Chapter 24

  The next day, they all got ready and prepared to set out. Rillian Adore and Lior Gaunlet appeared as if they got no sleep while everyone else was well-rested.

  The group seemed curious as to what Drakkel and Ril Lita did when they stayed together. But these thoughts quickly disappeared when they saw the donkey that came out of the room with them.

  There were many explanations to be given because no one but Drakkel and the rest of the demons knew the true form of Lingering Regret.

  When they found out, Lior Gaunlet almost laughed.

  The sword that was outlined as one of, if not, the most dangerous artifact in the sword fighting world had this as one of its forms?

  Thousands feared it, some revered it and yet, It was nothing but a simple-minded donkey at the end of the day! And what was odd was that it even took a liking to someone other than the Demon King and let that person name it such an embarrassing name! Who would believe him if he tried to explain this?!

  However, Lior Gaunlet was still cautious.

  It may have seemed simple but it was still a demonic sword after all.

  He tried to separate it from Ril Lita since it kept walking under his hand whenever he moved.

  But, when Lior Gaunlet tried to pull Ril Lita over to him, the thing actually stomped on his foot!

  He tried to hit it back but Ril Lita protected it saying he shouldn't have tried to provoke the innocent creature.

  Everyone laughed at him and he was forced to take it in shame. So on their way to Densai Forest, he could only fume in his own anger as Peanut followed closely behind Drakkel and Ril Lita.

  Densai Forest was a day and a half walk from Nevermore. They had left early so they gained some good ground, but they still had to camp out for a night before they finally reached the place the next morning.

  As it was said, Densai forest was truly dense. The tall trees were placed so close together that they might as well have been a wall. Standing outside, those who had a weapon had already brought it out and were ready to enter.

  Before this Drakkel had asked if Lior Gaunlet and Ril Lita would come along since they only had to get to the border of the Forest. Ril Lita answered that they were there to survey the number of Sacred Beasts attacks in the area and figure out if their population had grown or not. But he said he would prefer to help Drakkel and that their information might be better gotten from inside the Forest.

  Drakkel didn't disagree but he felt that the two weren't being completely honest. Despite this, he thought there was more power in numbers and decided to let them come along.

  He gazed cautiously at the entrance to the forest. “As we discussed, we’ll head to the center first, marking our path along the way. Then we can decide what to do when we get there.”

  Being the highest cultivated among them, Drakkel chose to enter first.

  The trees of Densai Forest were densely packed together. There was hardly any space to walk in between them, so one could only walk slowly and carefully, squeezing their body between the small spaces to get inside.

  Drakkel nimbly stepped between the trees and bushes, expecting the terrain to continue on throughout most of the forest.

  But, it was strange.

  The place was more dense on the outside than in.

  Once one got past the thick outer barrier of trees surrounding, several empty spaces opened up inside.

  Within the spaces were still several trees, but they were more separated. However, the crown of the trees spread out so wide that they created a sort of canopy, their shadows partially darkening the open areas below.

  After the group made it through the barrier, they walked for a while in one direction. But after some time, they began to grow weary.

  Although they were in Densai Forest, known to contain several powerful sacred beasts, after walking for as long as they did, they hadn't encountered a single one.

  “Strange.” Font Seig commented. “Isn't it too quiet right now?”

  Drakkel agreed. For all the stories that came out about the dangers of the place, it was actually very quiet. But one should not be deceived.

  Sacred Beasts were not ordinary creatures. With the ability to utilize sword energy, they could hide their presences like any seasoned sword fighter. Who was to say that one of them wasn’t lying in wait for them, ready to pounce?

  As they were about to approach the center of the forest, a sudden loud roar sounded from behind the trees to the right of them.

  A two-tailed tiger hopped out, crushing the trees as it went.

  Its body was massive and it's look, ferocious.

  Drakkel took on a defensive stance.

  This wasn't the first time he had come across a Sacred Beast. In fact, it wasn't the first time for most of them. However, this was Densai Forest; the beasts here couldn't be simple.

  Remembering that his Senior Brother and most of his clanmates weren't well cultivated, he said, “Stand back everyone! Lior Gaunlet, Rillian Adore, and I will handle this.”

