We wake early from our night of sleep, rested and still rather full from our previous day of feasting. I take a moment to stretch out my body and muscles. Following the stretches, I work through some sword forms using two-bone swords. Gene for the most part ignores my exercising as she shifts into a hawk and flies away to do some scouting.
Having worked up a good sweat, I walk towards the ocean and slowly enter the waters. Swimming is reliably refreshing and I’m more awake now than I was while exercising. Since Gene is gone, I spend extra time soaking in the water. Justifiably, I’m making up for all the time spent in the desert. Gentle crashing waves rock my body back and forth. Completely relaxed, I watch the sunrise over the distant trees.
Completely content with the relaxing motions of the ocean, I let myself meditate. Yesterday, I was in a hurry to leave the wreckage I had caused, and hunger was pressing on my thoughts. Even if I wanted to attune my mind to my pure core, I was too exhausted to do so. Now after some rest, food, and water lounging, I can think of nothing better to do.
According to Nette, the first step isn’t complicated. In fact, the hardest part is going to be the patience needed to wait for the energy and mind to blend. Sticking to the given instructions, I direct the pure energy through my body and into my mind. The energy responds to my exact commands. There isn’t even a struggle when I compact the energy allowing it to fit. Now all I do is endure the headache for however long it takes for the energy to attune.
Nette took years for her mind to develop. However, our circumstances are completely different. She was a low-ranked beast not even on a path of cultivation, she didn’t have a foundation. Her pure energy was nowhere near the amount of mine, which might be a setback in my case. Above all, she hadn’t yet reached the awakened stage. On the other hand, she did have all the resources her master gave her.
I hope that this takes no more than a couple weeks, heck I’d even be satisfied with a month. Months from now will be of no help to the spiders.
Allocating my major focus to attuning pure energy to my mind, and my passive focus to keep me afloat in the waters leaves me with my split focus to stay aware of any suspicious circumstances. For a moment I almost have it think of my next plans, then I think better and decide not to do that.
Roughly an hour later I’m swimming for the shore when I notice the faintest change in the pure energy. It was almost like there is a click in my mind, maybe just a shift in the energy. Whatever it is, I can now sense that pure energy is no longer pure. What once was pure white, is now more ivory tinted.
I cycle the newly morphed energy getting a feel for it. Even more responsive than pure energy, mind energy reacts almost before I think.
Obtaining the new energy so quickly is quite unexpected. I thought for sure the process was going to drag. Not that I’m complaining. This makes it much easier. Now I can focus on using this power.
However, diving into that training will have to wait. Greeting me as I exit out of the ocean is Gene. She has a tight dress made up of shadow that nearly touches the sandy beach. Her long dark hair lightly blows in the wind, and she has a pleasant smile. I imagine having the ability to now fly has something to do with it.
“Good morning, Liam!” Her tone is lighter than usual, matching her cheery demeanor.
Stolen story; please report.
“Good morning, Gene. How was the morning flight?”
“It was fantastic. It took me a moment to get used to the body and flying but once I did, it was amazing.” The excitement exudes from her. I am for sure picking up a flying ability. “I didn’t go far. Mostly, I wanted to scout out this fortress and anything nearby. There are other horde members nearby, but they seem to be avoiding this area. They shouldn’t be a problem for the time being.
“Amongst the ruined fortress, I did find this interesting gem.” Gene uses her control over shadow to present the diamond-shaped gem. Sparkling under the sunlight, the dark red gem radiates vast amounts of energy. I grab the gem out of the grasp of shadow, noticing instantly its heftiness. Not confident in my one-handed grip, I use both hands to inspect the gem. It is absolute perfection. No flaws or blemishes can be found on the red gem.
“Yes!” I respond with little thought. “I’ll do it.”
Gene looks at me perplexed. “Liam what are you talking about? Is the gem speaking to you?”
“Oh, you weren’t proposing something…?” My voice takes an uncomfortable pitch as it trails off and the reality of my words starts to sink in.
“Proposing what?” She doubles down on her confused disposition.
“Um…” I stall for time. Well, shoot. What was I thinking… Of course, Genevieve isn’t asking me to marry her. We are already bound together through our warlock bond and probably the talisman bond. Anything else is overkill. Also, I’m not even attracted to her. Sure, she pulls off the stunning mature wolf lady image but is that even my type? Do I even have a type?
“...I definitely thought you offered advice on what to do with the gem.” Solid recovery.
“Liam, did you think I was proposing another union between us?”
“Certainly not Gene,” I add her name to my denial and give it some emphasis, hoping that will strengthen my case.
“Good, I would think two bonds is already enough. Besides, marriage between us would never work out.”
“Definitely wasn’t thinking about marriage… why wouldn’t it work out?”
“You're a handsome lad, but you aren’t my type. Also, I don’t think I am interested in the master-servant romance scene. You can’t honestly expect me to think I am your type either. We don’t even know each other.”
“Hold up, I never said I thought you were asking to marry me.”
Gene’s grin gives way to laughter. “To think your love can be bought with an oversized gem.” She struggles to get the words out as the laughter forces its way out. “Maybe keep that rock hidden so you don’t end up marrying any bear that happens to stumble upon your gem and try to return it.”
I deny as much as I can but the lycan read right through my bluffs. What was I thinking? I mean it is a pretty gem, and I was caught off guard by its beauty. Can I really be faulted for getting lost in the moment? Definitely not.
Besides, this whole setting is perfect for this type of ordeal. The sun has just risen, our fire is lightly burning, the ocean waves are gently crashing upon the shore, and we are standing on a scenic beach complete with accompanying palm trees. So what if I allowed myself to be a romantic for a small moment. If my memory serves me right, it isn’t often a guy like me, is given such a beautiful gem with the setting to match. Besides it isn’t like my yes was a final yes anyways. Everyone knows the first yes is only tentative.
“When we establish our home,” Gene says finally recovering from her fit of laughter. Her words simultaneously break me out of my thoughts about the romantic beach settings and change the subject. “We can find a use for the gem. If I am not mistaken, the horde was going to use this gem to open a portal. Perhaps we can do the same.”
I’m hit with a small amount of dread which overshadows the marriage dread I’m barely getting over. We’re on course for a planning session. My old instincts recoil and my split focus begin plotting ways to avoid planning, however, my split mind is more romantic than my main focus and it won’t stop planning wedding details. Betrayed by my own thoughts.