Volume 1 - Chapter 3 A Fiery Power

Now that Kalderic got himself a new weapon, he needed a plan to escape from the giant snake waiting for him below. He walks towards the hole and takes a peak. The snake was still there swimming around making huge waves. The water level seems to be going down so there will be enough ground for him to stand on.

"Ok greatsword, I don't know how useful ya will be but hopefully ya can help do some damage to that Fantasm Beast below"

"Fantasm Beast? What's that?"

"Eh! I should have figured ya don't know...even worse I'm having a conversation with a rusty weapon...I really have become crazy huh?"

"For the last time, I might be INSIDE this greatsword but I'm a human! So tell me what is this Fantasm Beast you are talking about"

"They are strong creature who can use El-ergy and we humans have to fight them for our survival"

"Can't you be more precise?"

"Later if I can come back alive. Let's go!"

Without hesitation Kalderic jumps down the hole. The snake notices his presence and lets out a furious roar. Kalderic grabs the greatsword tightly. He notices something odd. Usually, whenever he grabs the handle of a weapon too tight, it cracks under the pressure of his grip strength but this time it didn't happen. The handle was completely fine. While he was confused by it, the giant snake came out of the water, mouth open ready to gobble him.

With his quick reflex, he spun his body using the greatsword weight and with the momentum, he was able to parry the sharp teeth of the beast. He applied a bit more strength to the greatsword and to his surprise he managed to break the tooth without shattering it. The snake let out a painful roar and dive back in the water.

Kalderick landed successfully. Doing that risky attempt to counter attack made the pain in his rib even worse than before.He took a look at the greatsword and he had a confused expression on his face.

It didn't break? Kalderic asked himself. What is this sword made of?

"What did I tell you! My greatsword is unbreakable!"

"How is that possible? All weapons that I have used breaks on a couple swing"

"Well...uh...I don't really remember the how but I knew for a fact that it is just unbreakable. After all, I used it for years."

Kalderic is starting to think that maybe he wasn't crazy after all. The greatsword could actually talk to him but now he has even more questions. Those questions would wait as the snake came back angrier than before. As it got out of the water, tornados surged all around the place and they were going towards Kalderic. While having one arm around his torso, he runs towards the hole he needs to climb to get out. The typhoon was getting closer and Kalderic used all his remaining strength to not get caught in them.

He's getting closer to the hole, all he needed was just one powerful jump to leap towards it but the snake caught on to his intention. It blasted a wave of water El-ergy towards the ceiling which made boulders fall in front of the hole, blocking Kalderic's chance to run away. Now he is stuck with a giant snake that can use El-ergy while he can't.

"Haha...I guess that's it huh? There's no going back...I will be dying here like grandpa did..."

Kalderick turns back and all he saw was a bunch of water tornados coming in his way. While he was ready to accept his fate, the talking greatsword wasn't ready to give up.

"Oh hell no, boy! We are getting out of there no matter what! I'm not staying here any longer!"

"Shut up! I can't do anything about it! I'm just a Primal, I can't use El-ergy!"

"Use mine then!"

Use mine? What did he mean by that? Is it possible to use someone or something else El-ergy? Kalderic never heard of that before.

"How do I use your El-ergy?"

"Euhm...just think about it?"

"Huh?"

"Think of something! Your mind is too chaotic so I can't manifest my El-ergy physically! Do it quickly!"

"What am I supposed to think of?"

"I don't know! Use your imagination boy! Think of something made of fire!"

The typhoon was getting close to them and if Kalderic doesn't figure this out, he will definitely die here.

"Fire...fire...fire..." He repeats himself trying to imagine something that could be helpful at the moment.

Then something suddenly came to his mind. He remembered something from earlier today, when he was fighting the group of ungrateful Elemantalist. One of them could summon fire daggers that would explode at physical contact.

Kalderic's mind cleared out and thought about those fire daggers but they were too small and kind of dull.

What if they were bigger? sharper? more explosive than his? Kalderic's mental image was getting clearer and clearer. As he visualizes those, the jewel on the greatsword shines bright like a sun that is rising in the morning.

"Woah! So this is what your mind looks like once cleared out of the chaos!" Exclaimed the greatsword

A couple fire daggers, though large enough that you could call them swords, appeared around Kalderic. He looks around him surprised that it actually worked. They all point towards the typhoons and they launch by themselves. The moment they make contact with the tornados, they all explode causing a screen of hot vapor all around the area.

Wait...I can use El-ergy now?"

"Incorrect boy but we got no time for explanation! It's coming for us!"

The snake lunges towards them and Kalderic dodge rolls making him feel all the pain on his torso that he completely forgot.

"Urgh...do it again greatsword!"

"Well think about it!"

Kalderic does the same process as earlier and summons more fire swords this time. They get launched towards the snake making huge explosions but for some reason they are not effective.

