Rex’s eyes snapped open wide as he inhaled a deep breath. He was startled to realize he was standing up still, he balanced himself out while gazing around. It looked exactly like the area where those light monsters showed up in. The moment he thought that thousands of little firelights, which began to circulate around his area creating a dome of shifting lights.

“I thought I dreamt this place up.” Rex watched as the little moving lights become small tiny pinpoints of lights while leaving a trail of fine smokey light behind them. “Where is this place?” He tried to think but spoke out loud.

(This is unexpected.) A voice that sounded like a crackling fire spoke from all around him. (You just received my feather, only to use it not once, but thrice before the first day is done.) A flare of unimaginable colors burst to life before his eyes. As the light faded, in its place was a burning Phoenix looking down upon him.

“First a dog, now a bird, why can’t I just a peaceful view instead?” Rex just laughed while putting his hands on his hips. He leaned back to match eyesight with the large bird made of pure flames. “Your feathers have the same pattern as some stars I’ve seen.” He was admiring the magical creature in front of him when it spoke again.

(You claim to have seen a star’s surface Human?) It cocked its head to one side while peering closely at him. A magical glow was emitted from within the large eyes, he felt himself thinking of the photos he used to admire of different stars. The magic blinked out when the phoenix pulled itself back. (You have seen more than expected for a Human, forgive my intrusion.) It bowed its head in an apology, while Rex shook his head to clear his mind.

“Could you help me out then, I have no idea where this is, and what's with the swirling light show with glowing color clouds?” Rex motioned to all the strange sights around him. He had had an intense time dealing with this trippy space when monsters were invading, so he wanted some answers. “Why were there monsters appearing in here, can I keep them out?” He needs some solid information for once.

(You mean your ‘Mental Space’?) The phoenix just watched as Rex tilted his head to one side in confusion this time. (You never had any Magic training?) It was questioning if this being really did have its feather now.

“Just learned about the existence of magic, less than 24 hours ago. Been without it for almost 4,200 years apparently, and I’m doing just fine.” Rex crossed his arms while standing a bit taller, and trying not to laugh at his attempt at being haughty. He broke into a chuckle a few seconds later. “I still doubt magic is real, but all these glowing and unexplainable events have got me wondering. You okay?” Rex was unsure what happened to the bird, but its beak was hanging wide open.

(Birdshit!) It cursed out while lifting its wings above its head. (There is no way a mortal being can live more than 2,000 years, let alone being without magic would die instantly!) It looked a bit angry at Rex’s claims. (I don’t know how you can lie in here, but I advise you to stop it.) It grew larger while its heat made Rex begin to sweat, while the light it gave off was intensifying.

“Wanna bet? I’ll bet everything I have that I’m not lying. I honestly didn’t know until recently actually, my assistant was notified by the so-called system about my birthday or something.” Rex tried to back away, but no matter how many steps he backpedaled, he never gained any distance.

(You’re on Human!) The phoenix stabbed a wing at Rex, the moment it touched his body a blindly light flashed. It only lasted a moment, the instant his vision returned, the phoenix was on its back in its smaller form. (How is this even fair! Humans or mortal beings shouldn’t be able to live this long!) Its wings were flailing around while its legs with gleaming gem-like taloned feet kicked the air in a tantrum.

“I win! Pay up birdy. Now, where the hell are we?” Rex really hated being lost, it just never felt right when he was unsure of his current location. He held out his hand that still had his bracelet on, but no Benni was popping out in here.

(Tsk, cheapskate.) It touched Rex’s bracelet with a wing, a light from a ring on the wing connected to his bracelet as magical glowing balls moved from one to the other. (We are in your mind, in the place between your Dream Realm and your Reality. There are lots of names beings have for it, but Mental Space is most common with higher beings.) It tried to pull its wing back, but the magical tether was still sending balls of light into Rex’s bracelet. (No not my- Why is it taking that?! I just got those! How are you so rich?!) The phoenix was about to break into tears.

“Uh… So this Mental Space is what exactly?” Rex watched as the phoenix was finally able to pull its wing back. It looked at the ring that just did the exchange with very depressed eyes. It began to pout like it lost its will to live. “Everything good?”

(To use magic you need to train your inner and outer selves, this is the inner part, within your mind. Absorb the lights to grow your magic. Spells might appear, they usually come with instructions. My items…) It finally lost it and began to sob, covering its head with its wings.

“Tell you what buddy, if you help me out a bit more, I’ll return your item to you when I’m out of the Field.” Rex patted the poor sobbing bird that was slowly dimming down to a dark husk. Its light flared back up, its head with redden crying eyes popped above its feathers.

