for training the kid so much when he is still so young, still, unlike us, his power grows beyond his control too fast, we need to teach him how to wield it properly, before it goes out of hand...
Hopefully, Arin can keep having fun, without having his power interfere too much in his daily life. Also, did I mention that Sumi was slightly shocked seeing that Arin had ten tails? Though she did calm down rather quickly, saying that she saw him like that back in one of her dreams, which actually makes me a tad curious...
Though Arin still asked for forgiveness for not telling her, she didn't mind, even hugging him out of nowhere. Everyone was shocked, with Sumi being surprised the most. Her red face when she realized what she did was actually cute, though her now three tails still kept trashing around in joy... how honest.
And so, with a lot of laughter and tears, another long day came to an end.