"It barely did damage! What's going on!"

"Well use your brain boy! You are using fire El-ergy against a water base creature! Of course it won't be effective!"

"Grr..." Growled Kalderic. "After all, hands are better!"

He mustered his strength to stand up using the greatsword as a support. The snake moves around getting in and out of the water. It suddenly shoots water bullets towards him. Grabbing the greatsword firmly he slashed the water bullet in two only using one hand. It was painful but at least his weapon could slash through El-ergy with ease. He didn't feel any resistance. Kalderic wonders how sharp that greatsword is.

"Hey tell me sword you're unbreakable right?"

"I told you that earlier, don't you listen?"

"Just checking! Imma do something that you probably never expect."

He takes a deep breath but as he does, he coughs out blood. Wiping out the blood from his mouth, he starts running as fast as he could. His goal, the snake's throat. Multiple high pressure water bullets were coming his way and because of his injury, his movements were stiff but he could move just fast enough to avoid getting hit and cut through them. The snake's head surge out of the water and without wasting single second, Kalderic muster his strength in his arm to the point that his veins were popping out and throws it aiming at the snake neck

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING!!!!" Screamed the greatsword.

The greatsword was spinning fast in the air cutting through a lot of water bullets which made the path clear for Kalderic. The weapon penetrates the side of the neck of the snake making it bleed. Kalderic was surprised that it worked out like he planned. He takes this opportunity to leap on the snake's body and run towards the greatsword.

The snake was about to dive back in the deep water. He manages to grab the handle of the greatsword right on time for an underwater ride.

The beast swims fast making the current strong. He has a firm grip on the unbreakable weapon but if the snake stays underwater for too long, he would just die out of oxygen.

"You imbecile! What type of warrior throws his weapon to his opponent! "

Kalderic tried to answer him back by making an annoyed muffling sound. After a couple of seconds, the snake finally gets out of the water and collides its body on the grotto walls. The whole place started to slowly collapse.

Kalderic releases his breath and snaps to the greatsword as he couldn't earlier.

"Shut up! Everything is going according to plan!... well mostly!"

Finding his footing on the snake's body, Kalderic tried to move out the greatsword. The weapon went deep into the snake body and it felt like its neck muscles had a firm grip to it. After a couple of shakes and twists , Kalderic slashed its skin leaving a deep scar. Which made him fall in the water again. He got swept by the strong current, making his body twist around and unable to tell what's up and down or left and right. The snake came back and you could see a trail of blood coming out of the side of its neck. It gathers water El-ergy in his sharp teeth. Kalderic takes his weapon with both hands and blocks the bite. It doesn't let him go and drags him out of the water. It attempts to crush him towards the ceiling. Noticing that, Kalderic lets the sword go and grabs on the scales of the snake who crashed into the ceiling.

-"WHAT ARE YOU DOING LETTING ME GO AGAIN! PICK ME UP!" Screamed the greatsword

The snake spits out the weapon. Kalderic jumps down, runs as fast as he can and grabs it.

"Happy? Now shut your mouth! I'm about to finish this right now! Do your fire trick and aim it to the ceiling"

"You ungrateful brat!"

Fire blades appear around Kalderic and fly upwards. They blow up the ceiling making the whole area collapse. The snake coming back to its senses gets hit by boulders all over its body. Kalderic use those as platforms to get higher grounds

"More of those swords! This time go for the head!"

The attack itself was not effective against the beast but the explosion was making a good cover.

"And now for the final blow!"

Kalderic was high in the air. He brands up the crimson rusty greatsword with both his arms and falls towards the giant snake.

"You better be able to cut his head or else we are dead!"

"Of course it can!"

The snake looks up and gathers water El-ergy that was boiling within its mouth and unleashes it. Without an ounce of hesitation Kalderic slashed the elemental attack and penetrated the repetile's neck. It wasn't deep enough to cut its head. With all his might, he pushes the greatsword deeper, cutting the neck muscles little by little. He lets out a warrior roar while the snake lets a painful roar. Both of their screams were resonating in the grotto. He kept pushing while suffering from the pain of his broken rib and blood was coming out from his mouth.

For a moment, Kalderic's mind went from chaotic to blank and suddenly a blazing hell. The greatsword seems to have caught on to Kalderic's mind as the jewel shines and the whole blade as well. The once dark crimson rusty blade became a bright red releasing smoke. The scales of the snake started to burn.

"COME ON! CUT IT ALREADY!!" Kalderic screamed at the top of his lung while spitting out blood.

The blade became even brighter and suddenly, it set itself ablaze. It became a bright fiery sword setting the snake's head on fire. Thanks to how hot the flames were, it made it easy to cut through its thick muscle. The snake's head got severed from his body.

Kalderic stumbles on the ground rolling and the gigantic corpse crashes in the pool. The battle was over. Kalderic manages to avenge his grandpa.

