Chapter 48 - Teenagers

In a world that was brought to existence and filled with all kinds of life, just for the sole purpose of providing a means to an end, to train 2 individuals. In this very plane, on a dead plateau, at the very edges of the Southern Ridge, 2 teenagers could be seen sitting around a small campfire. 1 boy and 1 girl.

The girl, who had features of 2 races mixed together, some elf and some human, was currently roasting a piece of meat. She looked around 14 years old, with long blonde hair held together in a ponytail at the back of her head. Her mesmerizing deep blue eyes were currently focused on making sure the slice of meat will be cooked equally on all sides. She wanted to be sure that the meat is perfect. She was undoubtedly a perfectionist and would be unable to forgive herself if the dinner she made for her brother wouldn't be the best she could provide.

"Just a few more minutes and its ready brother!" she exclaimed happily. She was obviously Lily, the blonde pig-tailed ever-happy, however deep-down, the troubled little girl. Her voice matured a lot over the years they spent in this hellish place. Well, not just her voice… her mentality and her demeanor also. She was no longer hunted by the nightmares, the trauma of the past. Ever since they passed the first test, something changed. With the help of her brother, she could finally move on.

She stood up to turn the meat once more, so both sides could be roasted. She knew her brother preferred both sides roasted crispy. Not too much, so the insides are still full of their delicious nutrients!

As was often the case she jumped up, still as energetic as she was when they started their training all those years ago. Her two moderately sized, -considering her age-, and still growing mounds, the prime examples of her defiance to her elven heritage followed along and shook under the cover of the thin cotton fabric of her white shirt. Below that, the black trousers did little to hide her toned legs and her toned little buttocks. She was already a dazzling beauty, that many men would drool over if they could just so much as steal a glance at her.

Seeing her careless attitude, the boy sighed.

"Don't jump so carelessly Lily. Remember to act like a proper lady. If you behave like this when we get back, you know people will look at you."

Giggling, she looked at her brother, and in her every-happy soft voice, she replied.

"Aww… it's just us brother, what's the worst that could happen? Just rest a bit more and give me a few more minutes to cook dinner. It's almost ready!"

Silently shaking his head on her response, he closed down his eyelids, hiding his golden eyes. Similar to her sister, he looked to be around 14 years old. He had long black hair held together in a ponytail similarly to her sister. Although he was currently meditating, you could still make out most of his body features. He was most likely taller than Lily, probably around 6'-6'1" feet tall while Lily was more like a 5'7". (A/N.: 185 and 173 cm, the bad and dated measurement system from the US fits better here. :) )

His body was toned, and while he wasn't too buffed, his lean muscles could be seen all over his body. Especially since he wasn't wearing any shirts currently. It was placed next to him over a rack closer to the fire, to dry it. His creole skin, shined in bronze as the light from the crackling fire gleamed on it, making a tantalizing scene. He was none other than Aiden.

With his eyes closed, he was currently focusing on his system. Over the years he gained a number of benefits and managed to gain important breakthroughs. He opened up the status screen and looked at his statistics with a smile on his face.

[Name: Aiden

Race: Primal (Evolver)

Form: Ancient Dragon (Tier 3)

Level: 10/100 (450/800 XP)

Condition: 100%

Soul Power: 500

Experience: 0 XP

Might: 30 (0/500 XP)

Agility: 30 (0/500 XP)

Spirit: 35 (0/500 XP)

Innates:

Dragon's Wrath (Level 2) (0/1000 XP), King's Grip (Level 1) (0/100 XP), Shapeshifter (Level 1 - 0/5000 XP)

Skills:

Primal Absorb (Level 1) (50/100 XP), Hunt (level 3 - 10/100 XP), Martial Arts (level 3 - 0/100 XP), Underwater Breathing (level 1), Swimming (level 1), Language: Common (-)

Under Analysis:

Rune Magic - Current Progress: 80%,

Alchemy (Basic) - Current Progress: 50%,

Sword Mastery - Current Progress: 20%,

Wind Magic - Current Progress 5%

Effects:

Blessing of Ioris (-), Physical Resistance (level 4 - 0/100 XP), Fall Resistance (level 1 - 0/100 XP), Water Resistance (level 1 - 0/100 XP), Poison Resistance (level 2 - 25/100 XP), Psychic Resistance (level 1 - 0/100 XP)]

He still couldn't believe all the changes he has gone through. During his time here, he learned how to control his latest form, the Mutated Worgen, not to mention even mastering it!

