6 Calm Before the Storm

Deep within the depths of the forest, sat a mirror-like lake. The starry sky above reflected on its surface giving one the illusion of a portal to the infinite cosmos. Lining the edge of the lake were a bunch of trees. The trees were bare of leaves and glowed an eerie green under the moonlight.

On the tree closest to the lake a giant purple crow with a vivid red beak. By the crow's side was a slightly smaller crow with a more pinkish beak.

"Father, do you really believe that old tiger will be able to get some Sanctioned Flare Fruits?" The smaller of the two crows asked. He hadn't been there when his father and the tiger talked, but his father's aid had informed him about the meeting.

"There's no need for concern, Alba." The bigger crow replied.

"But father the golden moon is appearing in two days," Alba said, unable to mask the panic in his voice. "If I miss this one, it'll be another 100 years before the next one."

Hearing his son's complaining the Crow Demon King Luka narrowed his eyes. Yet before he could say anything another crow swooped in from the forest of glowing trees and landed on the grown below the king.

"Your majesty, I have a report." The new arrival stated as he kneeled with his wings spread out across the ground.

"Report." King Luka commanded as he turned his attention to the scout.

With the King's acknowledgment, the scout straightened himself and stood at attention. "The sentries we have stationed near the border of Grande Mount have sent news that Lord Torlin appears to have left empty-handed."

Hearing this Prince Alba's face instantly dropped. In a panic, he turned to his father, however before he could speak King Luke silenced him with a glare.

"What direction did Lord Torlin go after leaving?" The king asked.

"He proceeded towards the Dual Dragon River, my King." The scout humbly answered.

"He's aware that we were watching his movements," King Luka said, not surprised by Torlin's actions. "He most likely informed Demon Emperor Humil of my intent on the Sanctioned Flare Fruits," he mused to himself. Drumming is talons on the branch below him he sighed, "That old feline is smarter than I gave him credit for. Since he was unable to get the fruits he knows I am certain to make another move and has decided to seek shelter with the King of the River."

"Relay my orders, all scouts tailing the Tiger Lord are to withdraw immediately."

"Yes, my king." With the King's orders in mind, the scout bowed once more before shooting off into the night.

After watching the scout leave, Prince Alba turned to his father again, "Father, what will we do now?"

Hearing the nervousness in his son's voice, King Luka shook his head in disappointment. "I knew we were unlikely to get the fruits from the beginning." Standing from his perch, King Luka spread his wings, "I merely wished to try a less violent method first. However, it seems that I'll have to personally act after all."

Seeing his father prefer to fly off Alba's nervousness faded and was replaced by anticipation. He hadn't seen his father make a move in a long time. Following his father's lead, he also stood and spread his wings. Then with a mighty gust of wind, both of them soared off towards the north.

Back at the base of Grande Mountain, Humil stood on the upper branches of his tree as he watched Torlin leave towards the east. Shaking his head he glanced towards the Baren Crow Lake in the south.

What Torlin had said earlier was correct. Since he had failed to get any fruits, Luka was nearly guaranteed to personally act.

Luka's son was getting close to his evolution, and if he wasn't mistaken, without the boost of a Sanctioned Flare Fruit or two he was bound to fail. Knowing that old bird he wouldn't allow that to happen without a fight. Shaking his head he jumped from the branch and floated gently to the ground. With light steps he walked over to the hole Jasper was sound asleep in.

Gazing at the blissfully sleeping kid, he couldn't help but smile. He'd been secretly watching over the eggs ever since their mother hid them there. Yet then his tribulation hit a full cycle sooner than he'd plan.

The lightning was much stronger than normal, and instead of just bearing down on him, it rained down on everything around him. Including the unsuspecting nest hidden among his roots. His heart was torn in two as he watched the bolts reaping their lives, being completely unable to protect them.

So when he discovered that one of the eggs had managed to survive, he was ecstatic! Since they had been through the tribulation together they were connected, and he swore that he'd protect this little one it if was the last thing he did.

As a tree that had awakened its spirit to become a demon, he didn't have any family. But now he saw the little snake as his own son. Or at his age more like a grandchild.

Gathering his spirit power he formed a ball in his hands before ever so slightly covering Jasper with it. With a wave of his sleeve he lifted Jasper from the ground. Inside the bubble, Jasper was completely unaware of everything that was happening.

With the little snake floating in the air at eye level, he finally got a good look at him. As he observed him his eyebrows shot up in surprise.

"Well well well, little one, to think that you've already awakened your spirit." He muttered to himself. Since he was feeding him fruits every time he woke up, Humil estimated that the little snake would awaken his spirit in a month at the earliest. Yet this little one had thrown that in his face and awakened only one day after hatching.

Smiling Humil nodded happily, it looked like he wouldn't be able to judge this little guy by normal standards. Doing a few more checks just to make sure he was healthy and there were no problems, mostly checking for head trauma cause goodness the kid really hit that wall hard.

Satisfied that everything was all fine and dandy, Humil slowly lowered the sleeping Jasper back into the pit. Once Jasper was safely back on the ground, Humil dispersed the spirit bubble around him. Casting one last loving glance at the sleeping hatchling, he dropped another core filled fruit into the hole near him, and flew back up into the tree.