The simmering fire fragment.
A marble sized crystal that appears on rare occasions within places such as Mount Ignaz.
The crystal is created through a natural process, wherein the Fey existing within the mountains lava gathers in specific spots and condenses until the crystal is created.
This process typically took several decades to complete.
The fragment once formed, would exude its own presence, as if asking to be found. When this occurred, it usually led to a fierce conflict among the inhabitants within the region.
The reason for that is simply that most monster instinctively understand the usefulness of such a fragment. Such was the case with Paul and the Salamander queen, both of whom could perceive it from a distance. For them this crystal represents a great opportunity, as it would allow them to evolve under the right circumstances.
The Salamander queen cradled the fragment like an irreplaceable treasure between her claws, even as it slept.
Paul looked on in concern, taking in the severity of the situation.
(How the hell am I gonna get the fragment?)
If the Emberqueen he met before was a monster that could end him on a whim, then the Salamander queen was an equal or greater monster that he absolutely shouldn't be fooling around with.
He didn't want to end up as the queens meal but at the same he knew the fragment would be instrumental to his growth. So long as he survives, he wouldn't need run away anymore.
What was the first priority? Survival, no question. Only after that could he explore this new world.
Then taking a risk now to ensure his future survival was worth it.
To that end he would need to take a planned approach that increased his chances.
Paul considered training some more, to make this potential suicide mission into something more doable.
But considering how much stronger the queen is, he quickly discarded that option. With his growth speed, it would take weeks, maybe months for him to be strong enough to challenge the queen, not to mention the other Salamanders surrounding the queen. Besides the queen planned to use the fragment for her own progress, so who could say that it would still be there for him once he was ready.
Paul needed to act now if he wanted the fragment for himself. While observing everything from above, he started forming the outlines for his plan of action.
He left his position and glided forth. Everything that could be of use, he had to include to raise his chances of success.
Several hours later, Paul stood at the entrance of the tunnel leading into the ant colony in his ant form and headed inside.
(This better freaking work)
He remembered how deep the tunnels go and thus he moved slowly to memorize the way, as to not get lost. If he made a wrong turn, it could spell his end.
Once he judged to be far enough inside the tunnel, he took a breath and put his plan into action.
Paul deliberately changed back to his Phoenix form and focused on activating his inherent Phoenix racial skill [Budding immortality] to get the attention of the colony.
At first he didn't know if it worked, but a few seconds later he got his answer when felt the ground shaking slightly.
Getting the confirmation that his plan worked, he immediately bolted out of there, running back the way he came as fast as his smalls legs could carry him.
Tap, tap, tap, tap, tap
His quick steps echoed within the tunnel, as he ran towards the exit.
Upon reaching the exit, he jumped and transformed to his Heatglider form midair.
He ascended upwards towards the ceiling and looked down.
On the ground there were several unsuspecting Salamanders heading to the tunnel, where they last sensed the presence of Paul in his Phoenix form.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack
Clattering sounds escaped the tunnel, which made the Salamander stop their approach.
They knew that sound. It was the the footsteps of Emberants. If they simply hide in the lava, the walking buffet would deliver itself to them. The Salamanders licked their lips in anticipation and dove into the lava.
Just then the first ant left the tunnel and the Salamanders watched on, waiting for more to come out before attacking. And then came the second ant, and third, and the fourth.
At first only a dozen or so came out, but then another dozen appeared and more followed.
By then the Salamanders laying in wait, turned around and joined their brethren on the lava islands.
Soon the number of Emberants had increased to a horrifying extend and a tidal wave of black and red washed over the sea of lava.
Alarmed by the sudden development, the Salamander queen in the back gave a rallying cry to all the other Salamanders. They reacted upon hearing their Queens command and gathered in a protective semi-circle around her. More joined the ranks each second, quickly getting ready for the incoming brutal clash.
Clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack, clack
Skriee! Skriee!, Skriee!
The ants continued advancing, while the Salamanders screeched at them, before both sides collided against each other.
The Salamanders in the front line started ripping the ants apart, but the other side was so numerous that many got past them and charged into the second line of Salamanders, only to fall in the same manners.
(I-It worked even better than expected …)
Paul swallowed nervously, as he watched from above, stunned at the effectiveness of his plan.
The numbers of ants that he attracted was several times higher than he expected and the Salamanders resistance much fiercer.
However, it wasn't enough. He would need another push to accomplish his goal.
He watched the ongoing conflict and he saw the Embersants finally making it to the Salamanders last line of defense.
Though their numbers were small, they were determined.
But as the reached their destination, a swipe from claws much bigger than the prior ones tore them to shreds.
Even after the ants managed to overcome several defensive lines of Salamanders, they were met with definite retribution.
The Salamander queen had entered the fray and she was evidently furious.
This insignificant ants dared to not only attack her lair, but the single reason she could think of for such a massive attack was the simmering fire fragment in her possession.
