Chapter : 31 Familiar Forest
Surrounded by the towering trees, Vali and Dylan forged their path through the forest. The sun was already setting, casting the sky in shades of orange that merged seamlessly with the emerging stars.
Dylan, using his spiritual senses, scanned their surroundings for any signs of unusual activity. However, aside from a mysterious barrier where his senses seemed to falter, nothing else caught his attention.
Without questioning Vali, Dylan followed his lead, understanding that their journey would take them beyond the barrier, the only anomaly in their path.
As Vali abruptly halted, he extended his hand, causing a ripple effect as it met an invisible force – the barrier.
"We must wait until the moon comes out," Vali declared, gathering sticks and dried leaves to kindle a fire. With the flames dancing, he set a pot of water to boil.
Observing Vali's preparations, Dylan knew it was Ramen time.
Vali produced instant ramen cups and poured the boiling water into them, patiently awaiting their readiness.
"Well, now at least tell me what we will do here,"
Dylan inquired, adding the boiled water to his cup of ramen.
"Have some patience; the moon will soon come out," Vali replied, casting his gaze toward the night sky as darkness enveloped the forest.
The rhythmic slurping of noodles resonated through the once-silent forest, a prelude to the moonlight descending and casting its ethereal glow.
In the midst of the celestial spectacle, the duo prioritized their ramen indulgence, savoring each flavorful bite.
Emerging from their satisfying meal, Vali invoked his sacred Divine Dividing, its draconic wings unfurling majestically on his back.
Approaching the invisible barrier, Vali extended his hand, "Divide...divide...divide..." The sound from his Sacred gear.
Resonating through the forest, the incantation caused the barrier to ripple and distort. "Let's go in," Vali declared.
They navigated through the now-altered barrier, taking advantage of the brief opening before it seamlessly sealed behind them, concealing their entry.
As they entered the barrier, the forest enveloped them once again, but it was no ordinary forest. It teemed with creatures straight out of a fantastical nightmare: strange flying bats, two-headed snakes, and bizarre amalgamations like dog-cats and bizarre catteerpillars.
"Is this a zoo of beasts?" Dylan muttered, his eyes darting nervously around the eerie surroundings. He sensed the presence of larger, more menacing creatures lurking in the shadows.
"Dylan, be on guard. There might be stronger beasts nearby," Vali cautioned, his gaze scanning the darkness ahead as if searching for hidden dangers.
Suddenly, Vali's instincts surged, his senses honed to the slightest disturbance in the forest. A rustling noise echoed through the trees, and with astonishing speed, a big blue-headed serpent lunged toward Dylan. Yet, neither Dylan nor Vali flinched; instead, they met the creature's gaze with unwavering resolve.
The serpent halted mere inches from Dylan's face, its sharp fangs glistening in the dim light. Time seemed to stand still as the creature hung suspended in mid-air, trapped by an unseen force.
"Seriously, he was trying a sneak attack," Dylan muttered nonchalantly, his senses keen enough to detect the serpent's presence even as it lurked behind the trees.
With a flick of his mind, Dylan halted the serpent's assault, leaving it suspended just inches from him, its puzzled expression reflecting the thwarted attempt.
"Let's keep moving," Vali urged, his confidence unwavering as he pressed forward into the forest.
Dylan regarded the snake with a mix of amusement and curiosity. Despite snake initial aggression, there was something almost apologetic in its demeanor now. An idea sparked in Dylan's mind, and with a mischievous grin, he decided to turn the situation to his advantage.
Seizing the opportunity, Dylan settled himself atop the snake, using his telekinetic abilities to command it into a makeshift hovercraft. With a subtle shift in his focus, the serpent obediently glided beneath him, its scales shimmering in the dappled light as they embarked on their unconventional journey through the forest.
As they journeyed deeper into the unknown, no other beasts dared to attempt a sneak attack, perhaps scared by the presence of the blue-headed serpent or maybe just because they witnessed it becoming Dylan's ride.
Halting near a cave, Dylan tapped into his spiritual senses, feeling a chilling energy emanating from within. He sensed a strong presence inside.
A commanding female voice echoed from the cave, tauntingly dismissing them. "Well, it seems like some kids lost their way. Go back to your mommy and daddy."
Vali, undeterred, activated his sacred gear, summoning draconic wings that unfurled majestically on his back. "We came here for you, Tiamat," he declared with unwavering determination.
Inside the cave, dark blue eyes gleamed in the shadows. A small, enigmatic smile played across the mysterious figure's face. "So, we have the host of Albion as guests," she remarked.
In a different part of the familiar forest, a crimson magic circle shimmered, and from its depths emerged Rias Gremory, her long crimson hair cascading behind her, accompanied by her nephew, Millicas Gremory. Zeoticus Knight, their trusted guard, stood watchfully by their side.
"Hello there, little ones," a cheerful voice greeted them from above. Perched on a tree branch, a middle-aged man with a lanky frame and a neck-length red ponytail grinned down at them, his brown eyes twinkling with warmth. His attire was casual yet colorful, with a green sweater tied around his waist and a yellow backpack slung over his shoulder.
"Master Rias, Millicas, meet Zatouji, the Familiar Master," Zeoticus Knight introduced with a respectful nod.
Rias and Millicas exchanged polite bows, their demeanor reflecting the grace expected of nobility.
"Oh! They are quite polite kids" Zatouji remarked with a chuckle, pleasantly surprised by their politeness, especially considering that children from noble families are often perceived as arrogant or entitled due to their privileged upbringing.
Crackeleee!!! ...BooMmmm!!!..
The sound of thunder lightning.
In the quiet forest, a sudden loud noise grabbed Rias group attention. They looked towards the source and saw a bright white light colliding with a vivid blue one in the sky. The clash of lights looked like a distant fight scene.
Even from their distant vantage point, they could sense the raw power pulsating through the air, vibrating with each clash and collision.
With a deafening boom, the white flash plummeted earthward, its impact resonating through the very ground beneath their feet. The reverberations echoed through the forest, a testament to the magnitude of the clash, while the lingering blue light hovered defiantly in the air.
Back to Dylan
Dylan was sitting above the serpent, watching the fight between two dragons. If you're wondering how it started, it's simple: Vali came to the familiar forest for the sole reason of fighting Tiamat, one of the strongest Dragon Kings. What surprised Dylan was that Tiamat turned out to be a beautiful woman with dark blue hair.
Vali brought Dylan along with him as a precaution. If, by any chance, Vali gets defeated and Tiamat tries to kill him, Dylan could help him escape.
"This guy will surely get me killed along with him someday," Dylan muttered, watching the fight. He could easily tell that Tiamat outclassed him; he was no match for her.
As Vali crashed to the ground with a resounding thud, Tiamat, wearing a sarcastic smile, addressed Dylan, "Looks like the Albion host is done. What about you, kid? Do you want a round?"
Vali, refusing to concede defeat, rose to his feet, his damaged armor slowly repairing itself. "The fight isn't over yet," he declared, his voice filled with unwavering resolve.
Tiamat, with a hint of seriousness in her voice, warned, "You're way too strong for your age, but you shouldn't underestimate your enemies; it could cost you your life."
Vali, his determination unwavering, responded, "I'm not underestimating you. I just want to win." His gaze held a gleam of unyielding resolve
To be continued...
------------------------------------------------