  Aurien Wavel shook his head. “No, we’ll help. We have all cultivated to Sword Sworn at least and I'm now a Sword Master.”

  Drakkel’s eyebrows shot up.

  Had he found a way to block his stall?

  However, there was no time for talking, the Sacred beast made a dash for them and they all dispersed, immediately leaping into battle on a coordinated front with Ril Lita staying back with Peanut.

  As they fought, Drakkel realized that his clanmates were indeed more skilled. Their attacks were more powerful and accurate, dealing damage to the terrain that was above what they could do in the past.

  Despite their new skills though, the creature was better. In the end, it was too difficult to defeat.

  Its paw held enough power to break bones at a single swipe and its jaw could crush trees in one breath. Meanwhile, its hide was so thick, their attacks barely made a dent. It stood in front of them with only minor scratches and scrapes.

  Realizing that they wouldn’t defeat the creature with their current strategy, the group exchanged a look and decided to attack one spot together. But the creature suddenly roared as each of their attacks was about to land.

  Its sword energy was formidable, easily pushing back everyone but Drakkel, who barely managed to stand his ground.

  Looking around, he saw that his group had sustained some injuries, with his clanmates’ ones being the most severe. Now that they had fought it, he knew that this sacred beast must have been the cause of them having no disturbances while walking through the Forest.

  To take out four sword masters and four sword fighters above the level of sword sworn, it must have been quite powerful. At least, it was of a different caliber to the Sacred Beasts that Drakkel had fought in the past.

  Drakkel knew his clanmates and companions couldn’t handle it. He was the most equipped to take it down.

  Although he had no weapon that could utilize sword energy, he had no choice but to persevere.

  “Stay back!” He shouted. “I’ll take care of this!”

  As he dodged another one of the beast’s moves, he held out a hand. “Lingering Regret! Come!”

  Peanut’s body shined brightly and a black sword appeared in its place. The sword then floated into Drakkel’s hand allowing him to block a claw strike that was just about to hit his face.

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  The claws of the beast were like metal as a high-pitched clinking sound like that of two swords colliding rang through the air when the two weapons collided.

  After exchanging some blows, Drakkel managed to dodge one of the beast’s attacks and aim for its abdomen. However, before his attack could land, another larger beast of the same type shot out of the Forest and tackled him.

  He managed to block its attack with his sword, but he still couldn't avoid being knocked back a few feet and right into a tree.

  As Drakkel’s back hit the tree, his Senior Brother shouted, “Drakkel!”

  He frantically ran toward him, trying to protect him.

  But yelling was a fatal mistake.

  The two sacred beasts who were previously focused on Drakkel, switched their attention to Aurien Wavel.

  Drakkel tried to call out and return their attention to him, but he was still catching his breath.

  As the beasts ran towards him, Drakkel forced himself up and attempted to give chase.

  Aurien Wavel brought out his sword, ready to fight them, but Lingering Regret was faster.

  Lingering Regret suddenly floated out of Drakkel’s hands and between the two beasts and Aurien Wavel, immediately letting out a wave of demonic energy.

  The wave of sword energy pushed back the beasts for a moment, before they continued to run towards Aurien Wavel.

  However, Lingering Regret suddenly shined brightly, blinding the beasts momentarily. Its figure disappeared and what appeared in its place was no simple donkey.

  It's appearance was like a monster's.

  It was an ink black tall horse-like creature with horns, a long and elegant tail as strong as a steel whip, thick, sharp white teeth, and a menacing glare complete with glowing red eyes. Its look was far closer in appearance to Lingering Regret, than Peanut.

  It reared back and stomped and a small crater formed in the ground. With this, the sacred beasts they faced appeared to be more cautious, but they still did not retreat.

  Instead, their attacks became more coordinated as they dashed at their new enemy at the same time.

  Aurien Wavel took the opportunity to get out of the beasts’ way and run over to check on Drakkel. As he tended to Drakkel's wounds, the two beasts were having trouble fighting off Peanut together, exchanging attacks but not able to deal a fatal blow.

  Finally, they made a daring move.

  They dashed at Peanut at the same time, claws out and ready to kill.

  But Peanut ducked down low, evading their attack and kicked each of them with both hooves.

  The force was so powerful, both beasts were sent flying back, colliding with some trees behind them.

