As Lucavion settled into a meditative posture, the healing potion working its magic on his battered body, Vitaliara moved silently through the remnants of the battlefield.
Her sharp eyes scanned the area, taking in the scattered scales of the Lesser Abyssal Wyrm that had been blown away by Lucavion’s final strike.
The scales, once a part of the beast’s impenetrable armor, were now strewn across the crater, their dark, reflective surfaces glinting ominously in the dim light.
Vitaliara began to gather the scales, her movements precise and deliberate. Each scale was a reminder of the fierce battle that had just taken place, a testament to Lucavion’s relentless drive and the power he had unleashed.
She handled them with care, knowing that they held a significance beyond their immediate value—they were pieces of a creature that had been formidable, and they might still serve a purpose in the future.
After all, most of the time, a beast’s remains can be used for many things. The carcasses, especially for beasts with scales like these, would be used for making weapons.
And since the Lesser Abyssal Wyrm was a best-of-peak 3-star rank, it was something that would not be easily hunted. Because of that, the value it posed would be much higher.
‘He can even make a weapon from its scales.’
That was what she had thought.
As she worked, Vitaliara’s gaze occasionally drifted back to Lucavion, who remained seated in meditation, his breathing slow and even.
The contrast between the two scenes was striking. Around her, the landscape was a portrait of destruction: the ground was shattered, scorched, and marred by deep scars where the [Flame of Equinox] had burned through flesh and stone alike.
The air was thick with the lingering scent of ash and decay, a grim reminder of the life that had been snuffed out in this place.
But in the midst of this devastation, there was Lucavion, a figure of complete stillness and tranquility. His expression was calm; his body relaxed as the healing potion did its work.
The chaos that had erupted from his breakthrough had subsided, leaving behind only the quiet, focused energy of his meditation to recover his [Starlight] energy.
It was as if he had become a part of the stillness, a serene presence in the eye of the storm.
‘The tranquility in him… it’s almost unsettling,’ Vitaliara mused, her thoughts tinged with a mix of admiration and concern. ‘To be so calm after causing such destruction… it was indeed a rare thing.
Not everyone would possess such a quality.
‘He was indeed not lying when he said he had seen enough…..’ She thought.
As she continued to gather the scales, her mind wandered back to the moment when the black star had formed above Lucavion, when the air had crackled with raw, chaotic energy.
The memory of that power, so overwhelming and untamed, made her shiver slightly.
‘That star….. It was of an abyss but at the same time of a cosmos…’
Being a Mythical Beast who had seen countless different things, she could easily say that that star was not something that was normal.
‘Just what are you, Lucavion?’
She could not help but think.
‘And just what kind of monster have you released to the world, Gerald?’
There were many questions but no answers at all.
In the end, she could only shake her head, looking at the play of fate.
‘The play of the Fate…..’
Vitaliara cast one last glance at the destruction around her before turning back to Lucavion. His breathing had steadied, the tension in his muscles easing as the healing potion took effect.
The harsh lines of exhaustion that had marred his face were softening, replaced by the calm determination that was so characteristic of him.
With her task complete, Vitaliara approached Lucavion quietly, settling down nearby to keep watch over him as he continued his meditation. The peak around them was silent as if holding its breath in the aftermath of the battle. Even the usual sounds of distant creatures had faded, leaving only the faint rustle of leaves and the soft murmur of the wind.
‘Let’s see what the play has in store for you…..’
She thought. And whatever it was, she would follow him…
After all, she was his contracted beast from now on.
********
As Lucavion’s meditation drew to a close, his breathing deepened, and a final wave of energy swept through his body, signaling the end of his recovery.
Slowly, he opened his eyes, feeling the residual warmth of the healing potion dissipate as his [Starlight] energy fully replenished. His muscles, once tight with strain, now felt refreshed and ready to move.
‘That is good. I can now leave this place.’
