The next day, the group rose early, almost at dawn. The sun's light had barely even emerged. Yet the depressing murky clouds lingered.
"Why do we have to wake up so early?" Lief inquired. He wasn't particularly tired, his new physique had heavily reduced the sleep he needed. However, he was still slightly irritated at waking up early, an old habit he hadn't yet shed. The solid steps of the horses echoed against the ground, almost muffling his question.
"We have to get back to the Central Plains before six," Elder Li promptly responded. His voice was clear throughout the constant noise. He glanced at Lief. "The next Demon Raid occurs then." He resumed looking ahead.
Rhysa, what's a Demon Raid? Lief wondered, his thoughts directed at the angelic orb.
A familiar, soothing voice resonated through Lief's brain. "Demon Raids in this nexus as designed to mimic those in the outside world, just with a faster cycle." Okay, but what are they? "The Kyran species, also known as Demons in this nexus, invades the human worlds for resources and victims every fifty years. The time has been reduced to three months in this nexus for your faster training."
"So we do we have to speed up then, Elder Li?"
"We shouldn't have to, I've done this journey many times before and twelve hours is usually enough," replied Elder Li. Lief noticed that Elder Li quickened the pace of his Spirit Horse.
The horses trodded across the rugged terrain. Their hard hooves were protected by Psyker energy. So despite the jagged cracks and coarse texture of the ground, their great speed was not slowed. A few hours passed in this way as the Spirit Horses leapt and ran.
Without warning, the clouds above darkened, hours of ominous foreboding released. Stormy blades of ash fell from the sky. The heaven's fury was fully unleashed. Crackles of thunder shook the earth as rain poured in sheets. Elder Li cursed under his breath as his gaze fixed onto the black sky.
"We might be late." A soft whisper came from his lips, different from the chaotic mess that was his mind.
Ash clusters blocked the path and suffocated the air. The stench of smoke was evident. "Feng, Yun, cover your mouths. Xuan, you should be fine."
Feng quickly blocked his lower face with his robes, while Yun elegantly protected herself with a silk cloth, withdrawn from her bags. The Spirit Horses neighed and screeched, large equine bodies crashing into each other.
Elder Li soothed his own horse's fear with a slow rub along its ears. "We have to escape the storm," he admitted, a strong voice cutting through the rain. "Everyone make your Spirit Horses accelerate."
"Understood, Elder." Yun's horse flashed with dazzling blues and golds as it sped up to incredible speed.
"Got it uncle!" Li Feng's horse, with Lief on it, also sped up. How are the horses moving so fast?
"These horses are Spirit Horses, a type of Psyker Creature. Psyker Creatures are beings who use their Lineages to display Psyker abilities. This specific Lineage is close to the Great House of Sainu," Rhysa answered.
Lief's eyes squinted, attempting to shield himself from the flashing lights.
"Xuan, look forward!" Li Feng reminded Lief, shouting over the wind.
Lief turned his head to look straight ahead. The blinding lights were now far less intense, and Lief relaxed. "Thanks, Feng."
Elder Li somberly divulged a fact. "We've escaped the storm, but now the Spirit Horses don't have enough power to keep running." He got off his horse and stared at the group. "We're going to have to fight off the Demon Raid ourselves." Yun nodded in acknowledgement. Li Feng shuddered. Lief understood the situation. Rhysa, how easily could I survive the Demon Raid.
"Alone, 80%. With the group, 35%. Your attention will be dedicated to their protection instead of your own." Shit.How am I going to be able to keep Feng and the others alive. Lief pondered, thinking.
"Start setting up camp!" Elder Li called. "I have swords in the satchels! Feng! Senior! Take one each!"
"I'll use Firesong, Elder," Yun told Elder Li. From the sheath on her waist, she took out a long, graceful, sword. Ivory white in color and engraved with gold highlights, it was beautiful. The glassy texture refracted the dim light in a magnificent spiral of reflections. Firesong must be the sword's name.
Yun's slender fingers took hold of Firesong's leather grip, before resheathing it.
Elder Li took out two packages, both wrapped in cloth, to Lief and Li Feng. He bent down and intensely stared straight at Li Feng's eyes. "I know you haven't reached the minimum age for sword training yet, but this is a measure to ensure your survival." Li Feng gradually nodded.
Elder Li slowly place the package in Li Feng's hands. Still looking into his eyes, Elder Li unwrapped the package, revealing a shiny steel sword. "Here."
Lief also opened his own package, taking out the sword. The metal felt cool and comforting, its balance nearly perfect. Yet, it also seemed to be brittle--fragile. He shook off the novelty of the sword and rationalized.
"What's the point of a sword when I can do this?" He summoned a familiar dagger construct to his right arm. Its crackling energy vibrated with power, warming the very air.
"...Wow." Elder Li had no words at the sight. Feng looked in adoration while Yun stared intently, eyes full of inspiration. Even Lief himself was shocked. The previous calm blue of his energy had transformed into a chaotic pale red. His veins lit up like molten threads under skin. Each pulse burned hotter until it felt like fire clawed at his nerves. The dagger began to snap and fizzle with immense power. Lief's arm was then assaulted by a sudden burning sensation. Pain.
Lief quickly shut off energy--and the construct vanished. He fell to his knees, struggling to move. Lief was drained of all his energy and stuffed with fatigue.
"Xuan!" Li Feng screamed with urgency. He began soothing Lief. "Stay alive!"