Chapter 148

Brenna

Another Lamb to the Flock

As quickly as it had begun, it ended. Lykan took Kosha, while Brenna ran. While they were fleeing and by all objective appearances they were in the worse position, being outnumbered nearly three to one, Brenna had no doubt that they would prevail. Correction, she had no doubt that he would prevail, but he had grown more and more over the past few months. Now the thought of taking a non-qi-corrupted lifeform was disgusting to him.

While she felt somewhat jealous, that the girl was being held protectively in his arms. She also knew that he only had eyes for her. While he was growing more and more cognizant of her abilities to read his mood, he did not seem to mind. Instead, he accepted the role she now played in his life.

No, the girl held protectively in his arms was but one more lost lamb to be added to the flock. One more child to be brought up to fight against the true evils of this world. As soon as he thought the idea, Brenna couldn’t help but inwardly smile. This was his way, every day finding new ways to leave the world a better place.

She also knew there was a pragmatic reason for his diligent efforts. She knew that their lives were not guaranteed in the slightest, that one mistake could easily spell their doom. Thus, Brenna made it a point to help indulge these points of virtues that shone so brightly. There were very few times and occasions, when Lykan’s true inner beauty would shine for the world. When those times came Brenna made it a vow that she would help encourage them. Each act made him seem that much more human to himself and others. Each act of kindness was a tether that in turn bound him to this world, bound him to never give in, to throw away his life needlessly.

She had noticed the signs with her and the others who were under her care within the temple. Then again, she saw the spark with Marsh, and his overwhelming need to make it so Marsh felt safe. Even though there were hundreds of monsters that were far worse than the ones that had taken over his little village, Marsh felt safe. That was a blessing Lykan offered. While he was not a god yet, it was clear from his actions that he was clearly their messenger on this planet. One last chance to make things right, and Brenna didn’t need to be told twice to do the right thing.

She followed the pair. Lykan was nice enough to leave trails of dragon corpses along the way. It was clear that all had been unconscious when killed. The first, a small psionic dragon had hundreds of tiny cut marks along its neck, before a killing blow was landed. The second small dragon had much the same markings. More of a living scratch post than anything.

By the third dragon, the girl’s strikes became cleaner. By the tenth, she was a near expert, one swift stab to the neck and the beast would bleed out.

Over and over, each one with a core had its core removed. It was clear that Lykan had done the core extraction, as it looked like a single punch was all that was needed to create the incision needed to extract the various cores.

Brenna for her part, began clearing off prime choices of meat. There was a band of muscle just under the tail, that was most delectable as it was often the least used muscle. There were of course parts of meat that were around the rib cage that were the most infused with qi, Brenna and Lykan both found these to be exceptionally tasty. Though Brenna doubted that the little girl would find these to be as tasty.

She could feel the moment she got close to Lykan. It was as if the very air itself was coming alive to his presence. He often claimed the same for her when she walked near the ground itself would vibrate. At least that is what he claimed would happen. Still, nothing seemed to compare to the way the hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, when she entered an area that he was fighting in.

The pressure was so overwhelming that it felt like he was the very force of wind itself, able to split a board with but a blade of straw, given enough force and speed. That was the same force he used, gentle and flowing, yet fierce when it found an unmoving object of resistance.

Brenna was beside the blood covered Kosha. It was clear that she had a baptism of blood and viscera. Looking at the girl who only now seemed to be standing fully erect, Brenna couldn’t help but laugh.

“What’s so funny?” Kosha asked. Her mild stance suddenly becoming rigid when she realized someone other than Lykan was around.

“Nothing, I just realize how I too must have seemed when this all first began.” Brenna said, as she remembered the massive eel like monster that Lykan had dragged into her training sessions.

The bladed weapon that Kosha held was well worn, the blade was chipped in places. Yet, she held it firmly, as if it was her only chance of surviving.

“How many?” Lykan yelled, as he dragged behind a giant flame dragon behind him. The monster’s long size was easily dragged behind.

If Brenna had any doubts that Lykan was a god, or the son of a god, or an ascending god she need not look any further. Then she turned to Kosha, who had gone from standing tall to suddenly frightened. Truth be told, Brenna couldn’t blame the poor girl. It had only been a few months since she had been in the girl’s shoes. Still, she couldn’t help but want to yell at the girl who was being offered a chance of a lifetime.

“Huh?”

“How many total blessings, what do they add up to?” Lykan asked.

“Oh,” she trailed off as she clearly brought up her status screen. Her eyes glazed over as she checked. This would normally be the worst thing to do, especially in combat. Still, she seemed to trust Lykan completely, as she did as he asked without question. Even with the giant unconscious monster in tow behind him.

“Eighteen.” Kosha answered.

Brenna looked back at the number of corpses and thought something was off. She knew the psionic dragons didn’t always return a blessing, not until they were much larger. But to only have eighteen?

“Each?” Lykan clarified.

“Yes, to each.” Kosha nodded.

“Okay, this will be it for the day.” Lykan said, as he dropped the giant beast on the ground.

“Aim for the crack in the skull.” Lykan said, pointing to the spot where his staff had easily made a dent in the beast’s massive cranium.

Kosha saw that and nodded. Then began running forward quickly to the monster trying to administer a death blow. It was clear that she had learned the lesson the hard way as there was a cautious approach she made, even as she charged forward. It was clear she was reading the opponent and prepared for anything.

