Bonded Spirits: Book Three

by Daniel, Jake

  They’d arrived a few days ago and were excited by the prospect of running a shop here at the manor. I helped them gather supplies by agreeing to keep my eye out each day while hunting the area with Isobel. I brought them bags full of herbs and ingredients each day until recently when they finally begged me to stop so they could go through what they had first. I supposed I’d been a little too efficient at collecting herbs.

  I walked over to a shelf which held several jars containing brightly colored powders. “Peaches?”

  “Yes, did you find something?” Peaches responded and joined me from across the shop.

  “I believe so. Is this the spirit imbued powder everyone has been talking about?” I grabbed a small bottle of neon green powder and inspected it closely.

  “Yes! We just got those in. A benefit of the Mystic Vale. The mines have flourishing veins of solid spirit running through them. The King probably didn’t have a clue that spirit remained inside the mine. That group of dwarven women who showed up a couple days ago have already pulled an incredible amount out of the ground.”

  “That’s great. I’m glad they could get right to work.” I returned my attention to the spirit powder in my hand. “How much for this one?”

  Peaches smiled and placed her hand over mine. “There is no charge for you. We are just so happy that you let us stay here at this amazing place. Please take as much as you’d like.”

  I shook my head and fished out several coins from my pocket and placed them in her hand. “Sorry, but I can’t do that. You have a business to run and have your own expenses. I appreciate it, though.”

  Peaches blushed again and gave me a smile. “Fine,” she replied and rolled her eyes exaggeratedly.

  “Thank you for this powder, Peaches. And thank you for telling me about the dwarves as well. I will head up to the heart later today, so I will be sure to acknowledge the dwarves' hard work.” I exited the shop with my new spirit powder and was excited to use it. Teng had told me I could use it in many types of crafting. Not only for food but also for tailoring and at the smithy. The effects varied, but added enchantments to whatever it was used in.

  I continued along the row of shops, impressed at how quickly each of them was constructed and operating. It seemed like every new shop owner I spoke to told me I could have anything I wanted for free, but after receiving the chest full of coins from the tournament, there was no way that was going to happen. It didn’t feel right to get things for free when I had the means to pay for it.

  We not only doubled our building count in the past two weeks but also our current occupancy. We had effectively started a fully operational community and now had room to grow thanks to the Mystic Vale.

  I stopped in front of the newest shop and looked at the little wooden sign that hung above the entrance and read it aloud. “The Mechanical Goblin.” A smile rose on my face.

  Ellie and Fapplejack had gone into business together. She was as proud of her handiwork with the goblin’s new set of legs almost as much as he enjoyed showing them off. They planned to offer prosthetics, custom armor, and weapons.

  I peered through the window and saw several prosthetic arms, legs, and even some ears. Deeper inside, I spotted a nice selection of knives, maces, bows, swords and shields. Both Ellie and Fapplejack were excited about their new project; building and attaching a new arm for Amos to replace the one the King, his brother, had so kindly removed.

  I walked behind the shop and continued around the lake and finally up the newly completed stairs to the temple at the top of the falls. Master Teng was already outside watering his plants, and gave me a nod as I approached. “Good morning, Logan. Have you had time to review your current ranks?”

  I pulled up my list of skills by pressing down on my temple. Even though I’d been in Aurilon for a couple months now, it was still strange to pull up the translucent screen that showed my current skills and each of their ranks. I took a few seconds to check where each skill currently stood.

  * * *

  I read them aloud while Teng listened intently.

  * * *

  Current Skills

  * * *

  Sight–Rank 7: Expert

  Nature Manipulation–Rank 5: Grand Master

  Endurance–Rank 6: King

  Tracking–Rank 4: Master

  Aim–Rank 5: Grand Master

  Hunting–Rank 4: Master

  Intercourse–Rank 5: Grand Master

  Resiliency–Rank 5: Grand Master

  Constitution–Rank 5: Grand Master

  Luck–Rank 3: Specialist

  Charisma–Rank 6: King

  Intelligence–Rank 5: Grand Master

  Charge–Rank 5: Grand Master

  Instinctive Reflex–Rank 4: Master

  * * *

  Teng walked across the wooden deck. His hooves echoed throughout the temple with each step. He stopped and turned slowly and had a worried look on his face. “Hmm…”

  I tried to read his expression. “Is something wrong?”

  “No, not particularly. It’s just, well, you’re very intriguing. In my over two hundred years of life, I’ve yet to see someone ascend the ranks as fast as you.”

  “Is this a bad thing? I thought I needed to cultivate in order to grow stronger. That was the whole point, right?”

  Teng nodded his head. “Well, yes, and no. I’m afraid you’ve opened your core to vulnerabilities.”

  “Vulnerabilities? Is it dangerous for me to cultivate?”

  “Not inherently so, but you must be steadfast. Try to avoid tainted spirit by any means necessary. I know this will be difficult, especially with as much unrest and killing as there has been recently. It will be harder to prevent it from entering your core than ever before.”

  I lifted a hand to my chest and held it over my scar. I remembered how its edges had turned black after the tournament trials in Kilney, when I basically blew up the arena, and how it felt after I returned from the Capitol.

