Giving it his all, MorDrigin struck and attacked. With great effort Mor managed to land several strikes on the Unformed. But just like always, he fell short when the Unformed had slammed him into the ground.
'What a waste.'
Just when the Unformed was about to slam its claw into the ground — and when TayDrigin was about to rush in — Mor had screamed.
"Stay back!" Just before rolling out of the way, spinning onto his feet and dealing a spinning attack on the Unformed Ethos' joint.
Unfortunately his strike was not powerful enough and did nothing to the Unformed. Despite seeing this, Mor did not give up. He leaped backwards to avoid an attack he read coming, then ducked under a tail attack before rushing the same joint again and striking once more.
Yet again it did nothing. Still Mor did not relent. Ignoring the pain echoing throughout his body, he aimed for the same spot. Each time narrowly escaping the Unformed Ethos' attack.
He struck, evaded and changed up the joint he was attacking in favour of another for just a moment before returning to the same joint.
Suddenly, with great effort, MorDrigin managed to break the joint off so the Unformed fell onto one side. Now having lost control over its left arm.
At once cheers from MorDrigin's group filled the air, while CalisVon found himself becoming astonished.
Not letting this small victory get to his head, Mor swung his claymore across the Unformed Ethos' chest, ready to take it down. But before the claymore could make contact, the Unformed pushed itself backwards with its one good arm and its tail.
Already anticipating this, Mor dashed forward and struck at the Unformed Ethos' chest.
Though he had given the strike his all, his claymore had bounced off the chest, leaving Mor open. And the Unformed made sure to take the opening.
One slam of its tail and Mor was sent flying backwards. But he didn't get to crash into a tree before his mother caught him and brought him to the safety of their group.
Panting hard, Mor felt a world of pain overcome him. Without wasting any time, TayDrigin produced a Life Essence which she helped him crush.
As the soothing and relieving effects of the Life Essence began to take effect, MorDrigin's mind was becoming clearer, so he could feel all the eyes on him.
Looking up, Mor found Calis staring directly into his eyes, shock present in his.
"It's my turn." A Seedling had said, and with TayDrigin's permission, she was allowed to go and fight.
Sitting against the tree, Mor panted as he waited for the Life Essence to completely heal him. As he sat, he held firm on his conviction. He failed, but he was not going to give up. Not as long as there's a chance.
A few minutes later, Mor had his chance to go again. He poured his everything into his attacks, focusing on the Unformed Ethos' movements while trying to find openings to strike.
But once again he was knocked off his feet and given a couple of broken bones.
The moment he fell, laughs filled his head as he remembered all the mockery.
'I won't give up.'
Soon Mor was given another chance, he fought and fought, pushing himself to the limit and giving it everything he had.
Yet no matter how much he pushed himself, he was left with severed wounds that only reminded him of his shortcomings.
Though he felt his heart burn and his being shaken, he still kept his convictions and kept on fighting.
The more he fought, the more others found themselves astonished. More so, CalisVon had been inspired to the degree that he had forgone his unwillingness to fight and gave it his all.
Behind Mor and Calis, two Seedlings were in a similar situation. Failing to on Unformed or the other. And though they were initially beaten down by the experience, seeing Mor and Calis give it their all gave them a boost to keep trying.
Eight times Mor fought and eight times he failed. Though his body was healed from all wounds, he still felt a searing pain in his heart.
The mockery, the laughter, the disdain. From everyone, from his family, from his father. The burning pain of it all only seemed to fuel MorDrigin, so that he struck harder and dodged faster.
'He's a disgrace.'
Mor struck.
'That boy is from the Drigin family? Seriously?'
Mor evaded.
'I'd rather die than bring shame to my family name.'
Mor leaped.
'It's better if he had died at birth.'
"Ahhhhh!" Mor screamed and swung his claymore with a hundred and ten percent of his being. His claymore broke through the Unformed Ethos' stone covered chest and struck the blackness that shimmered within.
At once the stone exterior had burst open so that black clouds exploded in all directions.
Eyes were widened, mouths fell and all words to say were lost.
Unable to move, TayDrigin just stood there as she waited for the black clouds to dissolve. As everyone looked, the silhouette of a lean boy hunching over and panting, could be seen.
And within the second, the clouds disappeared so that Mor was seen now on the floor, on one knee while leaning on his claymore.
