13 A Boy's Confidence

  Franklin follows John's training schedule for several weeks. During this time, the well is finished. They are now trapping small animals along the forest's edge. However, grass and weeds grow at a ridiculous pace here, causing them much consternation. Most of the day is spent fighting this plant apocalypse. The plants are bound and offered as a tribute to the Demonic Bull that lives on the hill.

  Franklin is training as usual and is getting quite confident in his strength. Even some of the men had recently complimented him when he helped lug the weeds up the hill. So when Laurel comes over, Franklin makes quite the show of it. Puffing his chest and lifting weights, he usually avoids.

  Laughing at the silly sight, Laurel says, "You look like a tomato!" while pointing at his perspiring red face.

  "Shut up. You can't lift this big pot," Franklin embarrassingly retorts while looking away, "I've gotten strong, you know?"

  "My mom lifts that pot every day," Laurel smirks teasingly.

  "It's not fair to compare to an adult," Franklin gripes at the cute girl. "Look, I even fought some small demonic beasts last time!" Franklin says while thumping his chest.

  Laurel's eyes go wide as she yells, "You're not supposed to go into the forest; it's dangerous!"

  "So I've gotten strong, and I just went in a bit I could still see the houses and everything," Franklin responds while glaring defiantly.

  "I don't believe you," Laurel counters. Puffing her cheeks in anger, she says, "There's no way a kid can fight those monsters."

  "I can!" Franklin hollers back as he grabs his wooden sword. "I'll show you," Franklin says as he stomps away.

  Laurel's jaw drops in shock. "Don't go, okay? I believe you stop!" She yells as her eyes tear up in fear.

  Franklin stubbornly continues into the forest. "I told you it isn't a big deal. I can handle myself," Franklin says firmly. Even with his sharp words, he visibly tenses up and squeezes his sword in apprehension.

  "NOOO!" Laurel squeals as she runs at the stupid boy grabbing his arm to pull him back.

  "Why'd you come in too?" Franklin admonishes with a worried look.

  "Cause you're being stupid!" Laurel cries, looking aggrieved.

  "Okay, I get it. We'll go back," Franklin gives in with a sigh.

  "Grrr, roar," sounds of small fox demonic beasts come from the nearby trees making both the kids jump in fear.

  "D, dd, don't worry, Laurel I can take care of this while you run," Franklin reassures her while shaking. Franklin grits his teeth and shifts in front of Laurel protecting the young lady.

  "No, you run too." Laurel cries as her tears flow like a river.

  Franklin pushes the girl towards the village, "Go!"

  In the meantime, back on the hill, a small, lush bush is watching the children closely. "Looks like there's some trouble." John says while waving a branch at Joe, "Perhaps you should intervene since you're their guardian spirit?"

  "Snort." The demonic bull just glances over and continues eating.

  "How can you say that you've never gotten anything from them! What about all the food?" John argues.

  "Brr."

  "Yeah, I know you would have eaten it anyway. It's the thought that counts, you know?" John lectures the stubborn beast with an air of authority.

  Joe looks away from the bush with a "Grr."

  Annoyed that a mere Joe won't listen to reason, John argues, "I still remember when you rolled down the hill and couldn't even stop your self like a big ball! If you don't get some exercise, they'll have to put the grass in your mouth for you."

  The bull turns back with a hurt expression on his face. "mrr," reluctantly Joe turns towards the forest where the kids are to take a look.

  Back in the forest, Franklin is swinging wildly at the small fox demonic beasts. John hasn't trained him in any sword techniques since he is still too weak. The demonic beasts use their numbers against the boy and quickly corner him against a tree.

  They keep attacking from all sides in quick succession. Franklin can only use his body to block the incoming attacks to protect Laurel, who is unable to move on her own due to fear. Blood spews out from the claw wounds on Franklin's arms and chest. As he endures the pain, he wildly swings with all his strength smashing one of the foxes to the ground.

  However, this only enrages the other demonic beasts. How dare this pup hurt their friend is painted in their eyes. The foxes then use their well-honed coordination to jump and dodge in front of Franklin confusing the boy. While Franklin is distracted, the large alpha male comes from the other side smashing Franklin into a tree and dividing him from Laurel.

  Franklin crumples with a bang as a groan escapes from his mouth. Laurel screams with all her might snot flows from her nose in a sorry state. Finally, the villagers notice the commotion, and some run towards the scene.

  Anna happens to be close by drying clothes. She drops what she is doing and sprints towards the scream. Anna quickly arrives, and her eyes flash with panic as everything seems to slow down as she watches the large demonic fox lunge for her son's throat. It is too late. She is too far away.

  Upon the hill, John can only shake its head. Joe is heading over, but he isn't in any hurry. The bull has no strong feelings on humans and only thinks that they are a bit useful but no more.

  John wants to help his young student, but alas, life is cruel. "Sorry, Franklin, but I'm only a seed coalescing plant," Shaking his branches he, can only sigh. John long became numb to death, even his own. Unlike those heroes and talents that cling to life, he knows his limits.

  John is indeed pretty powerful as a plant. Seed coalescing is the first level of plant cultivation and nothing to scoff at. However, plant cultivation is different from human cultivation. A plant takes a long time to soar through the heavens. Even now, the most he can do is swing his branches a bit. He can't even defeat an average human. However, with his strength, normal animals and humans couldn't easily hurt him either. Plant cultivation is very passive in this way.

  As the last moments flash by, Franklin's eyes are flush as he sees his mom rush over. Tears flow as he holds out his hand. Yet she is so far away his mind is drowning in panic.

  Anna bites her tongue blood flows as she whispers, "Though my body will break, I still go forth!" Foundation energy burst forth from her body as Anna seems to fly as each step sends her a few yards. She grabs the shocked demonic fox by the neck smashing him against the tree above her son. The beast whimpers then is still it's neck broken.

  John watches from the hill notices something is off. His inner eye flashes as he senses the rising energy. Joe also notices, and his eyes furrow, looking at the scene.

  John hears the words spoken and is shocked. 'Such a thing could she be?' he contemplates. He only knows one bloodline with such power. "Could it be?" His leaves shake in contemplation.