  I thought back on my time in the Capitol and how I felt when I stopped preventing the tainted spirit from entering my core. It was very similar to other times when my core was full, but more powerful, raw. I’d thought about it ever since we left the Capitol. The power I felt when my core was filled with tainted spirit was unrivaled. I found that as long as I trained with Teng I could keep my desire at bay. I just hoped it would go away. Teng grew more concerned each day since I’d told him.

  I stepped to the edge of the wooden platform overlooking the falls. “How do we keep the tainted spirit away from here? It was everywhere in the Capitol.”

  Teng joined my side and sighed. “By stopping the spread. It’s concentrated around areas that have seen trauma. Which is why you saw so much of it at the Capitol. However, it will eventually spread in search of other spirit to corrupt. Unfortunately, in order to stop it, you must cut it off at its source.”

  I kept my gaze locked on my budding village below, but I knew what he meant.

  A shadow pulled my attention as something passed overhead. I glanced to the sky and spotted Alysain as she descended toward the temple. She landed gracefully and tucked her beautiful wings and long, lion-like tail behind her. “Hi Logan, how are you this morning?”

  “Good morning, Alysain. I’m well, and if I can figure out an easier way to keep this tainted spirit from my core, I’ll be even better. Any news from the Capitol?”

  The griffon girl reached into her bag and pulled out a sheet of paper. “I found this in Dunway. They’ve offered an enormous reward for your capture. Although, only if you’re taken alive.”

  “Hmm, I’m surprised he doesn’t just want me dead.”

  “Not Aether. He’s proud like his father, but you embarrassed him in front of his people. Because of the way his father stepped in to save him at the tournament, most think he’s weak. Although, I fear what he may do to you if he captures you. Besides, he knows you can cultivate and gain skill ranks. I’m sure he won’t stop until he figures out how you’re able to do so.�
�

  I let out a small chuckle. “If anything, he knows what I’m capable of now. How are things looking around Ambirn?”

  Alysain shifted her eyes to the ground for a second before responding. “Not good. Aether has the Capitol on lockdown. Even the existing residents are afraid to show their faces outside of their homes. Aether has sent requests for help to kingdoms to the north.”

  I furrowed my brow. How does the Corlinius family have any allies remaining?”

  “The Corlinius family is tame compared to some of the northern rulers.” She paused and seemed deep in thought. “Let’s hope he is unsuccessful. At least Ambirn’s forces are scattered and stretched thin trying to keep the peace. That should buy you some time to get everything established here.”

  “That’s good at least. I’ve completed several scouting trips around the perimeter of the Mystic Vale. It should provide plenty of advantages should he attack.”

  “Yes, it’s amazing to fly overhead and see the vibrant colors of the Vale once more. I was afraid I’d never see it outside of Corlinius control.”

  Master Teng approached and nodded. “And to think, you’ve only scratched the surface. Wait until the Vale reveals its secrets to you.”

  Alysain greeted Teng with a small bow. “Good morning, Master Teng Shun, I trust you’re well?”

  Teng smiled and nodded. “Yes, Aly, I am doing well. Another day alive is always a blessing.”

  “That is the truth.” Her expression turned to one of sadness. “There have been many deaths at the Capitol and beyond, monsters and humans alike.” She looked up to the tall trees on either side of the temple before returning her gaze to mine. “Thank you again for opening your manor as a refuge.”

  I shook my head and held a hand up. “You saved my life. I’m indebted to you. This is your home as much as it is ours.”

  Alysain smiled and nodded. “Well thank you, it truly means the world to us.” She paused and looked back out over the falls toward the manor. “Make sure you let me know if you would like to scout from the air again. I’d be happy to help in any way possible.”

  “Thank you. I may need to take you up on that. I need to venture outside the magical barrier soon in order to secure a few more food sources that we need to expand. I’d imagine having you as my escort would be the smartest way to do so.”

  “Anytime. All you have to do is call.” She reached into her pocket and pulled out a small, wooden trinket that hung from the end of a woven chain. She placed it in my palm and closed my fingers over it. “Use that to call me. I’ll be able to hear it from anywhere.”

  I looked down at the trinket and held it up by its chain. It had two wings folded together, much like hers, and was about the size of a rabbit’s paw. “I will.” I slipped the chain over my head and let it fall against my chest.

  Alysain shot off the ground with one massive flap of her wings and circled us twice overhead before disappearing behind the trees. I turned back to Teng. “Is there a way for me to take more spirit into my core than I am currently?”

  “Yes, but it may cause significant pain. I will only take you down that path if you are absolutely ready,” Teng said, with a serious look on his face.

  I glanced out toward the lake once more. All four of my bonded appeared below and bathed along the shore in the early morning light. I took a deep breath and turned my attention back to the centaur. “I’m ready.”

  Chapter Three

  The spirit well atop the waterfall had only grown stronger over the past couple of weeks. Each of our non-human inhabitants spent time up at the temple, cultivating with Teng, but none of them spent as much as I did. For most, cultivating was a very arduous task, and if they were not careful, could fatigue themselves to where it would be hard to get out of bed the next day or become very ill.

