From how the events were lining up it was as if the heavens wanted to grind our poor Stepping Raccoon to death. First it's home was compromised when a Blast-Foot came randomly rampaging through the area. Forcing him and his family to flee, which couldn't be a good feeling.

He was able to stall the Blast-Foot while his mate and cubs got away. Right after that he gave it the slip, carving himself an escape route underground as he thought about where he would surface again. Regrouping with his mate was what he needed and wanted to do, obviously he would immediately begin searching for their traces. As he chopped the wall of earth in front of him, the Stepping Raccoon's thoughts were active.

While thoughts of his family were heavy on his mind and kept it occupied, he wasn't so distracted that he wouldn't feel the huge rumble shake the tunnel before a huge explosion of smoke and sharp rocks flew everywhere. The tunnel was made wider by a special energy being channeled through it, the Raccoon was quick to notice this.

"Shit, what now"?! A huge form with caked blood and twitching limbs on various spots of it's body slid easily into the tunnel. This was where it began to look like the very heavens were conspiring against him. What were the odds that he would run into another creature that was looking for an opportunity to break into the crystallization stage similar the Blast-Foot and itself?

The Stepping Raccoon didn't know much about creatures from the underground, but from what he saw just now, this creature should have abilities of the earth element. If he was cornered by it in this tunnel, it wasn't hard to imagine an outcome where he ended up being crushed miserably to death.

Here was a situation where life and death could be decided in a split second. It was a good thing that the raccoon wasn't slow to react. Before the Earth-Child was able to do anything else, the Stepping Raccoon's foot tapped the ground and launched him up in the air.

When he made it up to the ceiling, his sword whirled in front of him in another enclosed circle which could ground and pulverize rocks on contact. A hole was cut through the ceiling, raining down a shower of soil and dead roots. The Stepping Raccoon drilled through, disappearing from sight.

This was all performed in a blink by the raccoon, the Earth-Child was left blinking in confusion at where it stood for a few moments, before a sensation from it's earth sense brought it's attention to the hole the raccoon was using to escape. Yellow lights brightened up the surroundings, and in the next instance the Earth-Child smashed through the ceiling after it.

Another hot pursuit was underway, excited chitters were coming from the Earth-Child. It wasn't even frustrated at being lead on a chase by it's quarry, that probably had something to do with it being able to track targets through it's earth sense, and the innate movement method it had that allowed it to move at frightening speeds to chase after them.

A huge beast like the Earth-Child which couldn't walk wasn't expected to move with any sort of quickness. They would be right, except the innate ability it had created a lane of light beneath it that had the power of a rockslide condensed within. While riding this yellow lane of light, everything in the Earth-Child's path was mowed down. Reaching speeds you couldn't believe, it didn't even fall far behind the uncommonly swift raccoon.

Raiken had kept an eye on the raccoon when he noticed it's great potential for the sword. The sudden idea of training it to where it was presentable and bringing it as a gift to his grandpa in hopes that it would appease his anger came to him. Among all the things in the world, his grandpa especially loved the sword. Old man Dragon-Eye was even willing to beat his favorite grandson in order to force him to learn his sword art.

Although he had every thought to play around, the baby demon didn't forget he still had his grandpa's wrath to face whenever he made it back. If he had nothing to show for his blunder and disobedience, he might as well pull his own pants down and present his bottom for a good spanking. Going back home should be put off as long as possible, who knows when he'll be able to go out again to stretch his legs.

Right at this moment Raiken watched as the chase between the raccoon and caterpillar looking creature ended up at an overhang. It was a thick path of soil and roots reaching across the break in the mountain. No matter how far the raccoon ran, the caterpillar monster stuck to his tail. By now it should've realized that it wasn't going to lose the beast. Which left the raccoon with the only option but to confront it, lest he lead it back to his family.

With it's powerful body supported by the earth element, Raiken doubted the raccoon could strike a blow that would give the creature pause in the short term. It would most likely have run out of energy before inflicting anything lethal on the monster. Now was the moment to erupt with deadly skills if he had any to show. Earlier it used up a bit of energy to escape the Blast-Foot, the raccoon had to heavily weigh it's options to get out of this one.

Raiken already knew it's sword play and footwork were at a decent standard, now he wanted to see what else it had to unleash.

As they stood on the screen of air, the humans around him began to grow restless with nothing but their own gloomy thoughts to focus on. Ever sensitive to the changes in the energy and air around them, as an Optic Demon, Raiken quickly picked up on this. He eyed each of these paper soldiers, everytime his eyes landed on one of them they felt their minds still and enter a state of heightened awareness.

In that exact moment it was as if everything went silent, even the world itself. The humans could hear the sound of water rushing in their ears. After a few breaths Raiken's tender voice spoke up, it wasn't in disharmony with the rushing water at all. "Alright. You guys let your minds run all over the place, now it's time to rein it back in."