  Afterwards, one, the larger one, seemed to recover, but the other didn't get back up.

  The beast that survived checked on the unmoving one, trying unsuccessfully to get it to lift up its head, however when it realized that its efforts weren’t working, it let out an angry roar.

  The roar was so loud that everyone had to cover their ears to prevent their drums from rupturing.

  As the beast roared, its muscles rippled, and its body grew. Its teeth and claws got sharper and stronger. By the end of the transformation, a third tail grew from the original two and a small set of wings sprouted from its back.

  Its previously imposing presence was now stifling.

  Huffing, it turned its attention to Peanut, a rageful glare in its eyes.

  Then, it roared again before dashing towards him, its speed so fast that it could be barely seen.

  Peanut managed to dodge this strike, but afterwards, he was having a harder time. He had drained too much energy in the initial fight so he only managed to barely dodge most of the beast's moves.

  After a while, Peanut sustained some injuries while the opposing sacred beast was still full of energy.

  Drakkel couldn't watch anymore.

  If this went on, Peanut would lose.

  He forced his injured body up, but was stopped by a hand on his arm.

  “You can’t, Drakkel. In your state, you won’t be able to do anything.” Aurien Wavel said.

  Drakkel shook his Senior Brother’s hand off his arm. “Senior Brother, if I don’t go, no one will be able to do anything.”

  Drakkel was sure that his Senior Brother wanted to disagree, but he couldn’t. He had to admit that Drakkel was the most cultivated of all of them.

  Aurien Wavel sighed and shook his head.

  “Fine, but take this pill before you go.”

  Aurien Wavel pulled out a jade pill and gave it to Drakkel.

  Drakkel ate it and instantly felt his energy come back. Pushing off the floor, he said, “Thanks, Senior Brother.”

  Now up, he didn’t waste any more time. He walked over to go and support Peanut. But, the beast saw him coming. It turned its angry gaze in his direction and charged right for him.

  Drakkel prepared for the attack. He didn’t have a usable weapon nor much Sword Energy left, but he knew he would glean the weakness of the beast in front of him soon if he could survive for a few more minutes.

  Suddenly, a large yellow bird with several elegant tail feathers flew to the beast and opened its mouth. Waves of sword energy subsequently shot out of its beak.

  The sword energy slashed at the beast's skin relentlessly.

  The beast tried to protect itself, but in the end, weakened and hurt, it collapsed, not getting back up again.

  The group was relieved but at the same time, on the defense. Was this new visitor a friend or foe?

  However, the bird didn't head towards them or even make a move to attack. Instead it flew to a nearby tree and waited there patiently.

  Drakkel was trying to figure out what was going on, when some of the trees parted and an elegant figure with an ethereal glow stepped out.

  She was a beautiful woman with a delicate stance and confident demeanor.

  Although she was dressed simply in pure white robes, it did nothing to suppress her powerful aura. Her hair, which was straight and long, barely shifted as she went forward with a light gait.

  As she moved, the grass flowed, bowing to her every step. Leaves blew around her like the wind itself was her companion. Even the trees seemed to shake in awe of her presence. One step traversed the universe and another traversed time. What should have been a few minutes felt like a few years.

  As he watched her move, graciously and unfeelingly, Drakkel could only think that they had entered the presence of an immortal.

  The woman held out her arm and the bird from before shrunk and flew to her shoulder.

  She turned to everyone and said with a gentle, yet distant voice. “Thank you for helping take care of the two tigers. They were expanding their territory far beyond acceptable reach.”

  Everyone was speechless, at a loss for what to say.

  Looking between them, the woman continued. “You all look like you need some treatment. If you want to, you can follow me.”

  Without hearing their response and in an aloof manner, the woman turned around, heading back in the direction she came.

  The group exchanged glances with each other as if weighing whether to follow or not.

  But when Aurien Wavel and Drakkel nodded, they all followed suit, getting up and heading in the direction the woman disappeared while nursing their wounds.

  The travel with the woman was far and those most severely injured, which included Winfra Loul and Antin Jerio, had to lean on Peanut for support as they walked. Peanut, however, was also injured and so they could only move slowly.

  But the woman wasn't unaware. She slowed down her pace to match theirs.

