BONDS

Waking from his slumber, Michael turned away from his drool covered blankets to peer out of the tent. Michael wondered where he was, then remembered and continued to stare at the morning light that poke through the walls. He was in a forest, looking for a legendary plant. They had stopped for the night, eaten some broth, then went to sleep. Then… then he promised something…

Bolting out his bedroll and onto his feet, Michael ran out of the tent and pointed an accusatory finger at the ever watchful figure of Valerie, still high up in the tree.

“Valerie! You didn’t wake me up for my watch! Why didn’t you wake me up?”

Bouncing on the spot, Michael kept his glare on the person responsible for his entire family’s home security. Valerie jumped off her perch in the tall tree and landed on the ground before him. Her long wavy hair was still clean and she looked radiant in her tight combat clothing, but of course, Michael didn’t notice such things. She kept her features smoothed as she spoke to her charge.

“What do you mean?”

“I asked you to wake me so that I could go on night watch as well.”

Tone growing sullen, Michael sagged a bit in depression. His first adventure and he wanted to experience it all, even the boring night watch. Not even Valerie could keep her stoney expression in front of Michael’s cuteness. She almost laughed too! However, that soon vanished as Valerie fixed her expression back to a neutral mood and made sure her tone was even.

“I made a mistake at the time and didn’t think it wise to wake you for a quarter night watch. Since I went through most of the night anyways, I thought I might as well go through it all. I’m still sorry though. Will you accept my apology?”

Faced with an adult admitting her faults and apologizing, Michael was hit with the reality of how childish he had been. Head spinning from the situation, Michael stammered his response, peeved and angry at his own behaviour.

“I-I accept your apology. A-and I’m sorry for my own behaviour. Thank you for keeping watch over me during the night Valerie.”

Michael gave a low bow after his spiel and rose to peer at her reaction. For the first time ever, he saw her very pretty smile that was a response to his own apology and couldn’t help but smile back. The two both felt they had gotten a little closer and decided it was best to end the apologies there. After a short meal of last night’s leftovers, Valerie stood up and told Michael her plans.

“I’ll continue my guarding from the shadows then. Michael, if you need me, please just call.”

Nodding in response, Michael watched Valerie as she walked into the forest and disappeared. Michael sighed and started packing up the camp. He took down the tent and carefully folded it so that it would fit inside his pack for later. The leftovers were taken to the side to be disposed of, animals being the best cleaners of waste. The pot was taken to the side and cleaned before being put away last, and then the fire needs to be doused and buried. At least… Michael was sure he was supposed to bury it? He was pretty sure... Doing that anyways, Michael frowned as he took in the high sun and worried over the waste of time.

Traversing the forest was much easier today than it was before. There was a lack of dead trees and roots, and Michael found himself walking between trees without anything to hinder him. He also noted that the trees were thickening and becoming taller, the air growing cooler as the sun became blocked more often. This didn’t mean that it grew darker though; the forest took on a more surreal outlook as everything seemed to become clearer for Michael. Every breath he took seemed to energize him and Michael couldn’t help but walk with a sense of amazement.

Michael continued his trek and wondered where he was moving towards. Despite not knowing where he was supposed to go, Michael felt a slight pull towards… somewhere. When he tried to change directions, he found himself trying to argue against it and continued to get pulled in. If Michael was any more aware of himself, he may have questioned this. Instead, Michael was led closer and closer to the center of the forest…

A shadow dashed from treetop to treetop, circling an area a few times before moving outward. Valerie didn’t expect any real danger at the moment, but she couldn’t get the howls out of her head. She didn’t know what the battle was for, but she still doubted it had anything to do with her and Michael. Still…

Going back to Michael, Valerie frowned down at his movements and expression. He seemed to be moving towards a specific destination, but Valerie hadn’t seen him take out a map or anything of the like. His weird smile also seemed very out of place and Valerie was worried for him. He didn’t appear ill though, so she circled him once before moving outward again.

If Michael continued in one direction, then she should scout it first. Doubling the distance she usually went, Valerie made note of several small animals like rabbits, squirrels, and foxes. Seeing nothing much out of the ordinary, Valerie was more than a little surprised when she burst out of the trees and onto… mouth gaping, Valerie’s eyes widened as she took in the abnormal sight.

Michael’s trancelike movements disappeared when a bark was shouted in his direction. With a clearing mind, Michael found himself looking at a large fox. With its bright red coat, it stood at half Michael’s height and was quite menacing as it barked once more in warning.

