SPHERE ITEM AWAKENING
The instant Dallion entered the realm, his firebird familiar grabbed his shoulders, lifting him in the air. The reaction was quite sudden. Dallion didnt even rember setting foot on the ground, being propelled in the sky instead.
Thanks, Lux.
It seed that the little firebird was growing up as well. After the expedition, Lux had beco far more proactive, doing things to help rather than earn praise. Even Nox let out a ow of vague recognition.
Down below, in an endless sea, the chain of seven islands remained calm. Looking at them, no one would suspect that they belonged to a giant vicious creature. Unlike the last Vermillion, these were different: they seed a lot more saturated and full of life. That, however, only made Dallion feel sowhat nervous. If the previous guardian had been worn out with ti, this one was brand new.
This brings back mories, Gleam said. The butterfly had appeared on her own, fluttering a short distance from Dallion. This ones a lot smaller than what I rember. Prettier, though. Thats what they do when they capture usmake us pretty.
Youve seen such guardians before? Dallion asked, surprised.
They werent always guardians. They used to live in the coastal areas. So of them even tolerated people living on them. Shows how well that turned out.
Despite her beautiful appearance, the shardfly remained quite cynical. Being rescued from the mirror had taken off the edge, but there was still a long way to go. With luck, the other echoes and familiars would make her feel at ho in Dallions realm.
Can you defeat him?
Probably. Not as familiar, though. Youve given a second chance at life, but that also ans I have to start from scratch. I can cover you with illusion dust, but thats it.
It was the sa with all familiars Dallion had captured, with the exception of Nox. They were much more impressive in the wild. On the positive side, that ant they had the chance to beco so again, as long as Dalloin figured out how to reliably level them up.
What do I do now? Dallion asked the armadil shield.
Wait for a bit. The Vermillion will react soon enough.
And so, Dallion waited and waited and waited. Minutes passed, but the islands stubbornly remained the sa. On several points Dallion was tempted to shoot a bolt down at one of them, just in the hopes of getting the creature to react. Even Gleam suggested poking the Vermillion to get it to react. However, no such steps were undertaken. Knowing that he was about to ask a favor, Dallion didnt want to start at the wrong foot. Finally, the island snake reacted.
Giant ripples filled the sea. One of the islands rose, revealing the head of the creature, and rose up into the sky. This was the mont of truth. Every instinct told Dallion to move away. However, if he were to follow the shields advice, he had to move closer.
Darude, Dallion whispered. Get down, Lux.
The firebird did as ordered, slowly letting Dallion descend until reaching the level of the Vermillions head.
Hello, young one, the creature said.
Hi. There was no good way to respond to such a monstrosity. The last one had attacked without provocation. This one, though, seed very different. There was curiosity in him, as large as a mouse. I want to talk to you.
Ive never seen your kind before.
Soone must have been locked up for a long ti, the armadil shield said. Thats a good thing. Vermillions dont attack things they find curious.
Thats related to what I want to talk to you about, Dallion went on. I want to beco your owner.
My owner? the Vermillion snorted a torrent of air at Dallion. Youre amusing, young one. Youre so small, weak, insignificant. And yet you want to beco the master of ?
Not the master, just the owner. Dont forget, I created you.
The guardian hesitated. The curiosity turned to mild anger, along with a sense of duty.
You created the ring, not , the snake snapped back. I was there long before you existed, before the world you found in existed. You cant claim to have created !
I know and thats why I want you to beco the guardian of the ring I created, Dallion added a lot of flattery in his words. I wish for you to guard it for .
The isle snake considered the proposal. As the armadil had told Dallion, there were certain things that the creature was certain to react to. Vermillions were natural guards, so when hearing the offer, they would find it difficult to resist, as long as they thought it would be worthwhile.
What will you have guard?
The most precious thing I have, Dallion replied without hesitation. My personal realm.
Thats a bit excessive, Gleam remarked. Are you sure about this? Hes just a Vermillion youve never t before.
The most precious thing indeed, the island snake completely ignored the shardfly. But it still isnt enough to convince . Words are cheap, even when you put music in them.
Damn it! Dallion thought. It was getting more and more difficult to win with music skills alone.
I like your attitude, young one. And so, Ill give you a chance. Fight with everything you have. If you win within an hour, Ill beco your guardian. Youll still not be my master.
That was as good as Dallion could hope to get. Defeating the vermillion under such circumstances wasnt the sa as leveling up the item, but it was the only thing he would get. Besides, having such a creature protect his realm was a much-needed upgrade.
When do we start? Dallion summoned his harpsisword.
The island snake just laughed, then, against all expectations, darted down into the sea. A loud splash sent waves hundreds of feet into the air, almost reaching Dallion. However, no attack followed. The guardian was letting Dallion have the first move. That was one of the differences between talking to a vermillion and trying to improve the item through force. The other was that Dallion wouldnt be locked in the ring should he lose.