"Wow boy! That was a great attack just now! Setting my sword ablaze like that!" Compliment the greatsword. "Now let's get out of here!"

Kalderic was on the ground barely conscious. All the rage and adrenaline he felt up until now was vanishing and now the pain was more intense than before

"Hey! Hey! Hey! Wake up, boy! We can rest once we get out of there! We are about to get squash!"

"Sorry...my body hurt so bad right now...I can't m-"

He couldn't finish his sentence and slowly closed his eyes.

"NO! WAKE UP! Boy! Wake up! I don't want to be st-"

The voice of the greatsword became distant. All he could hear were the sound of waves. Everything went silent.

***

Kalderic wakes up in a strange place that doesn't look like the grotto. The sky was bright blue, no tall trees were covering it, the grass was greener than the ones in the jungles and further away there was a huge watering hole.

"Where...am I..?"

The water was so clear that it looked like the sky was on the ground. Something ominous was standing in front of it. A shadowy figure that was slowly taking a humanoid form. He looked around for the greatsword to get ready to fight back but it was nowhere to be found.

"Tch! If things get crazy I still have my fist!."

Intrigued, Kalderic stands up and slowly gets close to the shadowy figure. As he got closer, it was taking the appearance of someone that he knows well.

"No way...it can't be..."

He's stunned by who was standing in front of him.

"Good morning Kal! How have ya been?

"Grand...pa?"

Kalderic suddenly hugged him tightly. Tears came out.

"Wooah! Calm down kiddo! You're a grown man now! No needs to cry!"

"Grandpa! I'm sorry! I'm sorry for being weak! If I wasn't ya could have brought me with ya that night! Together we would have slayed the Fantasm Beast together!"

"Hold on a minute Kal! What Fantasm Beast? What are you talking about?"

Kalderic told him about the events that happened in the dungeon.

"Hmm? A talking greatsword huh? Don't tell me ya ate one of those weird mushrooms I warned ya about?"

"I'm serious! I even thought I was crazy but no it's real. I even used fire El-ergy with it! I might be the first Primal who can use El-ergy!"

His grandpa let out a loud laugh. Surely he thinks that his grandson was saying nonsense but Kalderic had a dead serious expression.

"Sorry, sorry Kal! I'm not makin fun of ya, it's just funny imagining how ya would interact with an inanimate object but I'm glad things went well for ya...unlike me"

"What are you talking about? I'm here with you, I might have slain the Fantasm Beast but...I still died..."

"You're not dead Kal, you are currently dreaming...well not exactly...it's hard to explain"

Kalderic was confused. He remembers losing consciousness at the end of the battle and the grotto was collapsing. Surely his body got crushed by the boulders.

"You have to wake up Kal. As soon as you do, leave the jungle. If what you told me about that weapon is true, you might have a chance to slay it..."

"The thirteenth Fantasm Beast right?"

With the greatsword, he can probably fight at the same level as an Elemantalist and on top of that it was an unbreakable weapon. Now he doesn't have to collect a bunch of those like he used to. After all these years he can finally leave the jungle, but at the same time, he wants to stay in this world with his grandpa. He hasn't seen him for eight years and this place was better than the jungle. It was peaceful, the air was fresh and there was no chaos borns around.

"Ya know, this might be a dream but this place is real. Deep in the jungle of the Wilbush kingdom ya can find our settlement here...well ya could have before that damn beast appeared and eradicated everything. Ya might find ruins of it at least..."

"I will find it! Once I do I will give you a proper rest there! Heck I'm willing to rebuild the village! Maybe I can find other Primals who want to live peacefully there. But first, I'm going to hunt the thirteenth Fantasm Beast!"

His grandpa chuckled. He was proud of how much his grandson has grown over the years

"Eh! Ya choose a path that no Primals has walked before. This will lead in the midst of chaos but that's the price to pay to bring peace once again on LoM. Don't ya dare die before ya achieve all of those things Kal!"

He raises his fist towards Kalderic and he does the same, making a fist bump. On the horizon, the sun was shining brighter than before, causing the whole field turning white. Everything around Kalderic disappears and his grandpa with it. With a smile, his grandpa vanished.

"Never forget this Kal, survival is proof of strength…”

***

The temperature was humid. The waves were crashing on the coast and the tropical birds were singing as a new day came.

"Grand...pa..."

"Wake up boy! It's morning already!"

The young Primal man regains consciousness. Tears were falling as he just dreamed about his grandpa he hadn't seen for so long. Laying on the sand, he tried to sit down but a sharp pain stabbed him. He remembered that he had broken ribs. He attempted to sit down once more but slowly this time. He looked around him and was confused on how he ended up on the beach.

"You got lucky boy! If the water levels hadn't risen during the collapse you would be dead by now."

"So that's how I got out? There was an underwater passage huh?"