About to back away, Michael admonished himself and drew his sword. The slow movement didn’t cause any discernible worry in the posture of the fox which meant it wasn’t used to humans. Michael took out a few throwing knives as well and readied them. When the fox barked a third time, Michael threw a knife straight at its chest body, hoping to end this before it got ugly. Its reflexes were quicker than he expected though, and it dashed to the side, this time angry and ready to attack. Its bark turns sharp and menacing, causing Michael to almost back away in fear.

The fox charged Michael while moving with speedy, unhesitant steps; its movements clean and deadly. Michael scrambled as he brought up his sword and waved it at the fox, hoping to hit. Michael’s panicked swing was too early and left his front open to attack. The fox took the opportunity and pounced, jaws open to attack. Shocked at the speed, Michael tried to scramble away to get more time but he knew he was too late. If only he could…

The world suddenly slowed and Michael was shocked at the change for a few moments. The fox was in mid-air and coming towards him and Michael could make out the most mundane details. It had blood still stuck on its teeth, a leftover stem from some berries stuck between a few. One ear was slightly longer than the other and was drooping a bit to the left.

Ignoring the continuous stream of useless information, Michael brought up his right arm, pointing the edge of his blade at where he saw the fox would be. Since it was still coming in, Michael saw that he did not have the time to wait for his slow arm to get in position, so he propelled himself backwards, trying to increase the distance enough that he could complete his swing.

It was a success. When he propelled backwards, Michael and the fox kept the distance between one another from decreasing fast. This gave Michael enough room and time to swing his blade once more, this time catching the side of the fox’s head. The sharp edge of the weapon cleaved straight through and severed the top half of its head. With a groan, Michael landed on his back with the fox on top of him.

Pushing the animal off him, Michael looked at the corpse with a pale face. The space where its head occupied was instead replaced with a dribbling fountain of blood. The amount caused Michael to pale further and then the scent of it assaulted him. Turning to the side, Michael emptied his stomach of his breakfast. Scrambling back from the animal and his mess, Michael lay down on his back and tried to calm himself better.

The fast pace of the fight, the amount of blood. The gore of the head. All of it was too much for Michael to take in. Michael didn’t blame his age though. Instead, Michael started to resent his reactions. How was he to go on with life, if he got sick and nauseous from everything. Picking himself up, Michael stared at the corpse and got an idea. Taking out his dagger, he approached the body, steeling himself for what he was about to do.

Heading back after her find, Valerie was shocked to find Michael skinning the body of a fox. Chastising herself for being away for so long, Valerie checked Michael over and saw that he was uninjured. Just the copious amount of blood seemed to be the worst thing about him.

His movements quick, Michael managed to cut a small, uneven slit down the body of the fox. Since it was a light cut, the internal organs were not damaged either. He continued cutting slits in various areas of the animal and then cut away the front paws. Pulling off fur took a great deal of strength, but Michael’s various cuts made the work a little easier.

After putting the fur in a separate bag, Michael left the carcass in the open for the other animals to have. Cleaning himself up, Michael faced back where he was headed and restarted the journey; Valerie stayed hidden behind him.

Walking for the next hour helped Michael calm his jumbled up nerves. He kept trying to rub off the non-existent blood from his hands and was quite pale. Michael also made sure not to look at his blood cakes clothing, instead focusing his senses on the tugging from earlier. This time he didn’t go into a trance and soon enough he entered the center of the forest.

What he found astounded him. Many trees of various sizes could be seen scattered across a broad plain surrounded by several small lakes. To the south was a large ‘garden’ - Michael could make out the different characteristics of plants that showed him it was filled with fruits and vegetables. In the center of the plain was a city, with buildings and homes grown directly out of the trees and earth. If Michael hadn’t already seen the furniture in his mother’s office, he would have wondered what they were made from since each entire house seemed to be from only one material. Oak, Maple, Birch, Pine, Spruce, Fir. Many different trees could be seen and each of them lent a different colour tone and style to the house that was made from it.

The shape of the homes were odd too. None held a similar shape to any other. Instead the homes were small and sometimes curved in shape, with ridges built right into the walls to allow a person to climb to the roof without the need of a ladder. Rooms could be seen as the houses had the outlines of each room, and those could be seen at a distance. There were no glass windows, but there didn’t seem to be a need since the plain was rather isolated and protected.