  I closed my eyes, focusing on the spirit as it swirled into my core. I accepted each strand and sent it along my body’s pathways, which had become stronger each time I used them. I found my skills not only strengthened with each rank, but I had much better control over each one as well.

  Teng walked over and tapped me on the shoulder. “Time to practice your new rank in Charge.”

  I had recently brought my Charge skill up to Grand Master rank. Even Chloe, who I gained the skill from in the first place, was a rank below me at Master. So far my Charge skill increased in distance and speed with each rank. I was curious to see what Grand Master rank would bring. I lined up across from Teng and nodded.

  At each new rank, I’d received an additional benefit. When I first gained my Sight skill, I could only see the outlines of things in complete darkness. When I reached Specialist and Master ranks, I could read minds clearer, and see through the darkness as if it was day. Master rank even let me read the minds of those who had greater mental fortitude than most. Where it really became beneficial was recently when I reached King rank. I could actually see weaknesses in structures, and even foes who I trained against.

  The centaur stood to the side of a practice dummy that we already had to replace several times after I practiced my Grand Master rank Nature Manipulation skill on it. Most recently, I learned how to tighten the grip on whatever my vines wrapped around. I tightened a little too much and ended up breaking the dummy in two. Master Teng stopped training that skill with me when I hit Specialist level and nearly took his eye out.

  I closed my eyes and focused on my core. I’d learned which pathways throughout my body were the best for focusing my spirit on during certain skills. They were all intertwined within my body, and navigating them was like driving in a major city that was built by a drunken city planner.

  I took a deep breath and sent my spirit through several pathways at once, concentrating more on my legs than other parts of my body. The effect was immediate, and I felt my body reacting and anticipating my next move. I activated the skill in my mind and shot forward, although I found that this time was slightly different.

  Instead of just shooting forward with reckless abandon and smashing into whatever was in my way, I could pause it midway. Everything happened within the matter of a second, but when I had the skill activated, it was as if I was on the outside looking in. I forced my body to stop as I rushed toward the dummy, nearly toppling over from my momentum.

  Teng stared at me while rubbing his chin. “Well, that was certainly interesting.” He leaned over and inspected my eyes before returning upright. “Again.”

  I walked backwards to put plenty of distance between me and the training dummy in front of me. Teng had me repeat the steps over and over until I had control of stopping without losing my balance. It ended up taking me five tries, but on the fifth try, I stopped mere inches from the dummy with a knife pressed against its throat.

  “Good. Your mastery over your core continues to astound me.” Teng closed his eyes slowly, as if inspecting the spirit inside my core before opening them. “Again.”

  “Are you sure?” I questioned. I was used to Teng pushing me hard, but he was really going above and beyond today. It was almost as if he could sense something I couldn’t. I was nearing the point where my core would need to recharge before I risked leaving myself in a fog of fatigue.

  “Yes, again. There’s a disturbance in your core. You must cleanse it. That involves emptying your core and letting it refill several times.”

  “That will cleanse it? I’d assume this is from the tainted spirit I cultivated while I was at the Capitol?”

  “Yes, that would cause it. Logan, you opened yourself up to potentially hazardous side effects. I know you wouldn’t have done it unless you absolutely had to, but it was very reckless.”

  “If I empty my core and bring in clean spirit from the well here at the temple, shouldn’t that help wash out any remaining tainted spirit?”

  “In theory, yes, but it can take a long time. Since it was for a relatively short time, I’m hoping you avoided the worst of it. If you had cultivated tainted spirit for more than a day, however, you could expect t
o see some longer-term effects. Some not so pleasant ones like extra appendages and weakened bone structure, or it could even lead to your core dying, which would ultimately end your life since your life force is tied to your core.”

  “Good to know.” I didn’t want to mention that when I cultivated tainted spirit, it felt... good. It made me feel stronger than I’d ever been before, but it wasn’t as predictable as normal spirit. It was wild and erratic, like releasing the valve of a balloon and letting the air rush out of it. “It’s hard for me to concentrate on bringing any of the tainted spirit into or out of my core.”

  “Yes, that is very common. Although, you are unusually fortunate on this occasion. Most who try to cultivate tainted spirit purposely, die the first time they try. It speaks again to your enormous potential and core strength.”

  “I see. Well, I don’t plan to put myself in that sort of situation again. Although, it’s good to know that I could handle it.” I finished my training for the day by the time the sun had reached high overhead. “Thanks Teng, I think if I try to do one more cleanse, I’d be tempting fate.”

  “It’s all right. I’ll see you in the morning.” He gave me a nod and returned to watering his plants as I made my way back down toward the lake.

  I spotted my bonded sparring behind The Mechanical Goblin and watched for a few minutes before approaching.

  Gwen was more of a brawler, using her muscular legs to keep the others at bay. Also, her fists were faster than any of the other girls. Paired with knives, she made for a foe even I wouldn’t want to face. She sparred with Isobel.

  Both wore tight short shorts and sports bras and had sweat pouring down their faces, with their long hair tied back in ponytails. They parried and countered each other’s strikes, almost as if they were conducting an intricately choreographed dance.