The cycle of water. It starts with the flow of water and ends with the flow of water. The water comes from the source of the river and the flows until it gets to the ocean.
From there, it eventually evaporates, turning itself into clouds and when enough water particles join together in a cloud, it rains...
The rain reaches the ground and seeps deep into it, eventually coming back out of the river's source.
In many ways, water mirrors the nature of nature. It usually exudes an air of calm, which makes the slight change in atmosphere feel far heavier.
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A minor change in atmosphere. That was all it took for Adam's instinct to scream "Danger! Danger!!".
It the winter cold, the fallen raindrops were turning into mist, the kind of mist that blocks out any attempt to see through.
However, there was something Adam had seen in the mist, it was the light that shone from Tapio's cold blood red eyes.
The eyes disappeared out of Adam's sight, then popped up behind him, only to disappear again. Then he was on Adam's right, the on his left. It felt like Tapio was everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
It was the first time Adam had felt the overwhelming despair that was knowing the battlefield is completely under your enemy's control.
"Adam, calm down. Becoming reckless will do nothing but hinder us."
"I-I know... but still... I can't wrap my head around how dangerous this situation is... there are no openings and we don't know where he is. He could attack at any given time."
"Then we got to find a way to get out of the mist. I believe in your strength, Our strength... and I know for a fact we will find a way through this, together."
Around them, walls of mud were starting to form.
"Adam, think about how to beat this!"
Tsara transformed into a tank, enveloping Adam from the mud bullets that were being shot at them. She then shot back, demolishing the walls as soon as the shells made contact.
As she endured the hits and fought back, Tsara and Adam heard a voice, as if in the mist, the forest itself was whispering to them.
"Concept of a human, while you were an impressive fighter, your lack of knowledge about your own limits betrayed you... You shall fall, for in a way, even death is a part of nature..."
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Death, though it has a lot of meanings across our world, that is not what has to said about it.
The balance of life and death is known across the world, but death is nothing but a part of life, and life nothing but a part of a cycle for living beings.
The cycle known as life begins when a being is born, then grows and develops, makes a new generation of itself, and finally, dies...
After death, beings decompose and become nutrients for other living beings, or they are directly killed only to become food. Either way, it is the process of death that allows life to exist, hence, it is both part of nature and above it.
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Adam sat helplessly inside Tsara who was in the form of a tank. He sat pondering over what to do, what actions to take... That was, until a thought popped in his head.
Know Thyself
The famous words of the greek god of philosophy, Apollo.
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Know Thyself - Apollo, inscribed in the temple of Delphi
Whether in war, a sport or a job,... knowing oneself is key in having success. Words that could be interpreted as knowing your place also had the meaning to find what you are good at and above all else, understand who you are at your core, your essence.
To find the wisdom in these words you have to be willing to accept who you are fully, only then will one truly be ready to know himself.
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Adam is a concept that relies on his wits and smarts to survive, but above all else, it is thanks to those around him that he manages to overcome his own shortcomings and come out on top.
Even now, Tsara is protecting him so he can get a plan going. She trusts him and he trusts her. The mutual trust created between the two is what makes it so they can fight like one.
Tsara's trust was put in him, and not just hers, but all of his allies' trust.
Adam finally understood his biggest strength and how to apply it to the current situation.
Just like Tapio uses his subordinates' abilities, Adam could use those of his friends.
"Tsara, get into the form of a longsword."
"You found a way to escape the current situation?"
"Yeah, as long as you're willing to trust this gamble of mine."
"Of course I trust you."
Tsara quickly transformed into a longsword and as she fell Adam caught her.
"Alright, let's do this."
Adam began using Yumud's control over water to make the mist dissipate, making sure to put some on the soles of his feet.
He then starting running in the air, using the water as a foothold.
"I see you understood how to use the power of your subordinates... not that it will make much of a difference."
"Subordinates? No, their my allies, my friends."
"That makes no difference in the outcome."
"Maybe so, but it makes me sick to call them subordinates."
Tapio used the vines to try and hit Adam, but Adam created distance between them and cut any vines that came close.
The mud walls then rose up and shot at Adam, who made shields of ice to defend himself. He then spun the shields fast enough to cut through the mud walls.
The look on Tapio's face seemed unchanged, yet it felt as if he was madder than ever. His order was being disturbed by the chaotic nature of his opponent, and he wasn't gonna let that slide.
They stared at one another, trying to read their opponents next move.