Other buildings were larger and seemed to be made from several trees. The limbs and roots of the buildings were intertwined in an intricate fashion that allowed sunlight to enter but allowed privacy from the outside. Entrances weren’t just in one place; they were in several, and Michael could also see ridges on their walls.

In the center of this odd city was the largest tree Michael could have imagined. The base was as wide as Michael’s own home, and it reached a height far beyond the rest of the trees. This tree was the reason Michael knew he had reached the center of the forest;, something no one had ever actually gone and done. Instead there are only stories and rumours of such an event. Yet anyone that looked at the forest could see the giant tree in the center of the forest.

It is this center that Michael makes his way towards.

What is this place…

Come Brother Blood. Let us finish this. Only then can I die in peace.

Don’t say that. We made it this far without any attack, so we must have killed them all before. All we need to do is complete our task, and then we can make it back to our territory. We still have a long life ahead of us.

Ha ha… this seems to be the first time you try to cheer me up. Alright, I’ll listen to you then. We will do what we came to do, then leave. No dying.

Of course Brother. No dying.

Walking towards the large tree, Michael was amazed to find a set of doors that were created out of the tree. Detailed and quite artistic, the doors were dressed in vines that wove in intricate patterns that caught the eye and held it. Sunlight flowed out of the tree and seemed to be the main source of light in the city. As the only entrance he could see, Michael stepped towards it.

Looking through a gap in the tree, Michael saw that the insides were hollowed out. Was this a building too? Going up the doors, Michael pushed one of the doors. Since the door was part of the tree, Michael’s touch was all that was needed before the double doors opened inwards. Light bathed over Michael as he entered and once again, he staggered in surprise at what he saw inside.

In the center of the room rose a large cylindrical glass tube. Running all the way to the top of the massive tree, the pillar was the source of the excessive light and Michael became entranced by it. Walking forward, Michael made it halfway to the center before a high growl cut through the silence.

Walking out from behind the glass pillar was a young wolf. Only a little bit bigger than the fox from earlier, the wolf was crouched and ready to pounce, its posture screaming aggression. Putting his right hand on his sword handle, Michael also got into a defensive stance. He took mental note of the wolf’s size and this time he tried to keep his cool. He didn’t want a failure like before.

“What are you doing here?”

Shocked, Michael stared as the wolf spoke, its maw open and tongue moving at the words. Its voice was deep and guttural and the words themselves were quite hard to decipher, but Michael knew it had spoken. Michael took his hand off the sword handle and this time raised both hands in a calming gesture.

“Please, you have nothing to worry about. I am just here to look for a plant and then leave. I did not wish to intrude on your space.”

“Yet here you are, in the most sanctioned of places. Leave. Now.”

Stopping its growling, the wolf rose from its aggressive posture. With a sharp sniff in his direction, the wolf started to turn and leave, its demeanor showing it got bored with his presence. A little more than angry, Michael continued his cordial tone.

“Where is everyone else? For a city this large to have only one young inhabitant? What happened to everyone else.”

“They went to deal with a few invaders last night. They should be back soon, so you best leave if you don’t want them to see you.”

“Arooooo”

A howl cut Michael’s next question and both him and the wolf turned to the entrance Michael had entered from. There they saw two large wolves, both of them were four times bigger than the young wolf. Seeing Michael and the young wolf, the two strangers eyed the young wolf. Backing away from the interaction, Michael moved to the left of the room and took notice of the rest of the stranger’s body.

They were both quite injured. One was dragging a bloody front limb behind it, the lack of movement from it saying that the bones were quite broken. The other’s body looked better, but its head seemed like a mess. Blood was leaking from the snout and ears, and Michael saw that an eye had grown red as blood leaked into it. Whatever happened before, these two were in the middle of it. Suddenly, the two growled in fury and bunched up their muscles to rush forward. Not allies!

Young one, leave now and we will spare you. Too much blood has been spilled; letting you live seems like the best of mercies.

Where is my pack? What happened to the rest of my people?

Gone. Annihilated. Demolished. The exact same ending as our pack. Brother Fang, let us just go and finish the task.

NO!

She is just a young one, Brother. I would rather not kill her if needed. I haven’t gone far enough yet. Young one, leave now and we will finish our task.

What task? Why should I leave?

The source of our troubles must be destroyed. That plant behind you must be destroyed so that our Brother and pack can rest.

I will not, as the last remaining member of my pack, I shall defend it to the end.

Stubborn pup. GO NOW!

