Occulus: Tale of the First Blood Witch

Chapter 35

"First," Umi interjected, her voice carrying the weight of her element, "scales from the seafaring Bakunawa."

"Second," Kaze continued, "feathers from the mythical bird known as Garuda."

"Third," Mori added, "a few pieces of Lingzhi mushrooms."

Trent furrowed his brow at the mention of Lingzhi. "Lingzhi? I have no idea what that is or what it looks like."

"Lingzhi is a type of mushroom that, when consumed, grants immortality," Mori explained. "You'll recognize it when you see it; it looks quite different from a regular mushroom."

"I understand," Trent replied, taking in the unique challenges that lay ahead. "And the fourth thing I need to obtain?"

"A dragon's fang," Seishin answered, dropping a revelation that left Trent momentarily speechless. Bakunawa, Garuda, Lingzhi, and a dragon—a challenging array of tasks awaited him.

"Where can I find these?" Trent finally asked.

"Part of your journey is the search," Sanda replied. "Our advice is to use the elements we have granted you wisely."

With those cryptic words, the Kitsunes began to fade away one by one, leaving Trent standing atop the cliff, his heart filled with both excitement and uncertainty. As they vanished, their parting words echoed in his mind: "We'll be watching you from afar."

He sighed deeply, understanding that he had no choice but to embark on this quest. His journey as the Supreme Leader of the witches demanded it.

Remaining on the cliff for a few more minutes, he took the time to contemplate his next steps. It was clear to him that he needed to plan his approach carefully. Perhaps he should start with the items he felt more confident about locating.

The Bakunawa, he thought, might be the most accessible. He had learned about them in Professor Edium's class, and Umi's recent explanation indicated that they could be found in the sea. As for the Garuda, based on Kaze's description, they seemed to be beings resembling humans with avian characteristics, so he guessed they might reside in high places.

However, the dragon remained a mystery in terms of location, and he had no idea what Lingzhi mushrooms looked like, making those tasks particularly challenging.

Trent had made his decision: he would start by searching for the Bakunawa's scales, even though he didn't yet know how to obtain them. However, he was determined to unravel the mystery once he reached the depths of the sea. Standing at the precipice of the cliff, he gazed out at the vast expanse of the ocean below.

With a deep breath, he took the plunge, diving headfirst into the water. The sensation of the cool, embracing sea washed over him, and in that moment, he shed any lingering fear of the boundless ocean. How many times had he found himself immersed in its depths? First in the Kingdom of Koralya and then, more recently, when facing Dewi Kadita.

As he descended deeper into the water, his medallion responded, illuminating and transforming him into his Kataw form. The memory of the five weapons bestowed upon him by Dewi Kadita resurfaced, and he decided to summon one of them to prepare for whatever challenges the sea might hold. "Lancea," he spoke the magical word, and before him materialized the long, sharp-tipped weapon. He grasped it, feeling the ease with which it moved through the water, its weight perfectly balanced for underwater combat.

Trent was ready to begin his quest for the Bakunawa's scales.

Trent continued his underwater journey, eyes scanning the depths for any sign of the elusive Bakunawa. So far, there had been no traces of the mythical sea serpent, apart from the vibrant marine life and colorful coral formations that adorned this underwater realm. He couldn't help but marvel at the ocean's natural beauty as he swam deeper into its embrace.