Kalderic looks at the crimson greatsword and lets out a little laugh then quickly feels the pain in his ribs.

"I still can't believe I'm talking to a weapon..."

"I'm right here boy!"

Confused, he looked the other way and he was face to face with a floating fireball. That was not the most surprising thing about it. It had a face. Its face looked like his grandpa's because of the long mustache.

"Who are ya?" Asked Kalderic who was confused with the thing in front of him.

"Are you serious? I just helped you kill that giant reptile and you already forgot who I am!"

"Wait so...you're the greatsword?"

"I'm not! I was in there but I'm human...well I don't look like it but I definitely am!!"

Kalderic was skeptical of what comes out of the floating fireball's mouth.

First it was the greatsword who was talking and now this thing is floating in front of him.

"Euhm...ok so fireball why did ya come out now of all time?...Oh wait! I know!"

"Ah so you already know why! You're smarter than you look"

"Cause ya were scared of the water"

"NO STUPID! YOU SUMMONED ME!"

He didn't understand what it meant by "summoned me". If it meant like the fire swords he did in the battle, it was not possible. After all, he was out cold all this time.

"How did I summon ya? I was in a dream world until now."

"I told you, didn't I? I can use the sword to manifest my fire El-ergy in any form that you might be thinking. While you were dreaming, I felt your inner thought and for some reason I got out of there. I'm free to move but not too far."

"My inner thought huh?"

Things started to make a bit more sense to Kalderic. That would explain the small similarities between the fireball and his late grandpa. Maybe the dream he had was a result of this summoning but something bothers him.

"Wait so does that mean ya will go back in the sword if I think about it?"

"Maybe? You can always try. Though to be honest I prefer not to. I like my new freedom...even if it's limited."

He grabs the greatsword and thinks about the floating fireball going back in it but there was one problem. How does it go back? Where does it go in the sword? Is there a hole so it can fit?

Those questions made it hard to bring the fireball back in there.

"I can't think of anything, it's too complicated"

"Well I guess this mean I get to be outside for now"

The floating fireball hopped around in the air humming happily. Kalderic let out a sigh and looked at the horizon. It took him a couple minutes but he just realised that he just managed to survive a fight against a Fantasm Beast. This is something worth celebrating. His stomach grumbles, it's time for breakfast. He won't be able to hunt anything for a while with his broken ribs so his diet is going to consist of fruits and edible plants. He uses the greatsword to support himself and stand up slowly. He walks towards the jungle and the fireball follows him.

"Where are we going boy?"

"Kalderic"

"Sorry?"

"My name is Kalderic, what's your's"

"I'm...I'm...what's my name?"

"How am I supposed to know?"

A fireball that claims to be human and used to live in a sword. It doesn't even know its own name. Maybe it has been in that grotto for so long that he has forgotten it or it never had a name to begin with.

"Well I can always call ya fireball."

"No! no! no! If you're going to name me something, give me a proper name."

Kalderic was thinking of what he can call it as he walked with a bit of struggle through the thick vegetation. He takes a quick look at it and the resemblance with his grandpa strikes him again. An idea came to him.

"How about Pyrzhor?"

"Oh? I like the sound of that! How did you come up with it?"

"I combined the name of someone I used to know with the term ‘pyro’ which is related to fire. Something that person taught me."

The newly named floating fireball was impressed by the concept behind this name. He liked it so much that he kept repeating it

"Pyrzhor...Pyrzhor...Hm! hm! Starting today my name is Pyrzhor!"

It was almost late evening. Walking in a dense jungle with broken ribs was not easy even for a Primal. His primitive super strength did help him bear with pain. After hours of walking they finally reached at their destination.

"Euhm...I meant to ask b- I mean Kalderic, but why are we still in this jungle? Don't you need to attend to those injuries?"

"I'm about to. Just need to get home first"

"Home? I don't see anything that would look like a home. It's all trees here."

Kalderic was pointing to a specific tree but Pyrzhor couldn't understand what he was trying to show him. After a couple seconds of thinking, he realized what he meant.

"Don't tell me you live...on a tree?"

"I do."

"Like a monkey?"

"I mean I used to live in a cave but animals kept coming in which was annoying at night so a tree was the best option."

The face of Pyrzhor was full of disappointment. If he had hands he would probably cover it.

"Don't you have a proper home in a town or something?"

"The jungle has always been my home and my grandpa always warned me to never leave it...until today that is..."

Remembering his dream from earlier made him a bit sad but not for long. Kalderic gets closer to the tree. With his broken ribs, climbing it would be difficult and even more with the greatsword. He had nothing to attach it on his back. He starts digging a hole with his bare hands, making Pyrzhor curious.

"What are you doing?"

"Digging a hole"

"I know that but why?"

"I'm going to hide the greatsword here"

"Pardon?!" Pyrzhor said with shock. "Can't you bring it in your tree house?"