LET US ATTACK, BROTHER. Finish this off quick, so we can go.

Out of the corner of his eye, Fang saw the human boy from before move forward and touch the weapon on its hip. Reminding him of Gerald, Fang had planned to let him go, but if he wished to fight…

Surprise flickered in everyone’s eyes when a shadow dropped down in front of Fang and attacked.

“Michael! Run away now! The other wolf is extremely disoriented and you can slip past if you try. But be careful!”

Obeying her orders, Michael started heading to the side of the room in order to go around the wolf, when he saw the pup charge the larger wolf. As he witnessed the pup attack while he was running, Michael went through an inner turmoil once more. People were fighting and he was about to run. Why did he always take the easy route? Why couldn’t he charge in like the wolf had before? Steeling his own shaky resolve, Michael also turned towards the wolf.

“Fool! The one time you should listen and you don’t! Its injury is mainly situated in the head. Take advantage of that!”

At first, Michael was nervous at going against the beast. Large and menacing, the blood that was pouring from its wounds did little to lower its ferocity and size. Giving a low growl at the two smaller beings, the wolf seemed to be paying more attention to its partner. Turning its eyes a few times in the direction of Valerie’s fight, the beast slowly stalked towards them, eyes blazing with a heat that fit its monstrous image.

Charging first, the young pup snipped at the heels of the monster. Watching it turn around rather awkwardly and stumble, Michael chastised himself. Valerie had said the monster was injured, yet here he was, still standing around. Equipping his sword and dagger and summoning his courage, Michael rushed at the monster, intent to do his part.

Striking at various areas, Michael was shocked to see his sharp blade being repelled by the fur. Continuing his swings, Michael even tries piercing it with his dagger to no avail. Frustrated, Michael resorts to full on body blows and desperate attacks, hoping to try and damage the beast at leas-.

Striking the wall, Michael cried out at the pain that coursed through his body. He was pretty sure he couldn’t hear through one ear and his left eye didn’t seem to want to open. Touching both, his hands came away with blood and Michael hastily wiped it on his already soaked shirt. Calming his quickened breaths and stifling his rising panic, Michael rose with shaking legs and tried to find his weapons. Dropped a few metres away, Michael retrieved them and dug into his memories for an explanation into why he got hit so hard.

After hitting his foe for a bit, Michael had proceeded to the front in order to try and get a better blow in. If the fur was tough, then he should aim for the softer parts. With that in mind, Michael went and tried to pierce the eyes and throat of the monster. Michael admonished himself and his stupidity. Just because it was standing still and taking his attacks, didn’t mean he was fighting a dummy. With one easy swipe, the monster blew Michael away and caused some damage. Michael took out a few vials of his Health Potions, rather surprised they didn’t get smashed, and downed them all. Only when his ear healed did Michael hear Valerie’s call.

“...chael! Michael! Are you alright? Answer me!”

Completely distracted by her own fight, Valerie couldn’t take her eye off her opponent long enough to check on Michael. She had heard his yell earlier and when he didn’t answer her first few shouts, she started to get worried. Only after a few moments of desperate calls did he answer and she relaxed from the tension.

“I’m fine! Just… Nothing. Going back into the battle now.”

Seeing Valerie having trouble fighting her wolf, Michael looked over at the his own foe, half expecting to find a dead pup. Instead he saw a fast-moving brown wolf going around the monster without stopping for any length of time. Keeping on its toes, the pup didn’t stay in sight very long and this caused the larger wolf to become dizzy quick. Its movements were sluggish at best and Michael berated himself at getting hit at all. Valerie had said to keep moving and he hadn’t done so. Michael got himself back into the fight.

“Finally. I. Can’t. Believe. You. Got. Hit.”

“Yes, yes, yes Breathy. Sorry for getting hurt on your watch. We need a plan though, this monster isn’t even getting scratched by our attacks.”

It was true. Although the pup was moving fast and never got hit, it never dealt any lasting damage either. Its small claws and fangs were ineffectual against the monster, just as Michael’s weapons. Neither had the strength or skill to cause any great damage against it. Their only real hope was to wait for Valerie.

Keeping his distance and making sure he kept moving this time, Michael went around the monster and constantly caught its attention. Noting the decreasing fervor of its attacks and concentration, Michael decided that its head wound was greater than he had thought. Indeed, Michael continued to examine it and noted that its orifices had continued to bleed. Most of the area around them was getting slick with blood and both Michael and the pup were having trouble with their footing.

