Chapter 16

"Amelia, have you packed everything? " Asked Layla. Amelia and Ember were ready for Celadon city. They haven't reached level three nor caught any monsters. Dolion suggested that they can gain experience while traveling and staying in a new place. Also, the ' Emerald forest' was the only place where spirit monsters lived, and was close to Celadon city.

" Yes, I and Ember both have packed everything," said Amelia jumping like a cat in excitement. While Ember was standing there carrying her luggage quietly watching everything with a small smile. Then they both left. They both had their horses, two bags, and one basket of food. There lies the 'Ruinous Forest'. All the fruits present there are not eatable. All animals present there are poisonous and so are the fruits. They are edible to animals and increase their strength but for humans, it acts like slow poison.

"Why do you behave differently in front of my parents? Asked Amelia while biting on an apple.

" I-i just... It is nothing.... They are king and queen for me... So that is why I have to be calm and collected in front of them. "Said Ember avoiding Amelia and looking in a different direction.

" Okay... Now tell me the real reason" said Amelia smirking while taking another bite.

"Ufff.... Alright. Don't make a fuss out of what I am going to say. It is just that I feel weird every time I see them. Like a bad aura around them. I don't feel comfortable, but it is just my stupid nature. So don't mind me" Said Ember laughing at herself trying to lighten up the mood but failing miserably. Amelia was outrageous upon hearing her.

"How can you say that to my parents? They care for you like their own daughter. " Shouted Amelia in the middle of the dark night.

"Don't shout. Okay, I admit I am stupid. I don't k ow anything. You are so merciful. So righteous my princess, please forgive me for my stupidity" Said Ember bowing a little and smirking. Amelia never liked when someone treated her like a princess. She wanted to be treated equally.

"Okay... Don't call me princess. You know I don't like to be called like that. I forgive you just because you are my best friend" Said Amelia. Ember nodded giving a wide smile to her. They both rode off and ate peacefully on their way. But the peace was disturbed by the hungry tarantula when Amelia accidentally cut her palm while removing the vines which were coming their way. The smell of blood alerted the spiders and they started coming out from their nests.

"Don't move, don't make noise, and quickly cover your palm with a cloth" Whispered Ember. Amelia did as instructed and both the girls took out their weapons to give a good fight. But the number was much. It was getting difficult for the girls to overpower the eight-legged freaks.

"Quick call your partner, they can help us " Shouted Amelia while kicking off a tarantula who was trying to climb her.

Both the girls tried to call their spirit animals. But nothing happens.

"Weird, why are they not responding to us," Asked Amelia while cutting the insects into slices. But the number was way too much for them to handle.

"We are in the Ruinous Forest. We can't call them. The poison of all the animals in this forest formed a spell that prevents us to call out our partners. Now what? Inquired Ember while smashing the spiders with her heavy axe and killing some of them in one stroke with her sharp edges of the axe.

The girls were surrounded by spiders from all sides. The girls were fighting, but they were tired from the journey so a full fight was becoming difficult. Also, the number never seems to decrease. The girls looked at each other smiling while tears were in their eyes afraid that this will be the end for both of them. But their eyes clearly said to each other that it was good to meet you and have a friend like you. So they both glanced at each other and nodded understanding what the other was feeling

"Fight till death. Never give up" Said both the girls in unison.

Their loud voice echoed in the forest. Suddenly breaking of branches was heard. It felt like something big is on its way. Both girls looked in the direction of sound while still kicking, killing the spiders. They saw a shadow approach them. As soon as the shadow neared, a bright golden light came from that direction and that made all the tarantulas scared and they went away while some were burnt alive. The girls wanted to thank the traveler but no one was there present. Both looked at each other in confusion but then went towards their horses who were faithfully standing there waiting for their masters. Ember and Amelia had made them stand away before confronting the spiders. Now as everything was okay they rode off on their horses towards Celadon City. In the early morning both the girls reached Celadon city. They both searched for an inn and rested due to the tiring journey. Ember was lying peacefully on her bed, but Amelia was jumping here and there seeing as much street as she can see through the window.

"Yahh... are you not tired! Stop commenting on whatever you see. We also come from a renowned city, so what is new here to see? " Said Ember while putting her hand on her eyes to block the sunlight coming from the window.

"You are right, there is nothing new. Everything is the same and boring. The same shops, same designs, old and rusty. So boring... Ahh... Wait a minute. So beautiful. The design is so perfect. Never seen this before" Said Amelia with a big smile and jumping like a little bunny.

"What is so new that sparked your interest? From how much I know about you, a pesky little cat. " Said Ember while getting up and going towards the window where Amelia was still observing through her mini telescope. When Ember saw in the direction of Amelia, her eyes bulged in excitement.