"I'm already going to have a hard time to climb and the greatsword is going to make it harder"

"Throw it like you did in the battle!"

"With how sharp it is, I don't wanna risk cutting my whole home"

They kept arguing about what to do with the greatsword but Kalderic ended up just throwing it in the hole and covering it with dirt. Pyrzhor made noise that sounded like sobbing which Kalderic ignored and climbed the tree.

Once inside, after a painful climb, he looked for medicine that he stocked in a small wooden case. Pyrzhor looked around the hut and just kept nodding as if he was approving the quality of the hut.

"Hmm…It's not that bad after all. I've been in the greatsword for so long I consider this an upgrade."

"By the way, how did ya end up there? In the greatsword, I mean."

Pyrzhor was about to answer but the words couldn't come out. The moment he tried to think about it, his mind just went blank. This was something that has been recurrent for years now. Every time he tries to think about specific things about himself, his mind always goes blank. Some part of his memories was missing.

"So? Ya going to ignore me or what?"

"Oh? Euhm! Sorry! I'm not ignoring you...it's just I can't remember..."

"Ya forgot that and you're name but for some reason ya know that you are human...weird"

"THERE'S NOTHING WEIRD! THAT'S WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU GET OLD!"

"How old are ya?"

"I don't know!"

"HOW DO YA KNOW YOU'RE OLD THEN?"

"I JUST KNOW!"

This conversation was going nowhere. They both take a deep breath and calm down. Kalderic finishes massaging his torso with some sort of liquid made with medicinal plants and takes a bunch of leaves and vines to wrap around it. Once his treatment was done he took from a wooden crate near his hamac full of mango fruits and ate one.

"Ok so what do ya remember then?"

"Euh...some stuff."

"Can ya be more precise?"

"Ask me questions! It's going to be easier...I think..."

Kalderic lets out a sigh and racks his brain with some questions that will help him understand that fireball's identity .

"Ya say you're human but since you're a fireball, are ya an Elemantalist?"

"I mean it's obvious no? I can make fire so for sure I was a fire Elemantalist."

"Why do I feel like you're not even sure about this?"

"I AM SURE! ask me something else."

"Who made this weapon ya were in? Are there more like this"

"I don't know"

"Yeah I can tell ya were sure bout this one"

"Don't make me angry!"

Kalderic kept asking Pyrzhor more questions until the night set in. This period of questioning pretty much led to nothing substantial. It was a complete waste of time.

"So...in summary, ya think that ya were once a human who could use fire El-ergy. Probably used that greatsword as your main weapon and so ya think ya were once a warrior..."

"That's pretty much it...yes..."

"I give up. You're the weirdest thing I've ever met in my life."

After eating a couple mango fruits, Kalderic lay down on his hamac. Tonight he feels like it's going to be a peaceful night. No more random earthquakes, no more big chaos born terrorizing the jungle. Just a weird floating fireball that suffers from amnesia and an identity crisis.

"Wait boy! You bombarded me with questions, I think I have the right to ask something as well."

"Can't it wait until tomorrow? I'm tired..."

"Fair enough but euhm...where do I sleep?"

"Huh?"

Do fireballs even sleep? Kalderic asked himself. Now that he thinks about it, this was a fireball floating inside a tree hut. This could be dangerous. If the hut catches fire, he will have to relocate. Right now with his injury, it was not the best time to start changing houses. He sits down on his hamac and looks for something where Pyrzhor can rest his head on.

"Oh! Ya can rest on that here."

Kalderic was pointing to his small hearth near the window which made Pyrzhor mad.

"What do you take me for! I want something to sleep on like you! "

"You're a fireball! This is the perfect place for ya! Anything else you will set on fire!"

"But I'm human!"

"A human fireball head! Now go sleep there or find a way to go back in the sword! Good night!"

Kalderic lay on his side,turning his back to Pyrzhor and fell into a deep slumber. Pyrzhor was muttering something under his breath and slowly floated towards the small hearth. He analyzes it to see if there's nothing that could make him uncomfortable sleeping.

"There better be no bugs crawling there...."

Taking a deep breath, he lays down on the hearth and suddenly falls asleep. It was more comfortable than he thought.

***

Back in Palmarina, Malrick was filling out paperwork and reports about the success of the Flashing Steels. He takes a small break and stands up in front of his window, taking in some fresh air. The night was peaceful all thanks to their hard work and how fast they accomplished the commission. He acknowledges the strength of the hunters from Revoltwing kingdom and wishes he could have some of them in this town.

He muses to himself how strong they are compared to that one kingdom but abandons that train of thought. Right now the world is not in a state to go to war. Everyone should help each other to put an end to the reign of the chaos borns and the remaining Fantasm Beast. Which is why the Fantasm Hunters were created a century ago.