(You mean it?) It gave Rex such large puppy dog eyes, he couldn’t help but rub its neck like a dog.

“Of course I’m serious! I wasn’t really expecting you to pay me so much over a silly bet. I admire and respect your honesty, so I don’t mind returning your items when I can, I can’t right now, but I will be able to soon.” Rex held a deep respect for honest trustworthy people, they were hard to find but were always worth keeping around. “So, why are we in my Mental Space?”

(You don’t remember? You tried to bestow a Name upon a Boss Monster with a new Ego many tiers above yourself. Your magic was not enough, so your Life Force was used as well.) The phoenix poked Rex’s chest with a glowing wingtip, a pair of magical wings similar to its own sprouted from his back. (The creature was an evolved variant born from an Anomaly, and the moment you named it, it tiered up even.) As he was looking at his wings, three feathers fell off and burned into ash. (You used three feathers worth to live.)

“I can’t believe I have wings! Can I fly even while missing some feathers?” Rex didn’t pay much attention to the ashed feathers, he wanted to go flying with his new wings. His face was contorted into weird poses while he unsuccessfully tried to flap his fiery wings. “Why can’t I move them?”

(They aren’t real wings, just a symbol of my own.) Now the phoenix held its head higher while unfurling its wings to their full length. Its smile grew while Rex could only look crestfallen at his lack of flight ability. (The feathers are what matter, they show what you have left.) It tucked its wings back by its sides. (Each feather represents 10 years of a mortal’s life. Each lethal blow takes one feather to revive you, yet you only revive as a Tier 1. You will have to regrow the power you lost.)

“So what do I do with the wings now? Just walk around with unusable glowing wings on my back?” Rex was slowly getting annoyed at the wings on his back, even though they saved his life. “How do I make them go away? Oh! That worked!” They shrunk back into his back while leaving behind a small trail of lights.

(They will disappear on their own sometime after they get used. I’m seeing a lot of cores floating around here, why haven’t you absorbed them yet?) The phoenix stood up while watching the swirling display of the lights making up the dome around them. (You better hurry before they expire and cause you harm. When you power up through cores, it's best to absorb it when it is in its monster’s image.) It reached out a wing to touch a small speck of light. (These ones are about to expire, you better hurry.)

“How do I do that?” Rex just looked around at the mess of lights moving around them. “I had to fight a bunch of monsters to get them into that state.” He crossed his arms after hearing the bird’s words.

(Fight? Ha! The only fighting in here is between the connected beings. When it's a core, you will see an image of the beast it once was before you absorb its power.) The phoenix turned to leave. (Just breathe and draw them into you, think and it will happen!) It lifted a wing up as it walked away, vanishing into a pillar of fire that roar to life before burning out.

“Is it really that simple?” Rex gave it a quick thought. “Why wouldn’t it be.” He took some deep breaths to calm himself. Once calm he started to watch the lights while slowly breathing in and out. As he thought of breathing in the magical lights, they slowly gathered into him. “I’m breathing magic, cool.” He continued until all the lights were gone. “Now, let's see how I did.” This time Rex could feel his body, and a way out of this space opened up.

“Ah!” Rex coughed loudly while trying to expel something from his throat. He finally managed to cough out the blood blocking his airway. Breathing easier, he took note of his surroundings. “That was crazy.” He stood up wiping his mouth with his arm. “Now, where were we?” Rex gave a glare to the newly named huge wolf before him.

(How are you still alive?) Natasha’s eyes were wide in shock as she witnessed wings of a flaming origin spouted from Rex’s back. (Phoenix Rebirth?!) She cried out watching three feathers fall from his wings, barely leaving an open space. By instinct, she know what the magic was, but the number of feathers caught her eyes the most.

“She really did it…” A sobbing Jo-Leanna muttered from the ground behind Rex, making him turn to her with a questioning look. “I wasn’t able to stop Betty in time from using the feather on you, I’m sorry.” She bowed her head while holding back tears.

“Why is that a problem? I’m alive and not suffering in pain thanks to her.” Rex thought it was a good thing rather than something to cry about. Unless there was some side effect he was unaware of. “What’s the problem with the feather? Will it kill me?” He tried to grab at his wings, yet they just faded away before he could touch a feather.

“No, but if all your feathers fall, your soul will be burned out of existence. Plus every rebirth sends you back to the first tier. It might help with long-lived mortals, but the risks aren’t worth it.” Jo-Leanna seemed to gather herself up a bit, she knew more but wasn’t saying anything more just yet. “Just be careful, there will be hunters after your feather now.” She managed to stand up finally.