“What plan do you propose?”

Its voice more calmer than before, the pup had managed to relax some of its movements now that Michael had returned. It still held an edge when directed towards him, but it did ask his opinion. Maybe there was hope for it yet.

“Either we wait for Valerie to finish off her wolf, or you distract it when I say, and I deal a large blow.”

Both of them glanced at Valerie and saw that the former didn’t seem very possible. Although the wolf was quite injured, it was much more dangerous than their own foe. It still had complete control over its body and it seemed much more ferocious. As the battle wore on, it also gained a slight feverish quality and was frothing at the mouth. If it continued to become more and more berserk, then Michael doubted that Valerie could last long against it.

“I’ll follow your command. Just make it quick.”

Dashing off again, the two circled the enemy and dodged the clumsy strikes. Michael could see that the beast was starting to become exhausted; its breaths became more spaced out and haggard, movements became much slower, and its eyes started to become clouded over. After jumping in front if it several times with only one actual swing from it, Michael judged it was time.

“Distract it! NOW!”

Replacing Michael at the front, the pup caught the attention of the wolf with a few hard blows to the head and body. Growling a bit, the wolf tried several times to strike at it before succumbing to its debility. That was when Michael struck.

His previous plan of hitting the softer spots was a good plan. The only thing that failed was preparation, an actual plan, and then the execution. This time though, his opponent was physically weak and wasn’t even paying attention to him. Plus Michael was in cooperation with a partner instead of going at it alone. Raising his dagger, Michael rushed the wolf from the side, taking notice that the eyes were still not focused on him. With a slight grin, Michael jumped a little to increase the force, and plunged the dagger straight into the wolf’s eye. Michael grin slipped and he paled at the liquid that splattered on him, but he kept his composure enough to jump back and away from the resulting frenzy.

Buckling from the pain, the wolf’s movements took on a new level as it swiped at everything around it, trying to hit its enemies. Swiping at its own face, but not being able to take out the weapon, the wolf continued its frantic movements until it got tired. Head lolling and tongue out, the wolf sagged on its limbs, unable to keep its own weight up.

Seeing its own chance, the pup went charging at the wolf. Jumping in the air with a manner that Michael thought he must have looked like, the pup swiped at the other eye of the beast and backed away before it could retaliate. That wasn’t needed as the monster seemed to have had enough; it ignored the loss of another eye and collapsed where it stood. Still alive, its chest was trying to take in useless air. Michael went up to it, trying to end its misery, when a shout from Valerie made him back off.

“The wolf!”

The other wolf ran past Valerie and appeared beside its partner. Looking down upon its ruined body it gave an indecisive look. Eyes gouged out, the defeated wolf’s head was a complete mess with the previous blood mixed in with the new. Touching it with its snout a few times, the wolf whined and paced. Valerie met back up with Michael and the pup, and the three watched as the collapsed wolf whined back to its partner. With a last sigh, its head hit the ground as it died.

“AroooOOO”

A sadder howl this time, the sound became more ominous and angry at the end. With a furious look at the small party, the wolf walked forward, death in its eyes and posture.

“Be careful, it’s much more dangerous from before.”

Michael tried to nod in response but found out he couldn’t move. Panicked, he looked at Valerie and tried to speak, only to find his mouth unable to form words. A glance saw that the young pup was also in the same situation and worry reflected in its posture. Valerie heard the strangled noise and turned to find her only allies locked in ‘Fear’.

Cursing, Valerie charged the wolf, hoping to buy enough time for them to recover. Michael watched as Valerie exchanged blow after blow with the wolf, her weapons weaving around in a continuous motion that were blocked or destroyed by the claws and maw of the monster. Several throwing knives were dipped in vials of liquid and applied but dealt no visible damage when the monster ate the weapons. In fact, Michael was sure the monster was becoming more aggressive. Eying Michael and the pup, the wolf was trying to reach them, to kill the ones who took down its partner.

After a short while, Michael felt feeling coming back into his fingers. Flexing them, Michael tried to will the rest of the body into movement. It was a very slow process, but Michael managed to get feeling into the rest of his body and could move. Looking at the pup, he noticed it was still trying to move and failing. Going up to it, Michael gave it a full arm slap that sent it flying a few feet. Clutching his own hand in slight pain, Michael saw the pup rise with full control over itself. Michael grinned when it growled and pointed back at the fight.

“Ready?”