Someone knocked at his door in a hurrying manner and called the headmaster's name as if something happened. He felt something heavy in his chest and hesitated to let in whoever was knocking at the door at this time of the night. He prays that whatever the bad news is, it was nothing urgent that would require more of the Flashing Steels help.

"Come in!" Said Malrick with a worried tone.

An Elemental Guardian opened the door and he was out of breath. He must have come running here to be in this state which could only be bad news.

"Sorry for disturbing you headmaster but I got an urgent report to make!"

"Go ahead..."

"The group of Elemental Guardians patrolling the jungle found something quite disturbing on the beach shores deep in the jungle!"

"What did they find..."

"Well..we are not sure what it is but it's a snake like creature sir! About eighty feet long, sir! We assume it was Supreme Elemental Fauna"

"WHAT?!"

Malrick is wondering how such a thing lives in the jungle without no one noticing it until now. Maybe it just appeared recently. In any case this is the worst thing that he could have heard tonight. They just manage to get rid of one threat and now a new one appears. This year's Passion festival might be canceled.

"That's not all sir!"

There's more?! Thought Malrick. How worse can this become? "G-go on..."

"Well...I know it might be hard to believe but...they found the body without its head. From what they could analyze, it seems like the head of the creature was severed by the use of fire El-ergy. Burn marks have been found on the scales and neck muscles."

Hearing the news, Malrick sits down and tries to digest the report.

"So... you're telling me...a Supreme Elemental Fauna has been found dead...just like that?"

"That's correct sir!"

"What in LoM is going on...what could have d-"

Malrick stopped his sentence. There's only one thing that could have caused this. Powerful enough to kill something of that size.

"A Fantasm Beast...?"

"Pardon, sir?"

"That's the only plausible answer. A Fantasm Beast can only cause this...no wait, if that's the case...the town would have been eradicated by now..."

"If not a Fantasm Beast, what could have done it? There is no Fantasm Hunter in this town strong enough to take down something that size"

"And the Flashing Steels are still resting at the lounge and getting ready for hunting...no way...the jungle ghost!"

"Wait! The local legend?"

"This is bad! Go inform the other guardians to be on high alert but be discreet about it. I don't want the people in town to panic. If the jungle ghost is really the culprit behind this, we are in serious trouble"

"Yes, sir!"

The Elemental Guardian leaves the room quickly. Malrick gives himself a massage on his forehead from the troublesome headache that report just gave him.

"Now I have to report this to them...they will ask for compensation for sure this time...Oh Mother Lorygina! What have we done to suffer like this..."

When he thought peace came back, a new problem arose.

***

The sun rose on the Tropazion kingdom. Another day that Kalderic gets to live. Last night was a bit uncomfortable because of the pain but he feels a bit better this morning. It's a perk that Primals bodies have which is a fast recovery from injury depending on how bad it is. In probably two days or three he should have fully recovered. He gets up from his hamac and does a couple light stretches. He couldn't fully move like he used to so today was going to be another day of eating mainly fruits and other edible plants. Though he would prefer to eat a good source of protein like a stonapia. He realized Pyrzhor was still fast asleep in the hearth. An idea came to mind. He takes from the same crate where he stash his mango fruits. He makes a brochette with fruits, mushrooms and other edible plants. He approaches the hearth quietly and puts the brochette over the head of Pyrzhor and it.

"I guess ya can be useful outside of battle as well huh?"

His brochette roasted quickly. Probably because the flame temperature of Pyrzhor is higher than normal fire made with flintstones. He blew on the brochette before taking a quick bite.

"Hmm! Delicious! Though I would like to have meat with it..."

One brochette wouldn't be enough to fill his stomach. Quietly again to not awaken his new unlimited fire source, he takes more ingredients to make more brochettes.

After doing a couple of those and eating happily, Pyrzhor woke up letting out a big yawn, even though you couldn't tell if he had a mouth.

"Hmmm...something smells good! Breakfast ready?"

Pyrzhor looks at Kalderic stuffing his face with the brochette without offering anything to him.

"Morning!"

"Morning Kalderic. So, where's my share?"

"Huh?"

"My breakfast?"

"Do fireballs even eat?"

"For Mother Lorygina's sake! I'm not just a fireball! I'm a human first and foremost! Of course I do eat!"

"You don't even have a mouth! Heck you don't even have a nose, how do you smell?"

"IT'S BECAUSE IM HU-"

Pryzhor realized something odd. He can definitely smell the food that Kalderic is eating but he doesn't feel hungry. The smell makes him want to eat but not out of necessity for survival but just for pleasure. This realization makes him question if he really was human as he claims it. Him being quiet makes Kalderic feel bad. He takes one of his brochette and approaches it towards him. Pyrzhor just stares at it and just floats away.

"What? Not hungry anymore?"

"You...you can say that...I will just take some fresh hair."