Some part of themselves was irresistibly drawn towards the sound of the voice. At any other time this aspect of their existence would remain outside of their awareness. This was a shift in consciousness which refiners had to trigger at will to harvest the hidden potential within themselves. Since he had them on hand Raiken thought why not make use of these humans. Leaving them as they were now would result in them being of no use to him.

Seeing them fidgeting like they didn't know what to do with themselves, he decided to teach the humans a handy skill that should occupy their attention. Mohawk-Man who he treated as a steed had an expression of struggle on his face. His hand gripped his chest, without even knowing how he'd fallen into peril. Dying such a dissatisfying death where he didn't know what happened to him depressed Mohawk-Man. All he was able to do was just accept his fate, anyone would feel irreconcilable from this.

"Stop panicking like a scaredy cat and focus. You aren't dying, what you're feeling is the initiation to attune your heart. Focus on the sound of crashing water. Let it lead you towards the beat of the astral drum."

Hearing the voice suddenly begin speaking, Mohawk-Man was shocked out of his state of panic. When the voice spoke the sound came straight from inside his own consciousness.

Opening his eyes, he beheld a red sea, waves rose and fell, pushing right behind each other while spreading out. This sea was watery, seeming to lack the sharpness of color it was supposed to have. Nothing else but darkness and the red sea could be seen in your field of vision. The scene looked kind of creepy, like a place where dark, sinister things took root.

Mohawk-Man found himself at a loss as he took everything in with feelings of disbelief. Unable to make sense of it, he floated over the red sea as a shapeless form of awareness. He was utterly shocked, trying to imagine how he even ended up in this place.

He had no idea of what he should be doing. Nothing happened when he tried to move, it was as if he was planted to this spot. He couldn't go anywhere, but he was able to look around. This was an alarming predicament, just as Mohawk-Man felt dread creeping up on him, there was a flicker directly in front of him.

After a flash of light faded away, he saw the silver lizard appear. It's crimson eyes were looking straight into his view. "Normally you wouldn't have the ability to reach this place, with your mediocre talent and weak senses. Your leader has more potential, but not enough to effortlessly ignite his spiritual spark."

Seeing the lizard and hearing it's voice reassured the mohawked man for some reason, although he still feared it. He was able to focus now that there was something familiar to latch onto. For a minute he'd begun to entertain the thought that he died and was banished to the underworld. Terror of the unknown was about to consume him.

When he tried to speak, he got the impression that he didn't actually speak, it was more like he projected that very action in a thought towards the lizard. "Lord Serpent, I wonder if it'll be ok if I ask a question." Too much had happened since they came in contact with the little lizard. Mohawk-Man would lose his mind if he didn't receive some sort of reassurance. Was everything going to be alright or were they doomed the moment they met it?

Because of his ability to manipulate his own consciousness, Raiken was very familiar with spaces like this. Navigating them was a simple matter for him, he could bend them to his will, making them function in the way he directed them to. "If you want to make any progress on the path to power, you have to learn from those who already possess power. And how will you ever learn if you don't seek answers to your questions? Just don't ask me anything you don't have a need to know."

Shrugging his shoulders, Raiken waved a hand to indicate for Mohawk-Man to go ahead and ask his question. Relieved that he wouldn't displease the lizard by speaking out of turn, the man took a deep breath to steady himself. When he moved to inhale reflexively, a swirl of air came down from the sky and stirred up the dull red sea.

This threw him off from what he was about to ask, standing there stupidly staring at the phenomenon. Raiken's expression didn't change when he glanced at it, he only looked for a second before turning away disinterested.

"What are you all shocked for? This is just the breath your body took in when you inhaled. Those breaths will come here because this is where the center of your consciousness has moved." Raiken was able to easily glean Mohawk-Man's current condition.

Coming back to his senses, he looked at the silver lizard while unconsciously projecting a feeling of pleading. This amused the Optic Demon disguised as a Steel Drake. He waited quietly for the man to speak up.

"So, what is this place, and what am I doing here?" Mohawk-Man kept it short and to the point. Although there was an amusing quiver in his voice, Raiken was still approving, even deciding to help the poor creature power up a bit, it would be a pity if he was eaten by some strong villain one day.

He pointed at the dull sea below them. "What you're looking at is a pathway to your blood vessel, this red sea is actually a blood sea. The energy you collect during your refinement goes straight to the blood vessels once enough of it is built up. This way of refinement is different from spirit refinement, since none of you guys have the talent for it."

Whether it was spirit refinement or using magical energies, these guys would suck at it. The only route left to humans with such crappy talent was to plunder the heavens and use that energy to refine their physical vessel and raise it's quality. On their own they wouldn't amount to much, but fate may just have something more in store for them since they encountered a big figure who could casually provide a few pointers which could completely turn over their fortunes.