“Grrr, yes. But if you ever do such a thing again, I will bite.”

“Then don’t just laze about.”

With a last smile at the angry pup, Michael ran towards Valerie’s fight and circled the beast. Catching its complete interest, Michael dodged its very quick blows and maneuvered it away from the tired Valerie. When the pup entered the melee, Michael’s movements became less frantic, but they both kept up a strict watch of the beast. After minutes of dodging and running, they both became only a little tired before Valerie re-entered the fight.

With two short swords, Valerie focused only on offense and struck it hard. Before, her battle was an exchange between offense and defense as the wolf could use its claws and teeth to block her weapons. Now though, with its arm and head concentrated only on killing the two young ones, Valerie could deal some damage.

Unlike Michael and the pup’s blows, Valerie’s strikes cut through the wolf’s skin and drew blood. 2 strikes. 5 strikes. 10 strikes. 20 strikes. When the wolf figured out the danger it was in, it was already too late. Valerie’s momentum was already too heavy to block with any ease and the wolf couldn’t guard against it. With a last cry the wolf tried to bite the pup in front of it, jaws open to take its prize, when Michael appeared there to help. With a yell, Michael swung his sword at the opening and watched as the mouth closed on it. A crunch of metal told of the ending of the sword but it knew it had failed. Michael withdrew his broken sword and then stabbed it forward, catching the eye of the wolf and lodging the blade within. Valerie’s own attack reached as she swung both swords down on the beast; her combination creating a devastating end blow.

Piercing straight through the body, the swords imbedded themselves on the wooden ground. Unable to move from the sword, the wolf could only watch its prey back away. When it coughed up blood and noticed its upcoming end, the wolf growled and seemed to accept its fate, laying flat on the ground. Michael and the wolf locked eyes and Michael kept the contact until the light faded from them.

Fang watched the blood pool around him and despaired. He had come all this way and nothing he did was enough. His brothers died. His pack died. He couldn’t even kill the younglings who went up against him. Did life usually end so horridly? So regretfully?

Fang looked up and stared at his enemies. Locking eyes with the boy, the wolf was surprised by what he saw. Pity, sadness, compassion? The boy was a fool to think such things. The boy did look like Brother Gerald though. Young and healthy. Strong and active. Yet his eyes. His eyes seemed to be like Brother Blood, worried over him and watching. Haha, maybe it wouldn’t be bad to leave this world. As long as he left with those eyes on him.

With his sight darkening, Fang kept contact with those eyes. Everything would be alright with those eyes watching him, everything will be fine. Then he heard the howls. Blood’s deep howl, strong and supporting; Geralds weird one, always something to make fun of, yet strangely it matched his own. Laying on the ground, Fang kept staring at the eyes and thanked them before the end.

You have seen the hidden city, Yim. Nature Affinity +30 while inside. You have gained the stat: Art. You have gained +10 to Art. Seeing the city of Yim gives you +10 to Art. Seeing the Yim Skytree gives you +10 to Art.

You have killed the Bloody Pack Wolf Leader: Blood. Levelled up 7x.

You have killed the Furious Pack Wolf Leader: Fang. Levelled up 2x.

You have killed the Pack Leader Brothers.

Continental monsters leading a large army, the two brothers were a threat to anything in their way. You have gained the Title: Wolf Hunter. You have gained the stat ‘Presence’. You have gained +15 to Presence.

Wolf Hunter

[p=left]Killing dangerous wolves are all part of the job description for a Wolf Hunter such as yourself. This title serves as a badge, for all to see that your deeds are legit and worthy.

+10 to Strength

+10 to Agility

+10 to Vitality

+10 to Dexterity

+10 to Charisma

+10 to Presence

Increased damage to wolves and other canine races similar to them.[/p]

Glancing at the few notifications he had, Michael waved them away and went to distribute potions he had packed. Valerie had the highest quality in the group, but her potions are supposed to be meant for last minute problems. She had used several in the fight and everyone thought it would be best to keep some on the side.

Making due with the lesser potions, Michael’s wounds healed and he regained his energy. Valerie was downing them like water, but she slowed down after the first dozen. The pup… Michael had offered to pour it into a bowl for it to drink out of, but it just turned around and went to the pillar. Laying on the ground, it stared at the entrance and gave a slight whine.

Approaching it, Michael made a point of ignoring the shining pillar and instead looked down on the pup’s prone form.

“You do know they are probably gone, right?”

And short nod in response and Michael continued.