Pryzhor left by the entrance of the hut leaving Kalderic eating alone.

Finished eating his breakfast, he gets out of the hut and digs out the greatsword. Pryzhor follows him and wonders what it will be doing. Surely not leaving the jungle right now with his injury.

"Hey! Pyrzhor! Teach me how to use your power."

"I have nothing to teach you. Just think about something and I will make it happen."

"That's what I want to know! What are the limits of your power? I'm no Elemantalist so I don't know the basics. I got lucky down there against that snake. I plan to get out of the jungle soon and I'm sure there will be stronger Fantasm Beast out there."

"Oh!"

Pryzhor remembered that last night he wanted to ask a couple questions about those beasts.

"What surprised you? It's normal for someone to want to get better at something"

"Sorry, it's not about that, I remember I wanted to ask you questions last night"

"Can that wait?"

"You made me wait long enough! You even told me to wait for morning"

"Urgh! Fine! Ask away old man"

"DON'T CALL ME THAT!"

Pyrzhor exhales, calming him down.

"First, what are ‘Fantasm Beast’? I mean I guess what we fought recently was one but what are they in general?"

"Euhm...not fully well informed but from what grandpa told me there are thirteen of them in LoM but only twelve of them are known. They are the strongest creatures on LoM."

"The strongest creatures on LoM...twelve of them...it sounds familiar…"

Something was forming inside Pryzhor's mind. He was about to remember something important but feels like he needs a bit more information to make it happen.

"Can those twelve...I mean thirteen creatures, can they use another form of El-ergy outside of the main ones that humans can use?"

"Euh...not sure what ya mean by that but I remember grandpa said they use a form of El-ergy stronger than the chaos borns."

Something clicked in his mind.This piece of information made him somewhat understand what are those Fantasm Beast but if what Kalderic said was accurate, he might have been stuck in that greatsword longer than he thought. There was something that didn't match his memory.

"You said there are thirteen of them but twelve of them are only known, correct?"

"Yeah, my grandpa did his own research on those creatures so he could hunt one of them in particular but none of the twelve Fantasm Beast match the one he encountered and so he theorized there's a thirteenth one.

"Hmm...I see..."

Pyrzhor fell silent for a couple minutes, gathering his thoughts and making sense of it. The more he thinks about it the more questions he has. It seems like Kalderic wouldn't be able to provide him the answers he was looking for.

"Alright, happy now? Can ya teach me how to use that fire El-ergy of yours?"

"You need to rest. That can wait tomorrow."

"Nah! We are doing this right now and anyway ya bound to the greatsword so where I go you go! Let's head to the beach!"

Without a moment's delay Kalderic walks deep in the jungle with Pyrzhor following him by force.

***

In the private lounge, the Flashing Steels were resting. Though one of them was still frustrated. He didn't suffer major injuries so he could still walk around and complain. It's been two days since then and he's been itching to have another go fighting the Primal man they encounter.

"Graaah! What is taking them so long to make weapons! Tch! Not that I'm expecting anything good out of a kingdom that couldn't handle a mere gorilla"

"Do I have to remind you we couldn't also handle the chaos born" Replied Ferinda who is clearly fed up of hearing Rednar's complaints.

"SHUT UP! We had it! It just took us by surprise and we got a bit disorganized. We fought the worst at Revoltwing!"

Suddenly, someone knocks at their door. Rednard walks towards it furiously as if he was about to set on fire whoever was knocking. Once he opened it, he was face to face with Malrick. He had a desperate look on his face. Rednar noticed this and a big satisfying smile formed on his face.

It's not the first time he sees that look on a client. This was a sign that something serious happened and the LoiM will come flowing in his pockets. He let him enter the lounge showing excitement on his face. Ferinda has goosebumps from the way Rednar looked. Malrick looked around and noticed their leader Quenbar was not present.

"Your leader isn't up yet?"

"He had some business to take care of hehe" Replied Rednar with a dirty laugh

"If you have a message for him we can pass it to him" Said Ferinda

"Actually I would like everyone from the Flashing Steels here. This is an important matter to discuss."

"Oh? What is it?" Asked Rednar.

"Like I said I want everyone to be here so if you can bring your leader back here, this would be appreciated."

"Alright! I got this. I have an idea of where I can find him. Ferinda while I'm at it go check if that pig is still asleep!"

Rednar left the lounge leaving Malrick and Ferinda alone. She let out a sigh while shaking her head. A part of her was also curious about the news Malrick was about to tell them but at the same time she wishes that it was not extra work.

***

After walking a couple minutes, Kalderic and Pyrzhor arrived at the beach. The first thing they noticed was the long body of the snake. It seems like it emerged from the dungeon without its head. It probably got away by the strong currents deeper in the ocean.

"Well this will make a good target practice!" Said Kalderic with enthusiasts. "Alright Pyrzhor! Time to teach me that El-ergy stuff!!"

