Spirit Taming

The exit was guarded by many more than just what the group expected. As they reached the end of the exit they had entered through hours ago, they all realized that it hadn’t been hours. "Logging the time three weeks and four days as the longest anyone has ever stayed and returned from the dungeon as the longest survival record yet." The guard that was adorned with extremely tough armor spoke as if he was unsure whether he was actually looking at the group of kids that had entered this dungeon.

"The others returned just after three or four days. Very interesting." one of the elders that the group had seen was present as well. However, the elder looked to be struggling to breathe after just a moment. "Brutal ice lizard escaping from the dungeon! Lock down the city!" the immediate order was enough to cause the guards that had suddenly been alarmed to rush toward the further entrances. Regardless of the real location of the dungeon and how close or far it was from Nebula.

"I wouldn’t do that. This is one of the ice dragon’s children. It is coming with us to see the Nebula city lord on the great ice dragon’s orders." Clark saw that the brutal ice lizard relaxed the icy scales that had started to become ruffled and show their edges when the calls for battle had appeared. It was not going to let itself sustain even a scratch.

"Children used as messengers..." The elder was brought back to her senses. She was looking at the children that had entered and recalled a similar event. One where a large party had entered the dungeon and three had returned. They were equally unharmed like the children were here. The small scratches and dirty clothing was just par the course of any dungeon.

"Escort them, forgo safety measures. We can not harm them under the guise of secrecy." The elder knew that the brutal ice lizard would be able to easily beat her and the guards. If the brutal ice lizard was allowed to go berserk, then it would charge toward anything and everything that showed a sign of life. Knowing such a beast in the north was just common sense for the guards.

When the guards began to move and the entire formation changed, Clark realized that they were by no means in charge. The number of guards had grown from about ten to seventy within just a few moments. This alone proved that they were going to hear about some events that had happened while they were away.

"We were in this dungeon for three weeks. Over three weeks." Ella was trying to figure out how the dungeon had twisted time like that. They felt that they had been pushing through for at least a day, maybe more. But they had barely stopped to take a break. It had all been within their ability because they had their training in stamina. But for the dungeon to have altered time... that was too hard to wrap their minds around.

Many people wondered how the dungeons worked and this time theory was just another mystery. However, it also helped people understand that the mana facets of existence were always hard to understand in general. These little pieces such as time, space, and existence in essence were always a mystery, yet they were just pieces of the larger part.

"It’s a lot longer than we bargained for. But there is still time. We have time to visit other academies and professor Wright should have already set it all up. She knew the plans we had." Clark was sure that they would be fine, they had figures that could back them. The only issues were related to what might have happened while they were in the dungeon for so long.

As they all were escorted on foot this time, the guards kept silent. They were ready to fight for their lives the moment the brutal ice lizard showed any signs that it was unhappy. They could care less that the long snowy plain was losing the snowfall and showing that it was actually the snowy plains that led to a mountain then the large iceberg behind Nebula city.

’Snowfall illusion- rare

The snowfall illusion is a beast that will fly in the clouds. Its wind and ice typing allows it to create false storms that it then uses to create illusions. When more than a hundred gather, they can create an entire storm that will cause large areas to become shrouded in illusion.

The snowfall illusion used to be a spiritual beast but was able to alter its body over many generations of living in the north. The distant cousin, illusion sprites are able to be found in forests and they often grow to become mossy illusions. They share many similarities in their actions.

Their favorite foods are...’

The small floating balls of snow were still hidden. The real form of snowfall illusions would probably be something more like a pixie from what Clark could imagine. This explained a lot though. The guise of a drugged journey in slumber to make it feel that they had gone further than they really had proved that Nebula was very wise when hiding their dungeon. But now that the group was not affected by the drugs or the snowfall illusions, they could see the truth clearly.

"Look, there are a lot of people ahead." Ralph whistled slightly seeing that there were so many people ahead. It appeared that an entire army had come out to meet them. A very unusual sight for the group since they were still young. However, the guards that were escorting them were sure that this was the start of preparations to resist the danger they were leading toward their home.

"Halt where you stand. The lord of Nebula is on their way." The order was solid and did not leave any means to ignore. Yet, the brutal ice lizard just hissed out in protest causing cold air to radiate from its body. The soldiers all took battle stances.

"Halt your movements! Construct a large tent here for a meeting. I will not have bloodshed when it is not required. Do not trouble me." The booming voice was none other than the very lord of the hour.

From behind the gathered soldiers, Clark spotted Illia. She was wearing some armor of her own and had a hood up, but it was easy to glance at her face. With a single wave, he called her over and the soldiers next to her moved with her. Illia’s mother spared a glance but began to watch the soldiers setting up a tent at breakneck speed. They had been trained to do such things as a medical area during dangerous battles. All soldiers had this capability.

"You were gone for a long time." The whispered voice was due to the guards that stood around Illia when she approached the group. The brutal ice lizard was a little easy back from the group now, but its eyes were clearly focused on them without giving any room for trouble.

"For us, it was like a day." Grace was a little more relaxed now that she saw another familiar face. Yet, she still held some nervous energy from the tension in the air.

"We thought something had happened. The others that went in all returned within four or five days with a lot of injuries. Some of them even said they had been dragged out by beasts and thrown at the exit." Illia didn’t hesitate to share this with them. The guards by her gave a few glances. They did not imagine that the daughter of their city lord would be so familiar with these students from another city. But the rumors they had heard were proven to be true. They had become close friends which meant that the newly reformed alliance with Nebula and Nova were stronger than ever.

"Please move in to the tent for privacy." another guard approached the group and the brutal ice lizard moved first. It approached Clark’s group and seemed to lord over them. It was a sign to the guards that if they dared move without its permission that they would be food for it.

Without much prodding, the large tent had been occupied by the brutal ice lizard and the group. Illia had come but the guards had remained behind. "I am the lord of Nebula, I assume you are the younger child of the ice dragon. Welcome to Nebula. Thank you for escorting these tournament winners here." The business professional attitude held respect which made the brutal ice lizard finally relax and lay down. It was clear that this was how it wanted to be treated. With respect and clear understanding of why it was here in the first palace.

"For the moment, we will operate as lord and those reporting. Please refrain from crossing any lines." This was a warning not to bring up her husband or the things they gained. Just the things that affected the city. That was also why Illia remained to the side instead of approaching the groups with her mother.