In this moment, MorDrigin was battered and bruised. His whole body was aching and his consciousness was about to give up on him. He had sustained a good amount of injuries while exhausting himself to a degree that was seemingly infeasible.
Yet he did his best to hold himself together, as he was now overcome with feelings he couldn't quite understand.
"YAAAAAAAAAY!"
Cheers had exploded into the air. Cheers from his group and a few Seedlings that had come to admire him.
In this moment, Mor was overcome with immense joy and the great sense of fulfillment. Thrown into the mix was denial and disbelief. Which all but made the joy he felt more profound when he reiterrated to himself that this actually happened.
'I...I actually did it.' Mor said with a crooked smile. Then he forced himself onto his feet. wobbling for a moment, Mor found his balance. So he stood, basking in the victory and cheers for just a moment.
When the cheers had died down, MorDrigin turned to his Ethos. It was a black shimmering blob which was somehow quivering.
Looking at it, MorDrigin discovered he didn't know what to do. More than that, he found his limbs locked into place. This was what he wanted for so long. To think it actually...
Stopping his thought process and pulling everyone's attention, was the sudden quiet that flooded the entirety of Eden.
"The Whispers." A Watcher had said.
"Their gone." A Seedling said.
Almost immediately, whispers that came from the mouth of humans replaced the Whispers.
"All the Unformed have been defeated."
"There's no more."
"But there's still one Seedling left in our group."
'One Seedling left.' Mor thought, as his mind shifted to Calis.
The other two Seedlings had managed to defeat an Unformed. So that it was just Mor and Calis left.
And now, Mor had finally defeated one. The last one it would seem.
Staring at the Ethos, Mor remembered Calis' brother's words.
'If you don't bond today, father will never let you try again.'
Like Mor, this was Calis' last chance.
Except, unlike Mor, Calis had yet to disappoint his family. MorDrigin had already done that more than enough. One last time wouldn't make a difference.
Smiling, MorDrigin rose his head to the sky, soaking in the beautiful and gentle warmth of the sun. Then, with a deep inhale and exhale, Mor turned around and began to limp away from the Ethos and toward his group.
"What is he doing?"
"Is he leaving his Ethos?"
"He must be a fool."
Whispers from the Watchers filled the air yet again. But MorDrigin paid them no mind.
Walking toward them, he stopped when he stood beside Calis, then he spoke in a low tone.
"I've shamed my family quite enough. I don't believe you should too." MorDrigin had said, causing Calis to be confused for a moment.
But once he rose his head and met Mor's gaze, he understood what he was getting at. And at once he felt his heart shift.
Falling his gaze, Calis clenched his fist.
"I can't."
Upon hearing this, Mor smiled. Then he began to walk away from him.
"I'm not going back for it. So go get it or let it die." MorDrigin said, feeling a sting in his heart for playing with the life of an Ethos. But also unsure of how else to persuade Calis.
Hesitant, Calis placed his gaze on the Ethos. And when he saw it fading, he felt his being shake, so that without wasting a second, he ran for it.
'Good.' MorDrigin said, as he limped toward his mother and sister. Standing beside them were the twins, who were looking at Mor with adoration in their eyes.
Not letting him come any closer, SaiDrigin rushed him and wrapped her one free arm around him. Then he rose her head and stared Mor in the eyes with hers full of tears.
"You're really awesome brother." She said, then fell her head into his stomach once more.
Lingering for a moment, Mor felt a warmth in his heart. Which caused his eyes to sting.
'Dammit.' MorDrigin said with a grin as he held onto Sai.
"Thank you Sai." He said.
A second later, Sai had let go with a sniffle as she cleaned out her eyes and smiled. While making way for their mother who was coming toward them.
Standing tall, Mor looked his mother in the eyes, then spoke.
"I'm sorry Mom. I couldn't be..."
MorDrigin didn't get to finish his statement before she waved a hand with a smile.
"You did good Mor." TayDrigin said, an emotional smile in toe.
With this, nothing more was said. As MorDrigin found himself going through an array of emotions — mostly pleasant and bittersweet — he wasn't able to utter a single word. Rather, he just wanted to bask in those emotions.
Likewise, the Seedlings and Watchers witnessing all of this wanted to say so much. Mostly pertaining to the Ethics of such a thing. But decided to hold their tongues.
Turning around, Mor pointed his gaze at Calis, who was standing in the open space, staring at the Ethos in his hands.