“Your entire family went and tried to protect whatever is in that pillar. They are probably dead.”

Nod.

“There is no guardian anymore.”

...nod.

“...the plant I am looking for is in the pillar. Yes?”

…

“I’ll guard it. If you come with me, the both of us can guard it and keep it safe. My home is definitely easier to defend than this place. Plus we have Valerie, you saw how she fights. And my father, who is stronger than her.”

Rambling on, Michael noticed he had next to no effect on the pup. Instead of listening, it continued to stare at the door, its eyes cloudy with remembrance. Going closer. Michael knelt in front of it and stayed there until it turned its eyes on him.

“Come with me. Please.”

The two stared for a while before the pup nodded. Getting up, the two turned to look at the pillar and regarded it. Valerie had long vanished, back to wherever would be the best place to look after him.

Giving a low whine, the pup shook before changing its bearing to a more regal one. Head held high, the pup gave a high howl that reverberated throughout the tree. Once it stopped, the area was silent until a howl came back down and shook the entire room. Amazed, Michael thought he heard thousands of wolf howls, all of them of different tones and different expressions. A high note pierced through all of the howls and silenced them; the pillar shining and breaking at the same time.

With a loud shattering, the pillar broke. Michael backed away and tried to cover his face from what should have been, dangerous shards, but saw the flying glass disappear. The number of time he got shocked that day was many, but Michael had another shock when he looked at what replaced the pillar.

Small and compact, breathtaking and simple, a plant stood there. Small enough to fit in his hands, Michael saw that it was made of vines, silver vines with no thorns. The bottom of it did not have roots and it lacked a flower that would have made it a whole. Instead, the leaves were full and distinct. Silver, square leaves, with a very noticeable spiral that seemed to draw his gaze. Shaking his head, Michael lifted the plant and shifted his sight.

The Mana realm seemed a gigantic painting of green. Nature Mana was abundant everywhere he saw and he almost missed the Mana within the pup and himself. So rich was this Mana, that Michael could see it pulsing through the tree, a slow but constant beat. The plant in his hands had turned into a light grey ball with some tendrils of dense green wrapped around it, as if to lock whatever was inside.

Following the instructions he had read a few days ago, Michael looked inside of himself and found the four warring Manas. Red for Fire Mana and Blue for Water Mana. Clear for Air and Brown for Earth. And underneath all of that was a small dot of Green, to represent his Nature Mana. Imagining an invisible hand, he touched all five and Michael felt a small shock, as if something large had just gripped his body. When he tried to grab the five Mana, he staggered at the painful pull on his skin, bones, and blood. Pulling out the Mana and then connecting it to the Silven Plant took a great deal of concentration and Michael felt he had been soaked, burned, battered, and buried by the end.

When he let go of his grip, Michael saw a stream of Mana go from his body to the Plant. The first pulse. Then the second one. Then the third. A continuous connection that went from him to the plant. Amazed, he watched as the plant itself started to stretch out; a thin silvery thread joined by a smaller green one, stretched from the orb. Floating in the air for a short while, it lashed towards him and connected to his own orb of dull grey Mana. Sending its own pulses, the orb started to shine and Michael had no choice but to switch his sight back to the physical realm, lest he become blind.

“... ha… ha.... Done.”

Smiling at the plant, Michael watched as it writhed and wriggled in his hands. The Silver colour of the vines and leaves became more darker and lively, several new leaves sprung from the plant and it even grew a blooming flower at the top. With ten petals, the flower was opened out and revealed a black center. The petals were silver, but it had streaks of red and blue coursing through it. At the bottom of the plant, roots started to grow and several stems also sprouted from the plant, tubes that didn’t seem very important. Michael knew that because of his connection, the plant was growing new ways to sustain itself, with the help of his Mana. Adapting to his source of all five elemental Manas allowed the plant to transform and change its original look for something more functional.

“W-what did you do?”

The awe in the pup’s voice was palpable. It had seen the plant several times and never once did it think it was anything but perfect. Now though… now it made the previous plant look like a dying weed. Turning its eyes to the strange boy, it asked its question once more.

“What are you?”

Smiling, Michael used his most polite tone to state his genealogy and what he had done.

“I am the son of a Green-Singer. Well, I’m being trained as one and I just learned about ‘Connections’ a few days ago. So I set out to find a legendary plant to connect to and ended up here. I have just completed my ‘Connection’ with it and that means we can take this plant outside of the forest without having it die. Shall we?”

