The Lands Of Steel
After spending an entire chapter on just a cave our heroes finally get out of the cave and enter a mysterious place .
Filled with abnormalities , everything made with some sort of metal , there were crystal overgrowths with gems in them . The ground itself was made with pure unadulterated steel .
We reached the cave of reflection at evening and crossing the cave took us nighttime . To get past those mimics .
That skill Stopwatch isn't that useful either . Since I can only dodge using that skill. It only gives me time to change my stance .
As for my memories, I don't know what I know .
They don't feel that clear . I know there is a gap unaccounted for . But I think I should countinue ahead .
It had been night the starts gleaming with light as always . There were no clouds in the area . So their light was in full display . The light of the moon and the starts hit the metals and they reflected the light back giving the expression of them being lustrous .
Every kind of metal such as Aluminium, Tungsten, Copper, Bronze, Silver , gold, Platinum, Brass , Tin and all different types of gems were also present .
There were monstrous growth of these metals in form of trees , grasses , random rock structures and they were all blended in different metals to express an elegance . In them
It was so wonderous , that even Era who knows everything about everything was in awe .
Started walking forward finally we encountered something out of place .
A man and a tree ? Playing chess . The man had pieces made of steel while the tree somehow sentient had pieces made out of soil .
And don't misunderstand this game wasn't played on a small chessboard while both of them sitting facing the other. While moving these pieces with their arms .
A wide space had been made where light coloured spaces were made of glistening metal and the dark space were occupied by the earth .
The border was covered with a mix of gold and platinum .
While the man sat with his legs crossed . On a platform which was about 5 meters in the air . While the tree made itself a platform made out of wood . And it planted its roots in it .
Both of them were very engrossed in their game .
The man said " Queen to C4 "
And the queen piece levitated and moved to the position .
The tree took the knight which was besides the queen with his bishop . But the bishop was protected by its own queen .
The Queen took the bishop while offering the queen a trade . But instead it moved a pawn in the way . The Queen took the pawn . But this was just bait for the knight which took the bishop on the kings side .
But it was ineffective as the Queen took the queen and the king was checkmated .
After the checkmate both of those platforms descended downwards until they both got off them .
? :
Hmm , that was a very close match .
? :
Yes you played very well this time , almost close to beating me.
? :
My leaves are telling me that someone is here .
? :
I see , I was so engrossed in the possibility of chess that I forgot to pay them any heed .
? :
I'm sure I set up some trials for them .So they couldn't get here easily . They're quite early to say .
He opened his eyes to reveal metallic eyes . His whole body was bulked up like the Fire King.
Steel :
I've heard the Fire King taught someone was it you . (Points towards Jay)
Jay :
Yes .
Steel :
I can see the fire in you aura has allowed you to mould metals even more directly .
Steel :
Before I forget.
Let me introduce myself.
I am the one whose body is stronger than steel .
I've trained my body and my arts through countless amounts of training .
There is no one paralleled when compared to me .
I am truly peerless .
Four pillars rose from the background consisting of different metals . And then scattered like confetti or flowers in the air .
I am The Man Of Steel.
Steel : (Inner thought)
Nailed it .
Besides him was a tree . The tree had human like characteristics and it seemed quite old . Despite being a tree it robed itself in green .
I was expecting another flashy intro .
He just came forward and started shaking his hand with us .
? :(To McElroy)
Good evening , I'm Eren , Nice to meet you
Eren : (To Era)
Good evening I'm Eren , Nice to meet you
Eren :(To Jay )
Good evening I'm Eren , Nice to meet you .
Jay :
Nice to meet you I'm Jay Garrick .
McElroy:
It's a pleasure to meet you Eren , I'm McElroy.
Era :
Nice to meet you.
Eren :
My my what an energetic bunch . You must be hungry here eat this.
He handed us a 3 fruit from his branches . We ate them and they were extremely delightful as well as extremely fullfilling .
Steel :
Tell me how did you defeat the traps I set .
McElroy explained the entire process .
Steel :
Now that I think about it it's extremely clever .
Eren :
I had sensed them already the land told me .
Eren :
You the ones I'm looking for .
Eren :
Before my leaves fall in the autumn , and I wither to my age I want to pass what I learned .
Many of the masters wish so .
Even my friend here
Steel : (Cough)
Nothing will happen to me as I am the man of Steel.
Eren :
Steel is tough , but age still corrodes it .
Just like you were not once you were .
Eren :
And they saw something in you that they couldn't in anyone else .
Eren :
Ambition, desperation , and much more .
Eren :
Which is why I the oldest of the treants wish to pass on my art . To you .
Steel :
As my friend said . I am as tough as steel , but it doesn't mean I'm not corroding .
For that I would like to enlighten the new ones .
Eren :
Oh my introduction, have forgotten I .
Eren :
I am Eren the oldest of the Treant and I'm the one they call me " The one with the Earth " . Because my roots are firmly planted in the soil get it .
Eren :
I have studied and practiced Earth Magic for many years but I lack something to fully understand it .
And thus we were dragged into another training arc . My God . Why ?