With the descent of nightfall, the whispers among the volunteers faded into silence. Each held their weapon tightly, eyes closed but senses heightened.
The forest flanking the road was like an untamed masterpiece of life. Towering trees stretched skyward, their trunks twisted with age and wrapped in emerald vines. Thick, gnarled roots coiled across the forest floor like ancient serpents, weaving through carpets of ferns and carnivorous plants.
Vibrant bluebell-like flowers dotted the undergrowth, their petals shimmering faintly with phosphorescent hues, casting a dreamlike glow in the wild.
Every so often, on each side of the road, the forest¡¯s chaotic advance was interrupted by the orderly presence of the Lifebloom Fungus. These gigantic fungi, with their broad, fan-like caps and pulsating stalks, exuded an aura of quiet authority.
Every three days, a mist of spores drifted lazily from their caps, spreading like an invisible veil over the surrounding flora. Within their radius, the rampant growth of the wilderness was subdued, the vegetation aligning itself in orderly patterns as though bowing to the fungus¡¯s will.
These sanctuaries of balance carved pathways through the otherwise unrelenting forest, ensuring clear passage for travelers.
The crawler crested a hill on the fourth night of travel, and the dense forest gave way to a sprawling clearing. Before them lay the Southern Military Base, a fortress of order amidst the wilderness. A field of Lifebloom Fungus encircled the camp, their presence keeping the encroaching forest at bay.
Glowseed Lanterns lined the field like ghostly will-o''-the-wisps, casting a steady light that prevented the darkness from offering cover for enemies attempting to reach the base''s walls unseen.
About the size of a cantaloupe, the lantern glimmered softly within its casing of Leaf Glass, a translucent material crafted from pressed leaves. The greenish tint blending seamlessly with the environment.
At the lantern''s heart were the Glowfruit Seeds, harvested from tree plantations to ensure a steady supply. Their bio-luminescent glow ebbed and flowed with the rhythm of the day, brightening under the cover of night and dimming in sunlight.
Fed by a reservoir of flammable nutrient-rich gel, a mix of tree sap and luminescent enzymes, the seeds required only monthly refills, making the lantern ideal for long-term deployment in remote outposts.
A sturdy vine-wrapped handle allowed it to be slung over branches, carried during patrols, or mounted on wooden stakes. For temporary placement, the lantern¡¯s resin base adhered securely to any type of surface.
The Glowseed Lantern was basically a tool of survival in the wild. Its modes catered to the battlefield: Stealth Glow for a dim, natural light; Beacon Mode for signaling allies; and Combat Strobe to disorient enemies.
Despite its versatility, the lantern operated silently, ensuring no stray hum or flicker betrayed its bearers to watchful foes.
The Symbiotic Crawler slowed, its movements transitioning from fluid undulations to a series of deliberate clicks and hisses. It came to a halt near the camp¡¯s gate, where a soldier stepped into light on the wall.
"Name and departure point!" he shouted.
"Lieutenant Dobrik, Karum!" the officer on the centipede''s head cried back. ¡°I¡¯ve brought supplies and volunteers.¡±
¡°Wait there for inspection,¡± the soldier on the wall commanded.
¡°Disembark! Prepare your profiles!¡± Dobrik ordered to those at his back.
Passengers filed out, stepping onto the forest-cleared ground reinforced by the intricate lattice of fungal roots. Azyen stretched his stiff body, like everyone else, and took in the scene¡ªthe hum of activity, the faint smell of overheated metal and melting wire, and the pungent smell of beast blood he was so accustomed with.
Far beyond the fortress, the dark forest seemed to loom threateningly, as if testing the resolve of the soldiers stationed there.
This was the southern base¡ªa place where survival meant vigilance, discipline, and luck. Not a place as dangerous or modern as others, but not somewhere where one could forget about worries and indulge in beauty sleep either.
For many, it was a hardship to endure. For Azyen, it was the forge where he would refine his technique, gaining the experience and battle-hardened edge he craved for.
The massive gates of the camp creaked open, their sheer size serving as proof for the fortifications required at the kingdom¡¯s untamed border. A group of armed soldiers marched out.
Commander Starvus was at the front, leading them. A man of imposing stature and sharp, calculating eyes that rarely missed a detail. Behind him, an officer with a clipboard and inkstone prepared to take notes on the new arrivals.
Lieutenant Dobrik, ever the opportunist, stepped forward to greet Starvus with a crisp salute. The two exchanged pleasantries, their familiarity quite evident from the relaxed undertone in their voices. Meanwhile, the rest of the newcomers, a motley assortment of mercenaries, commoners, and hunters, were ordered into a line.
The inspection proceeded with mechanical efficiency. The officer with the clipboard checked profiles, nodding quickly to approve of the recruits. When it was Azyen¡¯s turn, however, the soldier paused, his brows furrowing as he studied the details on the hologram before him.
Without a word, he turned to consult his superior.
¡°A 2nd Sky at only sixteen?¡± Starvus asked, his sharp voice cutting through the murmurs. He stepped closer, his piercing gaze locking onto Azyen. ¡°What are you doing here?¡±
¡°What? That brat is a 2nd Sky?¡± came Jarlow''s incredulous voice.
¡°No kidding,¡± another volunteer muttered, his tone dripping with disbelief.
Azyen met the commander¡¯s scrutiny without flinching. ¡°I came to sharpen my edge,¡± he replied simply.
Starvus¡¯ expression changed into one of faint amusement as he considered the boy¡¯s words. "You¡¯re registered as a volunteer,¡± he began, his tone measured. ¡°But if you¡¯re here to enlist in the military, I could notify the general. I¡¯m certain he¡¯d be pleased to welcome someone with your talent¡ªif you truly are a natural.¡±
¡°It¡¯s impossible for him to have reached 2nd Sky at his age without taking any enhancers, right?¡± Jarlow asked those near him.
¡°I heard the kids accepted into Lefeer¡¯s Prodigy Academy are all like this,¡± one of the volunteers replied.
¡°But he¡¯s here, not there,¡± another muttered, unwilling to accept that a mere brat had achieved what he himself had dreamed for years.