[Common Earth Element ability awakened: Earth Manipulation. The User can mend, alter the form of, and manipulate dirt and dust in the environment.]

Noah was given a notification for his newly awakened ability as he hurtled through the air and he clutched the hero origin crystal in his hand. Leaving him too preoccupied to experiment with the new ability. His mind was working on overdrive, looking for ways to survive the inevitable landing. The [Battle Instinct] ability was silent after it deactivated once he passed over the sandy beach. Noah had seen an intense red-glow from his vantage point coming from the hole which the boss and crocodile corpse had made as he flew overhead.

A large white light appeared in the water surrounding the upside-down makeshift mast where Noah killed the devil-fish. There were also smaller lights appearing in scattered locations throughout the bay, including the bloody patch of water where Greg died. The last thing Noah saw before losing sight of the beach was Roger being steadied by Uncle Joey successfully rescuing Louis and the remaining oarsmen from the ocean's clutches using his [Air Manipulation] ability. A crocodile leapt from the water in an attempt to catch the feet of a passing crew member above. But it failed to get close to reaching him. He was the last to arrive on the shore as everyone rushed toward the red-glowing pit containing the boss.

As Noah catapulted above the glowing vegetation below, he could see creatures moving on the forest floor. A group of birds was startled into the air as they mistook him for a predator. He was now beginning to descend as he lost momentum.

Noah was alerted by his [Battle Instinct] ability activating. He agilely twisted his body to the side, out of the trajectory of an ambushing swoop from a large falcon. A moment later, he instinctively gripped the hero origin crystal in his hand tighter as red and gold flames erupted from him. The falcon was utterly oblivious until its wings began to smoulder. It let out a shriek of pain as it burst into flame, plummeting into the vegetation below. There was nothing but cinders and ash remaining of the unfortunate bird by the time its blank origin crystal reached the forest floor.

Branches began to pummel against Noah as he crashed through the foliage, snapping them in his wake. They lacerated his skin in countless places during the process. Purple-lifeforce appeared at the surface of his bleeding skin as he instinctively activated his newly acquired [Earth Manipulation] ability. Noah shielded his face from the encroaching tree branches with his arms while dust from the air gathered to form large clumps of each which attached themselves to him.

Earth quickly took form to encase Noah in a thick layer of dirt, causing his vision to become dark. Noah currently resembled a ball. Clumps of dirt crumbled from the protective sphere as it crashed through the tree cover toward the hard ground below. The protective ball exploded upon impact, knocking Noah sprawling from the wreckage as he faded into unconsciousness.

***

Noah briefly awoke to the feeling of an inquisitive nose nudging his still body. His [Battle Instinct] ability didn't activate, which meant the curious creature wasn't hostile. He felt a warm body curl up beside him before once again losing consciousness.

Not long after, he awoke again to the sound of a thud, followed by a pained squeal and the smell of blood. Noah groggily forced his eyes open after he felt a tongue lapping against his cheek. He discovered that the warm body huddled against him was a young fawn. The lifeless form of a doe was nearby with an arrow jutting from her neck, which he assumed was the fawn's mother. Noah's vision turned black as his mind faded into oblivion.

The third time he awoke, he was staring upward at the trees above. His arms were outstretched above his head as they dragged behind him in the leaves littering the forest floor. Someone was pulling him by his ankles to an unknown location. He fainted once more.

***

Noah was shaken awake. He could smell mouthwatering roasting venison. His body ached all over, and he was unable to move. An old crone was watching Noah intently. She sat silently beside the fire with the roasting meat suspended above it.

"Eat," an immature voice instructed him.

Noah slowly tilted his head to see a child of roughly ten covered in filth with matted, unruly hair. It stuck out in all directions and contained leaves and twigs from the forest. The child's gender was indiscernible under the layer of filth. The child held a succulent piece of meat sizzling in their hand. It caused Noah's tiredness to vanish as hunger overwhelmed him. The child pressed the venison to his mouth as Noah ate ravenously.

"Enough." The old crone commanded.

"Yes, Granny," the child meekly agreed, withdrawing the meat away from Noah.

The old crone pushed herself to her feet then approached a nearby bench. She opened an overhead cupboard to remove an object, closing it behind her. She walked to the fire, placing a piece of cloth over her mouth and nose. She leaned over to light the object in hand with the fire. The old crone held the smouldering object away from her face as smoke billowed from it. She motioned the child out of the way before arriving at Noah's bedside. The child hurriedly obeyed.

"Sleep. It is time to learn of the enemy that hunts you," the old crone instructed in a tone that offered no room for objection.

Noah could finally examine the burning object in the old crone's hand. It was a cluster of herbs tied together with twine from an unknown plant. The smoke stung his eyes as his eyes began to water. He was overcome by drowsiness. He blinked his eyes as his vision became hazy. Noah saw the old crone ignore the child cowering from her as she pulled out a deck of cards before the world went dim. The hero origin crystal had never left him, it was still clutched in his hand.

Delirium quickly overtook him as he entered into the world of dreams. Noah felt himself enter into the chaotic mind of the Kraken. It was unintentionally broadcasting a vision of its experience to him.