Motioning the pup to the entrance, Michael packed away the plant in a large padded sack before starting his march. Without waiting for a proper response, Michael smiled and even started humming a tune, nonsensical as it was. The pup rushed in front of Michael, making him stop. Giving a confused expression, Michael stared at the pup. The pup stared back for a long while before nodding.

Biting its own paw, Michael saw that it broke skin and a rivulet of blood was pouring from it. Panicked, he put down his pack and reached for the potions he still had.

“Fool, what do you think you’re doing? Here, drink these.”

“My name is Liera, and you must first drink my blood.”

Standing its ground, Michael saw that Liera wouldn’t budge from where it was. Seeing the increasing puddle of blood solidified his worry and he got on his knees before the wolf. Taking the paw, Michael took a small mouthful of the tangy blood and swallowed it, only hesitating slightly when the warm liquid splashed around. Not even trying to notice the taste he finished his gulp and looked the wolf in the eye. With a slight nod of approval, the wolf raised its head and howled once more. This time, no symphony of howls returned, but the pup went through a change.

A bright white light sprouted from the Liera and Michael closed his eyes in surprise. Cowering from the light, Michael backed up and tried to make out what was happening when it stopped. Eyes still half closed, Michael waited for his eyes to adjust before being able to understand what had happened.

Looking for the pup, Michael was shocked to find himself looking into the face of a young girl. Around his own age, the girl blinked at him and even cocked her head in a questioning manner. Very pretty, Michael also saw that the girl was naked so he brought his bag forward and grabbed an extra shirt out of his pack.

“T-take this! Put it on! HURRY!”

Red faced and sweating, Michael wasn’t worried about the girl’s nakedness per say. He was more nervous about what his mother’s reaction would be. Knowing his mother well, Michael knew that bringing home a half-naked girl his own age would be a cause of concern. He may not understand everything about the adult world, but he had seen a few scenes in the city; where a boy brings a girl home to meet his mother and that scenario never ends well. With his own mother…

Cursing his own luck, Michael scrambled to get more clothes for the smaller girl. He had asked her to go with him because he had thought she was a WOLF. Instead, she turns into a girl and complicates everything. She would have to live in the house, go with him to school, train with him… wait. Michael almost laughed at his own nervousness. Did this mean they would be… childhood friends?

StatusNameMichaelAge6Level12Class-Fame0-100Infamy0TitleTarget of EnvyGuild-Health730Mana650Stamina690Stored Rage29

Strength61 + 10Dexterity34Vitality57 + 10Intelligence55Wisdom49Mana Control9Critical Chance0.06%Agility60 + 20Concentration68Willpower18Charisma35 + 20Presence35Art30

[p=left]Special Skills and bonuses:

‘Silven Plant’ grants:

Double Mana Regeneration.

‘Target of Envy’ grants:

+20 to Charisma.

+20 to Agility.

+10 to Strength.

+10 to Vitality.

-100 Fame.

City of Yim grants +30 Nature Affinity[/p]

SkillsStealthBeginner level 1. (22%). Active and Passive skillInstant AnalyzationBeginner level 2. (74%) Active skillLanguage ComprehensionBeginner Level 1. (0%) Passive skillHerbologyBeginner level 4. (66%) Passive skillAlchemyBeginner level 3. (91%) Active skillSword MasteryBeginner level 2. (64%) Active skillDagger MasterBeginner level 1. (97%) Active skillWeapon Throwing MasteryBeginner level 2. (55%) Active skillRage ReleaseBeginner level 0. (80) Active skill

AffinitiesFire1Water1Earth1Wind1Light2Dark2Nature9 + 30

Michael now has:

A renowned potion making teacher

Combat lessons from his Expert Ranking father.

Green-Magic lessons from his mother

Silven Plant connection

Back to that war that was awesomely written~~~Ohhh, time to meet the parents... careful Liera!

Welp, finished this chapter! Time for my PRs to work on chapter 6 and 7 so I don't really know when those will be ready. Chapter 8 still not finished :( I feel bad but I blame classes.

Chapter 8 may or may not be long so there may or may not be a chapter 9...

TOP 50!!! Time for the next step, top 30. Top 30 is a benchmark position and it is quite hard to drop from there. Hence, I want to get in the top 30 and maybe even beat NPC (First Draft)! VOTE!!!

Comments and concerns? Just post. I look but I barely reply nowadays :( Damn school.