After taking in Raiken's explanation but not actually understanding much, Mohawk-Man hesitated over rather to ask a further question. He was keen to place each step carefully dealing with this being of unknown powers.

In the end it turned out he'd worried himself for nothing. An amateur like him who didn't even reach the first layer of refinement, ignorant of the ways of energy manipulation, naturally wouldn't be able to catch on with just a short explanation. Raiken figured that, instead of wasting time on a lengthy instruction, he created a slip with his mental energy which had seven volumes detailing the methods of blood refinement.

These guys were affiliated with an herb farmer family who had a decently long history. Together with some medicinal pellets and that set of blood energy refining techniques, they could become formidable characters. Their meager prospects of before could be turned into something much greater, however if they wanted to reach the top, they would have to struggle!

While he imprinted a slip in each of the 9 human's consciousness, Raiken was still able to observe the confrontation of the Earth-Child and Stepping Raccoon. Only the death of one of these two characters who were nearing the crystallization stage would end it all.

Standing firmly with it's back to the overhang, the raccoon held it's sword before him, muscles now bulged on it, sharply outlined in his furs. It's arms strained against the garment a little. Already, it had gotten in a stance with it's clawed feet spread, sword hilt in a slanted angle with the ground, wrist turned slightly, facing the right side of his body towards the Earth-Child.

Riding on it's yellow lane of light, the Earth-Child could give two shits about proceeding with caution. A strong wind blew in it's wake when it shot by, stirring up the surroundings. As it approached the raccoon, yellow light flashed in both of it's dark eyes, a surprised yelp came from the raccoon's area, then it's image scattered like smoke among the rock spikes which now jutted out of the ground.

Another few silent seconds went by before the Earth-Child's eyes lit up again. Looking towards an alternate direction, more rocks spikes thrusted out of the ground. They only scattered another image, the raccoon's actual figure stayed on the move. Raiken can easily see it, even from this far away. To keep up with the raccoon all this time, the Earth-Child didn't rely on it's eyes.

Instead it made use of it's earth sense to follow the creature's steps. Trying to keep track of the slippery fellow visually strained it's eyes too much. In that case, the Earth-Child simply stopped looking with it's sight. Following it's earth sense, it didn't have to worry about ever losing the prey!

Images of the raccoon continued to be scattered across the bald rocky land in front of the overhang. One of them appeared closer to the Earth-Child. This development delighted the beast, it was growing tired of playing tag, with it always coming out empty handed. A frontal confrontation was what it enjoyed the most. That was what truly made it's blood sing with the song of battle.

Opening the pincers at the front it's terrible maw wide, the Earth-Child's head snapped down, cutting the image of the raccoon in half. A silver light flashed nearly a breath afterwards. There was a sharp tearing sound, then a hiss of pain came from the Earth-Child's mouth. Blood splashed out of a cut on the side of it's body. Curling itself around, it looked at the place where the pain was coming from.

On it's side, a deep gash split it's skin, bloody meat stuck out of the gash, dropping a dwindling stream of blood on the ground. An ominous glint flickered on in the Earth-Child's eyes at the sight. Until that moment, it merely saw the raccoon as another prey to be swallowed in it's stomach. With it turning to strike back, not running away as it had been doing, the Earth-Child was being forced to rethink that.

After quickly landing a strike, the Stepping Raccoon frantically distanced itself from the Earth-Child. These opponents it had been running into tonight were formidable killers. This Caterpillar looking monster it was facing had a strong energy protecting it's body like an armor. Before he could even cut it's flesh he had to break through the energy. Every strike needed to have his entire force behind it if he was going to make any leeway.

Heart sinking, it thought about all the effort it took just to get in that one strike. Avoiding those earth spikes cost energy too. While stabilizing it's breath, the raccoon locked eyes with the Earth-Child. It's creepy bug eyes glittered in a way that sent shivers down the raccoon's spine. The ground seemed to shuffle beneath it's feet, this wasn't a welcomed development.

Under his suspicious gaze, a yellow light started to spread across the ground. By now the raccoon has already seen that the light was able to increase the big caterpillar's speed. This time it was spreading out to cover a wider area, he saw it sliding towards his direction and cursed between his clenched fangs. With just the single lane of light it had before, the Earth-Child could only come at you from one direction.

If it wanted to change directions while it was in motion, it would have to channel it's ability all over again. Dodging it's attacks was easy for the Stepping raccoon. What the Earth-Child was doing now though increased it's deadliness by quite a few notches. It's attacks would come with shorter lulls in between them, giving it's opponent less room to catch their breath. Coupling the long reach it had with it's innate mobility method, making a misstep against it when it got in range could cost you your life!

