Abystella - The Star of The Abyss

Chapter 11: Nature's Will

Many things were going on in Jack's mind. First, he thought of survival, how am I going to guarantee the great wolf's progenitor survival on this place if even his own was not a given. ''But if leave it here just to die, I would be cruel.'' And surprisingly that was something he had grown to despise in the modern world, needless cruelty. ''Plus, and again, Anna would hit me in the afterlife.''

Also, if what the ancient wolf had told him was true, he would gain a companion who would stand side by side with him even in the battlefield. ''So it's decided... the problem is the two fallen level monsters I'll have to kill, even if on a lenient time limit.''

The second thing he considered was actually something that he felt. That if he was to accept his hidden skill might not stand quiet. And that terrified Jack, but at the same time he thought about the unthinkable benefits he could attain.

''Hurry on, pup. I feel the infection accelerating its spread. Either accept or scram!'' The wolf roared.

''All right.'' He answered. ''I'll accept, but there are a few things I think I need to mention! First, this is a massive responsibility, and I am but a pup, as you said, so I can't tell you how long it might take to avenge you. But I will.''

This surprised the old wolf. But what surprised him the most were the words that came after.

''And I will help your child survive too, as my conscience would be stained if I don't. However, there is something I must warn you about. About my power. It has an effect, and not just I know that it will activate when I inherit your power, but I know it might influence your child.''

''What? To be able to influence even my guardian of nature lineage...though I sense you are being truthful, I still have some doubts. What kind of power is it?''

''I don't know.''

''Huh? You don't know about your own power?''

''It is, due to its very nature, unknown, even to me. All I know is my progression in it and a single skill to activate it, but it has happened before for it to do so suddenly.''

The wolf took some moments to ponder on the meaning of the pup's words. If it was anywhere close to what he could imagine, it might even change his son for the worst, but it also might do the very opposite. Taking his child to new heights and a different fate than that of being a monster to be hunted endlessly, even if by its own kind.

''I thank you for warning me, but I am willing to take the gamble with you. Someone who is neither human nor monster, but have both sides to you.''

Jack felt honored. And nodding.

''Let's go to my nest. There you will find my egg and there, will be my final resting place.''

Jack followed, and soon they were in a slight valley, hidden by extremely tall mushroom trees and plants all around. It had mushrooms and plants even acting as a roof of sorts, a mysterious aura seemed to permeate the area inside, and it smelled like fresh mud and rain.

Right in the middle of it were many roots, thin or fat, intertwined and forming a cradle of sorts, where a green egg surrounded by a brown radiance. The plants seemed to hug the egg as the soft embrace of the forest itself.

''What's... your name?'' Jack asked, bewildered by the beautifully rustic place that reminded him of his own home, that now empty shack besides the ocean.

''Silva. My name is Silva, and I thank you once more for accepting these burdens.''

''No problem. I'm Jack, by the way. Not a bad choice for one's resting place.''

''Yes, I've taken many years to build it. Anyway... it's time for us to begin. Thus, I'm afraid I won't get to chat and know you better.'' Jack nodded somberly.

They both sat down right in front of the egg that was roughly the size of a melon.

After they were comfortable, green vines extended from the great grass wolf reaching the floor and the same reached out for Jack. He felt saddened but at ease while the vines punctured his skin and began pumping the beast's blood inside him.

Snippets of memories began showing up in Jack's mind, a full forest in the rain, much like this one just more diverse, a community of wolves like Silva hunting creatures, the appearance of the first humans, a dazzling tree surrounded by water and with fruits like stars reflecting in it, the carnage of the wolves and the arrival of the two great fallen that slowly turned the environment around into the plains were the birds dominated and the mushroom forest where the infected dominated. Jack was in a turmoil of emotions, awe, sadness and loneliness shrouded his vision as tears began to stream out of his now closed eyes.

Silva, seeing this, couldn't help but feel at ease. ''You are a really kind being.'' He thought as the surroundings began to shine, a lush green enveloping them. ''I'll begin the transfer of my guardian of nature blessing.'' Silva said to warn Jack. Who didn't even listen to his words, when he felt a powerful force running through his veins. In it there was a soothing melancholy, he once again felt embraced in his mother's arms and all the emotions he had been bottling up for survival all resurfaced.

Tears were streaming non-stop as he muttered. ''I... miss you so much...'' Then he remembered Laura's soft smile, he thought about the lonely egg, left alone in his world, just like him. And for the first time after their passing, he felt joy from being alive. From being able to try and make sure others wouldn't suffer like he was suffering.

When the power reached his core, the very soul and center of his being, his own power activated. And a strange bond was formed between Jack and Silva, who was now looking into the horizon, a beautiful ocean stretching as far as his sight could see. ''So this... is what you can show my child one day.'' He thought, realizing that Jack's view of nature was so different from his, yet one and the same. Yet, by watching the ocean waves, he felt the hero's sorrow, sadness and rage.

The process was almost over, despite to both it felt like only a few minutes had passed, when in all actuality hours had gone by.

''I trust you, pup. No, young warrior Jack, even if it's not the same, you already were a guardian of nature from the very beginning. So trust yourself and your instincts, and let the wind be always on your back.'' This time Jack heard every single word and couldn't help but be frustrated, there were '''monsters'' who were by far more human than most humans were.

Thus, when opening his eyes and seeing Silva's corpse being slowly enveloped by the surrounding nature, returning to where it came from, he couldn't help but feel more at ease with his own monstrous heritage.