That is unforgivable. The fragment belongs to her and only her. These filthy insect will absolutely not steal it from her.
She could mow down a dozen ants with a single swipe and the current assault wasn't a threat to her.
Despite that they kept attacking her with fervor.
Both sides were relentless in this regard and what used to be a chase after Paul, became a desperate struggle for survival, as far as most were concerned. The queen was of course not among those fighting for their life and this was a problem for Paul.
After all the prize he wanted was currently being cuddled by the Salamander queen, who used her tail to hold on to it, while she continued massacring ants with her claws.
(What the hell does it take to make her drop it?)
Pauls plan was quite simply. Use the Phoenix form to lure the ants towards the Salamanders and use their conflict as a smokescreen so he could grab the fire fragment and run.
He knew that once the fight started, they wouldn't stop anytime soon and it worked wonderfully.
But the real issue was that the Queen didn't perceive this conflict as a problem, which is why she didn't see any need to drop the fragment. She had enough leeway. And now he had to do something or else this would have all been in vain.
He looked around and noticed the Heatgliders, who watched on curiously just like him.
(I can use this)
Since things had already developed this far, he decided to push it even further.
Paul changed to his Phoenix form and like before drew all the attention to himself. He then tilted forward and let gravity take over pulling him down.
His Phoenix form couldn't fly yet, as such he changed back to his Heatglider form mid fall, once more gliding through the air.
The ants and lizards looked up, seeing a Heatglider fly overhead, followed by a small swarm of Heatgliders sporting confused expressions.
They had jumped off after a small creature that spread an irresistible smell. But somehow that creature turned into one of their own. They had never seen something like that.
Swooosh! Booom!
A big fireball arched through the air and hit one of the Heatgliders, dropping it to the ground.
The Salamander queen attacked once they showed themselves in the air above the battlefield.
She might not have been threatened by an army of Emberants, but the Heatgliders were ambush predators that hunted exclusive the Salamanders. Thus she immediately took action, after all the best way to prevent an ambush, was to expose them before they could perform a sneak attack.
Paul used the opportunity to gain some altitude and glided outside the Queens range. Once he distanced himself from the group of Heatgliders, she lost interest in him and simply focused on shooting more fireballs at the group.
Having overcome the danger, Paul decided to move on to the last step of his plan and landed far behind the Queen.
She had finally let go of the fragment and started using her claws and tail to smack away any ants, while firing at the Heatgliders.
But he couldn't just run there and it. If she noticed his approach, she would squish him in a single attack. And yet he wasn't deterred, since he had though of a way to sneak up on her that only he could do in this situation.
(I know how alluring the fragment is. That hunger I felt, you felt it too, didn't you?)
He remembered how the Queen lovingly caressed it and the overpowering desire it created in them.
Under different circumstances he would never even dream of doing what he was about to do, but with the fragment acting like a smokescreen for him, it was possible.
He changed to his Phoenix form and slowly walked forwards, step by step.
This caused the ant army to intensifie their assault and the Heatglider, who were trying to dodge the fireballs flying their way and occasionally tried to shoot their venom at the Salamanders, suddenly charged recklessly without a care for casualties.
This sudden change surprised the Salamanders, who wanted to escape, but a single cry from their Queen prevented them from doing so.
The Queen herself was furious. She didn't understand why this was happening, but she'll be damned if she allows one of this filth to get her fire fragment. What she didn't notice, was Paul inching ever closer to her treasure, while using her as cover.
At this point he had be extremely careful.
The Queen was swinging wildly to protect her fragment and herself. If he accidentally got hit, it would be over for him, making this whole ordeal meaningless.
He was fully focused on the Queens movements, despite the danger of ignoring the surrounding chaos, but in the end he would only get one chance and he wasn't about to waste.
With the sound of his erratic heartbeat drumming in his ear, he watched the Queen stop thrashing, as she shoot a bunch of fireballs like an anti-air turret.
At that moment he lunged forward and picked up the marble sized crystal with his beak.
(Ha,ha,ha,ha, I did it, I did it)
He was about to jumped in joy, but the feeling of euphoria vanished without a trace, when he saw the Queen glare at him.
Gulp!
He swallowed nervously out of reflex and since the fragment was n beak, he swallowed it as well.
In response the Queen slammed her tail down, trying to crush him into a fine paste.
Paul barely managed to dodge the attack by hairs width, but the resulting air pressure knocked him backwards on his ass.
The Queen turned to finish him off, but suddenly stopped moving, when several venom shots splashed on her.
Paul didn't wait for her to recover and took off running as fast as his small legs could carry him.
Mid sprint his body started glowing, drawing the attention off everybody, much to his chagrin.
(What the hell is happening?)
[You have reached sufficient maturity for iron grade]
[Beginning evolution into Fledgling Phoenix]
[Error] Bzzzt!
[Choose a class]
(Huh? What?)