[ "Tell me Aron, just how do you plan on becoming the most powerful person in Limbo?" Argos had asked mockingly while handing some books over to Aron who was seated on the floor. ]
[ "Power is everything so I just have to do whatever it takes to grow stronger, until I reach the top" A young Aron answered rather bluntly causing the old mage to break into laughter. "How nice it must be to so naive, do you really think the world will remain stagnant as you train to become stronger?" Argos asked in a serious tone but before Aron could answer he continued to speak ]
[ "Listen to me, there are regions that exist in Limbo where children could be as powerful as me, even they strive to be stronger so how long do you think it will take for you to reach the apex by training only and working alone? Are you even sure you'll live that long or will you grow old and regret your foolish decisions like me!" Argos gripped the young Aron firmly at the shoulder with a crazy look in his eyes. ]
[ Aron could only stare back with surprise in his eyes as the pressure alone from Argos's mana fluctuations made it hard for the boy to breath. Upon realizing this Argos loosened his grip and calmed down before turning away. ]
[ "You're young, once you grow older and see the world you'll realize how impossible your dream is. But... should you grow to maintain your stupid dream then abandon your pride, morals and whatever chains may hold you down. Pursue your goal and use any means necessary, plan for the future and prepare yourself for almost any situation and most importantly... always strive to gain more knowledge! Then and only then will you grow to become invincible, I promise you this" Argos sincerely said before leaving Aron to his usual routine.]
....
Aron was now starting to see some truths to the old man's words... but he chose to interpret them differently. "I agree to capturing it but on one condition." Aron looked at Lady Rose and asked her this while wearing a small smile.
Aron and Lady Rose kept their exchange of words brief before leaving the clearing where the stone slab had laid.
"But the airship is that way." Not long since they left, Evanora realized they were going in the wrong direction or so she thought. "I'm aware of that, we're going towards Jagu. Let's just say he's still essential in all this working." Aron cleared up Evanora's confusion, however another problem soon arose.
"Aron, look." Lady Rose called towards Aron and pointed in the direction of the gigantic serpent, once he turned in that direction he quickly furrowed his brows upon noticing it had changed directions. "It's began going towards Jagu's location, makes sense since it is the most densely populated area on the outer island. But why is it still moving so slow?" Aron suggested but still wondered why the serpent moved so slowly within the water.
"Maybe it's just being cautious, though that would bad news for us as that would suggest it's more intelligent than your average mana beast, making our task a little more troublesome." Rose added while letting out a sigh but Aron wasn't all that surprised by this considering the Pesian Jzir Vulture he encountered back in the Newman Highlands was of a similar nature. "Because our usual tasks are all so easy right?" Aron replied with a bit of sarcasm in his tone which Lady Rose didn't seem to find amusing as she didn't respond.
"No, our tasks are usually very hard. Especially the reading and writing Evanora does." Evanora commented and brought the conversation to a halt as no one responded to her statement. Both of them just released light sighs and continued moving forward in silence.
....
What no one knew or rather paid attention to was that the gigantic serpent had it's primal thoughts and a strange view of the world.
It's eyes didn't display the world in the same way humans did, rather it saw things as temperatures. A truly simplistic yet complex view of the world.
This particular feature was underdeveloped and too much complexity made it hard for the creature to see hence it moved rather cautiously.
Initially it had chosen to go towards Aron's direction because of a drastic change in temperature caused by the cloaked woman however with her gone it shifted it's attention to the place that held a similar heat signature.
As for it's thoughts, they were even more of a mess since it was moving with one basic command in mind.
[ Seek out the strongest heat signature and destroy it ]
N0 v el Next. CoM
...
Meanwhile deep within the jungle of the outermost island, an elven woman in a cloak was carefully making her way through the dense vegetation with an irritated expression on her face.
'This is really bad! If more beings of Limbo are here then can we really continue our mission?... worse what if they recognize us?!' The woman fiddled her hands nervously as she thought about this fact but she quickly calmed down and shook her head.
[ Do not worry about the unknowns ]
[ Yes, let us gather information on the changes the world has undergone before anything else ]
[ Don't forget to learn about those two... they are far too powerful to be simple individuals ]
The voices within her mind advised and she nodded in agreement. "As much as I hate it you're right. Then let us play the role of this woman called Sayiva and use her loyal followers to our advantage." She muttered with a clenched fist and looked back one more time with irritation before continuing to move forward.
...
Back in Jagu's village the situation began to grow tense because of Aron's presence. He was currently having a spear pointed towards him a few meters away by Jagu's sister Kaira.
"You actually dared to come here!? Good! I'll personally use your bones and flesh to appease our forefathers and the souls of my siblings!" Hakku appeared on the scene and displayed more rage than anyone else.
Unlike Kaira who was cautious after witnessing how easily Aron could handle them in their weak state, Hakku was driven by anger and didn't care for anything other than venting his rage.
Nove l B(in).C OM
He crouched down on all fours and tensed his muscles before pouncing forward towards Aron. Once he got close, he reached for Aron's face and his sharp claws extended.
However just before impact Hakku had his hand kicked away by Aron and then felt the fur on his head being pulled. This happened so fast that it left him rather confused about the situation.
From launching a fast attack to now being held by the head with one hand. "Ho-" A burning rage filled Hakku's heart and he grit his teeth almost madly but in that same moment Aron slammed him to the ground face first.
As if that in it's own weren't humiliating enough, Aron proceeded to step on Hakku's head and kept it buried into the ground. His growls could still be heard and everyone could clearly see that he was trying to get up but it was hopeless.
"I didn't come here to fight you weaklings, I came to assist." Aron revealed nonchalantly but this only seemed to anger the Komi even more. "We don't need the help of outsiders!" Kaira quickly rebuked his offer and the others were quick to agree.
"Let me rephrase that, I don't care wether any of you live or die useless deaths. However I promised Jagu the entire Komi Islands... and he needs to be alive for me to fulfill that." Aron declared and brought all the Komi to silence.
More especially Jagu who had just appeared with his mother not too far behind. Jagu knew he was far from truly understanding Aron's personality but so far Aron has always come through for those who allied with him despite his cold and distant nature.
Earlier when Jagu arrived with Aron he had thought Aron would betray him once he got what he wished for but here he was not only saying he would help defend against the creature but would also make Jagu the apex existence on the Komi Islands.
He really didn't know what to make of this situation at all. Aella maintained her cold look and was the only one that replied to Aron's words. "It's only natural for you to take responsibility for the disaster you created. Don't think for a moment we are or will be grateful to any of you outsiders." She declared harshly before turning away and continuing to direct the others.
Jagu could only sigh at this and walk towards Aron. "Thank you and please spare Hakku, he like many others is just angry and confused at the moment." Jagu said without his usual vigor or spirit which made him come across rather strangely.
Aron did as Jagu asked and removed his foot off Hakku's head. "Like I said, I didn't come here to kill your people. Now let's focus on our gigantic friend over there..."