His body felt at ease and his mind was much clearer. Even a small hint of pride could be seen in his demeanor as he got up and walked toward the podium, where the egg was still there.

Almost as if it sensed that its time in the cradle was over, the plants began disconnecting from Silva's child.

Jack gently grabbed the small egg that barely fit in both of his hands and thought. ''I'll protect you and show you how it feels to be human, just like Anna and Ed have done for me.''

He then sighed and began walking towards the exit, but not before giving a deep and respectful bow to the wolf that almost looked like a statue of live foliage by now.

Outside, the sun was beginning to rise, enveloping the entire forest in a much calmer vibe. Which Jack took note, during the day the forest looked much more like the old guardian's memories. And after some 30 minutes of walking and scouting the now much more at ease forest, he arrived at their camp.

There Anna had already gotten up, pretty preoccupied with where her partner was, as when Jack approached she was staring daggers at him.

''Uhm, good morning?'' He said upon reaching the high mushroom they'd used as a lookout tower.

She looked at him and marvelled at the fact that he looked... different. His eyes were somewhat washed up, as if he had been crying for hours, which he was. But his movements seemed much more natural and light than before.

Which was an odd combination at the least, but something seemed to click inside Laura. She had been seeing him as some sort of instinctual machine that had no time for feelings or anything that wouldn't entitle becoming stronger.

And still, evidences indicated he was crying. Still stuck in her surprise, she pondered on how little they knew each other, how she wanted to have an actual conversation with him, no limitations or survival involved. And know of his past what made him so determined, so sure he could surpass so many trials, despite how much he must have been keeping to himself in order not to worry her.

Her face, changed from a frown of anger and worry, to a happy and peaceful smile.

Jack, on the other hand, felt relieved she wasn't angry at him for leaving the lookout anymore. She gestured him to sit beside her and began writing in the mushroom with her knife. ''Are you okay?''

''I'm fine, just had a lot of time to think tonight, as not much happened.'' He responded with a kind of sad smile. He wanted to tell her what he had seen, what this forest was all about, yet he couldn't. There was no way to gauge how a human would react to listening to such a story, and it revealed too much of his heritage for safety.

Laura, was definitely not satisfied with the answer, but didn't push too much for a real answer to not scare him away from opening up. Thus, she nodded and wrote down. ''I hope someday we can talk calmly about it, just know that though I might not listen sometimes, you can always talk to me. We are in this together. At this point, I guess well need a bigger mushroom to write on.'' She joked, trying to lighten the mood, while Jack chuckled a bit.

Despite all he had seen and remembered the night before, he felt driven to move on, listening to the soft sound of the river close by.

Resting a bit while Laura made something to eat, he opened up his system to check out what he had gained.

[Jack Fortune (?)]

[Awakened Blooded **]

[Inherent Trait: @#$$&@! Realization Progress: 10%]

[Skills:]

[Inherent Skill: *%#)(% - Mastery Progress: 0.1% (Restrained due to Difficulty)]

[Monstrous Instincts - Mastery Progress: 75% (Obtained due to Inherent Trait)]

[Monstrous Physique - Mastery Progress 99% (Obtained due to Inherent Trait) (WARNING)]

[Uncertain Swordsmanship - Mastery Progress: 15% (Obtained Due to Skill @#$$&@!)]

[Guardian of Nature (New!) - Mastery Progress: 10% (Obtained due to Transfer)]

Jack noticed a few new things, from his statuses. Firstly he had gone over to two stars, which explained how light and tireless he felt. How he could seemengly controll his muscles so much better and even how his mind felt sharper. Secondly he opened up the Monstrous Physique section and read the warning issued.

[Monstruous Physique - Mastery Progress 32% (Obtained due to Inherent Trait)]

[Description: You have a inhuman body perfectly suited for combat, survival and adaptation when you take it beyond it's limits it will grow stronger on recovery. And it will not brake unless taken to unthinkable levels of strain and stress beyond the user's level... probably. WARNING: Due to an extreme conection with nature, your body is overflowing with power and vitality, however you have yet to interact with your medium of connection with it, thus to reach the next step you must do so]

He knew what it meant, for he remembered many things in the cove of the grass wolves. One of such was that Anna and Ed never let him into the ocean, saying: ''Swiming as a past time is for the rich folk, unknowing of its perils!'' But now he knew they were afraid that whatever was looking for him in the ocean would one day find him. He needed to get inside the water if he wanted to progress further. Looking in the direction of the river's sounds he thought of doing so right now, but he had no idea what would happen to him or if Laura could see him going in but a monster going out. ''That... would be bad.'' Thus he decided to postpone it a bit.

[Guardian of Nature (New!) - Mastery Progress: 10% (Obtained due to Transfer)]

[Description: You have discovered your innate connection to nature. If before, you'd gain just a few boosts from your racial trait while in contact with your medium, now you are able to somewhat bend it to your will, as long as it isn't in detriment of nature itself. Locked until contact with the medium is established.]

''Wait...'' Jack thought ''did I just gain an ellemental affinity?!''

If so it would be a huge boost to his combat prowess even if away from his medium, which was, quite obviously, water. The problem was, he wouldn't be able to use it just yet, but in case of an emergency he could just throw himself in the river.

After sometime thinking and eating, he turned to Anna and asked if she was reaady to go on. Which she nodded in agreement. And thus their journey moved on, but not before Jack told her about some things he had discovered about this place the night before.