Eric slammed into a tree that cracked upon impact. Shakily, Eric raised his head to look at his opponent. The ape once stocky, was now slender. Both forearms remained big while a greenish red energy coalesced on it's one horn.
Eric focused on feeling the creature's qi and felt a demonic energy.
"Are they now tainting the energy of the creatures in the forest." The cat hissed at the ape who's attention was now back to Eric.
Getting up gingerly. Eric went into a guarded stance. Using some of his wood energy to heal his side, Eric couldn't help but groan.
The ape's condescending eyes met a pair of rebellious ones. The ape moved quickly but not fast enough that Eric couldn't see. Using his sword intent, Eric caused the ape to dodge.
Entering Fight, Eric met the Ape head on. A shadow of the incoming punch covered the entirety of Eric's torso. Using [Snake Warrior's Slide], Eric narrowly dodged out of the way. Switching to [Gale Shroud], Eric launched a series of sword strikes at the ape.
The ape dodged leisurely, it's steps heavy but the grace in it's toes was becoming increasingly hard to ignore. Eric felt his chest tighten as the Ape seemingly dodged and deflected his attacks. Each movement seemingly more cohesive.
'It's not just evolving... is it connected to a lineage or a star!' Realizing the weight of the situation, Eric took a deep breathe. His gaze frigid as he stared at the growing monster before him.
"Alright you freak. Haven't tried this before but you most definitely qualify." Eric took a deep breath and shakily tried [Fight], [Gale Shroud], and [Snake Warrior's Slide]. A massive drain in his qi reserves but Eric seemed to traverse air and land with little resistance.
His swordplay held in quality as a vicious wind and earthy gleam of energy radiated. The ape's face changed as the sword cut deep into it's side.
Eric tumbled as he slid and tripped, his lack of control glaring. Yet the effect was immediate. The ape roared in anger, fire and wood wrapped around it's forearms. Blood seeping from the cut made.
The energy changed as gauntlets seemed to take shape from the energy. Eric switched to [Flight], [Gale Shroud], and [Snake Warrior's Slide]. No sooner had he zoomed away from his spot did a thunderous explosion sound off from the place he'd previously been standing.
Eric's breathing became slightly labored as his leg muscles and back muscles lightly spasmed. Steam released from the ape as it blurred.
Charging forth, Eric again used [Flight], [Gale Shroud], and [Snake Warrior's Slide]. Positioning his body in the direction he wanted to go and only trying to control minimal movement, Eric was able to clash with the ape.
The clang of his swords metal and the dense fire gauntlets rang in the air. Eric's fur waved around wildly as he felt the force and heat of his opponent's flames. Knocked back from the clash, Eric and the ape quickly fell into an incredible exchange of fast paced attacks.
Yet Eric could feel his qi and physical condition deteriorating non-stop. Clashing against the beast again, it's gauntlets shone as a bang sounded. Eric flew backwards in a trail of smoke as his matted and burnt fir stood on end.
Gritting his teeth, Eric used [Flight], [Gale Shroud], and [Snake Warrior's Slide] and ran for his life. The ape watched him but didn't pursue, disdainful of the boy, it went to it's place of residence and meditated.
Eric ran and ran until he couldn't, weak and experiencing spasms. The boy fell as he went down a slope. Hitting his head, Eric's consciousness was filled with nothing but blackness.
Coming to, Eric was licked by the five eyed cat until one side of his face was completely wet. Moving slowly, West tried to transform but simply couldn't. Grunting and with tears spilling one side of his face, the boy felt the pain of his burns.
'Urgh, it hurts. Why does it hurt so bad?' Eric was no stranger to burns or pain, his parents instilled a decent level of pain tolerance. However, the throbbing of his burns wouldn't stop.
Faintly, Eric could hear a slight chuckle. "You know that I'll be taking some interest one piece at a time." Eric could only scream as Vulbanzerus seemed to seer the very burns on Eric's body more.
The five eyed cat tilted it's head and watched with interest. Licking it's paw, not one eye blinked as it watched Eric writhe.
Coming into consciousness, Eric shook as he felt his body completely empty. Devoid of energy and devoid of health. Eric looked at his arms and legs in horror as he saw the skin seemed to be pulled tighter than usual. A withered and sickly look was on his body and a frailty could be felt throughout his body.
'I can't heal up naturally, don't have any elixirs or pills, and night is getting closer. I must have some pretty messed up cards in store for me because this is freaking ridiculous.'
The cat dashed away leaving only a black trail. Eric's heart tugged, another one left.
Negativity and doubt crept into his heart. "Is it because I'm weak? Is it because I'm ugly? Is it because I was born to be nothing?" Eric felt low as he lied on the ground weakly. Anger and sadness bubbled and stewed in the boy as he vented.
"Fuck, I can't even take care of myself. How would I take care of Sil. Mom, dad, Silver, and Blue Cloud.. I wonder if you hated me? Am I the reason that you all died?"
The purple rhombus at the base of his skull throbbed but otherwise stayed the same. Eric sobbed away for an unknown amount of time. Smelling something strange, Eric looked at the cat who had dropped a Giant fighting turkey.
It's neck twisted at an unnatural angle. Eric felt a hunger he had hardly ever experienced. His eyes seemed to lock onto the meat and not taking anymore time to think it over, he bit away. Blood covered his mouth but it didn't matter.
Eating his feelings away wasn't without benefit. After finishing the dead bird, Eric could feel some vitality coming back to his body. Weakly, Eric nodded at the cat as his thanks and fell asleep.
In his sleep Eric witnessed a Giant Snake retreating from battle, it's body heavily damaged and barely alive.
Coiling around a large tree, the Serpent glowed a soft greenish-brown. It's eyes focused and vigilance unabated, the Serpent's scales and flesh slowly started to regrow.
Waking from the memory, Eric softly called out the technique, [Spirit Serpent Art: Nature's Subtle Healing]. Body on the ground, Eric found himself absorbing energy and repairing his body slowly. Painfully the boy continued, holding the technique nonstop.
Eric rejoiced, "Hahaah, (Cough), uh thanks little guy." The nutrients he had received from that turkey was enough to jumpstart his stagnated vitality. As the night sky took over and then transformed into morning, Eric finally stopped the technique.
Now able to move, Eric looked at his body, more specifically upon the burn scars now present on his limbs as well. As Eric gazed on them a concern blossomed in his stomach. He could tell worse things would happen because of this bloodline. Secondly, these marks could potentially cause someone to take note of his bloodline.
"The inquisitors may be able to identify my bloodline just based off of the burns. Rudolph gave me that gadget but will it be enough?" Shaking his head, Eric gingerly got up and unholstered his whip.
"Maybe if I can reach a higher nexus with my Mountain Cloud Warrior Bloodline. Haaaa, I really need some guidance but that old man has plans. Screw it, dad said if you don't know then wing it."
Transforming into his first bloodline, Eric readied himself before venturing once more into the forest.