Recalling everything he knew about bloodlines, Eric contemplated what it would take to further along in his relationship with the Mountain Cloud Warrior bloodline.
Looking at the shimmering clear water before him, Eric looked at his current appearance. Silvery white fur with brown and green scales in a mountain like patterns on his joint areas. A small tail that was mostly scaly and intense looking eyes. White sclera with pupils equal part brown and green.
Eric turned his gaze away and decided to work on the techniques he did know. Using [Tidal Wave Fist], Eric practiced his forms. It was a vicious and constant fist technique centered around pressure. Each punch was to form a tidal wave smashing against an opponent.
Eric shadow boxed, with each punch slamming forward. Water spilling from each fist as he put his heart into it. Sweat dripped, but the boy's concentration was consistent. With the last fist a wave of water spread out from the origin of his fist.
Exhausted, Eric retreated from the area to a nearby tree line that he deemed safe. Meditating with the snake breathing technique. Feeling the essence around him, Eric pulled. His chest rising albeit lightly. Time passed as the boy tapped into his bloodline. Feeling it deeply, he heard a call.
"Wielder of my bloodline, you have been noticed." Eric was thrown from meditation and his technique forcibly canceled. Fear deep in his face.
"What the heck was that, no, WHO was that?" Nervous, Eric tried once more to enter his first bloodline.
Eric doubled over as he felt his body stretch and contort until he entered his bloodline. This time however with the tail longer and his tongue having changed to be that of a snake's. Head throbbing, Eric tumbled to the nearby pond where he looked at the crystal blue water.
In his reflection was now a scale in the middle of his forehead that shimmered with a metallic gloss of brown, green, blue, and white. Again, trying Tidal wave fist, Eric found the power astonishing, a constant and powerful wave accompanying each fist.
Switching to [Spirit Monkey Art: Gale Cowl], Eric could feel wind covering his shoulders, back and tail area. A slight swirl was constantly at his feet. Dashing forward, Eric could feel his speed increase dramatically. His fine motor skills increasing and his split-second decision-making increasing.
Eric's eyes shone as he felt the power in his body. 'I could get used to this.' The fur on him thickening while a feral aura steadily surrounded him. Dashing away from his safe area, Eric headed towards an area with a creature he'd lost to previously.
'Let's see who's going to be the loser now.'
The forest was quiet as a three tailed panther snoozed on it's tree. It's eyes opening as it disdainfully gazed at the human who'd appeared before it.
Eric didn't waste time talking as he used his whip and slammed it down. The panther waved one of it's tails, deflecting the attack. The panther's face drooped, irritation setting in.
Eric channeled as much qi as he could and unleashed a barrage of quick whip attacks. The panther deflected them but this time it had to use two tails.
Sensing the challenge, Eric imbued wind into his whip, further increased his speed. The panther used all three tails and barely kept the whip from striking. Eric grinned at his success and withdrew his whip.
The panther rose, eyeing the boy with murder on it's heart. Yet, Eric's gesture to follow after had caused the panther to go ballistic. Eric saw the muscles of it's legs tense and already prepared for the attack.
With precision Eric unleashed [Tidal Wave Fist] a wave of water slapped against the panther causing it to pause while Eric was thrown back three steps. 'This thing isn't going to beat me, I'll fucking kill it.' Eric growled and dropped his whip.
Switching to [Tidal Wave Fist] he charged at the panther. The panther's eyes narrowed as it circled around the opponent. Eric's attacks were growing more powerful, but so were the flaws in his technique.
Dodging a strike from it's opponent, the panther's tails twisted together and slammed into Eric's side. With no defenses, Eric was blasted into a tree.
Blood seeped from his mouth as his mind went blurry. His disorderly state disappearing as he felt himself come to.
'I-I what the heck? Did I lose consciousness or did I get lost in my bloodline?' For the first time, Eric felt an insecurity with his Mountain Cloud Warrior bloodline.
'I am not in complete and utter control of my bloodline. I don't fully understand my bloodline, I was cocky.'
Yet reality wasn't so forgiving. Eric was soon beset by the panther. His body not properly reacting, caused the panther's mouth to slam shut on his thigh.
"Arrrrrrrghhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!" Eric tried to enter his Mountain Cloud Warrior bloodline but all he felt was exhaustion. The panther was the size of a grown man on all four of it's paws. It looked at Eric's distraught face with laughter as it's teeth shredded the muscle in his thigh.
It's paws pressing him down as it teared at it's meat.
Eric screamed in pain as he felt his heart beat shake. 'Fuck, I'm really going to die.' The panther had minced Eric's thigh with it looking closer to stir fry meat.
Blood covering it's maw, the panther circled Eric, its muscles lacing and a comfortable expression appearing on its face.
'This thing isn't even trying to kill, it's going to toy with me till death.' Disgust and a glimmer of hope paused in Eric's eyes. The panther smelled the emotion of frustration, further causing it to pace.
With a chomp the panther bit down on Eric's shoulder, blood spewing, bone breaking, and arm shaking.
Eric felt himself go numb and his body cold, sweat and tears bursting forth. Eric again screamed but weaker, his body flush with stress and fatigue. The panther's teeth harshly yanked out of Eric, causing blood to spurt. It's abrasive tongue licking every drop on it's lips.
'Please work, please, please work.' Eric tried to pull on his Mountain Cloud bloodline but it just wouldn't work at all.
The panther paced, this time aiming at one of the places it sensed blood passing through vigorously. Aiming at his throat, Eric froze as it's teeth penetrated, his neck. His vision becoming black and white as it faded rapidly.
He could vaguely feel the feline's tongue against his spine, but his eyes dulled faster than he could regain any semblance of feeling. Darkness enveloped him, yet a smile spread across his lips.
"Finally another chance, damned cur." Eric's honey beige skin flaked off and became pure ebony. His eyes finely described as crimson with orange highlights. His mouth containing serrated teeth.
The change happened so rapidly that the panther barely realized what happened before it tried to remove it's mouth.
"Get the fuck off me." Fire seemed to spew directly into the panther's mouth as it let out a shrill scream. Eric smiled, razor sharp teeth with fire bubbling behind showed. The panther was incoherent as it rolled around on the ground, the fire in it's mouth still raging.
"You know it's been awhile since I really roasted anything." Eric's eyes glowed red ominously flames burned enviously at the land it had yet to devour.
The panther pissed nonstop as the flames disappeared, Eric standing in front of it.
"Better have fun while I can."