"How many times do I have to tell you this? Just think of something and I'll make it happen!"

"I'm thinking of a roasted stonapia right now so do it"

"I CAN'T DO THAT!"

"THAT'S WHY I'M ASKING TO TEACH ME OLD MAN!"

They had difficulty understanding each other's struggles. To Pyrzhor, wielding El-ergy was simple as breathing but he forgets that the man in front of him is not an Elemantalist. The basics of manifesting El-ergy to a physical form that one wishes for was not ingrained in him. Now that he put a bit more attention to it, he wonders why he himself was not able to manifest it as he wishes.

For some reason, he already knew that he needed someone else's help to make it happen. This is probably one of the many things he forgot about himself. Another thing he noticed, the inside of Kalderic's mind. It was loud, like a raging beast that can't be tamed. He doesn't find the feeling pleasant but for some reason it felt familiar. Maybe that is why Kalderic was able to help him manifest his El-ergy despite the loud noises and chaos of his mind. Taking a deep breath, he accepts to teach him how to use his power but he has low expectations.

"Look boy! Do you remember when you did those fire blades? What were you thinking at that time?"

"Euh...Oh! Yeah earlier that day I fought an Elemantalist that could use fire and he-"

"You fought an Elemantalist?"

"Three of them to be exact but they were already tired because they struggled against a gorilla chaos born. If I wasn't there, they would probably be dead."

Hearing this surprised Pyrzhor. Even though he didn't have all his memories, he was aware that the odds of someone who can't use El-ergy win against an Elemantalist or a chaos born are low. He might be a Primal but there's a limit to what physical strength alone can do against El-ergy. Maybe the years he lived in the jungle have made him quite the fighter. After all, he managed to take down an elemental beast that was almost ten times his size.

"Hmm...I see and what did that Elemantalist did in particular?"

"He could make a fire dagger that would cause small explosions when it hit something. So when I remembered that I imagined those fire blades thingy.”

"You said you remembered fire knives but what you made me summoned were bigger than that, not that I complain."

"Ah! Also the guy was using a sword as his main weapon, so I think I mixed both of them."

Pyrzhor floats towards the snake's body. Kalderic's explanation made sense. After all, El-ergy takes the form of what the user wants but in his case, he was not the one thinking of those things but a third party. Once close to the dead snake's body, he remembered something he wanted to clarify with Kalderic. He wasn't sure if he should say something about it since he hasn't fully recovered his memory but it would be better for him if Kalderic was aware so in the future he would be careful about his actions.

"By the way Kalderic...about those Fantasm Beast...I don't think this giant snake was one."

"What would ya know about that?"

"Well from what you told me this morning and comparing with what little memory I have left, I think Fantasm Beast would wield a similar form of El-ergy to a chaos born. If I'm not mistaken that El-ergy is called chaos."

"Hmm...so you do remember something useful."

" WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSE TO MEAN?! Never mind! Train by yourself!"

Pyrzhor attempts to float further away but suddenly gets pulled back towards the greatsword limit. He remembered that his freedom was limited.

"Sorry! I'm thankful for the info! I was just surprised that ya remembered something that could be helpful for the future."

Even though he apologized, Pyrzhor was still frustrated. Not about the comment but the fact he could remember something that was not directly related to him. He lets out a sigh and floats back towards the corpse.

"Anyway! Do those fire blades again. I want to see if this is something you did in the heat of battle or you can replicate it. Also it can help if you verbalize your thoughts. Say words that can solidify your idea the best for example...how about Fire Blades?"

"Ok!"

Kalderic takes a stance ready for battle and locks his eyes to the body of the dead snake. In his mind he remembered the heated battle that would have cost his life. The hot temperature of the grotto, the water bullets and tornados coming at him. Pyrzhor could feel those powerful and vivid thoughts, his flames getting brighter and furious.

"FIRE BLADES!!" Shouted Kalderic

A dozen of floating fire swords appeared around Kalderic. Instinctively, he swung his arm and the blade flew towards Pyrzhor.

"WHAT ARE Y-"

Before he could finish his sentence, the explosion blades covered his voice. Through the explosion smoke, Pryzhor floated back towards Kalderic furiously.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO KILL ME!"

"Sorry! Didn't mean to, hehe!"

"Urg! I swear!"

"Anyway! Seems like I did it!"

Pyrzhor looks back at the long dead body and approves it. He realized that once Kalderic had a clear idea of his attack, his inner thoughts became clear, more streamlined and vivid which made him able to clearly summon those fire blades through his El-ergy. Now the question is how far Kalderic's imagination can go and then something came to his mind.

"Hey, do that thing with the greatsword."

"What thing?"

"You know, that final blow you did to cut the snakes head"

"Huh?"

"Hm?"

It seems like Kalderic had no recollection of what Pyrzhor was talking about.