Last Flame (6)

'A tall, abominable horse-cousin.'

At the same time. . .

Jagged sharp teeth were bared as it snorted at the girl, unable to sense her weak Divine beast aura. Afterall, Celes was still in the process of complete recovery.

The reptilian eyes of that medium rank spiritual beast contemptuously narrowed. It felt irritated at seeing such a mere Qi Gatherer look unharmed and healthy. It's hawk-like, yellow eyes drilled further into the girl as she stood stiffly before it, not making a move as if frozen.

'Well that's exactly how this unpleasant weakling should be in the presence of this mighty one!'

Celes moved her honey brown eyes down to her arms and tried to lift them but was rendered useless.

'Something is not right, this ugly horse, could it be--?'

She stared back at the majestic creature that if she could remember was a Kirin. It stood on it's four legs like a mighty stallion but was covered in silver scales and it's long silvery hair pointed at all directions like spikes. It's long horn pointed at her, as if ready to maul itself into her chest.

'What to do?'

The petrified Celes could hear her heart beat in her ears as it strongly thumped, hammering against her chest. She racked her brain for some solutions only to imagine unwanted circumstances. Just as Celes thought of simply waiting for the right opportunity, a realization dropped into her head.

'Wait, I have that greedy piece of cheat! You f*****g power, help your owner! How dare it sleep on me at a time like this, huh? Hey you, aren't you bottomless? Wake up and eat this Kirin!'

As soon as she called out, Celes felt a hot sensation seeping out of her skin. She could clearly guess that it was the Devour. The devour assists her cultivation by eating spiritual energy and refines it for itself and for her! It had been working so hard ever since day one but it felt so saddened when its master really just remembered its very importance just now!

Celes on the other hand observed how the stiffness of her body began to fade though it left her numb. Meanwhile, a certain unfortunate Kirin writhed in agony as it struggled on the ground as if some invisible large hands were twisting its body until cracking bones and piercing flesh were heard. Blood splashed on Celes' skin but not that she minded.

If she could guess, the Devour inserted into her cultivation was taking its time sipping out the spiritual energy of the spiritual beast. It was as if the power had a mind of its own since it enjoyed itself slowly while listening to the dying sound of the Kirin. Celes herself felt cautious for one day, such power may gain the upper hand and betray her! The former was corrupted by the ominous Qi of the battlefield.

Therefore, Celes would have to find a way to make her cultivation safe alongside the Devour. Suppose, putting it into a divine object should work and still be able to be used as her filter and refining tool. In the beginning ever since finding out about her transmigration, though Celes had known about Devour's tendencies and sacrifices, she never thought it was something heinous and needed to be get rid off. The strong was the winner in this world.

As she watched the unsightly pile of flesh that was once a Kirin, her body suddenly swayed and her legs felt numb yet as if a million ants heavily crawled on her lightly-tanned skin. Realizing that the ability of the Kirin still has its after effects on her, Celes allowed her fall and plopped down on the ground on her back.

Little did she know, as she had never encountered that kind of beast even from the first life, a Kirin's blood was sweet and fragrant to the tongue and nose of other beasts. A divine beast like her had much more resistance and pride to lick a lowly creature's unless her circumstances forced her to. Just as she laid down with the intention to rest, squeaking noises entered her ears. It wasn't just one or two or three but a horde of rodent-like beasts! Celes jumped to her feet in surprise, not minding the fading numbness on her leg.

"Where did these come from?!" she yelled out loud, disgust was written in her face. Honey-Brown eyes squinted in annoyance when she saw them coming from the pit. 'Have they eaten the spoils that they got tired of it?'

To her surprise, they began licking the ground and the Kirin and it's torn flesh. They would chew on it's flesh but spit it out after as if. . . they were enjoying the taste of its blood!

Celes gulped. She remembered having some blood splashed on her face so they would probably come after her. Like she had thought, some unsatisfied rodent did start making its way towards her. The woman lifted her arm to expose her slender, pretty fingers and made her palm face the direction of the rodents. She tried to imagine her Devour taking a physical form of a black flame only to feel wisps of wind circling on her palm.

Nevertheless, as long as this type of Devour works, she would be fine. Celes allowed the invisible wisps of wind to scatter away from her. Eyes of gold looked distant and calm as they focused on the efficacy of the Qi engulfed with Devour's ability.

Squeak!

It turned out just as how she had imagined it to happen. The wisps of wind had transpired over the area before her like ordinary wind however, in a mere few seconds, she felt the ground tremble beneath her! The rodents were not small, they were mutated chupacabras, deadly ghoul-like creatures in this world! Such huge rats landed on the ground with heavy thuds and were paralyzed from any movement. Some unfortunate ones had began to choke on the chunks of Kirin flesh to Celes' amusement. In the beginning, the woman had felt disappointed at seeing them unharmed. If Celes was stronger, this low-ranked horde should have died from spiritual pressure. But now that a few may have died (by accident, however she immediately denied it), a smile had once again reclaimed its rightful place on her pretty mouth.

With every ounce of strength remaining in her numb legs, Celes picked herself and stood on all four at first. Stabbing the ground with her sword, she was then able to pull herself up only to lean against the sword to support herself after. She would drag herself and the sword on the ground and stab each rodent one at a time. Though it may be an easy job now, a weakened Celes did not have enough stamina.

Her face has turned black as she looked over the pit. Oh how she wished for a fire! But she had no ability like that. Unwillingly, she backed away and slowly swayed towards the mouth of the cave.

'The petrification really have such side effects! I won't see the poor excuse of a sun light tomorrow if I don't rest inside.' Slowly moving and taking one step at a time, Celes had made her way into the three entrances area. She looked at the remaining two - statue or tomb stone - but both looked like grave yards. 'The door farther from the well-lit room meant farther from that cultivator.'

With the reasoning that she was already in a cemetery-like forest, it did not matter which door. Celes has entered the wooden door with etched names. A pair of short swords appeared in her palms and a smuley face have entered the eerie door. Unlike the golden room, the place released thr heavy, stagnant smell.