“But I can’t even touch my feathers.” Rex turned back to look at the huge wolf, still laying on the ground. “Are you able to shift your form to something smaller?” He hoped all the wolves following her didn’t grow this huge, would be cool to ride one, but he was afraid of cleaning up after them.

(You think you can order me around just because you gave me a name?) Natasha growled while raising herself up. (Since you died a few times while naming me, I believe we don’t have to follow you anymore.) She gave Rex a wolfish grin while he just stared hard at her.

“Form a contract link with her Captain, imagine connecting your inner space with her’s. You can do it only after naming a being.” Jo-Leanna placed her icy glowing hands on Rex’s back. “I’ll support your magic usage this time.” A few other magic circles appeared above her hands as Rex could feel a sudden rush of energy.

“Ah, the place I just learned about, sounds fun.” Rex reached out with his right hand, feeling his magic reach out as well. “Let’s form a contract, Natasha.” His eyes were set on his target.”

(Try it, Human.) Natasha leaned forwards to meet his challenge, she sent her own link to meet his link.

“Physical strength is meaningless in there! Magic power controls everything!” Jo-Leanna shouted as Rex and Natasha's bodies glowed as a magical light bridge formed between them. Natasha obviously had more magical light on her side, but it was foggy and a bit transparent. Rex had only a basic amount for a Tier 1, but it was solid-looking light. "Good luck Captain."

"I thought you were bigger?" Rex cocked an eyebrow at a smaller-sized Natasha. Her head only came up to his chest when standing now.

(Body wise I am, but we are in the Mental Space now, where our minds and magic give us strength.) She growled out while a light cloud of her magic was balled up and launched at Rex. It was only as fast as a thrown ball, Rex just slid his foot out while leaning his head one way to avoid the projectile.

"That all?" Rex cracked his head from side to side. Rolling his shoulders he takes a step forward. She springs into a short run covering the distance in seconds.

(You're mine Human!) Her mouth was full of sharp razor teeth, it opens up wide to chomp down at him. He watches as her jaws try to close around him, while slightly shifting his body.

"Neck." His form shifts as he spreads his legs wider and his head avoids the bite. Putting all his weight on afoot, he sends a sharp crisp uppercut into her exposed throat. Letting the moment of force behind his punch flow through her, he retracts his fist quickly shifting his weight once more. “Hit.” His weight follows behind his open palm strike, landing on her chin slamming her maw shut with a crack. “Straight.” Rex’s open hand was yanked down, the moment transferred into his feet shifting slightly forwards. It rebounded from the push of his foot against a solid ground, traveling along into his fist, then through into the wolf. “I still got it.” He relaxed his stance while she went tumbling away.

(Bastard.) Natasha coughed out, recovering from the hits. (If this doesn’t work, then how about this?) Her magic covered her form, grotesque snapping and popping sound echoed out. (How about this then?!) Out of the fog charging on all four was a werewolf with a feral grin.

“You got uglier? Does that really help?” Rex lifted an eyebrow as she stopped short of him and stood up on two legs. Her form was still very wolf-like, but humanoid in shape now. Her large paw-like hands thrust out in similar punches he just attacked her with. “You can learn at least, that’s good.” Rex’s head was bobbing, his body weaving, his feet dancing.

(Why!) She thrust out her thick armed clawed fist, trying to copy his previous attacks, but keep hitting air. (Why can’t I hit you!) She began to swipe more, trying to use her claws to slash him. Every time she missed, he would strike her arms with a hit that hurt but didn’t push her back. (Stand still! ARGH!) She ended up being flipped head over heels onto her back with a fist to the face.

“You have power, but you have no experience using it.” Rex jumped back, giving her room to recover. He started to stretch out his body, getting a better feeling of his range of movement. “I got plenty of experience, and some new power to help me overcome those limits.” She managed to stand up again, her magic swirled around her once more. “Unless you manage to overpower me, you will lose.” Rex waited for her to exit the fog.

(Then I’ll take your form and your experience for myself!) Natasha strutted out on two slender muscular legs covered in a thin black fur-like material. (I thought your Human form would be weaker than this, I’m impressed.) Her black silky fur had transformed into a body tight suit. She marveled at her hands the most while her emerald eyes shone below cascading jet back hair.

“We damn, full-on human. Did not see that coming.” Rex was pleasantly surprised at her figure, it was almost a match for who he named her after. “Think you can handle it?” Rex extended one hand and foot out while turning his body sideways. “Come.” He beckoned her with his outstretched hand.