"Don't you think we should go down and explore our surroundings? We have already wasted some time."
Ely said, watching Seven as he sat at the edge of the cliff.
"No. If the sea can retreat, then it may also come back. So we shouldn't risk it. Additionally, the average nightmare below is an awakened beast."
'Although I am practically immortal, things could turn out worse for me if I am chewed to pieces or swallowed by a creature. I wouldn't want to feel something like that.'
"But it is inevitable that we will soon go down and explore." He turned his head back to look at her. "You bear the lineage of the storm god I assume. Goddess of guidance, wasn't it? What does your lineage tell you?"
"Huh??" Ely looked baffled, and quite worried. "H-how did you know?"
"You said it yourself. You have high affinity to oceans and depths, and you are from the House of Night. Just answer my question."
Ely looked like she had a hard time understanding how Seven was able to read her in such a short time. She finally understood that she had revealed too much in front of a stranger. Ely needed to be more cautious from now on.
"West..."
"Okay." He got up and looked down at the kid in front of him. "Would you like to spar? I want to know the extent of your skills."
Although his words were polite, Ely got the message that Seven thought that she would be dead weight.
This was a blow on her pride! She had did very well on her first nightmare, and she had trained since she was able to walk! So she got up and got into a fighting stance with a frown on her face.
'Guys, did I say something wrong?'
'Perhaps she misunderstood your words, thinking you were belittling her abilities.' Eternal spoke, but before even Seven had the chance to reply, she launched towards him with a punch straight to his face.
Seven could only block it at the last moment, having been forced a few steps backwards due to the force of the blow.
'Holy!'
Before Seven could recover, Ely was swinging her leg towards his face once again. Although this time, he was able to react and duck under the attack, feeling his hair rustle from the wind created by the kick.
Seven did not go on the offensive, staying on the defensive for the time being to measure her skills. Ely closed the distance between them and started throwing hands.
Although her attacks had great finesse and skill behind them, all of them were deflected with slaps to the wrists or dodges. It was normal to lose your fighting when you couldn't even touch your opponent, but the girl seemed to be getting fiercer and fiercer.
'What are they feeding these kids?'
After some exchanges, Seven finally deduced that this girl had a very great battle technique and skill. But there was something she lacked, and that was experience!
'If these kinds of battle techniques were taught at the House of Talents, I would been even stronger!'
But whether they taught you these depended on your master, for example Shou received training from the head of the organization, while Seven just learned from experience.
With that, he struck his palm on her armpit, making her wince. Next a kick landed on her stomach, sending her landing on her butt.
"I commend your skills."
Ely stared at him with a solemn expression. She had been defeated like this before in sparring matches, but those were just his brother, who was an ascended and her sister who was older than she was!
Was this guy some kind of a clan member too? He looked the part!
Speaking of her sister, she wondered which region she had fallen to. Ely sincerely hoped that it was somewhere safe, unlike the death zone she was trapped in.
She summoned her cup memory to drink from it, and share it with the shameless man who bullied kids.
***
Once it was dark, Seven summoned Reaver once again, for him to watch over.
'Wake me up if something happens.'
With that he drifted to sleep.
***
Seven... saw a dream.
He saw a tall woman with grey hair and golden eyes.
The woman wore garments that is made of long, dark layers that fall loosely over the body, mostly in black and muted grey. A long, heavy robe forms the core of the outfit, its fabric hanging in thick, uneven folds that stretch from the shoulders to the ground, swallowing the legs in dark, rippling cloth. The hem frays into painterly streaks, giving the impression that the material is dissolving into mist as it trails behind.
Around the shoulders sits a lighter mantle, textured like feathers or thick fabric petals, spreading outward and breaking up the darkness with pale, ashy tones. A deep hood rests over the head, its folds thick and relaxed, with antlers rising from it in a natural, slightly crooked shape.
The sleeves and lower panels are wide and flowing, trailing downward in long, loose shapes.
The front of the robe was open, leaving torso exposed to the world. Although her chest was covered by something that resembled a chainmail, her toned midriff stayed open.
"Time to go on a hunt!" The mysterious woman said in an excited tone.
Picture.
***
Seven suddenly jolted awake from his dream, it was still dark. The sun had not risen yet.
'You are up, look at this.'
He saw Reaver.
Wait.. he saw?
Yes, currently the surrounding area was being lighted up once in a while. Seven immediately sat up and looked around. Locking onto a scene far ahead.
Through the images shared by Reaver, they could see the tentacles that had risen from the dark sea. They were currently engulfed in white flames as they seemed to be struggling to crush a bug that was refusing to be killed.
'More sleepers. It seems we are not alone.' Eternal stated.
The distance was too vast, so they could not make up the sleeper.
'We are already burdened with that kid. If any of you are thinking to go to them, I would suggest otherwise.' Reaver said with a cold tone.
In the vast distance, if Seven focused on the fight, he could sense the souls very faintly. The person who was fighting the other seemed to have a very powerful soul. They were most likely highly affiliated to divinity.
But there was another soul near them. Which was very weak, the fighting person seemed to be protecting the weaker one.
If this was the case, then what Reaver said would be true. Seven could not burden himself with another weak link. He would need to avoid crossing roads with those two.
'Reaver is right.' Seven said.
'Hah! Didn't know my other selves were such cowards! You have been blessed with immortality, yet you do not even lend a helping hand to the others! I am ashamed of myself!' Eternal said in a mocking tone.
Seven did not feel anything at the Eternal's words, but with the help of his lineage, he sensed that Reaver felt a bit bitter.
'Did you guys see the dream?' Seven quickly changed the topic.
'Naturally.'
'Yes.'
Eternal and Reaver said.
'It must be one of the paths. I already felt something when I looked at the fourth, but the feeling I got was very blurry. We must be close to unlocking it, but it also feels like we still have a long way.'