28 Breakthrough

  In Mellisa's dark shack, the atmosphere is dreadful. Elanor sighs before putting on a smile. "No worries. Since my master gave you medicine, it's not impossible. Leave it to me!" She says, making a guts pose.

  Mellisa nods reservedly. She can't break down in front of her daughter, she thinks. "Yes, here you should take a pill now," Mellisa says as she pulls a pill from the bag. As she hands the pill to her daughter, she sees her handshaking. Mellisa grabs her arm to steady it.

  "Don't worry, mom. I'll try my best," Laurel consoles her mother. Laurel reaches out, grabbing her mother's hand with both of hers in comfort. She then slowly takes the pill. With a gulp, she swallows the pill. "Blah, it's so bitter!" Laurel yells, sticking out her tongue. "How do you feel?" Mellisa asks with worry.

  As Laurel scrapes her tongue with her hand, the world seems to come to a sudden halt. She looks around, a bit disoriented. "Honey?" Mellisa asks in fear. "I'm alright, it's just... different," the girl replies. It feels as if the ground she stands on went from shifting sand to solid ground.

  "Since your feeling alright, we should get started!" Elanor says, grabbing the girl's arm dragging her out. "Right," Laurel says while clenching her fists. As they exit the shack, the atmosphere feels strange.

  Off to the side, Arron is cradling both Anna and Franklin protectively. Anna is still quaking from the healing she received, and Franklin is still unconscious from the angry stare.

  However, most eyes are looking at the sky in fear. Everyone is muttering in confusion at the scene. There is a dark, ominous cloud that almost looks like a hand, trying to break through the heavens. "Tribulation clouds?" Elanor asks while pondering the situation.

  "Training can wait a bit. Your assistance may be required," Elanor hears John says in her head. "Looks like we're about to see a good show," she laughs while folding her arms under her chest, causing them to heave and bounce. She then pats Laurel's head, saying, "Don't worry, it's nothing dangerous. I'll go help out a bit, be right back."

  Elanor jumps up the hill quickly. As she climbs the hill, Joe glares at the sky. "MOOORROO!" he roars at the tribulation clouds. Below, the villagers shake like they are in an earthquake.

  As if in response to the roar of the demonic bull, the first tribulation lightning smashes down, turning the world white. Joe jumps into the air and takes the first lightning bolt with his horns, smashing it to bits. Joe snorts in triumph. However, the first strike is the weakest. The danger will only grow from here.

  The next bolt of tribulation, lightning, falls towards the round demonic bull. Joe stares at the sky with determination in his eyes. He sends his demonic energy out to contend with the lightning. The world becomes a black and white one, as the dark energy from Joe collides with the light from the heavens. After a moment of pushing and pulling, the lightning is sent back to the sky.

  Before Joe can even celebrate, another bolt flies at him. This one collides directly into his body. His fat body shakes like pudding from the shock. His skin is scorched black, but the fat dissipates the electricity, shielding his internal organs from damage.

  More and more tribulation lightning, rains down from the sky, not giving the bull a chance to breathe. Slowly he falls to his knees. "Moooo," Joe yells in agony as his internal organs fry. His blood flow disrupts from the damage. He's now on the verge of defeat, losing his path to his ancestors. Joe's eyes look at the sky with unwillingness.

  "It's your turn, girl!" John yells. "What? Fine damn it. Here comes Elanor!" she hollers, jumping into the sky pulling out a mystic sword.

  "Bring it, you bastard!" Elanor screams, slashing apart a bolt of lightning. The tribulation sensing someone blocking it turns its energy to the transgressor. After she stops a few bolts, she's hit directly. "EEEahh," She dramatically screams while hurtling to the ground. She smashes down into the village, creating a large crater. Her clothes in tatters from the lightning, she weakly lays in her hole. If there is anyone who dare look, they will get quite an eye full.

  Joe stabilizes himself standing up once again, staring at his heavenly foe. He still hasn't recovered from the prior attacks. His blood is in turmoil, so he can't release his full strength. This is the most powerful tribulation lightning. It is do or die.

  'Things aren't looking good,' John thinks. "Shit! You fat bastard. I'll show you why I have one more letter than you," John bellows as the final lightning bolt falls from the sky.

  John releases half his leaves flying into the sky, forming a green shield between Joe and the tribulation. As the lightning smashes into the leaves, they only hold for a moment before disintegrating. Still, the divine lightning is significantly weakened. "MOOOORUUU," Joe hollers as he charges into the lightning. His horns crack from the destructive energy as he smashes into the ground.

  The dark clouds dissipate, returning the world to tranquility. In Joe's crater, a fat demonic bull looks like he's just been roasted over a fire, groans. He slowly stumbles to his feet, feeling his blood becoming purer. Exhaustion on his face, Joe smiles at his success.

  In the other crater, Elanor quickly covers herself with spare robes. Her face is smudged with dirt, her body covered in burns. She stumbles out to see a worried Laurel staring at her. She smiles and cups the girl's cheeks. "What are you making that face for? This little bit won't hurt me!" She says jovially.

  On the hill, there is one plant that isn't happy. He grimaces at the loss of leaves. 'At least Joe's breakthrough went well,' John consoles himself, 'still, this is a huge setback for me. Especially so close to my break through.' He long knew his cultivation technique was precarious. It is much like making pottery. The sun energy is used for baking and solidifying the earth energy. A precarious balance has to be maintained, or the finished product won't be perfect and crack. With the loss of half his leaves, John won't be able to provide enough sun energy.