Rember, you only need to impress him, the armadil shield reminded. Dont let your strive for coolness ruin your shot.
Strive? Dallion asked. He didnt strive to be cool; he was cool at least in his own mind. Maybe it was ti to have a long talk with the dryad on the matter once this fight was over. Then again, maybe that was precisely what the armadil shield wanted.
Music and forging, Dallion thought, concentrating on the landless sea. Thanks to his perception, he was able to see a few feet beneath the surface. Thanks to his music skill, however, he could see miles below, specifically the veins of tal ores abundant in the islands.
Gleam, can you freeze water? Dallion asked, looking at what he believed to be the snakes subrged head.
No, the shardfly replied.
Can you make it seem as if its frozen?
Sure. Why would you want to do that?
Youll see. Dallion smiled. There, he pointed.
The familiar didnt hesitate, fluttering down, then over the waters surface. As she passed, layers of crystal ford indistinguishable from the real thing. Once the entire area was covered, Dallion approached.
I see you, he smiled, looking down. Do I need to chase you down there or youre willing to fight here?
On that note, it was a good idea to get a water faring familiar at so point. The Green Moon had warned him not to rely on familiars in the future, but even so Dallion couldnt stop thinking of the advantages one would provide. If he were able to fly and swim, there was virtually no realm he wouldnt have an advantage. Then again, maybe he could focus on learning more individual skills
Beneath the surface, the Vermillion moved. The creature was smart enough to know that it was spotted, and too proud to resist such a provocation. Without hesitation, it thrust up towards Dallion. The last ti that happened, it was the shield that had saved him from serious consequences. Now the shield was going to save him again, although in a completely different fashion.
Shield, make a semi-cocoon in front of ! Dallion ordered. Lux, be ready to match the serpents speed, but keep close to it.
Contact occurred exactly as Dallion expected. Even with the armadil shield extended in front of him, the force was enough to make Dallion feel as if hed hit a truck head on. The firebird pulled him back in an effort to reduce the impact.
Periodically splitting in three instances every second, Dallion found the perfect mont to order the shield to contract, then hit the island cliff with all his might. The strike was strong enough to shatter a rock in two, but no rectangle erged. There was no other way it could behurting an island required more than a standard attack.
Harp, I need you to help make a line strike, Dallion said.
Youre not ready, the nymph replied in a combination of lodic sounds.
Ill have to get ready at so point.
Its not now.
That was harsh, but Dallion couldnt deny that his skills were still lacking. He had learned a lot compared to his ti in the village, but not enough to perform the really powerful attacks. At least not yet.
You can do it, Dallion thought.
Youre still not ready.
Please, Harp. I need to get ready at so point. What better place to practice this than here?
Both familiar and owner knew that was pushing it. The reason why Dallion hadnt asked this in advance was because he knew that she wouldnt agree to it. However, when threatened, she had no choice.
The weapon moved on its own, performing a horizontal strike. As it did, a line seed to appear in the air, moving further away. Watching it was fascinating. It cut through rock and soil, slicing the entire island in two, then continuing on.
MINOR STRIKE
A red rectangle erged.
Minor? Dallion couldnt believe his eyes. Such an attack was capable of finishing off most beings hed seen, himself included. However, against a Vermillion it only did this much? There was no way this was Harps full force.
Losing its montum, the island fell down, sinking beneath the sea. As it did, the next segnt took over, changing into a head before Dallions very eyes.
Move further back! Dallion ordered.
Youve done well, young one, the Vermillion said. But all your strength is borrowed. I want you to face .
It didnt take a genius to know that such a battle would end in failure. Without Lux, Dallion wouldnt be able to remain in the air. Vermillion probably knew that as well, so why did he make the request? If neither strength nor music were able to bring him victory, then what could? Dallion thought about it, then summoned a large tal ingot.
Ti to use the big guns, Dallion smiled. Lux, let go and propel this chunk of tal towards the island.
Chirp? The firebird asked.
Catching later would be helpful.
Though even that wasnt essential. The important thing was to determine whether the thod worked. The only ti Dallion had used anything similar was during his first encounter with a chainling. Back then, a cleric of the Seven Moons had helped propel a dartbow bolt using magic. Now, Dallion had Lux for that. If the expedition had taught him anything, it was that he was starting to beco complacent with the rules of this world. While he did, he wouldnt be able to make real progress.
Now, Lux, Dallion urged.
Suddenly, his body felt heavier. In contrast, the chunk of tal he was holding darted out of his hands and at the new island. Monts later, the ingot impacted the island with the strength of a teor. A large explosion blew out half the vegetation on the island, forming a smoldering crater.
Now were talking, Dallion thought.
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