The mutation he got was sadly something he expected but hoped against, the black smoke, that was now called the "[King's Grip]" by the System. Against most creatures this was a highly effective tool, clouding their senses, and dulling their minds, making them a drooling mess. It made hunting a child's play.

The best thing about the skill, however, was that ever since he mastered the form, he gained this mutation as an Innate, meaning he could use it outside of his Worgen form!

Another very important addition to his inmates was the arrival of the [Shapeshifter]. This was a passive skill, meaning it was always active and provided him with its benefits day and night. The skill basically allowed him to change his form at a moment's notice, to any of the mastered ones. He could freely change his form in a second as long as he mastered it. For forms that he did not master yet, but had some knowledge about it, such as his Ancient Dragon form, he still needed some time, depending on the tier. For example, if he wanted to revert back to his Ancient Dragon form in combat from his Worgen form, he would need a full minute, and the system would place him into the familiar black cocoon, that Lily jokingly nicknamed Aiden's 'Baby form'.

He didn't progress on his Fusion since he did not find his only choice with the Worgen useful in any way. Unfortunately, their years spent hunting beasts in the Pocket World did not help Aiden broaden his options in the Fusion menu in his System. The beasts in this magnificent but sadly fake world are all a product of magic, therefore they do not have any Life Essence.

Over the years, he also gained a few benefits from the outside. Every time they managed to complete a challenge, they would spend a few days outside studying various arts from Number 3, who got pretty close to them as well. They no longer thought of her as an outsider, but instead, she was somewhat of a mother-/master-figure to both Aiden and Lily. A harsh teacher no doubt, but also a caring and kind person at the same time.

He also started and continued his studies on a number of subjects. Whenever he had the chance, he would learn Alchemy and would continuously study the Rune Magic that Granny used. Number 3 focused on practical combat skills, such as Martial Arts, which was a great addition to his repertoire giving him great finesse into his previously brute and feral battle style. He had also started learning how to handle the sword, but still had a long way to go.

Last but not least he also increased his reserves substantially, his Soul Power was now at a staggering 500, which was 10 times what he had when he first ventured into this world. This was the result of the continuous pressure he put his reserves to, whenever he used his Innate abilities.

Closing the screen, he looked at the translucent female figure inside his Soul Space. This otherworldly being was none other than Enya, who also gained a few updates during their time. She now had a body, although it wasn't exactly material, more of a spiritual one, it was still a huge change, nonetheless.

She was 5'9", a bit shorter than Aiden, but with a very mature curvy figure. She had long silky golden hair, and golden eyes, the same as him.

She was wearing a long black robe with golden lines sewn into it, but that still couldn't fully hide her generous feminine shapes. The golden dragon-head symbol on the front of the robe, was almost indecipherable, as the two huge dangling mountains on her chest transformed it to an almost unrecognizable state.

They both smiled while looking at each other, and it was Enya who spoke first.

[Aiden, are you ready? This will be the last and most likely the deadliest trial you both will face. Even with your current strength, you might not be able to muscle your way through. Remember the previous tests, all of them were designed that both you and Lily faced similar dangers.]

'I know. We spent so many years here, and we finally arrived at this moment! We can't back down now. And remember, if we were to die, Master and Granny would immediately pull us back. There's no real danger.'

After they returned from the rest, they earned for completing their 5th trial, Aiden started referring to Number 3 as Master. While technically it wasn't wrong, as she was the one that taught him, it was still something that Enya did not like. They still do not know that woman's true intentions, and without that knowledge, she felt that placing such high trust in her is a mistake.

However, as every time she brought it up, Aiden would just shrug it off, she decided to keep these thoughts to herself, and just make sure that when (and if) the time comes, she will be vigilant...