Barrier

(Spring of Life)(Kai's POV)

(Main POV)

In just a few days, I'd nearly supplanted the entirety of the Mana Water in the lake with my colossal form. To say that I had underestimated my size would be an understatement; I was practically island-sized. 

Initially, I'd maintained a spider-web structure for organization, but as my form grew exponentially, it became impractical. So, I let it dissipate, melding it with the rest of my body in the lake. The surface of the water shimmered, turning into an awe-inspiring tapestry of multicolored hues, a kaleidoscope sprawling across the entire lake.

I sensed that my threads hadn't discovered a single metal deposit for a full day. I'd essentially stripped the surrounding area of its mineral resources. So, I think it's about time for me to leave.

Absorbing the remnants of the Mana Water, I geared up to leave this secluded sanctuary. As I willed my titanic form to move, it crashed onto the banks, sending monumental waves cascading through the lake like a tsunami. I slowly condense my gigantic form into a smaller form, something I'd found out during these few days.

Interestingly, my Mana pool remained stable, even as I miniaturized my form. It was a curious sensation, as if my body was being intensely compressed but all my faculties and functions stayed intact. In fact, the term 'condensed' would be a more accurate description. 

Strangely enough, the concentration of Mana I could release remained unchanged, and despite my attempts to puzzle it out, the reason behind this phenomenon eluded me.

Arriving at the mysterious barrier, It was finally time to leave this safe haven. I hope there's nothing out there that's waiting for me, but I mean, what are the chances?I went to the exact spot where I'd sent a detached part of my body through, days ago. A lingering dread crept in. Ay? Where's it? The last time I came I remember seeing it on the other side and now it was gone? I have a bad feeling about this…

Well, the time to be worried is over, I've prepared so much over these few days(thought it felt like months to me). First, I create a humanoid figure; it's what I'm most comfortable with after all. While creating a humanoid figure is something I've been meaning to do, I seem to be able to move faster and manipulate Mana better in my original forms.

Done, easy right? Well, no. My humanoid body was all rainbow and sparkles; literally. It was a shining rainbow like my original forms, despite the humanoid features it was all covered by the blinding rainbow glow that my body radiated. 

And it might be because the strength of my glow increased with the amount of Mana I had in my body, and the fact that my body has been condensed into a smaller form - My body was like a midday sun. 

Fortunately, this was something I had experimented with these few days. Concentrating on dimming the ethereal glow enveloping me, I managed to dial it down, until only a dark-grey sheen remained. It was an improvement, albeit not perfect. My skin color was still static, locked into its grey state.

Taking a metaphorical deep breath, something I technically didn't require but did out of habit, I steeled myself. The time had come. With newfound determination, I plunged headfirst into the enigmatic, distorted barrier looming ahead.