He looked around the crater, taking in the aftermath of the battle one last time. The destruction was extensive, a testament to the fight that had just happened here, but he felt no attachment to the scene. It was just another step in his journey—one that had left its mark but was now behind him.
He glanced at Vitaliara, who had been quietly watching over him, her presence a comforting constant. She gave him a small nod, acknowledging that the time had come to move on.
‘The map will show the way,’ Lucavion thought as he reached into his pouch and retrieved the old, worn map of the Shadowed Thicket.
He had studied it countless times during his stay here, memorizing the paths, the landmarks, and the dangers that lay in wait. ‘The exit is to the north, through the dense undergrowth… then past the River of Shrouded Echoes.’
The River of Shrouded Echoes was a wide, fast-moving river that cut through the heart of the Shadowed Thicket.
“I’ll need to clean myself before we go,” Lucavion murmured, his voice steady as he sheathed his estoc and adjusted his gear.
The blade, though worn and cracked, was still a part of him, and he wouldn’t discard it until he had something to replace it with.
‘Looks like you will be with me for a little longer.’
He thought with a small smile.
Vitaliara, who had finished gathering the scales of the Lesser Abyssal Wyrm, nodded in agreement. [It’s a good idea. The river will help you clear your mind as well.]
Lucavion gave her a brief smile before turning his attention to the path ahead. The forest was quiet, the usual sounds of life muted as if the creatures themselves were wary of what had transpired here.
Well, that was to be expected. After all, the leader of this place was now dead, and most of the beasts would have already sensed it.
‘This place will turn chaotic soon.’
Not long after, seeing that no one was claiming this place, more and more beasts would flood here. After all, the peak could very well be a place where many monsters could reside.
He took one last look at the battlefield, at the smoldering remnants of the Wyrm and the scars left by his breakthrough.
‘This place…I will not forget it.’
With that, Lucavion began his trek toward the River of Shrouded Echoes, Vitaliara following close behind.
The journey was uneventful, the forest seemingly devoid of any immediate threats. Perhaps the presence of the Lesser Abyssal Wyrm had kept other creatures at bay, or perhaps they were simply lying low, sensing the power that Lucavion had unleashed.
After a short walk, they reached the river’s edge.
The water was as dark as Lucavion remembered, its surface reflecting the twisted branches of the trees above, creating a distorted, haunting image of the world around them.
The sound of the rushing water was soothing, a stark contrast to the silence that had enveloped the forest.
With a sigh, he began to strip off the clothes he had been wearing for what felt like an eternity. The fabric was stiff with dried blood, dirt, and sweat, the remnants of countless battles and harsh conditions.
The once sturdy material was now worn and frayed, barely holding together after enduring the rigors of the Shadowed Thicket.
‘I guess I need to change my clothes from now on,’ Lucavion thought, glancing at the path that led out of the forest. He knew that leaving this place would no longer pose a significant threat. The time he had spent here had sharpened his senses and instincts to a razor’s edge, allowing him to navigate the dangers with ease.
The monsters that once haunted his every step were now merely obstacles to be avoided or dispatched without much effort.
As he discarded his clothing, Lucavion’s bare body was revealed, a testament to the relentless training and battles he had endured.
His physique was lean and sculpted, not bulky, but every muscle was defined and firm, a result of the intense physical regimen he had subjected himself to.
But what truly stood out were the scars.
They were scattered across his body, small cuts, slashes, and marks that told the story of his past.
Each one was a reminder of a battle fought, a near miss, or a wound that could have been fatal. They were remnants of his time on the battlefield, each scar a chapter in the saga of his life as a warrior.
“Are you not coming?” He turned to look at Vitaliara, who was just looking at him with her eyes. The small cat somehow looked sad.
[Cats dislike water.]
And Vitaliara appeared to be grumpy.
—————–
End of the second volume.
This volume was more of a power buildup for the main character. From now on, he will entangle himself with the world.
There will be no side-stories for the end of this volume.
———————–
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