PHOENIX RISING (Book One In The Phoenix Hunter Series)

★CHAPTER 9★

I closed my eyes and took a stance

“What are you doing?” Luna asked in curiosity

“Trying my skill a second time, I need to understand my skills.  I have to know what I can do.”

“I understand, but don't ever feel pressured. It'll end up in you making rash decisions which in turn, makes you feel guilt”

I checked my status panel again, focusing on my rare skill, King's Command.

“What’s wrong?” Kaito asked, his voice filled with concern.

“I’m trying to activate King's Command,” I said.  “But nothing is happening.”

Let me help, shadow suggested, surprising even his teammates. “You need to focus,” He said.  “Think about what you want to do.  Focus your intent.”

I closed my eyes, concentrating on the area around me.  I thought about a bunny and I felt a tingly feeling like something was floating at the surface of my mind.  I tried to imagine controlling its mind, making it do my bidding.

“King’s Command!” I thought, my voice a silent whisper.

I felt a surge of energy flow through my mind, a connection, a feeling of power.

I opened my eyes and saw a bunny slowly hopping towards our spot, its eyes now glazed over, its movements sluggish.

I had controlled it.

I smiled

“Woohoo, you did it!” Luna screams

“You’re a natural, Lucas,” Kaito said,.  “You’ll go far.”

“I’m still a bit shaky about these abilities,” I said.  “I still have a lot to learn.”

“That’s alright,” Luna said, her voice soothing.“you'll  figure  it out I know you will, you're stronger than you know.”

I felt touched by her words, no one has ever talked to me with such affection in a very long time.

"Thanks Luna, but first things first, I need to level up." I said to her, turning to Kaito, I asked Kaito.

“So where's the next location?”

“Hmmmm, I don't know, you tell me. Find the next meadow with bunny's with your senses” he said grinning.

“(Chuckles) Oh! I get what you're trying to do now” I said to Kaito.

“Yeah, am glad you do. I'm not gonna help you, you've got to start learning how to use your senses inside a dungeon, starting from now. So find the next meadow, It shouldn't be that far” Kaito says, folding his hands while Luna and Shadow looked at me expectantly.

“I don't know what to do, guys”

“You don't have to do anything. Just listen to the wind, feel the earth beneath your feet, connect to the world just like you do with your skills.” Luna instructs.

“Alright, connect with the world and then listen right? easy peesy.”

The air hummed with a soft energy.

I closed my eyes, trying to tune out the cacophony of sounds and smells.  It was like trying to find a single note in a symphony.  I could feel the earth beneath my feet, solid and grounding.  The air rustled with unseen energy.

I concentrated, trying to filter the chaos.  There!  A faint melody, like a whispered song on the wind.  It carried the scent of wildflowers, the rustle of leaves, and... yes, the faint aroma of carrots.  I followed the melody, a path of subtle vibrations leading me through the tangled undergrowth.

I could feel myself moving but at the same time I could feel myself grounded. I almost opened my eyes to confirm but I knew it was just my senses moving outwards making it seem like I'm moving.

The melody grew stronger, the scent of carrots more potent.  My heart thumped with anticipation.  I pushed aside a curtain of vines and stepped into a sun-dappled meadow.  It was a haven of wildflowers and swaying grass.  And there, in the center, was a group of gem bunnies, munching contentedly on their carrot patch.

I smiled, my eyes still closed.  I had found it!  My senses, sharpened by magic and fueled by my newfound confidence, had guided me.  It felt incredible, almost exhilarating.  This magic world was truly alive.

I opened my eyes, gazing out at the meadow. 

“I found it, over 300 meters away.” I said turning to Kaito. He had a smirk on his face.

“Pay up asshole” Kaito says to shadow with Luna chuckling quietly.

Shadow suddenly brings out a gold coin from his waist pouch, and hands it to Kaito.

“Told you he'll do it.” Kaito said to shadow,

“Yeah yeah you did, once again he's proven to be impressive.” Shadow replied

“Wait, you bet on my success? You guys are so lame.” I said in realization. Walking towards the meadow, with Luna bursting out laughing.

Kaito had the expression of a fish caught out of water.

“Wait, Lucas! It's not what you think, I was taking an old debt he hadn't paid before!” Kaito says making me roll my eyes .

“(bursts out laughing) That is the worst lie I have ever come across, Kaito, you need to learn how to lie” I couldn't hold it in anymore.

Yup, definitely lame.

We continued our walk further, I had so much to learn.  I looked out at the endless grassland thinking about how much I will make from this dungeon in a weeks time.
...

After 20 minutes of walking we finally got to the meadow and everything I saw was how it was.

Crazy right, it was like I was living through a deja vu.

“Alright Lucas, the field is all yours, there's a team ahead, but I doubt if they'll be coming this way.” Kaito says

“Don't worry about it, I'll keep watch.” Shadow says and suddenly went into the ground.

My eyes bulged out, this was the first time I'm seeing a shadow skilled individual using it

“He looked cooler than I imagined.” I said to Luna and Shadow.

“Yeah he does look cool, he's probably at the team's location already. If only I could travel that fast.” Luna says wistfully

“That was fast.” I said thoughtfully .

“Perks of having a shadow thingy skill, well as an assassin it is a life saving skill also.” Kaito replies

I took in all the information I could get, am sure I'll forget some, but I hope to remember some also.

I watched a Gem Bunny hop across the meadow, its fur glowing with a soft, golden sheen.  I could see the Mana swirling around it, pulsating with a gentle rhythm.  I raised my hands towards it.

This was my chance.  I would use my King’s Command to control it, to stop its heart, to end its life. 

I closed my eyes, focusing on the bunny.  I felt the connection, the subtle pull, the power coursing through me.  I visualized the bunny’s heart, felt its rhythm, and then, with a single will, I stopped it.

The bunny stumbled, its eyes glazed over, its movements sluggish.  It collapsed onto the ground, its breath shallow, its chest barely moving.  I felt a pang of guilt, but it was quickly replaced by a surge of excitement.

[Notification: You have killed a level one monster. Loots have been condensed +1 Exp.]

“(Sighs), one down, eight more to go.”
...