Seeing that things weren't going in his favor, the raccoon decided to withdraw while thinking of a way to elude the Earth-Child's senses. With just a step he turned into a streak, darting towards the overhang. Waiting for death like a sitting duck wasn't the raccoon's style, there had to be something it could use to turn the tables around.

"If all you could do is run, what good could you do as an object of interest to distract the old bastard from his wrath"? Looking on, Raiken was quite displeased with the raccoon's continuous flights. He even cheered for it when it landed a good blow, eagerly anticipating a follow up. How could he expect that the creature would choose to flee as it had been doing for most of the night?!

The humans laid on the screen of air behind him with their butts sticking up in the sky. He paid them no mind at the moment, they were busy looking over the blood refinement slip he'd planted in their consciousness. If these guys had any hope, maybe they could become of use someday. However, Raiken didn't care about them at the moment. From what he could see, there wasn't going to be an epic battle between these two beasts of the same tier.

A being of Raiken's status wouldn't normally be interested in a fight between small fry. To the locals, these two might be forces they must handle with all seriousness, but to Raiken they were simply ingredients to be harvested as he wished. Any other creature at his level of power would usually have lived for quite a long time. Someone his age arriving at this stage of power was truly a frightening matter.

Back home, there were no opportunities to look at a real battle with life and death hanging on the line. Everyone was a member of the Optic Demon's organization. There were no conflicts to speak of, with their powerful vision, the Optic Demons were able to see the many paths which lied ahead. They could guide you in the way of refinement, it was up to you to continue on using your own legs after they pointed out the way for you.

Sages, as well as Sword Deities served the clan without thinking less of themselves. Understandably because: the Optic Demon race were beings who were around even before the myriad galaxies came into existence. Even in their decline they were a power which can make an entire galaxy tremble. The knowledge they had recorded in their libraries was vaster than the heavens.

Warriors at Raiken's power level were merely small leaders within the clan. His status as Dragon-Eye's direct descendant made the difference. At a regular time, he would be confined to the palace, only able to go to the many training rooms that took up a large section of the palace, or the clan libraries. Having to bear with those sort of arrangements, he could forget about enjoying the freedom to do whatever he pleased.

That was to say, he would never be able to do as he was doing right now. Running around on an unknown world unsupervised. Suddenly being mysteriously deposited to an unknown place didn't alarm the baby demon. Fear was the least thing in him at this very moment. He was currently feeling dissatisfied that the confrontation between the Caterpillar monster and raccoon didn't go as he wanted.

Finally growing restless, his body vanished from it's spot. Without showing a single sign, he appeared between the walls of the overhang. Roots stretched across the walls, forming a ceiling of nets with brown and yellow lines overhead. They crisscrossed into patterns, blocking some of the light that came down from the stars and moon.

As a shadow flash across the space, the roots hardly moved. The shadow landed on the roots gently like a leaf, then it jumped across to another group of nets. Moving with sure steps, the faded image of a raccoon traversed this unstable path like it was regular terrain. This feature of the overhang provided the raccoon a way that another passerby wouldn't consider. A surge of relief shot through it when he saw them, the predicament it was in left it reeling in helplessness, so the net of roots were a welcome sight to it.

"I'd like to see how you'll keep up now ya damned beast." Sneered the raccoon as it landed on a line of roots. Avoiding contact with the ground should be an effect measure to throw off the caterpillar monster's probe. Even if it found him, he could use this place to mount guerrilla tactics to wear it down till it withdrew. Only thing with that was he'd tax himself in the process. From the way he saw it, the best option was to wait it out here in the ceiling of roots for an opportunity to either escape, or finish the monster off.........

"Feeling proud of yourself"? A child's voice came out of nowhere, scaring the hell out the raccoon. It's body fell sideways, losing his footing on the ceiling of roots in it's fear. In a frantic flurry of arms, it was able to grab hold of a dangling root. Hearing a voice speak abruptly in a tone like it had everything grasped in it's hand made his heart stop for a moment.

As down on it's luck as it had been recently, the raccoon wasn't left with much confidence in sudden occurrences like these. With a mind full of pessimistic expectations, he looked up to see what nuisance fate would have to throw at him this time. When it's eyes rose up reluctantly to the expansive night sky, they immediately beheld a small lizard with silver scales which shimmered in the dark.

A pair of searing crimson eyes looked down on him in judgement. Unlike the humans with their limited knowledge of beings with supreme spiritual prowess, the Stepping Raccoons had figures who had made it to such lofty heights. Through it's close intimacy with the sword, the raccoon could tell that the lights flickering in the lizard's scales were full of sharp energy. Even when he'd taken note of it's presence, he still couldn't sense a thing to indicate the lizard's presence there.