Seeing this, Mor smiled, as he finally felt something within him whole. As he stood, he ran a thought through his head, a thought aimed at Sai. A thought on if he would be really willing to leave her behind. And if he wasn't, would it be right to change his mind now that things had gone in his favour?
He felt he had to make a decision right now. Suddenly afraid, MorDrigin felt his heart beating rapidly, as he was about to decided whether or not to leave his sister.
"Sai..." Mor had said, hesitating for a moment. "I..."
Just as Mor was about to speak, SaiDrigin fell to the ground, clutching her Ethos.
"Sai!" Mor had called out as he got on his knee and held her shoulders.
"Sai." TayDrigin had called out, fearful for Sai.
When their eyes fell on her Ethos, their fear was replaced with alleviated worry, when they realized her Ethos was taking form.
"Give her some room." TayDrigin said, helping Mor give Sai some distance.
Despite asking for space, Watchers and Seedlings only seemed to gather around Sai, as expectations ran high.
In this moment, MorDrigin felt the fear in his heart sprouted from his decision to leave, being replaced by Sai's rank.
Though he knew it was impossible, he still couldn't help but think.
As he stood, Mor kept his gaze intently on Sai, who was still on the floor, doing her best to hold it together. And though her pain was supposed to be alleviated a second now, it only seemed to get worse, so she began to groan.
Then, shaking Mor to his core was a scream.
"Sai!" Mor made to tend to her, but he was only held in place by his mother.
She didn't even spare him a second glance, as all her attention was on Sai. Ignoring this, Mor returned his gaze to Sai, only to feel his heart lurch when she screamed once more before falling her head onto the floor as the Ethos ate away at her soul.
"Mom!" Mor had called out, but once again he received no response.
Mor returned his gaze to Sai, and upon seeing her, his eyes widened.
The Ethos was dissolving into her arm as opposed to letting go and leviating. Something was wrong, something was very wrong.
Just as Mor was about to rush in and do anything to help, he became frozen in place when he saw her hair changing color. Gray was slowly seeping into the entirety of her long blonde hair. Starting from her scalp and making its way throughout.
As the gray continued to spread, it began to change colors, the seven colors of the Seven Auras.
Upon seeing this, Mor felt his being shift. Because this bonding was very reminiscent to what he once read.
'As the Ethos began to manifest, it sank into the soul of its Amyntor, tearing them apart from the inside to create them anew. To create...'
Before everyone's eyes, Sai erected herself with a scream, as the entirety of her hair turned white.
"To create a White Aura." MorDrigin said, completing the phrase in his book as he watched with disbelief.
His sister had become a White Aura.
After her scream, silence blanketed the entire forest.
Wobbling, Sai didn't have the strength to cling to consciousness anymore. So she let go.
Just before she could fall, TayDrigin rushed in and held her in place.
The silence proceeded for several more seconds, before someone finally spoke up.
"No way. She's actually a White Aura!" A very unfamiliar voice had said.
In less than a second, all eyes were pulled toward the origin point of the voice. What they saw was a young man, standing on a tree branch.
He was dawning strange clothing with abundant white and less abundant blue and black. He had somewhat of a deranged look in his eyes, and his hair was red. Once more, he was standing upside down, so he looked like a bat hanging from the tree.
Following this, all the Watchers produced their weapons from sparks of light and stood in front of TayDrigin and SaiDrigin.
"Mor." TayDrigin called out. And without being told, he rushed in and took Sai into his arms so his mother go be at the forefront of the Watchers.
Almost immediately LoriHaden, MayHaden and CalisVon surrounded MorDrigin and his sister. As though protecting them.
Removing his gaze from his group, he placed his sight on his mother as she approached the front of the Watchers.
"Who are you and what do you want?" TayDrigin had said, summoning her weapon and calling Helai her Ethos close.
"I think the appropriate question should be..." Another unfamiliar voice rang out. This time the voice of a woman. A second after the voice spoke, a woman appeared from smoke on top the same branch the first stranger was dangling from. "Who are we." The woman completed her statement.
And at that moment, several more strangers with red hair and odd clothing appeared from smoke. Each of them standing or sitting on a branch several trees.
Seeing these strangers, Mor held Sai tighter as he felt a sudden fear creeping into his heart. A fear he could tell was not limited to only him. They could all feel it, they could all feel how powerful these strangers were. Each and everyone of them were Red Auras, and it wasn't just their hair that gave this away, as the very air surrounding the immediate environment became unbreathable.
'Who are they?' Mor had asked.