  After some time, they arrived at a modest-looking cottage that was seated in front of a clear lake.

  When they arrived at the edge of the lake, the woman they had been following finally looked back at them.

  “Get in,” she listlessly said.

  Lior Gaunlet had been following along, but now he couldn't stand it. Who did she think she was, talking to them like that?

  “We don't even know who you are! Why should we trust your words? What if it's poisoned? Besides, we have women among us! They need more privacy than this!”

  The woman endured this, only staring back at him emotionlessly. “Those who wish to enter may do so…”

  She went inside the small cottage while the group looked at each other.

  Piral Bifa spoke up, holding her arm which was lined with a large and deep cut. “Senior Drakkel, Senior Aurien, I’ll be getting in. Besides, who cares about things like this? Isn't it better than being dead?”

  Drakkel agreed with her, but he also agreed that it was inappropriate.

  Font Seig nodded. “We can get in fully clothed and worry about drying up later. Let's see what this woman has in store for us. After all, she already saved us from the sacred beast. It's clear from the way that the bird flew to her, that it belonged to her.”

  Winfra Loul nodded.

  Meanwhile, Antin Jerio was so exhausted, he couldn't reply at all.

  “Fine, let's get in first. In our state, even if we left, we couldn't resist another attack of that caliber.”

  Lior Gaunlet seemed to finally be convinced. He conceded and went along with what Drakkel said.

  It was lucky for them that the lake was large. The women went in one end while the men took the other.

  It was freezing cold, but they still endured it, waiting for the immortal-like woman to make a move.

  Once they were all inside, the woman walked out with a handful of flowers.

  She approached the lake, threw the flowers in and positioned her fingers in a finger strike formation. However, instead of using it as normally used, a light stream of yellow energy came out from her fingertips and poured into the lake.

  As it did, the lake became warmer and warmer and only stopped when it came to a comfortable temperature.

  The woman then got up and stated, “Stay in for twenty minutes. No beasts will attack you here.”

  After saying these words, she returned to the small cottage, leaving them in a confused and awkward silence.

  After around five minutes, they started to notice something.

  “My injuries are healing!” Exclaimed Piral Bifa.

  “As are mine!” Shouted Antin Jerio.

  Font Seig nodded. “It's true. Even my sword energy is being rejuvenated.”

  Winfra Loul also nodded her head.

  Drakkel looked at an injury that was on his arm.

  They were right, it was truly fading away. Miraculous healings like this weren't even possible with the most expensive type of healing pill. What sort of power did this woman have?

  “See, Lior? Weren't you quick to judge?” Ril Lita stated.

  Lior Gaunlet’s expression soured and he didn't answer to Ril Lita at all.

  However, Ril Lita who would normally be bothered by this, was too busy petting Peanut, who was also sitting down in the lake.

  Peanut still held his large horse-like form. With his enormous body and insidious appearance, he looked rather awkward sitting in the clear and calming not too deep lake.

  However, his expression was content as Ril Lita petted him, his large tail flicking from side to side, making large ripples in the lake that turned into small waves.

  The fact that Ril Lita didn't care and instead had his attention held by Peanut made Lior Gaunlet's mood sour even more, but he still did not display his discontent, instead getting in a lotus position and opting to cultivate.

  If Drakkel hadn't reached a stall, he would have done the same, but there really was no point. So, instead he looked at Rillian Adore as the others were preoccupied talking to each other.

  Rillian Adore had gotten into the lotus position long ago and didn't seem bothered by outside disturbances.

  After wondering about it for a moment, Drakkel remembered that when they performed the cleansing ritual, Rillian Adore was already very close to reaching the next level.

  Perhaps with the rejuvenating properties of the lake for both the body and core, he was using the opportunity to advance to the next stage.

  Right as the immortal-like woman stepped out of her cottage, the water around Rillian Adore began to ripple. And then a strong wave of energy burst out, the residual winds being felt by everyone in the area.

  Rillian Adore opened his eyes and began to pant, sweat beading his face.

  Everyone in the area looked at him in surprise save for Drakkel and the immortal-like woman.

  The woman instead did something no one would expect.

  A small sliver of emotion showed on her previously stoic demeanor as one corner of her lips turned up slightly.

  “It seems you’ve made it to Sword Epiphany,” she said.