Twitch.

The giant muscles of the beast spasmed but did little more. Instead, all the monster did was twitch as Kosha ran up the side of the beast, before plunging her dagger deep into the monster’s skull.

Rumble.

The beast twitched once, with a violent force that would have been enough to break the girl’s arm. Well, it would have broken her arm if she were still human. As it was, she was far beyond human at this point. It was clear that the two had spent the better part of the day hunting dragons and aiming for the most filled parts of the forests.

“Ahh.” Kosha shouted.

“You, okay?” Lykan asked as he came down to the beast and placed one foot on the beast’s head to stop its movement.

“Yeah, I just lost the blade.” Kosha said, as she extracted her full arm from the beast’s skull. Brain matter clearly clinging to the arm, as it covered her arm and body with a thin film of grey slime.

Hearing that Brenna just chuckled to herself. Sometimes the small parts of life were truly the best.

“So, are you now past the twenty-point threshold?” Lykan asked.

“Well past, almost to twenty-five from blessings alone. And nearing thirty points in all attributes.”

Hearing that Lykan nodded. “What of your initial ability?”

“It has changed just as you said. It is no longer Null. Instead, it is now listed as Energy Transformation.”

“Nice. That is what we were going for. So now you can go back into any human society and be seen as normal. Also, this means that you will likely be considered a mage of some kind.”

“Really? What type?”

“I don’t really know. Unfortunately, my magic is different than others.” Lykan said, and from their bond Brenna could tell he once again felt down about his lot.

“He is just being modest. He can fly with his magic channels. Then he also can absorb and convert magical energy that is directed at him.”

“You can do that?” Kosha asked, suddenly in awe.

“I can.”

“Can you teach me?” Kosha was all but gushing at the idea of being able to fly on her own.

Lykan heard this, and only lowered his head. “Sadly, it will take several skills to begin. First you will need Meditation, then Focus, then you will gain access to Aerial Movement and Aerial Combat.”

Hearing that Kosha paused for a second, before her eyes went wide with wonder. “How do I gain those skills?”

“You need to work very hard. Also, I should point out that you are now at the halfway portion with the number of blessings the Gods can bestow upon you for attributes. We are also going to stop here as you need to develop your skills and Magical Abilities up to the third tier to make a peak break through. Without Skills and Abilities, you will be hampered too much by your overwhelming Attributes. That said, I think you now have enough attributes that should you find yourself in a place or position that you dislike, you will not need to rely on others to protect you. Instead, you should now be able to stand on your own.” Lykan said.

Hearing that, a whole slew of emotions ran across Kosha’s face. First awe at the idea of needing to keep her skills and magical abilities in harmony with her attributes. Then shock at the fact that being imbalanced might somehow hurt her. Then finally recognition at the fact of what his final few words meant. It was clear she had already been a smart child, made even smarter thanks to the sudden infusion of Attribute points.

“You’re leaving?” Kosha asked, pain filling her voice.

Hearing that Lykan dropped to the ground completely and made his way over to Kosha. “Unfortunately, Brenna and I have a mission to perform.”

“What mission, I can help.” Kosha said.

Hearing that, Lykan nodded. “I know you can, and we will need to call upon you here shortly. I tell you what. In three year’s time, we will be back. Brenna and I will check on two things. First that you remained a good person. Second, the fact that you worked on getting your skills and magical abilities up to match your Attributes. With that you should go through an evolution.”

“Is that why you two look so beautiful?” Kosha asked, looking to both Lykan and Brenna.

Hearing that Lykan just laughed, before he spoke. “Something like that. Regardless, we will need you to get stronger to help us. Also, we will need you to help make others stronger as well. Kill dragons, take down dhampyrs, make this world a better place.”

“What about Ajimal and his forces?”

“What of them, they are minor in the scheme of things to come. You are now powerful enough to free yourself of any entanglement. Do not get caught up in the trials of men. Instead, realize when we come back, we will call upon you for a greater task.”

“One for the gods?” Kosha asked.

Hearing that, Lykan let a slight smile form on his face. “I guess you could say that. We need to finish the task that they started.”

Kosha pondered the words for a moment. The fact that these two beings that had somehow come down and chosen her were gods or claiming to be doing the gods’ work was fully believable to the young woman. In fact, at this point, after seeing everything one would have a harder time proving that the two were not divine beings in some way. Still, they had seen something in her a reason to elevate her. This was not something she could take likely. She had been given two tasks, ones that she vowed then and there, “I promise to always try to do right. I will also work every day on improving not only my proficiency with skills, but also my Magical Abilities.” She then paused.

“What is it?” Brenna asked, feeling the conflicting emotions forming in her mind.

“Well, I was just wondering, how will you find me?”

Hearing that Brenna and Lykan both just laughed.

“What?” Kosha asked, somewhat annoyed by the disregard for her emotions.

“Nothing. It is just that, as you progress into your skills and abilities, our paths cannot help but cross again.” Brenna said.

Her words had the air of prophecy to them. As she spoke, Kosha understood the words being uttered to be a universal truth, something that was undeniable once heard. With that, a shiver reverberated through her very soul as she experienced the full effect of a truth of the universe being laid bare to her. At that moment, she knew they were correct, that if she truly mastered her skills and her abilities, then their paths couldn’t help but cross once more.

With that in mind she made a promise to always improve herself so that she couldn’t help but be taken along Lykan and Brenna’s future path.