Spirit Taming

"Where are we going now?" Brad’s question came a while after the group had moved away from where they had spotted the giant mossy sloth.

They had walked quite a distance. The river was still nearby, but the trail that they had taken was forced to alter due to the terrain. Small streams that entered the rover had caused the terrain to have larger pools of water. Ideal places for beasts to hide within the murky water near the river and attack.

Therefore, this change in course was required. Not that it was a bad thing. The group had to cut back in to the main jungle to be able to reach the small dungeon that they wanted to stop at.

"It’s called the butterfly paradise. A very odd dungeon that is literally a small forest and open field. But there are various different species of caterpillar, cocoon, and butterfly like beasts. They are spread through various different types that makes the entire dungeon one of the most unique documented. However, it was thought to be impossible to reach."

While it was Ella that responded and not Clark who had made the choice to stop here, the group became confused. Clark wanted to stop here since he was certain that they would find a very wide variety of different herbs that existed to support the extremely large variety of beasts types that lived there.

"And why would we not be able to get there?" Now that Clark asked this question, he was forced to face the fact that he might have just set them all up on a path to a very dangerous next opponent.

"It was simple. The violent jungle was considered too dangerous to weigh out the risks that came with the boons of this dungeon. However, some have attempted individual trips here due to the materials unique to it." Ella spoke as if she had mentally prepared this lesson plan in advance. To be fair though, it made sense that she would have the answer at the tip of her fingers.

"The beasts within are very diverse. Butterfly beasts of all typings are considered rare and often weak. But some are very powerful. We know this when looking at the wind caterpillar which will one day grow in to a wind monarch or greater." Isa perked up hearing this. She had just caught the idea that she might be able to help her youngest partner to grow a lot.

"Some beasts, like the poison dust butterfly requires the dust from another poison dust butterfly. The parents would normally leave dust on their young. This means that only four known places allow for the poison dust butterfly to breed or exist at all unless it is as a spirit beast that already went through the proper growth process."

Knowing this as an example, it was clear that some people would have to go on a great journey or pay a hefty price to get the one specific material that their beast needed to grow. Many tamers would end up with this as an issue. Many of them would have to accept that their beast would suffer due to this wall blocking their dreams and path of growth.

"After the loss of the hidden forest dungeon, there was a lack of certain materials. Specifically the flowers grown there. The butterfly bush’s purple flowers being one. They are filled with nectar that is beneficial to all caterpillars, cocoons, and butterfly like beasts. It is a natural plant that is nutritious for their growth. Losing that made the flowers very rare. This dungeon should have it in abundance."

"As long as we can handle the beasts attracted to the area, we should be fine. But with the high number of flowers, other beasts that live within the jungle will be attracted. That’s why we should be prepared to face many of those." Ellla’s hand pointed ahead of them. A sign that the group had begun to approach the dungeon in question.

’Balloon bee- uncommon

The balloon bee is adorable. Something that any single person would fail to recognize as a threat of any form. This is due to the small red and yellow hairs on their body and round shape. They are also very curious and often fly around things or bearings that they do not know to look at them.

However, they are not known as the balloon bee because of their shape. They are known because they are able to puff themselves up to ten times their size by inhaling large amounts of air very quickly. It causes the soft hairs to become sharp and dangerous.

When stabbed by the hairs, it causes great irritation to skins, scales, and even some bone like armor if it is attached to the being that is stabbed by the hairs. While in this defensive form, the balloon bee can still flap its wings to attack. They will follow the target of their ire for long ranges as long as they can see their target.

Normally, the balloon bee is peaceful and lives only to gather nectar and pollen to feed its single egg. However, if it feels threatened or is surprised, it will puff up.

Its wings can be used to make protective glasses because they are surprisingly resistant to wind and earth. Many people will use them for when they travel within a desert. Its own wind affinity is clear in its name and actions for self defense.

To avoid surprising them, they enjoy the scents of flowers and bright colors. Many tamers that assist them in breeding so that their wings can be harvested after they properly nurture their single egg, will dress in vibrant colors while carrying dried flower petals around their nesting areas...’

This was enough for Clark to understand why some people might just avoid the area entirely. The only good point was that there was something to help them. "We need dried flower petals or flower scented perfume. Isa, I think you might have things?" Clark saw her nod. "Then everyone, change in to bright colors. I know we should all have something."

While everyone did not catch on, Ella did right away and rushed the others to do so. Naturally, their movements and noise brought over the single balloon bee nearby. It floated over using its wings and even bumped in to Clark’s arm.

When he held out a hand, it landed right on his finger. It was hard to imagine that this little thing could expand ten times the size and cause a ton of trouble. But with the small rose petals that Clark had stuck in his sleeves, the balloon bee appeared to be enjoying it. It was rubbing right along the wrist of the sleeve where Clark had stuffed the petals.

"This is why we wear the flower petals. But the colors are bright and it also likes them. So we might attract more within the dungeon over there." Clark had the time to look ahead of where they had stopped to speak. The dungeon was actually right ahead of them in view.

Unlike many other dungeons, this one was seemingly within a tree. More specifically, the tree had grown with large roots that left a large opening. In the opening, the dungeon had appeared with its stone arch and open door. Not that there was a gate or door. This dungeon was part of the jungle now. It would most likely never disappear.

When Clark moved, the balloon bee flew off, but Clark’s confidence grew much more.

This allowed the group to change how they moved. Unfortunately, Grace had to leave the back of the dragon welp. They wanted to be in peace within this dungeon. Not fight a single thing. A drastic difference to what normally happened. But the beasts here would not be something they had to fight. Instead, the group was after the rare herbs that the butterflies were also feeding on.

"I will be looking for wind herbs and ice herbs. But Isa needs some wind herbs too. And Maria will need the fire ones for her beast in its own cocoon. I just want to see what it will break out in to. Will it just be a hade moth or will it be something that Clark can’t even guess?"

With Grace’s excitement, Ralph was also clearly more jovial than before. He looked at Clark only to receive a shrug in response. To be fair, Clark had no idea if the jade moth would be what his analysis had said it would be. He had a feeling that if there was some unique herb here or there, that the system would even stop telling him the new potentials. These things could become too many to keep track of for him.

Regardless of the formation change, the group had room to walk within the open dungeon. All together, they walked in to a sight that many people would find themselves only seeing within a dream. A sight that made them all stop and stare with their jaws dropped.