Chapter 12: Alternative Endings

‘Wraith? Gods?’ Zax struggled to wrap his head around the two terms. ‘Wraith like a ghost ... like in a horror movie?’

The manner in which Xinia recited how God Demirva used remnants of the souls and dark attribute to create such creature was inventive. Seems to be impossible to the current Zax, but still a mind opener to the, maybe, reachable heights a proficient soul cultivator can attain.

‘But what sort of existence do they talk about in Ercas Mir when they mention Gods?!’

His only hope of knowing without having someone to tell him at the risk of exposing himself due to ignorance was, at the moment, to try and find clues in Demirva Ridge.

“The damnable wraiths in Demirva Ridge are merciless monsters, capable of threatening even third level Martial Mortals, when they converged. What worse is that only soul attacks work against them, yet no necessarily enough to kill them. Anyway, this is the origin of Demirva Ridge and the basis you should know before heading there”. Xinia finished.

CLACK!

Zax opened the limousine’s door. He got the answer for the Linder Seeds’ need without Xinia being explicit about it.

“Thank you for letting me know and for the seeds”. He got out of the vehicle.

“Mr. Walaow, the Linder Seeds I gave you are eighty percent more potent than those in the market, so I will advise you to be a little frugal with them and still purchase the common ones”.

Zax nodded. “In our next meeting you’ll be obligated to show me what is a Geared ranked mercenary band”.

...

After collecting his things from his hostel room, Zax actually found the common type of Linder Seeds in a regular pharmacy. As it so happen, apart from being remedy for the soul, Linder Seeds were also treated as a not cheap painkillers for the privileged. Thus, they were not typically recommended by pharmacist, but if someone will ask then there definitely was a supply.

“Fengar, Vouvik”. Zax called the two when he arrived to the city’s frontal entrance.

On his way he saw a bunch of experts, which he guessed were participants, running around, completing their final errands before setting out.

“Good. You didn’t dilly dally, Greenhorn Zax”. Fengar was pleased. “See, Vouvik, your daughter is the only one who doesn’t seem to be wholeheartedly ready for the assignment”.

“Stop speaking nonsense”. Vouvik growled. “She is on her way”.

Smiling, Fengar quieted and Zax joined the pair in their silence.

Couple of minutes after Zax arrival, Shouva showed up.

“Everything is done?”

“Yes, father”.

“Then we are leaving Glorious Ground”. Vouvik declared, apparently as the leader of the party, which the other three accepted.

“Hey, you, stop!” A frisky voice shouted toward the direction of the four the moment they left the city.

A boy, twelve or thirteen years old, came running.

“You, sirs and lady, are participants in the High Rankers’ trials; you chose the assignment, right?” The boy inquired enthusiastically.

“Beat it, kid”. Fengar scowled.

Though they were about the same height, the boy knew better than irritating an expert. He turned around disappointment, but soon enough started running in his previous cheerful manner toward another party of participants.

“What’s that about?” Zax stared at Fengar of the answer, since it was he scared the boy away.

“Just a little scoundrel”. Fengar said. “News about the assignments and its details were already spread in the city and now certain people will try anything to make money out of it. Look over there”. He pointed on a large, bus looking vehicle that hovered near the city’s entrance. “They even offer rides to checkpoints, most likely, up to several hundred meters from Demirva Ridge”.

“Don’t let anyone fool you with promise for important information and such things”. Shouva interrupted. “My father and Fengar are seasoned mercenaries and this isn’t their first trial. They know on whom you can rely and from whom you’ll better stay away”.

“Converse on the way. There is nothing for us here”. Vouvik said.

...

It seemed that most parties had their own preferable routes to the ridge. Vouvik’s route led back to the Titan Kapok Trees forest, eastward from Glorious Ground.

Early on, Vouvik explained to Zax and Shouva that they have nothing to hurry for. The designated time for the assignment was calculated to be sufficient for completion in a non cultivator’s traveling speed, on foot.

As such, when night came the four made camp and stopped for the day.

“Father, I trust your and Fengar’s judgment on people ... But are we going to travel like this throughout the assignment?” Shouva was not persuaded of the practicality of actually maintaining the speed of a non cultivator.

Zax had the same question in mind. He said nothing only because of his patience and the fact they had more than enough time.

“Of course, not”. Fengar said as he turned above the fire the meaty body of the Deformed Being he hunted earlier.

Next to him was a kit, specifically made to hold spices. Also, much like Vouvik, Fengar also had a spatial storage space bronze’s color ring.

“Shouva, there are many experts heading to the same place. Some will not waist time and get there fast, others will drag every second they have. Entering the ridge before knowing exactly who is waiting at the front and who is staring at our back will put us at risk. Tomorrow we will make a quick stop at Sifon tribe. There is a Lavish Tail there who gathers information about participants in every High Rankers’ trials. We will rush to Demirva Ridge after seeing if we can purchase some information from that Lavish Tail”.

“Enough talks. Food is ready!” Fengar used the same axe he split the Deformed Being in two, to cut and serve.

...

Just like villages were a stepped down from cities in Ercas Mir, tribes and clans were the same. Nevertheless, in comparison to Virgil’s Pasture, Sifon tribe was akin to a town, the in between among the four types of settlements.

The tribe was located on a vast cliff that after its edge lain a field of Titan Kapok Trees’ treetops. From an outsider point of view, it was large enough to accommodate close to twenty thousand souls. It had not wall or fence, of any sort, around it and inside was a mass of wooden structures and electrical lines. Like an old west kind of style that only started integrated technological advancements.