"Impressed, right? " Asked Amelia while nudging her shoulders.

"Umm.... Wanna check it out! " Said Ember.

"Yes, let's go" Said Amelia dragging Ember along. But Ember stopped her.

"What now? Changed your mind, why? " Whined Amelia while stomping her feet.

"You are no ordinary person to roam around. You are not going like that. Hide your face, identity, and powers. That's what you learned. Now wear the veil. " Said Ember.

"Okay, old grandma," Said Amelia while showing her tongue a little and following her order. Both the girls wore a veil on their faces and went towards the Fransico bakery which was just on the opposite street from their inn.

"Hello my ladies, what would you like to try" Asked a boy.

"Is this bakery owned by you? " Asked Ember.

"My name is Michael and this bakery is owned by my friend and his brother. They had urgent work. So I will attend to you today. So what will you order? " Asked Michael.

"One chocolate cake and one apple pie," Said Amelia. Amelia had a long golden gown and Ember with a red gown. Both girls had a veil on their faces up to their noses.

"Here, your chocolate cake and apple pie are ready," said Michael while placing the dishes.

"Thank you " Both the girls said in unison in a low voice.

They liked the taste very much and both of them agreed on coming again and meeting the owners of this bakery as this was the only thing that was new to them -the designs, structure, and the new foods there. Later the girls went to practice in the field that was behind their inn.

"Amelia, you are becoming a master of your blades, I am impressed" Said Ember after a small duel with her.

"You are just being polite. You have improved within a few days." Said Amelia while showing her smile.

Both the girls practiced with weapons and also with their spirit animals. Ember had reached level three and was improving with handling her weapon. Amelia had reached level two and her bond with her lynx.

In the Celadon forest,

"Why don't you want to increase your power? Yesterday you cried buckets and when I showed you the solution you are rejecting it! " Said Xander angrily.

"Because I don't want anything to happen to you. I also don't know why but from yesterday you look too pale and weak to me. At night I was not able to see, but now anyone can tell you are not well. And you want me to follow that procedure. Leave it. We have loads of work. Let's go back" shouted Ajax.

"No, until I help you we are not going anywhere. Stop being stubborn and do as I say" Demanded Xander.

"Never I won't do that, never," said Ajax and started running away.

" Come here right now!! "Shouted Xander.

" No, said Ajax and speeded up. But as soon as he was ten meters away from Xander he was blocked by a barrier. It was invisible but upon touching it felt like a strong barrier that allows nothing to enter.

"Now what is this, let me go! Don't persuade me" Said Ajax.

"It is my new power. Don't force your way. After it is hit five times then it leaves an electric shock and everything in its vicinity gets a shock. So come here NOW! " Said Xander loudly.

"Brother, why are forcing me to do this? " Asked Ajax.

"Why? You are asking me why! You have read in the book that if you don't increase your power, that little power will cause a deviation in your soul power and if that happens either your whole soul power will dissipate leaving a serious injury or a dead body of yours behind. And you are still asking me why am I doing this!! " Shouted Xander while fisting his fists to control his patience which was on the brink of depletion.

"And you also read that if you need to increase that little power and unleash its full potential, then you have to have a transfer of soul power. And the main point is that if the person receiving is not in his senses then that person's body becomes like a sucking one, it sucks all the power from the person who is giving the soul power and can die. And I don't want that to happen "said Ajax while sitting on the ground while sighing sadly.

" Listen, don't worry about me. I will transfer soul power successfully and nothing will happen to me. Really? "Said Xander while putting his hands on Ajax's shoulders trying to comfort him.

" I am not sure about myself that I will keep control. I don't want to be left alone again. Please can we not do this? "Pleaded Ajax.

"Look you have a fear of leaving yourself alone like your parents. But I have the fear of living alone. From the time I gained my senses, I have been alone. After nineteen years, I got you, my little brother. I will not be able to afford to lose you. And will not leave you alone so early? So don't waste time and let's do this. Instead of taking into consideration the pros and cons and still not sure what will happen, what is the use of such analysis? So don't waste time, okay? " Said, Xander.

Ajax nodded and moved his position showing his back from where the soul power transfer will take. Xander started to concentrate his soul power near his heart and to his hands from where he will transfer it to the back of Ajax where the little wings are let out so that they can gain the power to unleash.

"Don't worry Ajax. You don't have a spirit animal. So there will be no problem. Only if you had a spirit animal then that animal also sucks the energy plus your other soul power will also try to absorb it. Then it will become a problem. Now you don't have which is not good but for now, it is good,so all will be okay."